There are two quotes that I always remember when I see small displacement, lightweight bikes. 1. “Simplify, then add lightness” – Colin Chapman 2. “It’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than drive a fast car slow” – Abner Perney These quotes were directed by car people at car people but in reality, apply just as perfectly to …
1975 Honda CB200T
Introduced in 1973, the CB200T was fairly popular as a cheap runabout. This restored example looks great – and with an asking price of $1,600, it can still play the role of cheap transportation in your daily commute.
$1,495 – 1980 Honda CB400T Hawk
Why would I write up a very ordinary UJM? This is a site dedicated to Exotics, right? The Honda CB400T was as plain as could be. Because that’s what we rode. I don’t know about anybody else, but I rode a Hawk. I lusted for a CBX and would take every opportunity to head to the local dealer and dream …
1992 Yamaha TDM850
The TDM850 was a bit of an oddball that was about 15 years ahead of its time. A pavement-focused dual sport like the Multistrada or the S1000XR, the TDM gave riders the ability to explore any paved road in comfort with the option to explore fire roads to their heart’s content. Unfortunately, not many riders in the US back in …
Rare Enduro – 1988 Suzuki DR750
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 800cc! They were never officially sold in the US, making this Illinois-based example a rare find …
Twinstar – 1981 Honda CM200
Based on the CD 200, the CM200T (also known as the Twinstar) is a perfect first bike, and as a ’81 model this should have a 12V electrical system.
1987 Honda CBR600F Hurricane
The first year of the first generation – this is the bike that started the CBR line. It was quick enough to compete in 600cc racing, but user friendly to still enjoy on the street during the week. When it first came out, it was quite an improvement on the competition – Kawasasaki’s GPZ600 (arguably the class leader at the …
Turbo Project – 1974 Honda CB750
Here’s a former drag bike that has been out of the limelight for a while. It’s packing several period speed parts but the bike has been sitting for years and it’s going to need a lot of work. Are you up for the challenge? Do you even think it’s worth saving?
Swiss Army Bike – 1974 Condor A350
The engine is this bike should look familiar to you – but everything else may not. It’s a Condor A350, and it utilizes a Ducati 350cc single (valve springs, not desmodromic). 3,000 examples were built between 1973 and 1979, and they starting trickling out into the civilian world around the turn of the decade.
1996 Ducati 900 SS/CR
Ducati offered the 900SS between 1991 and 1998, and during that time they sold a full-fairing version (the SS/SP) and a half-fairing version (the SS/CR). I find the latter more attractive, though the ’96 and newer CRs have non-rebuildable Marzochhi front forks that some riders aren’t happy with – don’t worry, this seller has dealt with that. This example has …
One of Many – 1962 Honda C110
Before there was a CBX or a CBR or CB anything from Honda, there was the C. We are all familiar with the C50 Super Cub, the step through 50cc bike that changed motorcycling forever in the very early 1960’s, but the C110 is considered the same platform and as such is one of the more than 60 million units …
1995 ATK 605
Post Listing Update: This ATK was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. In their heyday (during the 90s), ATK was known for creating some of the best handling dirt bikes a rider could get straight off the dealership floor. Their approach was simple – take a proven engine (in this case, a 600cc Rotax unit) and envelope it …
Nice Price – 2005 BMW R1200RT
In 2005, BMW updated the RT with the 1,170cc boxer engine, good for a ~15% increase in horsepower and ~10% bump in torque – all while reducing the weight of the package by over 40 pounds. God bless progress. It immediately won Best Touring Bike awards from Cycle World and Motorcyclist, and the only gripe people really seem to have …
Channel Your Inner Prince – 1982 Kawasaki Spectre 1100
You too can can be like Prince! Here is your starting point…. This 1982 Kawasaki Spectre 1100 comes with a complete set of Vetter bags, tail trunk AND the Windjammer fairing. It’s even got some purple trim! For the complete look you’re going to have to add a sissy bar, but that’s easy – no welding required.
High Mileage – 1980 Yamaha XS1100 LG
Yamaha released the XS11 in 1978 as the most powerful production motorcycle on the planet. Astoundingly it was Yamaha’s first 4 stroke 4 cylinder motor ever. In 1979 Yamaha issued the XS 11 in two trim levels: ‘Standard’ and ‘Special’. This was to continue throughout the entire production run. The Special had higher bars, a stepped seat, smaller diameter rear …