Yamaha’s answer to the recently-retired Honda XR350R, the TT350 was a hybrid between their XT dual-sport and the YZ motocross bike. Yamaha marketed it as “Dirt Tough, Street Wise” and “a purpose-built machine that’s perfect for tackling the toughest enduro…or riding to work!” They only sold it for two years, making it difficult to find nowadays.
1965 Yamaha YM-1 Cross Country Sport 305
Described in Yamaha’s marketing materials as a “Cross Country Sport”, the YM-1 was an evolution of the YDS-3 and it was the top of the line Yamaha sportbike of the time.
Deeley Exhibition – 1885 Daimler Reitwagen Official Replica
Getting back to my visit to the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition in British Columbia, here’s something that goes waaaaaay back in time…sort of.
1965 Fuji Rabbit Superflow S601
I don’t feature scooters much, but the Fuji Rabbit Superflow is definitely worth a look. An impressive 75,000 units left the Fuji Heavy Industries factory, but it’s very hard to find any now. Why is this scoot so interesting? Well, at the time, it was as luxurious as you could get with a scooter.
1959 Ducati 200 Turismo
At the request of their US importer (Berliner), Ducati bumped displacement of the and Super Sport models from 175cc to 200cc – really 204cc, but who’s counting? Berliner sold the model as the Americano but the equivalent in Europe had sleeker styling and a much more international name: the Turismo.
1989 Honda CB-1
Originally built for the Japanese market, the Honda CB-1 was a beautifully balanced motorcycle that lost out in an American market that was obsessed with having as much horsepower as possible. A colleague recently explained to me that these 400cc bikes from Japan are incredibly well developed due to a combination of regulations, licensing rules, and taxes that came together …
1999 Buell X1 Lightning
Post Sale Update: This X1 sold for $3,100 plus the 7% buyer’s fee ($250 minimum) for a total of $3,350 on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. In 1999, Buell updated the S1 Lightning to create the X1 Lightning. Here’s one in excellent shape with a very low reserve that’s already been met!
50th Anniversary – 2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 #299/1200
In 2007, Harley-Davidson implemented fuel-injection across the entire Sportster lineup…they also released 2,000 examples of a 50th Anniversary Sportster. Here’s #299!
1985 Suzuki RG400 Gamma Walter Wolf
After Suzuki introduced the RG Gamma series in 1983, the line grew to span displacements ranging from 250-500cc. Of particular note was the RG400 Gamma Walter Wolf, as it was a two year only model that was exclusively sold in Japan. Here’s an example that’s already been imported to the US and has been recently serviced by Steve Long at …
1964 Rickman Metisse MkIII Scrambler
Founded in England in 1959 by Derek and Don Rickman, Metisse Motorcycles quickly developed a name for off-road excellence with their custom frame designs for British engines that led to wins in the Moto Cross des Nations as well as 250cc and 500cc GP motocross championships. Their success soon expanded into road racing as well, but they were best known …
Sequential Trio – 1988, 1989, 1990 Honda VTR250s
Sold in the US for three years, the Honda VTR250 has become a cult classic for riders that love small bikes. The liquid cooled 250cc engine was paired with a six-speed transmission, and interestingly, an inboard front disc – though by 1990 the front brake would change to the industry standard. Someone in Wisconsin is selling a pair of them …
Olle Pettersson Tribute – 1970 Suzuki TS90MX
Bike-urious reader Victor M. is selling a nifty Olle Pettersson tribute bike that he rebuilt from the ground up, and the final product is fantastic when you see what he started with!
Nice Price – 1999 BMW R1100S
In 1999, BMW took the most powerful boxer engine it had at the time and made their most aggressive looking bike so far, the BMW R1100S. Over time the used market has considered it more of a sport-tourer than a sport bike (especially thanks to features like optional bags that were the same as what you got on the GS), …
Picture Intermission – Ducati Superleggera V4
While I was at the Volant Vivere track day at Laguna Seca (separate Picture Intermission coming soon for that), I was entranced by a Ducati Superleggera V4 that someone was planning on riding. I didn’t want to include a ton of photos in the separate post so I’m splitting them up for you to admire with me. Come enjoy!
1975 Suzuki GT750
Affectionately known as the Water Buffalo, the GT750 was introduced as competition to big bikes of the day like the Honda CB750 and Triumph Bonneville. For many American riders, this was the first Suzuki that captured their attention.