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1997 Honda RVF400 NC35

In Japan, Sport by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Oooh, pretty thing is pretty. And somewhat unique. The RVF400 NC35 is one of those bikes that, if mentioned in the company of sport-riding men of a certain age, causes their eyes to go all funny and voice to crack.

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1983 Yamaha Virago 750 Midnight Special

In Cruiser, Japan by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This Virago did not meet reserve with 16 bids up to $2,425 on eBay. On the surface, there’s not much that’s special about a Yamaha Virago. But perhaps that’s part of what makes it special. The Virago was an everyman metric cruiser that was offered in pretty much every engine size imaginable over the course of its …

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1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 A2

In Japan, Standard by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: this Kawasaki did not meet reserve with 21 bids up to $5,550 on eBay. That is a very pretty KZ. Not exactly stock (your mileage may vary on the aesthetic appeal of those blacked-out pipes, for example), but gorgeous nonetheless.

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1961 Honda CB92

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Listing Update: This Honda did not meet reserve with 25 bids up to $8,900 on eBay. The Honda CB92 Benly Super Sport was built between 1959 and 1964, and was considered by many to be the best small-displacement sport bike of the time. American Honda says that just 599 examples made it into the US between ’59 and ’62, …

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2006 Kawasaki ZG1000 Concours

In Japan, Less than 5k, Touring by Chris Cope1 Comment

Post Listing Update: This Kawasaki originally sold for a Best Offer under $1,800 but that deal fell through. The bike was relisted and then pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. The Kawasaki Concours (aka Connie) has always been one of those “if you know you know” bikes: really awesome motorcycles that inspire an almost fanatical devotion from those …

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1999 Honda VT1100 Shadow Tourer

In Cruiser, Japan by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Those saddlebags, though. That’s the feature that has drawn my attention to this listing. Just look at those saddlebags, man. Look how well they fit the lines of the bike. You don’t often find that kind of aesthetic flow with luggage. Of course, everything comes crashing back to Earth when your eye turns to those basic alloy wheels. But if …

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1991 Honda CBR600F2

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: this Honda sold for $5,029 (including the buyer’s fee) after 30 bids on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. The successor of the Hurricane, the CBR600F2 was considered to be quite innovative when released in 1991. Many were sold, but few have withstood the test of time (both in terms of staying rubber side down and in terms of originality) …

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Race Bike in France – Nico Bakker Barracuda

In Japan, Race by AbhiLeave a Comment

Nico Bakker made a name for himself starting back in the 70s by taking Japanese engines and enveloping them in better frames and suspensions. His focus was usually on race bikes, those in recent times he’s also built some road bikes. In the late 90s, Bakker built the Barracuda as a race bike, and he instantly started winning in the …

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1967 Yamaha YDS-5

In Japan, Less than 5k, Small Displacement by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Yamaha is an interesting company, isn’t it? It makes all kinds of things and tends to be pretty good at making those things, but doesn’t seem to be very good about keeping track of those things or effectively telling their stories. Here’s an example. Sitting next to me as I write this is a probably-1969 YSL-352S trombone. If you know …

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1989 Yamaha XTZ600 Tenere

In Dual-Sport, Japan by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

Just look at the paint scheme on this thing. It makes you want to cut the sleeves off your T-shirt and travel around the world listening to Ratt. Abhi has posted a handful of 1990s XTZ750 Super Teneres lately ─ or, excuse me, Ténéré ─ but this is the original beast. Powered by a 595cc single-cylinder engine capable of 46 …