Reader David N. alerted us to a veritable treasure trove of classic late 80’s Italians, all being offered by one seller outside of Oklahoma City. We’ve actually written descriptions on all of these models of bikes before, so we won’t bore you with individual details this time around. If you want to learn more about the history about any given …
The Rarest Turbo – 1983 Suzuki XN85
Post Sale Update: This XN85 sold for the BIN of $7,495. On the market for less than a year, Suzuki XN85 was the first factory bike to feature a 16-inch front wheel – previously reserved for race bikes. That wheel, combined with low clip-ons and a Suzuki Full Floater rear suspension made it a nearly peerless handler for the time. …
2013 Progressive International Motorcycle Show – Long Beach
This weekend, we went over the Long Beach Motorcycle Show, and we decided to show you some of our highlights. Please note – this is no way any sort of comprehensive coverage. If you’re looking for more details about the newest Honda CBR1000, check out Cycle World. We’re just going to show you some of the more unique bikes we …
Double Kitty – Minsk Wildcat 125
After yesterday’s Rare Russian, reader David N. though we’d like to see another one. Meet the Minsk Wildcat, a 125cc dual sport made by the Minsk Motorcycle Company of Belarus. Known for being incredibly durable, they are widely available in Russia, Cambodia, the UK, and Vietnam.
1968 Puch Sabre
Post-Sale Update: After 27 bids on eBay, this Puch Sabre sold for $959. Manufactured for Sears by Puch, the Puch Sabre is technically a motorcycle, though it was marketed as a moped. This European beauty features one of the more interesting-looking engines we’ve ever seen.
Rare Russian – 1992 Voskhod 3M-01
Post-Sale Update: This Voskhod 3M-01 sold for $1,100. Since 1965, a company based out of Kovrov, Russia has been pumping out a variety of motorcycles, all of which utilize a 173cc engine. Some of you may remember these bikes branded as the Cossack, sold in the UK in the 70s, but we’d be impressed if you’ve heard of any of …
Benelli Dreaming – 1974 Yamaha RD250
Post-Sale Update: This RD250 sold for $5,700 on eBay. Produced from ’73 to ’79, the air-cooled Yamaha RD250 was always in the shadow of the famous RD350, but today it provides the base of an interesting Italian-influenced custom. The RD250 produced 30 horsepower and interestingly enough, had 6 gears in the transmission, but you could only access 5. Removing a …
Japanese Muscle – 1978 Kawasaki Z1-R
Post Sale Update: this Z1R sold for $7,400 after 19 bids on eBay. The Kawasaki Z1-R was the brainchild of Wayne Moulton, known as the “Father of the Japanese Cruiser.” His belief was that a solid motorcycle could be moderately tweaked to form four versions, one of which is a sport-tourer.
1990 Honda CB-1
Post-Listing Update: Apparently it’s not meant to be for this CB-1, which did not attract any bids at the opening $4,000 bid after being relisted. 12-6 Update: This CB-1 did not meet reserve, and it’s been re-listed on eBay here. In a time when Japan’s export portfolio to the US was dominated by repli-racers, the Honda CB-1 was a ‘standard’ …
#388 – 1999 Ducati 996 SPS
A limited edition of one of the prettiest motorcycles ever made, the Ducati 996 SPS (Sport Production Special) was an uprated version that featured a modified engine and chassis. Nearly all the specifications were improved, with lighter 5-spoke wheels, Ohlins rear shocks and Showa front forks, it was designed to be the ultimate 996, and it eventually evolved to become …
1974 Can-Am TNT 125
Canada’s attempt at the MX world, the Can-Am TNT 125 was one of many dirt-oriented bikes produced during the short but very sweet lifespan of Can-Am. An acronym for Track ‘n’ Trail, the TNT bikes shared the same chassis and engine as the MX bikes, but utilized lower compression for easy riding traits on trails. Lasting only 3 years, the …
1992 BMW K1
12-4 Update: 6 months later, this BMW K1 is back up for sale on ADVRider (registration required), though the price has gone up $250. The BMW K1 was an eccentric variant of the flying brick that was probably more of a styling exercise than anything else. With the running gear from the K100, the most distinctive aspect of the K1 …
Rare For The Wrong Reason – 1973 Penton Mudlark
Post Listing Update: This Mudlark did not meet reserve despite 23 bids up to $7,400. Every once in a while, we encounter a bike that’s rare not by choice. Today’s example of that is the Penton Mudlark, one of the rare flops from John Penton and his self-titled, now defunct, manufacturing firm. Originally designed as a trials bike, it was …
Immaculate Indian – 1946 Indian Chief
Post-Sale Update: Wow. Just a few hours after we posted this Indian Chief for sale, it sold for the full asking price of $30,000. The Indian Chief was the most famous of the motorcycles produced by Indian, a company founded in 1901 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Founded even before Triumph and Harley, Indian has been in and out of business since …
1 of 55 – 1983 Harley-Davidson FXSB Dealer Award
Here’s one we’ve never heard of before – the Harley-Davidson FXSB Dealer Award, a limited run of just 55 models built as an award for dealers. This shovelhead displaces 1340cc, and it came in a lovely shade of “Candy Apple Rootbeer” that shines just right in sunlight. Have you been looking for the perfect rare Harley project? This might be …