“Between the small and the large, though, there is a perfect size that enhances the multi-functional nature of these “dual-purpose” motorcycles. That balance seems to be right around 350cc. This is enough displacement so that freeway travel won’t spin an engine’s heart out, without the weight and bulk that can limit off-road use mainly to smooth dirt roads.” Those are …
“OEM Plus” – 1990 Suzuki GSX-R1100
Introduced in 1986, the Suzuki GSX-R 1100 was a speed demon’s dream thanks to 137 horsepower and a wet weight of 434 pounds. Even better, it was released right after the United States lowered the import tax on bikes above 700ccs to 24.4 percent (from over 39 percent), so it actually felt like bargain to American riders. The seller of …
2001 Kawasaki LeoStar
A few days ago we featured an imported Honda NSR50 and commenter Zebulon Pike mentioned that the seller also had an interesting imported underbone scooter and I had to make sure you all saw it as well. Meet the Kawasaki LeoStar!
1998 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. 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 components that made …
80s Racer – 1984 Yamaha RZ350
Per the seller, “this is the RZ350 that Larry Trow raced with NOCAM Racing at Portland International Raceway in the late 80’s.”
1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
In its modern iteration, I wholeheartedly believe that the Honda Gold Wing ─ relative to its intended purpose ─ is the greatest motorcycle in the world. It is very hard to find another bike that does what it’s supposed to do as well as the Wing. So, this (somewhat suspiciously) affordable first-gen model speaks to me.
9.2 Gallons – 1996 Honda PC800 Pacific Coast
I will never not click an ad for a Honda PC800 Pacific Coast. It is the Joe Biden of motorcycles ─ the reliable stalwart that nobody wants. But if you take the time to really look at a PC800 some part of you ─ the sensible dad that’s deep down in your soul ─ will fall in love with it.
1971 Honda Trail CT70
Sometimes you can’t resist a bad idea. Spending thousands of dollars on a 53-year-old vehicle that fits in your closet is, probably, a bad idea. But when the vehicle in question is a Honda Trail CT70, is it really that bad of an idea? After all, some bad ideas can be a whole lot of fun. The Trail CT70 was …
1989 Honda VFR400 NC30
Over at Iconic, our Transport Manager Cory is selling off his personal VFR400, the baby brother to the legendary RC30.
2002 Yamaha WR250F
Featured here is one of the cleanest 20+ year old dirt bikes I’ve seen in a while, thanks to the fact that it’s only been ridden once since a frame-up “overhaul” in 2023.
1986 Yamaha TZR250 1KT
Loosely based on Yamaha’s TZ250 racer, the TZR was a 2 stroke sportbike built between ’86 and ’99 – in 1986 it was the first production 250cc motorcycle to lap Isle of Man’s TT course at over 100 miles per hour.
Great Extras – 1982 Honda CX500 Turbo
Depending on how you define “production”, Kawasaki was the first motorcycle manufacturer to roll out a turbocharged motorcycle. But as this excellent article on OddBike points out, Kawasaki’s effort was more of a quasi-aftermarket creation, and it wasn’t well-thought out either. Honda’s CX500 Turbo is more deserving of the ‘first production turbo bike’ title, as it truly started the forced …
1998 Muzzy Raptor
In 1997, Rob Muzzy debuted the Raptor: aka what happened when Kawi gave him a Ninja ZX-7R and told him to go nuts. The Raptor immediately competed in Formula USA, and Muzzy decided to produce 50 to offer to the general public.
1988 Yamaha TZ250 With Honda XR600 Motor
Thanks to the motor from a Honda XR600, this Yamaha TZ250 is ready to compete in AHRMA Soudns of Singles 1…the same class I raced in with my Kramer. Nudge, nudge.
1975 Suzuki TS400 Apache
Built between 1972 and 1979, the TS400 was the largest of Suzuki’s two-stroke off-road family. Suzuki had a wide range of “T” bikes – TM was for motocross, TC, was for trail, TF was for farm, and TS was the enduro. The 400 produced 34 horsepower and 29.7 pound-feet of torque. Dry weight was 277 pounds, and Suzuki guaranteed their …