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Lightweight ADV – 1988 Honda NX250

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

The easy complaint with what manufacturers are calling “ADV Bikes” nowadays is that they’re just too damn big. If you also subscribe to that theory, let me go back in time a few decades with you. The middle weight of the Honda NX line-up (which also included a 125 and a 650) was the NX250, which was available for just …

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1960 Matchless G80CS

In Dual-Sport, England by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: After 32 bids on eBay, this Matchless did not meet reserve at $6,700. CS stands for Competition Suspension, and for several years it was the top-of-the-line variant of the G80 (if you ignore the 125 examples of the rare Typhoon G80TCS). In Matchless’ mind, all you had to do was pull off the headlight and you’d have …

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Diesel Power – 2009 Kawasaki M1030M1

In America, Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: The seller lowered the asking price to $14,000 from the original $30k but that still wasn’t enough to attract any attention. 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 …

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1989 Yamaha TDR250

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

I didn’t feature a TDR250 for years, but now this is the third one I’ve seen in the last month! Considering how unique it is, I’m OK with that – a dual-sport frame with a retuned two-stroke motor from a TZR250 sportbike is a recipe for success in my book. Yamaha called it “Ultimate Dual”. I call it weird. Whatever …

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First Year – 1988 Honda XRV650 Africa Twin RD03

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This Africa Twin sold for $8,700 after 37 bids on eBay. The first generation of the Africa Twin was introduced in 1988 in response to Honda’s success with the NXR750 racebike – it would end up winning Paris-Dakar four years in a row, starting in 1986. Honda already had the single-cylinder NX650 and the V-Twin Transalp, but …

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Santa Barbara – 1964 Yamaha YA6

In Dual-Sport, Japan, Less than 5k, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

The YA6 was best known for being Yamaha’s first production bike with automatic oil injection – you may remember the feature by the name of “Autolube.” The oil injection was immensely popular and was offered throughout Yamaha’s lineup for decades. The YA6 was much less successful, making them a rare find nowadays. This survivor has remained in good shape and …

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Why Buy New? 1989 Yamaha TW200

In Dual-Sport, Japan, Less than 5k by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This TW200 sold for $1,526 after 28 bids on eBay. Over the years, Yamaha’s TW200 has barely changed – they just announced the specifications for the 2018 model a couple of months ago and it’s still going to be rocking carbs instead of fuel injection. In fact, over a 30+ year model run Yamaha has only given …

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2008 BMW G650X Xcountry

In Dual-Sport, Germany by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Last week I featured a BMW Xmoto, one of the three G650X variants BMW Motorrad produced starting in 2006. While the Xmoto only saw a single year of production, BMW made the Xchallenge for four years, and Xcountry for six. Despite a half dozen years in production, Xcountry “Xamples” are surprisingly rare as it appears not that many were made, …