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1966 Simplex Sportsman Senior

In America, Small Displacement by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Fellow Americans, you don’t know how lucky you are. I live in England at the moment, and I’m aware that there’s a perception that motorcycling is more dynamic in the UK and Europe. That may be somewhat true in the variety of motorcycle types that get ridden here but I can assure you: American classified ads are way more fun.

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2000 Excelsior-Henderson Super X

In America, Cruiser by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

The world of motorcycling has always been heavily populated by dreamers and charlatans. I suppose such a statement could be applied to most business sectors, but in motorcycling it can be particularly hard to tell who is who. Is a person naive or nefarious; sometimes even the person themself doesn’t know.

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1966 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide FLH

In America, Cruiser by AbhiLeave a Comment

1966 was the first year of the Shovelhead motor, a powerplant that would last until 1984 when Harley introduced the Evolution. The “Electra Glide” name signified that this bike had an electric starter which was introduced only a year prior. Cycle World was impressed with the Shovel FLH, saying “In its field – high-speed, long-distance touring – the Electra Glide …

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1961 Honda CB92

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Honda CB92 Benly Super Sport was built between 1959 and 1964, and was considered by many to be the best small-displacement sport bike of the time. American Honda says that just 599 examples made it into the US between ’59 and ’62, though over 24,000 were sold worldwide.

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2008 Victory Vision Tour

In America, Touring by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Speaking of underappreciated touring bikes, the Victory Vision is a motorcycle that I feel never really got the love it deserved. Perhaps that’s because it looks like a spaceship. Or, perhaps that’s because it weighs about as much as a spaceship. But if you can get over those two things it’s a hell of a long-haul machine.