Only sold in the states from 84-85, these were the first bikes in the US to come equipped with catalytic converters and the first Yamaha street bike in the US to use a perimeter frame. They were also one of the last street-legal two-strokes available in this country. The ’85 RZ was available in red/white and yellow/black – either option …
2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250
Suzuki killed off the Bandit 1200 in 2005, but two years later they revealed the Bandit 1250. Thanks to a healthy portion of the Holeshot catalog, this Bandit can easily handle sport or touring duties.
1975 Kawasaki G7
Built between 1973 and 1975, the Kawasaki G7 was powered by a 2-stroke 100cc single which was similar to the unit powering the G3 and G5.
AHRMA Racer – 1981 Kawasaki GPz550
In this article for Motorcyclist magazine, Mitch Boehm said, “fast, sexy, and nimble, the GPz…catapulted Kawasaki into the leadership position for middleweight streetbikes.” Here’s one that takes the leadership position literally as it’s won several AHRMA races over the years.
1 Mile – 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special
Post Sale Update: This Daytona Special sold for $15,000 including buyer’s fee on Iconic Motorbike Auctions in Santa Monica, California. The last in the long line of Yamaha’s RD series, the RD400F (also known as the Daytona Special) is considered by many to be the best of the model line.
Unrestricted – 1991 Suzuki RGV250
Post Sale Update: This RGV250 sold for $10,200 after 16 bids on eBay in Mechanicsville, Virginia. When Suzuki introduced the RGV250, it was a revelation. MCN put it thusly: “back in the day 250cc race replicas were the sharpest handling, most frenzied, maddest things you could buy on two wheels. Nowadays the RGV250 is a modern classic and is probably …
1996 Kawasaki Ninja 600
Post Sale Update: This Ninja sold for the BIN of $3,950 on eBay in Vernon-Rockville, Connecticut. It might have been the mid 90s, but Kawasaki’s Ninja 600 was still looking like a monument to the 80s – especially with liveries like this one.
1.5 Miles – 2001 Kawasaki KLR250
In 1984, Kawasaki debuted a pair of new dual-sport models that quickly proved to be major hits with the motorcycling world. The larger of the models was the KLR600, which was bumped up to 650ccs, where it remains to this day as one of Kawa’s best-selling models, and (as of 2015) the best-selling dual-sport period. The smaller of the two …
No Reserve – 1976 Kawasaki KZ900
Post Sale Update: This KZ sold for $11,603 after 25 bids on eBay in Columbia, South Carolina. The successor to the Z1, Kawasaki’s KZ900 was sold as a reliable big bike that could tour or go fast maybe even doing both at the same time! Here’s one that’s guaranteed to sell as it’s being offered with no reserve.
Guest Bike Review – 2020 Honda Rebel 500
View PostRare In The US – 197x Kawasaki W3 650
While variants of the W1 and W2 were sold in North America, the final W model (the W3) never officially made it across the Pacific. It was also known as the RS650, and it featured upgraded suspension, minor cosmetic tweaks, and standard dual disc front brakes during its ’73-’74 production run. In fact, it was the first Kawasaki to feature …
Zero Miles in Canada – 1987 Yamaha YSR50
Post Listing Update: This YSR was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The photos are bad and the asking price is significant, but this is a rare zero-mile example of the famous YSR minibike. What will it sell for?
2004 Honda NSR50R
Post Sale Update: This NSR50R sold for $5,243 on Iconic Motorbike Auctions in Santa Monica, California. The NSR50 was in Honda’s lineup for decades before they blessed the USA with a chance to officially try it for ourselves in 2004. Before that year, Americans had to either order one directly from HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) or try to import one …
Tony Serra’s Championship Winner – 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250
At the age of 81, Tony Serra retired from roadracing in November of last year – right after he won his sixth club level class championship at Willow Springs. That concluded a career that covered seven decades, and it made him the world’s oldest club racing champion. His championship-winning bike is now up for sale for the very reasonable price …
1983 Suzuki GR650D Tempter
This Suzuki is rarely seen in the US as it was only offered here in ’83 and ’84. In other markets it was called the GR650 (and available until ’89), for some reason it was called the Tempter in America. It’s a fairly straightforward UJM but it featured one interesting innovation: a ‘dual-stage’ flywheel with an centrifugal clutch that would …