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2,700 Miles – 1989 Honda Transalp

In Dual-Sport, Japan by Abhi1 Comment

Post-Sale Update: After 6 bids on eBay, this Honda Transalp sold for $2,700. The Honda Transalp was a dual-sport that was truly ahead of its time. A slightly less off-road biased cousin of the Honda Africa Twin, the Transalp was first released in 1987. This was one of the odder bikes that Honda ever sold – truly a jack of …

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Great Deal – 2005 BMW R1200GS

In Dual-Sport, Germany by AbhiLeave a Comment

I think the R1200GS is a great bike, but it’s just a little too common for me to feature regularly on Bike-urious. With that said, I’ve made a point in the past of featuring a less unique bike if it’s a smoking deal – and I think this GS fits the bill. It’s been well loved for the last 26,000 …

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Ending Soon – 2006 Triumph Scrambler Custom

In Dual-Sport, England by AbhiLeave a Comment

Launched in 2006, the Triumph Scrambler 900 was the last bike designed by John Mockett, responsible for most of Triumph’s bikes starting all the way back in 1989. Mockett liked modular design plans, which is why the Scrambler is basically a Bonneville with a few off-road tweaks. Here’s a Triumph Scrambler that’s had a lot of further work done to …

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1973 Rockford Chibi 60 Deluxe

In America, Dual-Sport, Small Displacement by Abhi2 Comments

Rockford Motors was the American importer for the wonderful Bridgestone motorcycles that occasionally dotted US roads. In ’71, Bridgestone stopped selling bikes, leaving Rockford with a bit of a hole in their product portfolio. They decided to take over manufacturing rights for the tiniest Bridgestones, specifically the 100cc “Taka” and two 60cc bikes – the “Tora” and the Rockford Chibi …

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1 Owner – 1993 BMW R100GSPD

In Dual-Sport, Germany by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This Paris-Dakar sold for $7,900 after 31 bids on eBay. The BMW R100GSPD (PD stands for Paris-Dakar) is my favorite of the dual-sporting BMW’s – even if this specific example is yet more proof of my theory that in the 80s and early 90s, BMW’s designers had a lot of trouble with color selection.

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Postie – 2004 Honda CT110

In Dual-Sport, Japan, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This Postie did not get any attention at the opening bid of $2,200. The successor to the CT90, the CT110 is clutchless, meaning your left hand is much more free to do other things, like…delivering mail. For years, Australia and New Zealand used these bikes for their postal workers, and the little CT110 has affectionately become known …

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1969 BSA 441 Victor

In Dual-Sport, England by Abhi6 Comments

In the early 60’s, BSA’s race team was developing a large single in the hopes of winning the 500cc world motocross championship. A 441cc engine ended up being the ticket, which helped BSA capture the 500cc championship in ’64 and ’65. The following year, the company released the BSA 441 Victor Special to the public.

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1970 Montesa King Scorpion 250

In Dual-Sport, Spain by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Montesa King Scorpion 250 was one of the bikes that changed public perception of what a dual sport machine was. Instead of taking a street machine and tacking on ‘dirt’ features, Montesa introduced the concept of starting with a true off-roader, and then tacking on lights and indicators to make it street legal.

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1976 Yamaha XT500

In Dual-Sport, Japan by Abhi2 Comments

Post-Listing Update: Though the price was lowered to $8,500, this Yamaha XT500 (lovely as it is) got no takers this time on eBay. Alright, I’ll preface this by saying the seller’s BIN price is a little nutty – but that’s what the “Make Offer” button is for. The Yamaha XT500 was the original Yamaha thumper, and an instant sales success. …

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Rally Raid – 2002 Aprilia Caponord

In Dual-Sport, Italy by AbhiLeave a Comment

Did you know (I sure as hell didn’t) that in 2003, Aprilia released a limited edition of its Caponord dual-sport called the Rally Raid, which was a surprisingly different bike. Between 350-380 were sold – none in the US, so the seller of this bike took it upon himself to acquire Rally Raid specific parts and modify his US model …

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1987 Honda TR200 Fat Cat

In Dual-Sport, Japan by Abhi3 Comments

Sold for just two years, the Honda TR200 (better known as the Fat Cat) was similar to the more popular Yamaha TW200. With a 199cc four-stroke engine putting power through a five speed transmission and an automatic clutch, this bike was unique due to its use of two ATV-style tires.