An evolution of the A65 Rocket, the Lightning Rocket was an upspec version with twin Amal carbs, high compression pistons, and an optional close ratio gearbox. Cosmetically, it had extra chrome and narrower fenders/fuel tank.
1995 Yamaha FZR1000
1995 was the final year of FZR1000 production before it was replaced by the parts-bin special Thunderace. The new model didn’t help that Honda was eating everyone’s lunch in the 1,000cc sportbike market with their 900RR Fireblade – it would take Yamaha until 1998 to reclaim the crown with the R1. Still, no one’s buying a mid’90s sportbike nowadays to …
1990 Honda RC30
Post Listing Update: This RC30 did not meet reserve despite 55 bids up to $27,100. A popular vote in the ongoing “prettiest bikes of all time” poll, the RC30 was built as a homologation special so that Honda could take on the World Superbike Championship. Between 1987 and 1990, 4,782 examples were produced, 316 of which were originally sold in …
Restored – 1981 Ducati Darmah SSD
View PostHagerty Feature – 1978 Kawasaki Z1-R
Post Listing Update: This Z1-R did not get any interest at the asking price of $19,800. In a 1978 review of the Z1-R, Cycle Guide described it as such: “The bike has enough raw horsepower to be truly impressive on the straights, but the first rule of handling for a 90hp motorcycle is to give it a 90hp chassis, and …
No Reserve – 2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera
Post Sale Update: This Superleggera sold for $32,600 after 81 bids on eBay. In 2014, Ducati released an ultra-exclusive (500 produced) upgrade to the already impressive Panigale R. They called it the 1199 Superleggera, and the Italian firm claimed this bike had the best power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle ever when it was released.
The French Bimota – 1980s Moto Martin M16 1135 EFE Suzuki
In a nutshell, Moto Martin was something akin to a French Bimota; the boutique firm dropped the latest engines of the day — in Martin’s case primarily from Japanese manufacturers — into bespoke frames, adorned them in unique bodywork, and then tacked on the latest and greatest track-focused running gear. The company is the brainchild of George Martin, who, prior …
California Titled – 1985 Honda NS400R
Post Listing Update: There were 28 bids up to $9,100, but then the seller got an offer he liked and pulled the bike off of eBay. Final sale price unknown. In 1983, Freddie Spencer became the world’s youngest 500cc World Champion, and he did it on a Honda V3. Honda responded by releasing a 250cc production bike to commemorate the …
Bought on Bike-urious – 1987 Yamaha SDR200
I recently got an email from Jim A in Pennsylvania, who let me know that he just acquired a Yamaha SDR200 that was featured here on Bike-urious.
Signed by Pierre – 2005 Ducati 749R
Post Sale Update: This 749R sold for $10,900 after 11 bids on eBay. While many riders didn’t care to look at the Ducati 749, everyone agreed that the “R” variant was a tremendous thing to ride, thanks to a slipper clutch, Ohlins suspension, and lower weight (despite a larger fuel tank) than the base model. Visordown called it “a nearly …
1984 Laverda RGS 1000
Post Sale Update: This Laverda sold for $6,600 after 9 bids on eBay. The Laverda RGS 1000 is one of the last versions of the big triple, which tamed the “peaky” Jota engine, isolated the rider from vibrations with rubber mounts from the engine, and added the half-fairing. It was a true sport tourer, best on fast roads with long …
1998 Laverda Ghost Strike
Packing one of the most distinctive model names in motorcycling history, the Laverda Ghost Strike is one of the many variants the Italian firm pushed out in the late 90s that were powered by either the 650 or 668cc parallel twins. Laverda actually offered a Ghost and a Strike as separate models, the former a trellis-framed naked bike, the latter …
Ex-WSBK Racer – 1988 Bimota YB4
I love me a good underdog story, and the tale of the Bimota YB4 is nothing if not an underdog story. Despite the F1 championship being arguably the most important four-stroke class to manufacturers at the time, the tiny Italian operation nonetheless managed to dethrone Honda’s deep-pocketed factory race program with the mighty YB4.
Manx-ish – 1959 Norton ES2
Post Sale Update: This ES2 sold for $11,000 after 2 bids on eBay. Introduced in 1927, the Norton ES2 started as a sporting single but over its nearly 40 years of life technology (and other models) passed it by. Still, it apparently makes a nice platform for a Manx knockoff that you can enjoy for much cheaper than the original. …
2010 Ducati Streetfighter
Post Listing Update: This Streetfighter did not meet reserve despite 23 bids up to $6,900 on eBay. Ducati Streetfighters are a rare sight around the streets, but I can’t think of a reason why. I was first introduced to them in person at Motorcycle Mover LA. I always ask owners what they think about them, and have never heard anything …