Welcome back to our latest sales report, where savvy buyers and sellers keep an eye on market values. We blogged 60 bikes in April and here is a review of 20 of them, most having sold. In fact 4 of them sold to our own readers. Lowest sale price was $1900 and highest was $64k!

Congratulations to April’s buyers and sellers!

dc

This Suzuki RGV250 Lucky Strike failed to sell even though it was bid up to $8100.

From the Michigan collection, this 1996 Bimota DB3 Mantra did end up selling after one relist for full price of $16900.

This 2002 Ducati MH900e with under 1000 miles sold for $22900.

The 1983 Honda CX650T Turbo sold for $15100! These really do have quite the following!

The 4k mile Honda RC30 failed to get much love when first listed with spares at $30k and then relisted without it failed to sell at $17600.

This adorable and exceptionally clean 1983 Kawasaki GPz 305 sold for just $1625!

The first of two 86 Honda NS400R’s that would sell this month, this one sold for $10099!

The second NS400R sold for just $6100 in comparison.

This 1987 Honda NSR250 looked pretty tidy and sold for just $3800.

At $4000, this has to be the cheapest RVF400 we’ve seen sell. Congrats to the lucky new owner!

This little 1983 Ducati 350 Desmo sold for only $1900, which is probably the cheapest Ducati we’ve ever seen sold either!

Here’s the 1983 Suzuki GS550ES which sold for $3450.

Sold to one of our readers, this 1998 Ducati 916SPS sold for $12900.

Also sold to one of readers was this 1993 Ducati 900SS Superlight for $9200.

This stunning 74 Ducati 750 Sport, original and unrestored, sold for an eye popping $64k!

Back to the blue smoke, this 1999 Aprilia RS250 Cup sold for only $5300.

This 1985 Honda VF1000R sold for a tidy $8000.

A good month for classic Honda’s as this 1983 CB1100R sold as well for $23600.

Sold to one of our readers was this very handsome 1997 Aprilia RS250 for $8100.

Finally, this 85 Yamaha RZ500 sold to one of our readers for $14500.

Indianapolis, IN – 6,404mi – $10,500 BIN

Feeling lucky? Up for sale here we have an RGV250, not only shrouded in awesome Lucky Strike livery, but also shrouded in mystery. With only two partial photos of the bike and a couple of sentences in the description, it has peaked my curiosity. Now this doesn’t look like a factory LS model, as they came with a black/red frame and slightly different variations on the graphics. The earlier models came with a different variation on the graphics. You can check out Ian’s RGV Lucky Strike School here.

It’s hard to offer much analysis on this bike as so little is offered up by the seller. It is stated as an SP with a dry clutch. Maybe those RGV nuts out there can chime in and offer anymore insight about this claim. Bidding is active and up to about $3,500 already, but the reserve still remains. The BIN is pretty hefty in my opinion with out more information and pictures. Take it from someone who looks at tons of for sale ads a day, more details are ALWAYS better. However, I am still intrigued and feel almost a gambler’s high when thinking about this ad. It’s a roll of the dice. Feeling Lucky? Then check out the auction here!

-JS

Update 1.31.2013: Back on eBay but with a dramatically lower opening bid of $5900. Links updated. -dc

Update 11.14.2012: Back on eBay a month later, now with a lower opening bid of $10k. Links updated. -dc

Another Lucky Strike RGV250 and another case of detective work needed.

Lets dive right in. Is this a 1997 RGV250 (VJ22) from the factory in Hammatsu? Absolutely not. Is this a Dream Machine spray out of the UK commissioned by the Suzuki importer there? I seriously doubt it. Lets start with the model year. All the parts indicate a 93-95 VJ22. Turn indicators are Euro spec so I’m ruling out a Japanese domestic bike. I’d lean towards a UK spec bike but they were imported to several European countries and Australia. The SAPC will give you more clues to the bikes country of import ( head over to rgv250.co.uk for the list of SAPC’s). So, for fun lets run with a UK bike. As you may know, the UK importer had some RGV’s sprayed in Lucky Strike colors by Dream Machine. As far as I know, those sprays were all of the earlier Lucky Strike design, not this later version.

The Lucky Strike paint is copied often but rarely done correctly. I would say this one falls into the average category. I’ve seen a lot worse. The official factory versions will have the blacked out frames to go with this paint scheme and they were 1994 models.

I’m not trying to embarrass anyone by pointing out what the bike is or is not but the fact is, sellers ask a premium for Lucky Strike versions and a buyer has the right to know what they are getting.

Once I got past the paint I have to admit it looks like a decent example of a VJ22. There are very few modifications and the pictures don’t indicate much corrosion, scratches or dents. What is missing are the big questions buyers usually have with these bikes. Is it titled? Is it running on injection or premix? Is it in restricted form? If I remember correctly German VJ22′s were restricted but not to the extent as the Japanese domestic market bikes.

