It’s hard to believe these days that Yamaha was ever hard up, but around 2010 the brand had gotten a reputation of being a bit bland. Yamaha’s response was a triumph of motorcycling: when they were done, they had one of the best reviewed engines (and bikes) of 2014 and beyond. Yamaha’s head designer called it a “roaster motard”. We …
Video Intermission – The Nurburgring on a Honda Africa Twin
The Nurburgring doesn’t allow motorcycles to run official testing laps, so if you want to set a personal best on two wheels you’re going to have to do it during a public session with traffic. The current unofficial motorcycle record is 7 minutes and 10 seconds from “Bridge to Gantry”, set by Andy Carlile on a modified 2005 Yamaha R1. …
225 Miles – 2001 Ducati 996R
The 996 was offered between 1999 and 2002, but the most special version was only offered in 2001. Ducati created 500 examples of the 996R – the R stood for Racing – to meet homologation requirements for the World Superbike Championship.
1950 Jawa Perak 350
Post Listing Update: This Perak was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Also known as the Model 11, the Jawa Perak 250 was developed in secret during WWII when Nazi Germany had occupied the Czech Republic. Jawa predicted that when the war was over, its competition would only be able to offer gussied-up versions of pre-war bikes, and …
Out of Office – 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+
I’m currently in Arizona for the launch of the 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+, so posts will be a little less frequent for the next couple of days. If you have any questions about the new Versys, let me know here. Otherwise, I’ll be riding around Arizona for a couple of days, and then riding the bike back home …
Rare Project – 1972 Fox Tracker
Post Sale Update: this Fox Tracker sold for $930 after 20 bids on eBay. No, it’s not the Fox you’re familiar with. This Fox was called Fox Corporation, and it was based in Janesville, Wisconsin. It was very difficult for me to find official information on this company, but I’ve seen anecdotes that they offered six different models of minibikes …
April 2019 Result Highlights
Last month we saw some great bikes – but did they sell? And if so, for how much?
One Owner – 1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Post Listing Update: This XN85 did not meet reserve despite 17 bids up to $5,300 on eBay. 5-13-2019 Update: This XN85 sold almost three years ago, but now that buyer is looking to move on. It’s since moved across the country but the owner has put less than 200 miles on it. Find it in Waitsfield, Vermont with bidding up …
Not Sold in the US – 1997 Honda Z50J Monkey 30th Anniversary
Post Listing Update: This 30th Anniversary Monkey did not meet reserve despite 8 bids up to $4,051 on eBay in Saint John, Indiana. To celebrate the ’67 Z50M (which wasn’t sold in the US either), Honda produced a 30th Anniversary edition of the Monkey that brought back the white paint, red frame, tartan seat, and “Old Wing” logo.
Heathkit Boonie Bike GT-18
Heathkit was founded in 1926 in Saint Joseph, Michigan as a subsidiary of the Heath Company – they sold light aircraft kits. But they didn’t hit their peak until after World War II, when they offered electronic kits such as oscilloscopes. In 1968, they got in on the mini bike craze with the GT-18, which was marketed as the “Boonie …
What Do You Want To Know? 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+
UPDATE: Here’s my review! The Versys is getting fancy. Last year, the Versys 1000 (only available in the touring-spec LT model is the US) was a hell of a bargain as it included ABS, two ride modes, traction control, 28L bags, a center stand, assist/slipper clutch, and plenty more for just $12,999. For 2019, the Versys 1000 gets some extra …
Making Fast Faster – Kawasaki H1R Tribute Build
When Kawasaki first debuted the H1 500 Mach III, it was easily the fastest half-liter production bike in the world. The next year, the labcoats at Team Green cranked the potent triple up a few notches with the release of the factory race-version of the two-stroke three-banger, known as the “H1R”.
1965 Velocette MSS 500
Post Sale Update: This Velo sold for $7,000 after 5 bids on eBay in Meadville, Pennsylvania. First released in 1935, the Velocette MSS was a semi-stalwart that was built until 1968.
In New Zealand – 2013 Bimota DB9 Brivido
Brivido translates to Thrill, and that seems like a fitting name for a Bimota powered by Ducati’s old 1,198cc Diavel motor. Michael Neeves of MCN called it one of his top bikes of 2012, saying “It fuels beautifully; it’s smooth, fast, excellent in the corners, comfortable and above all fun! It doesn’t have ride-by-wire, variable fuel maps, traction control and …
1979 Maico GS400 Enduro
Post Sale Update: This Maico sold for $3,505 after 6 bids on eBay. Thanks to a Tusk dual sport kit, this restored Maico is street legal in California. While the headlight runs off the stator, the tail light and turn signals are powered by a rechargeable nickel cadmium battery.