Author Archives: claudio

Gilera November 3, 2013 posted by claudio

Early Christmas ? Gilera Saturno 500 (Switzerland)

Undecided about what to put below the Christmas tree this year ? Yes, I know, we are not even in December…but gifts need to bought when you come across them, right ?

So, how about this early 90’s true limited edition from Gilera ? The 500cc Bialbero is one of the most beautiful samples we have across so far. The bike was recently serviced (including a drive belt change). It has threaded brake lines, led turn lights, grey freshly painted rims (the original are red in color but fade into an almost pinkish tint pretty quickly as soon they see some sun) and brand new rubbers. With less than 17.000 km and at just 6200 CHF, this private sale is really a deal.

Saturno owners tend to treasure their possession, and Mr. Zurin just confirms it. Don’t expect much punch from the Gilera single cylinder. In addition to the obviously beautiful classic 60s’ aesthetics, you will appreciate the handling and thumping sound most of all. The Bialbero is super light, super thin, and the seating position and firm handling reminds me in a way of the 2 stroke 125 GP bike…long, narrow and providing huge lean angles.

Riding a Saturno 500 is a lot of fun even though, most of the time you will closer to the 100 km/h mark rather than the 150 km/h of more powerful models. In terms of pure joy and riding experience, this won’t play such a big role. If you look for something truly unique, with a timeless design and you like to corner and lean more than feel the acceleration on a straight line, than this could be for you.

Oh, yes, with its red hot paint, it will all look very well besides a Christmas tree…Dear wife, girlfriend, lover…here’s a hint for this year’s letter to Santa…

Gilera Saturno 500 Bialbero in Switzerland

Claudio

Early Christmas ? Gilera Saturno 500 (Switzerland)

Honda November 3, 2013 posted by claudio

Get One While You Can: 1996 Honda CBR 900 RR (Switzerland)

In the last couple of years we came across a few first and second generation Fireblades. The prices of these bikes has reached the very bottom. Now, is the time to buy one…provided you can find a good unmolested sample. This 1995 black model (first registered in 1996), could be the for you. It has just 31.000 km, which for a CBR, it’s like nothing. It has a new battery and recently synchronized carbs. Apart from the turn indicators, everything is stock. And now, the best thing about this bike: the fixed price, is of just 2500 CHF !

This is a steal. I rode my 1993 RR today, and once again, what this bike does to me every time I ride it, it puts a huge smile on my face. It always starts without problems and unless really cold you don’t even need to pull the conveniently placed choke on the fork tripe clamp. The engine is ultra smooth and so torquey for a 4 cylinder inline.The first Fireblades are also lighter than many modern sport bikes, and with a 16 inch at the front, they are ultra quick steering.

What about the looks ? Well, 20 years after Baba’s fantastic creation, these 900cc are still among the most aggressive and better styled Hondas ever produced. If you have owned one, you know what I am talking about, and if you never had one, it’s time to pick up one while you can !

I acquired mine just two years ago. I have bought and sold probably in excess of 30 motorbikes through my 20 years of motor biking. In terms of value for money and satisfaction I get from owning a sport bike, the first generation CBR900RR comes absolutely on top. If interested, please find the link to this Honda in Switzerland here below:

1996 Honda CBR 900 RR for a mere 2500 CHF

Claudio

Get One While You Can: 1996 Honda CBR 900 RR (Switzerland)

Suzuki October 30, 2013 posted by claudio

Handpicked: 1991 Suzuki GSX-R 1100 (Switzerland)

This 1991 Gixxer is one of the last air-oil cooled 1100 produced (the very last was the 1992 edition). It has covered just above 44.000 km.

These bigger capacity Suzukis are very reliable and given the conditions in which it is presented, you will be able to cover at least as much extra mileage without issues.

The black-grey and blue colour combination isn’t my favourite but the bike is stock (apart form the smaller turn indicators) and it comes with the original solo seat.

