Over on Iconic we’ve got an engine from one of my favorite 250 2-strokes: the MC21/MC28 generations of the Honda NSR250! It’s for display purposes only and you won’t be able to make it run in a cost-effective manner but I think it’d be an excellent display piece for a two-stroke nut.
No Reserve – 1990 Honda CBR250RR MC22
Nowadays you can get all kinds of 250-400cc entry level sportbikes in the US, but back in 1990 the entire market was basically the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and the Honda VTR250. In Honda’s home market of Japan, things were a bit more exciting. That’s where they offered the CBR250RR, affectionately known as the Babyblade. The 250cc inline four engine produced …
1993 Horex 644 OSCA
Established in the early 1920s, Horex was a German motorcycle manufacturer that has seen several ups and downs over the decades – including several different owners over some turbulent times. Some partners included Floyd Clymer (who tried to sell these under the Indian name in the 50s) and Friedl Munch (who famously built the Mammut/Mammoth). In 1989, Horex partnered with …
329 Miles – 1990 Honda NSR50
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 with the NSR50R. Before that year, Americans had to either order one directly from HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) or try to import one through the gray market. It was well worth the effort, because Honda used …
In Canada – 1986 Yamaha FZX750S
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; …
1998 Honda Valkyrie
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 – …
Bosozoku – 1981 Honda CB400T
Built by Good Call Works, this bosozuku bike (a subculture of Japanese motorcycling which translates to “violent running tribe”) definitely offers one way to get noticed on your next ride!
1973 Honda CB750 K3
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 …
1999 Kawasaki Drifter VN1500
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.
McGrath Replica – 1991 Honda CR125
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 …
9 Kilometers – 1985 Honda Elite CH150
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!
SoS Racer – 1994 Yamaha TZ250 with Raptor 660 Engine
The seller of this bike makes quite a claim: “Beat Kramer’s for 1/4 the price!” That obviously caught my attention as a Kramer owner, and while I don’t know how accurate his statement is, I will say that this is an impressive hybrid which combines two famous Yamahas – a TZ250 frame with a Raptor ATZ 660 engine (which has …
1968 Bridgestone BS90
There’s something exotic and charming about a bike from a long-defunct brand or manufacturer. It’s a sort of moving, rideable “I Was Here” from people who sank their time and effort into the thing several decades ago.
1988 Honda Hawk NT650
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.
1973 Kawasaki Z1
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.”