The YB5 was the last of the Bimotas designed by Massimo Tamburini, and it’s one of the rare ones with provisions for a passenger. That’s probably a hint as to the nature of this machine – it’s more of a sport-tourer than a sportbike. That’s one thing it shared from the bike it got a motor from, Yamaha’s FJ1200.
Mini-Me – 2004 Honda RC51 Nicky Hayden
Someone in Ohio’s got a Nicky Hayden RC51 in adequate condition – that by itself may or may not be worth a feature, but I love this example because it comes with a matching officially licensed Honda mini moto!
Sharkskinz History – 1998 Yamaha R1 with R7 Bodywork
Back in the days of Peak Sportbike, David Lee (the former owner of Sharkskinz) had his company build a set of bodywork to allow R1 owners to emulate the legendary R7 homologation special. The seller of this example says that he spoke to David, and he confirmed that “it’s one of either 50 or 75 kits sold.”
1984 Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
Only sold in the states from 84-85, these were the first bikes in the US to come equipped with catalytic converters and the first Yamaha street bike in the US to use a perimeter frame. The ’85 RZ was available in red/white and yellow/black – either option came with Kenny Roberts’ signature on the front fairing.
1 of 250 – 1999 Triumph Daytona 1200 Special Edition
In the early 90s, most major motorcycle manufacturers entered a gentlemen’s agreement to cap horsepower at 125. Triumph decided that when they were going to bring the bikes back from the new plant in Hinckley, that the best way for them to get attention was to ignore said agreement: enter the 147 horsepower Triumph Daytona 1200. A year after the …
2014 Ducati Hypermotard 821 SP
In 2013, Ducati updated the Hypermotard family, getting rid of the air-cooled 1100 and 796 models and replacing them with a liquid-cooled 821. They also continued offering the up-spec SP “Sport Production” version – that’s the one you want, thanks to upgrades like forged Marchesini wheels, Ohlins shock, 50mm Marzocchi forks, radial master cylinder, some carbon fiber parts, and Pirelli …
3 Miles – 1979 Suzuki GS1000 Wes Cooley
In 1978, Yoshimura had the incredibly talented Wes Cooley campaigning a Kawasaki KZ1000, but they weren’t winning races. Then they switched to the Suzuki GS1000 and started dominating – Cooley won the ’79 and ’80 AMA Superbike Championships. While this was happening, Suzuki decided to release a Euro-only sport version of the GS1000. Once American dealers got a peek, they …
No Reserve – 2002 Ducati 998S JDM
Over on the auction site, we’ve got an interesting Ducati 998S up for sale and it’s guaranteed to find a new home as we’re letting it go with no reserve. Why is it interesting? Because the non-US 998S’ got a much better engine, and this bike has a few fun upgrades.
Built by Woolie – 2021 KTM 450 SMR
As a bike that you could take straight from the dealer floor to the racetrack, the stock components on the SMR are impressive enough. But over on the auction site we’ve got that’s been taken to the next level by the builder/seller, Michael “Woolie” Woolaway of Saddlemen (and previously of Deus Ex Machina).
2,676 Miles – 2001 Ducati 750SS
The last generation of Ducati’s air-cooled Supersport bikes was introduced in 1998. As Bennetts puts it, “the 900SS is a fabulous bike whose look has certainly mellowed with age.” They don’t get as much love as other Ducatis from the time, but here’s a 750cc version that’s been well-preserved if you’ve had a hankering for one.
Italian Superbike Prototype – 1990 Gallina-Hayashi Quattro 750
12-29-2021 Update: 2+ years later, this bike is still up for sale with Team Obsolete, though the asking price has gone down a little bit. Find it here at Team Obsolete for $45,000.
2016 Moto Guzzi Griso SE
The Moto Guzzi Griso SE is a special edition of the venerable Griso, and it differed from the base bike with a fancy paint job, some blacked out parts, and spoked wheels. Mechanically, you also got adjustable suspension, and giant Brembo brakes – this bike was an interesting balance between the style of a custom with the components of a …
1985 Yamaha FZ750
Post Sale Update: This FZ750 sold for $8,101 after 27 bids on eBay. Upon its introduction in 1986, Yamaha’s FZ immediately took the 750cc sportbike crown – MCN says it was “as fast as a Kawasaki GPZ900R” and called it “a wonderful piece of engineering.”
Ending Soon – 2006 Kawasaki ZZR600 With Zero Miles
In 1995, Kawasaki replaced the ZX-6 with the ZX-6Ras their top-of-the-line 600cc sportbike. But they kept the ZX-6 around as a cheaper option that was a better all-around bike. In 2004, the model got a name change to ZZR600, and then in 2005 Kawi pulled off the generational gap again – they took the ’04 ZX-6R (which had been replaced …