If you are looking a for an air cooled 1100 model, at a price of about 2800 $, this could be a good autumn’s pick. As a reminder, here’s a few numbers that come with the beloved GSX-R of the early 90s (yap these bikes were pretty powerful then…):

Overall Length: 2 090 mm (82.3 in)
Overall Width: 755 mm (29.7 in)
Overall Height: 1 150 mm (45.3 in)
Wheelbase: 1 465 mm (57.7 in)
Weight: 226 kg (497 lbs)
Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 1127 cc inline-four, DOHC, 16 valves. 145 hp/ 10,000 rpm, 11,6 kg-m/ 9,000 rpm.

1991 Suzuki GSX-R 1100 in Switzerland

Claudio

Handpicked: 1991 Suzuki GSX-R 1100 (Switzerland)

Honda October 29, 2013 posted by claudio

Honda RC 45 Bonsai = Honda NC35 (Germany)

The successor of the NC30 was sold only in Japan. Hence this model, found in Germany, was imported from there. The seller, in the first picture below, mentions that the garage has become too small now and he needs to move on, one of his sport bikes. The good thing is, he didn’t fit a “super bike lenker” (as they are called over here) on the RVF400R:

Honda NC35 with 23000 km in Germany

The small capacity RVF shares the same V4 engine configuration with the 750cc RC45. Given the pistons on the NC are almost half the size, this motor won’t have much power at low rpm, but it will scream even more than the RC when pushed hard. These Honda engines are very reliable and, provided they are well maintained, they actually “want” to be ridden hard.

If you are a sporty type of rider, the one that at any occasion will look for the fastest line through a corner,…always…and will use the gearbox, not only to keep the optimum rpm, but also because you you have a sort of sexual pleasure when shifting down while blipping the throttle, then there is hardly anything better than a NC series.

I don’t know about you, but the speed limit enforcements over here, do put a certain pressure on me and I enjoy more and more pushing hard a 500cc Staurno or an RD350 than a big and very fast 888. The NC35 is perhaps a little less beautiful then its NC30 predecessor, but it comes with a 17″ rear rim which is a good thing, as you will have much more choice when looking for fresh rubber. And you will need fresh rubber fairly often. Despite the mere 50+ HP, the NC series are fantastic handling bikes. You will need to change tyres because you will consume the front one fairly fast if you will ride the little RVF as it is meant to be.

Here a few more words from the seller (translated with Google):

I offer the RVF only because the first image is right!!
The bike is an absolute piece of cake the little RC45 A technical Highligt and simply a great bike the hell makes spas.
there were just € 2,200 invested in workshop ausschlieslisch for maintenance and repairs not care! 24000km incl the inspection.
It is a motorcycle that is driven and has traces of course use
Look at them, absolutely suitable as an investment because they only had one previous owner and was the first in Japan to let times in 2001.
Japanese papers are available as a copy.
In the German letter is a previous owner, the bike has gone five years, after which we came.
If you buy you get even mounted a new set of EBC brake discs and new pads front because the top are no longer 100%.
Shipping within Germany without islands free of charge.

Private sale without warranty and return policy.

The starting price of 7499 EUR will have our readers in the UK raise their eyebrows, and some might even fall of a chair…The thing is, that finding a NC in Europe’s mainland is really hard as the grey importers that flooded England in the early nineties simply didn’t exist elsewhere. What is also pretty difficult these days, is finding a good quality NC that didn’t have 25 previous owners, was ridden in the rain most of time and hit a few times the gravel on the unlucky odd track day.

Honda NC35 with 23000 km in Germany

Claudio

Honda RC 45 Bonsai = Honda NC35 (Germany)

Yamaha October 18, 2013 posted by claudio

Heaven Sent: Yamaha FZR750R OW-01 (Switzerland)

We all know what this is right ?

