View Post

1993 Yamaha WR500Z

In Japan, Off-Road by Abhi1 Comment

Built by blending the YZ250 and YZ490, the WR500 was a rare offering (1,000 sold as 1992 and 1993 models) that was best served as a trail bike that could mix it up on the race track every once in a while.

View Post

2010 Honda NT700 Deauville

In Japan, Touring by Chris Cope4 Comments

“I’ve had a NT700V Deauville for the last three years,” wrote reader Luke Rogers in response to my offhand comment about the model in a post on the NTV600 Revere. “It’s everything everyone says: boring, underpowered, utterly bulletproof… It’s the most boring motorcycle I’ve ever owned. It’s the best form of transport I’ve ever owned.”

View Post

Buy My Bike With No Reserve – 196x Honda CB175

In Japan, Race by Abhi2 Comments

OK – I know that I owe you some updates on my “racing a CB160” story but the short version is that it went…not as well as my Kramer racing went. With that said, I’m switching things up for this year’s AHRMA season and going with a bigger bike that I can actually fit on: a BMW R75/5. I’ll explain …

View Post

1983 Honda CB1100F Bol D’or

In Japan, Sport by Chris Cope12 Comments

Based on the popular CB900F (1979-1983) and driven by the same 1062cc air-cooled inline four engine that drove the CB1100R (“but with less of the hand-crafted attention that made the 1100R so much of a cult bike,” according to Classic Motorcycle Mechanics), the CB1100F was sold from 1982 to 1984. Different markets saw different versions, and this example, paying homage …

View Post

1973 Suzuki GT550

In Japan, Standard by Chris Cope7 Comments

You may have seen recently that Kawasaki is bringing two-strokes back. Whether it is promising a street bike (probably not) or something more off-road focused is uncertain. It’s been quite a while since two-stroke engines featured in street bikes. Even 52 years ago, when this GT550 was produced, it was clear that the end was nigh. Or, well, it was …

View Post

1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 A2

In Japan, Sport by Chris Cope7 Comments

It’s probably the Kawasaki owner in me that loves these bikes so much. Back in November, I drew your attention to a customized 1978 KZ1000 A2. But here’s an example that’s much more in line with what the manufacturer originally intended. The bike has been restored, but the seller says that it’s been kept “as stock as possible.” Without question, …

View Post

1987 Yamaha SRX250

In Japan, Sport by Abhi5 Comments

For decades, Kawasaki ruled the 250cc ‘sport’bike market – though Honda has recently taken a chunk of the market with their CBR250R. Honda also challenged the little Ninja in the 80s with the VTR250, though it did not have much commercial success. For one year in the States, even Yamaha threw their hat into the ring with the Yamaha SRX250.

View Post

2003 Suzuki SV650S

In Custom, Japan, Sport by Abhi3 Comments

Other models have surpassed it since but the SV650 has been a favorite of many riders for over two decades – it was introduced in 1999 and is still offered in showrooms today! In 2003 and 2004, Cycle World praised the SV650 and the SV650S as the Best Standard Bike, noting that “SV” could have stood for “Suprisingly Versatile.” This …

View Post

1997 Honda RVF400 NC35

In Japan, Sport by Chris Cope4 Comments

Oooh, pretty thing is pretty. And somewhat unique. The RVF400 NC35 is one of those bikes that, if mentioned in the company of sport-riding men of a certain age, causes their eyes to go all funny and voice to crack.