Yamaha’s DT100 was never a world-beater, but after 40+ years of existence it’s hard to find one that’s been ridden as little as this one!
Restored – 1974 Yamaha DT250
In 1968, Yamaha introduced one of their most important motorcycles of all time – the DT-1. They sold 50,000 units in the first year, which is a mind blowing number when you consider that last year, the FZ/MT-07 was Yamaha’s best seller in the US with 3,981 units sold.
Video Intermission – Hagerty’s Redline Rebuild – Kawasaki KE100
Hagerty Insurance has made some fun strides into the content game recently, including the “Redline Rebuild” series that I’ve previously featured. The series normally covers cars, but every once in a while they rehab a motorcycle, and the results are worth watching.
Rare Restoration – 1972 Benelli Panther
Known in other markets as the 125 Cross, this rare model was named the Panther in the US. Parts can be difficult to find, which is why I’m shocked to see that someone has take it upon themselves to give this example a significant restoration.
1974 Suzuki TC185 Ranger
Post Sale Update: This TC185 sold for the BIN of $3,500 on eBay. In the 70s, Suzuki had a TS185 and a TC185 – the latter stood out with features like a 12V electrical system, ten-speed transmission (5 high, 5 low), and one of the first electric starters available on a dual-sport.
2,482 Miles – 1986 Honda XL600R
Honda’s XL600R was a popular dual-sport for a wide variety of riders in the 80s – Dirt Rider magazine said it was the best in the dirt of the open class dual purpose bikes (like the Kawasaki KL600 or Yamaha XT600). Most have been adorned in the traditional Honda red, but here’s a low-mileage example of my favorite paint scheme …
2001 BMW R1150GS
The GS has been a huge money maker for BMW, and it really took off in with the 1150. Many riders were inspired by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s Long Way Round, which ended up being quite an advertisement for BMW (and a decent-sized debacle for KTM).
KLR650-B – 1990 Kawasaki Tengai
Did you know that Kawasaki actually made three versions of the original KLR? The “A” model is the one everyone is used to, but there were two alternates that occasionally come up for sale. This is the “B” model, better known as the Tengai.
1962 Yamaha YDS2
Post Sale Update: this YDS2 sold for $4,060 after 38 bids on eBay. 1962 was the first year that Yamaha sold bikes in the US, and it was also the debut year for the YDS2, a 2-stroke that Yamaha said featured “water resistant designs”. How times have changed.
“Royal Tracker” – 2014 Royal Enfield Continental GT Custom by MotoRelic
If you’re on Royal Enfield’s email list, this bike should look familiar. Back in late 2016/early 2017, R-E partnered with Sean Skinner of MotoRelic and Sasha Valentine of Cafe Racer XXX to crowdsource a Continental GT build. Over a four-month period they had the public vote on features like the style and color – the final request was a ‘white …
The Captain America Bike
In the late 70s, Marvel and Universal partnered to create two made-for-TV movies starring Reb Brown as Captain America. As Cap is not endowed with the gift of flight, he relied on a motorcycle to get around. The stunt rider was Gary Davis (whom I’ve featured before), and Gary is trying to sell this piece of Americana.
1995 Ducati E900 Elefant
Post Sale Update: This Elefant sold for $3,500 after 15 bids on eBay. Ducati was sold to Cagiva in 1985, and one of the things the latter did with this infusion of bikes and technology to try and compete in the Paris-Dakar rally. They created the Elefant, which won the rally in 1990 and 1994. In the US, the bike …
1988 Yamaha DT50
Post Listing Update: This DT50 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. This bike always makes me think of Thomas the Tank Engine, with its baby blue paint scheme and the “little engine that could” possibilities.
1995 BMW R100GSPD Classic
Post Sale Update – this GSPD sold for $7,751.51 after 8 bids on eBay. 1995 was the last year of the airhead GSPD (Paris Dakar), and BMW named it the Classic. Approximately 70 black examples were brought over that year before BMW debuted the oilhead R1100GS. The last time I featured one for sale, a reader/contributor picked it up and …
Restored and Street Legal – 1984 Yamaha IT490
Post Sale Update: This Yamaha sold for $3,050 after 22 bids on eBay. 5-1-2018 Update: Almost exactly two years to the day, this plated IT490 is back up for sale, but this time it’s on eBay. It doesn’t look like anything significant has been changed, so find this blue Yammy for sale in Longwood, Florida with bidding up to $2,750 …