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Avonaire Fairing – 1968 BMW R69S

In Germany, Touring by Abhi3 Comments

Post Sale Update: This R69S sold for the BIN of $22,000 on eBay in East Palestine, Ohio. From a 1962 review in Cycle World: “Whatever the BMW’s merits in a contest of speed, it is still the smoothest, best finished, quietest and cleanest motorcycle it has ever been our pleasure to ride. To be honest, we think that anyone who …

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Mammoth In New Zealand – 1969 Munch Mammut

In Germany, Touring by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This Munch did not meet reserve despite 42 bids up to $69,999 on eBay in Warkworth, New Zealand. Considered by some to be the world’s first superbike, the Munch Mammoth (Mammut) was revealed to the world four years before Honda opened some eyes with the CB750. It was aptly named, with a 996cc four-cylinder car engine from …

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1983 Yamaha XV920 Tour Deluxe

In Japan, Touring by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Virago was introduced in 1981 with a 750cc motor as Yamaha’s first V-Twin cruiser. A year later, Yamaha introduced a 920cc option for $500 more ($3,700 total), though it also got you double disc brakes and a stiffer spring in the rear shock. Both displacements had a “Tour Deluxe” option, which provided a full-sized fairing, saddlebag, trunk, and “an …

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1 Owner – 1997 Suzuki RF900R

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

With an engine derived from the GSX-R1100, the Suzuki RF900R was designed as a entry-level bike in the sport-touring market, undercutting the competition by about $1,500. Despite the pricing, you still got a solid sport-tourer with odd styling that Suzuki claimed was “inspired a stingray.” Sales weren’t great.

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Signed By The Designer – 1993 Yamaha GTS1000

In Japan, Touring by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This GTS was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The GTS1000 was full of technology that would not make its way to most bikes for years to come, including fuel injection, ABS brakes, and most importantly, the RADD front suspension designed by James Parker. This suspension was able to isolate braking from damping, leading to …

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1998 Honda VFR800 Interceptor

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

The fifth-gen Honda VFR800 brought the model into the modern era with a bump in displacement (if not power), Y2K styling, amd the addition of fuel injection. This 1998 VFR is a first-year model from one of the best all-around bikes of all time – and Honda had the good sense to bring the “Interceptor” name back for it.

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2003 Ducati ST4S

In Italy, Touring by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This ST4S did not meet reserve despite 33 bids up to $4,950 in Jacksonville, Florida. A sportbike with practicality, the ST4s was introduced in 2001 as Ducati’s top-of-the-line touring bike, distinguishing itself with the 4-valve 996cc superbike motor and Ohlins rear shock. That was paired with fully adjustable Showa fork, color-matched luggage, and the other features that …

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2008 Benelli Tre-K 1130

In Italy, Touring by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This Tre-K did not get any interest at the opening bid of $6,900 on eBay. On my way out to Florida to attempt the Coast to Coast in 50 Hour Challenge, I spent Day 4 with Bike-urious reader Rusty M. He’s got a wonderful collection of motorcycles in Tennessee, though it looks like it’s about to get …

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1996 BMW R1100RS

In Germany, Less than 5k, Touring by AbhiLeave a Comment

BMW arguably created the sport-touring segment with the R100RS, though future evolutions like the 1100, 1150, and 1200 weren’t as commercially successful. Still, they’re very competent machines that go fast enough an far enough in relative comfort. For $2,500, you could easily criss-cross the country a few times and still be ready for more.

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1992 Yamaha TDM850

In Japan, Touring by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Yamaha TDM 850 is definitely an oddball…a well-rounded bike in a US market that seems to prefer hyper-specialization. Sold in the US for only two years (1992-1993), there aren’t very many of these bikes still around, but the TDM definitely has a cult following. Well suited for tall riders, Yamaha designed this bike to enjoy mountain roads and also …