Over on the auction site (Iconic Motorbikes), we’ve got a rare and interesting helmet that part of a small run that Arai did in Japan when Ducati released the Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE. “I did a stint for a year in Tokyo, Japan. During my stint I became friends with a Ducati dealer. If have the story right, someone related …
2 Kilometers – 1984 Yamaha RZV500R
The RZ was introduced in 1984 and was arguably the first production race replica. Built to emulate Kenny Roberts’ YZR500 factory racer, the RZ500 was the closest thing two-stroke enthusiasts had to a GP competitor for the road…as long as you didn’t live in the United States of America. Emissions rules put in place by the EPA prevented Yamaha from …
No Reserve – 1996 Honda EZ90 Cub
The Honda EZ90, also known as a Cub, was produced from 1991 until 1996. Designed for off-road use only, lots of Cubs were used as pit bikes (even by Honda’s ChampCar and IRL teams) as well as runabouts strapped on the back of RVs and campers.
“Barbie Bike” – 1994 Kawasaki KLR650
For two years, Kawasaki offered an interesting turquoise/purple color scheme for their venerable KLR650. Fans of the model affectionately started calling the paint job “Barbie”, and today we’ve got a fine example of one.
2006 Suzuki “GSxRD350”
Here’s an unexpected combination – a 1975 Yamaha RD350 motor shoved into a 2006 Suzuki GS500F frame!
1966 Honda CM91 Roadster Kit
The base model of this bike is something most people are familiar with – the step through Honda Cub, what James May once called the greatest machine ever. But in the late 60s, Honda was worried that scooters were losing popularity. Their solution was the Roadster Kit, which would completely change the CM91.
In Canada – 1989 Yamaha TDR250
Yamaha called the TDR250 the “Ultimate Dual“. Thanks to a a dual-sport frame with a retuned two-stroke motor from a TZR250 sportbike, I call it weird. Whatever you call it, the US did not have anything like it, because Yamaha never officially sold it here. With that said, a few were sold in Canada, and that’s where this example is …
First Ride Review – 2022 Yamaha XSR900
View Post87 Miles – 1990 Honda NS50F
Just for 1990, America got a taste of Honda’s NSF50F two stroke “sport” bike. Despite the diminutive size, it’s a street legal bike with a claimed top speed of 55 miles per hour. It makes me think of a MB5 that got updated with liquid cooling and then painted by a Miami coke dealer. I want one.
Resurrecting a Kawasaki KZ650 – Part 4
She lives!
855 Miles – 2002 Yamaha V-Max
The name told you all you need to know: when the V-Max debuted in 1985, it was a cruiser dedicated to speed. Reviewers and consumers responded positively – it instantly won Cycle Guide’s “Bike of the Year” award and it barely had any changes for the next 22 years. It was arguably the definitive muscle bike.
63 Miles – 1982 Suzuki GS1100E
In the early 80s, Suzuki knocked off the CBX as the superbike du jour. The Suzuki GS1100E came into the market and instantly became the bike of choice for the power hungry. American press mags constantly raved about not just the power, but also the surprising handling abilities for such a large bike.
Honda “NC431V”
No, the NC431V is not an official model – but it’s a hell of combination: a 2-stroke NS400R engine shoved into a modified NC30 chassis, all wrapped up in NSR bodywork.
1,670 Miles – 2001 Kawasaki ZX-11
Here’s a final-year (and very low mileage) example of Kawasaki’s ZX-11, a bike that enjoyed a lengthy production run (from 1990-2001). When it was introduced, it was the fastest production motorcycle in the world, and it kept that title until 1996 when it was beat by the Honda Blackbird.
1973 Kawasaki H2 750 Drag Bike
Kawasaki’s H2 750 is one of the craziest motorcycles of all time because it pairs an incredible motor with a chassis that simply could not keep up. This bike keeps the motor and takes it to the next level, but also eliminates the whole “need for turning” aspect that helped the stock bike the nickname of the Widowmaker.