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2000 Kawasaki W650 Cafe Racer

In Cafe Racer, Custom, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

4/1/21 Update: 4 years, Todd B notes that this bike is back up for sale with a drop in price – find it for sale in Greenwich Village, New York for $6,800 here on Craigslist. Post Listing Update: This custom W650 did not get any interest at the asking price of $8,500. Even though some reviewers thought the W650 looked …

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JDM Import – 1991 Honda CB-1 Type II

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

3-29 Update: Four years later, this CB-1 is now up for sale over on Iconic. The “Battely” sticker is gone and it has a couple hundred more miles, otherwise it appears to have stayed in good shape. Find it in Chandler, Arizona with bidding up to $1,900 and the reserve not yet met here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Honda’s CB-1 …

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1962 Honda Super Cub C100

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

It’s hard to overstate how important the C100 was. When Honda first entered the US motorcycle market in 1959, the entire US motorcycle market was approximately 50,000 units a year. By December of 1962, Honda was selling over 40,000 units/year by themselves. The C100 changed what motorcycling meant in America, and that was even before Honda released the famous “You …

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No Reserve – 1988 Honda Hawk NT650

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Honda was ahead of its time when it debuted the Hawk GT, also known as the NT650. It was one of the world’s first modern naked bikes but it was a commercial failure. Over the years, many riders have realized what the Hawk offered, and it’s become a cult classic. This one’s guaranteed to find a new home and the …

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AHRMA Racer – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

Originally raced by Deano Swims, this GSX-R was rebuilt by Erv Kollek and Racing Sport Services to compete at Phillip Island. It’s now set up to race AHRMA in the Next Generation Superbike (NG2) class but the owner has some health concerns this year and is letting this go to build a Heavyweight Superbike for next season.

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Josh Herrin Practice Bike – 2017 Yamaha R1M

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This Yamaha sold for $17,000 after 46 bids on eBay in Cresson, Texas. Built by Eleven Motorsports (check out this profile on Asphalt & Rubber if you’re not familiar with their model) as a practice bike for when Josh Herrin is in town, this Yamaha R1M is heavily modified to be an impressive track toy. Now if …

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1975 Yamaha RD350

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

1975 was the end of the RD350 run, by which point it had established itself as a giant killer. A period ad showed a sad looking rider at a bar with the phrase “Don’t feel bad. You’re not the first 750 rider to get blown off by a Yamaha 350.”

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AHRMA Racer – 1982 Yamaha Seca 550

In Japan, Less than 5k, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

It would be easy to assume that the engine in the XJ550 was just a destroked 650, but that ain’t fair. It was almost an all-new design, with a 6-speed transmission, chain final drive, and a new cylinder head with Yamaha’s YICS system that enabled 50+ mpg fuel consumption. It was a solid mid-sized motorcycle with a love it or …

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Still New – 2019 Suzuki SV650X

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

A couple of years ago, I got some quality time with the Suzuki SV650X and I came away quite impressed. I found it quite enjoyable to ride with a slightly underwhelming suspension but nothing unreasonable at the MSRP of $8,399. Here’s a leftover model that a dealer’s got for $5,999 (plus fees), and that seems like a screaming deal if …

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1970 Honda CT70

In Japan, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

In 1969, Honda released one of the most important motorcycles that would ever be sold in America – the Trail 70 (also known as the CT70). It was the first motorcycle for many of today’s riders, and nowadays it serves double duty as an excellent entrée into motorcycling as well as a lovely reminder of times gone by.