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.
In Canada – 1989 Yamaha TDR250
Yamaha called the TDR250 the “Ultimate Dual“. Thanks to a a dual-sport frame with a retuned two-stroke motor from a TZR250 sportbike, I call it weird. Whatever you call it, the US did not have anything like it, because Yamaha never officially sold it here. With that said, a few were sold in Canada, and that’s where this example is …
First Ride Review – 2022 Yamaha XSR900
View Post87 Miles – 1990 Honda NS50F
Just for 1990, America got a taste of Honda’s NSF50F two stroke “sport” bike. Despite the diminutive size, it’s a street legal bike with a claimed top speed of 55 miles per hour. It makes me think of a MB5 that got updated with liquid cooling and then painted by a Miami coke dealer. I want one.
Resurrecting a Kawasaki KZ650 – Part 4
She lives!
855 Miles – 2002 Yamaha V-Max
The name told you all you need to know: when the V-Max debuted in 1985, it was a cruiser dedicated to speed. Reviewers and consumers responded positively – it instantly won Cycle Guide’s “Bike of the Year” award and it barely had any changes for the next 22 years. It was arguably the definitive muscle bike.
63 Miles – 1982 Suzuki GS1100E
In the early 80s, Suzuki knocked off the CBX as the superbike du jour. The Suzuki GS1100E came into the market and instantly became the bike of choice for the power hungry. American press mags constantly raved about not just the power, but also the surprising handling abilities for such a large bike.
Honda “NC431V”
No, the NC431V is not an official model – but it’s a hell of combination: a 2-stroke NS400R engine shoved into a modified NC30 chassis, all wrapped up in NSR bodywork.
1,670 Miles – 2001 Kawasaki ZX-11
Here’s a final-year (and very low mileage) example of Kawasaki’s ZX-11, a bike that enjoyed a lengthy production run (from 1990-2001). When it was introduced, it was the fastest production motorcycle in the world, and it kept that title until 1996 when it was beat by the Honda Blackbird.
1973 Kawasaki H2 750 Drag Bike
Kawasaki’s H2 750 is one of the craziest motorcycles of all time because it pairs an incredible motor with a chassis that simply could not keep up. This bike keeps the motor and takes it to the next level, but also eliminates the whole “need for turning” aspect that helped the stock bike the nickname of the Widowmaker.
No Reserve – 1984 Honda CB125S With 19 Miles
A popular starter bike in the 1980s, the Honda CB125 was commonly used for motorcycle instruction and other situations that often led to abuse and wear. This one, however, looks almost new and has just 19 miles. Per the seller, “the few imperfections on this bike have more to do with storage of 38 years than actual wear.”
Well Modded – 1998 Honda VFR800
The fifth-gen Honda VFR800 brought the model into the modern era with a bump in displacement (if not power), Y2K styling, and the addition of fuel injection. This 1998 VFR is a first-year model from one of the best all-around bikes of all time – and it comes with a whole bunch of great upgrades.
546 Miles – 2006 Kawasaki KLR650/HDT M1030M1
KLR fans, take a close look at that motor. If it looks different than what you’re used to, it’s because this is a diesel-powered Kawasaki built by Hayes Diversified Technologies for the US Marine Corps. Hayes actually built 3 military Kawis – a gas-powered bike based on the KLR250 (M1030), another gas-powered bike but based on the KLR650 (M1030B1), and …
1981 Kawasaki GPz550
When Kawasaki introduced the GPz550 in 1981, it was a shot in the arm of the middleweight class. Now riders could get something fast, nimble, and sporty without having to get a big bike!
Restomod – 1983 Honda CB1100F
Post Sale Update: This CB sold for $12,000 plus the 7% buyer’s fee ($12,840 all-in) on Iconic Motorbikes. It was heavy, but it was fast. In fact, when Cycle World tested the CB1100F (an evolution of the CB900F) in January of 1983, they called it the fastest stock bike they had ever tested as it was able to hit over …