Finding a plated modern RS125 is hard enough in the United States, but this example stands out even further thanks to the fact that it has just 12 miles. It does beg the question – what would you do with a bike like this? It’s best on a track but it’ll lose value with every miles. Are these collectible enough …
2005 Benelli Tornado Tre
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 production was shut down and the company was merged into Moto Guzzi in 1988. 2002 marked the return of Benelli, with their first new bike …
Quail Participant – 1992 Ducati 851 Custom
Post-Listing Update: This 851 did not get any interest at the BIN of $4,500. The seller originally acquired this 851 Strada as a “cosmetic basketcase” and decided he liked how it looked without bodywork. Thanks to a custom subframe, fiberglass cafe seat, and a few other pieces, you get a bike that (in the seller’s words) is “meant to ride, …
1960 Moto Guzzi Zigolo 110
Post Listing Update: This Zigolo was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. 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. In 1960, Guzzi introduced the Zigolo 110, which obviously got a slightly larger engine but also gained hydraulic suspension. …
In Italy – 1967 Gilera 202 Super
In 1909, Giuseppe Gilera was just 22 when he started Moto Gilera. Over time, Gilera grew into a marquee manufacturer. World War II got in the way but in the 50s, riders on Gileras won the 500cc World Championship 6 times in 8 years. To help pay racing bills, the company sold a series of small street bikes, like this …
Needs Some Work – 1958/9 Parilla Olimpia
After World War II, Giovanni Parrilla built his first motorcycle (it was based on a Norton). This evolved into the company of Moto Parilla, which was best known for their “high-cam” engines in the US. Here’s one of their lesser known models, the Olimpia (which is one of the few bikes I know that was offered with 2-stroke and 4-stroke …
1994 Ducati E900 Elefant
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 was branded as the Ducati E900 – this may give you a hint …
3 Bikes – Police Motorcycle Collection
6-1-16 Update: The seller has let me know that the HD has sold. He’s now asking for $4,500 each for the remaining two, or $8,000 for both. Here are three police motorcycles being sold in a package deal – you’ve got an American, and Italian, and a Japanese bike. Sounds like the start to a bad joke (or the opening …
Ending Soon – 1965 Ducati Sebring 350 Roadracer
Post-Sale Update: After 4 bids on eBay, this Ducati racer sold for $6,256 on eBay. The Sebring was introduced to the world as a 350 race bike, and it claimed a class victory at Sebring when piloted by Franco Farne. Based on this victory, Ducati went ahead and named the bike after the race. This example stands out as it …
#007 – 2000 Bimota SB8R
Post-Listing Update: This SB8R did not meet reserve with 19 bids up to $7,691. No, it’s not a Bond reference – this SB8R is number seven off the production line. From a production number standpoint, this is one of the more popular Bimotas ever built (which still isn’t saying much). Starting with a Suzuki TL V-Twin, Bimota worked a little …
In Italy – 1974 Laverda SFC 750 Mk2
Post-Listing Update: This Laverda did not meet reserve despite 37 bids up to $36,455. One of the most famous motorcycles to ever come out of Italy, the Laverda SFC was a half-faired beauty built for competition. SFC stood for Super Freni Competizione, or “Super Brakes Competition.” The brakes weren’t the only thing that were super – the engine got bigger …
2008 Aprilia RSV1000R Bol d’Or
To commemorate their entry into the 24 hour Bol d’Or endurance race at Le Mans, Aprilia released a limited production (200 units over two years) run of the RSV1000R. The only difference was the paint scheme, which was a copy of the livery used in Aprilia’s superstock race bike in the 2007 Bol d’Or race.
2005 Ducati 999R
In 2005, Ducati started exporting the 999R in earnest to satisfy the AMA homolgation requirements (the year before, just 50 were sold). For $29,995, this motorcycle was just about as close to a WSBK bike you could get. It’d be easy to second guess if the 999R was worth the $7,000 premium over the 999S. Journalists at the time resoundingly …
2004 Ducati 998 Matrix Reloaded Edition
The best scene of The Matrix Reloaded film was a chase scene featuring a Ducati 996, and the Italian firm created a limited edition of motorcycles as a tie-in with the movie. Only problem was, by the time the movie was released, the 998 was already on dealer floors. Close enough, right?
1974 Laverda 750 SFC
Post-Listing Update: This Laverda was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The most iconic motorcycle adorned with Laverda’s name on the tank, the 750 SFC was a limited production racer for the street. This example was restored 4 years ago and it’s ready for you to enjoy.