In 1975, Honda started the legendary Gold Wing line with the GL1000. For the first time, Honda incorporated a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine which produced 999cc. Five years later, in 1980, Honda launched the GL1100 Gold Wing Interstate. Not only did Honda up displacement by 100cc, but with the Interstate they showed the public what luxury touring looked like with …
Monolever – 1989 BMW R100RT
Post Listing Update: This RT did not get any interest at the BIN of $3,550. In 1983, BMW released the K100, which featured a lengthwise 4-cylinder engine. Two years later, the K75 came out as well with a 3-cylinder engine using the same configuration. Unfortunately, BMW did not realize how important was the flat-twin for its riders, and the K-series …
1989 Honda PC800 Pacific Coast
In 1985, Honda opened up an American R&D branch, and one of their early projects brought both motorcycle and car engineers together. The bike engineers worked on the drivetrain, engine and frame, while car engineers worked on the body. Honda wanted to create something different – still with two wheels and an engine – but at the opposite end of …
Ending Soon – 1977 BMW R100RS
Post Listing Update: Despite 75 bids up to $10,900, this RS did not meet reserve. The first year of BMW’s class-defining R100RS was 1977. Bikes built in the first model year was also known as the “RS77”, and they worth the distinction due to year-specific features like silver/blue paint, blue anodized calipers, and blue pinstriping. They’re rare enough, but this …
1987 BMW K100LT
Ever since they introduced the R100RS, BMW has arguably invented and managed to stay at the top of the sport-touring bike segment. In the mid 80s, BMW wanted a bike that wouldn’t use the famous boxer engine. In fact, BMW was scared that the customers would get bored of the boxer, and without any other alternative in the BMW line, …
First Ride – 2019 Yamaha Tracer 900GT
View PostWhat Do You Want To Know? 2019 Yamaha Tracer 900 + 900 GT
UPDATE: Here’s my review! Yamaha USA’s quest to copy model names from the rest of the world continues as the FZ-09 sport-tourer is being replaced with the “Tracer 900”. You may remember that the same thing happened earlier this year with naked FZ-07, which became the MT-07. The Tracer gets some decent updates, better-looking bodywork, and a new up-spec “GT” …
1982 Honda CBX1000
Having more than 4 cylinders on a bike is not just a recent pursuit for manufacturers. Aviation was the principal influence in doing multi-cylinder motors, using radial engines like “La Millet” in 1887, a French motorcycle made with a 5-cylinder radial engine located in the back wheel. Obviously, this “more than 4 cylinders” path was not the easiest to follow …
721 Miles – 2012 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak
Ducati has just won Pikes Peak with a race version of their Multistrada model that’s named after the mountain itself. Here’s a previous gen Pikes Peak Multi that’s barely been used due to a sad story – the seller’s husband passed away two years ago so this has just been waiting for a new owner.
1982 BMW R100RS
Over a long and illustrious history, BMW has built the definitive example for many classes of motorcycles, such as how they created the adventure bike with the R80GS. The R100RS is another example, as it is a masterpiece that formed the baseline of what a sport touring bike could be.
No Reserve – 1993 Yamaha GTS1000
Post Sale Update: This GTS sold for $4,450 after 18 bids on eBay…to Bike-urious reader Joe G! In his review of the Yamaha GTS1000, Mark Tuttle at Rider Magazine starts with, “Remember this bike. If the forkless Yamaha GTS1000 doesn’t prove to be the forerunner of a new era in motorcycle design, it represents a missed cue of colossal proportions.” …
Luftmeister Turbo – 1985 BMW K100RT
From one angle, this is just a very ugly BMW K100RT in Big Bird Yellow. But if you look up at the front of the engine, you’ll notice one of the 200 turbo kits that were produced by RB Racing on behalf of Luftmeister. Now it’s ugly AND fast!
Monolever – 1988 BMW R100RS
Post Listing Update: this RS did not meet reserve despite 22 bids up to $5,605 on eBay. After the “Last Edition” debacle, BMW brought back the R100RS as a Monolever (one rear shock). There were other changes as well – a slight shift in powerband for more torque and the expense of top end horsepower, lower gearing to make up …
Nighthawk Tourer – 1996 Honda CB750
Post Sale Update: Per the seller, this Nighthawk sold for $2,700. A Bike-urious reader is letting go of beloved Nighthawk and it presents an interesting opportunity for those of you that want to tour on a budget – assuming you like yellow!
First Year – 1977 BMW R100RS
Post Listing Update: This R100RS sold for $6,100 after 5 bids on eBay. The BMW R100RS arguably launched the idea of the sport touring motorcycle, but I don’t feature many non-limited edition examples just because they’re fairly common place. But did you know that the earliest examples of the legendary model were all silver/blue with blue pinstriping and blue anodized …