I’ve been on an odd run of low-serial-number Bimota’s, so why not continue that with this Bimota SB6, which was (fittingly) serial number 6. Production of the SB6 ended in 1996, so the fact that this is titled as a 1997 means it was one of the last ones brought to the states.
1 of 25 – 2010 KTM RC8R Akrapovic Edition
In 2010, KTM started importing the RC8R to the US. To celebrate, they released two limited edition models, both of which had just 25 examples produced. One was the IDM Red Bull Edition, the other is this post’s subject – the KTM RC8R Akrapovic Edition.
Video Intermission – Slow Motion Save
Two things: 1. Embedding a post from facebook looks funny. Sorry about that, but this was the only source I could find. 2. I can’t stop watching this. I already knew flat trackers were awesome, but this save from Brad Baker is impressive as hell. Enjoy! Post by Flat Track Live.
1960 Harley-Davidson Topper
The Harley-Davidson Topper is the one and only scooter to ever come out of the HD factory. Built during the days when the Milwaukee company was producing bikes with small motors, like the Bobcat, the Topper featured an 165 cc air-cooled 2-stroke engine with of all things, a CVT.
2006 Ducati Sport 1000
Designed by the legendary Pierre Terblanche, the Ducati Sport 1000 actually was an evolution of the radical MH900e that evolved into a series of retro styled sportbikes. This is the Sport 1000, the “base” model (though it’s unfair to use that word in this case) and a beautiful example of Italian styling.
Great Deal – 1998 Honda SuperHawk VTR1000F
This bike is 16 years old but somehow looks spotless. If I ever bothered buying a new bike, it’d be in worse condition than this in 2 months! Kudos to the seller, who’s been able to keep this Honda SuperHawk in immaculate shape. I like to think of it as an easier-to-live with RC51. The best part? It’s being sold …
1963 Ducati Scrambler 250
In the 60s, American importer Joe Berliner was bringing in so many Ducatis that he had the ear of the corporate office. So when he started asking for a do-it-all bike aimed towards younger riders, the Italian firm obliged him with the Ducati Scrambler 250, a dual-sport based off the road-based Diana which Berliner had converted for dirt track competitions …
Video Intermission – Shinya Kimura
Shinya Kimura is a famous Japanese custom motorcycle builder who currently runs Chabott Engineering. He’s made a name for himself through building bikes that are truly original, standing out in a wave of cookie-cutter cafes and cruisers. He takes about 6-8 months to build a bike, and he never sketches a plan in advance – it’s all pretty much improvised …
1970 Moto Guzzi Ambassador with Sidecar
Produced for just two years, the Ambassador was never as well known as bikes like the Eldorado. Built to target the American market, MG saw a way to compete with Harley with a 757cc variant of the venerable V-Twin. This specific example (VIN: 26161) is a numbers-matching beauty with less than 20,000 miles in a lovely shade of gold. Oh …
1991 Suzuki RGV250 VJ22
Nowadays, the mention of a Japanese 250 usually makes on think of the Ninja, a solid learner bike that doesn’t normally excite the senses like other current motorcycles. But 20 years ago, Suzuki built a 250 two-stroke race-replica of its Gamma V-2 racer – good for over 50 horsepower in the narrow power-band. The Suzuki RGV250 was born, and it …
2013 Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer
The rebirth of the Norton Commando now comes in 3 different models – the SF, the Sport, and this – the Norton Commando 961 Cafe Racer. Note that I’ve previously featured one of the limited production Special Edition models, as well.
Video Intermission – Waltz of the Machine Equestrians
Reader Jeff Z. told me about a museum exhibit he was planning on checking out at the RISD Museum (Rhode Island School of Design), and as soon as I took a look I knew I had to share one of the rare instances when our favorite two-wheeled vehicles were used to create art – plus as a bonus, it’s not …
2006 BMW HP2 Enduro
Post-Listing Update: This HP2 Enduro was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The slimmer (but still ugly – and I say this as a GS owner) brother of the R1200GS, the BMW HP2 Enduro took the GS engine and CANBUS electronics but instead utilized a trellis frame and normal forks to save a whopping 53 pounds – this …
Rally Raid – Modified 2012 KTM 690 Enduro
If you’re looking for a true off-roader from your production dual-sport, I’m not sure it gets better than the KTM 690 Enduro. Built to serve as the base for KTM’s Dakar Rally efforts (which they won in 2007, 2009, and 2010 with this bike before regulation changes forced them to switch to a smaller engine for competition), the 690 is …
2011 Honda CB1000R
I love naked bikes and when I was in Paris I couldn’t help but notice quite a few examples of the Honda CB1000R, a bike I almost never see in the US. What’s hard for me to understand is why it sold so poorly here in the US.