In production since 1998, the Derbi Senda is a 50cc motorcycle that was barely brought into the US. This is basically a tiny supermoto with excellent components – 6 speed transmission, liquid cooling, and a top speed over 50 miles per hour…though this one’s going to be faster as it comes with the engine out of a Honda CR85. The …
“The Emperor” – 2006 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Custom
Called “The Emperor”, this custom GSX-R1000 features a long list of aftermarket upgrades and has been featured in multiple sport bike magazines (back when those were still a thing).
1982 Suzuki Katana 1000 GS1000SZ
In the late 70s and early 80s, Japanese manufacturers were selling standard bikes as fast as they could make them. And while most of the bikes were technically sound, they all started to emulate each other, creating the UJM (first coined by Cycle magazine). Suzuki’s Marketing Manager in Germany told his Japanese management, “we had the most technically advanced bikes, …
1984 Honda VF500F Interceptor
The smallest of the V4 Interceptors, the VF500 is claimed by some to be the best, thanks to absolutely incredible handling.
1989 Honda GB500
Honda’s GB500 was an homage to classic British singles but there was a twist – it was reliable! The average American rider shopping for a Japanese bike at the time was more interested in the bigger supersport replicas, but the Tourist Trophy has become a cult classic.
2 Miles – 2010 BMW HP2 Sport
The BMW HP2 Sport is one of the rarest bikes from the last few decades of BMW motorcycles. It certain ways, it was a tough sell. Loosely based on the R1200S, this was a very pricey and exclusive sportbike that put down less power than its competitors due to the limits of the venerable boxer engine. But I think it …
No Reserve – 1979 Honda CBX
Post Sale Update: This CBX sold for $13,800 after 58 bids on eBay in Hillsboro, Oregon. Early CBXs have been steadily increasing in value, so it’s always nice to find one listed with No Reserve to see what the market thinks it’s worth. Here’s a “daily rider” that’s guaranteed to find a new home.
Euro Paint Restomod – 1985 Honda VF1000R
When it was released, the VF1000R was a bit of a revelation: it was Honda’s flagship, designed to showcase what the Japanese firm was capable of. It was also a huge tease to US riders, because it was initially only released in Europe only – America got the VF1000F instead, which was designed to be more of a touring bike. …
CA Plated – 1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma
Suzuki won 7 consecutive manufacturer titles in the 500cc Grand Prix class with their Gamma racer, and it inspired a street bike called the RG500. Classic Motorbikes said the “Suzuki is almost an exact replica of the race machine, its roots can be traced directly to the 1983 factory XR45 and the crankcases, barrels and general engine layout are virtually …
Ending Soon – 2005 Ducati 999R
In 2005, Ducati started exporting the 999R in earnest to satisfy the AMA homolgation requirements (the year before, just 50 were sold). For $29,995, this motorcycle was just about as close to a WSBK bike you could get.
Designed by Budweiser – 2001 Buell Lightning X1
According to the seller, this Lightning was “designed by Budweiser” as a gift for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the 2000 Daytona 500.
1986 Suzuki RG50 Gamma
In 1977, Suzuki introduced the RG50, a small two-stroke standard. Five years later, the model evolved into the RG50 Gamma, a baby sportbike and the smallest of the Gamma lineup.
1991 BMW K1
BMW keeps one-upping themselves when it comes to sportbikes as of late – they’ve just announced the M1000RR – but their history of inline-4 sporting machines starts with the famous K1.
1991 Suzuki Bandit GSF400
Post Sale Update: This Bandit sold for $2,600 after 25 bids on eBay in Whittier, California. In the US, the Suzuki Bandit was most commonly sold in 1,200 or 600cc variants. But Suzuki also brought a 400cc model to America for a couple of years!
In Norway – 2003 Vertemati SM570e
Brothers Guideo and Alvaro Vertemati founded a motorcycle company after winning several European and International titles with Husqvarna Italy and Husaberg Italy. They were the first company to go with four-strokes in off-roading (Dirt Bike magazine says they “changed the world” in this story) and went on to evolve their enduros and MX bikes into supermotos that were race bikes …