In 2002, Ducati released 700 examples of the 998R – it was their top of the line sportbike at the time and it featured a revised Testastretta motor that would end up being quite similar to the engine in the future 999R. Other goodies included carbon fiber bodywork and Ohlins suspension. This…is not one of those bikes. But thanks to …
1964 Aermacchi Ala Azzurra
View Post1967 Yamaha YR-1 Grand Prix
Here’s a first year example of the Yamaha Grand Prix, also known as the YR-1. It was the biggest bike in their line up, and Yamaha’s first 350cc production engine. Despite the relative diminutive size, this bike was highly competitive with British 650s. Thanks to a chassis and engine that was suitable from road racing from the factory, it was …
RC45 – 1994 Honda RVF750R
Post Listing Update: This Honda was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Built so Honda could meet WSBK homologation rules, the RC45 was a competitive racer – it won the Daytona 200 in 1996, the WSBK championship in 1997, and the AMA Superbike Championship in 1998. Yet in the history of Honda’s race bikes for the street, it …
The Worst Bonneville? 1971 Triumph T120R
1971 was not a premium year for the Triumph Bonneville. It started with great promise, with the biggest redesign since the motor and transmission were made into one unit. The really large news was the new frame which carried the motors oil. Problems started almost immediately for the ‘71. A brand new computer system led to parts shortages and very …
2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200
Post Listing Update: This XR1200 got not interest at the BIN of $6,899. Ask a sport bike rider what their favorite Harley is and there’s a good chance their answer will be “none of them.” But for those in the know, the XR1200 was an unexpected joy from Milwaukee, the land of big twins and relaxed riding styles. Clearly drawing …
1989 Suzuki GSX-R 750 Slingshot
Post Sale Update: This Gixxer sold for $7,600 after 22 bids on eBay. In 1988, Suzuki released the 2nd generation of their legendary 750 Gixxer. It was dubbed the “Slingshot” due to the slingshot carbs. A year later, Suzuki made some minor revisions, yielding the bike you see here. The seller says it’s a former JDM model but the gauges …
Restored – 1951 Vincent Black Shadow Series C
The Black Shadow might just be the most famous motorcycle ever built, with an iconic history thanks to moments like Rollie Free’s bathing suit speed run on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Black Shadows were handmade, and less than 1,700 were built in total. In the words of Hunter S. Thompson, “If you rode the Black Shadow at top speed for …
2008 Aprilia RSV1000R Factory
Aprilia updated their liter bike in 2004 with the RSV1000R, and it was perfect for riders who demanded a rare, street-legal track weapon. A “Factory” version was also available, and it stood out with carbon fiber bodywork, fully adjustable Ohlins suspension, and forged aluminum wheels. Though it was exquisite, fast, and beautiful, it did not sell as well as it …
Ending Soon – 1988 Ducati 851 Tricolore
Thanks to the 851, Ducati became competitive in World Superbike again – the model debuted in 1987 and Ducati won WSBK in 1990. Per Superbike rules, Ducati was obligated to build 200 examples for homologation, so they created 207 “kit” bikes in a Tricolore scheme. Estimates suggest that 20 were brought to the US. Some of the kit bikes were …
Custom Paint – 1973 Norton Commando 750
After the debacle of the Combat engine, Norton was glad to move on into the MkV forms of the Roadster, Interstate, and Hi-Rider. In the process, they got rid of the Fastback. Commando fans will note that this paint livery is similar to what was on the 850 bikes – that’s because this roadster was recently repainted with the iconic …
1973 Triumph Trident T150V
Introduced in 1968 as a ‘69 model the BSA Rocket 3/Triumph Trident brought an entirely new concept to market with a three cylinder motor that was smooth and fast. The model was ‘badge engineered’ to allow both marquees to sell bikes to their loyal customers. Overall sales were good, not great with 27,480 produced in the seven year run.
Bellaria in Italy – 1991 Bimota YB9
The YB9 was Bimota’s first two-seater. Offered in three generations, just 145 of the Bellarias were built between 1990 and 1993. Here’s number 112.
2 Owners – 1983 Suzuki GS750ES
In 1976, Suzuki debuted their first four stroke machine in over 20 years, the GS750. An “E” model debuted in 1980 with 16 valves and Suzuki’s TSCC – Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber. The “E” bikes had a chin fairing while “ES” models got a half fairing. Here’s a clean 2-owner ES from the last generation of the model run.
1994 Yamaha YZF750R
Yamaha’s YZF750 was offered in two variants – the base model “R” and the homologation “SP”. The United States only received the R variant – it wasn’t as special but it was still a good bike. Sport Rider named it Bike of the Year in 1995. This example has less than 7k miles and it looks to be in good …