For decades, two-stroke MXers were big business. Production versions of factory competition machines became desirable off-roaders, leading to some of the most iconic quarter-liter off-road racers of all time. Two of those machines are undeniably the Honda CR250R and Kawasaki KX250. Both bikes were “out of the box racers” that were instant classics, receiving various updates over the years in …
Harley MXer – 1975 Harley-Davidson SX250
In 1969 Yamaha released its wildly popular 250cc DT-1, selling around 50,000 units in its first couple years of production. Other manufacturers took notice of this, including Harley-Davidson. They would toss their hat in the MX-ring the following year in an effort to nab a piece of the lucrative late-’60’s/early-’70’s off-road segment. Harley had recently purchased a large stake in …
All Terrain Cycles – 1986 Yamaha BW200 and Honda TR200
A lot of unconventional motorcycles were built in the 1980’s, especially in Japan. When one manufacturer released an unorthodox scoot, another manufacturer would often follow suit, just in case one of these novel gambles worked. Forced induction is a good example of this, but the factory ATV-wheeled dirt bikes of the new-wave and cocaine-fueled decade may be the best example. …
$950 – Tule Trooper Big Boy
Jim Edwins was the man behind the J. I. Edwins Company in Issaquah, Washington. The firm was best known for the production of the “Trooper”, a competitor to the better-known Tote Gote. They’re rare finds nowadays, and this one is worthy of consideration as it’s the harder-to-find “Big Boy” model with optional tandem seat and it’s said to run great!
Christini AWD – 2012 Honda CRF450X
This street legal 2012 Honda CRF450X example has been fitted with an array of solid aftermarket parts including a Christini AWD kit. The kits come complete with everything needed to turn a motorcycle into an AWD vehicle, including the modified forks, custom fuel tank, custom Talon front hub, engagement Switch, CNC triple clamp, and fork guards. These kits sell by …
Rebuilt British Beauty – 1978 Rickman Triumph
Last time I featured a Rickman Triumph, I referred to it as a “Britmota” and even though this example isn’t a road machine, I feel the moniker still applies. This completely rebuilt example is sporting a NEW Rickman chassis wrapped around a 1978 Triumph 750 engine. The restoration process on this iconic British machine took an accumulative three years to …
Keystone Framed Factory Hillclimber – 1923 Harley-Davidson Twin-Cam
Hillclimbers are some of the most interesting historically significant motorcycles out there. As high-dollar auctions like Bonham’s and Mecum have demonstrated, the right hillclimber in good condition can be worth a literal fortune. One of my favorites is the 1928 Excelsior Big Bertha Hillclimber that sold at a Vegas Mecum auction earlier this year for $117,500. This 1923 H-D Twin-Cam …
Factory Trials Bike – 1951 Norton 500T
Post Listing Update: Despite 45 bids up to $6,600, this 500T did not meet reserve. Don Morley called Norton’s 500T “the finest rigid trials machine to be produced by any factory.” This claim was supported by an ISDT Gold Medal in 1950, as well.
Late Competition Scrambler – 1966 Matchless G85CS
The Plumstead, England-based Matchless Motorcycles had a decently long run of 67 years before finally closing its doors in 1966. Before shutting down however, one of its final moves would be producing (according to the seller) less than one hundred G85CS (or Competition Scramblers) in an effort to combat manufacturers like Husqvarna, Bultaco, CZ and Greeves, who had been dominating …
Possible Steal – 1967 Triumph T120TT
Post Sale Update: The bidding ended at $8,100, but as you can see from the comments below there’s some questions about this listing. In addition, the listing itself has been pulled off of eBay, so I wouldn’t factor this in if you’re trying to determine the value of a T120TT… Typically when I’ve seen or featured T120TTs in the past, …
1976 Honda Z50 Mini Trail
If last week’s 50th Anniversary Edition was a bit more than you wanted to pay but you still want to relive the magic of what made monkey bikes special for both kids and adults, here’s a 3-owner example that just got an extensive amount of work done so that it’s ready to enjoy.
Ex-Factory Racer – Malcom Stewart’s 2014 Honda CRF450
Factory race machines are the pinnacle of production-based two-wheelers. As their name suggests, these bikes come straight from the manufacturer who is giving it all they have in hopes that their bike will win its respective championship which will hopefully translate to satisfactory sales numbers and steer buyers towards their offering over the competition. Well, this 2014 CRF450 is no …
Restored – 1970 Bultaco El Bandido Mk2
Post Listing Update: This Bultaco did not meet reserve despite 10 bids up to $5,651.88. In 1967, Bultaco introduced their first open class bike and gave it one of the best names and logos in the business. It was called the El Bandido (obviously, The Bandit), and it was available in scrambles and MX variants. The Mark 2 version was …
YZ426 Motor, CRF250R Frame – BBR 426 Hybrid
One of only three ever made, this Brown Brothers Racing “YZ426S” is a truly fascinating hybrid motocrosser. Marrying the lightweight aluminum-frame from the (early-2000’s) nimble Honda CR250R with the Yamaha YZ426F’s proven power plant to deliver this high-performance made-to-order dirt-goer that sold for $20k back in the early 2000’s. Combining the best of both worlds, it’s not hard to see …
No Reserve – 2007 KTM 300 XC-W
Post Sale Update: After 70 bids on eBay, this KTM sold for $3,000. The seller says that 5 years ago he asked the editor of Dirt Rider magazine what the “best off-road bike was” and the answer he was given was a two-stroke KTM 300. The editor expressed a popular opinion – many experience off-road riders consider this to be …