Post-Listing Update: Even though it was relisted, this Montesa 348 Trail never received a single bid at $1,595. Based on the revolutionary Cota, the Montesa 348 Trail was designed as a street-legal alternative that would allow you to travel nearly anywhere, albeit slowly.
1999 ATK 605 Enduro
In the world of air-cooled dirt-bikes, it’s harder to better off the showroom floor than with an ATK – a boutique manufacturer with an emphasis on top-shelf parts and minimum weight.
Fully Farkled – 2007 BMW G650X XChallenge
A slightly tangential evolution of the F650GS, the BMW G650X XChallenge was arguably the German firm’s most dedicated off-roader. With help from Aprilia and an engine from Rotax, the XChallenge (pronounce Cross Challenge) was defined as a “hard enduro”, whatever that means. Today we’ve got an example that’s been beautifully modified for serious dual-sporting adventures.
1983 Yamaha XT550
Only a few of my readers are going to care about this bike, but the ones that do are going to be ecstatic (and might even snatch it up for themselves). The Yamaha XT550 was an orphan of sorts that’s turned into a cult classic for dual-sport enthusiasts. The first of the redesigned 4-valve motor, it was only imported for …
1968 Honda CT90 K0
The Honda CT90 has an interesting folk tale of a creation story: Honda America’s first sales manager, Jack McCormack (who would go on to create the American Eagle line of bikes) noticed that a Honda dealership in Boise, Idaho was selling more Honda 50cc bikes than all 6 dealerships based in Los Angeles. The Boise dealership had swapped out the …
Dual-Sport Ducati – 1987 Cagiva Elefant 650
Post-Listing Update: This Elefant got no love at the opening bid. The Cagiva Elefant is an interesting odd-ball – an Italian dual-sport with the heart of a Ducati. Available with a 900cc or 650cc engine, this is definitely the most unique option compared to the KLR, DRZ, and XL/XR options available from Japan.
Snowbird – 2005 Honda CRF450X
Post-Sale Update: After 21 bids on eBay, this Honda CRF450X sold for $4,500. Living in Southern California, I’m almost always glad the weather is warm enough to ride all year-round. This is one of the very few times where I wish there was snow on the ground. The Honda CRF450X is already one of my favorite street-legal dual-sports, but this …
1968 Benelli Fireball 50
Post-Listing Update: This Benelli Fireball 50 did not get any action at the opening bid of $1,500. This Benelli Fireball 50 has been with the same family since new nearly 50 years ago, and has just 701 miles. It’s almost entirely original, it runs well, and it even has the original MSO and sales slip from Cosmopolitan Motors, which we …
Featured First – 1973 Yankee Z500
Post-Sale Update: After 8 bids on eBay, this Yankee Z500 sold for $3,550. In the early 70s, John Taylor of Schenectady, New York started building the Yankee Z500, an American dual-sport designed to compete with the best bikes coming out of Europe. Yankee Motor Company started by importing machines from OSSA, the Spanish off-road powerhouse, and then moved to modifying …
A Different Shade of Green – Kawasaki KLR650
Kawasaki’s trademark green has been around for decades – they even identify their MX racing effort as Team Green. But today, we have a Kawi that works for a different green…the US Marine Corps.
Ninja Warrior – 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Custom
Normally, mention of the Kawasaki Ninja 650R would lead to thoughts of a mid-sized on-road tourer, though it was more popular in Europe than it was here in the States. Today, we feature something quite unexpected – a 650R that’s been seriously modified to tackle all kinds of terrain.
1974 Montesa Cota 123
An excellent beginner trials bike (some of our readers probably started on one of these), the Montesa Cota 123 is now a simple reminder that bikes don’t have to be giant hunks of metal and horsepower for you to have fun on them. New riders are often stunned by how tiny the original Montesa’s are, likening them to a large …
1971 Honda Mini Trail 50 K2
We’re sure plenty of our wonderful readers have seat time on one of these classics, so here’s your shot at some nostalgia: a pristine Honda Mini Trail 50 K2.
Street Scrambler – 1971 Norton Commando SS
Post-Sale Update: Unfortunately, this Norton Commando SS was pulled from eBay. Final sale price unknown. Today, we feature a bike that we didn’t even know existed – the Norton Commando SS. Considering the history of Norton bikes, you’d be excused for assuming that SS stands for Super Sport, and that this might be one of a limited number of factory …
Desert Sled – 1967 Norton N15CS
Post-Listing Update: This Norton N15CS Desert Racer was pulled off of eBay after bidding hit $4,494.44, but the final sale price is unknown. After Norton moved production to Plumstead in the early 60s, they had a few leftover engines from the less-than-popular Atlas line. They threw those engines into Matchless frames to create a series of hybrids under the Norton, …