The successor to the Z1, Kawasaki’s KZ900 was sold as a reliable big bike that could tour or go fast, maybe even doing both at the same time! This example has been heavily modified – the question now is if you like the result more than the stock bike?
1982 Kawasaki GPz750
In 1982, Kawasaki introduced a middleweight to the GPz family between the 550 and the 1100 (a couple of years later, the 900 would also be released). The styling was right in line with the rest of the GPz series, though after one year Kawasaki increased the size of the front fairing.
Still New In Switzerland – 1992 Bimota Tesi 1D 904SR
Post Sale Update: Wow – the seller was willing to take less than $50k less than a year ago, but it just sold on Bring a Trailer for $76,000 plus fees. 12-26-2020 Update: Sam P and Joe G notes that ten months later, this rare Tesi is guaranteed to find a new home as it’s now being offered with no …
Salvage Title w/ 1 Mile – 2006 Ducati 999S
Post Sale Update: this 999S sold for $11,100 after 37 bids on eBay in Independence, Oregon. This is an oddball – it was at a Ducati dealership that had a fire on the other end of the building. Due to “smoke damage”, this bike was totaled. But the insurance company says in a letter that it only need a cleaning …
2015 KTM 1290 Super Duke R
It’s big, it’s fast, and it ain’t a beauty. KTM called it “The Beast”, and for good reason – the Super Duke R had some terrifying specifications: 1,301cc V-Twin with 180 horsepower, 106 lb-ft of torque, and 417 pounds of dry weight. As Loz Blain mentions in his review, “if you turn off the traction control, this bike will wheelie …
1982 Kawasaki AR80
Post Sale Update: this AR80 sold for $2,025 after 6 bids on eBay in Chadron, Nebraska. Kawasaki’s attempt to compete with Honda’s MB5, the AR80 packed a 78cc two-stroke engine that produced about 10 horsepower.
1 Mile – 2000 Bimota SB8RS
The SB8R was Bimota’s usual level of fancy – a trick frame and top-notch components wrapped around a Suzuki TL-R motor. But the SB8RS (the extra S was for “Special”) took it to another level with a full carbon fiber fairing, black wheels, carbon fiber shift rod, Ergal engine screws, and gold-anodized rearsets/rear sprocket.
1990 Honda CBR250RR
Nowadays you can get all kinds of 250-400cc entry level sportbikes in the US, but back in 1990 the entire market was basically the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and the Honda VTR250. In Honda’s home market of Japan, things were a bit more exciting. That’s where they offered the CBR250RR, affectionately known as the Babyblade. The 250cc inline four engine produced …
Spec II Bodywork – 1985 Yamaha RZ350
US-market RZ350s were sold as Kenny Roberts replicas, but some riders were willing to ditch the KR signature decals for different bodywork. That’s what happened here, as a previous owner swapped out the original chin fairing for a Spec II bodywork kit with full front fairing and solo seat tail.
156 Miles – 1996 Honda NSR250R SE
Post Sale Update: this NSR250R sold for $19,000 including fees after 8 bids on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. In 1991, Honda split the base and SP models of the NSR250R with the introduction of the SE (Super Edition) model. They had all of the SP goodies (dry clutch, adjustable suspension, special livery) except for the magnesium wheels. In 1994, the Japanese …
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Post Sale Update: This XN85 sold for $10,000 after 38 bids on eBay in Beaverton, Oregon. Of all the Japanese turbo wonder bikes of the 80s, Suzuki’s effort was the rarest. Just 1,153 examples of the XN85 Turbo were built, and it had the distinction of being the first production motorcycle with a 16″ front wheel. When paired with the …
No Reserve – 2007 Benelli TnT 1130
Post Sale Update: This TnT 1130 sold for $5,100 after 84 bids on eBay in New Tripoli, Pennsylvania. When this bike came out, every review had some sort of pun playing off TNT and how explosive it was, but TNT actually stands for Tornado Nuda Tre. Tornado is the model name, and the rest translates to Naked Triple. And what …
1 of 106 – 1984 Bimota SB4S
Post Sale Update: This SB4S sold for the opening bid of $16,000 on eBay in Southington, Connecticut. One of Bimota’s rarest motorcycles, the SB4S was produced as a complete bike and in kit form – 34 of the former and 72 of the latter, which makes a total of 106. The differences between the SB4 and the SB4S were the …
Urban Tiger – 1994 Honda CBR900RR
Post Listing Update: this CBR900RR was pulled off eBay, final sale price unknown. Honda’s CBR900RR revolutionized what a sportbike could be. But I’m not featuring this bike because of its performance – this time around it’s for the livery. In 1994, Honda introduced a distinctive scheme called the Urban Tiger, but it was never offered in the US. Here’s one …
1985 Suzuki RG400 Gamma
Post Listing Update: this Gamma did not get any action at the opening ask of $8,000 on eBay. You know the RG500 – but did you know that Suzuki made a 400cc version for Asian markets?