Posts by tag: SuperBike

Featured Listing June 5, 2020 posted by Donn

Featured Listing – 2008 KTM RC8 with under 6,900 miles !

Update 6.5.2020: This bike has SOLD in just 2 1/2 hours after posting! The seller has informed me the transaction is now complete. Congratulations to buyer and seller! Interested in your own Featured Listing? Get all the details! dc

KTM swerved into the Superbike world in 2008, and though not currently in their line-up, they are a singular V-twin experience. RSBFS reader Francisco has a very sharp first-year RC8 with just 6,875 miles.

2008 KTM RC8 #3 of 50 For Sale

KTM’s history is primarily off-road, and joining the superbike market in the late oughts left it no time for reverence to any past. The 1148cc engine is their advanced 75-degree V-twin, a fast-track design project with fuel injection, four valves per cylinder, three oil pumps, 12.5:1 compression and 152 hp ! The trellis chassis holds the engine from above, with a steel headstock, and the cast alloy swingarm pivots directly in the rearmost bosses. WP is a subsidiary of KTM and supplied the 43mm forks and adjustable monoshock. The alloy seat subframe is hidden, but the angular bodywork makes a lasting impression, especially in the company’s chosen orange and black.

Francisco is the original owner and has kept his RC8 perfectly, with the hard to find factory accessories. He has this to say about his RC8:

2008.5 Limited Edition KTM RC8 with under 6,900 miles. Number 3 of the first 50 RC8 bikes produced for North American delivery. It even comes with the commemorative metal plaque identifying it as #3 of 50. The bike is totally clean and completely stock. It only has 6,875 miles. It is registered in California. It has always been covered and garaged and is has been lovingly maintained. Never dropped. It comes with a factory tank bag, factory passenger pad, factory passenger pegs (never used) and the rare factory tail bag. I have all the original manuals and the original brochure. I have all the keys including the plastic key and the Key code card.

It runs great overall. As with any new first generation bike it had its problems initially, but I was fortunate to have the top KTM tech correct some early water pump problems this model had. Also, the low end gear changing when cold is not BMW smooth but loosens up once the bike warms up. The ride and handling are fantastic. The engine pulls like a tractor across a really wide power band and its stock exhaust sounds throaty and crisp. The adjustable suspension works great to give you a great tight feel across even the bumpiest of roads.

Of all the sports bikes I have owned I enjoyed the comfortable upright seating position of the RC8 the most. It really is a lot of fun to ride and you can even do long trips on it. I rode it to Laguna Seca a couple of times and I was never tired or sore. The bike is located in Thousand Oaks, California. Looking for someone to buy it that really wants it, not just someone looking for a deal.

Francisco asks $8,500 for his RC8.

KTM campaigned the RC8 with some success in World Superstock, and did well in regional superbike championships in Germany, Britain, and the AMA. Reviewers loved the handling and ergonomics, and the computer-aided design gave no quarter. The company bowed out of the superbike sweepstakes in 2015, likely to free up development resources for their return to MotoGP. KTM’s RC8 is a stand-out design, with the well-developed LC8 drivetrain, and though competitively priced when introduced, they’re a downright bargain these days. Francisco’s original and cared-for example is about as nice as they come.

-donn

Featured Listing – 2008 KTM RC8 with under 6,900 miles !

Suzuki June 2, 2020 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 2,600-mile 1999 Suzuki TL1000R

Update 6.20.2020: This bike has SOLD to an RSBFS reader! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Back in 1999, the Suzuki TL1000R was full of promise as a Ducati and Honda-fighting superbike weapon. With a new, 135-horsepower v-twin mill, compact dimensions and innovative suspension to keep packaging tight around the big mill. Alas, the TL didn’t live up to Suzuki’s hopes on superbike grids around the world, but it became a cult classic beloved for its torque, unique looks and relative quirkiness.

You won’t see many nice TLs kicking around the local Craigslist, as those who have nice ones tend to hang onto them. Consider this one the exception. A second-year example in the simplest, cleanest yellow livery, it is spotless and ready to ride. It might not carry the pedigree that the Honda RC-51 earned under the likes of Colin Edwards and Joey Dunlop, but that shouldn’t be a detraction, and it will always draw a crowd at the local bike night.

