Posts by tag: CBR

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We have 15 years of archives. Please note that posts over a year old may have been updated to point to similar bikes available to bid on eBay.

Honda January 18, 2023 posted by Donn

90-Something – Honda CBR400RR / NC29

Toward the end of the Baby ‘Blade’s development, Honda brought out a asymmetrical alloy swingarm which identifies this CBR400RR as a 1990 or later example. Thoroughly renovated by its owner, it’s waiting out the weather in the living room and still priced such that a shipping container beckons.

Honda CBR400RR / NC29 for sale on eBay UK

Mostly intended for the home market, the littler CBR continues to be a popular gray market import. Similarities with the flagship are many, with the twin alloy frame spars, twin headlights, 17-inch wheels, and of course lookalike livery. Because of the lofty rpm’s needed to generate its 59 hp, the 400 uses gear driven cams, giving it a unique audio signature. Dampers are on the budget end of the scale, but right-sized for the light weight, and dual front disks might have been a little more marketing than engineering.

Peculiar that this owner doesn’t state the year anywhere in the auction, but it looks great with many new parts and a nice rendition of the torn paper paint. Even if the odometer has quit, km’s are probably close and at 8,099 quite low. A long list of refurbishments in the eBay auction –

Since purchasing it in 2015 I have only done around 500 miles and spent a fortune on it.

I spent the first 12 to 24 months working on it with professional help.

It is/was always stored in a dry, dehumidified garage and only ever ridden by me in sunshine.

05-01-23 Just had 4 new plugs, 4 new carb seals, New brake fluid, MOT.

03-08-2019 New Coolant

05-07-2018 Carb clean and new jets.

14-02-2018 Front Fork Rebuild, Fork seals and fork oil, rear brake service and fluid.

08-06-2016 New Fairing Parts, New Ignition Switch, New Screen, New Hagon Rear Shock, New Chain & Sprockets, New Pirelli Diablo Rosso 11 Tyres, New Brake Pads Front & Rear,New Complete Stainless Steel Exhaust System & Black Widow Silencer(sounds awesome), New Fuel Pump, New Grips, New Handle Bars, New Mirrors, Pillion Seat Re Upholster,Speedo Converter kph to mph (works a treat, mph matches what it says on the clock, so much easier than trying to work it out or putting stickers on the clock), New Rectifier, Complete Motorcycle Re Spray By Dream Machine

Sounds fantastic and gets admiring looks wherever it goes.

There is a slight scrape to one engine casing (please see pic), but it never really bothered me so I never sorted it.

Also the odometer does not seem to be working but the trip does so again I never really bothered getting it sorted.

Yearly updates seem to have slowed to a crawl with the gull arm, and stopped in 1994, though some sources say the model was sold until the year 2000. Even the full-size FireBlade was a shoehorn fit, and the 400 has a second seat which should leave room for a size M rider. Even accounting for shipping and importation this CBR looks like a winner.

-donn

Honda December 11, 2022 posted by Donn

Tropical Storm – 1987 Honda CBR750F Super Aero

Slightly less of a whirlwind than its Hurricane name calls for, but still off the charts rarity-wise, today’s CBR is a Japanese market full-bodied 750F. With just over 4,000 miles, it’s over at Iconic Motorbike Auctions looking great with just minor cosmetic issues.

1987 Honda CBR750F for sale at Iconic Motorbikes

A short but aerodynamic chapter in motorbike history had all-enclosed fairings from several manufacturers, with great soap bar looks and less fussy hidden chassis. We know the 1000cc model here, but a 750 was in the stable at home. Plenty of power at the crank with 105 hp, but the frame geometry and 493 lbs. wet weight made for more of a sporty tourer. More fuel on board than most supersports, and period tweaks like a smaller front wheel to help turn-in. Music from the gear-driven cams has to compete with roar from the intakes which are a ways back in the sidecovers.

Centrally located in Nebraska, this CBR looks very good, apparently the subject of a Mecum auction in 2018, and then 2022 as Iconic states. Quite stock with just a small dent in the tank and a scrape here and there, though fresh rubber would be a thought for any serious riding. Idles commendably after a cold start in the – video – . And the owners comments from the Iconic auction –

The previous owner said he had performed a full service and replaced the fork seals. We did a carb clean after I bought it.

