Thanks to my very understanding boss, I’m taking next Monday off to play with some bikes. Half the day will be for a story with the new Husqvarna 701 and the other half will be for the unveil of a “new 2018 street motorcycle” from Kawasaki. So, loyal readers – what do you think Kawasaki is about to announce?
1995 Ducati E900 Elefant
Post Sale Update: This Elefant sold for $3,500 after 15 bids on eBay. Ducati was sold to Cagiva in 1985, and one of the things the latter did with this infusion of bikes and technology to try and compete in the Paris-Dakar rally. They created the Elefant, which won the rally in 1990 and 1994. In the US, the bike …
April 2018 Result Highlights
View PostVideo Intermission – Motorcycles on the Today Show in 1998
In the late 90s, the motorcycle industry was full of optimism and bikes were getting screen time on TV programs like the Today Show. Apparently said TV program had a segment called “Today’s Weekend Adventurer”, and in this instance Andy Pargh takes viewers through some of the offerings of the time. Time for a quick hit of the good old …
Rare in the US – 1991 Gilera CX125
Post Listing Update: This CX did not get any interest at the opening ask of $7,995. 5-3-2018 Update: Looks like the original sale did not go through, and this rare Gilera is back up for sale. The unmet opening bid is $7,995 here on eBay. Post-Sale Update: After 2 bids on eBay, this Gilera sold for $5,900. The coolest looking …
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!
1977 Yamaha RD400
In 1976, Yamaha made the RD350 a little bigger with a displacement bump up to 399cc. Thanks to 44 horsepower, the hooligan motorcycle du jour was capable of hitting the ton with a top speed of 105 miles per hour. Most people know the 400 simply for being an easier to ride upgrade over the 350, but it was also …
Video Intermission – Valentino Rossi Races Around The World
After lap 15 this weekend at the Spanish GP in Jerez, Valentino Rossi achieved an odd milestone – he covered 40,075 kilometers in competition, and that is equivalent to the circumference of the Earth!
1986 Kawasaki Ninja 600R
Post Sale Update: sold for $3,050 after 2 bids on eBay. Kawasaki’s first Ninja was introduced in 1984 as a 900 (you may remember it thanks to a famous cameo in the movie Top Gun). The following year, Kawi basically created the 600 sportbike category as it is still enjoyed today (even if it’s currently dominated by Yamaha). Soon after …
“V5 Sport” – 1981 Moto Guzzi V50 III Custom
Post Listing Update: This “V5” did not meet reserve despite 12 bids up to $2,520. When Moto Guzzi first released the V50 in the late 70s, they were met with a tepid response from an American market that preferred bigger bikes and expected smaller bikes to be cheaper. Not many were sold, but this example is truly a 1-of-1 as …
Training Tool – 1990 Honda CB125T
For just one year, Honda made 2,000 examples of a 125cc twin specifically designed for US rider’s education schools. The bike itself isn’t really anything special, but there are some fascinating lights on the front and rear that should be explained.
Gift Intermission – Honda Motocompo Wood Model
For reasons that can’t be explained by logic, I have a bizarre fascination with the Honda Motocompo. Apparently Kirk Shinmoto is wired the same way, because he’s built an impressive model of Honda’s famous scooter-that-can-live-in-a-trunk.It’s made out of maple and plywood, and you can buy it now for yourself or your Motocompo-obsessed friend!
1988 Yamaha DT50
Post Listing Update: This DT50 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. This bike always makes me think of Thomas the Tank Engine, with its baby blue paint scheme and the “little engine that could” possibilities.
2018 Quail Motorcycle Gathering – The Winners
This is not my usual recap – that will have to wait until I get back home and have time to go through all of Nathan’s photos – but for now I just wanted to share the winning bikes from the 10th Annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering. As always, the show was wonderful and I hope those of you that were …
1975 BMW R75/6 Cafe Racer
Post Listing Update: This /6 did not get any interest at the opening ask of $3,750. Offered by Classic Motorcycle Consignments, this slash 6 has been “customized by its owner to run a bit truer, a bit quicker, and a bit smoother.”