Designed to be a tourer, the BMW R52 featured a 486cc boxer twin that generated 12 horsepower. The three-speed transmission had just been redesigned for this model, during a time frame when BMW was constantly making changes. Due to this, BMW switched to pressed-steel frames by the end of 1929, meaning the rare R52 was produced for just two years.
2007 Honda VFR800 Anniversary Edition
Honda engineers started down the path to produce a V4 motorcycle engine in 1978 to compete against two stoke race bikes of the time. Soichiro Honda didn’t like two stroke engines and didn’t want to race them. He was passionate about maximizing 4-stroke technology. He wanted a 4 stroke that could compete. The engineers eventually produced the NR500 race bike. …
2007 Yamaha FJR1300
Why do we like some brands more than others? I feel like I’m an equal opportunity gearhead: I’d happily ride a Ducati, or a Triumph for example. They’re both great manufacturers that do different things extremely well. But if you made me choose, I think I’d pick a Triumph. Why? I couldn’t really put my finger on it. I’ve owned …
Don Vesco-Bodied – 1982 BMW R65 w/ Rabid Transit Fairing
Don Vesco was a prolific name in the motorcycling world for several decades. On top of being a (US) Grand Prix winner, drag, and dirt-track Racer, he set well over a dozen landspeed records and ran a successful California-based motorcycle dealership. Vesco also famously sold a bevy or moto parts and accessories under the Don Vesco Products banner.
1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago 920
In 1983, Yamaha offered a “Midnight Virago” that featured a black paint scheme with gold accents. They also offered a rare color-matched factory touring package with a fairing, saddlebags, and trunk for even more Midnight goodness – though this example seems to only have the fairing as well as a giant aftermarket backrest for the passenger.
1977 BMW R100RS
Post Listing Update: This R100RS did not meet reserve despite 16 bids up to $7,200 on eBay. Bikes built in the first model year of BMW’s R100RS were also known as the “RS77”, and they’re worth distinguishing due to year-specific features like silver/blue paint, blue anodized ATE calipers, and blue pinstriping.
1983 Honda CB1000 Custom
Produced for just one year, the Honda CB1000C Custom was notable for the TRAC anti-dive system and dual-range transmission (a sub-transmission that let you choose high or low for any given gear, even if people only really used it to act as a sixth gear/overdrive).
New In Canada – 1982 Honda CBX
Post Sale Update: This CBX sold for $19,999 on eBay. In 1966, Soichiro Honda gave his first shot at creating a usable, reliable and fast 6-cylinder motorcycle with the RC166, a 249cc 6-cylinder bike made for racing. But the first production 6-cylinder bike was made by Benelli with the Sei 750 in 1972. By 1979, Honda followed that path and …
1997 Buell Thunderbolt S3T
Post Listing Update: This Buell did not get any interest at the BIN of $4,500. Based on the S3 Thunderbolt sport-tourer, the “S3T” gained some extra touring bits to go with the extra T – taller bars, lower fairings, and color-matched hard bags.
Owned by Reg Pridmore – 1998 Honda CBR1100XX
Post Sale Update: This Super Blackbird originally sold for $4,200, but it was immediately relisted and then sold for $3,003.22 after 16 bids on eBay. From 1990 to 1996, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 was the world’s fastest production motorcycle, and Team Green benefited from all sorts of press and rider excitement about that fact. Honda decided to steal the crown, …
New In Crate – 1981 Honda CBX
Post Sale Update: sold for $28,000 (plus a 10% buyers fee) after 81 bids through Obenauf Auction Service in Johnsburg, Illinois. In my recent recap of October sale prices, someone opined that “CBX prices are officially insane” because of a 3-mile example that sold for $15,100 on eBay. Well, here’s one that may go higher, as it’s still new in …
Daytona Orange – 1981 BMW R100RS
While the Japanese manufacturers started to dominate the motorcycle industry in the 70s, BMW was one of the only brands that managed to innovate while keeping, and even gaining, market share. A major reason to that success is that BMW was not obsessed by competition, instead they simply tried to produce innovative motorcycles with exclusive designs.
3 Miles – 1981 Honda CBX
Post Sale Update: This CBX sold for $15,100 after 3 bids on eBay. This week’s other CBX feature got a discussion going in the comments about how much a CBX is worth. While that bike was an early example in fair condition, today we’ve got a later model that’s said to be of “collector quality” with just 3 miles on …
Nice Price – 1993 Yamaha GTS1000
Reader David N sent me a link to this bike saying that it was the cheapest example he’s ever seen. I have to say the same, and it doesn’t look to be in bad shape at all! The GTS1000 is a fascinating bike – I used it as an example of a motorcycle that was ahead of its time for …
One Owner – 1989 BMW K100RS Special Edition
The BMW K100RS SE, or Special Edition, was a limited run of the K100RS that featured a lovely blue and white paint job, hand drawn pin stripes, and color-matched hard luggage. It also just happens to be the first production motorcycle with ABS.