A short-lived enduro from the early 70s, the Tyran 125 MX were more 40% expensive the Japanese competition, but were slower and less reliable. As you might expect, not many people have heard of them since. The engine was a Sachs two-stroke 122cc unit that produced 18 horsepower to move a bike that weighed 190 pounds. For more on the …
Ending Soon – 2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera
The ultra-exclusive (500 produced), even-better version of the Panigale R, the Ducati 1199 Superleggera was claimed by the Italian company to have the best power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle ever. With the fuel tank full, this bike weighs just 393 pounds, and you’re looking at about 186 horsepower. Unfortunately, I only found out about this auction with 6 hours …
Reader Ride – 1973 Honda RC166 Replica
One of the greatest Honda 2-wheelers of all time, the RC166 won every race in the ’66 World Championship, won the Isle of Man TT, and was an absolute legend that was piloted by Mike Hailwood. It had a inline-6 250cc engine with a 7 speed transmission, and as you might expect, it’s nearly impossible to get your hands on …
2000 Ducati 996 SPS
Post Listing Update: This SPS was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. I still find the 916/996 to be one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made, so I feel obligated to feature the limited edition Ducati 996 SPS (Sport Production Special),an uprated version that featured a modified engine and chassis. Nearly all the specifications were improved, with …
1967 Cheney Triumph
One of the most challenging races in any discipline was the International Six Days Trial (ISDT – now known as the ISDE). An annual test of rider, machine, and durability, the ISDT is also known as the “Olympics of Motorcycling.” In 1968, ISDT changed up the rules to state that a rider had to use a machine of their own …
1959 NSU Com Lux
Post-Listing Update: Despite 21 bids on eBay up to $1,626, this NSU Com Lux did not meet reserve. Not only have I never heard about this bike before, I couldn’t even really find anything concrete on the internet, either. I’m hoping one of you knows something about the NSU Com Lux? Hell, I’m not even 100% sure that’s the actual …
1975 Colorado Norton Works Commando
Post Sale Update: This CNW Commando sold for $18,999 after 7 bids on eBay. In the world of Norton Commandos, there’s very few modern legends that owners will trust to hop-up their bikes. Kenny Dreer and his VR880 is high up there, as is the firm of Colorado Norton Works, one of the best restorers out there. Here’s your chance …
Hardley Worthitson – 1940 HD Custom Bobber
Yes, I’m just featuring this bike for the name. A ’76 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Hardtail that’s been converted to look like a 40s model, this distinct bobber will only appeal to a certain few of you. It comes with a S&S carb, Revtec gearbox, Moon oil tank, and a police style brown leather seat.
1957 Harley-Davidson FL Panhead
Post-Listing Update: This Panhead did not get any action, even after being relisted. As my friends will attest, I’m a man with many failings. I’ve noticed recently that one of said failings seems to be my lack of featuring Harleys on Bike-urious (partially because I don’t know enough about them) – so on my path to self-enlightenment, here’s a classic …
1954 Benelli Leoncino
The Benelli Leoncino, or the “Little Lion”, is a beautiful tiny two-stroke with one of the more interesting visual cues I’ve ever seen on a bike – a lion on the front fender, a la Jaguar automobiles.
1956 Maico Blizzard 250
Post-Sale Update: This Blizzard sold for $4,800 on eBay. Most people associate Maico with a series of world-beating off road bikes. But they also made road bikes, each of which was named after a “wind”, as in a weather feature. So say hello to the Maico Blizzard 250.
1990 BMW K75S
Post-Sale Update: After 46 bids on eBay, this BMW K75S sold for $3,450. I will concede that BMW K75 is not the sexiest motorcycle that’s ever been built – I remember that the editors of Motorcyclist once called it “the two-wheel equivalent of Birkenstocks.” With that said, I have a soft spot in my heart for these bikes, which I …
The Liberator – 1945 Harley-Davidson WLA
Of all the motorcycles Harley produced for the military, the Harley-Davidson WLA was by far the most common – though that doesn’t mean it’s easy to find nowadays. Based on the WL (W – a model line of bikes, L – high compression, A – Army), this bike helped create a dramatic rise in Harley’s popularity as surplus bikes were …
2005 MZ 1000S
Once the world’s biggest producer of motorcycles, MZ went bankrupt in May of last year. The last decade of its history was full of financial troubles, but the varying ownership had MZ constantly trying new things. In 1996, a Malaysian group took over and resolved to build MZ’s first superbike. The MV 1000S was born – a 140 mph parallel …
Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
A sought-after collectors bike in the US, the Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts probably needs no introduction. Only sold in the states from 84-85, these were the first bikes in the US to come equipped with catalytic converters and the first Yamaha street bike in the US to use a perimeter frame.