My friend Somer Hooker recently crossed the Atlantic this year to check out Retromobile and The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. He’s been having a grand time exploring the country of France, and he sent me a Guess That Bike feature that he thought would challenge all of you. Your only hint is that it was found in …
Spec Racer In Italy – 1979 Laverda Formula 500
Post Listing Update: This Laverda did not get any interest at the opening ask of $15,900. With just 210 examples built over three production batches between 1978 and 1980, the Formula 500 is one of Laverda’s rarest machines.
Supposed Factory TT Test Mule – 1930 Rudge Ulster Racer
Post Listing Update: This Rudge did not get any interest at the BIN of $39,900. Founded after an acquisition in 1894, Rudge introduced its first production motorcycle in 1910 — reportedly re-badged versions of France’s Werners. The marque really made its mark in 1924 however when it unveiled a new four-speed production model featuring a four-valve cylinder head. Sales of …
Sold At Mecum – 1974 BMW R90S
Post Listing Update: This R90S did not meet reserve despite 34 bids up to $10,100. The R90S is a fine motorcycle, but I’m specifically featuring this bike so we can see an example of people trying to make some money after snagging some steals at Mecum.
Bought on Bike-urious – BMW R100GSPD Custom
Alright, the “Bought on Bike-urious” aspect is a bit of a stretch, but the bike is just so fantastic that I just have to share it. In July of 2017, I featured what I described as “one of the coolest airhead customs I’ve seen in a long time“. It started as a BMW R100GS Paris Dakar that the Canadian seller …
Ben Bostrom Replica – 2002 Ducati 998S
Post Listing Update: This 998S did not get any interest at the asking price of $14,999. 2001 was a great year for Ducati. Upgraded Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes squeezed every bit of traction from the revamped 998cc Testastretta engine, carrying Troy Bayliss to the championship. In 2002, Ducati launched 155 998S Ben Bostrom and 400 Troy Bayliss special editions …
Russian Project – 1973 IZH Planeta 3
Post Sale Update: This IZH sold for $1,575 after 46 bids on eBay. IZH was best known for making the AK47 assault rifle, though they did have a civilian division that also made cars and motorcycles – production of the latter started in 1927. Here’s an example of one of their most successful bikes, the Planeta.
First Ride Review – 2019 Honda Super Cub C125
View PostPress Release – Aprilia Racers Days 2019
One of the coolest OEM-supported programs last year was Aprilia’s Racers Days, as it gave customers the opportunity to test bikes like the RSV4 and Tuono on a track with support from AGV, Dainese, and Pirelli. Racers Days returns for 2019 with an expanded schedule – now there’s seven events at six locations from coast to coast for you to …
No Reserve – 2017 Yamaha R1M
Post Listing Update: This R1M was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. I have never used the term ‘slow’ to describe a literbike, but manufacturers always seem to have an answer for more speed. Yamaha’s R1M matched the best electronic engine management and Ohlins electronic suspension software to their formidable crossplane crankshaft engine and moved the chains for …
1975 Kawasaki H2
Post Listing Update: This H2 did not meet reserve despite 13 bids up to $14,400 on eBay. The Kawasaki H2 market is picking up right now. With several recent sales having five digit asking prices, the number of bikes available seems to be rising. The 750cc three cylinder two stroke put out 74hp, and carried the coolest men in town …
Pikes Peak Winner – 2014 Zero SR
This upgraded Zero ran in the 2015 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb where — piloted by Jeff Clark #777 — it took first place in the production electric class (with a time of 12:06:346), granted there were only two other entries in the class that year. Either way you can actually watch Jeff tear up the mountain in the below …
1 of 250 – 1999 Triumph Daytona 1200 Special Edition
In the early 90s, most major motorcycle manufacturers entered a gentlemen’s agreement to cap horsepower at 125. Triumph decided that when they were going to bring the bikes back from the new plant in Hinckley, that the best way for them to get attention was to ignore said agreement: enter the 147 horsepower Triumph Daytona 1200. A year after the …
1977 Yamaha RD400
Post Sale Update: This RD – sold for $6,100 after 25 bids on eBay in Olathe, Kansas. After Yamaha’s wonderful RD350, the only way to go was up. 1976 brought the RD400, with 40 hp and enough torque to keep the front wheel off the ground as long as you dare. Just 350 pounds of weight made for a svelte …
50th Anniversary Project – 1954 Harley-Davidson KH
Post Listing Update: This KH did not meet reserve despite 41 bids up to $11,000 on eBay. In 1952, Harley announced the new Model K. Raised compression and bigger cams were good for 30 hp from 45 cubic inches. For their 50th anniversary in 1954, Harley introduced the redesigned KH model and continued their bigger is better mentality, bumping engine …