After I shared that I was buying a Krämer HKR Evo2 S for my next track bike, the most common response I got was: “…a what?” I guess we should start there!
1939 Vincent Series A Comet
In 1934, Phil Vincent debuted a new OHV motor that would go on to power multiple models built by the famous brand that bore his name. At first, the 499cc single was utilized in the Meteor and the Comet, though over the years the company would focus more on the famous Rapide and its V-Twin motor. here’s one of the …
2001 KTM 640 Duke II
One of the first semi-popular supermotos in the US, the KTM Duke II was a revelation for the lucky few that got to enjoy it – the comfortable ergonomics and light weight made this an excellent hooligan bike. Get used to riding with the front wheel off the ground!
65 Miles – 2004 Moto Guzzi MGS-01 Corsa
Post Sale Update: This MGS-01 sold for $48,150 (including the 7% buyer’s fee) on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Moto Guzzi Sport, Number 1 – that’s what MGS-01 stood for. Doesn’t matter what you called it, it was an unexpected taste of what Guzzi would be capable of if they wanted to rub shoulders with Ducati or Aprilia in the exotic, red-blooded …
Mid-Century Last-Miler: 1964 Centaur Folding Scooter
Right now, it’s all things minibike over at Iconic, so I’ll admit that my tastes have been trending towards small. As cool as it was to see my first Motocompo in person, though, this Centaur is truly a quaint piece of midcentury Americana.
581 Miles – 1995 Honda NSR50
Post Sale Update: This Honda NSR50 sold for $6,688 (including the 7% buyer’s fee) after 42 bids on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. Yesterday I shared a video about how we got 30 bikes in a container from Japan – including some lovely small-displacement machines. Well, here’s the first one we put up for auction: a NSR50.
Small Block Steed: 1996 Boss Hoss
For some motorcyclists, it’s the efficiency of two-wheeled transport. For others, it’s the dynamic feeling of linking turns. And then there are those who prefer power to practicality and engine noise to overall comfort… It’s this lattermost group who created a niche for the beast you see before you — a 1996 Boss Hoss — to thrive in.
Video Intermission – Iconic gets 30 Motorcycles from Japan!
Why am I on top of a shipping container in that lead image? Because we got 30 bikes in from Japan! Even better, about half of them are awesome little-displacement motorcycles that were never sold in the US: Motocompos, a NSR50, KSR80, TDR50…you get the idea!
Iconic’s Top 10 of 2022
Now that 2022 is over, I wanted to share a little summary of the 10 most viewed auctions of 2022 we had at Iconic Motorbikes. Here’s some highlights and some of my thoughts!
Boxer Mashup: A BMW /6-Swapped Sidecar Rig
With their broad power bands, smooth torque delivery, and unfailing reliability, boxer engines have long been a natural first choice for sidecar platforms. BMW’s start with three-wheeled rigs was during the second World War, and, Ural – their Russian counterpart – is one of the few marques that still offers them fitted from the factory.
1 Mile – 1996 Bimota BB1 Supermono
Bimota’s first BMW-powered motorcycle, the BB1 Supermono was also the first Bimota to be powered by a single-cylinder motor. In total, 524 were sold – 376 as a red/grey Supermono and another 148 Supermono Bipostos in dark blue…as found here. This one’s up for auction with us over at Iconic, and it’s never been ridden!
Johann Zarco Moto2 Mount – 2013 Suter MMX2
1-3-22 Update: Four years later, this bike is back up for sale with us over at Iconic Motorbikes! It’s up to 433 miles, and the seller is letting it go as he’s fallen in love with the BMW HP4 Race as a track bike. You can find it in Cresson, Texas with bidding up to $55,200 and the reserve already …
1981 Ducati MHR 900
Built to celebrate Mike the Bike’s comeback triumph at the ’78 Isle of Man TT, the Ducati 900 MHR (Mike Hailwood Replica) was initially produced solely for homologation purposes. As such, just 200 were built in 1979. But demand was so high that Ducati decided to keep production going, and by the end of the run in 1986 the Italian …
Street Tracker – 1980 Yamaha SR500
Thanks to a combination of light weight and a torquey, simple motor, Yamaha SR500s are popular fodder for custom builders. The 499cc single is a call back to the legendary thumpers from BSA, Matchless, Velocette, Norton, and Triumph, and the bike’s svelte curb weight makes for big fun factor despite its humble top speed. (We’ve actually featured quite a few …
Picture Intermission – 12-24 Saturday Ride
Normally, us folks at Iconic do a ride on Sunday mornings with anyone that wants to join us. Seeing as past Sunday was Christmas, we gave our employees Saturday off…and then figured we should ride Saturday morning instead! We did the same for NYE, so now I finally have a few minutes to write up a post about it.