Post-Listing Update: Despite 11 bids on eBay, this Husqvarna 450 WR did not meet reserve at $2,600. In the 1960’s, Husqvarna had led the charge in turning British off-road bikes into relics. By the 70’s, Husky had become a dominant force in motocross, winning multiple world championships and Baja 1000s. 1972 was a banner year for the firm – their …
34th Annual Hansen Dam All British Ride
Every year, the Southern California Norton Owner’s Club hosts a wonderful get together at Hansen Dam. The combined show and ride features decades of classic British iron – and you’re bound to see great bikes from other marques, new and old. We got an invite from a local BMW mechanic friend and couldn’t say no. As you’ve come to expect …
Featured First – 1970 Rupp Go Joe
Post-Sale Update: After 16 bids on eBay, this Rupp Go Joe sold for $1,858. Founded in 1959, Rupp Manufacturing started out as a kart manufacturer in Mansfeld, Ohio. Within 10 years, they had grown to a 400-employee shop pumping out mini-bikes, go-karts, snowmobiles, and what some people consider to be the first “4 wheeler” – the Rupp Go Joe. Produced …
Trail Yamaha – 1986 Yamaha TY 350
Post-Sale Update: After 22 bids on eBay, this Yamaha TY 350 sold for $2,010. In the late 60s, Yamaha made its first entry in a European trial championship in France with their 250 DT, a bike better suited for dual sporting. In 1970, the sales manager of a French Yamaha dealership was contacted by the current French trial champion and …
1 of 400 – 2012 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition
KTM has been one of the leaders in motocross racing for countless years, particularly in AMA with Ryan Dungey. As part of AMA homologation rules, KTM had to release 400 units of this bike – otherwise Dungey would be disqualified from the races he participated in. Though KTM surely finds it to be a hassle, this means that the public …
1981 Maico 490 Mega 2
Post-Sale Update: After 25 bids on eBay, this bike sold for $9,210. Flaunting one of the best dirtbike names ever, the Maico 490 Mega 2 was considered by many to be one of the best open class motorcross bikes ever built. Back in the 80s, there was a lot of prestige associated with riding a Maico, but even this was …
1969 Husqvarna 400 Cross
Post-Sale Update: This Husqvarna 400 Cross was removed from eBay. Unfortunately we do not know what the final selling price was. A couple of days ago, one of our favorite sites – RideApart – posted an article featuring 6 dirt bikes that changed the industry. We figured we’d help you find some of these instant classics. Let’s start with one …
1974 Rickman Zundapp 125 ISDT
Established in 1960, Rickman motorcycles initially supplied frame kits built for many British bikes, as companies would not sell engines to them. At the start of the 70s, Rickman got access to engines from all around the world, and started exporting several small-displacement motocross bikes, many to the United States. Ranging from 100cc to 250cc in displacement, today we look …
1991 Honda Cub EZ 90
The Honda EZ 90 Cub was produced from 1991 until 1996. Designed for off-road use only, lots of Cubs were used as pit bikes (even by Honda’s ChampCar and IRL teams) as well as runabouts strapped on the back of RVs and campers.
1968 Cheney Triumph 500
Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Cheney Triumph 500 sold for $6,500 on eBay. One of the most challenging races in any discipline was the International Six Days Trial (ISDT – now known as the ISDE). An annual test of rider, machine, and durability, the ISDT is also known as the “Olympics of Motorcycling.” In 1968, ISDT changed up the …
Dropped From The Skies – 1944 Cushman Model 53
Post-Sale Update: This Cushman Model 53 sold for the opening bid of $7,000. The Cushman Model 53 is probably as cool as a scooter gets. 4,734 of these bikes were produced to serve the US in World War II. These bare-bones scoots were intended to primarily be messenger bikes, helping to increase the mobility of troops and assist in communications. …
Two Wheel Drive – 1970 Rokon Trailbreaker
Founded about 50 years ago, Rokon has become synonymous with two-wheel-drive motorcycles that are able to go anywhere. Initially designed as a motorcycle/tractor, the Trailbreaker lives up to its name with incredibly low gearing that enables riders to climb up steep hills balancing at just 0.5 miles per hour.
Too Little, Too Late – 2002 Cannondale X440
The Cannondale X440 was the swansong of Cannondale motorcycles, a subsidiary of the well-known American bicycling company. In the late 90s, Cannondale tried to move into motorsports, with an off-road bike and an ATV. Long story short, it was a disaster. $80 million later, the company declared bankruptcy, having left behind an interesting story of what happens when you can’t …
1969 Kawasaki Sidewinder 250 F4
The Kawasaki Sidewinder was a dual sport geared towards the expanding trail riding market in America. Produced for only two years, it utilized the same 238cc engine found other Kawi off-roaders to save costs, and it came with DeCarbon rear shocks and quick detachable lights to help quickly switch from on to off-road.
1972 Montesa King Scorpion 250
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Montesa King Scorpion 250 sold for $1,995 on eBay. The Montesa King Scorpion 250 was one of the bikes that changed public perception of what a dual sport machine was. Instaed of taking a street machine and tacking on ‘dirt’ features, Montesa introduced the concept of starting with a true off-roader, and then …