Yamaha’s RZ500 (also known as the RD500LC) was a two-stroke rocket that was kept out of America thanks to EPA regulations. Only built between ’84 and ’86, it’s now a desirable collector’s bike – and this one’s already been titled in the US.
1977 Yamaha RD400 Custom
The RD400 came about when Yamaha made the RD350 a bit bigger in 1976 – displacement was 399cc. Thanks to 44 horsepower, the bigger RD was capable of hitting the ton with a top speed of 105 miles per hour. Most people know the 400 simply for being an easier to ride upgrade over the 350, but it was also …
1979 Honda CX500
Honda’s CX series of bikes were ahead of the time when they debuted in 1978, with liquid cooling, shaft drive, the first wheels on a production bike to use tubeless tires, and electronic ignition that was isolated from the rest of the electrical system so that you could still bump start the bike if necessary. It was Honda’s first V-Twin …
302 Miles – 2005 Honda CBR1000RR Repsol
In 2004, Honda updated their legendary CBR-RR range with the 1000, an all-new model featuring an aluminum twin-spar frame, hybrid aluminum swingarm, and an Electronic Steering Damper. The following year, they released the Repsol Edition, paying tribute to their main sponsor in the MotoGP championship. Here’s an example offered by the original owner with just 302 miles.
No Reserve – 1983 Honda VF750F Interceptor
The Honda Interceptor VF750F was the direct result of changes to the AMA Superbike rules. Because race bikes had to be production based, the VF750F was the first replica racebike to come out of Japan.
Rare in the US – 2013 Honda Blade 110
Normally, the words “Honda” and “Blade” would make you think of something like the original 900RR Fireblade (or the new Fireblade RR-R). But in Southeast Asia, the Blade is one of many (and I mean MANY) underbone scooters that dominate their personal transportation industry. This one has somehow made its way to California, and the seller claims that it is …
No Reserve – 1982 Honda XL100S
The XL100 evolved into the XL100S in 1979, and it continued that way until the model was discontinued in 1985.
2001 Honda FTR223
Nowadays, the “FTR” model is heavily associated with Indian and the FTR1200. But Honda beat them to the punch with a motorcycle that was never officially sold in the US, their own Flat Track Racing inspired FTR223! Here’s one that’s made it to the US and is currently titled in Texas.
2014 Honda VFR800 Interceptor
“In a market segment characterized by extremes, Honda’s VFR has always trod the middle ground––never the fastest, or the lightest, or the quickest way around a racetrack, but always a standout, biased more toward balance than bravado, a sportbike for the real world.” That’s how Motorcyclist magazine introduces Honda’s legendary Interceptor in this timeline of the model.
Factory Racer – 1979 Kawasaki KR750
Introdcued in 1975, the KR750 was Kawasaki’s top tier road racing machine, piloted by legendary names such as Gary Nixon, Steve Baker, and Mike Baldwin. Normally when I feature something that looks like a KR750, it’s a tribute – but today someone’s got Baldwin’s actual machine up for sale!
#186 of 200 – 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 Spirit of America
Post Listing Update: This KZ1000 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. In 1978, Kawasaki was the only Japanese manufacturer with a facility in the US. Kawi’s president (Dave Mehney) and Marketing Vice President (Dick Terrell) decided to highlight that with an “All-American Ride-away” – a program where Kawi customized 200 of their KZ1000s with an American paint …
1981 Suzuki FS50X
Sold in some markets as the Shuttle, the Suzuki FS50 was a family of scooters related to the FZ50 and FA50. The FS was built between 1980 and 1991 and was powered by a 49cc 3.2 hp engine paired with a two-speed transmission.
Mick Grant’s Racer – 1982 Suzuki XR69
Also known as the GS1000R, the Suzuki XR69 was born out of Pops Yoshimura’s request for Suzuki to help him with some development of his GS750-based Formula 750 racer. In 1977, F750 became Formula One and they allowed 1,000cc motors. Suzuki started using the GS1000 motor (good for 74 horsepower stock) but Pops was able to coax approximately 130 horsepower …
2002 Suzuki Hayabusa
Suzuki’s just released an all-new Hayabusa, but here’s one for those of you that like the classics – it stands out thanks to nearly-immaculate bodywork and choice modifications.
1978 Kawasaki Z1-R
In a 1978 review of the Z1-R, Cycle Guide described it as such: “The bike has enough raw horsepower to be truly impressive on the straights, but the first rule of handling for a 90hp motorcycle is to give it a 90hp chassis, and that is something the Z1-R doesn’t have.” It was fast, it had distinctive styling, and it …