We’ve shared all kinds of hybrids with fun names here on Bike-urious beyond the usual “Triton” – Norvin (Norton frame, Vincent motor), Esquire (Norton frame, Ariel Square Four motor), a Narley (Norton/Harley) and even a Burton (Norton/Buell). But here’s a first on these pages – a combination of a Norton frame and BSA Gold Star engine called the NorStar.
400 Engine – 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250
Over at Iconic we’ve featured all kinds of top-tier and expensive machinery, but to me this little sleeper is one of the most interesting motorcycles we’ve ever featured. This is a Kawasaki Ninja 250 which had a blown motor and was replaced with the drivetrain from a new-ish Ninja 400!
2002 Ducati 998 Custom
Built by Johnny Nguyen of Upcycle Garage in Huntington Beach, California, this Ducati 998 has obviously been highly customized – what do you think about it?
1986 Moto Guzzi LeMans 1000
As 1984 wrapped up, Moto Guzzi introduced the next generation of their iconic Le Mans with a bigger motor, Lario-inspired styling, and a 16″ front wheel. The front wheel change was polarizing as the frame had been designed around the 18″ front wheel of the previous generation but no changes were made to accommodate the smaller rim. By ’87 Guzzi …
1,434 Miles – 2002 Ducati Monster S4 Fogarty Edition
For the 2002 model year, Ducati offered up a special version of their Monster as a “tribute to mark the retirement from active racing of an extraordinary champion who left an indelible and deep impression on the history of motorcycling racing and Ducati.”
1 of 250 – 1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC
TCC stood for the Turbo Cycle Corporation, and it was created to sell bolt on turbos for motorcycles built by American Turbo-Pak. The founder of TCC was a former Kawasaki USA employee named Alan Masek, and he used his contacts to help develop the first ‘production’ turbocharged bike. Kawasaki’s Z1R was their top of the line bike but Alan figured …
2007 Ducati 1098S Tricolore
Just for the debut model year of the 1098 (2007), Ducati offered a limited edition “Tricolore” variant of the already-impressive 1098S. The S model came with lighter Marchesini wheels, a dollop of carbon fiber, and Ohlins suspension. Expectations were high for the follow-up of the controversially-styled 999, and Cycle World was impressed by the S: “on the road the 1098S …
In Canada – 2008 BMW HP2 Megamoto
One of the rarest BMWs of modern times, the Megamoto was only sold in 2008. As this was BMW’s take on a large supermoto, the model name is just about perfect. Think of it as a street version of the HP2 Enduro. The US got 107 examples, and if you believe the seller of this example, Canada only got…one. I …
1 Mile – 2020 Ducati Superleggera V4
Over on Iconic, we’ve got one of the most impressive Ducatis ever built – the the Superleggera (Italian for “super light”) variant of the Panigale V4.
2020 Bimota Tesi H2
Post Sale Update: This Tesi H2 sold for $51,574 (including the 7% buyer’s fee) on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Over on Iconic, we’re selling one of the craziest motorcycles we’ve ever seen – the supercharged, hub-center-steering, way-too-loud Bimota Tesi H2.
Street Legal – 2009 Aprilia RS125
American fans of Aprilia rejoiced when the Italian firm announced that they would export the RS125 to the US, though it wasn’t all good news – due to EPA emissions standards, the baby RS was exclusively for closed-course riding even though it came with lights, mirrors, a horn, and everything else you’d expect to see on a street-legal machine. With …
2,832 Miles – 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.
1966 Triton
Two days ago I shared a Norton frame with an unexpected engine inside of it – today we’ve got something a bit more traditional: a Norton slimline featherbed frame that’s been stuffed with the 650cc engine from a Triumph T120R Bonneville.
1 of 10 – 1990 Ducati 900SS
Americans received the “new” SuperSport in 1991 as a 900, however Ducati had actually introduced the model in 1987 in other markets with a 750cc engine. It did not go well, and the next year they tried again with a Pantah-based 904cc engine – this 900SS was produced between 1988-1990 and it sis a rare predecessor to the much more …
2021 BMW M1000RR
The M1000RR can be a little confusing – you’re paying about $15k more than the already-impressive S1000RR with the M Package but at first glance you’re not getting much more for your money. Well, that’s because it wasn’t really built for the public – it was specifically built to be the next platform for BMW’s race efforts. So there’s no …