Simple, cheap, and well-preserved: this small XR checks off a lot of boxes!
200 Mile Minor Project – 1966 Suzuki K15 Hillbilly
Introduced in 1965, the Suzuki K15 (also known as the Hillbilly) was a 2-stroker for the trail with features like a skid plate, luggage rack, and swappable sprockets. Basic specs were a dry weight of 155 pounds, and 7.3 horsepower from the 80cc single. Top speed with the trail sprocket was 38 miles per hour, and 60 mph with the …
1972 Yankee Z500
In the early 70s, John Taylor of Schenectady, New York started building the Yankee Z500, an American dual-sport designed to compete with the best bikes coming out of Europe. Yankee Motor Company started by importing machines from OSSA, the Spanish off-road powerhouse, and then moved to modifying OSSA engines in their own custom frames. Eventually, they combined two OSSA 250cc …
1 Owner Ending Soon – 1981 Honda XL185S
I’m a sucker for 1-owner bikes, and this XL175-successor fits the bill.
Homemade Adventurer – 1983 BMW R80ST Custom
The seller of this R80ST bought it over a decade ago as a basketcase and then “built it up to be my idea of the perfect backroad and camping airhead, sparing very few expenses along the way.”
Near The End – 1993 Honda CT70
Post Sale Update: This CT70 sold for $2,275 after 27 bids on eBay in Clarkston, Michigan. By 1993, Honda’s venerable CT70 had just one last year of production left in it. By 1998, Honda’s patent would expire and the world was flooded with clones.
1970 American Eagle Renegade 150
Post Sale Update: This Renegade sold for $1,903 after 5 bids on eBay. American Eagle was John McCormack’s moderately successful attempt at importing models from Italjet, Kawasaki, and most prominently, Laverda. While AE didn’t last very long, it was a wonderful introduction for Laverda, who continued to sell big bikes in the US. This oddball started as a Laverda 125 …
Hefty Markup – 2020 Triumph Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition
Post Listing Update: The seller lowered his ask to $39,999 but this listing did not get any action. Triumph’s had a bit of a hit on their hands with the new Scrambler 1200, a bike that was supposed to make its film debut in the newest Bond movie (No Time to Die). The movie’s been delayed, but the limited-edition partnership …
Bumblebee – 1989 BMW R100GS
Post Listing Update: This GS did not meet reserve with 5 bids up to $5,850 on eBay in Missoula, Montana. This Euro-spec bike has been around the world! The original owner bought it new in Zimbabwe, rode it around Africa, then brought it back home to Ireland.
In Canada – DR BIG – 1988 Suzuki DR750S
Post Listing Update: This DR750 did not get any action at the opening bid of $6,000. The DR750 was also known as the DR BIG, meaning it’s got one of the best model names in motorcycling history. It also had the world’s largest single cylinder engine used in a production bike – at least until Suzuki bumped up displacement to …
1965 Yamaha YDS3C Big Bear Scrambler
Post Listing Update: This Big Bear Scrambler did not meet reserve despite 22 bids up to $5,101 in Chicago, Illinois on eBay. Even though Yamaha never won the Big Bear race (a run to Big Bear Lake through the Mojave desert), they took the name for 125, 250, and 350cc scramblers. Yes, it’s from the same seller that’s been listing …
Needs Some Work – 1981 Bultaco Frontera MKII Model 215A
7-18-20 Update: Almost exactly a year later, this Frontera is back up for sale. It looks to be just about the same, though the seller now says that the engine runs well. Find it for sale in Alameda, California with bidding up to $2,200 and the reserve not yet met (as a reminder, the previous asking price was $4,800) here …
2000 Cagiva Gran Canyon
A street-focused adventure bike, the Gran Canyon presents an interesting option for those of you that want some Italian style and speed with all-day comfort. This one’s had a serious amount of recent maintenance so that it’s ready to criss-cross the country.
Comes With a History Lesson – 1991 Husqvarna WMX600
Post Listing Update: This WMX did not meet reserve despite 10 bids up to $3,001.99 on eBay in San Jose, California. The bodywork says WXE610, but the seller notes that this is actually a WMX600. Either way, it’s an interesting machine from the end of Husky’s run in Sweden, and the seller’s includes a great recap of 80s Husqvarna in …
1971 Suzuki TS50
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this TS50 sold for a BIN of $2,500 on eBay in Reno, Nevada. Though the model name was TS50, many riders preferred Suzuki’s other name – the Gaucho. Suzuki advertised it by saying it that it was the “only one 50 made that’s a real motorcycle.” Here’s a first-year example that’s said to be …