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Owned By Forbes – 1982 Bimota SB3

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Just 402 examples of the SB3 were ever built – and only nine of them were in white with red speed blocks. One of those nine was originally sold new to Malcolm Forbes (the publisher of Forbes magazine), and that’s the bike we’ve got up for sale over on Iconic.

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2 Kilometers – 1984 Yamaha RZV500R

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The RZ was introduced in 1984 and was arguably the first production race replica. Built to emulate Kenny Roberts’ YZR500 factory racer, the RZ500 was the closest thing two-stroke enthusiasts had to a GP competitor for the road…as long as you didn’t live in the United States of America. Emissions rules put in place by the EPA prevented Yamaha from …

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2000 Cagiva Mito 125

In Italy, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Over on the auction site we’ve got a rare-in-the-US example of a Tamburini-designed tiddler. Introduced in 1989, the Cagiva Mito (Italian for “myth”) was built to replace the Freccia 125. The original model featured dual circular headlights and for four years it was the best-selling motorcycle in Italy.

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1 of 133 – 1997 KTM 200LE Jackpiner

In Austria, Off-Road by AbhiLeave a Comment

You’re either going to look at this bike and drool, or wonder what the big deal is. If you fall in the latter camp, here’s a refresher of how KTM came to be in the US, thanks in no small part to John Penton. If you’re in the former camp, just scroll down to the for sale listing and snap …

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1966 Honda CM91 Roadster Kit

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

The base model of this bike is something most people are familiar with – the step through Honda Cub, what James May once called the greatest machine ever. But in the late 60s, Honda was worried that scooters were losing popularity. Their solution was the Roadster Kit, which would completely change the CM91.

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In Canada – 1989 Yamaha TDR250

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Yamaha called the TDR250 the “Ultimate Dual“. Thanks to a a dual-sport frame with a retuned two-stroke motor from a TZR250 sportbike, I call it weird. Whatever you call it, the US did not have anything like it, because Yamaha never officially sold it here. With that said, a few were sold in Canada, and that’s where this example is …

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1946 Nimbus Model C

In Vintage by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Nimbus motorcycle dates back to 1919, the result of a vacuum cleaner manufacturer that figured they could make some money by also building motorcycles. Though the two products may not share a lot conceptually, the original Nimbuses (Nimbi?) were quite technologically advanced with shaft drive, steel frames, and a telescopic front fork (a year before the BMW R12, though …