Post Sale Update: This Z1 sold for $19,666 after 36 bids on eBay. I’m on a bit of a Z1 kick at the moment as I recently got to ride #265. This one’s got some issues, but what else would you expect from a bike with the serial number of the devil?
1985 Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
Post Sale Update: This RZ sold for $6,700 after 16 bids on eBay. 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 …
Not Electric – 2010 Zero Engineering Type 5
Zero Engineering was founded in Japan in 1992 but they established a US subsidiary in Vegas and started selling some of their limited production choppers to Americans starting in 2008. They currently offer four models, and the “Type 5” is one of their “more simplistic” bikes: a Gooseneck rigid frame wraps around a S&S Evo motor and a 5-speed Rivera …
1997 Yamaha TZM50R
It’s relatively easy to get your hands on a YSR50 in the US, but the two-stroke follow-up (called the TZM50R) is quite a rare find indeed. It represented a stronger attempt by Yamaha to counter the highly successful Honda NSR50 mini bike racer.
Ending Soon – 2016 Bandit9 Ava
Post Sale Update: This Ava sold for $5,358 after 54 bids on eBay. 3-3-18 Update: After being relisted, this Bandit9 Ava got up to just $1,025. Three month slater, it’s being offered by a different seller who is now selling it with no reserve, so maybe a new owner will be snapping this up for cheap. Find it in Phoenix, …
Ending Soon – 1998 Honda NSR 80
Post Listing Update: This NSR did not meet reserve despite 20 bids up to $3,619.69. Never officially imported to the US, the NSR 80 was a mini bike that was capable of being street legal.
1973 Kawasaki Z1
Post Listing Update: This Z1 did not meet reserve with 6 bids up to $16,600 on eBay. The Z1 was Kawasaki’s “bigger is better” counter to the Honda CB750, and it was a legendary motorcycle that Team Green has recently tried to recapture the magic of. The 903cc motor was so big that Kawasaki couldn’t even sell it in their …
50th Anniversary Livery – 2008 Yamaha FZ1
With a retuned drivetrain from the legendary R1, Yamaha’s FZ1 was a sleeper of a bike. 150 horsepower with all-day riding ergonomics made for an ideal sport touring mount. This example stands out because of the special Yamaha paint job and some truly excellent modifications.
XR69 Tribute – 1980 Suzuki GS Racer
Post Listing Update: This Suzuki XR69 tribute did not get any action at the asking BIN of $26,000. Also known as the GS1000R, the Suzuki XR69 was born out of Pops Yoshimura’s request for Suzuki to help him with some development of his GS750-based Formula 750 racer. In 1977, F750 became Formula One and they allowed 1,000cc motors. Suzuki started …
Prototype ISDT Racer – 1965 Suzuki X6 Hustler
In 1962, Suzuki claimed its first TT victory in the 50cc class with East German racer Ernst Degner (who would win the 50cc world championship later that same year), earning Suzuki its first ever world title (he also proceeded to win five out of the next six 50cc titles). In the years that followed, Suzuki would introduce machines in the …
Ending Soon – Restored 1974 Honda XR75
Post Sale Update: This XR75 sold for $4,050 after 43 bids on eBay. Introduced in early 1973, the XR75 was a popular platform for youngster that were getting into serious off-road riding – or even racing. Because of that, very few examples have survived in good shape. This one can’t be considered a survivor as the seller says it’s been …
2000 Kawasaki W650
Before Triumph brought the Bonneville back in the early 2000s, your best bet for a “Modern Classic” Bonnie actually came from Japan. Kawasaki’s W650 was a retro standard inspired by their W1, itself a copy of the BSA A7. The W650 was only exported to the US for two years, but during that time it was the best option for …
No Reserve JDM Model – 1988 Honda Bros 400
Post Sale Update: This rare-in-the-US Honda sold for $1,274 after 44 bids on eBay. It was called the “Bros” in Japan, but you probably recognize this as a Honda Hawk GT. The US only officially saw this bike as a 650, but Japan also got a 400 version which was good for 33 horsepower. The 650 is a more logical …
Gary Nixon Tribute – 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300 Custom
Post Listing Update: This custom Ninja did not get any interest at the BIN of $6,500. Built by Bexton Moto (I’ve featured their work in the past), this Ninja 300 has been created as an homage to Gary Nixon’s H2 that he campaigned in the FIM Formula 750 Series. Do you think it works?
Bought by Dan Gurney – 1975 Honda XL175
Post Sale Update: This XL175 sold for $10,000 after 31 bids on Bring a Trailer. Honda’s XL175 wasn’t particularly special – but this example is slightly more interesting than usual as it was purchased by Dan Gurney (RIP) and his company, All American Racers. To be frank, that’s pretty much where the celebrity relationship ends – Gurney gave it to …