Post-Sale Update: After 14 bids on eBay, this Indian Scout 249 sold for $5,500. The Indian Scout 249 was one of the last bikes made by Indian before it eventually went out of business in 1953. To be fair, Indian was on its deathbed since 1945, when Ralph Rogers bought a controlling interest and discontinued traditional Indian bikes like the …
1 of 50: 2003 Moto Guzzi LeMans Rosso Corsa
Post Sale Update: This Moto Guzzi LeMans Rosso Corsa failed to get any bids on eBay at a starting bid of $6,500. The Moto Guzzi LeMans Rosso Corsa is a rare version of an already rare bike. Only 50 of the Rosso Corsa editions were brought to the United States. Based on the previous generation of the venerable LeMans, this …
1994 Honda Pacific Coast
Post-Sale Update: After being relisted, this Honda Pacific Coast sold for $6,500. The Honda Pacific Coast was considered a radical bike when it debuted, designed specifically for the US market (and named after the PCH). With its integrated trunk, unique bodywork, and automotive-like instrumentation, the Pacific Coast was marketed towards white-collar professionals as an easy daily rider.
1986 Moto Guzzi Lario V65
Post Sale Update: This Moto Guzzi Lario V65 sold on eBay for $2,150. The Moto Guzzi Lario V65 was almost like a baby LeMans, but it was one of the fastest pushrod 650cc bikes ever built. Capable of nearly 125mph, it at one point broke multiple Land Speed Records, and the distinctive bodywork made this MG stand out.
1971 Suzuki T350 Rebel
Post-Sale Update: After 19 bids on eBay, this bike sold for just $995. The 1971 Suzuki T350R was an evolution of the Suzuki T350 that had been introduced in 1969. Despite the name, this bike was actually powered by a 315cc parallel twin 2-stroke engine that was capable of reaching 60mph in just over 6 seconds, and was actually capable …
1958 Ariel Square Four
Post-Sale Update: After 16 bids on eBay, this bike did not meet reserve at $17,550. The Ariel Square Four design goes all the way back to 1931, soon after Edward Turner designed an interesting new four-cylinder motorcycle engine formed from two OHC parallel twins. The design became known as the square four engine, and lent its name to this Ariel …
CVT Equipped – 2009 Honda DN-01
The Honda DN-01 was, depending on who you ask, a cruiser motorcycle, a scooter, the greatest revolution to the motorcycling industry since the Honda Cub, or a waste of time. Very unique, and very controversial, it only sold in the United States for two years, as it was a commercial failure. The issue, in our eyes, is that this wasn’t …
2009 Aprilia SVX 5.5
The Aprilia SVX 5.5 is a absolute rocket of a dual-sport supermoto. With a V-Twin engine that produces nearly 70 horsepower, and less than 320 pounds of curb weight, this bike is an incredible performer that is probably one of the most hooligan friendly bikes produced in the last twenty years.
1967 BSA Lightning
The BSA Lightning was one of three bikes BSA was cranking out in late 1960s. These three bikes played different roles – the Thunderbird was a touring rig, the Spitfire was a supersport bike, and this lovely Lightning was the ‘tweener – more of an all-around sport bike.
1966 Honda Superhawk CB77
Post Sale Update: After 16 bids, this Honda Superhawk sold for $3,900 on eBay. The Honda Superhawk, internally designated as the CB77, has the distinction of being Honda’s first sportbike. This bike, in many ways like the Vincent Black Shadow, set the template for the next 20 years of motorcycles. Unlike the Black Shadow, though, the Superhawk was known for …
V-Twin Standard – 1990 Suzuki VX800
The Suzuki VX800 is an interesting cult bike that was discontinued in the US after 3 years after disappointing sales, though the European market saw production run from 1990-1997. A classic looking naked bike, it had comfortable steering geometry and a torquey engine that helped make this bike a fantastic all-arounder, despite its 500+ pound curb weight. Oddly enough, the …
1975 Benelli Quattro
The Benelli Quattro, introduced in 1973, was Benelli’s version of the Honda CB500 – it even had the same bore and stroke. Produced for 10 years, this bike featured an air-cooled inline 4 cylinder engine fed by four(!) Dell’Orto carbs that was capable of 45 horsepower. This specific example is unfortunately not a runner – it needs a new battery …
2011 Zero XU – Electric Wonder
The Zero XU is an all electric motorcycle designed to be the perfect city commuter for those that would like to stop using gasoline – as long as you won’t miss the sensation of shifting. Realistic range is between 30-35 miles, which admittedly isn’t great. But for those of you with 5-10 mile commutes, this bike could be perfect. Battery …
1970 Triumph Tiger Daytona
This 1970 Triumph Tiger Daytona, also known as the T100R, was named after a Triumph win in the Daytona 200 race. Many people though that this was a better bike than it’s bigger brother, as it had nearly all the power but a much lighter chassis which was easier to maneuver. Cycle World called this bike a “Jekyll and Hyde”: …
1975 Suzuki GT750 – Water Buffalo
This 1975 Suzuki GT750, also known as the Water Buffalo, was a unique 738cc liquid cooled 2-stroke triple. This is the bike that put Suzuki on the map in the United States. Maintain the breaker points periodically and you’ve got yourself a bike reliable enough to be a daily rider, if you so choose. When it was first announced, riders …