Originally built for the Japanese market, the Honda CB-1 was a beautifully balanced motorcycle that lost out in an American market that was obsessed with having as much horsepower as possible. A colleague recently explained to me that these 400cc bikes from Japan are incredibly well developed due to a combination of regulations, licensing rules, and taxes that came together …
1999 Buell X1 Lightning
Post Sale Update: This X1 sold for $3,100 plus the 7% buyer’s fee ($250 minimum) for a total of $3,350 on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. In 1999, Buell updated the S1 Lightning to create the X1 Lightning. Here’s one in excellent shape with a very low reserve that’s already been met!
1985 Suzuki RG400 Gamma Walter Wolf
After Suzuki introduced the RG Gamma series in 1983, the line grew to span displacements ranging from 250-500cc. Of particular note was the RG400 Gamma Walter Wolf, as it was a two year only model that was exclusively sold in Japan. Here’s an example that’s already been imported to the US and has been recently serviced by Steve Long at …
Sequential Trio – 1988, 1989, 1990 Honda VTR250s
Sold in the US for three years, the Honda VTR250 has become a cult classic for riders that love small bikes. The liquid cooled 250cc engine was paired with a six-speed transmission, and interestingly, an inboard front disc – though by 1990 the front brake would change to the industry standard. Someone in Wisconsin is selling a pair of them …
Nice Price – 1999 BMW R1100S
In 1999, BMW took the most powerful boxer engine it had at the time and made their most aggressive looking bike so far, the BMW R1100S. Over time the used market has considered it more of a sport-tourer than a sport bike (especially thanks to features like optional bags that were the same as what you got on the GS), …
Picture Intermission – Ducati Superleggera V4
While I was at the Volant Vivere track day at Laguna Seca (separate Picture Intermission coming soon for that), I was entranced by a Ducati Superleggera V4 that someone was planning on riding. I didn’t want to include a ton of photos in the separate post so I’m splitting them up for you to admire with me. Come enjoy!
1986 Suzuki RG250 Walter Wolf
The Suzuki RG250 Gamma was introduced in 1983 as the first mass-produced motorcycle with a 100% aluminium box section chassis. This, combined with the light weight of <300 pounds, anti-dive forks, and “Full Floater” rear suspension, is why it is considered by some to be the first street-legal race replica. Things got even better in 1986 when Suzuki rolled out …
152 Miles – 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special
The last in the long line of Yamaha’s RD series, the RD400F (also known as the Daytona Special) is considered by many to be the best of the breed.
10 Miles – 2005 Ducati 999
After a long series of 916-based superbikes, Ducati dramatically mixed things up styling-wise with the vertically-stacked lights and double-sided swingarm of the 999 in 2003.
Murayama Special – 1992 Ducati Paso 750 in Japan
I’ve never cared for the styling of the Ducati Paso and I don’t think what I’m showing you today is any better…but it’s definitely interesting enough that I had to share it!
1996 Ducati 900SS Custom
Post Sale Update: This Ducati sold for $9,095 (including the 7% buyer’s fee) on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Over on the auction site, we’ve got a beautiful custom Ducati 900SS that was originally built in 2009 to be the personal bike of Donnie Unger (owner of Duc Pond, which became Ducati Winchester). 16 years later, the bike has all of…15 miles …
Rare Electric – 2018 Lightning LS-218
One of the most interesting stories in electric motorcycles in the last decade is that of Richard Hatfield and Lightning Motorcycles. I’d say they first came to national attention with the LS-218 Superbike, named after the incredible 218 mph it achieved at the Bonneville Salt Flats (and it also won Pikes Peak with Carlin Dunne, as featured in On Any …
Built For Terry – 2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200 Vance & Hines
Between 2010 and 2014, the AMA and Vance & Hines came together to create a spec series of racing with Harley’s XR1200. V&H also offered a $3,500 kit for folks that wanted to turn their XR1200 street bikes into something resembling the racer – and this special example (which has just 250 miles) was originally built with that kit for …
Industry Project – 2000 Yamaha R1 Custom
Offered by my buddy and long term industry legend John Burns, this Yamaha R1 has been featured in both Cycle World and Motorcycle.com. It appears John doesn’t have a use for it anymore so now he’s offering it up for sale so some other nut can enjoy it!