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In Canada – 1986 Yamaha FZX750S

In Cruiser, Japan by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Here’s a beauty that was never sold in the United States. Indeed, you’ll need to travel north of the border to get your hands on it. The bike may look familiar, however. In the United States, a smaller-capacity, lower-power version was sold as the FZX700 Fazer. That bike’s 698cc engine promised 65 horsepower. And one assumes it wasn’t terribly popular; …

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1998 Honda Valkyrie

In Cruiser, Japan by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Controversial statement time: in my opinion, the Honda Gold Wing’s flat six – be it in 1500cc or 1800cc form – is one of the best engines in motorcycling. Possibly THE best. There are caveats to that depending on specific intended use, of course. It probably wouldn’t be the best powerplant for an off-road bike, for example. But, overall – …

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1973 Honda CB750 K3

In Japan, Sport by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Given the number of CB750s to be found on the internets, you’d be inclined to believe that every single one of the bikes made in the the 1970s survives to the modern day. Unfortunately, quite a lot of them have been tinkered beyond recognition. Finding one that hasn’t been permanently scarred by previous owners’ questionable choices is a challenge. Step …

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1999 Kawasaki Drifter VN1500

In Cruiser, Japan, Less than 5k by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

There’s something strangely appealing to me about metric cruisers from the 1980s to 2000s. On one hand, you might argue that they were lazy attempts to cut into Harley’s dominance of the US market. On the other hand, they may have helped push the game along when Harley didn’t have much competition.

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McGrath Replica – 1991 Honda CR125

In Japan, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

1991 was the first year for Pro Circuit’s race team in what would become one of the most successful independent efforts in Supercross history. They won both the 125 West and 125 East championships that year thanks to riders like Jeromy Buehl, Steve Lamson, Brian Swink, and of course: Jeremy McGrath. Here’s a cool replica that you can put on …

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9 Kilometers – 1985 Honda Elite CH150

In Japan, Scooter by Abhi1 Comment

The Honda Elite is one of the most common scooters of the 80s. It was introduced in 1984 as a 125cc model, though the next year it became a 150. It was sold in the US for another three years. – this one’s in Canada and it stands out as it’s only covered 9 kilometers!

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1988 Honda Hawk NT650

In Japan, Less than 5k, 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.

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1973 Kawasaki Z1

In Japan, Sport by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

You won’t be buying this bike. Which is just fine with the seller. He’s priced his acceptable-but-definitely-not-showroom-condition Z1 at $79,000 precisely because he doesn’t want to sell it. “I am only listing it at my wife’s insistence,” the seller explains. “I promised her I would list it, but would only sell it for the price listed.”

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1997 Honda Dream 50

In Japan, Small Displacement, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Over on the auction site we’ve got an example of one of my favorite small-displacement four-strokes: the Honda Dream 50. This is an homage to their CR1100 race bike, Honda’s first 50cc GP racer. It was built for a couple of years in the Japanese market (and then for one year in the US with a race-only variant). This is …