The KTM RC390 graced the world in 2014 as Europe’s entry to a class that was being run by the Kawasaki Ninja 300. It offered a distinctly European approach to a lightweight sportbike and earned praise from many. In addition, it offered several their first look at KTM, who has a much bigger footprint off road. A 372cc single cylinder …
1995 Yamaha FZR1000
1995 was the final year of FZR1000 production before it was replaced by the parts-bin special Thunderace. The new model didn’t help that Honda was eating everyone’s lunch in the 1,000cc sportbike market with their 900RR Fireblade – it would take Yamaha until 1998 to reclaim the crown with the R1. Still, no one’s buying a mid’90s sportbike nowadays to …
One Owner – 2004 KTM 625 SXC
In their review of the 625 SXC, Dirt Bike magazine called it “a great, big beast that makes even a Honda 650R seem small.” The XR650R was much more popular, however, and that’s why the big KTM is now a relatively rare find – especially a one-owner bike with just 1,400 miles after a decade and a half of use.
1998 Laverda Ghost Strike
Packing one of the most distinctive model names in motorcycling history, the Laverda Ghost Strike is one of the many variants the Italian firm pushed out in the late 90s that were powered by either the 650 or 668cc parallel twins. Laverda actually offered a Ghost and a Strike as separate models, the former a trellis-framed naked bike, the latter …
2003 Cannondale E440
The swansong of the Cannondale motorcycles (a short-lived subsidiary of the American bicycle company) was the E440, an enduro twin of the X440 motocrosser. It was a disaster, the culmination of an $80 million investment that bankrupted the motorcycle division.
Sold by Radio Shack – 1961 Briggs & Stratton Powered Scooter
Most of you are familiar with the foreign-made bikes sold by US catalog dealers such as Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards back in the 60’s. Well, Radio Shack also jumped on that bandwagon, selling powered vehicles in their catalogs. Not foreign, but here is a 1961 motor scooter powered by the ubiquitous Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine.
Rare in the US – 1983 Honda CX650ED
In 1983, Honda updated the CX500 platform with a big bump in displacement. The resulting CX650 was offered in three models, two of which the US received. Americans got the CX650C Custom and the CX650T Turbo. The third model was the ED, also known as the Eurosport. While you missed out on the lag and extra power of a turbo, …
1983 Honda CB1000 Custom
Produced for just one year, the Honda CB1000C Custom was notable for the TRAC anti-dive system and dual-range transmission (a sub-transmission that let you choose high or low for any given gear, even if people only really used it to act as a sixth gear/overdrive).
Yamaha XS650 Motor – 2003 Royal Enfield Bullet
Royal Enfield has just released two models powered by an all-new 650 twin motor, but the seller of this bike beat them to the punch. The title tells you what you need to know – this is a Royal Enfield that’s had a heart transplant. The seller says he “decided to change the motor to make it a reliable daily …
Unexpected Custom – Yamaha Seca 2 Dual-Sport
My first bike after undergrad was a beat up Yamaha Seca 2 that I bought for $600. I thought it was a pleasant bike, but I never thought it would make a good platform to go off-road with. Thankfully, the builder of this bike doesn’t think like I do.
190 Miles – 1981 Honda CM400A Hondamatic
In the early 80s, Honda donated a few motorcycles to schools all across the country. The most valuable finds nowadays are the occasional CBX or two that appear with no miles after sitting in a school storage room for decades, but Honda provided some twins and four-cylinder models, too. One example of the former is this CM400, which stands out …
Diesel Conversion – 2006 Honda Rebel
Last month, I shared a Qujos Trailmaster that had been converted to diesel power. Today, we’ve got a bike you’ve heard of. In 2015, the seller swapped out the motor of this Honda Rebel with a 740cc Kubota diesel powerplant.
Street Legal – 1976 Husqvarna 250 WR
The styling of the front fender doesn’t match the rest of the bike, but the dual-sport kit means that this iconic Husky is now street legal. Take the good with the bad, and then maybe take some time to get a different headlight and front fender. The 250 WR is one of Husqvarna’s most famous machines, as it was one …
1982 Honda CX500 Turbo
The 80’s were a crazy time. Music was being produced without instruments, and manufacturers had to think outside the block (see what I did there?) to breathe life back into powerplants that were being choked by new emission standards. Turbochargers were the name of the game, and luckily the Japanese were up to the challenge. Honda slapped a turbo on …