This week I shared a modern Yamaha in the yellow/black speedblock livery – now it’s time for an older one! This fascinating Kenny Roberts-inspired Street Tracker was built by Englishman Joe Banks as “a fusion of vintage inspiration and modern engineering”.
Signed by Kenny Roberts – 2016 Yamaha XSR900 60th Anniversary
Over on the auction site, we’ve got a show bike used by our friends over at Motodemic. They used this to demonstrate the parts they make for Yamahas, and they’ve only put 92 miles on it since new.
1984 Kawasaki KDX200
As Dirt Bike Magazine put it in their model history of the KDX200, “To this day, no one can clearly define the Kawasaki KDX200. Was it a beginner bike designed to teach wives and kids the fine art of off-road riding? Or was it a Navy SEAL of a bike built for the toughest enduros and the most grizzled riders? …
1986 Honda XL600R
Honda’s XL/XR series has been the mount of choice for enduro riders for decades, and the XL600R was a popular option in the 80s – Dirt Rider magazine said it was the best in the dirt of the open class dual purpose bikes (including the Kawasaki KL600 and Yamaha XT600).
Forward Controls – 1981 Honda CB750 Custom
I’m really not sure how to describe this but I had to feature it anyway – it’s rare to see a motorcycle where the rider is in front of the engine.
Well Preserved – 1990 Honda Transalp
8-20-23 Update: Five years later, this Transalp is back up for sale – though it’s now in Maine with all of two additional miles (9,765 in total) and a lower asking price. Find it for $4,800 here on ADVRider. In the late 80s, Honda offered both an AT and a TA – the Africa Twin and the Transalp. Both were …
1991 Yamaha FZR1000
The Fizzer was an instant classic when it was introduced in 1987. Just two years later, Cycle World named it the “Bike of the Decade”, thanks in part to a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of nearly 170 mph! It got a little long in the tooth, but the first generation was beloved by the press …
In France – 1979 Yamaha 350 With Corki Frame
Based in France, Moto Corki was the brainchild of Lucienne Cordonnier. He built his own frames – as noted by Satanic Mechanic it was a backbone design ‘probably inspired by Egli but unlike the Egli and its successors, the backbone extended down to the swingarm pivot in a 110 degree angle.’ Another website suggests that the Corki name came from …
BikeEXIF Feature – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 Custom
Built by Victor Wilkens of Seattle, Washington, this custom GSX-R750 has a delightfully 80s vibe but it features a 90s Bandit 1200 motor (similar power, but 20 more lb-ft of torque).
1996 Honda VFR750 RC36
I know I already featured a RC36 just a few days ago, but this one has the Corbin Beetle bags that I almost never see on this generation of Interceptor – they’re not subtle but they sure add a bunch of luggage capacity!
First Ride Review – 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+
I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the press launch for the Tracer over multiple generations going back to 2019, and throughout the years the model has impressed me with its blend of fun, practicality, and technology at a reasonable price. For 2024, Yamaha’s made a few updates and added a “+” to the name – that means it has to …
Honda-Powered EML Off-Road Racing Sidecar
This interesting off-roader combines a ’80s EML frame with a Honda XR650R motor – though the frame was originally built for a CR500 motor!
1993 Kawasaki ZX-7
In 1988, Kawasaki debuted a 750cc racebike called the ZXR-7. The following year, they released a production version – we knew it in the US as the Ninja ZX-7. The 748cc inline four engine produced 105 horsepower inside of an aluminum perimeter frame. Performance Bikes magazine saw 91 hp at the rear wheel with a 152 mph top speed in …
1997 Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace
The Yamaha YZF1000R, known outside of the US as the Thunderace, was a bit of a parts-bin bike bridged the legendary FZR1000 and even more legendary R1. It’s a bit forgotten nowadays especially as it only sold in the US for just one year, but here’s an interesting one that’s been imported from Europe.
1991 Honda VFR750 RC36
“For many, bike journalists included, the Honda VFR 750 is the best road bike ever built.” That’s how MCN starts their review of the RC36 generation of Honda’s iconic VFR. It’s legendarily reliable, is a great bike for the money, and gives you a little taste of what it’s like to ride a RC30 in the process. Here’s one that’s …