In 2020, Aprilia created the ultimate version of their RSV4 sportbike. They called it the “X” and made just 10 examples, which sold out immediately and for hefty prices. Soon after, they recreated the magic with their naked bike, the Tuono. This time they made 30, and they sold them for $41,667. That’s not the only impressive number – the …
1 of 23 – 2007 Bimota DB6 Delirio Azzuro
6-23-2022 Update: Three years later, this bike is back up for sale. It’s got a few more miles (now up to 1,209 even though the seller says 700), but more importantly the opening bid ask is down quite a bit. Last time I featured this the seller wanted $25k as an opening bid. Now bidding starts at $11,000. Find it …
Owned By Forbes – 1982 Bimota SB3
Just 402 examples of the SB3 were ever built – and only nine of them were in white with red speed blocks. One of those nine was originally sold new to Malcolm Forbes (the publisher of Forbes magazine), and that’s the bike we’ve got up for sale over on Iconic.
2000 Cagiva Mito 125
Over on the auction site we’ve got a rare-in-the-US example of a Tamburini-designed tiddler. Introduced in 1989, the Cagiva Mito (Italian for “myth”) was built to replace the Freccia 125. The original model featured dual circular headlights and for four years it was the best-selling motorcycle in Italy.
1989 Italjet Buster
Italjet marketed the Buster as “a terrific little bike that is approved for AMA racing in the Pee Wee class for ages 4 to 8.”
750 F1 Tribute – 1993 Ducati 900SS
Built by Johann Keyser of Moto Motivo, this custom (and gorgeous) Ducati is a tribute to a Ducati 750 F1 Bol d’Or endurance racer.
Carbo-Tec Frame – 2002 Ducati “1036CS”
I saw this bike on eBay last week and didn’t share it because I figured it wouldn’t meet reserve, but I didn’t realize how far off I was. Now it’s back up on eBay and the seller has an asking price – $58,000 or best offer. Is it worth it? You tell me.
1969 Tarbo TR350
The seller of this Italian scooter says he’s never seen a Tarbo Sport 50 before. Hell – I’ve never even HEARD of it before, which is why I’m so glad to share it with you.
Pantah Body Kit – 2011 Ducati Monster 796
In 2010, Ducati announced an interesting program for Monster owners. The Italian firm released a series of body kits that could be installed very quickly (10 minutes) to change up the look of a Monster 696, 796, 1100, or 1100S. This featured 796 has the “Pantah” kit, which has a livery reminiscient of the classic 1981 Ducati Pantah 500SL.
1980 Moto Morini 500 Strada
Most riders think of the 3 1/2 when they hear Moto Morini, but the firm was also known for their 500 Sei-V that was produced a decade later…to very little fanfare. What was once a classically beautiful motorcycle became an odd jumble of plastic and angular lines as the Italian company tried to compete with bikes coming out of Japan.
2002 Moto Guzzi V11 Scura
Take the Moto Guzzi V11, add some higher spec components, black paint scheme, and limited production numbers, and you get the Scura. Approximately 700 examples of the Scura were built, and they were upgraded with Ohlins suspension (forks, shock, and steering damper), carbon fiber panels, and a single disc clutch/aluminum flywheel that was supposed to be more aggressive, though there …
1976 Moto Guzzi Race Bike
Built by Stan and Pearl Friduss, this Guzzi race bike competed in AHRMA Middleweight Superbike for years, though it’s been sitting for some time and it needs to be awoken from a slumber.
1973 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
Nowadays, Moto Guzzi offers several variants of the modern V7. They don’t sell particularly well, but they do hark back to one of Guzzi’s prettiest motorcycles of all time – the original V7 Sport. It was an instant classic that was created by Tonti to honor the Italian firm’s racing history.
1991 Moto Guzzi 1000S
In 1990, Moto Guzzi released the 1000S, styled to look like an update of the ’75 750 S3. It sold poorly but the classic styling has held up over the years and unlike the average Guzzi, the resale values for this model are somewhat staggering.
1997 Bimota Mantra DB3
Following up on yesterday’s oddball Italian upright is…another oddball Italian upright. The Bimota Mantra is definitely one of the most distinctive motorcycles to come out of the Rimini company’s doors. With that said, I love that they took a chance – you may never see a bike that looks like this again.