Filed under “didn’t this guy know that KTM already makes a 1290 Adventure?” is this fascinating custom, which started as a Super Duke and is now an off-road “Beast” that has competed in the legendarily-difficult race, the Erzbergrodeo.
Street Legal – 1996 ATK 260LQ
In 1995, your only option for an American-built dirt bike was ATK. So it was rather exciting when the company announced that they were debuting liquid-cooled models. The 260LQ was an interesting option, as it was a 2-stroke, street-legal enduro – this one is currently road legal in California.
1989 Yamaha Super Tenere XTZ750
On my way out to San Antonio, I spent a couple of hours (not nearly enough time) meeting the team at Cycle Refinery – I’ve got some photos and a video to put together for you when I get back home. But the short story is, I love what they’re doing, and they’ve got some lovely JDM imports that are …
Paris-Dakar Tribute – 1983 BMW R80ST Custom
BMW’s Paris-Dakar bikes are wildly collectible, but it’s still surprising to see one made out of a R80ST!
“Dual Sportster” – 1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster Custom
Built by Coleman Keffer of the newly-created CKCustomBikes, this ’88 Sportster has been converted into a “Dual Sportster”.
0 Miles – 2016 Bimota DBX
After decades of working magic with Japanese powerplants, Bimota had a wave of Italian engines through Ducati when they were reborn in 2003. Now that Kawasaki has bought Bimota, will the “Italian” firm return to its roots of Japanese hearts? Start dreaming of an Italian-styled bike with the supercharged drivetrain! But back to the Ducati days. Starting with the DB10 …
CBR300R Swap – 2014 Honda CRF250L
One of my only complaints with the CRF250L is a lack of power (especially when you’re exploring in elevation), which makes this specific CRF-L particularly interesting – it has the 30 horsepower/20 lb-ft motor out of a Honda CBR300R!
270 Miles – 1991 Suzuki DR800
A shop in Texas is turning into one of my favorites as they seem to have a steady flow of interesting JDM imports. Today they’ve got a DR BIG (introduced in 1988 as the DR750), a production version of the DR-Z (a Paris-Dakar racer piloted by Gaston Rahier). The DR750 featured the world’s largest single cylinder engine in a production …
1972 Yankee Boss
Based out of Schenectady, New York, the Yankee motorcycle company was the brainchild of John Taylor. Yankee was best known for the impressive Z500, but John also wanted a minibike in the lineup so he partnered with Bonvicini Marino out of Bologna, Italy to distribute the 50cc “Boss”.
Cosmetic Restoration – 1974 Suzuki RL250 Exacta
Post Listing Update: This Exacta did not get any interest at the BIN of $4,500. Though it was typically in the shadow of Yamaha’s TY250, the Suzuki Exacta RL250 was still a solid trials bike that’s now quite suitable for vintage competition. They’re relatively rare in the US as they were only imported in 1974 and 1975, and this example …
463 Miles – 1983 Honda XL100S
Post Sale Update: This XL sold for $2,550 after 44 bids on eBay in Woodruff, South Carolina. The XL100 evolved into the XL100S in 1979, and it continued that way until the model was discontinued in 1985. This ’83 model looks to be in good shape and it has just 463 miles.
1975 Bultaco Frontera 360
Post Sale Update: This Frontera sold for $2,700 after 8 bids on eBay in Boise, Idaho. When Bultaco wanted to introduce the Frontera to American customers, they said it was “bred from the Pursang and the demands of the American Enduro experts.” The idea was that you’d get the off-road capabilities of the MX Pursang, but with a wide-ratio transmission …
1985 Suzuki DR250
Post Sale Update: This DR250 sold for the opening bid of $1,399 in Northbridge, Massachusetts. The 1985 model of the DR250 was the “F”, which was visually distinguished by a front disc brake as well as yellow paint job with yellow fork lowers.
Never Started – 1989 Honda Africa Twin XRV650
Post Sale Update: This Africa Twin sold for $20,000 after 49 bids on eBay in Seattle, Washington. I know I’m on a bit of a JDM kick this week, but with bikes like this can you blame me? Here we’ve got a first-generation Honda Africa Twin (RD03) that’s never been started or even had fuel in the tank. There’s all …
1992 Yamaha Super Tenere XTZ750
9-25-19 Update: A month later, the seller has let me know that this bike is back up for sale with a price reduction to $8,750. Find it here on Craigslist in Mill Valley, California. Right now you can walk into a Honda or Yamaha dealership and get a modern Africa Twin or Super Tenere. But in the US, the same …