A minor ding on the rear left corner of the fuel tank, a few minor chips in the paint such as in the leading edge of the left faring. The fuel tank must have shown some rust because someone has coated it. There don’t seem to be any problems from that repair (rust in the carbs, etc.).

Despite reviews singing its praises as an all-rounder, 1988 was the last model year for the CBR750F, rarity ensured. For a fan of the brand wanting a CBR easy to ride quickly without ergonomic hassles, the Super Aero presented here might be just right. Eminently showable since you likely won’t see another, and just a few touch-ups will have this example in the running for a trophy. Bidding is open on this Iconic auction, and we’ll be watching.

-donn

Tropical Storm – 1987 Honda CBR750F Super Aero

Honda October 24, 2022 posted by William

Wrongfully Imprisoned: 2014 Honda CBR1000RR SP

Honda knows how to build a motorcycle. They have been doing it for decades, and the CBR line is the stuff of legend at this point. Always renowned for excellent road manors and approachable performance, the CBR line has offered plenty of choices for buyers over the years. What Honda does not always know how to do is market a new version of a new bike. Case in point is the 2014 CBR1000RR SP. If you are asking yourself what the SP version is, you are not alone.

In the same vain as an R Ducati, the SP was designed as a type of homologation version of the standard CBR1000RR. Lighter wheels, more powerful brakes, Ohlins suspension, and a few other trick bits were added to the SP. These parts really are bargain at just $2700 over the standard bike. Honda took great care in developing the bike. The engines were hand blueprinted and make the better part of 180 horsepower. Full production numbers were never officially released, but most rumors put the numbers in the mid hundreds for the world.

Today’s example has never been started or used. It is perfectly preserved. Seems like only yesterday this was a brand new offering from Honda, but in reality it is about to become a teenager. Strange to think that something of this era is on the cusp of becoming collectable.

From The Seller’s eBay Listing:

The new limited-production SP isn’t an exotic like the RC30 or RC45, it’s special in its own right, with a hand-balanced engine, top-level Ohlins suspension, and Brembo brakes. It was the basis for Honda superbikes worldwide and this street bike is among the finest on the road. Everything about the SP’s is just a bit more refined feeling. This example has spent the last few years in The Throttlestop Motorcycle Museum after we uncrated it. It’s never been fuel up or started. It’s like the wrapper was just pulled off, it simple outstanding in every way. This is one of the best-looking modern Superbikes around and this special and limited production SP takes the cake.

This is an interesting listing for a few reasons beyond it being for an amazing motorcycle. The market over the past couple of years has been insane to watch, and recently started making wild moves again. Some bikes are still selling for huge money, and others have struggled to find new homes. If there is one constant, it is change. Zero mile examples of top tier specs have always been in demand. These are often unlikely bikes to have been tucked away due to the fact they were incredible machines to ride and use. While the SP is no doubt a great machine out on the road, the sales were a total flop. Many bikes languished on dealer floors for years. Partly due $16,999 MSRP and partly to do with the appallingly bad marketing by Honda. Buyers simply did not know the bike existed when new. Does all that translate to a 13 year old bike selling for more than MSRP when new? Personally I think not as there are surely others out there to choose from. Maybe it is less of an argument about paying too much, but rather buying too early. As more and more people start to understand what a great bike there are, demand will finally rise and so will prices.

Honda October 13, 2022 posted by William

Closer Look Needed: 2017 Honda CBR1000RR SP2

For decades the CBR line from Honda has been offering incredible performance packaged into a useable platform. Long have reviewers talked about comfort, solid street manors and how approachable the performance envelop is. The SP name plate was first used for the 2014 model year. This version had a number of upgrades over the standard CBR1000RR. Lighter wheels, Brembo calipers and Ohlins suspension were among these changes. Normally this kind of specification is reserved for uber expensive Italian offerings. While not exactly a bargain basement offering, the Honda did represent a great value in the market when new.

The MSRP of $25,000 got you more than just the fancy suspension and brakes. It got some really interesting little details like a titanium fuel tank, oversized valves and over a 30 pound weight reduction when compared to the pervious version. Without getting extremely nerdy, the valves and details in the cylinder head were really special. Honda when the extra mile with this homologation bike and designed a head that would work on the street, but would allow race teams to aggressively port and polish the head to extract maximum horsepower. It is very cool to have such focus on race team changes on a street bike.

From The Seller’s eBay Listing:

If you know bikes, you know what this is. A unique SC77 Honda SP2 Fireblade. Only 500 ever made, out of which 100 was raced and no longer in circulation. Worldwide only 400 in existence. In the US we have 65 of these still in existence.

