David Yetman was born in 1938, and he fell in love with motorcycles as a military serviceman stationed in Japan. He specifically appreciated the “high level of performance” that Japanese manufacturers were able to extract from small bikes. Years later, he crashed his Honda CB77 and ruined the frame. He couldn’t afford to replace the frame, but instead of totaling …
Restored – 1968 Triumph Bonneville
In late 2010, I was standing in a motorcycle dealership and looking at two bikes. I knew I would leave with one, but I was new to motorcycling and on the fence. Ok, new is an understatement, I was in over my head. The two bikes in question: a 2009 Triumph Bonneville T100, and a pretty clean example of a …
In Canada – 1993 Kawasaki ZX750R-M1
Post Listing Update: This Kawasaki did not meet reserve despite 19 bids up to $11,550. In 1991, Kawasaki started offering a homologation special based on the ZX-7 (known outside of the US as the ZXR-750). It was designated with an additional R at the end of the model name, and nowadays it’s the model that collectors look out for. For …
What Do You Want To Know? 2020 BMW S1000RR
Give me a moment to shed a tear – the asymmetrical headlight design has been killed off. 10 years ago, BMW redefined what a modern superbike could be, and it wasn’t just from a performance standpoint. The shark gills and oddball headlights made the S1000RR the most visually-distinctive offering in the class, while the engine (lightest and most powerful) and …
977 Miles – 2003 Honda RC51
Post Sale Update: This RC51 sold for the BIN of $8,500. The RC51 combined Honda reliability with the joy of a V-Twin engine, beating Ducati at its own game with multiple World Superbike Championships and a AMA Championship. In 2002, Honda made some revisions to create the SP2 variant.
1986 Suzuki GSX-R750
Putting lights on racebikes has always been a reliable way to sell motorcycles. The one or two days a month spent at full throttle and full lean are worth all the discomfort. Recently, some of these bikes have been built as unattainable technology exercises utilizing manufacturing processes that were developed just to see if they were possible (i.e. BMW HP4 …
One Owner – 2012 Honda CBR1000RR
Post Listing Update: This CBR was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. 2012 was a redesign year for the Honda CBR1000RR. Honda has traditionally been at the forefront of technology, but they have chosen to focus on chassis and suspension as of late. 175hp carries over from the 2011 model, with the only engine changes being to the …
1975 Kawasaki H2 750
The biggest and baddest of Kawasaki’s two-stroke triple terrors, the H2 name is so powerful that Kawi brought it back for their new supercharged sportbike. This standout example was originally acquired by the seller in May 2015 from the Hinshaw Honda collection.
1 of 50 – 1972 Ducati 750 Sport “Z-Stripe”
The predecessor to the legendary Ducati 750/900 SS, the 750 Sport was one of the first no-holes-barred cafe racers to reach American shores. Right out of the box, the 750 came equipped with clip-ons, rear-sets, and the quintessentially Italian racing megaphones. It was a pure bred sport machine more suited to the track than the street, and a crucial step …
2016 Yamaha FZ-09
It’s hard to believe these days that Yamaha was ever hard up, but around 2010 the brand had gotten a reputation of being a bit bland. Yamaha’s response was a triumph of motorcycling: when they were done, they had one of the best reviewed engines (and bikes) of 2014 and beyond. Yamaha’s head designer called it a “roaster motard”. We …
225 Miles – 2001 Ducati 996R
The 996 was offered between 1999 and 2002, but the most special version was only offered in 2001. Ducati created 500 examples of the 996R – the R stood for Racing – to meet homologation requirements for the World Superbike Championship.
One Owner – 1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Post Listing Update: This XN85 did not meet reserve despite 17 bids up to $5,300 on eBay. 5-13-2019 Update: This XN85 sold almost three years ago, but now that buyer is looking to move on. It’s since moved across the country but the owner has put less than 200 miles on it. Find it in Waitsfield, Vermont with bidding up …
Making Fast Faster – Kawasaki H1R Tribute Build
When Kawasaki first debuted the H1 500 Mach III, it was easily the fastest half-liter production bike in the world. The next year, the labcoats at Team Green cranked the potent triple up a few notches with the release of the factory race-version of the two-stroke three-banger, known as the “H1R”.
In New Zealand – 2013 Bimota DB9 Brivido
Brivido translates to Thrill, and that seems like a fitting name for a Bimota powered by Ducati’s old 1,198cc Diavel motor. Michael Neeves of MCN called it one of his top bikes of 2012, saying “It fuels beautifully; it’s smooth, fast, excellent in the corners, comfortable and above all fun! It doesn’t have ride-by-wire, variable fuel maps, traction control and …
D’Hollander Built – 1979 Dholda Honda CB900F
Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this Dholda sold for $4,050 after 7 bids on eBay. Dholda is the name of a custom Belgian race shop founded by Jean D’Hollander – he got the moniker by blending his last name with Honda. He also happened to be quite successful, with victories in multiple endurance races at Mugello, the Bol d’Or, …