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Approaching the End – 1974 Norton 850 Commando

In England, Sport by Abhi6 Comments

The Norton 850 Commando was one of the most popular motorcycles ever made. For 5 straight years it was “Machine of the Year” in the UK, and even Norton themselves were surprised as the success as the engine was a pre-unit design. This was because money was very tight at the time for Norton, so they instead focused on chassis …

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1999 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Sale Update: This Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R sold for a best offer of an unknown amount less than $4,500. It’s rare to find a low-mileage, well-kept Japanese sportbike from the 90s, so I was excited to see this little beauty available in the definitive Kawasaki Green. With a Yoshimura pipe (that I love) and some miscellaneous carbon fiber pieces (that I …

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1995 MZ Skorpion

In Germany, Sport by Abhi4 Comments

Post Sale Update: This MZ Skorpion was pulled off eBay, sale price unknown. The MZ Skorpion was the result of an international partnership between a British design firm, the East German manufacturer, MZ, and Yamaha. Weighing 380 pounds and packing 48 horsepower, this is a rare sportbike that has become quite the cult classic.

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1988 Honda CBR1000F Hurricane

In Japan, Sport by Abhi8 Comments

Post-Sale Update: This Honda Hurricane sold for $2,800 on eBay. The Honda CBR1000F, also known as the Hurricane, was an excellent sport-tourer that introduced some crucial technology into the Honda lineup. It eventually evolved into the well-known Blackbird. Oh yeah, and it had one of the greatest names in motorcycling history.

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Gixxer Tourer – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R 1100

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Sale Update: This Suzuki GSX-R 1100 did not meet reserve at $4,450. Following on up a likely touring bike with a giant front fairing – the BMW R65, today we’ve got a much more unlikely touring candidate – the Suzuki GSX-R 1100. This first year example has had a Targa fairing added, adding tremendous wind protection and allowing for a …

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1988 Kawasaki KR-1

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

In the late 80’s, Kawi had some success with their KR250 road racer, and released the Kawasaki KR-1 as a wonderful little two-stroke race rep. It was quite successful, triggering increased competition from the big 4, and it set off a 250cc 2-stroke war among the Japanese – unfortunately us Americans didn’t get to enjoy these little demons. Well, 25 …

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1 of 150 – 2007 Ducati 999S Team USA Replica

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Ducati 999S Team USA Replica was a very limited edition of the Italian firm’s superbike of the time. Built to commemorate Ducati’s participation in the AMA, this bike was unfortunately nothing more than a cosmetic package built surprisingly around the S, and not the 999R model. With a MSRP of $19,999, Ducati released only 150 examples of the Team …

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1967 Bultaco Metralla Mk2

In Spain, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post-Listing Update: After being relisted several times, this Metralla did not sell at $14,000, $13,700…or any price. 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 …

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1989 Honda NT650 Hawk

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Frank Wu, this post is for you! In the late 80s, Honda introduced one of the first modern production naked motorcycles. Though the Honda NT650 (also known as the Hawk) was not a commercial success, it went on to inspire more prevalent motorcycles like the Suzuki SV650N, and has become an absolute cult favorite.

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2007 Buell Lightning Super TT XB12STT

In America, Sport by Abhi2 Comments

12-27-13 Update: The seller has let us know that this bike is still up for sale, so we figured we’d refresh your memory! When it comes to streetbikes, it’s harder to have much fun (at legal speeds) than when you’re riding a supermoto. For just two years and 1,700 units, Buell channeled the supermoto feel and created the XB12STT, a …

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First Year Fizzer – 1987 Yamaha FZR1000

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

We continue with what’s become a Yamaha sportbike week with the Yamaha FZR1000 – predecessor to the now-ubiquitous Yamaha R1. The Fizzer was an instant classic when it was introduced in 1987. Just two years later, Cycle World named it the “Bike of the Decade”, thanks in part to a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of …

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Airbrushed – 1976 BMW R90S

In Germany, Sport by Abhi2 Comments

I adore the BMW R90S, which was a game-changer when it was released to the world. The gray and smoke paint scheme shown here was the first 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 …

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1986 Honda NS400R

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This NS400R did not meet reserve despite 10 bids up to $5,101. The seller then relisted the bike 7 times trying to get a bite at $6,500, but it never happened. The NS400R was arguably one of the best handlers Honda produced in the 80s and early 90s. A nifty V3 2-stroke engine pumps out about 70 …