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 …
1986 Honda XL600R
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).
Dustbin Fairing – 2009 Moto Guzzi V7
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 …
Trackmaster Framed – 1960 BSA Rocket Gold Star
This gorgeous street tracker combines a Trackmaster 4130 chromoly frame with a BSA Rocket engine: at one point the seller calls it a Rocket Gold Star motor and at another point he calls it a Super Rocket, are you able to confirm?
Forward Controls – 1981 Honda CB750 Custom
I’m really not sure how to describe this but I had to feature it anyway – it’s rare to see a motorcycle where the rider is in front of the engine.
Well Preserved – 1990 Honda Transalp
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 …
130 of 170 – 2002 Moto Guzzi V11 LeMans Tenni
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 …
1991 Yamaha FZR1000
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 …
In France – 1979 Yamaha 350 With Corki Frame
Based in France, Moto Corki was the brainchild of Lucienne Cordonnier. He built his own frames – as noted by Satanic Mechanic it was a backbone design ‘probably inspired by Egli but unlike the Egli and its successors, the backbone extended down to the swingarm pivot in a 110 degree angle.’ Another website suggests that the Corki name came from …
BikeEXIF Feature – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 Custom
Built by Victor Wilkens of Seattle, Washington, this custom GSX-R750 has a delightfully 80s vibe but it features a 90s Bandit 1200 motor (similar power, but 20 more lb-ft of torque).
The First Ducati – 1948 Ducati 60
Post Sale Update: This Ducati 60 sold for $3,570 via Buy it Now on eBay. I’m sure I’ll get someone who wants to say that the Cucciolo was actually Ducati’s first motorcycle – but that was really just a bicycle with a mounted engine. The evolution of the Cucciolo (which translated to “little puppy”) was the Ducati 60, what the …
2005 BMW R1100S Boxer Cup Replika
The base model R11S was a wonderful all-around streetbike similar to the Honda VFR800. BMW went above and beyond with a couple of limited editions, including the Boxer Cup Replika as featured today. BMW created a spec series to race these bikes, and 300 examples were released as a homage.
1996 Honda VFR750 RC36
I know I already featured a RC36 just a few days ago, but this one has the Corbin Beetle bags that I almost never see on this generation of Interceptor – they’re not subtle but they sure add a bunch of luggage capacity!
First Ride Review – 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+
I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the press launch for the Tracer over multiple generations going back to 2019, and throughout the years the model has impressed me with its blend of fun, practicality, and technology at a reasonable price. For 2024, Yamaha’s made a few updates and added a “+” to the name – that means it has to …
5 Miles – 1986 Bimota DB1
8-14-23 Update: Four years later, this bike is back up for sale from the same owner. Turns out it actually has 5 kilometers, not 5 miles, but I think the general idea is the same! Find this DB1 for sale in Willoughby, Ohio with bidding up to $14,600 and the reserve not yet met here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Disclosure: …