From the seller:

1999 Suzuki TL1000R

2600 miles, just serviced at MSP Cycle in Atlanta.

I’m the second owner and bought the bike in 2012. Everything is stock except the Yoshimura pipes.

Never dropped or abused and runs perfect. The bike is located at my office in Doraville, Georgia. Can be seen anytime and I am happy to assist with inspection or shipping.

$6,900

The Yoshimura pipes are an awesome addition that will fully unleash the v-twin’s signature snarl. With everything else as it left the factory and so few miles, this TL is the perfect candidate for a periodic weekend mount and conversation starter.

Featured Listing: 2,600-mile 1999 Suzuki TL1000R

MV Agusta May 5, 2020 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 2008 MV Agusta F4 312R

Update 5.18.2020: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

One could argue that naming a sportbike after its designed top speed is unfair. Kinda like naming a kid after Ayrton Senna or John Surtees. It’s a nice honor, but it takes a special person to leave the shadow of a lofty name. In the case of the 2008 MV Agusta F4 312R, being named after its top speed was no issue. With 183 horsepower from a slightly revised version of the regular F4’s radial-valve inline four, the bike had no problem outrunning its long shadow.

The 312R hit three years after the first-gen F4 1000s were introduced, wearing revised 50mm Marzocchi forks and a fully-adjustable Sachs rear shock. Brembo Monoblocs bring everything back into the stratosphere when the road curves or the rider’s nerves give out.

This 2008 MV Agusta F4 312R has been with our buddy Scott since new, and has covered just 2,200 miles in that time. Aside from a custom ECU tune to calm down the famously snatchy stock fueling, the bike is original down to the tires. It has had a recent oil pan gasket and a new battery, but those tires should probably be shelved if you’re going to ride it.

From the seller:

Over time I find my track time increasing so I’m continuing to thin my motorcycle herd due to a lack of street riding. You are looking at a mint 2008 MV Augusta F4 312R with 2200 miles on it. I bought it new, never been down or abused. I fell in love with the looks of it, the power and handling just added to it. The riding position is very similar to the Ducati 916 family. It just had the oil pan gasket replaced due to a slight leak along with the oil and the battery replaced. It’s ready to ride however; I’d consider new tires given the set on it is original so getting up there in age. The bike is stock and shows like new. If you know this model it was the fastest thing out there at the time but its fueling was terrible. Read any F4 MV test back then and fueling was always a sore spot. The throttle was like an on-off switch which made the power band almost two-stroke like, a little unnerving with this much grunt. Not this bike, it was gone through by fuel injection guru Doug Laughlin who came out to work on a few MV’s at Robb’s Dyno is Massachusetts. Essentially what he did was to re-write the entire map code to smooth out the power band. Think of it as a performance ECU upgrade, the bike is so much more enjoyable to ride now. Still scary fast but only when you want it to be. I’m a collector who properly maintains and describes my motorcycles. I’ve sold a few bikes over the years, my feedback is I under promise and over deliver. The new owner of a Ducati 999 I just sold sent me an email telling me I misrepresented the bike, never a good start to an email. However, he said my description did not do the bike justice given once he saw it, he was very impressed. No trades or lowball offer please. Shipping is the buyer’s responsibility however I’m happy to work with your shipper.

Price: $9,500

The first-generation MV Agusta F4s are gorgeous, iconic and scarce. To have the opportunity to get the even rarer F4 312R in beautiful condition and a well-documented issue sorted out is unreal. Scott is asking just $9,500 for this gem, which is bananas when you consider how little new motorcycle that figure will buy you. The days are getting longer, don’t sleep on this chance.

Featured Listing: 2008 MV Agusta F4 312R

Suzuki April 8, 2020 posted by Donn

Dust-Off – 2001 Suzuki GSX-R1000

Suzuki returned to the liter-bike spectrum with the K1, an expanded and powerful upgrade to the GSX-R750R. Released from the back of the garage, washed, and photographed, this Maryland example would like to help you spring forth.

