Based in Louisiana, Marine Turbine Technologies is a self-described “design, engineering and manufacturing company” that build jet-powered pumps, boats, generators, and…motorcycles. They got a bit of attention when Jay Leno acquired one of their Y2K superbikes – a $175K beast with a Rolls Royce Allison C20 engine that made 420 horsepower and 500 pound feet of torque. They use the …
Filipino Sidecar – 1974 Honda CB125
Post Listing Update: this CB sidecar did not meet reserve despite 33 bids up to $2,050 on eBay in Michigan City, Indiana. Per the seller, the story with this sidecar is that “an enlisted man commissioned two of these to be built to bring back to the U.S., hence the painting on the front. So, if the story is true, …
1984 Tritan A2 Aero Car
Post Listing Update: This Tritan did not meet reserve despite 29 bids up to $15,350.99 on eBay in Portage, Michigan. Looks like the seller of the Aero Car project from two weeks ago has another one – but this one runs! As a reminder: the Tritan A2 was notable for having an incredible drag coefficient – just 0.15. Compare that …
First Ride Review – 2019 Vanderhall Venice Speedster
If you’re warming up your fingers to comment, “this isn’t a motorcycle”, don’t worry – we all know already. You may not want this today, you may not want this tomorrow, but how are you going to get your open-air fix when you’re too old for two wheels? Maybe you just want a different toy in your garage. Who knows? …
New Auction Bike – 1986 Yamaha YSR80 With Sidecar
I know I’m hitting you with a lot of bikes from the new auction site, so I’ve resolved to tone it down a bit and only show you the most interesting stuff. There’s a minty CBR929RR that’s about to end soon, but I want to focus this post on an adorable YSR80 with a sidecar.
Rare Project – 1984 Tritan A2 Aero Car
Post Listing Update: This Tritan did not meet reserve despite 12 bids up to $7,900 on eBay. No, it’s not really a motorcycle. But that’s how it was classified because of its three-wheeled nature, and we’re going to run with it. The Tritan A2 was notable for having an incredible drag coefficient – just 0.15. Compare that to a period …
Turbo Rotary Power – 2002 BMW K100/R1150RT with California Sidecar
At first glance, this looks like a very yellow BMW R1150RT with a sidecar. But those boxer valve covers are fake – they just help hide a 15 gallon fuel tank. Instead, you’ll have to peek underneath the rear of the sidecar to find a 325 horsepower twin turbo motor out of a Mazda Eunos Cosmo! Meet “Rotohak”, presumably named …
VW Powered – 1965 BMW R60/2 Sidecar
Post Sale Update: this Willis sold for $8,000 after 19 bids on eBay in Santa Ynez, California. You guys seemed to get a kick out of the VW-powered R60 Tim found earlier in the week, so here’s one that ups the ante with a sidecar!
Ending Soon – 1913 Excelsior Big Twin with Sidecar
Post Listing Update: This Excelsior did not meet reserve despite 40 bids up to $48,100 on eBay in Alto, Michigan. Excelsiors are already cool by themselves, but this one is even more special thanks to the sidecar and the patina that comes from over 100 years of wear on the original paint. What a beauty!
1985 Honda Shadow 1100 with Boat Sidecar
The original Shadow 1100 was a fine motorcycle, good enough that Honda kept it around until 2007 with very few changes. Still, it’s not the kind of bike I’d typically feature here. However, I have to make an exception for this example, as it’s got a sidecar which doubles as a powered boat!
TV Star – 1983 Honda FT500 Ascot Trike
Post Listing Update: The BIN of this Ascot was lowered to $19,995, but that wasn’t enough to get a buyer. Set in 2017, “The Fire Next Time” was a 1993 TV miniseries about how a family tries to survive a series of natural disasters that are brought about by global warming. It starred Craig T. Nelson and apparently featured this …
1980 HMV Freeway
Post Listing Update: This Freeway did not meet reserve despite 10 bids up to $2,800 in Morgantown, Pennsylvania on eBay. The brainchild of David Edmonson, High Mileage Vehicles (HMV) sold about 700 units of the “Freeway”, a three-wheeled oddity that just barely qualifies as a motorcycle. It’s a stretch, but I can’t help myself when it comes to sharing oddballs …
Unexpected Sidecar – 1995 Yamaha TW200
The seller calls this Tee Dub the “ultimate bugout vehicle, which seems appropriate as it’s a TW and it’ll be capable of going just about anywhere on or off road (albeit slowly). On top of that, it’s got a sidecar and the requisite army green paint.
BMW K1200LT-Powered – 2010 Tri-Magnum
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Tri-Magnum sold for $2,225 after 2 bids on eBay. Billed as a “high-performance three-wheeled sports car”, this Tri-Magnum made its debut on the cover of Mechanix Illustrated magazine in the early 80s. It was the creation of Robert G. Riley Enterprises, a company that offers DIY plans for multiple vehicles and claims to …
1961 BMW R50S with Steib LS200
The R50S was the little brother of the legendary R69S, and it was a relatively rare motorcycle in BMW’s history as just 1,634 were produced 1960 and 1962. This example was restored in 2012 and it’s been paired with a beautiful color-matched Steib LS200 sidecar.