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1979 Suzuki GS1000S Wes Cooley Replica

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Suzuki shocked a lot of people with the GS series, particularly with their 997cc-engined entrance into the liter bike market. It was fast, it had great handling and brakes, and over time it’s proven itself to be one of the most reliable engines in history. In 1978, Yoshimura was running a KZ1000 with Wes Cooley, but they weren’t winning races. …

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1999 Yamaha TRX850

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Over on Iconic we’ve got a rare example of a motorcycle that was never officially sold in the United States. Sales were initially disappointing and Yamaha killed it after 4 years, but the bike seems to be remembered quite fondly by moto-journalists and owners – MCN later called it “the best-kept secreting in motorcycling” and a “forgotten gem,” this bike …

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1985 Moko/Powa Design D10

In Custom, Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

I’m not ashamed to admit that I want this VERY badly, and it’s taking every ounce of my limited self-discipline to not bid on it. This is a D10, a futuristic concept bike based on a Yamaha FZ750 that was designed by a Swiss company called Moko/Powa Design. The consensus online (which seems to be from one source that a …

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Arai Classic DC “Paul Smart” Helmet

In Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Over on the auction site (Iconic Motorbikes), we’ve got a rare and interesting helmet that part of a small run that Arai did in Japan when Ducati released the Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE. “I did a stint for a year in Tokyo, Japan. During my stint I became friends with a Ducati dealer. If have the story right, someone related …

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2 Kilometers – 1984 Yamaha RZV500R

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The RZ was introduced in 1984 and was arguably the first production race replica. Built to emulate Kenny Roberts’ YZR500 factory racer, the RZ500 was the closest thing two-stroke enthusiasts had to a GP competitor for the road…as long as you didn’t live in the United States of America. Emissions rules put in place by the EPA prevented Yamaha from …

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1966 Honda CM91 Roadster Kit

In Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

The base model of this bike is something most people are familiar with – the step through Honda Cub, what James May once called the greatest machine ever. But in the late 60s, Honda was worried that scooters were losing popularity. Their solution was the Roadster Kit, which would completely change the CM91.