In 2015, Aprilia updated the Tuono with a 1,100cc motor, and it made a great bike even better. In their review, MCN summarized it as: “nothing short of sensational. It sums up what a super naked should be: the ultimate in sportsbike performance, all wrapped-up in a usable, practical road package. Power, torque, handling, braking, electronics and comfort are second …
1977 Yamaha RD400D
Post Listing Update: Despite 26 bids up to $6,600, this RD did not meet reserve. A reader of mine with an excellent set of bikes is unfortunately letting some of them go to make room for a move from California to Minnesota. I think I have to remind him that it snows there so he’ll stay here. One of the …
Pretty in Pink – 1966 Lady Yamaha U5E Newport
I’ll start off by saying that I really struggled to find conclusive sources of information on this bike, but apparently Yamaha offered a special edition of the 50cc Newport scooter that was marketed to women in the most stereotypical way possible – they made it pink, added fringes to the seat, and slapped a basket on the front. It did …
1989 Honda GB500
A friend of mine in the motorcycle industry is letting go of the GB500 that he’s owned for over a decade, and it’s a beauty. It’s also a salvage title, which I know might put some of you off but it’s been fixed nicely (the damage was cosmetic only) and I trust the seller completely.
No Reserve – 1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star
Post Sale Update: This Shooting Star sold for $3,300 after 6 bids on Bring A Trailer. A Bike-urious reader that I trust is selling a BSA that he recently acquired from a private collection in which the bike resided for nearly 3 decades.
Ending Soon – 1970 Rickman Metisse Street Scrambler
Post Listing Update: This streetable Rickman did not meet reserve despite 11 bids up to $3,506. I’ve featured a couple of street-legal Rickman Metisses before, and I can’t get enough of them. Here’s another example that was set up to pound the pavement over 25 years ago, starting with an original Mark IV frame (#1280) and a BSA B44 motor. …
First Ride – 2018 MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR
It’s expensive, exotic, and it makes you feel like royalty – the castle in the background doesn’t hurt, either. But is it worth almost $17 grand? If you’re simply looking for a high-performance naked motorcycle, the Brutale RR makes the Triumph Street Triple look like a bargain. If, however, you’re looking for art that moves you, MV’s “Motorcycle Art” will …
No Reserve – 1982 Honda MB5
Post Sale Update: This MB5 sold for $1,600 after 42 bids on eBay. The MB5 was only imported to the United States for one year, and for a while it did not leave a lasting impression. However, the little Honda has had a resurgence in popularity in the last few years – maybe riders that grew up with them are …
Ending Soon – 1972 Motobecane LT 125
Post Listing Update: This Motobecane did not meet reserve despite 11 bids up to $1,957. Rarely found in the US, the Motobecane LT series utilized a two-stroke twin paired with a five-speed transmission. It was introduced in 1972 to compete against bikes like the Yamaha DT125 and Honda CB125. For more information, check out this translated page from Motobecane Passion.
Restored – 1973 Greeves Griffon QUB
Post Listing Update: This Greeves did not get any interest at the asking price (which was increased to $10,000). In 1971, Bert Greeves was looking for more power out of the 380 motor used in his Griffon open class MX bike, and he partnered with Dr. Gordon Blair of the Queens University of Belfast. Blair was a two-stroke export who …
One Owner, Lots of Stories – 2002 BMW R1150R
The seller of this well-loved BMW acquired it in July 2001 and then proceeded to ride it around the country. Per a sticker on the windshield, it looks like this R1150R has been to every state in the continental US and several Canadian provinces – based on that alone I’d have guessed the mileage was near 6 digits but there’s …
900cc Motor – 1970 BMW R60/5
Post Sale Update: This custom R60/5 sold for the BIN of $6,500. Equipped with a rare Avon Lynx fairing and a R90 motor swap, this show-winning BMW (do we call it a 90/5?) is an interesting twist from the usual airheads that we love.
1962 Centaur Folding Scooter
Post Sale Update: sold for $5,219 after 33 bids on eBay. When it was released, the Centaur was claimed to be America’s only “full-size” folding scooter. It was marketed as a portable transportation solution that could be folded up in three steps and carried on a boat, plane, trailer, or car.
1994 BMW R100R Mystic
Post Sale Update: This Mystic sold for $3,701 after 6 bids on eBay. Available only in 1994 and 1995 in the US, the Mystic was a factory custom based on the BMW R100R. The changes were entirely cosmetic, but they were not insignificant. Nowadays a ‘special edition’ just means new paint – the Mystic had several restyled parts.
2016 Zero FXS 6.5
As you may remember, I had a Zero FXS on loan a couple of years ago and I thought it was fantastic, though it was on the pricey side. Here’s an example that’s at 70% of the original price but it’s got just 2,800 miles.