The BMW R100 GS was the bike that broke open the mold for BMW. While the R80GS was the first of this new category of bikes, the R100 updated everything and sold over 34,000 units. The best way to sum up this bike would probably be in the words of my mechanic, who calls it a “pavement-indifferent” touring bike.
Reader Ride – 1973 Honda CL350 Flying Dragon
Post-Listing Update: Despite the outcome on the listing, I’m told this Honda CL350 Flying Dragon sold for $3,800 on eBay. A little known tidbit of Honda history is in ’72 and ’73, you could order an incredible set of alternate bodywork for CL350 or CL450 models – an idea that came from Honda’s paint department because they figured these crazy …
1 of 125 – 1961 Matchless G80TCS Typhoon
After years of success with the G80, Matchless offered a “Competition Suspension” variant called the G80CS to answer demands for more power, aimed towards US riders who were looking for a desert racer. But for three years (’59-’61), Matchless released an even better version – the Matchless G80TCS Typhoon. Just 125 were built, and most were exported to the US. …
British Bonanza – 8 Classic Brits
Well, if you’ve been waiting for a chance to create your own British motorcycle collection in one fell swoop, wait no longer. Here’s an eBay auction for an instant collection of 8 classic British motorcycles.
700 Miles – 1974 Honda CL360
Post Sale Update: After 16 bids on eBay, this CL sold for US $4,599. The successor to last week’s Honda CL350, this immaculate Honda CL360 has just 700 miles and is waiting for a new owner after spending most of its life in a collection.
1972 Honda CL350 K4 Scrambler
The scrambler variant of Honda’s best-selling motorcycle (at least as of 2003), the Honda CL350 differed from its’ street-based brother as it gained the high scrambler pipes and a 19-inch front wheel. This particular example is a beautiful low mileage example adorned in Candy Panther Gold (what a name) paint.
1969 Ducati Scrambler 350
In the 60s, American importer Joe Berliner was bringing in so many Ducatis that he had the ear of the corporate office. So when he started asking for a do-it-all bike aimed towards younger riders, the Italian firm obliged him with the Scrambler, a dual-sport based off the road-based Diana which Berliner had converted for dirt track competitions in the …
1963 Ducati Scrambler 250
In the 60s, American importer Joe Berliner was bringing in so many Ducatis that he had the ear of the corporate office. So when he started asking for a do-it-all bike aimed towards younger riders, the Italian firm obliged him with the Ducati Scrambler 250, a dual-sport based off the road-based Diana which Berliner had converted for dirt track competitions …
2006 BMW HP2 Enduro
Post-Listing Update: This HP2 Enduro was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The slimmer (but still ugly – and I say this as a GS owner) brother of the R1200GS, the BMW HP2 Enduro took the GS engine and CANBUS electronics but instead utilized a trellis frame and normal forks to save a whopping 53 pounds – this …
Rally Raid – Modified 2012 KTM 690 Enduro
If you’re looking for a true off-roader from your production dual-sport, I’m not sure it gets better than the KTM 690 Enduro. Built to serve as the base for KTM’s Dakar Rally efforts (which they won in 2007, 2009, and 2010 with this bike before regulation changes forced them to switch to a smaller engine for competition), the 690 is …
70s Inspired – Triumph Scrambler
I discovered Marin Speed Shop through an auction for a Ducati 1199 Superleggera that Zack B gave me a heads up about. When I was poking around their website, I discovered that they also produce some custom bikes. At the moment, they’ve only got one for sale – this 70s inspired Triumph Scrambler.
Unexpected – 1974 BMW R90 Enduro
Post Listing Update: Despite 25 bids on eBay up to $7,250, this R90 Enduro did not meet reserve. BMW has obviously made quite the name for themselves with the enduro GS line – but that wasn’t born until the ’81 R80GS. So what are you to do if you want an older BMW that can still have fun in the …
1955 AJS Model 18CS
The AJS Model 18CS was an evolution of the Model 18 – a bike that can trace its roots back to the G3L, an ex-military bike that was sold off in surplus once the war had ended. The C stood for Competition (as a scrambler bike), and the S stood for the fact that it had a suspension as opposed …
1967 Norton P-11
Post-Listing Update: Despite 18 bids on eBay, this Norton P-11 did not meet reserve at $11,600. Back when AMC owned Norton and Matchless, the latter sold a bike called the G85CS, which was competitive in European motocross. The US west coast distributor sold several but thought they were a little slow for the ‘scramble’ racing that was happening in America, …
British Racing Green – 1969 Matchless G80CS
Post Sale Update: After 17 bids on eBay, this Matchless G80CS sold for $10,000. The pinnacle of the G80 series (except for the super-rare Typhoon G80TCS), the Matchless G80CS was a “Competition Suspension” variant that was designed to race through the dirt – just remove the lights!