2001 Suzuki GSX-R1000 for sale on eBay

An evolution of the long-developed GSX-R750R, the 2001 liter borrowed the 750’s engine cases, slightly bored and very stroked to 988cc and 160 ( ! ) hp. The stroki-ness of the motor meant good torque could be expected, and it delivered 81 ft.-lbs. at 8,500 rpm. The alloy twin spar chassis was lengthened a hair and extrusions thickened .5 mm, which for test engineers resulted in a 10% stiffer frame. Kayaba provided some of their finest street bits, the upside-down fork sliders with titanium nitriding and the monoshock with a piggyback reservoir. Tokico’s six-piston calipers ride 320mm floating disks providing plenty of stoppage, and area to mount DOT reflectors. Riding position is aggressive but reviewed as do-able for a long day’s ride.

Sounds like this owner is the third, with not all that many miles for any of them at under 11,000 total. As much as the roll-it-out-and-wash-it photo shoot bugs me, the bike looks excellent. From the eBay auction:

Just under 11k miles, completely stock, no modifications, it has a Yoshi Slip on, but I do have the original exhaust, in mint condition, to go with bike. Garage kept since birth. Only 2 owners, both professionals. Never raced, never abused. Bike runs, drives, idles, like new. I Have both keys and complete tool kit. I do not have owner’s manual. Bike needs nothing but fresh fluid changes for the season.

Suzuki’s big success in the -R1000 was weight control, with a ride-away weight more in line with a 750 than other flagships. Handling reviewed as a nice balance, not quite up to Honda’s 929RR standard, and the torque took Yamaha’s R1 to task. Suzuki and Mat Madlin were in the middle of running the AMA Superbike table, and the GSX-R1000 was in the showrooms on Monday, bigger and more comfortable than the 750, but every bit a Superbike.

-donn

Featured Listing March 30, 2020 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1999 Suzuki TL-1000R

It was supposed to be a World Superbike-dominating Ducati killer. That never came to pass for the 1999 Suzuki TL1000R, but the bike’s sweet engine gained it a huge cult following. With a few choice modifications, TLs can be fantastic weekend mounts, and have an extra edge of panache that Gixxers lack.

1999 Suzuki TL1000R for sale on eBay

This 1999 Suzuki TL1000R comes from a fastidious mechanic whose CV includes stints for Roland Sands and Kevin Schwantz. The list of modifications is long and impressive, and includes a Yamaha R1 front suspension and brake setup, as well as a Bitubo shock to replace the weird stock rotary damper. It also sports a new-used engine with just 6,000 miles on it.

That last point is an important one, as this TL shows a scarcely believable 118,000 miles on the clock. That figure points to the stoutness of Suzuki’s stock bits, but must have been backbreaking for the big bike’s owner.

From the eBay listing:

1999 TL1000R.

I am the second owner.

Fresh light restoration TLR. I’ve built bikes for Roland Sands, and suzuki racebikes for Kevin Schwantz, so this one is done RIGHT.

Dash and title show 118k miles. BUT:

Every nut and bolt on this bike has been touched and cleaned, replaced, or refurbished. Sure, I could have replaced the gauges with some low mile unit and misrepresented, but I feel like being honest here shows how well this bike has been cared for even before I got it and cleaned it up.

Complete R1 wheel, brake, and fork/triple swap. Forks are freshly rebuild with upgraded springs and top of the line seals and fluid. Lower offset on the R1 triples makes this bike feel 100 lighter than standard.

Ohlins steering damper

Woodcraft clipons

Brand new Bitubo aftermarket shock. (It’s eyetalian)

Brand new wheel bearings in the wheels, and all balls steering head bearings.

New swingarm bearings.

New (used) complete engine with 6000 miles.

New M4 complete stainless exhaust with carbon cans.

Nice Michelin tires.

Braided brake lines

Fresh paint with new factory decals under the clear coat.

Zero gravity windscreen

New chain and sprockets

New Barnett clutch

New air filter

Power Commander

I know it’s a lot of money for a TL however, if a brand new showroom bike is a 10, and every abused, neglected TL on Craigslist is a 5, this one is a solid 8.75. It does show its age and mileage in a few areas buts it’s very very clean.

As he acknowledges, it’s a big ask for a 21-year-old Japanese sportbike, but they aren’t making more TLs, and this one is set up exactly as it should be for years of enjoyment. If you’re looking for an escape from the scourge that is COVID-19, what better way to isolate yourself than on a 130-horsepower v-twin superbike?

