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Rare SportBikes For Sale

1993 Bimota DB2 for sale in San Diego asking for $11,000.

Having posted several Bimota listings, I notice something quite interesting – the older DB2s tend to have a higher asking price than the newer DB4s.  I don’t think the DB2 is particularly more desirable / collectible than the DB4, so I find it strange that an older model with very similar components (if not slightly inferior) would demand a higher price. Having said that, I personally like the more “dated” styling of the DB2 and the steel trellis frame (the DB4 has an aluminum trellis frame).

Anyway, here’s another reader tip for a 1993 Bimota DB2 for sale in San Diego:

Original Owner, Sales Documents, Serviced by GP Motorcycles in San Diego, Service Records, Complete Tool Kit, Owners Manual, American Variant with Non DOT Headlamps, Original Tires, 4400 Miles.

Excellent Show Quality Machine with No Mechanical or Cosmetic Needs.

I appreciate the fact that it’s an original owner machine and that it comes with the tool kit and manual.  I’m guessing the “American Variant with Non DOT headlamps” means this one has the Euro spec projector beam head light unit.  What I am more concerned about are the “original tires” – which means the owner never changed tires during his / her 17 years of ownership?

In any case, this is a clean DB2 with low miles, but the asking price of $11,000 is definitely high in my book.  If anyone is interested, I would suggest inspecting the bike in person and try negotiating with the seller for a more reasonable price in the range of around $8000.  Oh, and budget for new tires!

By the way, it’s Chinese New Year over here, so happy new year!  Wishing everyone safe and happy riding for the new year of the Tiger!

phil

Looking for a 25 year old sportbike that looks cleaner than most that are 20 years newer? Here you go: .

A lot of early VFR history can be found at www.motorcycleclassics.com – here is a snip:

Years produced: 1985-1986 (U.S.)
Claimed power: 117hp @ 10,000rpm (92hp @ 10,000rpm as tested by Cycle)
Top speed: 149mph (period test)
Engine type: 998cc DOHC, liquid-cooled 90-degree V4
Weight: 277kg (610lb) w/ full tank
Price then: $5,698
Price now: $2,500-$5,000
MPG: 35-42 (period tests)

“Every year the hue and cry of frustrated American sporting riders rises anew, with fresh moaning and weeping and gnashing of teeth,” wrote Cycle Guide in July of 1985. “And always the piteous wail remains the same: ‘give us the good stuff.’”

What Cycle Guide was referring to was Honda’s 1984 decision to sell its full-on, race-based, liter-class sportbike, the VF1000R, in Europe only, while bringing the more touring-oriented VF1000F to the North American market. They might have added, “… but be careful what you ask for,” because in 1985 the VF1000R finally appeared in U.S. Honda sales brochures — though perhaps not because of the clamoring of American consumers.

Additional information from the seller:

Excellant Cond.
Exc condition, never been down.
All original paint, minor chips, dings and scratches from storage over the years.
Numerous pictures to show the good and the bad of it.
New battery, 3 or 4  weeks ago.
Video  on  You Tube.
2007  tags, Bike is on Cali PNO, so no penalties.
Being sold to reduce size of large collection.
Getting more into antique bikes.
58year old owner, former bike wrench and shop owner.
Every effort has been made to show condition of bike with pictures and video.

Video from the seller:

The detailed pictures indicate a few small paint chips and blemishes but the bike appears to be in very good condition considering it is a quarter-century old. With a buy it now price of $4,500 – this might make a good bike for a collector who is also looking for something they can ride.

-SG

Here’s another great looking RZ500 for sale. This one is in North Carolina on Craigslist for $11k:

1985 Yamaha RZ500 For Sale in NC on Craigslist

quote from the Craigslist ad:

1985 Yamaha RZ500
2 Stroke – 4 Cylinder (500CC) (street legal and ready to ride)
Looks and runs fantastic..low miles
Note: RZs were not distributed in the US and were very limited production (very rare collectors item)

-New tires
-520 Chain and sprockets
-New steering head bearings
-Airtech Fiberclass (professionally installed and painted)
-I have all of the original OEM parts and plastic
-I have the RZ500 Maintenance Manual
-Clear title

I’m surprised how many of these have come up for sale this year. Considering they were never imported, there are a fair number of them running around! Any RZ specialists out there know have a guess as to how many are rolling around in the U.S.?

dc

I’m not sure I’ve ever come across a cleaner, lower mileage RZ than this one. Even though this might not be the most desirable color for collectors it still deserves a look. The seller has offered several pictures for review and a phone number for anyone interested in more information. These were only imported for 2 years and were only available in two color schemes. I personally prefer the Red/White/Blue vs. the Kenny Roberts edition.

Here is the quote from the listing:

I have up for auction what might be considered one of the “Nicest” “Low Mile” RZ 350s in the country. I am the 2nd owner of the motorcycle. I purchaced this RZ roughly five years ago & still carry the “Original Title” and service manual. I only put maybe 80 miles on the bike when I decided to pull it in the house & park it near the pool table. This RZ runs outstanding, it has also never been rebuilt, everything functions perfectly. To find a 1984 Yamaha RZ 350 with under 1,400 original miles you might have to look in a museum. I’m sure this would make any RZ enthusiast or “Collector” quite satisfied.

From the looks of it I would have to agree with the seller in that this one is sure to please.

