When BMW introduced the R75 as part of the /5 lineup, it was the biggest bike they offered. The /5 gained an electric start, coils, and an alternator to complement the reliable motor and 100+ top speed. Here’s a “slash 5” with the lovely toaster tank.
Round Headlight – 1994 BMW R100GS
BMW has brought back the famous “bumblebee” livery with the new R1250GS as part of a paint job called the “40 years of GS Edition,” but here’s an example of what inspired the new model. By ’94, the R100GS was using a square headlight, however this example has had a conversion to the older headlight of the previous generation.
1986 BMW R80 Custom
In the seller’s words, this “is one of the most properly sorted BMW cafe racers you’re likely to come across. If I were to list out all of the work/details that went into this bike, I’d be here all night…and would still inevitably miss a ton. This is NOT one of the hacked together BMW cafe racers that seem to …
2 Miles – 2010 BMW HP2 Sport
The BMW HP2 Sport is one of the rarest bikes from the last few decades of BMW motorcycles. It certain ways, it was a tough sell. Loosely based on the R1200S, this was a very pricey and exclusive sportbike that put down less power than its competitors due to the limits of the venerable boxer engine. But I think it …
Bumblebee – 1989 BMW R100GS
4/24/21 Update: Almost a year later, this bike is back up for sale. It doesn’t look like anything has changed besides the mileage, which is up to 15,914. Find it in Missoula, Montana with bidding up to $6,000 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay. Post Listing Update: This GS did not meet reserve with 5 bids up …
1991 BMW K1
BMW keeps one-upping themselves when it comes to sportbikes as of late – they’ve just announced the M1000RR – but their history of inline-4 sporting machines starts with the famous K1.
2007 BMW R1200R
For the 2007 model year, BMW updated the R1150R with a significant improvement in the R1200R. The new motor featured four valves per cylinder and (obviously) a displacement bump to 1,170cc. That increased power to 109, but BMW claimed that the new bike saved 44 pounds over its predecessor – resulting in a 40% increase in power-to-weight!
1957 Zundapp Bella
Zundapp was able to sell about 130,000 examples of the Bella scooter between 1953 and 1964. Engine options were a 150 (146) or 200 (198) – here’s an original example of the latter.
2004 BMW R1150R Rockster Edition 80
The BMW Rockster was an interesting variant on their naked bike of the time, the R1150R. The Rockster was BMW’s take on a streetfighter of sorts, made by pulling together the headlight from a R1150GS, gauges from the R1100S, and throwing them onto the R1150R with a distinctive paint job. In 2004, BMW introduced the dual-spark version of the oilhead …
1957 Zundapp Super Sabre
Powered by a 250cc two stroke, the Super Sabre was the top of the line Zundapp at the time.
#1 – 2018 NMoto Nostalgia BMW R7
2-28-21 Update: 9 months later, this Nostalgia is up for sale with a hefty discount. The ask has gone from $95k to $64,500 – find it here on eBay. For context, we had one for sale at Iconic for several months. We let it go for $37,450 including buyer’s fees. A couple of years ago, I shared a custom based …
Ending Soon – 1996 MZ Skorpion Sport
Post Sale Update: This Skorpion sold for $2,652 including buyer’s fee on Iconic Motorbike Auctions in Julian, California. The Skorpion was an example of what an international economy can achieve – a East German manufacturer brought together Japanese motors (from Yamaha) and a British design firm (called Seymourpowell) to create something that worked well on paper and on the road. …
2006 BMW HP2 Enduro
Post Listing Update: This HP2 Enduro did not meet reserve with 45 bids up to $12,300 on eBay in Vienna, Virginia. The HP2 Enduro was the perfect bike for riders who thought the R1200GS was capable but too heavy. Thanks to a trellis frame and conventional telescopic forks, the HP2 saved 53 pounds of weight from the standard GS.
303,000 Miles – 1998 BMW K1200RS
MCN summarized the K1200RS by saying it “carved its own niche as a superb high-speed distance bike that could carry a pillion and luggage too without breaking a sweat…build quality remains a strong point so big mileages are very possible.” Here’s some proof of that statement, as this RS (offered by the original owner) has an impressive 303k miles on …
Rebuilt Engine – 1961 BMW R27
Post Sale Update: After not meeting reserve twice and getting bid up between $7-$8k, the seller listed this as a BIN for $10,500 – and it sold. An evolution of the R26, the BMW R27 gained rubber engine mounts and a bump in power to 18 horsepower. It was the firm’s last shaft-driven single.