I have tastefully modified this bike with a KC2 Stage 3 Race tune with the quick throttle option. Calibrated for 190/55.

Racing Stacks, Yoshimura Alpha 1 Exhaust, ASV Levers, Piug windshield, Axle sliders and a bunch more mods. Too many name. ECU has a lifetime support and warranty.

There is no question that a closer look is needed before pulling the trigger to purchase the bike. There is odd damage to one of the turn signals and a couple of worrying scratches. Perhaps it is just a poor presentation of an amazing bike. The SP2 was not something that was casually purchased when new. These were not well marketed, offered in limited numbers and commanded a premium price over even the already pricy SP. Many of these bikes have been used as intended and that should not in itself scare away buyers.

Honda October 3, 2022 posted by Donn

Prequel – 1991 Honda CBR400RR / NC29

Today’s Repsol replica is a CBR400RR underneath and more appropriately sized for Dr. House than the often seen 1000cc superbike. Starting with a clean example makes this re-body a very worthwhile endeavor.

1991 Honda CBR400RR / NC29 for sale on eBay

With some major revisions from the NC17 and NC23 specs, the NC29 echoes the CBR900’s styling. An alloy box-section frame has a welded support to start the seat console, and an asymmetrical swingarm allows the four-into-one exhaust to start upward. 59 hp are pretty good out of 400cc’s with four thumb-sized flat slide carburetors metering the fuel. Components nod to budgetary realities, with single-adjustable Showa forks and monoshock, though the dual 275mm brakes use four-piston calipers.

Must’ve been a labor of love fitting all new fairings and having the tank painted, and comes off as extra sharp if not original. The unusual factory blinkers accompany just a few updates, as detailed in the eBay auction –

The bike only has 8,843 miles on the odometer (14,231 kilometers) and is in absolutely fantastic shape for its 31 year age. The bike runs great and needs nothing. I changed all the fluids and cleaned and lubed the chain in May of 2022 and I had the carbs cleaned and adjusted by TFOG (Denver CO) in 2021. Below are some additional details regarding the bike:

I have a clear Colorado title in my name and the bike is currently registered in Denver, CO

I have all the original U.S. import documentation, the original owners manuals (in Japanese), the original sales brochure and a Haynes Repair and Service Manual for the NC29 (Please see the pictures of these items) that will come with the bike

Since I have owned the bike it has been stored in a climate controlled garage and the bike has never been ridden in the rain

I have only used non-ethanol gas and I always used gas stabilizer

Please note that the bike came originally in a silver, teal and black color scheme (please see the picture) and it has been converted to the orange, black and red Repsol livery with the gas tank painted to match. I do have all the original body panels safely stored in boxes, but please note that there is a small crack in the nose cone

I have put a 3M Clear Bra on all forward facing body panels and on the sides of the gas tank

The stock clutch and brake levers have been replaced with CRG Roll-a-Click levers along with after market foot pegs to match

I have installed a carbon fiber wrapped SP Engineering exhaust unit as well as a carbon fiber rear fender

There are some minor blemishes on the forks and some paint is starting to peel on the right side engine cover along its leading edge. I am hopeful that with the high resolution pictures I uploaded people can zoom in and see the blemishes. Other than those minor blemishes, the bike is cosmetically in fantastic shape

Hard to pick which Honda you would’ve brought home from Japan at that time, with the CBR and VFR both available in medium and large sizes. Largely a budget question these days, with early Fireblades and of course RC30’s requiring a serious commitment. CBR400RR’s are perhaps more rare, and we’ll get a data point on the market in a couple of days.

-donn

Honda May 12, 2022 posted by Mike

Instant Collection: Five 400cc sport bikes from the 1990s

The 400cc sport bike set has been a hot topic on the pages of RSBFS, and were in fact part of the early focus of the site when it was entirely dedicated to finding grey market listings for sport bikes not originally imported into the United States. From those humble beginnings RSBFS grew to encompass the best of the rare and exotic, while continuing to harbor a soft spot for imports. Today’s collection of five members the 400cc club – one from each of the Big Four (plus a bonus Honda)- is definitely worth a look, even if some of the details are sparse and the bikes are located far, far away from US shores. The lineup:

Five 400cc sport bikes from the 1990s for sale on eBay

Honda VFR400R

Honda CBR400RR

Kawasaki ZXR400

Yamaha FZR 400SP

Suzuki GSX-R400SP

From the seller:
Collection of all the 90s 400cc sportbikes. All bikes are registered Hungarian bikes, with clean history. Will be sold with all necessary papers to register elswhere!

