Motus Motorcycles were forced to shut their doors in September of 2018. Not an uncommon end to many smaller motorcycle companies, but when you take a closer look at what Lee Conn and Brian Case created, to me it’s one of the more disappointing. Their drive was to create an American made, sport touring motorcycle that would rival any on …
1983 Laverda RGS 1000 Executive
A true sport tourer, the Laverda RGS one of the last manifestations of the big triple, though it was much tamer than the beloved Jota unit thanks to different crankshaft timing and rubber engine mounts. Some felt that the engine lost a bit of character in the process, but it became a much easier bike to tour on – especially …
First Ride Review – 2019 Honda CB500X
View Post2015 Motus MST-R
Post Listing Update: This MST-R did not meet reserve despite 16 bids up to $15,100. Depending on who you ask, the Motus story is inspirational, depressing, or possibly a combination of both. While the company recently went out of business, you can still enjoy the insanity of the “Baby Block” motor in a package that requires your brain and your …
First Ride Review – 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+
View PostGuest History – Morbidelli V8 – Eight Cylinder Exotica
View PostSave $6,000 – 2016 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX ABS
Pro Italia has a still-new Stelvio that’s been sitting for a few years. They obviously need the floor space, which is why they’ve cut the price down from the MSRP of $16,490 to $10,595! It’s got just 7 miles, it has a two year warranty, and it comes with hard bags.
Thunderstorm Heads – 1997 Buell S3T Thunderbolt
View Post2001 Aprilia Futura RST1000
For many, the Aprilia Futura was poorly named – the angular design felt more “80s anime” than “bike of the future”. Still, it was a sport-tourer with an emphasis on sport, and it was powered by a motor based on the unit found in Aprilia’s repli-racer RSV Mille. Combine that with a comfortable seat and factory hard bags and you …
Fully Faired Fazer – 1986 Yamaha FZX700
Also known as the Baby V-Max, the Yamaha Fazer FZX700 was quite a revelation when it was released – the styling was distinctive and it was quicker than riders expected. No one complained about the speed, though not everyone loved the looks, and the bike didn’t sell tremendously well. Thanks to a large fairing, the styling of this example is …
1928 BMW R52
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.