The glorious FZR750R (aka OW-01). This bike is probably one the most exclusive, rare and historically significant serial production motorbike ever produced by Yamaha. This is a true Race Replica, in the sense that it is a race bike with lights fitted on…About 500 of them were produced at the end of the 80s, making the OW-01 a more rare find than a Honda RC30. 30 years later and this Yamaha still looks the business. With that big and squared tank, thin seat, low handle bars, and intake pipes between you and the windscreen, smaller headlights vs. the distant parent FZR1000, this is still an awesome ultra aggressive looking bike. And the good news is, that it sin’t only about the looks, every component of this 750 is designed with the purpose of achieving lightweight and performance. This is still a fast and raw motorbike. It has carburettors, it wants to be revved and it will surprise you with a power urge accompanied by a distinct sound of road legal race bikes that have not been replicated (apart form the ambitious Desmosedici of Ducati) in too many years (Honda might come back with the 5 cylinder RCV but probably that’s not going to happen unless the global economy recovers).

The other even more important, news is that the above spectacular model, with just short of 17.000 km, is on sale in Switzerland at, hold yourself… 12.000 CHF = 13133 $ ! This is the best value for an OW-01 I have seen in a long, long time. If you are looking for this bike in particular, or if you just have 13 grands at disposal and you read RSBFS regularly, you’d be a fool not to snap this one before somebody else will.

1989 Yamaha FZR750R OW-O1 in Switzerland

The following video from British MCN’s Micheal Neeves says it all:

As I said a few days ago, the season for great deals has just begun, but this will be difficult to beat for a while…The challenge is on…

Claudio

Suzuki October 15, 2013 posted by claudio

Blast From The Past: 1987 Suzuki GSX-R1100 (in Switzerland)

Few years ago when the BMW S1000RR first came on the market, I watched a few times a video review on youtube from gizmag. To describe the immense power of the bike, the name “Superbike” wasn’t enough. The reviewer called “SuperDooperBike”. Back in the 80s, after the Suzuki stormed the world with the featherlight super sport GSX-R 750, the first true modern Superbike, it developed a more powerful versions: the GSX-R 1100. I guess that at that time, this would have also deserved the term “SuperDooperBike”. If only the internet, Youtube and RSBFS existed…

Here we have a clean 1 owner 1987 model. The color scheme of this isn’t really my favourite not the model itself, with the large tank growing vertically and giving the bike a more “seat back” look. Don’t be fooled though, this is still a powerful air-oil cooled big Suzuki. With the exception of the aftermarket exhaust, the bike is all original. Being a Swiss model, the owner must have updated the otherwise ugly single squared light to the, way more beautiful, classic Suzuki twin.

The advertiser mentions that the Gixxer is in top condition. It has only 24.000 km and looking at the bodywork, rims and the seat conditions, it absolutely looks the business.

The bike has recently passed a technical check that is compulsory over here every two years. The seller also mentions that he will sell only to a true enthusiast (hence it is posted on RSFS.com).The asking price is about 6500 $. Such models with low mileage and in this trim conditions, deserve every penny asked. What do you think ?

1987 Suzuki GSX-R 1100 in Switzerland

Claudio

Ducati October 14, 2013 posted by claudio

Sport Production Mark 3: Ducati 851 SP3

There are very few more iconic Ducatis than this one: 1991 Ducati 851 SP3. This bike, featuring the increased capacity motor of 888cc, is what started the modern history of Ducati in Wolrd Superbike. They rarely come on the market as their owners tend to be quite jealous. Despite this, the model found on ebay in UK had 2 previous owners and is now ready to be moved on to the next Duc lover. I personally ride an 888 Strada and I love its dynamics. It has loads and loads of torque and if you keep it between 6000 and 8000 rpm it pulls really hard. The almost flat power curve in that range combined with the super solid handling, makes a great combination on fast sweeping roads. All you need, is 3rd and 4th, and you will be able to make an impressive pace. My Strada is not really a light bike, it is quite heavy actually, but that again that makes the front wheel stick to the ground and it allows for very precise lines, provided you give it right inputs. The SP specials were never imported where I live, but I remember them, already in 1995 fetching huge prices in the used market in Italy.

