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Why Buy New? 1989 Yamaha TW200

In Dual-Sport, Japan, Less than 5k by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This TW200 sold for $1,526 after 28 bids on eBay. Over the years, Yamaha’s TW200 has barely changed – they just announced the specifications for the 2018 model a couple of months ago and it’s still going to be rocking carbs instead of fuel injection. In fact, over a 30+ year model run Yamaha has only given …

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#68 of 300 – 1992 Honda NR

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Honda has built some amazing motorcycles over the last few decades, but one of the most incredible was the RC40 – but you probably know it as the NR. It was a technological tour-de-force that utilized oval pistons, carbon fiber bodywork, a titanium-tinted screen, and 7 different sensors just to control the fuel injection! Because this bike had more computing …

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Phil Nicoletti’s AMA MX Racer – 2013 Yamaha YZ450

In Japan, Off-Road, Race by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Yamaha started what it likes to refer to as the “four-stroke revolution” as they were first to release a 4-stroke motocrosser. From the time Doug Henry piloted that YZ400M to victory in an AMA SX event in Las Vegas, Yamaha’s YZs have won countless high-level racing events and established itself as the go-to 450 for many top riders. The four-stroke …

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Honda vs. Kawasaki – 1982 250cc MX Racers

In Japan, Less than 5k, Off-Road by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

For decades, two-stroke MXers were big business. Production versions of factory competition machines became desirable off-roaders, leading to some of the most iconic quarter-liter off-road racers of all time. Two of those machines are undeniably the Honda CR250R and Kawasaki KX250. Both bikes were “out of the box racers” that were instant classics, receiving various updates over the years in …

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FJR1300 Powered – Home Built Reverse Trike

In 3 Wheels, America, Custom, Japan by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Motorcycles have the potential of serving as sensible utilitarian vehicles, but reverse trikes like the Can-Am Spyder and Polaris Slingshot epitomize impractical recreational vehicles. While enclosed motorcycle-powered three-wheelers typically cater to a slightly more affluent demographic than standard two-wheelers, this example boasts a far more accessible price tag while still offering much of the raw performance and canyon carving fun …

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Old-School Cool – 1974 Kawasaki S3 Mach II 400

In Japan, Standard by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

The S3 Mach II 400 was a smaller, more tamable version of Kawasaki’s legendary 1970’s triples, though the 400 two-stroke inline-triple still packed enough punch to allow for some legally-questionable riding. After Kawasaki’s enormous success with the release of its H1 Mach III, Mean Green seized on the momentum of its iconic three-cylinder by offering several other bikes powered by …

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All Terrain Cycles – 1986 Yamaha BW200 and Honda TR200

In Japan, Less than 5k, Off-Road, Small Displacement by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

A lot of unconventional motorcycles were built in the 1980’s, especially in Japan. When one manufacturer released an unorthodox scoot, another manufacturer would often follow suit, just in case one of these novel gambles worked. Forced induction is a good example of this, but the factory ATV-wheeled dirt bikes of the new-wave and cocaine-fueled decade may be the best example. …

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Needs Some Work – 2006 Yamaha YZF-R1 M1 Tribute

In Japan, Less than 5k, Sport by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Most “custom” sportbikes aren’t much more than a handful of bolt-on aftermarket parts fitted to a super-bike/sport, but this fascinating YZR M1 “replica” is truly a custom sport build. This unique one-off R1 was used at Superbike-Coach by Can Akkaya. Superbike-Coach is based out of Elk Grove, California and it features courses for street and track riders of all skill …

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One Year Only – 2008 Suzuki B-King

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Suzuki first debuted its Hayabusa in 1999 and it was met with fairly instant success – so much so that the model is still produced today and has gone largely unchanged in its near two-decade production run, (although rumors suggest its time may be soon coming to an end). Nonetheless, the Busa sold remarkably well, even in the US where …