Post-Listing Update: Despite 15 bids on eBay, this Moto Guzzi Centauro Racer did not meet reserve at $6,110 Designed for the 75th anniversary of the MG factory, the Moto Guzzi Centauro was a limited production model (just 1918 ever built) that was a sporty variant of the classic Italian cruiser with very distinctive bodywork, made out of bodywork that the …
1988 Moto Guzzi NTX650
Very few people know that in the 80s, Guzzi tried their hand at the large-displacement dual-sport market that BMW blew open with the GS. After a pretty poor first attempt with the 650TT, the Italian company made several revisions and released the Moto Guzzi NTX 650 (the NTX stands for Nuevo Tipo Cross). By some accounts, just 24 of these …
1972 Yamaha TR3
During the 60s and 70s, Yamaha offered racing versions of its street bikes for use by privateers and even Yamaha factory racers. The classic R5 provided the base for the Yamaha TR3, a David among goliaths that was the first 2-stroke (and smallest bike at the time) to ever win the Daytona 200.
1983 Moto Morini 500 V Sport
Most riders think of the 3 1/2 when they hear Moto Morini, but the firm was also known for their 500 Sei-V that was produced a decade later…to very little fanfare. What was once a classically beautiful motorcycle became an odd jumble of plastic and angular lines as the Italian company tried to compete with bikes coming out of Japan.
Worth the Risk? 1996 Aprilia RS250
I’m one of the many that believe the RS250 is the best 250 street bike the world has seen in decades. One of the best-handling bikes ever made, Aprilia worked their chassis magic around a reworked engine from a Suzuki RGV250. It produced a nutty 69 horsepower from a 250cc 2-stroke engine, and redlines at 12,000rpm (which is good, because …
Bought on Bike-urious – 1966 Kawasaki B8
Easily my favorite part of running this website is the fact that I get to meet a lot of passionate motorcycle enthusiasts all around the world. As you might expect, plenty of them have accumulated a collection of various bikes that make them happy. But few come close to the dedication shown by loyal reader Jim R. to a narrow …
1978 Yamaha SR500
Post-Sale Update: After 13 bids on eBay, this Yamaha SR500 sold for a very reasonable $2,801. The Yamaha SR500 has been a popular bike for decades, due to clean styling and a reliable single-cylinder engine. These traits have also led this bike to be the base for thousands of custom works, including choppers, dirt-trackers, and cafe racers. Here’s one that’s …
1971 Ducati 450 RT Desmo
Not many people know it, but Ducati had a one-year, one-time-only foray into the world of motocross. The Ducati 450 RT Desmo was created and imported after its American importer convinced them to bring a big thumper dirt racer to the states.
2011 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Custom
Post-Sale Update: After 37 bids on eBay, this Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Custom sold for US $21,100.00. The Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special, otherwise known as the VRSCDX, is a drag race-inspired cruiser marketed as the custom variant of the VRSC. Producing 125 horsepower from 1,250cc of engine, the bike could move. This bike has been customized beyond my belief, with one off …
1953 BMW R67/2 Sidecar Racer
The first postwar 600cc BMW, the R67 was produced for one year before the R67/2 was sold between ’52 and ’54. 4,226 units were sold before BMW moved to the /3, but this specific /2 has been converted into a very cool sidecar racer.
1967 Marusho Magnum 500
Marusho/Lilac was a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer that was constantly under the shadow of Honda. After peaking in the late 50s, the company went bankrupt in 1962. The company was brought back to life just a year later, free of debts and configured to specifically target the American market with a 500cc twin engine – quite large displacement for Japanese firms …
1974 Moto Guzzi Eldorado Police
Post-Sale Update: The seller has notified me that this bike has now moved on to its next owner. Post-Listing Update: This Moto Guzzi Eldorado Police did not meet reserve on eBay, despite 24 bids up to $6,400. 4/27 Update: This fantastic Eldorado is now up for sale on eBay. Find it here in Vail, Arizona with bidding up to $5,100 …
2009 Roehr 1250S
4-27 Update: This Roehr did not meet reserve at $16,100, so it’s back up for sale with bidding up to $14,600 or a lower BIN of $23,000 here on eBay. Quick – think of a sportbike built by an American engineer/dreamer utilizing a Harley-Davidson engine. Did you go with Buell? So did I. But we’re wrong. Today you’re going to …
1975 Rupp Centaur
Post-Sale Update: This Rupp Centaur sold for the BIN of $3,500. Founded in 1959, Rupp Manufacturing started out as a kart manufacturer in Mansfeld, Ohio. Within 10 years, they had grown to a 400-employee shop pumping out mini-bikes, go-karts, snowmobiles, and a 3-wheeler appropriately named the Rupp Centaur.
1956 BSA Catalina Scrambler
In the 1956 Catalina Grand Prix, nearly 1,000 riders came together to earn the title of champion. The guy who succeeded was Chuck Minert, who won on a BSA Gold Star. BSA’s West Coast distributor asked for a replica of the winning bike, and the result was the BSA Catalina Scrambler. For more information, check out this feature on Chuck …