Ducati March 6, 2020 posted by Tad Diemer

Premium Trackday Toy: 2018 Pierobon X85R Superbike for Sale

If you’re thinking today’s Pierobon X85R is just some sort of Panigale in race bodywork with an aftermarket exhaust, you’re partly correct, but also missing an important detail. Hint: it’s red and is something you wouldn’t normally see on Ducati’s semi-monocoque superbike. A frame. Less obvious is the extended swingarm to improve the v-twin Pani’s somewhat unruly handling. All of it crafted to the highest standards from the best materials available, and the completed machine should be impossibly light: an X60R powered by Ducati’s two-valve engine weighs in at around 300lbs wet, depending on specification.

So why would you add a frame to a largely frameless bike? You’d have to ask Pierobon, although I’d suspect the frame has more flex to add a bit of feel to the somewhat feedback-challenged Panigale. But I’d trust them if I were you: located in Bologna near Ducati’s headquarters, they’ve been making frames, subframes, swingarms, and fuel tanks to their WSBK and MotoGP teams for over 50 years. As a sideline, they make a variety of trackday and racebike kits meant to accept Ducati’s two and four-valve engines. Be prepared for some sticker-shock though.

These are basically kits that include the frame, airbox, air duct, rear subframe, rearsets, and brackets for the electronics. To that base kit, you can add whichever suspension you want, using the original Panigale tank and swingarm. If you want, you can add beautifully-crafted, lightweight replacements from Pierobon, along with carbon bodywork that appears to be based on the Panigale. You’ll also need an exhaust, and other sundry bits. Boulder Motorsports, the folks selling this bike, have built a few of these in the past, and I’ve seen them at track days out here on the west coast. They’re minimalist and beautiful in the way that only pure racing machines can be. The seller includes the insane level of equipment that went into this one below.

From the original eBay listing: 2018 Pierobon X85R Superbike for Sale

2018 Pierobon X85R Superbike, Serial #1

This Pierobon X85R is a very unique and special trellis frame Panigale 1199R powered race/track bike and is frame number one built by Pierobon in Bologna Italy. The bike is light weight and was built by Boulder Motor Sports (US Pierobon importer) with the highest level components from Brembo, Ohlins, OZ, Magneti Marelli, etc.

Who is Pierobon you ask? Pierobon is located in Bologna Italy adjacent to Ducati’s headquarters and is a chassis and fabrication specialist company that supplies many racing teams in World Superbike and MotoGP with frames, subframes swingarms and fuel tanks as well as paddock equipment. Pierobon has built three versions of complete chassis kits known as the X60R (2-valve air cooled Ducati engine, X80R (4-Valve liquid cooled Ducati engine) and the X85R (4-valve Panigale liquid cooled engine). The X85R utilizes a lightweight trellis frame combined with a Pierobon built +30mm single sided swingarm and triple clamps that offers amazing feedback to the rider with precise engineering.

The following components where used to build this unique bike:

Pierobon X85R Chassis kit #1 (main frame, subframes, rear sets, handle bars, etc)

+30mm Pierobon WSBK single sided swingarm

Ducati 1199R SBK Engine (900km apx)

Ohlins RVP25 Forks

Ohlins RSP40 WSBK Shock

Ducati Corse WSBK Rear link and adjuster

Brembo Monobloc 2-pad GP front race calipers with Brembo Z04 pads

Brembo 16×18 Billet front brake pump

Brembo 16×19 Billet clutch pump

Brembo 84mm Bilett rear caliper

IMA adjustable thumb brake with optional rear foot brake control

336mm front racing brake rotors

Magneti Marelli SRT SBK ECU and electronics (Bike includes cable and software)

Custom race wiring loom, switch gear and components built by Bike Sport Developments UK

Electronics support traction, wheelie and launch control as well as closed loop engine braking

AIM SmrtyCam HD camera system with embeded data on screen for video playback

Termignoni WSBK/BSB Edition Force full racing exhaust

OZ “R” racing wheels

Febur full SBK radiator and oil cooler

Carbon bodywork

Race seat with seat extender

EK 3d chain with quick change sprockets

Titanium hardware throughout the entire bike

Bike will be sold with limited spare parts.