You can check out other RZ 350’s we’ve had posted on RSBFS here for price reference. This one has a reserve price, but at the time of this posting only had 1 bid of $499.00 on it.

dd

Next up tonight is this great looking Bimota YB8 for sale on Craigslist Seattle:

quote from seller’s listing:

This hand built Italian bike is a one owner with 5,458 original miles. All original condition. It has been garaged for 6years and needs carbs cleaned.
If this is the type of bike you would like to own (unique and very few made)

I’m hoping Phil will leave a comment as our resident Bimota expert. $13k sounds a bit rich, but tis the season and who knows what a collector’s spouse might justify for the right bike.

dc

There hasn’t been many Bimotas up for sale recently, so I’m pretty excited to see a clean red/white DB2 come up for sale on Craigslist:

 This is a 1994 Bimota DB2 Ducati powered motorcycle. It is one of 50 made. It only has 5000 miles on it. Was just serviced, new tires, has never been wet, custom made adjustable handlebars, heated grips, stock bars and everything pictured. This bike is in SHOW CONDITION. I am asking $14000 or trade for a drag car.

Not sure where the seller got his information from, but there were a total of 408 DB2’s made.  Nevertheless, it’s still a rare bird and a desirable one at that.  However, the asking price of $14,000 is WAY optimistic – there was a DB2 from an earlier posting with expensive mods such as a 944cc big bore kit, Brembo master cylinders, Dymags…etc. with an asking price of $10,000+. 

More concerning, however, is the seller’s wish to trade for a drag car (?!) – personally I haven’t heard of many (any) serious Bimotistis who are into drag cars.  It’s the first time I’ve seen “Bimota” and “drag car” mentioned in the same sentence!  I would make a first offer of $7000 and see what the seller has to say – $6800 will get him a very nice 1972 Buick Skylark “Rocket” drag car…

phil

I know these aren’t exactly rare by production numbers, but it definitely falls into the ‘most of them are gone’ category. Check out this really nice looking 86 GSX-R 750 For Sale on Craigslist for $5900:

quote from the listing:

The original “race replica”! The father of ALL sport bikes!
Excellent condition/Mechanically PERFECT!/Low miles/Clean title.
Performance mods./New battery/Virtually new Michelin Pilots.
Comes with front and rear stands, battery tender, dust cover,
rain cover, and old (but still funtional) matching helmet.
Seat cowling removable for passenger. Have owned since 1991.

The price would suggest that it’s very nice indeed. Certainly worth a look if you’ve been waiting, and at that price it should be pretty clean.

Thanks for the tip Chris!

dc

Collin has given me the heads up that he’s ready to part ways with his 93 NSR250SP. Here are some details:

• Its a 12,000 kilometer (7456 miles) 1993 SP.
• The motor was rebuilt and the barrels were modified a bit by someone in California (Im told, Ive never seen stock ones off a bike so I cant say what was done, I know with the stock pipes its probably not really doing much)
• have some paperwork, and its been de-restricted.
• I have reason to believe, someone used it as a track bike or a race bike in Japan, Its been down I think, but never by me or the last guy who is a Portland local. Its not in bad shape anywhere
• Oil pump is there and still working
• includes a complete and nearly perfect painted set of Tyga Fox-eye bodywork painted like the teal Repsol racers to go with it.
• Plastics are currently either airtech, or otherwise repro stock looking stuff painted like a YZR GP bike

Collin is asking $6500 and he’s in Vancouver, Washington. Interested parties can email him directly.

Good luck with the sale Collin!

dc

I know we’ve been on a real Bimota tear recently and here’s another! Hope you’re enjoying the selection of these newly available exotics!

1997 Bimota YB11 – $5800 on Craigslist:

quote from seller’s listing:

This 1997 YB11 Superleggera has a Clean Title in hand and has never been wrecked or dropped. It has a few small scratches and is 7 or 8 out of 10. This bike is Rare, Red, (Superlight) and in great runing shape. It has 11,050 original Miles. It has a new Battery (purchased 2 months ago and is on a tender), just changed oil (2nd time with only putting 150 miles since purchased two years ago) This Bike has a 1000cc Yamaha YZF1000R engine from the factory with over 150hp and has a dry weight of 403.4 pounds. When it was purchased it came with many upgrades and has a box of stock parts. I owned two other bikes (which I’ve sold) that I rode more often and didnt ride this one for that reason.
I have to sell it because I need to keep my house!

Phil knows far more about these bikes than I do, so hopefully he’ll give us some background on this model. From my limited perspective, $5800 sounds like a great deal on an exotic you can actually ride and enjoy. Not to mention I have a strange weakness for the Thunderace and with it’s motor in this chassis, I’m especially intrigued.

Someone help this guy stay in his house and take the Bimota off his hands!

dc

Here’s another great legal two-stroker bike in L.A. on Craigslist, a 1985 RZ350 for $5900 (15k miles):

quote from seller’s Craigslist ad:

You can see by the pictures how clean this bike it, but you need to see it in person to really appreciate it. Not only does it look sweet, it hauls ass! 30mm Mikuni carbs, Boyesen carbon reeds, and CRG bar end mirrors, were just put on. The cylinders have been ported & the pistons are 1 size bigger than stock. The pipes are Spec II, and has a Fox shock. The solo seat cowl, that alone is worth money. The Dunlop tires have less than 400 miles on them. The fairing was made in Japan, and I’m not too sure if it’s still available. Pretty trick looking, street fighter like.
There are no dents on the tank, 1 maybe 2 nicks, and there are no scratches. The miles 15,847 are original, I’m the second owner of this bike and I keep it covered to keep it clean and avoid the sun beating on it. It’s well worth 5,900, but I’m willing to take reasonable offers.

This bike sounds like it’s well sorted and ready to be enjoyed by it’s next owner. Checking prices of other RZ350’s we listed in the recent past show this price is about right.

Thanks for the heads up Roy!

dc