Nico Bakker made a name for himself starting back in the 70s by taking Japanese engines and enveloping them in better frames and suspensions. His focus was usually on race bikes, those in recent times he’s also built some road bikes. In the late 90s, Bakker built the Barracuda as a race bike, and he instantly started winning in the …
1967 Yamaha YDS-5
Yamaha is an interesting company, isn’t it? It makes all kinds of things and tends to be pretty good at making those things, but doesn’t seem to be very good about keeping track of those things or effectively telling their stories. Here’s an example. Sitting next to me as I write this is a probably-1969 YSL-352S trombone. If you know …
1981 Kawasaki KZ550 LTD
That Windjammer fairing is chef’s kiss, and an iconic story in and of itself. Before the days of full-dresser Gold Wings and the like, entrepreneur Craig Vetter was producing aftermarket fairings that allowed long-haul riders to go further, more comfortably.
1989 Yamaha XTZ600 Tenere
Just look at the paint scheme on this thing. It makes you want to cut the sleeves off your T-shirt and travel around the world listening to Ratt. Abhi has posted a handful of 1990s XTZ750 Super Teneres lately ─ or, excuse me, Ténéré ─ but this is the original beast. Powered by a 595cc single-cylinder engine capable of 46 …
1982 Suzuki GS1000SZ Katana
About a decade ago, I rode up to my father-in-law’s house astride a Suzuki V-Strom 1000. He visibly recoiled at the sight of my bike and hissed, “Suzuki” in the tone one might use for a sworn enemy. “I had a Suzuki in the ’70s,” he said. “Can’t even remember the name of it, it was so boring. Nothing wrong …
1992 Yamaha Super Tenere XTZ750
10-9-24 Update: Four years later, this Super Ten is still in Mill Valley and it’s still up for sale, but this time the ask is up to $8,200 and you can find it here on ADVRider. Will this be the listing that gets it sold?
2-Stroke Swap – 2000 Kawasaki Ninja 250
I’ve been on a bit of a two-stroke kick as of late so let’s keep it going with a fun swap: someone’s put a 1974 Yamaha RD250 motor into a Kawasaki Ninja 250 frame!
1983 Yamaha Riva XC180
I’ll admit I am not well enough versed in scooters to know by sight which model Macklemore rides through a wall in his music video for “Downtown,” but I know that this Yamaha Riva instantly made me think of it*. I also know that I agree with Macklemore’s sentiment that: “Eight-hundred cash, that’s a hell of a deal.”
My Old Track Bike – 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 400
You guys all know that my track/race bike is a Kramer 690, but the bike that really got me into track riding was a wonderful Ninja 400 that I remember fondly. I sold it last year but the bike is back at Iconic as the owner has to unfortunately but his track aspirations are on hold due to injury and …
1985 Yamaha XT350
“Between the small and the large, though, there is a perfect size that enhances the multi-functional nature of these “dual-purpose” motorcycles. That balance seems to be right around 350cc. This is enough displacement so that freeway travel won’t spin an engine’s heart out, without the weight and bulk that can limit off-road use mainly to smooth dirt roads.” Those are …
“OEM Plus” – 1990 Suzuki GSX-R1100
Introduced in 1986, the Suzuki GSX-R 1100 was a speed demon’s dream thanks to 137 horsepower and a wet weight of 434 pounds. Even better, it was released right after the United States lowered the import tax on bikes above 700ccs to 24.4 percent (from over 39 percent), so it actually felt like bargain to American riders. The seller of …
2001 Kawasaki LeoStar
A few days ago we featured an imported Honda NSR50 and commenter Zebulon Pike mentioned that the seller also had an interesting imported underbone scooter and I had to make sure you all saw it as well. Meet the Kawasaki LeoStar!
1998 Honda NSR50
The NSR50 was in Honda’s lineup for decades before they blessed the USA with a chance to officially try it for ourselves in 2004. Before that year, Americans had to either order one directly from HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) or try to import one through the gray market. It was well worth the effort, because Honda used components that made …
80s Racer – 1984 Yamaha RZ350
Per the seller, “this is the RZ350 that Larry Trow raced with NOCAM Racing at Portland International Raceway in the late 80’s.”
1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
In its modern iteration, I wholeheartedly believe that the Honda Gold Wing ─ relative to its intended purpose ─ is the greatest motorcycle in the world. It is very hard to find another bike that does what it’s supposed to do as well as the Wing. So, this (somewhat suspiciously) affordable first-gen model speaks to me.