In 1962, Benelli and Motobi merged, and Benelli acquired Motobi’s engine designs in the process. Over time, the Motobi motor evolved into 175, 200, and then 250cc variants. Like General Motors did with Chevy/Oldsmobile/Pontiac etc, Benelli and Motobi practiced a bit of brand engineering: the Motobi motor ended up powering a motorcycle known in the US as the SuperSport and …
Partial Restoration – 1960 Ducati Bronco
If they’ve even heard of it at all, riders are usually familiar with the Ducati Bronco as a 125cc bike. But it was also available in 85cc and 98cc variants – here’s one of the tiny ones that is close being completely restored. Who’s ready to finish the job and get a little Italian jewel n the process?
2 Miles – 1969 Benelli Dynamo
4-14-17 Update: Two years later, this bike is back up for sale with a whopping 50% more miles! That might be a bit of an overreaction as the total mileage is still just 3. But now you know it runs and the new listing has much better photos. So, find this Dynamo for sale in Stockton, New Jersey with bidding …
728 Miles and Ending Soon – 1997 Ducati 900 SuperSport
As the seller points out, a ’97 900SS isn’t particularly rare. And I think the yellow looks much worse than the usual red. But…I could get over my disdain for yellow with this bike, because it’s very pristine thanks to the low mileage.
1969 Ducati 450 Scrambler
Post Listing Update: This Scrambler was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Ducati of the ‘60s and ‘70s had a history of being between extreme financial peril and a rosy business outlook. The Scrambler series was conceived and delivered during one deep, dark period of potential business failure and had a significant impact on the very next period …
102 Miles – 2005 Beta 450RR
In 2005, Beta stated selling enduros to complement their trials bikes. It was called the RR model range, and they used KTM RFS motors between 250cc and 525cc. Here’s a 450cc example with just 102 miles.
Street Fighter – 2005 Ducati 999R
Whenever Ducati puts the letter “R” at the end of a model, you know that bike is going to be special. That was indeed the case with the 999R, which Ducati built for AMA homologation. In 2004, Ducati sold just 50 examples of it in the states. More were sold in 2005 at a $29,995 MSRP – $7,000 more than …
1970 Moto Guzzi Ambassador
Moto Guzzi first started testing the by now iconic longitudinal 90 degree V-Twin in 1966. Released as the 700 CC V-7 in 1967 it was updated in 1969 as the 750 CC Ambassador (or V-7 Special in Europe) Incredibly to me Guzzi was in state receivership for financial reorganization at the time. To say that the Ambassador sold well (particularly …
1999 Laverda Formula 750S
View PostEx-WorldSSP Racer – 2016 MV Agusta F3 RC
Was yesterday’s gorgeous MV F4 World Superbike Racer a little too rich for your blood at $129k? Do you still want a taste of what it would be like to be a factory MV racer? Let’s look at World SuperSport instead, where (again thanks to Newport Italian) you have the opportunity to acquire last year’s 2nd place winner.
1967 Wards Riverside 250 Benelli
If you grew up in the 1950s and ‘60s rural America (like I did) one of the really big things to watch for was the current editions of the Montgomery Wards and Sears catalogs. You could buy ANYTHING by mail from these two giant retailers. And you could certainly tell the interests of the whole family by the worn sections …
Ex Leon Camier WorldSBK Racer – 2016 MV Agusta F4 RC
Last year, Leon Camier competed in World Superbike for MV Agusta RC (Reparto Corse). Though he did not earn any podiums, he did crack the top ten with an 8th place finish over the season. Somehow, his race bike has made its way to Newport Italian, who are willing to give it to you in exchange for $129k. Camier had …
2002 Ducati 998S Ben Bostrom Replica – 15/155
When Ben Bostrom was competing in AMA Superbike with a 998S, he raced with the number 155. So when Ducati decided to sell a limited edition replica, the production quantity was obviously…310. OK, that might not make sense at first glance, but it comes from totaling up 155 bikes in the US and 155 in the UK. Ben signed every …
Street Legal – 2000 Aprilia RS250
For many enthusiasts, the Aprilia RS250 is as good as a 250cc sportbike gets. This example is even better because it’s already plated and street legal.
1980 Italjet Pack 2
Post Sale Update: After 4 bids on eBay, this Italjet sold for $1,125. In the 60s, Italjet produced a folding scooter called the Kit Kat. It was designed for pilots and sailors who found themselves at a destination without wheels. A couple of decades later, the Italian company modernized the idea with a scooter they called the Pack 2. It’s …