Post Sale Update: This Guzzi was bought by Bike-urious reader and contributor Ray S for approximately $9,300! The Italians, when it comes to cars, bikes, food, and fashion, have always been known for passion. When you think of famous Italian brands, you think of Ferrari, Gucci, and in our case, Ducati and Moto Guzzi. What they’re generally not known for …
Ending Soon – 1972 Ossa MAR 350
Post Listing Update: This MAR did not get any interest at the BIN of $7,500. Mick Andrews first started competing in trials events at the age of 15. Before Andrews turned 18, he was offered a seat on a factory racer for AJS, where he spent the next half-decade. In ‘66 the Elton, Derbyshire-born rider accepted an offer to ride …
Ending Soon – 1966 Honda CB160
Post Listing Update: This little CB did not meet reserve despite 51 bids up to $2,230. One of the truly iconic small-displacement Japanese bikes, the Honda CB160 is a small but well-built street bike that has even inspired model-specific racing. Riders enjoyed this bike because Honda incorporated technology from bigger bikes like the tubular frame, single-overhead cam, and more. For …
1976 Suzuki RE-5
Post Sale Update: This RE-5 sold for $4,995 after 1 bid on eBay. As Honda and Kawasaki were dominating with inline four motors, Suzuki made a bold attempt at getting back on the front of the scene. Indeed, the Japanese maker decided to develop a bike using an “old” design: rotary engine technology. This functionally simple engine required many parts …
2002 Vincent Black Eagle Prototype
11-20-18 Update: It’s been nearly four years, but Tim Huber notes that this bike is back up for sale. Find it with a BIN of $65,000 or best offer (add $2,000 for shipping to the US) here on eBay. In 1994, Bernard Li (founder of Eagle One car care products) started acquiring the trademarks of the Vincent motorcycle company. He …
Ex-Dakar Racer – 2006 KTM 660 RFR
For KTM fans, the letters RFR are something special. They stand for Rally Factory Replica, and they designate bikes that compete in legendary races like the Dakar Rally. Here’s an example that formerly campaigned in the world’s gnarliest off-road race, but it’s got the rare bonus of already being plated in the US, specifically in California.
Ending Soon – 2005 TM Racing SSM 530 F Black Dream ES
Post Listing Update: This Black Dream did not get any interest at the opening ask of $6,500. Founded in the mid-1970s, TM Racing still exists today as it did in its infancy: a boutique family-owned Italian firm that focuses on producing competition-grade, off-road-oriented motorcycles. TM Racing currently employs around 70 staffers, runs a trio of World Championship teams, and produces …
1968 Benelli Mojave 360
Post Sale Update: This Mojave sold for $3,550 after 4 bids on eBay. Back in the 60s, you did not necessarily have to go to a motorcycle dealership to acquire a bike. Indeed, superstores like Sears or Montgomery Ward imported and sold motorcycles themselves. While Sears notably imported Vespas, Montgomery sold Lambrettas and Benellis, including the Mojave 360.
Rare In the US – 1999 Honda Varadero XL1000V
Post Listing Update: This Varadero did not get any interest at the BIN of $4,000. It was relisted at $3,800 and then pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Introduced for the 1999 model year, the Varadero was an interesting ADV bike that predated eventual competitors such as Suzuki’s V-Strom 1000. The Varadero stood out as it featured the …
No Reserve – 1966 Honda CB450
Post Sale Update: This CB450 sold for $6,816 after 67 bids on eBay. The CB450 was Honda’s first “large displacement” bike, and it ended up becoming one of the most important Japanese motorcycles of all time. It was also quite upsetting to the British motorcycle industry, and they were put on the defensive by the Black Bomber. According to Motorcycle …
Ending Soon – 1954 Parilla 175 Turismo Speciale
Post Listing Update: This Parilla did not meet reserve despite 23 bids up to $4,505 on eBay. When it comes to Parillas in the US, the 175 motor is much less common than the 250. This specific bike was imported from Italy but it’s been brought back to life and is ready for someone to ride it as is and …
1970 Laverda 750 GT
Post Listing Update: This Laverda 750 GT got no interest at the opening ask of $15,000. Laverda was an Italian manufacturer that specialized in the production of agricultural equipment and machines. By the end of WWII, Francesco Laverda (the grandson of the founder) and his friend Luciano Zen decided to get into motorcycles. They developed their first 75cc engine in …
Apogee “Raffale” SuperBobber — 2009 Ducati 1098R Custom
Ducati places enormous importance on the aesthetics of its machines, leading to the marque delivering some of the most gorgeous production two-wheelers available. For this reason, stripping down and customizing what’s already an objectively good-looking bike can be a bit of a controversial (if not sacrilegious) move. However this hasn’t gotten in the way of Gustavo Pena of Apogee Motorworks …
Restored – 1939 Triumph 3H
Post Listing Update: This Triumph got no interest at the opening ask of $25,000. Triumph introduced the 5T Speed Twin in 1938, and it immediately set the standard for other English manufacturers when it came to parallel twins. It was one of Edward Turner’s most notable designs, and it had a long production life – it sold until 1966 with …
A Pair of Two Strokes – Two 1976 Yamaha RD400s
Post Sale Update: These RDs sold for $6,000 after 24 bids on eBay. With regards to road bikes, Yamaha was a great ambassador of two-stroke technology with its RD models. By 1976, Yamaha pushed its 350cc RD to 400cc, which gave it 44hp, a top speed of about 105mph, and made anyone riding it a “hooligan”. Read the interesting story …