In the 80s, Honda offered what they called a “heavy duty” minibike called the Motra. Unlike the Z50 or original Monkey, the Motra was designed to be loaded up with gear and ridden just about anywhere you could imagine. A commonly-shared-but-unverified tale says that “Motra” is a combination of Motorcycle-Truck because the Japanese pronunciation for truck is “Torakku”.
2013 KTM 990 SMT
For the second time this week, a prolific commenter on Bike-urious is letting go of one of his bikes. This time it’s Walter Barlow, who not only frequently contributes to the community via comments – he also shared a history of the Norton Commando and his thoughts after riding a Motus MST.
C&J Framed – 1979 Honda XR500
The first Honda XR model was the ’79 XR500, which was notable for a 23″ front wheel. Here’s an example that’s got a smaller front wheel…and a whole bunch of other modifications, like a C&J Racing frame.
1971 Rupp Black Widow
Rupp Industries was based in Mansfield, Ohio, and for nearly 20 years they were able to compete with Honda and other Japanese manufacturers for a share of the lucrative mini bike market. Their top-of-the-line competition bike was the Black Widow, which was based on the Roadster/2. The Black Widow is probably the best-known of Rupp’s creations. It paired a 4 …
AHRMA Race Bike – 1961 BSA Gold Star 500
Built to compete in AHRMA’s Premier 500 class, this Gold Star is comprised “entirely from new replica parts except for the front forks and rear brake.“
No Reserve Project – 1967 Honda CB450P Police
I have a weakness for older ‘service’ bikes, like this previously featured Honda Dream Fire Bike and today’s featured Honda CB450P Police Special, which may have also been officially called the Honda CP450. According to the AMA, just 25 were imported to the US to pilot an entrance into the police motorcycle market.
1965 Honda C100 with Roadster Kit
While Honda found success with its small step-through models in most markets, the Japanese marque struggled to sell scooters in the same numbers in the US. Honda looked to change this with the introduction of what it called the “Custom Group”, consisting of four different add-on kits (the Roadster, Rally, Boss, and Student) designed to make little runners like the …
Take A Risk? 2022 BMW M1000RR With Salvage Title
When it was new, the BMW M1000RR was offered up at $37,000. Here’s one that offers up the potential for a relative bargain, as it was salvaged due to damage on the frame near the slider mount from a tip over. It could be an interesting deal for someone who wants a heck of a track bike.
Harley/Aermacchi Sprint Land Speed Racer
Per the seller, this “is the current record holder at El Mirage” though I’m unable to determine exactly which class he’s referring to.
2016 Honda CB500F
Back in 2015 I mentioned a wonderful blog called Rolling Physics Problem by Greg Shamieh (a frequent commenter here at Bike-urious). He’s selling his CB500F – what he calls “the great grandson of the famous CB450 ‘Black Bomber’ – only with the benefit of more than 50 years of technical evolution.”
2017 Yamaha SCR950 Super Hooligan
Built by Jeff Palhegyi in 40 hours, this Yamaha SCR950 has been converted to a street tracker after (according to the seller) it was built as a Super Hooligan bike for Ryan Villopoto.
White Brothers 601cc Kit – 1989 Honda GB500
Honda’s GB500 was an homage to classic British singles but there was a twist – it was reliable! The average American rider shopping for a Japanese bike at the time was more interested in the bigger supersport replicas, but the Tourist Trophy has become a cult classic. Here’s another twist: a California-based company called the White Brothers made a 601cc …
1972 OSSA 250 MAR
The OSSA MAR (Mick Andrews Replica) was built after OSSA hired the English rider to design and ride a new trials bike – he went on to win two consecutive European Trials Championships and three consecutive Scottish Six Days Trials with it. In 1973, Andrews moved to Yamaha, but OSSA kept producing this bike into the late 70s and it …
1968 Benelli Mojave Scrambler 260
Back in the 60s, you did not necessarily have to go to a motorcycle dealership to acquire a bike. Indeed, superstores like Sears or Montgomery Ward imported and sold motorcycles themselves. While Sears notably imported Vespas, Montgomery sold Lambrettas and Benellis, including the Mojave 360…and the rarer 260 variant (offered in Tourer and Scrambler options).
Pro Circuit Build – 2022 Kawasaki KX250
Pro Circuit is one of the legendary motocross and supercross teams of all time, and they occasionally have bikes for sale up on their site. Here’s a wildly modified KX250 that they’re ready to let go of.