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2004 BMW R1100S Boxer Cup Replika

In Germany, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

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. They were equipped with Ohlins suspension, Laser exhaust, and custom …

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Made in Gilroy – 2000 Indian Chief Centennial

In America, Cruiser by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

You probably know that the history of Indian Motorcycle between 1953 (when the original Indian Motocycle Co. went bust) and 2011 (when Polaris took over the marque) is murky and filled with charlatans and dreamers. In that 58-year period, no less than 10 individuals or entities laid claim to the Indian name, each offering (or promising to offer) a new …

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1993 Ducati Superlight 900

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

In 1992, Ducati took their 900 Supersport and added several choice extras to create a limited edition called the Ducati Superlight. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, in 1993 they removed almost all the extras, leaving just a fully floating rear brake to differentiate the limited edition from its less exclusive brother. Today we feature a beautiful example of one of those …

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1947 Harley-Davidson FL with Sidecar

In America, Cruiser by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

If you’re like me, you kinda clocked out halfway through Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, when it went from travelog to philosophical ponderance. I’m more of a John Sutherland guy ─ I like wearing a leather jacket because it looks cool, and I don’t really want to mess with tappets ─ so, once he left the …

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1969 Triumph Tiger 650

In England, Standard by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

My father-in-law had a late ’60s Triumph Bonneville when he was a young man in the 1970s ─ hurtling down country lanes in England’s West Country and occasionally strapping a bag to the seat to make his way to France to watch the Bol d’Or. “I loved that bike,” he once told me. “But I was replacing parts on a …

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1964 Ducati Diana Mark 3

In Italy, Standard by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Do you like beautiful things? Of course you do. Do you like beautiful things that are temperamental and may cause you to set fire to your garage? Then you’ll want this 60-year-old Ducati Diana Mark 3. First, though, let me save you the trouble of getting lost in a bunch of internet rabbit holes due to confusion caused by how …

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Power Cup Parts – 2008 BMW K1200R

In Germany, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

In the past, BMW has offered a few one-make races such as the BoxerCup with the R1100S. The successor was the Power Cup for the K1200R, and non-racers could get a kit of hop-up parts from certain dealerships in the US. As you guys and gals probably know, I own a BMW K1200R with 89k miles on it and I …

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In England – 1957 Dayton Albatross

In England, Scooter by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

From Abbotsford to Zapp, at some point in history there’s been at least one British motorcycle manufacturer for every letter of the alphabet. One of the more obscure of those was London-based Dayton Motorcycle Co., which operated sporadically: from 1913 to 1922, then again for one year in 1939 (when it was almost certainly derailed by the start of the …