Post-Listing Update: This TL did not meet reserve with $2,175 after 22 bids on eBay. Back in the 70s, the Kawasaki H2 developed the reputation of a ‘widowmaker’ thanks to incredible power with no discernible handling. When it was released in 1997, the Suzuki TL1000S also earned a similar reputation thanks to the unique rotary rear damping system. While it …
Unexpected Custom – 1965 Marusho ST 500
Post-Listing Update: This Marusho got no interest at the asking price of $7,850. A barely known Japanese manufacturer, Marusho (who built bikes under the name of Lilac) peaked in the mid 50s, though they went bankrupt in 1962 after a deal with Mitsubishi went bad. Within a year they came to life with a plan to specifically target the American …
#84 – 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1
Post-Listing Update: This R1 got no interest at the opening bid of $6,500. It can be hard for me to get excited about bone stock Japanese supersports, but this early R1 is truly worth a second look. First of all, the first generation of the R1 was something special. History looks upon it very kindly as one of the three …
2008 Aprilia RSV1000R Bol d’Or
To commemorate their entry into the 24 hour Bol d’Or endurance race at Le Mans, Aprilia released a limited production (200 units over two years) run of the RSV1000R. The only difference was the paint scheme, which was a copy of the livery used in Aprilia’s superstock race bike in the 2007 Bol d’Or race.
1973 Honda CB450 Cafe Racer
View PostNew In Crate – 1977 Bultaco Astro 360
View PostNice Price – 1999 Excelsior Henderson Super X
At the turn of the 20th century, Excelsior and Henderson were two of America’s preeminent motorcycle manufacturers. Schwinn bought up both brands in the 1910s and shut them down in September of 1931. Skip ahead 60 years to Minnesota in 1993 and the founding of the Hanlon Manufacturing Company in 1993 – they secured the rights to both the Excelsior …
2005 Ducati 999R
In 2005, Ducati started exporting the 999R in earnest to satisfy the AMA homolgation requirements (the year before, just 50 were sold). For $29,995, this motorcycle was just about as close to a WSBK bike you could get. It’d be easy to second guess if the 999R was worth the $7,000 premium over the 999S. Journalists at the time resoundingly …
Airhead Dual Sport – BMW R75/6 Custom
It’s a little bit of an ugly duckling, but this slash 6 has been turned into a competent pavement-indifferent runabout.
Jet Bike – 2002 Y2K MTT Turbine
Post-Listing Update: This jet bike did not get any interest at the asking price of $114,000. When this bike was released, it took the Guinness World Records for most powerful production motorcycle and most expensive production motorcycle. It featured 320 horsepower, 425 pound feet of torque, 227 mile per hour top speed, and one of the greatest startup sounds ever.
TR6 Trike – 1963 Triumph Bonneville
Post-Listing Update: This TR6 trike got no interest at the BIN of $15,000. Creating trikes out of motorcycles is not uncommon, but I never thought I’d see one based on a classic Bonnie!
2006 BMW HP2 Enduro
Post Sale Update: This HP2 sold for $13,330 after 26 bids on eBay. The HP2 Enduro was the perfect bike for riders who thought the R1200GS was capable but too heavy. Thanks to a trellis frame and conventional telescopic forks, the HP2 saved 53 pounds of weight from the standard GS. This example has only seen pavement but it comes …
2004 Ducati 998 Matrix Reloaded Edition
The best scene of The Matrix Reloaded film was a chase scene featuring a Ducati 996, and the Italian firm created a limited edition of motorcycles as a tie-in with the movie. Only problem was, by the time the movie was released, the 998 was already on dealer floors. Close enough, right?
2002 Honda RC51 SP2
5-17 Update: One month later, this beauty is still up for sale. Find it with a slight discount (down to $6900) here on Craigslist in Andover, Massachusetts. The RC51 combined Honda reliability with the joy of a V-Twin engine, beating Ducati at its own game with multiple World Superbike Championships and a AMA Championship. In 2002, Honda made some revisions …
2008 Saxon Mad Jack
Post-Listing Update: This Saxon did not get any action at the asking price of $12,500. I’ve never been much of a cruiser/chopper/bobber guy, but I’ve had no choice to learn more about them and appreciate them as I constantly search for motorcycles for you to enjoy. Over time I’ve seen several names come up over and over again – one …