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1960 NSU Super Max

In Germany, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

After World War II, NSU found themselves with factories that had been destroyed. But they were able to persevere and in 1952 they released the Max, one of the most popular quarter-liter bikes of the 50s – 97,120 bikes were sold. Fast forward four years and NSU introduced the Supermax, which featured a 18 horsepower single good for a top …

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1984 Kawasaki KDX200

In Dual-Sport, Japan, Less than 5k by AbhiLeave a 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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Well Modified – 2006 BMW K1200S

In Germany, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

I’ll admit that when I first saw this bike, I didn’t click through the listing as I figured it had aftermarket bodywork after some sort of crash. But I’m glad I decided to look into it closer, as the owner of this bike since new is Jerry Finley, the owner of Pirate’s Lair, a K-bike parts specialty shop. Unfortunately, it …

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1986 Honda XL600R

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

Honda’s XL/XR series has been the mount of choice for enduro riders for decades, and the XL600R was a popular option in the 80s – Dirt Rider magazine said it was the best in the dirt of the open class dual purpose bikes (including the Kawasaki KL600 and Yamaha XT600).

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Dustbin Fairing – 2009 Moto Guzzi V7

In Custom, Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

I’ve always loved the aesthetics of dustbin fairings, though they were banned in 1957 as FIM thought that they made bikes unstable at high speeds as soon as a little bit of yaw was introduced – plus the limited steering lock and stability when encountering crosswinds. I’m sure modern technology and aero could help with that, but I think we’re …

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Well Preserved – 1990 Honda Transalp

In Dual-Sport, Japan by AbhiLeave a Comment

8-20-23 Update: Five years later, this Transalp is back up for sale – though it’s now in Maine with all of two additional miles (9,765 in total) and a lower asking price. Find it for $4,800 here on ADVRider. In the late 80s, Honda offered both an AT and a TA – the Africa Twin and the Transalp. Both were …

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130 of 170 – 2002 Moto Guzzi V11 LeMans Tenni

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Moto Guzzi LeMans Tenni was a limited production model produced only in ’02 and ’03. Just 170 examples were produced, and the most obvious difference is the custom paint scheme and large quasi-dustbin fairing. It was named after Omobono Tenni, who was also know as the Black Devil or Red Bullet. Tenni was the first non-Brit to win the …

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1991 Yamaha FZR1000

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Fizzer was an instant classic when it was introduced in 1987. Just two years later, Cycle World named it the “Bike of the Decade”, thanks in part to a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of nearly 170 mph! It got a little long in the tooth, but the first generation was beloved by the press …