Post Sale Update: This CL125A sold for $1,875 after 50 bids on eBay. Introduced in 1967, the CL125A Scrambler featured the smallest overhead cam four-stroke twin that Honda ever built.
One Owner – 2004 KTM 625 SXC
In their review of the 625 SXC, Dirt Bike magazine called it “a great, big beast that makes even a Honda 650R seem small.” The XR650R was much more popular, however, and that’s why the big KTM is now a relatively rare find – especially a one-owner bike with just 1,400 miles after a decade and a half of use.
Ending Soon – 2009 Kawasaki KLR650 M1030M1
Post Sale Update: This diesel KLR sold for $7,113 after 20 bids on eBay. 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 …
1974 Penton Mudlark
The Penton Mudlark is one of the rare flops from John Penton and his now defunct manufacturing firm. Originally designed as a trials bike, it was even called the “Penton Trials” when it was released. Almost immediately, it was met with poor reviews.
2007 BMW G650 XChallenge with SherpaX Trailer
Trailers are rare enough in the world of motorcycling, but they’re almost always found on pavement. Well, a Canadian company called KIP Moto has developed an off-road trailer designed to be towed with an enduro. Called the SherpaX, the trailer weighs 30 pounds, offers almost 4″ of suspension travel, and features a cargo basket that’s designed to accept a Rubbermaid …
119 Miles – 1971 Rockford Taka 100
Following up on the Bridgestone Hurricane also available today, it seems appropriate to mention Rockford Motors. They were the American importer for Bridgestone, but when the Japanese firm stopped selling bikes in 1971, Rockford had a bit of an issue. They made a deal with Bridgestone to take over manufacturing rights for the 3 smallest bikes – two 60cc models …
Street Legal – 1967 Rickman Metisse
In 2013, this Metisse “underwent modifications to adapt a period appropriate headlamp and taillamp/stop lamp and horn set up to make it street legal”. Would you ever put it on pavement?
2003 Cannondale E440
The swansong of the Cannondale motorcycles (a short-lived subsidiary of the American bicycle company) was the E440, an enduro twin of the X440 motocrosser. It was a disaster, the culmination of an $80 million investment that bankrupted the motorcycle division.
2011 KTM 990 Adventure Dakar Edition
In the upcoming issue of Motorcyclist magazine, I’ll feature a few bikes that are “Performance Steals” for the Smart Money column. One of them is the KTM 990 Adventure, which was the most off-road capable big bike of its time. In 2011, KTM offered a “Dakar Edition” which yielded slightly more peak horsepower thanks to a 500-rpm higher rev limit, …
Unexpected Custom – Yamaha Seca 2 Dual-Sport
My first bike after undergrad was a beat up Yamaha Seca 2 that I bought for $600. I thought it was a pleasant bike, but I never thought it would make a good platform to go off-road with. Thankfully, the builder of this bike doesn’t think like I do.
1964 Gilera 124 Fuori Strada Enduro
Post Listing Update: This Gilera did not meet reserve despite 23 bids up to $1,508 on eBay Described by the seller (Michael Harper) as a “rare limited edition enduro version of the Sei Giorni Speciale”, this Fuori Strada (which translates to “off-road” is apparently a one-year only model. I’ve never encountered one before, and it’s a tough one to find …
Street Legal – 1976 Husqvarna 250 WR
The styling of the front fender doesn’t match the rest of the bike, but the dual-sport kit means that this iconic Husky is now street legal. Take the good with the bad, and then maybe take some time to get a different headlight and front fender. The 250 WR is one of Husqvarna’s most famous machines, as it was one …
First Year – 1966 Honda CT90
Honda produced the CT90 for 13 years, an evolution of the varying small displacement trail bikes that were marketed to farmers, hunters, and other people with a sense of adventure. The model started as a spinoff of the Super Cub, and for 1966 Honda dropped previous designations and went with CT90 – though you may remember it as the Trail …
2003 KTM 525 EXC
Short of the engineering masterpieces that are modern day supernakeds, I don’t know if it is possible to have more fun on the street in terms of smiles per gallon and value for money than a dual-sport or supermoto. I don’t care how much power you have, there’s nothing more fun than all of it. The KTM 525 EXC made …
1990 BMW R100GS Paris-Dakar
Post Sale Update: This PD sold for the BIN of $5,500 on eBay. In 1980, BMW released the R80GS, confirming their ability to upset the market with truly innovative bikes that would set standards in several segments of the market. In 1987, BMW went one step further in the development of the most successful big trailie and released the R100GS …