“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.”
1978 BMW R100RS
The BMW R100RS was the flagship of BMW’s late 70s lineup. With the world’s first full factory fairing, it was Germany’s answer to Japan’s big tourers like the Goldwing.
1987 Cagiva Alazzurra 650 SS
A quick look through the archives of Bike-urious suggests that Cagiva’s Alazzurra 650 SS is an acquired taste. Which is a polite way of saying that bikes highlighted in 2017 and 2016 struggled to find buyers. With its ostensibly low asking price, you would think this particular piece of Italian history might have a chance, but who knows? The only …
1944 Harley-Davidson E Model
There are a few questions to be asked about this particular bike, and considering its price tag I reckon they’re worth asking.
1977 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide
Harley-Davidson motorcycles aren’t particularly unique, of course. But finding one that isn’t a victim of a previous owner’s questionable taste can be challenging. Perhaps only Suzuki’s Hayabusa falls victim to the bling stick more quickly than a Harley. So, that’s what makes this 48-year-old Electra Glide special: the machine you see here is pretty much the same one that AMF …
1981 Ducati Pantah 500SL
One of the lesser-known bikes in Ducati’s history is the distinctively-styled Pantah 500SL, a replacement to the 350/500 parallel twins that stunk up the marketplace. They’re hard to find in original or restored condition – this is one of the latter. Basic specifications included 45 horsepower at 9,000 rpm, a top speed of 115 miles per hour, and a wet …
In England – Supercharged Triumph Speed Triple RR
Here’s a bit of psycho exotica from the UK: a supercharged 230 horsepower (at the wheel) Triumph Speed Triple with just 250 miles on the clock. I’ve actually seen this bike racking up a few of those miles, about two years ago at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I have the good fortune of living in a tourist town just …
2023 BMW M1000R
Yes, I know it’s another BMW and it’s almost new, but there’s no denying that this thing is unique. “Wild… stupid power and wings.” That’s how the UK’s Bike magazine described BMW’s M 1000 R supernaked. When MCN Deputy Editor Emma Franklin rode one last year her response was: “Thanks for that. You’ve ruined other bikes for me now.”
Buy My Bike With No Reserve – 196x Honda CB175
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 …
Toaster Tank – 1973 BMW R75/5
BMWs are not an unfamiliar sight here at Bike-urious, and the R75/5 is a model that shows up with a certain regularity in the archives. But it’s been several years since an original R75/5 has been featured. Most have been customized or dramatically modified in some way. Whereas this beauty is pretty much the same bike that rolled off the …
2006 Suzuki RM250 Ricky Carmichael Edition
2005 marked the last time that a two-stroker won an AMA Supercross championship, and the feat was accomplished by Ricky Carmichael on a Team Makita Suzuki. To commemorate the feat, Suzuki announced a limited edition model for the following year.
123K Miles, One Owner – 2001 BMW K1200LT
BMW’s marketing department would tell you that the “LT” in K1200LT stands for Luxury Touring. My favorite BMW mechanic would always tell me it stood for “Light Truck.” This isn’t a bad thing, though he (and I) do prefer bikes that weigh less than ~850 pounds. But as our buddy Greg Shamieh of Rolling Physics Problem would tell you, “nothing …
1987 Honda NSR80 With 62 Kilometers
US minibike enthusiasts will be familiar with the Honda NSR50. Japan got a 80cc variant that was never sold in the US, but here’s an example that’s somehow made it across the ocean.
2002 BMW R1200C
Most people know the R1200C as the James Bond bike. Because seemingly that’s the only person who ever actually rode one. Or, at least, I’ve never seen one in the wild.
Nice Price – 2004 BMW R1100S
Thanks to the S1000RR, the idea of BMW making a true sportbike is no longer a laughing matter. Back in 1999, however, BMW took the most powerful boxer engine it had at the time and made their most aggressive looking bike so far, the BMW R1100S. Despite the looks, this is more of a sport-tourer than an outright sports bike.