Factory race machines are the pinnacle of production-based two-wheelers. As their name suggests, these bikes come straight from the manufacturer who is giving it all they have in hopes that their bike will win its respective championship which will hopefully translate to satisfactory sales numbers and steer buyers towards their offering over the competition. Well, this 2014 CRF450 is no …
Pike’s Peak Winner – Shelbourne Formula 2 Sidecar Racer
6-20-17 Update: Tim Huber notes that this bike is still for sale, but now with a $1,500 discount. Find it here on Craigslist, still in San Francisco, California. The last time this race rig competed, it won the sidecar class of this year’s Pike’s Peak Hillclimb. Previously in 2016, it competed in 4 other races and it has placed either …
Turnkey RaceTeam: Pro 2015 Yamaha R3s
I recently sat down with Axcess Racing Team owner Dr. Laura Ellis for an interview about starting her team (that won the championship its first year!) and other race-related topics. It became increasingly clear to me that starting up a racing team, even one using “entry-level” production bikes is beyond taxing. It’s for this reason that makes coming across a …
Street Legal H2R Replica – 1974 Kawasaki H2
Post Listing Update: This H2R replica was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Kawasaki has brought back the H2R name with their new missile-on-wheels, but for fans of two-stroke machinery the three letters represent a legendary racer based on the H2 triple. This is a restomod replica with a custom frame and modern components in the suspension, brakes, …
Attack Performance Tuned – 2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R Racer
Based out of Huntington Beach, California, Attack Performance has developed quite a name for themselves thanks to extensive experience in AMA Superbike racing – plus they even dabbled in some US rounds of MotoGP. Those of us with more sedate riding paces can still benefit from their knowledge as they offer parts for all kinds of sportbikes. This track bike …
NHRA Pro V-Twin Drag Racer
Drag racers are particularly interesting motorcycles engineered to perform an extremely specific task, nonetheless these ridiculously powerful two-wheelers do have a place in the professional racing scene. While riding a bike in a straight line may seem like a fairly simple proposition, there are a myriad of elements that making this activity far more difficult than most realize. Few people …
Rare Racer – 1979 Bimota YB3
For most of Bimota’s history, their bread and butter has been taking proven existing power plants (in the YB3’s case the Yamaha TZ350) and dropping them into advanced frames and outfitting them with trick components and bodywork. The YB3 is a rare example of one of the Italian manufacturer’s late-seventies/early-eighties race machines. Different sources made different claims but anywhere from …
Isle of Man TT Racer – 2013 Honda CBR1000RR
The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) is arguably the most iconic motorcycle race in history. In the modern era of the TT one name stands out as being the most successful pilot to take on the 37.73-mile mountain course, and that name is John McGuinness. With 23 TT wins and 45 TT podiums, McGuinness is something of a modern-day …
1966 BMW-Powered Sidecar Racer
Built by Herr Helmut Lünemann in the winter of ’65, this rare BMW sidecar racer was used in international GP’s including Germany in ’66-’68. Since then this two-man racer has gone through a few different owners before ending up with its current seller who would go on to do extensive restoration work since buying it three decades ago. Despite it …
Street Legal Road Racer – 2007 Aprilia SXV550
Aprilia’s SXV550 was an absolute monster that journalists fell in love with as soon as it was released. A supermoto with a powerful V-Twin, excellent components, and race-bred pedigree: the bike had already won the S2 World Supermoto Championship as a prototype before it was released to the world. Unfortunately, the early bikes had serious issues with the sealant used …
Corsa #9 – 1981 Moto Guzzi Le Mans II Racer
Based out of Madrid, Spain, Classic Co has been building some interesting customs since 1994. Their passion is in racing, and it shows in their builds. Here’s a beautiful vintage racer that started as a Moto Guzzi Le Mans.
1972 Harley-Davidson XR750 Flat Tracker
In 1969, an AMA rule-change would force Harley-Davidson’s then racing manager Dick O’Brian and his team to build the XR750 racer. It used a smaller version of its predecessor’s (the KR) 900cc engine. The first years of the XR had a lack of power as well as overheating issues so in 1972 parts of the engine were changed (aluminum head …
WSBK Racer – 2007 HRC CBR1000RR
The mid 2000’s were something of a golden era for sportbikes. Sales were booming and manufacturers had deep pockets and were willing to throw heaps of cash into R&D to produce ever-evolving superbikes and supersports in the then highly competitive sportbike arms race. This 07′ CBR1KRR was released around the height of this era because as you may remember: some …
Hector Barbera’s Ride – Avintia GP14 2014 Kawasaki MotoGP Bike
MotoGP bikes are the pinnacle of cutting edge motorcycles. These are literally the best and most advanced two-wheelers on earth. Every component of these bikes are state-of-the-art, the absolute best of the best, period. Even a gearbox on many of these machines can cost upwards of $100k. These are the best motorcycles money can buy and millions are often spent …
1975 British Piper Kawasaki Endurance Racer
There’s something really special about 1970’s Kawasaki race machines. They possessed a unique style and flare that gave their bikes a unmistakable look and identity. The folks at Kawa weren’t afraid of wrapping their bikes in some pretty funky and interesting bodywork that was unmistakably theirs. This Kawasaki Endurance Racer is a prime example of this and on top of …