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 …
1970 Triumph Bonneville T120R
Post Sale Update: This Bonnie sold for $13,100 after 72 bids on eBay. When people think of classic bikes, Triumph often comes to mind, and the silhouette of a Bonneville slowly takes shape. As people look back to the past with more and more nostalgia, memories of fouled spark plugs and endless kickstarts fade away as the values of certain …
Genuine – 1969 Dunstall Norton Commando 750
Post Listing Update: This Commando did not get any interest at the BIN of $17,999. 12-21-2018 Update: Another two years later and this Dunstall is up for sale again. The last time it was offered on eBay, there was 48 bids up to $34,000 but the bike did not meet reserve! Now the seller’s willing to take a lot less…find …
1958 Ariel Cyclone
Post Listing Update: This Cyclone was relisted but bidding did not get above $8,880 with 16 bids on eBay. A couple of years ago, I featured Bike-urious reader Dan Dutra’s Ariel Cyclone in a video when he brought it out to the Quail Motorcycle Gathering. Well, after four years as a caretaker, Dan’s letting this Cyclone go so he can …
1991 Suzuki GSX-R1100
Post Listing Update: This Gixxer did not meet reserve despite 36 bids up to $8,900 on eBay. Introduced in 1986, the Suzuki GSX-R 1100 was a speed demon’s dream thanks to 137 horsepower and a wet weight of 434 pounds. Even better, it was released right after the United States lowered the import tax on bikes above 700ccs to 24.4 …
Rare in the US – 1983 Honda CX650ED
In 1983, Honda updated the CX500 platform with a big bump in displacement. The resulting CX650 was offered in three models, two of which the US received. Americans got the CX650C Custom and the CX650T Turbo. The third model was the ED, also known as the Eurosport. While you missed out on the lag and extra power of a turbo, …