Never officially imported to the US, the Kawasaki ZXR400 was one of the more popular 400cc sport bikes that Japan and Europe got to enjoy. Here’s one that’s made it across the ocean as the seller brought it with him from Japan.
9 Miles – 2002 Suzuki GSX-R600M Telefonica Movistar
4-8-15 Update: Reader George G let me know that this GSX-R is back up for sale with 1 additional mile, much better pictures, and bidding up to $3,550 in Glendale, California here on eBay. Post-Sale Update: After a hefty 48 bids on eBay, this GSX-R600M sold for $3,600 on eBay. A limited edition released in 2002, the GSX-R600M was a …
In New Zealand – 1994 Bimota DB2J Junior
A baby brother to the DB2 (of which just 408 units were built), the Bimota DB2 Junior was nearly identical except for three major changes: a single front disc (dual discs were optional), a narrower rear wheel, and…a 400cc, 49 horsepower engine. The Junior was built solely for the Japanese market because that company had tax regulations that greatly favored …
1995 Moto Guzzi Sport 1100
Producer of big bikes with lovely, torquey V-Twin engines, Guzzi is best known for cruisers and standard bikes. But the Moto Guzzi Sport 1100 was a beautiful deviation from the norm.
Clean First Year – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R 1100
Here’s a first-year example of the venerable Suzuki GSX-R 1100 that’s being offered by the second owner. It’s claimed to be an un-restored original in excellent condition that doesn’t need anything. The second owner acquired it 5 years ago after it spent some time in storage – it’s unclear how often the bike has been exercised since but he thoughtfully …
Ex-Military – 1955 Moto Guzzi Airone
Produced for nearly two decades, the Moto Guzzi Airone (translates to Heron) featured a 250cc engine in varying forms like a Sport model and this military variant. The external flywheel was affectionately known as the “salami slicer” and it helped keep the dimensions of the engine case minimal.
Custom Drag Bike – 1973 Triumph Hurricane X-75
The Triumph Hurricane has got quite a story – check out this write-up on Motorcycle Classics for a lot of the details which might explain why these bikes are so damn expensive now. But this one stands out even more as it was the personal drag bike of DT Howard, known for running a motorcycle shop, holding a drag race …
1981 Yamaha Virago XV750
Post Sale Update: This XV750 sold for $1,136 after 10 bids on eBay. Yamaha’s first V-twin cruiser, the 750 Virago was built from ’81 to ’98, making this a first year example of a cruiser that’s become a popular platform for customization. In fact, the seller of this specific bike was planning on turning into a cafe racer but he …
1,482 Miles – 1979 Honda CBX
I try not to feature bikes that are very similar to each other without some time in between, and I recently featured a silver 1979 CBX that had been completely restored. Here’s another beautiful CBX that comes from the opposite side of the spectrum – it’s all original and has been kept in amazing shape for 36 years…
Original Owner – 1975 Honda TL250
Post-Sale Update: This TL250 sold for $3,600 after 33 bids on eBay. One of the few four-stroke trials bikes of the 70s, the Honda TL250 was developed with tremendous input from Sammy Miller – the license plate of the prototype was SAM 1N. Production started in ’75, and approximately 4,000 bikes were eventually sold, most in the US. The 248cc …
Restomodded – 1991 KTM 300/380 EXC
It performs like a new bike but looks like an almost-classic. This 1991 KTM 300EXC has been given the engine, brakes, and suspension from a 2001 KTM 380EXC, creating an interesting package. As part of the mechanical changes, this bike also got NOS plastics, graphics, seat cover, and more. Unfortunately, the front light and fender are not the original KTM …
One Show Entrant – 1976 Honda CB550 Custom
Post-Sale Update: This CB550 sold for $5,000 after 48 bids on eBay. One of the bikes in last year’s One Motorcycle Show, this Honda CB550 has just 200 miles on it since it was built. The motor is out of a 1980 CB650, the forks are shortened units from a 1980 CB750, and the flat slide carbs are out of …
1968 Puch 250 SGS
Imported to the US by Sears under the Allstate brand, the SGS was Puch’s big bike of the day. It featured a distinctive split single engine – two pistons that shared the same combustion chamber. Because of this, it was also known as the Twingle.
1915 Indian C-3 Big Twin
The Indian Big Twin was the last of an era – some even consider it to be the last “real” Indian as it was the end of the F-head engine in a cradle-spring frame. 1915 was the last year of production before Indian stopped racing efforts to help with the war, and debuted the flat head V-Twin dubbed the Power …
9 Miles – 2006 Triumph Bonneville Multi-Union
4 years after Triumph’s 100th anniversary, Paul Smith designed 9 different T100 Bonnevilles, each with a custom paint job. Triumph took two of the designs and sold 50 of each – one was called “Live Fast”, the other is what you see in front of you here, a Triumph Bonneville Multi-Union.