Short of the engineering masterpieces that are modern day supernakeds, I don’t know if it is possible to have more fun on the street in terms of smiles per gallon and value for money than a dual-sport or supermoto. I don’t care how much power you have, there’s nothing more fun than all of it. The KTM 525 EXC made …
In Canada – 1965 Honda CB160
View Post1977 Maico MC400 AW
Post Listing Update: This Maico did not get any interest at the opening ask of $4,000. Maico was a German manufacturer that gained notoriety in the 1960s for building two stroke rocket ships designed to carry you through any terrain you might encounter on your way to the finish line. The 400cc two stroke engine coupled with the upgraded long …
Rare in the US – 1998(?) Cagiva Planet
In 1998, Cagiva created a naked version of their two-stroke 124cc Mito Evo. The Mito was designed by Massimo Tamburini, and it looked an awful lot like the Ducati 916 that he also penned. You’d therefore be forgiven for thinking that the Planet would look like the Monster, though that really wasn’t the case. Whether or not you think it …
2012 Ducati Monster 696
What began as a good way to use old parts has turned into one of Ducati’s longest running models. Coffee shop parking lots are littered with Monsters of various capacities, and for good reason. The small(er) bore model makes a great first bike. The engine has enough power to grow into, but not so much as to scare away new …
1990 BMW R100GS Paris-Dakar
Post Sale Update: This PD sold for the BIN of $5,500 on eBay. In 1980, BMW released the R80GS, confirming their ability to upset the market with truly innovative bikes that would set standards in several segments of the market. In 1987, BMW went one step further in the development of the most successful big trailie and released the R100GS …
1969 Garelli Rex KL125
Post Listing Update: This Garelli did not get any interest at the BIN of $2,495. American Rex Corporation used to be located at 1216 Monte Diablo Avenue in San Mateo, California. They imported Italian-made Garellis under the name of Garelli-Rex, and the naming convention was KL + the ccs of displacement. In period advertisements, American Rex referred to “KL” as …
1997 Buell Thunderbolt S3T
Post Listing Update: This Buell did not get any interest at the BIN of $4,500. Based on the S3 Thunderbolt sport-tourer, the “S3T” gained some extra touring bits to go with the extra T – taller bars, lower fairings, and color-matched hard bags.
1975 Kawasaki Z1
Post Listing Update: This Z1 did not meet reserve despite 25 bids up to $15,600 on eBay. In 1969, Honda launched a high-performance battle with the CB750, getting ahead of its major competitor at the time, Kawasaki. Both brands had similar ideas about the the development of a high power 4-cylinder, 4 stroke engine. Honda beat Kawasaki to it, so …
Unexpected Custom – 1967 Honda CB450
Forgive me. I know that you will probably hate this, but I couldn’t stop staring at it and I figured I had to share it with you because of that. “This” started as a ’67 Black Bomber and it’s been customized with the suspension (and a few other parts) from a 2012 Honda CBR. On paper, that’s a wonderful combination. …
Hans Muth – 1982 BMW R65LS
Post Listing Update: The seller raised the opening bid to $4,850, and this bike got no interest. During the 70s, BMW’s most important mission was to develop alternative machines to the big 4-cylinders released by the Japanese makers. Nonetheless, the German brand also competed in the middle-size market, releasing in 1978 the 650cc R65. By 1983, one of BMW motorcycle’s …
Out of Office – Pretending To Be Pretty
Today and tomorrow I’m on a stock photography shoot for the AMA, which means you might not be able to escape seeing me in the next marketing email or snail mailer they send you. I apologize in advance. With that in mind, here’s my warning that I won’t have the chance to get the usual bike for sale posts up …
Rare German In New Zealand — 1905 Köln-Lindenthaler Metallwerke AG Vindec Special
Post Listing Update: This Vindec Special did not meet reserve with one bid up to $10,000. Unless you’re a diehard TT fan, chances are you’ve never heard of the Vindec Special, or the little-known German company that produced it, Köln-Lindenthaler Metallwerke AG — which also reportedly sold products under the “Allright” (or “Allreit”) and “Tiger” monikers.
2019 Yamaha Niken
When I was at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show, Yamaha reps said that the allotment of bikes to US dealership had already sold out. If that’s true, here’s an example where the rider who put down a deposit backed out – possibly because Yamaha has just announced the Niken GT (upgraded front suspension, center stand, heated grips, and other …