Post Sale Update: This Desmosedici sold for $42,600 after 25 bids on eBay. In their attempt to create the ultimate sportbike, Ducati created 1,500 examples of the Desmosedici D16RR. The RR stands for Racing Replica, and it was a limited production version of the Desmo racebike piloted by Casey Stoner in MotoGP.
Backflip Display Model – 2001 VOR MX 503
Post Sale Update: This display sold for sold for $4,050 after 17 bids on eBay. Normally, a pristine VOR MX 503 would easily be interesting enough for me to feature by itself, but this example is literally on another level! It’s been converted into a display bike as if it is in the process of completing a backflip thanks to …
Land Speed Moped – 1970 Tomos
6-15-2018 Update: Over two years later, Zack B notes that this Tomos is back up for sale. It looks much different now (and not for the better, I’d say). Check out pictures in the listing with an unmet opening bid of $999 in Crawfordsville, Indiana here on eBay. Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Tomos sold for a hefty $10,420.69. …
558 Miles in Canada – 2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000S DS
Introduced in 2003, the Ducati Multistrada 1000 was quickly complemented by a smaller (620) model. Multistrada translates to “many roads’, and the idea was that you’d get ADV comfort for all day riding without the pretensions of going off-road with a heavy beast. The initial run had some teething problems – not in terms of reliability but in terms of …
The Original Italian Power Cruiser – 2012 CR&S Duu
CR&S is a boutique Italian manufacturer that is in many ways comparable to Arch Motorcycle. The two both produce ultra top-shelf, S&S V-Twin-powered, performance-oriented cruisers, but while Arch’s models have received ample public attention and media exposure, CR&S’ offerings are little known in the good ol’ US of A, which is a damn shame considering the Italian marque makes some …
596 Miles – 1971 Harley-Davidson Sprint SX350
By the time Harley-Davidson introduced the Aermacchi-built SX, it was already outdated from a performance standpoint. They took the SS street bike, gussied it up with a few parts to make it a street scrambler, and the SX was born. Like most of the street scramblers of the day, it had off-road pretensions without real off-road performance. Despite all that, …
1976 Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport
Post Sale Update: This 3 1/2 sold for $6,500 after 9 bids on eBay. In one of their reviews of the Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport, Cycle World said, “For the lucky few, the Morini is worth what it costs.” Considering the fact that this bike (with a 39 horsepower, 344cc engine) cost as much as a Honda CB750, it …
Spirit of the Seventies Build – 1997 Ducati 600SS Custom
UK-based customs outfit Spirit of the Seventies has produced some of my all-time favorite retro-themed builds. As the shop’s name suggests, SotS specializes in transforming modern machines into retro-styled customs and while this particular Ducati project is one of the shop’s low-end builds, it’s nonetheless a pretty fascinating one; making just a couple major modifications and leaving the majority of …
Well-Modified – 2005 Ducati Monster S2R 800
2018 marks 25 years for the Ducati Monster, and it’s had quite a run during that quarter-decade. In 2005, the model line was updated with a new king – the S4RS Testastretta (999 Superbike motor/Ohlins suspension) and the S2R desmodue (2V Desmo motor). The latter borrowed the styling from the former but it offered similar amounts of joy for a …
1982 Ducati Pantah 600SL
The Ducati Pantah 600SL (actually a 583cc) was the first Ducati to use a hydraulic clutch. Other upgrades included Bosch ignition, Paoli forks, and a tougher gearbox. The engine was good for 57 horsepower at 8,500rpm and it was paired with a 5 speed transmission and Dell’orto carbs. A year later, the Pantah got an even bigger engine and became …
Street Legal 2-Stroke in CA – 2000 Cagiva Mito 125
In 1994, Cagiva updated the styling of their little Mito 125 with a redesign by none other than Massimo Tamburini – that’s why it looks like like his iconic 916! These are absurdly rare in the United States (according to Mecum, just 20 were imported in 2000), and this one is extra special for residents of California because it’s plated …
2016 Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP
A friend of mine in the motorcycle industry is selling his Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP – and the SP is the one you want with Ohlins suspension, better brakes, slight reduction in weight, and even a slightly longer wheelbase. It’s the ultimate commter!
1995 Ducati E900 Elefant
Post Sale Update: This Elefant sold for $3,500 after 15 bids on eBay. Ducati was sold to Cagiva in 1985, and one of the things the latter did with this infusion of bikes and technology to try and compete in the Paris-Dakar rally. They created the Elefant, which won the rally in 1990 and 1994. In the US, the bike …
Rare in the US – 1991 Gilera CX125
Post Listing Update: This CX did not get any interest at the opening ask of $7,995. 5-3-2018 Update: Looks like the original sale did not go through, and this rare Gilera is back up for sale. The unmet opening bid is $7,995 here on eBay. Post-Sale Update: After 2 bids on eBay, this Gilera sold for $5,900. The coolest looking …
“V5 Sport” – 1981 Moto Guzzi V50 III Custom
Post Listing Update: This “V5” did not meet reserve despite 12 bids up to $2,520. When Moto Guzzi first released the V50 in the late 70s, they were met with a tepid response from an American market that preferred bigger bikes and expected smaller bikes to be cheaper. Not many were sold, but this example is truly a 1-of-1 as …