Post Listing Update: This FJ did not get any action at the unmet opening bid of $3,900 on eBay. When the Yamaha FJ1100 was introduced in 1984, the press went nuts. Rider Magazine called it “the best large displacement sport motorcycle of 1984, and maybe even the best in its class in the history of motorcycling,” and other mags called …
1971 BSA Firebird Scrambler
Post Sale Update: This Firebird sold for $5,000 after 12 bids on eBay in Bakersfield, California. BSA and Triumph released the new 1971 range to much fanfare…but journalists were underwhelmed. As Frank Westworth stated in a Bennetts review, “The press hated the brave, new, etc 1971 Beezers. They hated the style. They hated the colours. They hated the old engines, …
1981 Suzuki DR500
Post Sale Update: This DR500 sold for $2,010 after 44 bids on eBay in Glenwood, Iowa. Yamaha’s success with the XT500 was hard for competitors to ignore – Suzuki’s attempt at fighting back was the DR500. Many riders who sampled both bikes felt like Suzuki had a superior package, however Yamaha was much more commercially successful, and that’s what makes …
21 Miles – 2003 BMW R1100S Boxer Cup
Post Listing Update: This R1100S did not get any action at the BIN of $10,000. The base model R11S was a wonderful all-around streetbike similar to the Honda VFR800. BMW went above and beyond with a couple of limited editions, including the Boxer Cup Replika as featured today. BMW created a spec series to race these bikes, and 300 examples …
New In Crate – 2006 Suzuki RM250 Ricky Carmichael Edition
2005 marked the last time that a two-stroker won an AMA Supercross championship, and the feat was accomplished by Ricky Carmichael on a Team Makita Suzuki. To commemorate the feat, Suzuki announced a limited edition model for the following year.
1993 Aprilia RS125 Extrema
When Aprilia replaced the AF1 125 pocket rocket, they did so with a model name that continues on today: RS. I briefly mentioned the significance of those two letters in my recent First Ride review of the RS660, but the RS125 was never officially sold in the US so the history is not well known here. The first generation (1992-1995) …
Honda-Powered Custom with Hossack Front End
When Shane A submitted this to me via email, the subject line was simple and very accurate: “This one is wild.” The seller calls it a Honda Z5-Hossack, as it looks to be the 5th variant of his fascinating customs that utilize a Hossack front end.
1982 Can-Am Qualifier 250
The successor to the TNT (Track ‘n’ Trail), Can-Am’s Qualifier was an enduro sibling to the MX-3 with a Rotax motor tuned more for mid-range torque than top-end horsepower. When they launched it in 1977, Can-Am said it was their first purpose enduro bike so you no longer had to strip down a TNT or add lights to the MX.
In Ireland – 1997 BMW R80GS Kalahari
Post Listing Update: This R80GS Kalahari did not get any action at the opening bid ask of $15,000 on eBay in Cork, Ireland. Here’s one that I had never heard about as it was never offered in the US – the “Kalahari” version of the BMW GS lineup. All the times you’ve heard someone talk about how they wish a …
25th Anniversary – 2007 Honda VFR800
In 2007, Honda celebrated the 25th Anniversary of their venerable sport tourer with a special red/white/blue paint job. I always thought this paint scheme looked amazing, though the stock black wheels were a mistake – they should have been white! This example is in great shape and comes with some modifications that every sixth gen viffer should have.
Turbocharged Custom – 1979 Honda CB750K
Post Listing Update: This turbo’d CB750K did not get any action at the BIN of $8,995 on eBay. 11-1-20 Update: Several years after it was last featured here, this CB750 sold on Bring a Trailer for $5,300 back in July. Now it’s back up for sale with a markup – find it in Phoenix, Arizona with a BIN of $8,995 …
In Canada – 1963 BSA Rocket Gold Star
Post Sale Update: sold for $19,500 after 12 bids on eBay in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. One of BSA’s most legendary motorcycles, the Rocket Gold Star was a limited production special built in 1962 and 1963 that owes its existence to a British Dealer named Eddie Dow (who himself earned the nickname of “Mr. Gold Star”).
1,123 Miles – 2002 Honda RC51
Post Sale Update: sold for $11,500 after 29 bids on eBay in Collingswood, New Jersey. The RC51 combined Honda reliability with the joy of a V-Twin engine, beating Ducati at its own game with multiple World Superbike Championships and a AMA Championship. In 2002, Honda made some revisions to create the SP2 variant.
Toaster Bitsa Scrambler – 1988 BMW R-Series Custom
Post Sale Update: This custom BMW sold for $6,000 after 27 bids on eBay…to Bike-urious reader Carl L! The seller of this custom calls it a “Urban Toaster Scrambler”, with “the idea to build a reliable daily modern classic motorcycle that can go anywhere.” This combines a toaster tank R75/5 with the chassis from a BMW R100RT.
Track Trim Super Freni Competizione – 1974 Laverda 750 SFC
10-30-2020 Update: Two years later, this Laverda racer is back up for sale with a much lower asking price – but is it low enough? Find it with a BIN of $65,000 in Canton, Georgia here on eBay. Post Listing Update: this Laverda did not get any interest at the opening bid of $150k or BIN of $195k. Upon its …