The Benelli Quattro – named for its four-cylinder engine, was built under Alejandro de Tomaso’s leadership in an attempt to revitalize Benelli and to directly take on the Japanese (particularly Honda’s CB500 Four). In fact, de Tomaso bought a CB500 for his engineers and told them to ‘get inspiration’ from the bike, though the styling was handled by Paul Martin …
1992 Suzuki RGV250 VJ22
30 years ago, Suzuki built a 250 two-stroke race-replica of its Gamma V-2 racer – good for over 50 horsepower in the narrow power-band. The Suzuki RGV250 was born, and it was impressive.As MCN puts it, “back in the day 250cc race replicas were the sharpest handling, most frenzied, maddest things you could buy on two wheels. Nowadays the RGV250 …
1991 Ducati 851
Released in 1987, the Ducati 851 was a technological leap forward that made Ducati relevant in racing again. Here’s an example that’s spent some time as a vintage road racer, but it’s now street legal again for you to enjoy wherever you please.
Purple Widowmaker – 1973 Kawasaki H2
Post Sale Update: This H2 sold for $10,000 after 21 bids on eBay. A legend in the motorcycling world, the Kawasaki H2 750 is remembered so fondly thanks to its peaky, narrow powerband and its poor handling characteristics. A bike for experts only, the Widowmaker commands respect wherever it goes.
1958 Ariel Cyclone
A 650cc high-compression variant of the Huntmaster, the Ariel Cyclone was a very rare bike. It seems that the list of documented Cyclones is 174 over two years of production. Ariel called it their “Super Sports Twin”, thanks to a 40 horsepower engine that was an option on the Huntmaster.
Restored – 1964 BSA Lightning Rocket
In their seemingly never-ending quest to take over the US market, BSA took their Rocket and then made it faster with a high state of tune. Here’s a ‘completely restored’ example that’s been given some tasteful upgrades.
106 of 800 – 2000 Buell X1 Millennium
Post Sale Update: After 6 bids on eBay, this limited edition Buell sold for $3,100. 6-27-15 Update: This X1 Millenium is back up for sale, this time with bidding up to $2,800 here on eBay. Post-Listing Update: This X1 did not sell as bidding only got up to $2,025. Presumably named after its year of release, the Buell X1 Millennium …
1964 BMW R-Series Hot Rod
View Post1953 Vincent Comet
A single-cylinder evolution of the famous Rapide, the Vincent Comet was one of four models using the 499cc single engine. The 499cc single engine was a stressed member of the frame and put out 28 horsepower thanks to an impressive (for the time) 7.3:1 compression ratio. Those ponies went through a four speed transmission and the bike was rounded out …
Concourse Sandcast Resto – 1969 Honda CB750
Post-Listing Update: After 24 bids on eBay up to $18,600, this CB did not meet reserve. Starting with an abandoned chopper project, the seller of this bike took two years bringing it back to life as a beautiful sandcast bike.
1978 Ducati Darmah
This Darmah has been upgraded with the intent of making it a better rider while preserving a vintage look. Did the owner succeed in your eyes?
2014 Norton Commando 961 Sport
Post Sale Update: After 23 bids on eBay, this 961 Sport sold for $16,995. The ‘base model’ (quite a relative term in this case) of the Norton Commando 961, the Sport lacks some of the extras seen on the SF or Cafe Racer like a carbon chainguard, upside down forks, and remote Brembo master cylinders. Still, there’s a significant waiting …
2002 Ducati MH900e
I’ve featured plenty of the MH900e’s before, but this example (#964 of the 2000 built) has just 985 miles on it.
In France – 1978 Bimota YB3
View PostRare Maxi Motard – 2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200
To me, the best thing about supermotards is how light they are, which is why Aprilia tries to distance the 490-pound Dorsoduro from this category by calling the bike a ‘maxi motard’. Either way, it’s a hefty naked bike that’s fast, fun, and very, very rare.