The Trident T160 is one of motorcycling’s great “what ifs”. Its T150 predecessor debuted as a 1969 model to lots of excitement from Triumph fans who wanted to see how the British firm would fight back against Honda’s CB750. It did not go well. Classic British Motorcycles notes that the Trident was doomed by “the combination of bad timing (it …
1996 Aprilia Moto 6.5
Phillipe Starck is a well-known French product designer and motorcycle enthusiast. In the mid 90’s, he combined those two facets to design the Aprilia Moto 6.5, an in-town runabout that oozes style – but is it the kind of style you like? They are rare finds as they were never imported to the US, which normally translates to high asking …
1984 Suzuki GS1150EF
Suzuki didn’t start producing 4 stroke engines until 1976 when they released their first GS model, the 750. Before that, the company strictly made two-stroke machinery, and were the last of the Japanese manufacturers to begin producing 4-stroke engines. They patterned, a nice way of saying borrowed, their 4-cylinder engine from Kawasaki, more specifically the Z1 900. Kawasaki separated themselves …
16 Restored T120s – 1962-1970 Triumph Bonnevilles
Post Listing Update: This collection of Bonnies did not meet reserve despite 33 bids up to $150,300 on eBay. A seller in the Bay Area is offering up a collection of “99+ point condition” restored Bonnevilles that have zero miles since the work was performed. It’s a staggering set of Triumphs in impressive shape – but how many people are …
Restored – 1958 Ariel Cyclone
Post Listing Update: This Cyclone did not meet reserve despite 25 bids up to $10,100 on eBay. A 650cc high-compression variant of the Huntmaster, the Ariel Cyclone was a very rare bike. It seems that the list of documented Cyclones is 174 over two years of production. Ariel called it their “Super Sports Twin”, thanks to a 40 horsepower engine …
RSD Custom For LynZ Pastrana – 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster
Post Listing Update: This custom Sportster did not get any interest at the BIN of $13,500. Roland Sands originally built this particular Harley-based tracker for LynZ Pastrana, wife of MX legend Travis Pastrana. Sands started the build with a 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200C that was stripped down and mechanically overhauled before going on to receive an RSD Vintage Softtail tank …
Somehow Street Legal – 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2R
4-18-2019 Update: A year later, this H2R is back up for sale with a $5,000 discount. Find it with a BIN of $54,500 here on eBay. Post Listing Update: This crazy H2R did not get any interest at the BIN of $59,500. Introduced in 2015, the Kawasaki Ninja H2R was an absolute revelation – 300 claimed horsepower thanks to a …
Two-Stroke SuMo Conversion – 1975 Yamaha DT400 Custom
In 1968, Yamaha introduced the 250cc DT1, a 22hp two-stroke enduro wrapped in a double-loop cradle frame. The DT was something of an instant hit, and the Tuning Fork company followed it up with the introduction of the 125cc AT1, as well as the larger 360cc RT1 in 1970. By ’75 Yamaha had bored out the RT1’s single to 397cc’s, …
2000 Suzuki SV650
Has there ever been a more universally loved bike that the Suzuki SV650? The more I immerse myself into the motorcycling community, I really wonder. This is all subjective of course, but there really isn’t a lot to complain about with the SV. It came along and dominated the mid-sized bike market in 1999. Even if you don’t love it, …
1961 BMW R50S with Steib LS200
The R50S was the little brother of the legendary R69S, and it was a relatively rare motorcycle in BMW’s history as just 1,634 were produced 1960 and 1962. This example was restored in 2012 and it’s been paired with a beautiful color-matched Steib LS200 sidecar.
1976 AMCA National Winner – 1952 Ariel Red Hunter
Post Listing Update: This Red Hunter did not meet reserve despite 26 bids up to $6,867 on eBay. A model that lasted for nearly 30 years, the Ariel Red Hunter was the name given to a grand variety of models powered by singles and twins produced by Ariel from 1932-1959.
2007 Honda VFR800 Anniversary Edition
Honda engineers started down the path to produce a V4 motorcycle engine in 1978 to compete against two stoke race bikes of the time. Soichiro Honda didn’t like two stroke engines and didn’t want to race them. He was passionate about maximizing 4-stroke technology. He wanted a 4 stroke that could compete. The engineers eventually produced the NR500 race bike. …
Stock – 1983 Honda CB1100F
Post Sale Update: This CB1100F sold for $5,700 after 35 bids on eBay. Built for just one year, the Honda CB1100F was a sleek looking standard that was mighty quick – in January of ’83, Cycle World said it was the fastest stock bike they’ve ever tested.
2007 Yamaha FJR1300
Why do we like some brands more than others? I feel like I’m an equal opportunity gearhead: I’d happily ride a Ducati, or a Triumph for example. They’re both great manufacturers that do different things extremely well. But if you made me choose, I think I’d pick a Triumph. Why? I couldn’t really put my finger on it. I’ve owned …
Land Speed Record Holder – 1955 BMW R50
Owned by Kevin Brooks, this R50 held the P-PV (Production – Production Vintage) class record at the Bonneville Salt Flats for several years, and it’s said to be the “first 500cc motorcycle of any make to break 100mph while running in the production class.”