Author Archives: Alex

Honda May 20, 2009 posted by Alex
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1990 VFR400 NC30 $4300

A request from a reader, Ozzie, to locate a NC30 generated this find on the Reno Craigslist.  Located in Sparks, Nevada (Just north of Reno) is a 1990 Honda VFR400 NC30.  Currently registered and titled in Nevada, this Japan market bike looks quite good but carries some rash and “runs hot” at stoplights.  This could be quite an issue if it isn’t as simple as the need for a new thermostat that the seller is claiming.  One question to ask yourself is, if the problem is so easy to fix, why hasn’t the seller done it before bringing it to market?  If indeed the thermostat is to blame, it would be an easy fix to be a genuinely nice, gray-market bike.  The ad doesn’t list mileage but mentions new front pads and fork seals, unrestricted black box, ceramic coated OX headers, carbon can, new rear sprocket and smoked windscreen.  The ad is a little vague, but with something as rare as this, you only need to let people know it’s on the market and they can contact you from there.  If you’re interested, see the Craigslist ad here.

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AG

Aprilia May 18, 2009 posted by Alex
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California Street Legal 2006 Aprilia RS125

As you may be aware, Aprilia brought a semi-street-legal (headlights, tail lights, but incorrect wiring harness and off-road use only title) RS125 to the U.S. for 2009, however Europe and the rest of the world has been enjoying 125’s for years.  Offered for sale in Redwood City, California is a titled and plated street legal 2006 European market Aprilia RS125.  This example shows only 305 original miles and looks to be in excellent condition.  The asking price of $8500 may be a bit high as supposedly plated ’09 RS125’s have been advertised at around $6-6.5k ($5449 MSRP for the non-street legal version).  However, this is a legitimately plated bike and quite possibly the only plated 2006 (there may be a couple more) in the U.S.; it comes with desirable performance accessories, spares, and all the original parts. The 2006MY is the first for the latest iteration of the RS125 that includes the 2009’s.  If seriously interested, money may talk and a sold price could be well under the asking, but don’t expect it to be under the going price of the ’09’s.  Is it sad that we lust over what is just an entry level bike in Europe?  See the Craigslist ad here. And the hi-res Flickr photos here.

EDIT: Now advertised at $7900.

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AG

Vetter May 16, 2009 posted by Alex
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Vetter Mystery Ship #7

If you feel that nothing is sexier than a Vetter fairing on an older bike, then I have something you may really enjoy: Vetter Mystery Ship No. 7 of 10 is currently available in Iowa.  Vetter fairing’s were a staple bike accessory during the late sixties and into the eighties.  It turns out that Craig Vetter wasn’t happy with just fairings.  In 1980, Mr. Vetter created ten of his own superbikes based on the Kawasaki KZ1000.  The intention was to tie into Vetter’s racing sponsorship and having Dymag magnesium wheels, Yoshimura exhaust, and other goodies it becomes somewhat neat while remaining, unmistakably, late seventies.  This example, No. 7, was originally owned by Malcolm Forbes–a good anorak fact, not necessarily adding to the value.  What would be interesting to know is if the bike is completely original and how many miles it currently has.  Extremely rare and probably carrying a small following, it is difficult to know if the asking price of $24000 is market correct or not.  What is the bike worth?  Whatever a buyer will pay. 24k may sound high, but consider, that there are only ten in the world (with most being in museums); what is it worth to you? See the Craigslist ad here.

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See attached links for more information on the Vetter Mystery Ship:

Motorcycle Museum’s Mystery Ship page

Craig Vetter Website

Bimota May 15, 2009 posted by Alex
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Bimota Friday

Any Bimota is rare, unless it is today; then you have seven to choose from!

First is a 1988 YB4 located in Smithtown, New York.  A very clean example, however, the Isle of Man title could make it very difficult/impossible to register it if YB4’s were never officially imported. See the ebay ad here.

Update: Sold for $10,655.00 on 05/23/09

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Next, from the same seller, is another fuel injected Yamaha Bimota: A 1990 YB6.  The Italian flag colors are very cool, it has a claimed mileage of zero, looks to be ver clean (possible dent in the silencer?), but again, this bike suffers from a foreign (British) title.  I would also be weary of the digital binnacle.  The seller hasn’t posted any pictures to show that it actually works (you would expect that he would show of the odometer at zero) and I would expect any faults in the binnacle extremely expensive and extremely difficult to have repaired.  See it’s ebay ad here.

Update: Sold for $13,867.00 on 05/23/09.

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More Yamaha powered Bimotas with a 1991 Bimota Deici from Bremerton, Washington.  A 12k mile bike (with 49 since full restoration) that is showroom clean.  A gorgeous bike in yellow.  The seller seems confused as to what they are asking for the bike; it has be posted at $13460, $14995 (after being posted at 13.4), while the whole time the ad has stated $19995.  Being unoriginal, I would think it fair closer to the 13.5 number.  See the Craigslist ad here.

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Next up is a Suzuki powered Bimtoa; a 1998 Bimota SB6R located in Pittsburgh, Penn.  Still pre-bankruptcy and Suzuki powered this bike is probably quite reliable for an Italian exotic.  The Challenge Stradale in the background doesn’t look bad either.  Shown with zero miles and no mention of non U.S. title, this looks like quite a wise purchase.  Watch or bid on it at the ebay ad here.

Update: Reserve not met at $9,100.00 on 05/20/09.

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In Big Lake, Montana is a Ducati powered 2000 Bimota DB4.  Being regularly exercised (but not mentioning its total mileage), I would expect this DB4 to be properly sorted and very use able for the next owner.  Advertised at $10000, I would imagine this to be the pick for someone who wants a Bimota they can use and enjoy.  See its Craigslist ad here.

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Next is a modern Bimota with Suzuki power:  A 2006 Bimota SB8K located in Durham, NC.  Another show piece with zero miles, this bike is probably best if you’re looking for a modern bike to collect.  See the ebay ad here.

Update: Reserve not met at $12,222.00 on 05/17/09.

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Lastly for today is the newest and most extreme Bimota:  A 2008 Bimota Tesi 3D located in (you probably guessed it) Beverly Hills, CA.  Claimed as No. 29 of 29 in the world this is a rare piece of machinery.  Depending upon whom you associate with, it should be safe to say that with a 3D you would be the envy of your friends and the only one on the block with one.  Advertised at $38500, makes it the rarest and most expensive Bimota I’ve posted today.  See the Craigslist ad here.

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My pick for the day?  Rationally the SB6R from Pittsburgh, but, obviously I’d take the Tesi if presented with the option.

AG_

Yamaha May 14, 2009 posted by Alex
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1988 Yamaha FZR 750 R $3750

Located in Carmel, California is a seemingly very rare and very original Yamaha FZR750R. The seller claims that only 200 were brought into the U.S. from 1987-88 (I believe they were imported until 89, the last year being the OWO1). The bike only has 5,400 original miles; however, it does have race history. Does race history make a difference on a homologation special? For this particular bike, at this price, I would think not.

1988 Yamaha FZR750R on San Francisco Craigslist:
1988 Yamaha FZR750R

The FZR-R comes with (Factory?) Yamaha race parts (13,000 rpm black box, crankshaft,springs, fork springs, etc), original plastics, an Airtech set manuals/Microfische, period articles, spare rim, stand and more.

Ask yourself, would you rather have a six year old CBR F4i, or a race-bred homologation special? I know which one I’d have to choose.

AG

For more information about the FZR750R visit:
FZR750R OW01 Information at Motorbase
1987 Yamaha FZR750R Road Test Review