In late 2006 Ducati had a conundrum. The Pierre Terblanche designed 999 was a massive hit on the racetrack in the hands of the WSBK team, with 3 WSBK championships to show for it. In the showroom, the 999 received critical acclaim. Well, let’s just say it earned more critics than acclaim. The fact was,…
If the RZ350 earlier this week didn’t wake you from your four stroke stupor, then perhaps another 150cc and 2 cylinders of even more smoking goodness can rouse your interest. In today’s post you will find what looks to be a museum quality home market RZ500 – the aluminum framed, restricted output, ultra rare RZV500R.…
The Yamaha RZ350 was the last of the federally imported two strokes into the EPA-heavy state of California. With precise oil injection, the Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS) to maximize efficiency, and air-injection and catalytic converters in the exhaust stream, this was the cleanest factory smoker on the planet in 1984. Sadly this was not…
For your RSBFS Track Day Tuesday fun, how about this bright orange Triumph 675R for some high-zoot apex strafing? The mainstay powertrain of choice in Moto 2 GP racing, there really should be no concern about the track worthiness of the unique Triumph triple. And the rest of the package looks pretty well sorted and…
Just a quickie post on a potentially interesting mystery bike for your weekend reading and researching. It is listed as a 1984 Yamaha RZ350, and these are always fun bikes to post about. The fan base is rabid, and these are getting more and more rare as time passes. In today’s case the mystery is…
All Bimotas are rare. It doesn’t matter the model, the year, the capacity. Sure, some models are much more rare and drool worthy than others (here’s looking at you, Mantra), but all are built in small-batch goodness. So what happens when you take a really, really cool model such as a YB11 Superleggera (Italian for…
A bit of a fun one for your perusal. Famed small-bore manufacturer Derbi offered a line of 50cc GP racer replicas as street bikes. Different from the popular Yamaha YSRs, the Derbis were very nearly full-sized motorcycles – except for their engines, of course. This makes them excellent trainers for young riders looking to move…
With the introduction of the 851 in 1987, Ducati fired a shot across the bow of World SBK racing. They were in it to win it. And like biblical clockwork, the 851 begat the 888, which paved the way for the revolutionary 916. The 916 grew in capacity to 996cc, and ultimately to 998cc to…