8-20-23 Update: Five years later, this Transalp is back up for sale – though it’s now in Maine with all of two additional miles (9,765 in total) and a lower asking price. Find it for $4,800 here on ADVRider. In the late 80s, Honda offered both an AT and a TA – the Africa Twin and the Transalp. Both were …
1991 Yamaha FZR1000
The Fizzer was an instant classic when it was introduced in 1987. Just two years later, Cycle World named it the “Bike of the Decade”, thanks in part to a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of nearly 170 mph! It got a little long in the tooth, but the first generation was beloved by the press …
In France – 1979 Yamaha 350 With Corki Frame
Based in France, Moto Corki was the brainchild of Lucienne Cordonnier. He built his own frames – as noted by Satanic Mechanic it was a backbone design ‘probably inspired by Egli but unlike the Egli and its successors, the backbone extended down to the swingarm pivot in a 110 degree angle.’ Another website suggests that the Corki name came from …
BikeEXIF Feature – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 Custom
Built by Victor Wilkens of Seattle, Washington, this custom GSX-R750 has a delightfully 80s vibe but it features a 90s Bandit 1200 motor (similar power, but 20 more lb-ft of torque).
1996 Honda VFR750 RC36
I know I already featured a RC36 just a few days ago, but this one has the Corbin Beetle bags that I almost never see on this generation of Interceptor – they’re not subtle but they sure add a bunch of luggage capacity!
First Ride Review – 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+
I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the press launch for the Tracer over multiple generations going back to 2019, and throughout the years the model has impressed me with its blend of fun, practicality, and technology at a reasonable price. For 2024, Yamaha’s made a few updates and added a “+” to the name – that means it has to …
Honda-Powered EML Off-Road Racing Sidecar
This interesting off-roader combines a ’80s EML frame with a Honda XR650R motor – though the frame was originally built for a CR500 motor!
1993 Kawasaki ZX-7
In 1988, Kawasaki debuted a 750cc racebike called the ZXR-7. The following year, they released a production version – we knew it in the US as the Ninja ZX-7. The 748cc inline four engine produced 105 horsepower inside of an aluminum perimeter frame. Performance Bikes magazine saw 91 hp at the rear wheel with a 152 mph top speed in …
1997 Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace
The Yamaha YZF1000R, known outside of the US as the Thunderace, was a bit of a parts-bin bike bridged the legendary FZR1000 and even more legendary R1. It’s a bit forgotten nowadays especially as it only sold in the US for just one year, but here’s an interesting one that’s been imported from Europe.
1991 Honda VFR750 RC36
“For many, bike journalists included, the Honda VFR 750 is the best road bike ever built.” That’s how MCN starts their review of the RC36 generation of Honda’s iconic VFR. It’s legendarily reliable, is a great bike for the money, and gives you a little taste of what it’s like to ride a RC30 in the process. Here’s one that’s …
1980 Suzuki GS750E Restomod
Whenever I see a listing with the term “restomod”, it’s typically a crapshoot about what work has been done and what the seller thinks a restomod is. But here’s one that nails the intent (at least in my mind) of keeping vintage aesthetics while giving the performance a significant (modernized) boost.
1964 Honda C110 Sport 50
The second generation of the C110 started in 1962, and it featured a 49cc single paired with a 3-speed transmission. Originally, the C110 was called the Sports Cub and it was like a regular motorcycle in that you sat over it rather than the step-through design of most Cubs.
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
When the Yamaha FJ1100 was introduced in 1984, the press went nuts. Rider Magazine called it “the best large displacement sport motorcycle of 1984, and maybe even the best in its class in the history of motorcycling,” and other mags called it Bike of the Year. As other manufacturers debuted big-bore competitors that focused more on sport (like the GSX-R1100), …
CA Plated – 1989 Honda Gyro X
I’ve featured several examples of Honda’s quirky 3-wheeler called the GYRO (which is apparently an acronym for “Great Your Recreation Original.”) The US only got one of the versions, a “S” model that was focused on just carrying a rider around. But Japan got multiple variants include, the UP, the Canopy, and the X. The X was the original model, …
1986 Yamaha SRX600
The Yamaha SRX600 is a cult classic, but it started as a commercial flop. In the US, it sold for just one year, and it was during a time when American riders valued power above everything else. A relatively light weight bike with a 41 horsepower motor just didn’t cut it – but for riders who can appreciate the styling, …