Update 7.2.2019: We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Amatumoto Grand Prix Motorbikes for being a sponsor of RSBFS! This 1949 Norton International is available now for purchase. Contact Amatumoto today! -dc The Norton International was the Yamaha R1M of the era surrounding WWII. Developed in the early 1930s as a road-going version of…
The late 1980s’ prevailing ideas about greed, money, partying, and the blessed individual weren’t always reflected in the vehicles people drove — the Chrysler LeBaron wasn’t exactly haute couture — but when they were, stand back. The early iterations of the Yamaha FZR1000 reflected the big-hair-and-cocaine era like few others, with a high-contrast red-and-white speedblock…
Update 8.30.2019: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc For as plentiful as bikes like this 1987 Yamaha FZR1000 were in their day, it’s becoming increasingly rare to see them pop up on the local Craigslist, as time and the squiddly behavior they enable take their toll. But nice ones are still…
There are so many iterations of the Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma running around that you either need to be a savant to keep them all straight, or refresh yourself every time one comes up. There are VJ21s, VJ22s, VJ23s and a bunch of SP variants in between. Some are corked, some are uncorked, which means,…
Known as the ZX-7 in the United States and the ZXR750R in other markets, Kawasaki’s answer to the 1990s class of 750cc superbikes came in a wide variety of specs over its 14-year production cycle, but the early race special bikes are the ones that truly capture imaginations. In 1993, Kawasaki churned out a few…
The Suzuki TL-1000S was a monster of a sport naked that came out a little bit before the thirst for such things got really desperate, and then promptly got swamped in the publicity surrounding the TL-1000R superbike, which was supposed to beat Ducati at its own game. Unfortunately for Suzuki, the TLR whiffed as a…
Used to be factories could build race replicas by throwing on a garland sticker, some reservoir shocks, a rorty pipe and a loud paintjob. Just basic mods and some raucous pigments got you looking a lot like Eddie Lawson back in 1983, though getting near his lap times still required a pile of special parts,…
The Honda RC51 had a short lifespan as a factory-supported superbike contender, but it made its years count, taking home World Superbike titles in 2000 and 2002. The latter was a special year for the big twin Honda, as Nicky Hayden also captured the AMA Superbike championship aboard one. Honda celebrated the feat in 2004…