The XS650 was quite a popular motorcycle – approximately 500,000 were built over a 13 year production run. When released, it was Yamaha’s biggest production bike and it was advanced for the time with unit construction for the engine and transmission, as well as a horizontally-split crankcase. It aped the styling of classic British twins but these Yammies developed a …
200 Mile Minor Project – 1966 Suzuki K15 Hillbilly
Introduced in 1965, the Suzuki K15 (also known as the Hillbilly) was a 2-stroker for the trail with features like a skid plate, luggage rack, and swappable sprockets. Basic specs were a dry weight of 155 pounds, and 7.3 horsepower from the 80cc single. Top speed with the trail sprocket was 38 miles per hour, and 60 mph with the …
Two Stroke Transplant – Kawasaki Ninja 250 with S2 Engine
Your eyes do not deceive you – this is a EX250-J (the generation between 2008–2012) that now has the 350cc two-stroke motor from a 1972 Kawasaki S2!
Video Intermission – Iconic Rides: BMW K1
Over on Iconic we’re always trying new things – this week’s we starting up a YouTube channel! We have some great inventory that cycles through, and my partner Adam has a set ride from the shop to the Rock Store every Sunday morning. For our first video, Adam brings you along on his Sunday ride on a BMW K1:
Rare Project – 1962 Moto Parilla Wildcat Scrambler 250
Post Sale Update: This Parilla sold for $3,150 after 24 bids on eBay in Orange, Connecticut. Parilla was distributed in the US by Cosmopolitan Motors, and while the former had some success with a 175cc bike, Cosmopolitan asked for a 250cc engine. Parilla responded with their distinctive high cam motor from their Grand Sports road bike. At the time, this …
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.”
Custom CB750 in Europe – 1973 Japauto 950 SS
Sensing that Honda was about to take over the motorcycle industry, Christian Vilaseca expanded his family’s GM automobile dealership by founding Japauto in 1966. Thanks to the success of the CB750, Japauto quickly became Europe’s largest motorcycle dealership. So when he decided to campaign in the 1970 Bol d’Or, he wanted to race with a bike bearing his companies name …
Corbin Warbird in England – 1987 Harley-Davidson FXR Custom
The Corbin company is best known for their seats, but they’ve also made luggage and even a three-wheeled EV! Today we’re focusing on a bodywork set created for the Harley-Davidson FXR. It was called the Warbird.
First Ride Review – 2021 BMW R18
View Post1959 Pannonia T5 with Duna Sidecar
Post Sale Update: after being relisted, this Pannonia sold for $5,650 after 8 bids on eBay in Sacramento, California. Pannonia was a Hungarian motorcycle manufacturer that produced over a million bikes between 1954 and 1975 – in addition to a whole bunch of four wheelers. While their range of motorcycle engines included a boxer twin and a vertical twin, the …
Video Intermission – X Games Real Moto 2020
The X Games Real Moto challenge is a two-parter – one part involves a fan vote. Come check out the video entries for this year, and pick your favorite before voting ends on Sunday!
1985 Suzuki Madura
Post Listing Update: This Madura did not get action at the opening bid of $2,800. A direct response to the ‘mega-cruiser’ Honda Magna, the Suzuki Madura was all about one-upmanship. Honda called their Magna an 1100, so the Madura was called a 1200, even if the engine was actually 1165cc. Honda rated the Magna at 116hp, Suzuki rated the Madura …
BSB Champion – 2019 Ducati V4R
This is the Ducati V4R that Scott Redding used to win the 2019 BSB championship with the Paul Bird Motorsport/Be Wiser Ducati Team – it’s one of just two BSB V4Rs that PBM sold after last season, and this is the first time it’s been made available to the public.
NOS Flying Dragon Bodywork – 1973 Honda CB350
Post Listing Update: This Flying Dragon did not meet reserve with 17 bids up to $7,400, however it was relisted with a BIN of $7,500 and then pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Bike-urious reader Bob Kelly has established himself as quite an expert on the Honda’s Flying Dragon bodywork – and he’s offering up a CB350 with …
Auction Preview – Bonhams The Bonmont Sale
On September 20th, Bonhams is hosting an auction in Switzerland that features a whole bunch of fancy cars. More importantly, there are 26 motorcycles, all but three of which are BMWs.