1991 Ducati 851 SP3 for sale on eBay

The colour scheme of this, with the white frame and logos, dark grey wheels and the upswung pipes is as classic Ducati SBK racing as it gets. I love this bike and, whoever will be able to bring it home, can be sure that this is a real investment. The current bid (at the time of writing) is 5200 GBP with the reserve not met (obviously). With still quite some days to go, expect this to rise to way more considerable amounts.

Here’s a few words from the seller:

1991 DUCATI 851 SP3
RARE HOMOLGATION MODEL.

A RACE BIKE ON THE ROAD.

ONE OF APPROXIMATELY 500 MADE WORLDWIDE IN 1991.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT INCLUDED:

TUNED 888 ENGINE.
OHLIN SUSPENSION FRONT AND REAR.
FACTORY RACE FRAME.
CLOSE RATIO GEARBOX.
ALLOY TANK.
CAST IRON BREMBO DISCS.
RACE EXHAUST.
ALLOY REAR SUBFRAME.
ECCENTRIC REAR RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTER.
2 PREVIOUS ENTHUSIAST OWNERS.
HAS A FEW MODS: LIGHTWEIGHT DYMAG WHEELS, GOODRIDGE BRAKE AND CLUTCH STAINLESS STEEL LINES AND FITTINGS, OBERON BILLET CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER.
THE BIKE HAS DONE 31,316 KILOMETERS WHICH IS 19,752 MILES FROM NEW.
HISTORY, RECENT BELTS, SERVICE AND NEW REAR TYRE.
MOT TILL AUGUST 2014, TAX TILL END OF MONTH.
MOTOR CYCLE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION.
REMEMBER IT IS 22 YEARS OLD, SO IT DOES HAVE SOME AGE RELATED MARKS AROUND IT.
HOWEVER IT DOES LOOK GREAT.
NOT 100% STANDARD BUT CLOSE.
BIKE READY TO GO.
ANY QUESTIONS THEN PLEASE CONTACT ME.
THANKS FOR LOOKING.

If you want to acquire a piece of history, a great sounding and handling true Ducati twin and if you want something that in many ways is more original than an RC30, this SP3 Nr.290 could be for you.

Good luck to new buyer…you have all my envy 🙂

“>1991 Ducati 851 SP3 in UK

Claudio

Honda October 12, 2013 posted by claudio

2 Stroke Classics: Honda NS400R (in France)

Probably not as desirable as Suzuki’s RG500 4 cylinder or Yamaha’s RD500, the NS400R is something in between an RD350 and RD500. In fact, it has a unique 3 cylinder configuration delivering about 70 hp. In the Rothmans colours as found here in France, it is a true classic Honda of the mid 80s.

1986 Honda NS400R in France

The bike is almost completely stock, and the owner will give you the original turn lights and rear seat cover as described below:

Honda NSR 400
Year: 1986
26,000 km
100% original
Give the seat cover and original turn lights
Second gear and segmentation is there 8000 kms

I guess this might mean that the piston segment were changed at 8000km and that the sprockets and chain were renewed (kind of early at 8000km, but I guess my French is simply not good enough, so if you, the reader, are a French speaking please help…here’s the original text 🙂

Honda 400 NSR
Année : 1986
26.000 kms
100 % origine
Donne avec le capot de selle et les clignotants d’origine
Pignon de deuxième et segmentation fait il y a 8000 kms

If you are curious about how such a bike would sound, check out the (unrelated) video form Italy below:

The starting price is set at 3500 EUR (about 4700 $) but be ready to offer more than that if you want to bring this bike home. the bike has just 26000km and seems in good shape form the few pictures available.

1986 Honda NS400R in France

Claudio