For BMW’s 75th anniversary, the Germany company created a limited run (750 examples) of the R1100GS. Differences were limited to the special paint scheme and fancy paperwork called the “Edition Folder” for the owner – Euro bikes got a dark smoke windscreen and the US got a clear one.
1963 BMW R69S
Post-Listing Update: This R69S was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. From a 1962 review in Cycle World: “Whatever the BMW’s merits in a contest of speed, it is still the smoothest, best finished, quietest and cleanest motorcycle it has ever been our pleasure to ride. To be honest, we think that anyone who would worry much over …
In Belgium – 1967 MZ Trophy ES250/2
Nicknamed the TV Lamp due to the headlight (or the Iron Pig due to the generally ugly looks), the MZ Trophy ES was a quick seller in East Germany due to a lack of competition and a focus on practicality. 1967 brought the ES 250/2, which is what you see in front of you. Cheaper than the 250cc competition, these …
Ultimate Door Prize – 1975 BMW R90S
Post-Sale Update: This R90S sold for $9,500. Every year, the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (an excellent organization, if I do say so myself) has a giant rally. Each year they give out an increasing amount of door prizes, and the big winner(s) can even get motorcycles. Back in 2005, the Rally gave away a new K1200S with custom paint …
In Germany – Ex-Dakar Speedbrain BMW G450X
Did you look at the trick G450X from a couple of days ago and think “that’s cool, but I want something more serious”? Well, here’s the bike for you – a BMW G450X that Speedbrain campaigned in the 2014 Dakar Rally!
Speedbrain Kit – 2010 BMW G450X
Post Sale Update: This well-documented and well-modified G450X sold for $3,850 after 29 bids on eBay. Based out of Germany, Speedbrain has made a name for themselves with worldwide privateer racing efforts since 2006 (including multiple stage wins in the Dakar Rally). A lot of their work has been with the BMW G450X, and as such they’ve released a kit …
In Germany – 1973 BMW Gus Kuhn Endurance Racer
After an illustrious career in motorcycle competition, Gus Kuhn founded Gus Kuhn Motors in London. What started as a workshop evolved into a dealership that truly made a name for itself by customizing Norton Commandos and eventually BMWs as well. This bike is claimed to be a Kuhn Motors-prepped endurance racer that’s currently ready to race thanks to a recent …
Target Design MV Agusta 750S
View Post1983 BMW R80GS
Arguably the motorcycle that created the ‘adventure bike’ segment, the R80GS (and successors) has been invaluable to BMW. It’s also becoming harder and harder to find a good example.
Project Bike – 1969 BMW /2 Chopper
Alright, I suspect this won’t go over well with most of you, and I look forward to hearing just what you think…
Restored Cafe in Canada – 1983 BMW R80S
Now, did you think I made a typo with the “80” or the “S”? Either way, BMW never made a R80S, but this former R80RT has been converted to look like one, thanks to custom touches like this rear badge:
1969 Zundapp 250 Custom
This Zundapp was acquired at the 2013 MidAmerica auction at Pebble Beach, and then sent over to Ziggy at Classic Motorcycles for a little bit of custom work. What do you think about it?
Rare in the US – 1951 Tornado STW100
I really struggled to find information on this bike, which is rare even in its home market of Germany. Anybody out there have some experience with Tornados?
1967 VW Beetle Trike
From the factory, a ’67 VW Beetle produced 53 horsepower. Thanks to an interesting reverse trike conversion with the powertrain from a 1,100cc Suzuki Katana, this Beetle now produced 136 ponies!
Tribute Needs Work – 1954 Horex Replica Racer
A barely-known German motorcycle manufacturer, Horex was founded in 1920 and then acquired in 1960 by Daimler-Benz, who ended bike production. The seller of this bike says that when he acquired it as part of a collection, he was told it was a “1954ish Factory Werks Horex twin overhead cam road racer”. Over time, he now says “the consensus belief …