Post Sale Update: This SPS sold for $19,100 after 46 bids on eBay. A limited edition of one of the prettiest motorcycles ever made, the Ducati 916 SPS (Sport Production Special) was an uprated version that featured a modified engine and chassis. Nearly all the specifications were improved like Ohlins rear shocks and Showa front forks, it was designed to …
1975 Laverda 3C
Predecessor to the Jota, the Laverda 3C was the Italian firms’ first three-cylinder engine. It’s also a rare bike, and this beauty is in my favorite of the Laverda colors.
Buddy Holly’s Ariel Cyclone
If Buddy Holly or Ariel motorcycles interest you, first start with this write-up from The Vintagent.
Restored Rarity – 1978 BMW R100RS Motorsport
Post Sale Update: This Motorsport sold for $6,477 after 29 bids on eBay. A classic in its own right, the BMW R100RS needs no introduction. However, in 1978, BMW released a limited edition – the Motorsport. Just 200 were sold in the United States.
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 …
Gulf Racing Livery – 2008 Ducati 1098
One of my favorite liveries of all time is easily the Gulf scheme on the original Ford GT40. I’m clearly not the only one who enjoys it, as it’s a paint scheme that has been oft-imitated…to varying degrees of success: This Gulf livery tangent comes up because today we’ve got a Ducati 1098 rocking the classic scheme. Surprisingly, I’m not …
1 Year Only – 1987 Yamaha SRX250
For decades, Kawasaki ruled the 250cc ‘sport’bike market – though Honda has recently taken a chunk of the market with their CBR250R. Honda also challenged the little Ninja in the 80s with the VTR250, though it did not have much commercial success. For one year in the States, even the big blue threw their hat into the ring with the …
Not Red – 2001 Ducati MH900E Custom
Post-Listing Update: Despite being relisted, this Ducati MH900E Custom did not meet reserve at $13,600. I’ve covered plenty of examples of the MH900E before, but this is an absolute knockout thanks to the customizer’s decision to eschew the usual red and go with battleship gray. Originally a sketch from the legendary Pierre Terblanche, Ducati got plenty of positive feedback and …
#140 – 1993 Honda CBR900RR
Post Listing Update: This CBR got no attention at the opening ask of $5,000. The first generation of the Honda CBR900RR, affectionately known as the Fireblade, was a revolution in the large displacement sport bike market. Despite a 50% larger engine, this bike weighed just 4 pounds more than the CBR600F2. Just as important, this bike was a whopping 76 …
1966 Suzuki X6 Hustler
The Suzuki X6 Hustler, also called the T20 Super Six, was an instant hit with riders who loved high performance engines in lightweight bikes. The 247cc engine was capable of hitting over 100hp/liter (about 29 horsepower), and the bike was packed with plenty of technology, including the first 6-speed transmission used in a production motorcycle!
2014 Norton Commando 961 SF
Post Sale Update: After 24 bids on eBay, this Norton Commando 961 SF sold for $27,599. The rebirth of the Norton Commando now comes in 3 different models – the Cafe Racer, the Sport, and this – the Norton Commando 961 SF. There was also a limited production Special Edition that I’ve featured previously.
1986 Moto Guzzi LeMans 1000
Post Sale Update: This LeMans sold for $4,350 after 28 bids on eBay. The ’86 Moto Guzzi LeMans 1000 was one of five generations of the LeMans – it’s also the most ‘dangerous’ one as it’s the generation where Guzzi retrofitted a 16″ front rim instead of the usual 18″ in a quest to improve handling – except they didn’t …
Start of a Legend – 1995 Triumph Speed Triple
The Triumph Speed Triple has become quite popular over the last 20 years – in particular it’s become the darling of hooligans and wheelie enthusiasts. And while today’s it’s a no-brainer to recommend a “Striple” to your friends as their next purchase, back when this bike was introduced, no one knew what to expect from Hinckley Triumph.
1973 Kawasaki H2 750
Kawasaki has recently been dropping hints about their upcoming sportbike, the Ninja H2, which will feature a supercharger right from the factory floor. But the reason they chose the H2 name is to pay homage to one of their greatest motorcycles ever, the H2 750. You may also know it by the affectionate nickname, the Widowmaker. Here’s a highly customized …
1967 Honda CB450 Black Bomber
The Honda CB450 Black Bomber is easily one of the most significant motorcycles to ever come out of Japan. Produced for just three years, it was the company’s first ‘big bike’ (and the first production bike with DOHC).