The Suzuki VX800 is an interesting cult bike that was discontinued in the US after 3 years after disappointing sales, though the European market saw production run from 1990-1997. A classic looking naked bike, it had comfortable steering geometry and a torquey engine that helped make this bike a fantastic all-arounder, despite its 500+ pound curb weight.
1971 Norzuki Commando
Take a Norton Commando with an updated 850 motor – then add all kinds of parts from a Suzuki, like the disc brakes, front end, and swing arm…and you’ve got this interesting hybrid. Find this Norzuki for sale here on Craigslist in Palos Park, Illinois for $4,800. This bike-uriousity brought to you by Bill K!
1948 Safticycle Sportster
Manufactured in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Safticycle was designed to be a safe way to ride with “Built in safety features” and “rock-bottom upkeep costs” as a form of cheap transportation.
1956 Nimbus Model C
The Nimbus motorcycle dates back to 1919, the result of a vacuum cleaner manufacturer that decided expansion into bikes was a worthwhile endeavor. They were technologically advanced, with shaft drive, steel frames, and a telescopic front fork (a year before the BMW R12, though the latter was hydraulically damped). The first Nimbus was affectionately known as the Stovepipe…in 1932 the …
1 Owner – 1978 Suzuki GS1000
Considered by some to be the best 1000cc four-cylinder of its time, the GS1000 was based on the 750 but had many improvements – Cycle magazine called this bike the “best handling multi of all.”
Spanish Import – 1962 BMW R27
An evolution of the R26, the BMW R27 gained rubber engine mounts and a bump in power to 18 horsepower. It was the firm’s last shaft-driven single.
“Green Phlash” – 1976 BMW R90/6
View Post$2,500 – 1989 Kawasaki EX500
You asked for more affordable bikes, so here’s another one for you. Between 1987 and 1990, the Kawasaki EX500 won Cycle World’s “Best Under 500cc Streetbike”, because they considered it ‘unusually capable and versatile’.
1941 Royal Enfield WD/C
Royal Enfield built a series of WD (War Department) motorcycles for the British war Office for WWII. The best known was the 125cc Flying Flea, though one of the bigger options was the 350cc WD/C in front of you today.
Reader Ride – 1986 Yamaha Radian YX600
Introduced as an all new bike, the Yamaha Radian YX600 actually was a bit of a parts-bin special – ignoring the bodywork, the only unique parts were the front forks and rear shocks. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t an enjoyable ride – think of it as a standard with V-Max inspired styling, and an affordable way to get into what’s …
Ending Soon – Gilera 175 Turismo
This Gilera has been with the current owner for 6 years, who bought it with the intention of running it in the California Moto Giro. Unfortunately, that’s never happened, though the bike is claimed to run well and have new tires, wheels, spokes, and rubber pegs. The paint is original and the bike has 6,252 miles – here’s your chance …
Needs a Restoration – 1969 Laverda 750GT American Eagle
Post Sale Update: This Laverda/American Eagle project sold for $3,726 after 22 bids on eBay. I hate featuring bikes that need this much work, but this is truly a special one. Italian motorcycle fans love Laverdas, but they weren’t well-known in the US until they were imported under the American Eagle name, the creation of Jack McCormack.
Ending Soon – 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500
Want a ‘modern’ Enfield with a little more authenticity than the recent release of EPA certified models? Here’s a one-owner military model from 1999 (VIN: MBFFSV222XM589547) that spent some time in storage and has just 864 miles. It comes with the ‘military’ bags, crash bar, optional larger headlight, 30mm flat-slide carb, and the muffler from a Harley Sportster. Find this …
1 of 25 Police Models – 1967 Honda CB450P
View PostRotary Project – 1975 Suzuki RE5
Nowadays, mention of a rotary engine usually makes gearheads think of the Mazda RX-7 and RX-8, but in the 70’s all four major Japanese motorcycle companies were at least in the prototype stage. Suzuki was the only Japanese company to bring a rotary into production, though it was for just two years. Between the two years of production, the ’75 …