If the mileage is legit, it is extremely low mile. Do UK spec RGV speedo’s go up to 150MPH?

I know I focused on what this bike is not but overall it could end up being a really nice find if you can get a few more questions answered on it.

There is actually on last problem. The seller is asking a very steep premium. I’ll let you click on the auction to see the starting bid. Make sure you are sitting down and have oxygen handy.

Here it is.

Ian

Located in Sheffield with a classified ad price of about $10700 is what appears to be a stock VJ23 Lucky Strike RGV250. I have gone back and done some reading on previous Lucky Strike posts to help me with identifying whether this one is real or not but the pictures aren’t great with this listing. What do you see? To my amateur eye I see a bike that’s uncut, stock pipes, no solo seat conversion, and a machine clean enough to each off of. But I’m also humble enough to recognize we have some real experts that read our posts and hope you’ll leave a comment with your opinions.

1996 Suzuki RGV250 Lucky Strike For Sale on eBay

from the seller listing:

HERE WE HAVE A VERY RARE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE A PERFECT FACTORY LUCKY STRIKE SUZUKI RGV 250 VJ 23 ! A TRUE CREDIT TO ITS FORMER KEEPER AS IT IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION HAVING ONLY COVERED A GENUINE 9600 MILES ! 100% HPI CLEAR AND HAVING ONLY JUST BEEN SERVICED ! FINISHED IN ARGUABLY THE BEST COLOUR COMBINATION WITH LUCKY STRIKE GRAPHICS, COLOUR CODED WHITE WHEELS, THIS FACTORY LUCKY STRIKE VJ 23 (VERY RARE BIKE) FEATURES A 70 DEGREE ENGINE LAYOUT SAME AS A GP BIKE, IT ALSO USES A DRY CLUTCH AND 6 SPEED CLOSE RATIO GEARBOX, THE BIKE HAS 32mm CARBS, AN ELECTRIC START AND USES RAM AIR TECHNOLOGY ! I CHALLENGE YOU TO FIND A BETTER EXAMPLE IN AS PRISTINE CONDITION ! THIS IS 250 MOTORING PERFECTION READY FOR SUMMER FUN AND SIMPLY MUST BE VIEWED TO BE FULLY APPRECIATED ! TAXED AND TESTED READY TO RIDE AWAY ! FULL DEALER FACILITIES.

dc

Ellington, CT– 7,800mi – $3,450 with Reserve

If the NSR250 featured last week isn’t quite what you are looking for and you’re more of a Kevin Schwantz fan than a Freddy Spencer fan, then check out this quarter-liter smoker. The VJ22 features a set of upside-down forks and the always call banana style swing arm, while proving a light weight package which drives the flick-ability of these 250cc two-strokes.

This particular bike looks to be in good and semi-restored condition. The seller states that a new set of plastics have been recently added and that a set of Lucky Strike fairings come with the sale as well. It also sounds like some solid general maintenance has been done to this unit as well with fluids and brake pads to name a couple. The oil injection has been removed in favor or running a pre-mix, but should you wish to go back to injection, the setup is included. There are some blemishes and a missing spring for the kick-start, but nothing outstanding that would raise a red-flag.

More from the seller:

1991 Suzuki RGV250. Bid with confidence as this is a fine example of this rare bike. I have owned this bike for a few years and it has always performed top notch. I am selling it along with a few other rare bikes to make room for more restoration projects. Since owning it I have installed new plastics, front pads, and tires. The bike has just had a complete maintenance with new gear oil, coolant flush, brake fluids replacement,, new plugs, adjust and lube chain. Tires and brakes are in excellent condition also. It is ready to ride right now. The bike starts easily, shifts through all gears smoothly, brakes perfectly, and handles as it should, which is excellent. All lights, blinkers, and horn work. The oil injection has been disconnected and the bike runs on premix as I like the smell of Blendzall as well as preferring the dependability of premix . The original oil tanks comes with the bike and it can easily be converted back to injection. There are some minor chips on the tank that are in the photos. There is also some slight discoloration on the Suzuki tank emblems from age but hardly noticeable. One muffler has some scuff marks from a tie down while on a trailer that are shown in the photos. The kick starter fold out spring is missing and I have been using a rubber strap to hold it in place. This is NOT the spring in the engine but the tiny one on the lever itself. It can be replaced easily but I have always just used the rubber strap. The plastics are new this year and are in perfect shape. The bike shows about 12,900 Kilometers on the clock and if my math is right should be about 7,750 Miles. The bike comes with the wheel stand shown in the photos, the side stand works perfectly I just prefer the wheel stand for storage. The bike also comes with a complete brand new set of Lucky Strike plastics still in wrappers in the box. The front fairing has been taken out of it’s wrapper for the photos. I was going to do a Lucky Strike bike but never got around to it. The only thing that would be needed to make this a Lucky Strike bike is a tank repaint and emblems. This plastic set alone is a $500 value here in the States. Shipping is not included in this sale for the bike, but I will include shipping of the wheel stand and plastics to the lower 48. I will assist in shipping the bike, meaning that I will meet your shipper but will not crate or load.The bike is sold as is where is with a BILL OF SALE ONLY and a copy of myVermontregistration. For some reason Ebay won’t let me enter “Other” in the Title space so the bike does not have a title.Vermont does not title vehicles under 300CC.

