This G3 moped stands out for two reasons: first, it has an impressive 15,800 miles on the odometer, and secondly, it features the top of the line 505/1D motor – good for a stonking 2.7 horsepower. Speeding tickets, here we come!
Bored Out and Turbocharged – 1982 Suzuki Katana
Thanks to a 1,400cc motor and a Rajay F40 turbo, this Katana has enough juice to back up the iconic angular styling.
Rare Racer – 1979 Bimota YB3
For most of Bimota’s history, their bread and butter has been taking proven existing power plants (in the YB3’s case the Yamaha TZ350) and dropping them into advanced frames and outfitting them with trick components and bodywork. The YB3 is a rare example of one of the Italian manufacturer’s late-seventies/early-eighties race machines. Different sources made different claims but anywhere from …
Folding Scooter – 1968 Minimo Joky
The Minimo Joky is a rare folding scooter with a frame made out of aluminum. Because it weighed 60 pounds, it was apparently quite popular with yacht and glider owners – the former would get around the harbor and the latter would use it to get to a phone after landing. They’re nearly impossible to find in the US and …
Anheuser-Busch Promotion – 2000 Yamaha V-Star 650 Sidecar
Riders are all excited about Yamaha’s announcement this morning of the new Star Venture, but I suspect that’s because they forgot the majesty of this sidecar that was built for an Anheuser-Busch non-alcoholic energy drink called 180 Degrees. It was their attempt to take on Red Bull, and I think you know how it ended. Per the seller, Motorvation built …
Video Intermission – Crocetti Speciale at Quail Motorcycle Gathering
At the Quail Motorcycle Gathering, Aaron and I flagged down the owners of some of our favorite bikes and asked them to tell us more. Here’s Marc Crocetti of Santa Monica, California talking us through his custom ’71 Triumph Daytona which was built to look like a ’60s Isle of Man TT racer.
1974 Dalesman 125 Scout
Dalesman was an English motorcycle manufacturer that started by utilizing Puch motors. They made three versions: trials, motocross, and enduro. Production was based out of Yorkshire between 1968 and 1974, making this Enduro (also branded as the Scout) bike one of the last off the line.
Moto Giro Mount – 1962 Wards Riverside (Benelli) Cobra
Back in the 60’s some of the major US department stores sold European small-displacement motorcycles in the American market. Montgomery Wards rebadged Benellis and sold them under the Wards-Riverside name. You could buy them in the store, or from their long-gone catalogs. Here’s an ad for the 4-stroke 250.
First Ride – 2017 Suzuki V-Strom 650 and 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000
View PostMuseum Intermission – The Art of the Motorcycle
There are several enjoyable museums dedicated to motorcycles in the US – but when it comes to mainstream museums, the definitive motorcycle exhibit was “The Art of the Motorcycles” from late 1998 at the Guggenheim. The museum released a lovely 400+ page hardcover book about the exhibit years ago, but if you want a copy nowadays your only option is …
Isle of Man TT Racer – 2013 Honda CBR1000RR
The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) is arguably the most iconic motorcycle race in history. In the modern era of the TT one name stands out as being the most successful pilot to take on the 37.73-mile mountain course, and that name is John McGuinness. With 23 TT wins and 45 TT podiums, McGuinness is something of a modern-day …
1951 Matchless G80
The Matchless G80 was a single-cylinder, 500CC bike from by the British company AMC – Associated Motor Cycles. The G80 was built in several variants between 1946 and 1966. Designed for the postwar market, it was a pushrod 4-stroke, with hydraulic forks and twin-shock rear swingarm suspension. Power was approximately 28 hp @ 5600rpm.
390 Miles – 1979 Honda CB650
View PostUnexpected Chopper – 1960s BMW R50S
Post Listing Update: The listing was removed. The R50S was the little brother of the legendary R69S, and it was a relatively rare motorcycle in BMW’s history as just 1,634 were produced 1960 and 1962. In 1981, one of those few were turned into a chopper, and it served as a daily rider until recently. I’m almost speechless.
Velvety Smooth – 1993 BMW R100GS
6-4-17 Update: Yes, I just featured this bike yesterday. But, the fine folks at Aerostich have noticed my offhand comment and will give a 20% discount off any of their gear (in any color, you don’t have to get hi-viz) to the person that buys this bike. But if you do want to go color matching, you can go hi-viz …