UPDATE: Here’s my review! Yamaha USA’s quest to copy model names from the rest of the world continues as the FZ-09 sport-tourer is being replaced with the “Tracer 900”. You may remember that the same thing happened earlier this year with naked FZ-07, which became the MT-07. The Tracer gets some decent updates, better-looking bodywork, and a new up-spec “GT” …
Time Traveler – 1991 BMW R100GS
Post Listing Update: This BMW did not meet reserve despite 2 bids up to $5,100 on eBay. This interesting build is what the seller calls a “retro-ification”. What do you think of this R100GS that’s been given some dashes of the 70s?
1982 Honda CBX1000
Having more than 4 cylinders on a bike is not just a recent pursuit for manufacturers. Aviation was the principal influence in doing multi-cylinder motors, using radial engines like “La Millet” in 1887, a French motorcycle made with a 5-cylinder radial engine located in the back wheel. Obviously, this “more than 4 cylinders” path was not the easiest to follow …
Interesting History – 1959 Ducati 200 MotoCross
Post Listing Update: this Ducati did not meet reserve despite 25 bids up to $12,065. I’m going to need some Ducati experts to chime in here, because I find this bike fascinating but I don’t know enough about classic Ducatis to know if the seller’s description is accurate. This is claimed to be one of 20 to 25 early “scramblers” …
Six Cylinder ELR Tribute – 1979 Kawasaki KZ1300
Kawasaki found a major recipe for success when it released its H1 at the tail-end of the ’60s. Though the bar had been set pretty high with the 500, Team Green managed to outdo themselves and deliver an even more iconic, game-changing machine with the H2 in the early ‘70s. So when a few years passed, the Z1 came and …
1971 Bultaco Matador 250
In the post war world of enduro motorcycling, a few brands have earned legendary status: the Swedish Husqvarna and three famous Spanish brands: Ossa, Montesa, and Bultaco. Bultaco was founded in 1959 by famous Spanish road racing champion, Francisco Xavier Bulto. It was not Francisco’s first shot, as he created Bultaco right after he resigned from Montesa (which he co-founded …
One Owner -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 …
721 Miles – 2012 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak
Ducati has just won Pikes Peak with a race version of their Multistrada model that’s named after the mountain itself. Here’s a previous gen Pikes Peak Multi that’s barely been used due to a sad story – the seller’s husband passed away two years ago so this has just been waiting for a new owner.
What Do You Want To Know? 2018 Yamaha Star Eluder
Vy and I are headed down to San Diego this weekend so that I can meet a Bike-urious reader and check out his collection and so she can take a tour of the San Diego Zoo. Our steed for this trip is Yamaha’s Star Eluder, a bagger version of the Star Venture (so Vy will have to make do without …
1982 BMW R100RS
Over a long and illustrious history, BMW has built the definitive example for many classes of motorcycles, such as how they created the adventure bike with the R80GS. The R100RS is another example, as it is a masterpiece that formed the baseline of what a sport touring bike could be.
Unexpected Road Racer – 1998 Honda CR500
7-7-18 Update: Tim H notes that this bike is back up for sale with a serious discount – the asking price has been reduced from $4,500 to $3,200. It looks like someone bought the bike from Brian last year and is now looking to let it go themselves. Find it Glenview, Illinois for $3,200 here on Craigslist. Built by Brian …
Cafe Racer Special – 1975 Norton Commando 850
Post Sale Update: This Commando sold for $12,000 after 7 bids on eBay. Bill Becker acquired this bike in 2004 with the intent of building a “cafe racer based on a 1970s superbike platform, but with contemporary improvements — with a ‘naked’ look fashioned after period-racers.” How do you think he did?
Kitted Cub – 1966 Honda C100 with Roadster Kit
While Honda found success with its small step-through models in most markets, the Japanese marque struggled to sell scooters in the same numbers in the US. Honda looked to change this with the introduction of what it called the “Custom Group”, consisting of four different add-on kits (the Roadster, Rally, Boss, and Student) designed to make little runners like the …
1975 Yamaha XS650
Interested in a XS650 but don’t feel obligated to overpay for celebrity ownership? Here’s a survivor that’s said to still run like new.
1980 Moto Guzzi Le Mans CX100
As a motorcycle collector and lover, you’re probably the kind of motorcyclist who spends at least an hour per day looking for something. Not something, but THE thing. The motorcycle you will want to ride just seeing at the first picture. The motorcycle you will think about before sleeping. The motorcycle with a name that you will never forget. Well, …