Honda was ahead of its time when it debuted the Hawk GT, also known as the NT650. It was one of the world’s first modern naked bikes but it was a commercial failure. Over the years, many riders have realized what the Hawk offered, and it’s become a cult classic. This one’s guaranteed to find a new home and the …
What Do You Want To Know? California Superbike School
California Superbike School has been around since 1980, but I’m a little behind the times – I only got my first serious introduction to them in 2019 when I attended the launch of the updated BMW S1000RR. BMW had some CSS staff on site to support throughout the event, particularly as control riders.
AHRMA Racer – 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750
Originally raced by Deano Swims, this GSX-R was rebuilt by Erv Kollek and Racing Sport Services to compete at Phillip Island. It’s now set up to race AHRMA in the Next Generation Superbike (NG2) class but the owner has some health concerns this year and is letting this go to build a Heavyweight Superbike for next season.
1988 Kawasaki KD80X
A rare minibike, the Kawi KD80X that is normally hard to find in good shape nowadays because most were beat up as play bikes. Despite the diminuitive size, this bike could hit 40 miles per hour, even while carrying someone that weighed more than the bike itself. Plus, unlike some competitors, this came with a five speed manual transmission and …
What Do You Want To Know? 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660
I got to review the Aprilia RS 660 about five months ago, and one of my main takeaways was that it made me really anxious to try the upcoming Tuono 660. That time has finally come, which means I want to tell you everything I can about it. Help me help you – what do you want to know about …
Josh Herrin Practice Bike – 2017 Yamaha R1M
Post Sale Update: This Yamaha sold for $17,000 after 46 bids on eBay in Cresson, Texas. Built by Eleven Motorsports (check out this profile on Asphalt & Rubber if you’re not familiar with their model) as a practice bike for when Josh Herrin is in town, this Yamaha R1M is heavily modified to be an impressive track toy. Now if …
1975 Yamaha RD350
1975 was the end of the RD350 run, by which point it had established itself as a giant killer. A period ad showed a sad looking rider at a bar with the phrase “Don’t feel bad. You’re not the first 750 rider to get blown off by a Yamaha 350.”
The Green Dragon – 1983 Moto Guzzi LeMans MK III Custom
Named The Green Dragon due to the airbrushed artwork on the tank, this Mark III LeMans has been restyled to look like a Mark I.
Restored Duo – 1940s Harley-Davidson WLAs
Offered individually or as a set, a seller in Central California has two Harley-Davidson WLAs restored by Steve LeMay of Resurrection Cycles as well as a trailer “to look like a trailer that could’ve been built during the war” with ’36 Chevrolet wheels and “authentic WWII hardware.”
Rare Project – 1972 Cotton Cavalier
After Villiers went out of business, the motorcycle manufacturers that depended on their engines were forced to look elsewhere. The British firm of Cotton (out of Gloucester, England) decided to go with a Minarelli-built 170cc to power their trails bike for 1968.
1975 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV
1975 was the final year of Kawasaki’s legendary H2 – a name so powerful that Team Green brought it back for the insane supercharged machine that they call a “hypersport” motorcycle.
AHRMA Racer – 1982 Yamaha Seca 550
It would be easy to assume that the engine in the XJ550 was just a destroked 650, but that ain’t fair. It was almost an all-new design, with a 6-speed transmission, chain final drive, and a new cylinder head with Yamaha’s YICS system that enabled 50+ mpg fuel consumption. It was a solid mid-sized motorcycle with a love it or …
Still New – 2019 Suzuki SV650X
A couple of years ago, I got some quality time with the Suzuki SV650X and I came away quite impressed. I found it quite enjoyable to ride with a slightly underwhelming suspension but nothing unreasonable at the MSRP of $8,399. Here’s a leftover model that a dealer’s got for $5,999 (plus fees), and that seems like a screaming deal if …
Rare Project – 1972 Gilera Gina Macho
Gina is a combination of GIlera and ArgentiNA, as this bike was a partnership between “Italy’s finest design engineers and the genius of Argentina’s master craftsmen.” The company offered trail and road models in both 175cc and 250cc displacements – here’s a rare example of the 175cc road bike that will need some work before it can hit the road …
No Reserve – 1985 Honda NS400R
In 1983, Freddie Spencer became the world’s youngest 500cc World Champion, and he did it on a Honda V3. Honda responded by releasing a 250cc production bike to commemorate the win, but it took them until 1985 to build something closer to the actual size of Freddie’s champion. That was the NS400R, and even though it gave up 100cc and …