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1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Of all the Japanese turbo wonder bikes of the 80s, Suzuki’s effort was the rarest. Just 1,153 examples of the XN85 Turbo were built, and it had the distinction of being the first production motorcycle with a 16″ front wheel. When paired with the Full Floater rear suspension, that resulted in a machine that Motorcyclist magazine described as such: “Nothing …

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1953 Motoconfort 125

In France, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

8-4-19 Update: 18 months later, Rod M notes that this bike is back up for sale. It’s a bit suspicious that the photos are screengrabs, but the asking price is down from $6,100 to $3,400 and the seller claims that it was recently serviced with a new crankshaft. Find it for sale here on Craigslist. Founded in 1925, Motoconfort was …

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Dab Motors’ Yard Build “Alter” – Yamaha XSR900 Custom

In Custom, Japan by Tim HuberLeave a Comment

Built by France’s Dab Motors, this official Yamaha Yard Built commission, named “Alter”, was created using an array of trick cutting edge technologies and materials. Starting with a 2018 XSR900, Dab rid the Yamaha of its stock bodywork and subframe before designing a new aluminum unit made through a fancy 3D printing process known as laser beam melting. The same …

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1 of 500 – 1990 Yamaha FZR750R OW01

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This OW01 did not meet reserve despite 37 bids up to $17,200 on eBay in Tucson, Arizona. I love the Honda RC30, but Yamaha’s corresponding homologation special makes the Honda look almost common. Just 500 examples were built worldwide, and it came with a $5,000 price premium over the Honda, as well. Both bikes were built to …

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1 of 760 – 1973 Yankee 500Z

In America, Dual-Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: This 500Z sold for $6,000 after 20 bids on eBay in Cedar Crest, New Mexico. We’ve got two Yankees in two months! As I’ve mentioned several times before, the Yankee 500Z was the brainchild of John Taylor, the American importer for OSSA and Bultaco. He thought American dirt bikes should be able to compete with Europe’s best …