The Bimota DB4 followed the Italian firm’s modus operandi of taking a well established engine from another manufacturer and surrounding it with beautiful Italian bodywork. Using a frame similar to the Bimota Mantra, this successor wasn’t much of a technological advancement. Think of it instead as a moving piece of art.
Hoon’s Favorite: 2010 Aprilia SXV550
The Aprilia SXV550 is an absolute monster that epitomizes what supermotos should be about – immediate thrust, and minimal weight. With 70hp and less than 320 pounds of curb weight, this bike definitely checks the right boxes. Hooligans unite – this is one of the bikes you’ve been waiting for.
The True Senna – 1995 Ducati 916 Senna
Just a couple of days after we featured a ‘semi-Senna’ Ducati, reader Paul Z. found us one of the real ones! Ducati’s 916 was an instant classic as soon as it was shown to the world. Built for 5 years before evolving into the 996, this bike was one of Massimo Tamburini’s crowning achievements. Though it produced less horsepower than …
“Senna” – Ducati Monster 750 Si.e.
In the late 1990’s, Ducati released a limited edition of the 916, called the Senna. Built to honor the late Ayrton Senna, only 300 were produced in a distinctive gray with red wheels paint scheme. Though Ducati has never officially brought the Senna name back for a bike sold in the US, they have done so for other countries – …
Italian Spec Racer – 1980 Aspes Yuma
Post-Listing Update: Unfortunately, this Aspes Yuma did not attract any bidding at the $9,900 opening price. Aspes was a small Italian manufacturer that produced bikes from ’61-’82, though they were recently brought back to life in 2008. As they never imported bikes to the US, very few Americans have even heard of the firm, let alone seen their lovely creations. …
2003 Benelli Tornado Tre 900 Limited Edition
10-23 Update: Wow, that was quick! This bike has already sold, at the much lower price of $8,200. So much for the 25k asking price. Benelli was one of the many companies that struggled to survive the onslaught of Japanese competition, starting all the way back in the 60s. As years passed, Benelli was bought and sold several times until …
The Original Italian Cruiser – 1987 Ducati Indiana 650
Post-Sale Update: After 14 bids, this Ducati Indiana sold for $2,425 on eBay. Ducati has recently made waves with their power cruiser, the Diavel. But the Italians tried their hand at a cruiser over 20 years before, with the Ducati Indiana. Like most of the featured bikes on Bike-urious, the Indiana was an incredibly interesting motorcycle that ended up as …
1955 Motobi Ardizio
Motobi was a cottage Italian manufacturer that lasted for 27 years after being founded in 1950. The initial name was actually Moto ‘B’ Pesaro, which was shortened to Motobi. In ’53, Motobi developed a 200cc horizontal two-stroke engine known affectionately as the ‘egg’ – note the shape in these photos. This cylinder layout and the pressed steel frame became the …
2002 Ducati 998S Ben Bostrom Replica – 81/155
In 2002, Ducati released a limited edition of their beautiful 998 – the distinctive Ben Bostrom Replica. A total of 310 were built – 155 in the US and 155 in the UK. Why 155? That’s the race number Bostrom used in AMA Superbike on his 998S racer. Every single one was signed on the tank by Ben himself, and …
1999 Aprilia RSV Mille SP
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Aprilia RSV Mille SP sold for $8,850 after 30 bids on eBay. The Aprilia RSV Mille SP was a homologation special produced for Aprilia to enter the Superbike World Championship. The minimum requirement was for 150 bikes, so that’s exactly what Aprilia made. Today, we’re featuring #59.
1993 Ducati Superlight 900
Post Sale Update: After 30 bids on eBay, this Ducati Superlight sold for $6,700. 10-2 Update: This Ducati Superlight is now back on eBay. Find it here! Post Sale Update: After 11 bids on eBay, this Ducati Superlight did not meet reserve at $6,099. In 1992, Ducati took their 900 Supersport and added several choice extras to create a limited …
2011 Moto Guzzi Griso SE
Post Listing Update: This Griso did not meet reserve despite 24 bids up to $9,600 on eBay. The Moto Guzzi Griso SE is a special edition of the venerable Griso, that is set off by beautiful Tenni paint reminiscient of Guzzi’s racebikes of the 1950s. The SE got several extras, including spoked wheels, the beautiful paint (and brow leather seat), …
1997 Bimota SB6R
9-25 Update: The seller just left a comment saying this Bimota SB6R is still up for sale, so let’s refresh your memory a bit… The Bimota SB6R was an uprated version of the SB6, Bimota’s most popular bike – though for a niche Italian manufacturer, “popular” is a relative term (only 1,300 units were produced). The SB6R was only produced …
Good as Gold – 2007 Benelli TNT Cafe Racer
Post-Sale Update: After 10 bids on eBay, this Benelli TNT Cafe Racer sold for $6,900. The Benelli TNT Cafe Racer isn’t actually a cafe racer. It’s a polarizing, unique, and incredibly exciting naked bike that will get the attention of everyone around you as they try to figure out what the heck they’re looking at. A championship-winning marque in the …
1 of 150 – 2010 Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Edition
Post-Listing Update: This 848 did not get any action at the $8,800 opening bid. The Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Edition is one of the very, very few Ducatis that was exclusive to the United States. Built to honor Nicky Hayden, one of Ducati’s MotoGP riders, this bike celebrates Nicky’s American heritage with the red-white-and-blue theme. This exact paint scheme was …