Post Sale Update: After 36 bids on eBay, this BMW sold for $13,100. The BMW R69S, produced from 1960 to 1969, was BMW’s sportbike of its day. With 42 horsepower, it was by far the most powerful bike BMW made at the time. You had to pay to play ($1,564 in 1966), but that extra money bought you one of …
Z-Rex – 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
The Kawasaki ZRX1100 was a great example of a power cruiser – Cycle World called it the best Standard bike of ’99. 11 years later they called it one of their best used bikes thanks to 96 horsepower (good for a 0-60mph sprint in 2.9 seconds), comfortable ergonomics, and 80s Superbike looks. This example is claimed to be in mint …
1982 Honda CX500 Turbo
Post Listing Update: This CX did not meet reserve despite 11 bids up to $3,356 – it had been relisted after not meeting reserve with 14 bids up to $4,250. The predecessor to the CX650T, the Honda CX500 Turbo was a confusing bike. One of the first of the Japanese turbo bikes, I’m still not sure why Honda wanted to …
1984 Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
A sought-after collectors bike in the US, the Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts probably needs no introduction. Only sold in the states from 84-85, these were the first bikes in the US to come equipped with catalytic converters and the first Yamaha street bike in the US to use a perimeter frame.
The Commander – 1968 Kawasaki W2 650SS
Post-Listing Update: This Kawasaki W2 650SS did not meet reserve at $5,000. The bigger brother of the W1 (a name which Kawasaki would eventually bring back), the Kawasaki W2 650SS was also known as the Commander.
1969 Royal Enfield Interceptor
In addition to having the classiest name in motorcycling history, the Royal Enfield Interceptor featured a tuned version of RE’s biggest engine at the time. They were only sold in the US and Canada – as a ’69 model, this is a MkII model.
1975 BMW R90S
I adore the BMW R90S, which was a game-changer when it was released to the world. The Daytona Orange paint scheme shown here was the latter of two available paint schemes, both of which are beautiful and incredibly difficult to reproduce. With oversight from Hans Muth, this bike was built to show the world that BMW could make more than …
2001 Aprilia Falco SL1000
Take a Rotax V-Twin and envelope it in beautiful Italian bodywork…and say hi to the Aprilia Falco, a 996cc road bike that was split between the sport touring Futura and the supersport Mille. Think of it as a sexier Superhawk. Unfortunately for Aprilia, buyers didn’t seem to care as much for this tweener model, and it only lasted between ’99 …
1970 BSA Lightning
The BSA Lightning was one of three bikes BSA was cranking out in late 1960s. These three bikes played different roles – the Thunderbird was a touring rig, the Spitfire was a supersport bike, and this lovely Lightning was the ‘tweener – more of an all-around sport bike.
Ending Soon – 1967 Bultaco Metralla
In the 60s, Bultaco was known primarily for its off-roaders, especially in the US. Their streetbikes were normally relegated to stay in Bultaco Cemoto’s home country of Spain, which imposed regulations allowing Bultaco to only use one engine in a small variety of sizes. You would think this put the Spanish company at a serious disadvantage when it came to …
1988 Ducati 750 F1B
The Ducati 750 F1B was a factory racer with lights and signals for street legality. One of the last bikes from Ducati before they were sold to Cagiva, the 750 F1B (and the limited editions based on this bike) is a minimalists’ bike and one of the most sought after Ducatis in the company’s history.
2006 Ducati SportClassic Paul Smart 1000LE
I’ve never had the pleasure of riding one a Ducati Paul Smart (yet), but everyone I know that has one or has ridden one says they’re incredibly uncomfortable to ride. Then they say they look at the thing and decide it doesn’t matter.
Cover Girl – 1975 Norton Commando 850 Mk. 3
Everyone knows (and pretty much loves) the Norton Commando 850 Mk. 3 – but here’s one that has a.) my favorite paint scheme and b.) a little bit of fame, thanks to the fact that it was the featured bike on the cover of the Clymer Commando repair guide:
1973 Triumph Hurricane
The Triumph Hurricane X-75 represented a paradigm shift in motorcycling manufacturing, as it was the world’s first factory custom motorcycle. The brainchild of Craig Vetter (well known as a motorcycle designer and manufacturer of custom motorcycle fairings) and Don Brown (General Manager of BSA), the Hurricane was created when Brown called Vetter up on a secret project to create a …
Owned by Buell – 1983 Harley-Davidson XR1000
Post Sale Update: This XR sold for $12,700 after 20 bids on eBay. The Harley-Davidson XR1000 was a street-oriented evolution of the legendary XR750. Here’s a nice example of the sportiest street bike H-D made at the time with some special provenance – it was formerly owned by none other than Erik Buell.