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1985 Yamaha XT350

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

“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 …

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Ex-Military – 2016 Christini 450

In America, Dual-Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

You’ve seen two wheel drive bikes before thanks to companies like Rokon. But thanks to a fancy mechanical system enclosed within the head tub and frame, Christini has been the most successful manufacturer of two wheel drive bikes that can go anywhere and do it quickly. They’re also the only one who had any success (though limited) with selling bikes …

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1975 Suzuki TS400 Apache

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Built between 1972 and 1979, the TS400 was the largest of Suzuki’s two-stroke off-road family. Suzuki had a wide range of “T” bikes – TM was for motocross, TC, was for trail, TF was for farm, and TS was the enduro. The 400 produced 34 horsepower and 29.7 pound-feet of torque. Dry weight was 277 pounds, and Suzuki guaranteed their …

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Restored – 1976 Yamaha XT500

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Yamaha’s XT500 was an instant sales success and it led to a full series of XT bikes. Thanks to the big thumper of an engine and the ample ground clearance, it was good for just about anything you could throw at it. This enduro bike was produced for 15 years, eventually leading to an entire range of “XT” bikes of …

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1991 Yamaha Super Tenere XTZ750

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Right now you can walk into a Honda or Yamaha dealership and get a modern Africa Twin or Super Tenere. But in the US, the same couldn’t have been said a couple of decades ago. You can occasionally find ’90s examples of the AT and ST thanks to grey market imports, but the latter is much harder to source.

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In The Crate – 1976 Harley-Davidson SX175

In America, Dual-Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This SX175 did not meet reserve with just an opening bid of $5,000. In 1969, Yamaha released its wildly popular 250cc DT-1, selling around 50,000 units in its first couple years of production. Other manufacturers took notice of this, including Harley-Davidson. They would toss their hat in the MX-ring the following year in an effort to nab …

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1984 Kawasaki KDX200

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

As Dirt Bike Magazine put it in their model history of the KDX200, “To this day, no one can clearly define the Kawasaki KDX200. Was it a beginner bike designed to teach wives and kids the fine art of off-road riding? Or was it a Navy SEAL of a bike built for the toughest enduros and the most grizzled riders? …