The Hayabusa has been around since 1999, but I’m never had the chance to try one myself. That finally changes today, as Suzuki has graciously lent me one for a couple of weeks. Tomorrow, I’m taking it up the coast to Laguna Seca to see how it does on the highway, on backroads, and even how it goes down the …
Abhi Buys a Honda RC30, Part 2 – First Service
View Post1964 Moto Guzzi Falcone Policia
Intorduced in 1950 as Guzzi’s flagship model, the Falcone was a popular purchase for Italian military and police. That was one of three variants Moto Guzzi offered – the others were the Turismo and the Sport. The Sports are often cloned by “restorers” who start with Turismo or Policia models, but this offering proudly displays its civil service beginnings (despite …
“RSD Racester Sportster” – 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster Custom
Built by Roland Sands Design, this Sportster has been turned into what they call the “Racester” – they debuted it back at Born Free 4 in 2012. What do you think of the final product?
Guest Ride Report – USCRA/FIM Road Racing Championship, Loudon
New Hampshire’s Laconia Bike Week has been a motorbike mecca for more than a century. It’s a venerable scene attended by riders of all brands from all over the northeast and eastern Canada, with racing traditions going back to the 1916 hillclimb up Tower Street in the lake resort town of Weirs Beach. The USCRA (United States Classic Racing Association) …
2004 Aprilia Tuono Racing
Post Sale Update: This Tuono Racing sold for $7,799 after 20 bids on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. The modern Aprilia Tuono is a perennial shootout winner, but one of my favorites of the model goes back to the beginning – the limited production Tuono Racing.
No Reserve – 1983 Honda VF750F Interceptor
The Honda Interceptor VF750F was the direct result of changes to the AMA Superbike rules. Because race bikes had to be production based, the VF750F was the first replica racebike to come out of Japan.
Owned by Brock Yates – 1987 Yamaha YSR50
This YSR50 has an interesting history, as it was gifted to Brock Yates (the former editor of Car and Driver and creator of the Cannonball Run). It hung from the wall at Brock’s pub in Wyoming, New York until recently, and now it’s passed through the hands of a couple of people as a collectible.
Video Intermission – How Does A Carb Work?
I’m sure many of you have already seen this, but I’m sharing it in case you haven’t because I thought it was great. Whether or not you own a bike that’s carbureted, you likely have some idea how a carb works. But do you understand it well enough that you could explain it to someone else? After watching this video, …
Rare in the US – 2013 Honda Blade 110
Normally, the words “Honda” and “Blade” would make you think of something like the original 900RR Fireblade (or the new Fireblade RR-R). But in Southeast Asia, the Blade is one of many (and I mean MANY) underbone scooters that dominate their personal transportation industry. This one has somehow made its way to California, and the seller claims that it is …
No Reserve – 1982 Honda XL100S
The XL100 evolved into the XL100S in 1979, and it continued that way until the model was discontinued in 1985.
2004 KTM 660 Rally Factory Replica
For KTM fans, the letters RFR are something special. They stand for Rally Factory Replica, and they designate bikes that compete in legendary races like the Dakar Rally. This one’s participated in the Dakar, as well as the FIM Rally (now called the Desert Challenge) and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb!
2001 Honda FTR223
Nowadays, the “FTR” model is heavily associated with Indian and the FTR1200. But Honda beat them to the punch with a motorcycle that was never officially sold in the US, their own Flat Track Racing inspired FTR223! Here’s one that’s made it to the US and is currently titled in Texas.
2014 Honda VFR800 Interceptor
“In a market segment characterized by extremes, Honda’s VFR has always trod the middle ground––never the fastest, or the lightest, or the quickest way around a racetrack, but always a standout, biased more toward balance than bravado, a sportbike for the real world.” That’s how Motorcyclist magazine introduces Honda’s legendary Interceptor in this timeline of the model.
Factory Racer – 1979 Kawasaki KR750
Introdcued in 1975, the KR750 was Kawasaki’s top tier road racing machine, piloted by legendary names such as Gary Nixon, Steve Baker, and Mike Baldwin. Normally when I feature something that looks like a KR750, it’s a tribute – but today someone’s got Baldwin’s actual machine up for sale!