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1,045cc – 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000 MkII

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This KZ sold for $13,450 after 13 bids on eBay. An evolution of the KAZ900, the KZ1000 was the fastest production bike when it was released in 1976 (as a ’77 model) thanks to its 83 horsepower, 1,015cc inline four motor. The bike might be most famous for the police variant, which gained popularity on the show …

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What Do You Want To Know? 2019 Kawasaki Z400

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

UPDATE: Here’s my review! At the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show, Kawasaki debuted several models for the US market. The one I was most excited about was the new-for-2019 Z400 ABS. To oversimplify, it’s a naked version of the Ninja 400. That’s good news to me, as I love naked bikes and I think the Ninja 400 was excellent. This …

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Wayne Ransom Build – Kawasaki KX500AF

In Japan, Off-Road, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This custom KX sold for $16,750 after 63 bids on eBay. On the cover of their February 2019 issue, Dirt Bike magazine featured a “high-tech KX500 for the 21st century.” Built by Wayne Ransom, this aluminum-framed KX500 features extensive use of titanium, as it was used to build the fuel tank, exhaust, subframe, front headmount, engine mount …

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Japanese American Mini Trail – 1977 Hodaka Dirt Squirt 80

In America, Japan, Less than 5k, Off-Road, Small Displacement by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Hodaka Motorcycles first started as a producer of engines before later joining forces with another existing outfit and going on to build complete bikes. The Japanese (and American joint) firm capitalized on the influx in popularity of small displacement trail bikes — a phenomenon due largely thanks to Honda’s wares and marketing. Hodaka’s philosophy was that riding should be affordable/accessible, …

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230 Miles – 2003 Yamaha V-Max

In Cruiser, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

When it was first released in 1985, the Yamaha V-Max wan an instant hit that was named Bike of the Year by Cycle Guide. The first generation lasted a whopping 22 years with minimal changes, ending when Yamaha finally released an all-new bike (called the VMAX) in 2008 – as a 2009 model.

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1964 Fuji Go-Devil

In Japan, Scooter, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This Go-Devil sold for $1,600 after 22 bids on eBay. Built between 1964-1967, the Go-Devil was one of the nicest minibikes available at the time thanks to a 50cc 2-stroke Fuji motor, swing-arm suspension, front forks with 30 degrees of rake, and good build quality. It also folded up into a storage bag. One of my biggest …

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1990 Honda VTR250 Interceptor

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

Sold in the US for three years, the Honda VTR250 has become a cult classic for riders that love small bikes. The liquid cooled 250cc engine was paired with a six-speed transmission, and interestingly, an inboard front disc – though by 1990 the front brake would change to the industry standard.

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Graves Superstock Racer – 2016 Yamaha R6

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Yamaha R6 is a staple at bike meets and trackdays across the world. Its blend of price, power, and handling currently can’t be matched by the other 600s – not to mention a history of steady Supersport and Superstock championships in case a dyno sheet and a magazine article aren’t enough proof of its abilities. I myself dream of …

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1982 Kawasaki GPz750

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This GPz was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. In 1982, Kawasaki introduced a middleweight to the GPz family between the 550 and the 1100 (a couple of years later, the 900 would also be released). The styling was right in line with the rest of the GPz series, though after one year Kawasaki increased …

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1974 Kawasaki MT-1B

In Japan, Off-Road, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This MT-1B sold for $2,381 after 65 bids on eBay. If you want a tiny off-road playbike but you want something less common than the Honda Monkey/Mini Trail, then meet the Kawasaki MT-1. Introduced in 1971, it stayed in production until 1974 and was then renamed the KV75 in 1975. Unlike the Honda, the Kawasaki features a …

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No Reserve – 2017 Yamaha R1M

In Japan, Sport by Mazlow PetosaLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This R1M was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. I have never used the term ‘slow’ to describe a literbike, but manufacturers always seem to have an answer for more speed. Yamaha’s R1M matched the best electronic engine management and Ohlins electronic suspension software to their formidable crossplane crankshaft engine and moved the chains for …