Lovely as they are, and sweet to ride, the 2006-only Ducati Paul Smart commemoratives are in a funny corner – too collectible to be riders, but the urge to customize can be irresistible. Many times they appear after a few years on the display stand, generally asking serious bucks, this one with some premium bits…
Stylin’ as a pit bike or unlicensed starter, the RS50 looks for all the world like the turn-of-the-century RS125, or if you squint, an RS250. Not really built for serious fun, though it does have an aluminum frame and 17 inch wheels. 2001 Aprilia RS50 for sale on eBay Running an engine 0.3 cc less…
Living as we do somewhere between the bike and the post, your editors at RSBFS always appreciate the effort to photograph a bike well. Though they can try to hide mishaps, a good photograph is better at highlighting the lack of history, illustrating careful ownership. So much the better if a special bike is shown…
Originally based on the Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans, the Magni Sfida is a tuner-developed special nearly unheard of stateside. Post-war, Arturo Magni started at Gilera and then ran MV Agusta’s race operations 1950-77, before he and his sons started a design and fabrication shop for low-volume sportbikes based on MV, BMW, Honda, and Guzzi…
One of very few riders to be honored by Ducati with two different commemoratives, Mike Hailwood returned to racing after 11 years in cars, winning the Isle on Man in 1978, and Ducati released a similarly painted 1979 900 Super Sport. Sadly, he was killed in a traffic accident in 1981, and Ducati produced a 1984…
Made in relatively low quantities and just in 2006-07, BMW’s R1200S was their lightest, most powerful sport-oriented bike to date. Hidden in the standard silver or black ( yellow and silver/red stripes were available ) the able performer disappeared into the background of the track days and canyon runs, but held their own and were…
Built in 2000-03, the Triumph TT600 hoped to compete directly with the fleet of 600cc sportbikes from the east, and for a renewed effort from a legacy manufacturer, was an amazing endeavor. Though a combination of small detractions limited its success in the showroom, the strides made with the TT600 led to the more successful…
As special editions go, the Fogarty Monster is more than just paint. Starting with the 916 powerplant, adding a catalogue of carbon bits, then the bold graphics, and finally a nicely designed number plate including Carl’s signature, it’s a nice tribute. The 4-time WSBK champion started with Honda but achieved all of his championships with…
