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1990 Honda Zook

In Japan, Less than 5k, Scooter by Abhi4 Comments

Sold only in Japan (and only in 1990), the Zook is a rare 50cc scoot from Honda. Per this press release, Honda planned on selling 40,000 Zooks to young people “as a trendy new model” for urban transportation. They called it “fun to ride” and “fun to look at”. It features a two-stroke, 49ccm motor that produces 3 horsepower.

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1984 Kawasaki KDX200

In Dual-Sport, Japan, Less than 5k by Abhi1 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? …

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1985 WetBike

In Less than 5k, Off-Road by Abhi3 Comments

Originally introduced in 1978 by a suburb of Arctic Cat called Spirit Marine, the “WetBike” was a jetski that rode like a motorcycle. It was released a bit after Kawasaki had debuted their original jet ski, and the WetBike differed as steering was done via the handlebars rotating the front ski, as opposed to rotating the hydrojet. Owners say these …

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2001 Aprilia Falco SL1000

In Italy, Less than 5k, Sport by Abhi5 Comments

Take a Rotax V-Twin and envelope it in beautiful Italian bodywork…and say hi to the Aprilia Falco, a 996cc road bike that was split between the sport touring Futura and the supersport Mille. Unfortunately for Aprilia, buyers didn’t seem to care as much for this tweener model, and it only lasted between ’99 and ’03 before Aprilia pulled the plug.

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1986 Yamaha FJ1200

In Japan, Less than 5k, Touring by Abhi3 Comments

When the Yamaha FJ1100 was introduced in 1984, the press went nuts. Rider Magazine called it “the best large displacement sport motorcycle of 1984, and maybe even the best in its class in the history of motorcycling,” and other mags called it Bike of the Year. As other manufacturers debuted big-bore competitors that focused more on sport (like the GSX-R1100), …

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CA Plated – 1989 Honda Gyro X

In Japan, Less than 5k, Small Displacement by AbhiLeave a Comment!

I’ve featured several examples of Honda’s quirky 3-wheeler called the GYRO (which is apparently an acronym for “Great Your Recreation Original.”) The US only got one of the versions, a “S” model that was focused on just carrying a rider around. But Japan got multiple variants include, the UP, the Canopy, and the X. The X was the original model, …

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497 Miles – 1986 Honda Gyro S

In 3 Wheels, Japan, Less than 5k by AbhiLeave a Comment!

Introduced in 1982, the Gyro series of scoots are three-wheelers (one in the front, two in the back) where the body is able to lean up to 40 degrees compared to the rear axle! GYRO is actually an acronym, which stands for “Great Your Recreation Original”. Well, the translation’s not great, but you get the idea. The initial designs were …

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1973 BGW Trakcycle

In America, Less than 5k, Off-Road, Small Displacement by Abhi8 Comments

Introduced in 1972, the Trakcycle was a creation of BGW Industries in Mansfield, Ohio – a October 1972 issue of Popular Mechanics says that the Trakcycle “represents just about the ultimate in all-season, go-anywhere ruggedness and versatility. Its rubber-ribbed, cord-reinforced track belt is nearly a foot wide and heavily treaded, giving the bike tremendous traction.”