Post Listing Update: This Kawi was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. An evolution of the KAZ900, the KZ1000 was the fastest production bike when it was released in 1976 (as a ’77 model) thanks to its 83 horsepower, 1,015cc inline four motor. The bike might be most famous for the police variant, which gained popularity on the …
1973 Triumph Trident T150V
Introduced in 1968 as a ‘69 model the BSA Rocket 3/Triumph Trident brought an entirely new concept to market with a three cylinder motor that was smooth and fast. The model was ‘badge engineered’ to allow both marquees to sell bikes to their loyal customers. Overall sales were good, not great with 27,480 produced in the seven year run.
Bellaria in Italy – 1991 Bimota YB9
The YB9 was Bimota’s first two-seater. Offered in three generations, just 145 of the Bellarias were built between 1990 and 1993. Here’s number 112.
3 Rare Mopeds
I originally started featuring the seller’s NSU Quickly, which was built between 1953 and 1963. But it turns out he’s got two other interesting mopeds, so let’s take a look at all 3!
2 Owners – 1983 Suzuki GS750ES
In 1976, Suzuki debuted their first four stroke machine in over 20 years, the GS750. An “E” model debuted in 1980 with 16 valves and Suzuki’s TSCC – Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber. The “E” bikes had a chin fairing while “ES” models got a half fairing. Here’s a clean 2-owner ES from the last generation of the model run.
1972 Bultaco Astro 250
The Astro was Bultaco’s factory flat tracker – ready to race from the dealership floor. Exported solely to the US to satisfy the American obsession with flat track back in the day, it was available in either 250cc (Model 163) or 360cc (Model 164) options. The bike was named after Houston’s Astrodome, which often hosted the opening short dirt track …
1975 Honda XL350
Honda introduced the XL line with the XL250 in 1972. I think it was their first real effort at a bike that you could ride to the trail and on the trail. The ‘scrambler’ series that preceded the XL were really about the look, not about the ride. No mistake, this was a first effort, and the XL was going …
2 Weeks in the West – Day 16
View PostAriel Powered – 1959 Norton “Esquire”
2-27-17 Update: Nearly 2 years later, Tom W notes that this bike is back up for sale. Find it still in Bend, Oregon with bidding up to $6,000 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $15,000 (down from the original ask of $18,500) here on eBay. You’re probably familiar with the Triton, the pairing of a Triumph …
1991 Honda XR600R
Regarding the Honda XR600R, Dirt Bike magazine said it “is almost the definition of an off-road bike; the machine most likely to have its silhouette on a trail sign.” Here’s a one owner example that’s ready to get dirty.
1973 Suzuki TS185
The TS range of bikes were Suzuki’s first trail bikes, and the family of two-strokes was available with motors ranging from 50 to 400cc. Some riders considered the TS185 to be the best – it was actually a few pounds lighter than the TS125 but it made nearly as much horsepower as the TS250.
Suggestions for the UK?
UPDATE: Here’s the story of our time there on a Triumph Explorer 1200! In late June, VyVy and I (and Baby Jack, of course) will be heading out to the United Kingdom for a couple of weeks of exploration via motorcycle. Right now, the plan is to start in London and basically do a lap of England, Wales, Ireland, and …
1916 Indian Powerplus with Side Car
The Indian Power Plus was a successful roadster and canvas for racing bikes, especially with Erwin “Cannonball” Baker (after whom the Cannonball Run was named after). Hemmings called this “the engine that changed American motorcycling.” Today we’ve got an example that forgoes the racing pedigree for the utility of a sidecar.
Unexpected Custom – 1976 Moto Guzzi T3
The Moto Guzzi T3 was an 844cc transverse V-twin that put out that put out approximately 59HP through a 5-speed transmission with shaft drive. Weight was 540 pounds, so it was not exactly fast, but it was comfortable and reliable, with typical big-twin torque. As such, it was selected by many California cities for Police duty. Supposedly this has a …
1965 BSA Bantam
It’s a well known story. The BSA Bantam, the Harley Davidson Hummer, the Russian Moskva and the Yamaha YA 1 were all copies of the German DKW given out as war reparations. I would really like to know how Japan (Yamaha) qualified for reparation from Germany, but that is a question for another time.