Post Sale Update: This Gyro X sold for $1,894.13 after 21 bids on eBay. I’ve featured several examples of Honda’s quirky 3-wheeler called the GYRO (which is apparently an acronym for “Great Your Recreation Original.”) The US only got one of the versions, a “S” model that was focused on just carrying a rider around. But Japan got multiple variants …
Leon Haslam Pit Bike Replica – 2004 Italjet Dragster 50
In 2004, Leon Haslam earned Rookie of the Year honors while competing in World Superbike with the Renegade team with Noriyuki Haga. Leon’s best finish was 3rd, and he finished the season in 8th place. Italjet released a limited edition replica of his pit bike with a special cosmetic package that replicated what Leon would occasionally putt around on.
Street Legal With Rothman’s Livery – 1991 Honda EZ-9
View PostRare US-Only Scooter – 1955 Zündapp Suburbanette
In a recent feature on a Zündapp Super Sport Combinette for sale, commenter dnaj noted that “the Suburbanette” was the one to have. Even though very few were made, Tim Huber has found one for you:
1 of 350 in Canada – 2005 Vespa PX150 Serie Canada
While most scooters nowadays are “twist and go” affairs with automatic transmission, the Vespa PX model line from 1977-2017 with two simple constants: a 2-stroke motor and 4-speed manual transmission with a grip shift. The PX150 was reborn in 1998 with a 10 year production run, and in 2005 Vespa made a few special editions by changing up paint colors. …
Sold by Radio Shack – 1961 Briggs & Stratton Powered Scooter
Most of you are familiar with the foreign-made bikes sold by US catalog dealers such as Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards back in the 60’s. Well, Radio Shack also jumped on that bandwagon, selling powered vehicles in their catalogs. Not foreign, but here is a 1961 motor scooter powered by the ubiquitous Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine.
In Canada – 2000 BMW C1
At the turn of the century, BMW thought they could get more people on scooters by eliminating some of the weather and safety concerns. Their idea was the C1, a scooter with a roof and seat belts. With sufficient crash testing, BMW was able to convince most countries (except Sweden and the United Kingdom) that C1 riders did not have …
Spaceframed Scooter – Upgraded 2001 Italjet Dragster 180
Founded in ’59 by Leopoldo Tartarini in Bologna, Italjet has built its name on producing small displacement bikes and scooters. For a brief period around the turn of the millennium (2000-2002), Italjet even campaigned its F125 racer in the 125cc World Championship (Moto3). Back in the 1990s, the Italian marque revamped its product line by introducing a handful of new …
1 of 700 – 1963 Velocette Viceroy
One of Velocette’s least-known creations is a scooter called the Viceroy. It made sense in theory but sales were poor and production ended after just 700 were sold over 4 years (1960-1964). Obviously, they’re now hard to find, especially in the US.
2006 Honda Big Ruckus PS250
Post Sale Update: This Big Ruckus sold for $3,000 after 43 bids on eBay. The Ruckus was a surprising hit for Honda, due almost entirely to the aftermarket customization that has skyrocketed around the 50cc scooter. What many people don’t know is that Honda offered a ‘full-size’ version called the Honda Big Ruckus for 4 years in Japan and 2 …
Made by Benelli – 1965 Wards Riverside 250-D
Post Listing Update: This BIN was lowered to $2,000, but this Benelli scooter did not sell. In the 60s, Montgomery Ward’s sold a Benelli-built moped in two variants – the 150-D and 250-D. The latter got all kinds of fancy upgrades, including a speedometer!
$395 – 1981 Kreidler MP-19
Founded in 1903, Kreidler was a metal/wire factory for nearly 5 decades before they started motorcycle production in 1951. They were immediately successful, as within 8 years they were producing one third of all German bikes. From the late 60s to the early 80s, Kriedler offered MF (mofas) and MP (mopeds) models, and the US got the MP-9 and the …
Land Speed Moped – 1970 Tomos
6-15-2018 Update: Over two years later, Zack B notes that this Tomos is back up for sale. It looks much different now (and not for the better, I’d say). Check out pictures in the listing with an unmet opening bid of $999 in Crawfordsville, Indiana here on eBay. Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Tomos sold for a hefty $10,420.69. …
Pre-Motocompo Folder – 1970 Carnielli Motorcycles MotoGraziella
When the subject of “folding scooters” comes up, most people’s minds will wander to Honda’s Motocompo, but there are a number of other collapsable, small-wheeled scoots that predate the Honda by several decades. The “All American Scooter”, the 1960’s Centaur, or Carnielli Motorcycles’ Motograziella.
First Year in North America – 2003 Honda Ruckus
Post Sale Update: this Ruckus sold for $1,151 after 13 bids on Goodwill. The Honda Ruckus is a very unique modern scooter which combines distinctive styling, a CVT transmission, and excellent fuel economy (114 mpg) to become a popular in-town runabout. Here’s an example with just 660 miles that’s been donated to a Goodwill, so you can feel good about …