This bike looks great and seems to be in proper working order. Unfortunately, this one doesn’t come with a title and only a bill of sale. But it is apparently registered inVermont. Recent maintenance is a plus and I am guessing that since the owner has had this bike for “a few years” that it isn’t a bike that was bought rough and cleaned up in order for a quick flip. You can check out the auction here and place your bid today!

-JS

Two Stroke Needs Home, Please Help: 1996 Suzuki RGV250 SP (VJ23)

Update 8.26.2012: It’s back! Buy-it-now shows $10150. I’ve also included the most recent seller description which is much improved. Good luck to buyers and seller! Links updated. -dc

Update 4.29.2012: According to the seller in the listing, this will be the last time this bike is offered before going back into the collection. Buy-it-now is listed as $10.5k. I believe this post has the most comments ever on one of our writeups and the conversation is very informative for those wondering where to start when considering a bike like this. Links updated. -dc

Update 1.18.2012: Normally I wouldn’t bump a post this soon after it’s been relisted, but the price has been dropped significantly again to $8950. Judging from the comments below, sounds like it should sell this time. -dc

Update 1.2.2012: Originally listed in late November 2011 with a buy-it-now of $13.5k, it is back on eBay with a buy-it-now of $10.5k. Thanks for the heads up on the relist Dale! Links updated.- dc

Updated seller description 8.26.2012:

Perhaps the rarest two stroke motorcycle of its kind with less than 8 known to be registered in the US.

These bikes are very rare as they were only produced for one year and never imported to the US.

This low mileage gem ( 3700 miles) is up for offer and would make a fine addition to any serious collectors collection or ride it on sunny weekends.

Have never seen one with less miles !!!!!

Bike is in exceptional condition and is in stock form. Runs perfect – shifts perfect with no issues.

Runs strong and shifts smooth / much smoother than its older brother ( the VJ 22).

Total HP is simular to the VJ 22 but comes on different with more torque and low end.

The VJ 23 behaves great on the street and from what I am told , on the track as well. A true GP frame / chassis that handles like no other bike I have ridden.

Boasts a Dry clutch , electric start , performance air filter . Iridium plugs , newer Pilots front and rear , carbon cans and clean and clear Connecticut title currently registered in connecticut.

The flaws — Left side lower bottom plastic pc has a 4 inch crack ( repairable) – Left side panel has superficial scratches ( look close or you will miss them) , The left and right grab rails have been removed.

Extra’s that will come with the bike ( approx value $2200.00) are —

Set of Sugaya chambers and cans in excellent condition / big bucks if you can find them and I have never seen a set with cans that have no dents except these.
Derestricted airbox
SRAD guages.
Extra set of new dry clutch plates.

If you choose to derestrict you will need the required SAPC to complete the derestriction package. I chose not to derestrict although very tempted after reading clips on how the bike performs once derestricted. 72 hp in a 280 lbs chassis — comparable performance to todays modern sport bikes ………..

I guess we will see what the market says an average VJ23 should go for these days. I know the price for a full power Lucky Strike model hasn’t come down a bit but this isn’t a collectors sort of RGV250SP. This bike isn’t thrashed by any stretch of the imagination but there are a few things that caught my eye.

First just a bit from the auction:

Low miles – newer tires and loads of two stroke power ..

No Issues: Runs strong – shifts solid – body parts in great shape..

Title in hand and clear… matches 11 digit VIN.

Buyer responsible for shipping arrangements – will assist shipper at pick up..

Bid with confidence and please feel free to ask questions…

100% positive feedback

 

Obviously the big deal there is the title and that makes any two stroke more valuable.

Below are a few things that caught my eye that differ from stock.

The triple clamps have been stripped of paint and the steering stem nut has been changed. Odd, in my opinion.

Calipers have been off and been painted. They should be black.

If you look closely, the head has been painted the same color as the calipers. It should be the same silver as the cylinder. The power valve cover looks a bit different but I’m not 100 percent sure.

The sub frame should have some ugly extensions hanging down to attach bungee cords to. They have been cut off. Rear passenger pegs are removed and some nice carbon cans have been added. Heel guard on rear master cylinder has also been painted, it should also be black.

So you are probably thinking I’m down on this bike. Not in the least. I’m just pointing out the bits that are different from stock for someone who might not have obsessed over these bikes like I have. When purchasing a machine like this, look at the mods and look at the mileage and see if it adds up. If you are comfortable then I say go for it. These are still extremely rare bikes and are not for sale everyday.

The seller has an auction going as well as a BIN of $13,500. See it all here.

Ian