The Ducati 996 was the Italian marque’s flagship super bike from from 1999-2002, replacing the legendary 916 before eventually being replaced by the 998. Aside from the raw performance and sexy Tamburini-designed aesthetics, many love these bikes as they were the last all-mechanical Ducati’s, possessing no electronic riding aids – not including the fuel-injection. Like Ducati’s offerings from today, the …
Ex-Steve Williams TT F1 – 1988 Bimota YB4-R
Post Listing Update: This Bimota did not meet reserve with 18 bids up to $6,455. The YB4 was Bimota’s fourth Yamaha-based bike, built around the FZ750 (2MG series). The machine was developed for the ’87 season of the prestigious Formula TT World Championship. It first premiered at the French Bol d’Or Endurance Race of ’86 but after homologation rules forced …
47cc Folding Moped – 1975 Carnielli Motograziella
Post Listing Update: This Motograziella did not get any interest at the unmet opening bid of $2,400. I’ve featured all kinds of folding scooters over the years, but this just might be the most stylish of them all. “This” is the Motograziella, a 47cc folding moped built by Carnielli of Vittorio Veneto, Italy. Carnielli was founded in the 1920s, but …
Restomod Italimerican – 1970 Harley-Davidson Sprint SS350
In response to the sales success of smaller Japanese bikes in the 1960’s, Harley-Davidson formed a plan to offer a new small-displacement machine to compete as its own small-engined Hummer model left a lot to be desired. Around this same time Aermacchi was interested in focusing more resources on its aeronautical division and allowed Harley to grab a 50 percent …
No Reserve – 1954 Moto Guzzi Zigolo 98 Turismo
Post Sale Update: This Zigolo sold for $4,500 after 29 bids on eBay. Introduced in 1953, the Zigolo was Guzzi’s first partially-enclosed motorcycle. It was designed to be cheap transportation for the masses and it featured a 98cc two-stroke engine.
Rare OHC Duck – 1958 Ducati Sport 100
Founded by brothers Adriano and Bruno Cavalieri as well as Marcello Ducati, what we now call “Ducati” first started out as “Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati” back in 1926. The Bologna-based company got its start by manufacturing radio components, mostly for the Italian military. Unfortunately this made the company’s factory a target for being bombed in WW2 – something that …
Restored – 1979 Fantic Chopper 125
Post Listing Update: Despite 9 bids on eBay up to $4,600, this Fantic did not meet reserve. In 1971, the Conservative Party in England introduced legislation known as the “Sixteeners Laws” – it banned 16 year olds from riding bikes that were 250cc and up. European and Japanese manufacturers responded with a wave of 50-125cc mopeds that were informally called …
Little, Rare, and Italian – 1991 Gilera CX125
The Gilera CX125 is a really unique little avant-garde motorcycle. Obviously its unorthodox front wheel setup is its most predominant feature, but its space-age full bodywork definitely furthers the adventurousness of the design. The small-bore scoot was built by Gilera, an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded more than a century ago that was eventually bought by the Piaggio Group. The Arcore-based …
Boutique Italian Enduro – 2000 VOR EN 400
VOR (or Vertemati Offroad Racing) is a high-end Italian motorcycle manufacturer specializing in – as the name suggests – enduros and offroad scoots. The small Milan-based company was founded by brothers Alvaro and Guido Vertemati, both of whom had prior experience working in the offroad segment, as well as serving as the Italian importers for Swedish manufacturer Husaberg in the …
Still New – 2007 Aprilia SXV450
On paper, Aprilia’s SXV450 was destined to be an all-time great in the world of production supermotos. 60 horsepower at the crank was about 10 more than other 450s were making at a time, and the twin cylinder layout rewarded riders who were willing to play near the 13,000 rpm redline. Unfortunately, it was Aprilia’s first attempt at building an …
1 of 524 – 1995 Bimota BB1 Supermono
Bimota’s first BMW-powered motorcycle, the BB1 Supermono was also the first Bimota to be powered by a single-cylinder motor. In total, 524 were sold – 376 as the Supermono you see here in red/grey and another 148 Supermono Bipostos in dark blue.
2000 Moto Guzzi Quota 1100ES
Post Listing Update: This Quota was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Moto Guzzi took their well-known 1,064cc twin and threw it in an ADV package to compete against BMW’s GS bikes. The result was as you’d expect – too heavy and under-suspended for serious off-road work, but very capable as a sport-tourer that could also play on …
1976 Bimota SB2
I’ve featured a couple of SB2s in the past, but this is the first one that’s available in the US. This was one of the first streetbikes with a monoshock and it had adjustable steering geometry.
Impressive Replica – “1975” Bimota HB1
View Post17 Miles In Hungary – 1984 Fantic Sprinter
Formed in 1968 by Dr. Mario Agrati and Henry Keppel Hesselink, Fantic Motor is best known for off-roaders and mini bikes. One of their many quirky motos was the Sprinter Multispeed, which might be the most “80s” looking two-wheeler I’ve ever seen. This one stands out as it has just 17 miles on the odometer.