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.
“Maguzzi” – 1987 Magni LeMans 1000
Arturo Magni started his career in 1947 working for Gilera’s race department. In 1950, Magni would move to MV Agusta where he acted as the Sport Director of the racing department. During this time he would oversee the machines of legendary historical riders like Giacomo Agostini, John Surtees, and Mike Hailwood. After more than 25 years at MV, Magni would …
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.
2002 MZ Baghira 660
The Baghira was a dual-sport with Acerbis bodywork, WP suspension, and a Yamaha drivetrain – and those components came together to form a rare and competent mid-sized dual sport.
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 …
First Six – 1977 Benelli Sei 750
Post Sale Update: This Sei did not get any interest at the BIN of $24,000. That was to be expected, I just thought the low mileage was interesting. The first production motorcycle to utilize six cylinders, the Benelli 750 Sei was the result of Alejandro De Tomaso (of sports car company fame), who had just purchased Benelli and wanted them …
Expensive Test Ride – 2018 BMW G310GS
I really enjoyed my time with BMW’s entry level street bike, the G310R – click here for my review. At the launch, BMW told me that they were also going to create a baby GS with the 310 motor, and it’s finally here. There are very few bikes in the US yet (the US media launch won’t even happen for …
1 of 805 – 1996 Triumph Daytona Super III
Post Sale Update: This Super III sold for a lowered BIN of $3,000. 2-27-18 Update: Over a year later, this Super III has been relisted. The seller has apparently just copied my listing description from last time, updated the VIN to include a missing number (SMT372DD0TJ035851), installed a new battery, and increased the BIN to $3,500. This time around he …
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?