The Yamaha XS650 is a well-known classic medium displacement standard. Produced between 1968-1985 (though the US stopped getting them in 1983), they weren’t a game changer but I’m sure plenty of you readers used to have one. Here are two version that present a dilemma – to go with stock or with a mild custom?
2015 Yamaha YZF-R1M
The Yamaha R1M is the closest thing to a race rep that Yamaha has put out in many years – and only 500 are being sold this year. For a hefty markup, here’s your chance to grab one.
1967 Honda CL77
Stored since 1988, this CL77 was recently discovered and is claimed to be an unmolested survivor. It’s been given a replacement front tire and tank badges, and it’s missing a chain guard, otherwise it’s original and complete.
1975 Yamaha RD350B
Here’s a one-owner RD350 in impressively original shape. God bless two strokes.
Sport or Tour – 1979/82 Honda CBX
Readers familiar with the Honda CBX will know that in 1981, Honda took their incredible 6-cylinder sportbike and turned it into a sport tourer. Today I’ve got a seller who’s unloading an example of both from his collection – so I want to know which bike you’d prefer!
Cheap Rare Tourer – 1983 Honda CB1000C Custom
Produced for just one year, the Honda CB1000C Custom was notable for the TRAC anti-dive system and dual-range transmission (a sub-transmission that let you choose high or low for any given gear, even if people only really used it to act as a sixth gear/overdrive).
Needs Some Work – 1959 Yamaguchi Auto-Pet
Post Sale Update: This Yamaguchi sold for $1,250 after 2 bids on eBay. Yamaguchi used to crank out a whole bunch of 2-wheelers based around a 49cc engine, though eventually they went out of business and Hodaka took over. Here’s one of their tiny bikes – an Auto-Pet.
5,234 Miles – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R 1100
Here’s a first year example of Suzuki’s legendary superbike with just under 5,300 miles that’s being offered with no reserve.
1975 Kawasaki S3
Post-Sale Update: After 20 bids on eBay, this S3 sold for $4,350. After Kawi had firmly established the ‘widowmaker’ reputation of the H1 and H2, one might have expected that the smaller displacement variants (S1-S3) would also be similarly hairy. But the S3 was designed to be a better street bike, with slightly lower peak power (42 vs the 45 …
1978 Yamaha SR500
Every time I see one of the “new” Yamaha SR400s, it makes me long for seat time on the original. If you’re the same way, here’s your chance to snap up the 550th SR500 ever built.
1974 Suzuki TS250
Post Sale Update: This TS250 sold for $2,550 after 10 bids on eBay. Also known as the Savage in the US (or the Hustler in Japan), the Suzuki TS250 was a dual-sport with 23 horsepower, a 5-speed transmission, and a top speed of about 80 miles per hour. Here’s a restored example in impressive condition.
Who Wants Dirt? 2004 Yamaha YZ450F Road Racer
With an engine tuned by Woody Kyle Racing, this YZ450F puts down 59 horsepower and has been converted into a road racer thanks to a WR450F transmission, Jardine titanium exhaust, and the front end from a CBR600F3.
1987 Suzuki GSX-R 1100
Featuring 137 horsepower and weighing just 434 pounds, the 1100 GSX-R was the fastest bike on the block at the time. Introduced right after the United States lowered the import tax on bikes above 700ccs to 24.4 percent (from over 39 percent), the bike even seemed like a relative bargain.
1964 Honda Dream 305
I’m not a big fan of the Dream’s styling, but here’s a one owner example that’s claimed to be in gorgeous shape.