It is a one time opportunity to buy a collection like this!

These bikes are listed in a package deal on eBay in a Buy It Now (or best offer) format for $19,500 USD. Details are sparse, but as RSBFS writer and collector William notes: “The bikes are appealing, the package is interesting at that price point and the pictures are solid…a deal is always worth exploring.” You must admit that this flock looks great together. And given that the US shores has seen scant appearances of 400cc serious bikes between the 1980s Fizzer 400 and the more recent Ninja/CBR/R3/KTM offerings in 300-400cc sizes, these are undeniably rare in the US of A. You can check out all of the details here. Good Luck!!

Honda January 16, 2022 posted by William

Paging Dr House: 2007 Honda CBR1000RR Repsol

It often seems like Honda has been making the CBR series for millennium. A staple of every years sport bike tests and features. Rarely taking top trump in any one particular category, it has always been regaled as an extremely well rounded machine and praised for being easy to extract the potential performance contained within.

This eight generation CBR1000RR is one of the special Repsol editions. The package was meant to celebrate Honda’s on track success in WSBK and MotoGP. Race replicas like this had once been much more common, but by 2007 the trend was fading, a shame really as they added a pop and flair to an otherwise bland dealership floor. This bike was also a long time feature on the hit TV show House.

The OEM package was mainly cosmetic, but the standard 180hp bike did not really warrant much extra. Honda did not number the edition, so total production is unknown. From release, these have always been sought after and command a premium over a similar standard bike. This example appears to have a couple of period correct and desirable add ons. Chief among them is the Akrapovic exhaust that without a doubt sounds amazing.

From The Seller’s eBay Listing:

2007 Honda cbr 1000rr repsol edition, last 5 of the vin are 00093
Motorcycle is like new for its age, very powerful with zero issues, starts on touch runs very smooth, lots of upgrades Dino jet tuned super fast, all of her miles came from riding trough Georgia and Carolina mountains motorcycle has always been kept inside and ridiculously cleand. Never abused or raced. Has all new brakes EBC, racing brake lines, tires,. All carbon fiber trim, everything up-to-date. I will also include all of the stock parts that are been taking off, Feel free to ask any questions or for videos.

Opening bid of $6499 has yet to be made as of writing. It has been a while since one of these has been listed in a real auction format. Normally we see these with much higher Buy It Now prices, so this could be a chance to snag a deal on a fun motorcycle.

Listing claims a very clean bike, but the left side frame bobbin does raise a question. Mileage is nothing to worry about as these fully live up to the Honda reliability reputation.

Honda August 2, 2021 posted by William

Hidden Honda Homologation: The 2017 CBR1000RR SP2

For years motorcycle manufactures that have wanted to go racing have been forced to produce homologation specials. Most of the time these tweaked versions are announced with much fan fair. They have massive appeal, and often massive MSRPs. For some reason beyond comprehension Honda just has not bothered to advertise that these editions are available. Recently there was the 2014 CBR1000RR SP that few knew about. It featured a laundry list of upgrades over the already excellent standard CBR. But then in 2017 Honda doubled down. Not only offering an SP spec, but also and SP2 spec. This SP2 is really something special.

2017 CBR1000RR SP2

Claims of over 35 pounds of weight savings, increase of over 10 horse power, top tier suspension, light weight wheel, some of the best brakes money can buy and the use of some exotic materials and manufacturing processes. This bike was in it to win it. The press documentation made it clean that thought was put into what race teams would do to prepare the bike for the track. The cylinder heads featured larger valves with the knowledge that race teams would be porting and polishing to suit their needs. Best guess is less then 500 where made over a two year span.

From the seller’s eBay listing:

2017 CBR1000rr SP2. Around 1200 miles. Full Spark Ti exhaust. Woolich tuning, de restricted. Yosh tidy tail, seat cover. Small scratch by seat cowl from resting tank during de restrict. Rare bike.

This example shows very few miles, and a few choice modifications. Would be nice to know if the original parts are included. With an asking price roughly $10,000 less then MSRP this could be an opportunity for someone to jump onto a super rare and interesting modern sport bike without rising massive depreciation.