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1984 Moto Guzzi California II

In Cruiser, Italy by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

The California is easily one of Moto Guzzi’s best-known and best-loved models. It was born of a collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Department back in 1969, and built around Moto Guzzi’s equally iconic V7 roadster. The bike was a hit and found itself added to the fleets of a number of other police departments. But it wasn’t too long …

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1983 Yamaha Virago 750 Midnight Special

In Cruiser, Japan by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This Virago did not meet reserve with 16 bids up to $2,425 on eBay. On the surface, there’s not much that’s special about a Yamaha Virago. But perhaps that’s part of what makes it special. The Virago was an everyman metric cruiser that was offered in pretty much every engine size imaginable over the course of its …

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Tracker-Style Custom – 2016 Indian Scout

In America, Cruiser, Custom, Travel by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Almost as soon as Indian Motorcycle revealed its modern Scout cruiser back in 2014, riders were lamenting the fact the brand had chosen to put an enthusiastic, revvy V-twin in a platform that had the cornering ability of a refrigerator. (And, quite possibly some of the worst OEM tires imaginable). This feeling was exacerbated when Indian drafted in Roland Sands …

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1992 Harley-Davidson FXRT Sport Glide

In America, Cruiser, Custom by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This Harley sold for a BIN of $12,500 on eBay. I can’t decide whether I love or hate the paint job on this FXRT. It’s the blessing and curse of Harleys that the vast majority of them carry the decisions of their owners, meaning any potential buyer of a secondhand model has to come to terms with …

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2000 Excelsior-Henderson Super X

In America, Cruiser by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

The world of motorcycling has always been heavily populated by dreamers and charlatans. I suppose such a statement could be applied to most business sectors, but in motorcycling it can be particularly hard to tell who is who. Is a person naive or nefarious; sometimes even the person themself doesn’t know.

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1966 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide FLH

In America, Cruiser by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: this Harley-Davidson did not meet reserve with 61 bids up to $19,900 on eBay. 1966 was the first year of the Shovelhead motor, a powerplant that would last until 1984 when Harley introduced the Evolution. The “Electra Glide” name signified that this bike had an electric starter which was introduced only a year prior. Cycle World was …

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1999 Honda VT1100 Shadow Tourer

In Cruiser, Japan by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Those saddlebags, though. That’s the feature that has drawn my attention to this listing. Just look at those saddlebags, man. Look how well they fit the lines of the bike. You don’t often find that kind of aesthetic flow with luggage. Of course, everything comes crashing back to Earth when your eye turns to those basic alloy wheels. But if …

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Made in Gilroy – 2000 Indian Chief Centennial

In America, Cruiser by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

You probably know that the history of Indian Motorcycle between 1953 (when the original Indian Motocycle Co. went bust) and 2011 (when Polaris took over the marque) is murky and filled with charlatans and dreamers. In that 58-year period, no less than 10 individuals or entities laid claim to the Indian name, each offering (or promising to offer) a new …

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1947 Harley-Davidson FL with Sidecar

In America, Cruiser by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

If you’re like me, you kinda clocked out halfway through Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, when it went from travelog to philosophical ponderance. I’m more of a John Sutherland guy ─ I like wearing a leather jacket because it looks cool, and I don’t really want to mess with tappets ─ so, once he left the …

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100th Anniversary – 2003 Harley-Davidson V-Rod

In America, Cruiser by AbhiLeave a Comment

In 2001, Harley-Davidson released the V-Twin Racing Street Custom (VRSC). You may remember it as the V-Rod. A muscle bike that was used as a base for drag racing, Harley got some attention with this bike because the Revolution v-twin engine was jointly developed with Porsche. For 2003, Harley-Davidson celebrated their 100th Anniversary with special variants of their most popular …

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1987 Honda Super Magna

In Cruiser, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

For the 1987 model year, Honda added some dragster style to the Magna to compensate for the slight displacement reduction due to the ’83 motorcycle tariff (which expired in 1988). In other markets, this generation of the Magna was offered with a 750cc engine, but Americans got a 700cc motor. I’ve featured a couple of these before and both times …