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1964 Ducati Diana Mark 3

In Italy, Standard by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Do you like beautiful things? Of course you do. Do you like beautiful things that are temperamental and may cause you to set fire to your garage? Then you’ll want this 60-year-old Ducati Diana Mark 3. First, though, let me save you the trouble of getting lost in a bunch of internet rabbit holes due to confusion caused by how …

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Whitehouse Kit – 2014 Honda CB1100

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

In 2014, Honda updated the CB1100 with a new dash and a six-speed transmission. The styling remained the same – bodywork that was designed to evoke the classic lines of the CB750. But a company in Japan called Whitehouse enabled owners to make their bikes look even more like the CB750 with a bodywork kit that included the tank, fenders, …

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1962 Aermacchi Chimera 250

In Italy, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Chimera was a bit ahead of its time – despite rarely seen features (for the time) like a single rear shock and the futuristic styling, Aermacchi was only able to sell 119 examples of the 175cc variant and 177 examples of the 250cc. Here’s a rare example of the latter that’s in the US.

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1993 Moto Guzzi Strada 1000

In Italy, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Here’s a model I wasn’t familiar with previously: the Moto Guzzi Strada 1000. Based on the limited information I’ve been able to track down, these were built between ’92 and ’94 and it was a combination of the Mille GT and the SP III. Do you have any information on it?

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First Ride Review – 2024 Yamaha MT-09

In Japan, Reviews, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Normally when a company does a mid-cycle refresh on a bike, you get some minor updates like a new dash or LED lighting. Yamaha made sure they took care of those but they also brought something bigger to the table: a philosophical shift in what the MT-09 should feel like. After a 110-mile ride with it, I’m convinced they made …

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2004 Moto Guzzi Breva

In Italy, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Originally available as a 750, the Breva was given a bigger engine just as Moto Guzzi got an infusion of cash from Piaggio. The Breva was designed to be a modern naked tourer, and with the 1100 engine you could expect 72 horsepower at the rear wheel and 56 pound feet of torque.

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No Reserve – 2001 MZ Skorpion Tour

In Germany, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Skorpion was an example of what an international economy can achieve – a East German manufacturer brought together Japanese motors (from Yamaha) and a British design firm (called Seymourpowell) to create something that worked well on paper and on the road. It wasn’t a huge commercial success, but nowadays it’s definitely a cult classic.

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2016 Honda CB500F

In Japan, Less than 5k, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Back in 2015 I mentioned a wonderful blog called Rolling Physics Problem by Greg Shamieh (a frequent commenter here at Bike-urious). He’s selling his CB500F – what he calls “the great grandson of the famous CB450 ‘Black Bomber’ – only with the benefit of more than 50 years of technical evolution.”

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Flying Dragon Tribute – 1972 Honda CL350

In Japan, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

In ’72 and ’73, you could order an incredible set of alternate bodywork for CL350 or CL450 models – an idea that came from Honda’s paint department because they figured us crazy Americans were obsessed with tie dye, and some would want a similar scheme on their motorcycles. The Flying Dragon was born, but it didn’t sell well. That just …