This bike was built by Boulder Motor Sports in 2018 and was ridden by Moto Rapido British Superbike rider Tommy Bridewell in the AHRMA Pro Challenge race during the Barber Vintage festival in 2018. The following year it was ridden at the same event by WSBK champion Scott Russell. The bike has been meticulously maintained and was built utilizing the highest level of components.

This is a great opportunity to purchase a collectible engineering masterpiece by one of the worlds best chassis designers, engineers and fabricators.

Sound like your dream bike? Only one problem, the $110,000 asking price. Which, believe it or not, is probably well south of the actual build cost. Is it worth it? Considering the quality components, rarity, and performance, probably it technically is, although the performance is far beyond what most of us could hope to fully exploit and it doesn’t really have any value to collectors. Basically it’s a very, very expensive toy. But I know if price was no object, I’d want one.

-tad

Premium Trackday Toy: 2018 Pierobon X85R Superbike for Sale

Honda March 4, 2020 posted by Aaron

V4 Cruise Missile: 1993 Honda VFR750 Interceptor

The Honda VFR750 never fails to pop up in forum posts and old magazine articles seeking to name the best all-around motorcycle available. Inevitably, there’s some dentist from Portland who chimes in with 43 photos of his immaculate VFR and a long tale about how he’s put 175,000 miles on it from new and only ever changed the oil and tires. It’s a fact of Internet life, and it gets pretty old. But, if you spend any time at all around the bikes, you’ll discover that those Aerostitch-clad Boomers are on to something. These bikes are, quite simply, phenomenal.

1993 Honda VFR750 for sale on eBay

Of course, I am biased. A red ’97 model sits in my garage, and I sought it out after reading too many dentists telling me how awesome it was. They were right. The gear driven cams make a gorgeous whine on top of the small-block lope of the V4, the power is electric and the handling, while not exactly sprightly, is impressive for something so large and perfectly stable.

This 1993 Honda VFR750 appears to have been babied by one of the aforementioned healthcare professionals, and shows very nicely in white. The way the single-sided swingarm shows off that magnificently ’90s rear wheel is enough to give you visions of Joey Dunlop. With 15,000 original miles, a next to new set of tires and new spark plugs, battery and fuel filter, there is no reason this thing shouldn’t be down for a cross-country road trip tomorrow.

From the eBay listing:

Up for sale is my VERY clean VFR-750. Ultra low miles, adult owned and maintained. Never ridden in the rain, always garage kept on a battery tender when not riding. Has 480 miles on a new set of Michelin Pilots, new spark plugs, new fuel filter, battery is 1 year old, carbs were cleaned and sync’d, K & N air filter, gutted Yoshimura slip on muffler. Always washed after every ride, oil and filter changed every 1,000 miles using Honda oil and filter.

With a hollowed-out Yosh pipe, this thing will make your neighbors hate you, but how could they ever hate this bike?

V4 Cruise Missile: 1993 Honda VFR750 Interceptor

Honda February 27, 2020 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1990 Honda RC30

Update 3.5.2020: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

The 1990 Honda RC30 was built specifically to win the World Superbike Championship for Honda, back in the glory days when racing meant almost as much to manufacturers as their retail operations did. People still came out in hordes to watch roadraces at tracks around the world, and the level of talent and daring were visceral in a way that the hyper-controlled environment today just cannot match. Somewhere there is video footage of Joey Dunlop changing a clutch on an RC30 laid on its side on a patch of grass.

The street legal RC30 homologation specials wed that spirit with the highest tech available to sportbikes at the time and created a legend. As a marketing exercise, they executed their mission far beyond expectations. The 118 horsepower seems pedestrian by today’s standards, but the feathery, torquey RC30 rewards focus in a way that modern machines can’t match.

This one, #58, had a fair number of miles put on by the first owner’s wife, before our pal Mark bought it, rode it enough to get the feel for it, then winterized it and put it on display in his house. As a result, it is in beautiful condition, with under 5,000 miles on the clock. It has a CBR600 front wheel to fit modern tires, but the original is included, along with the original rear. We’d keep those around for posterity, but there’s one choice if you’re actually going to ride it.

From the seller:

The bike is #58, which was previously on RSBFS years ago. Original owner put most of the miles on it, his wife rode around NorCal. All the documentation is there including original pink slip! The tires are the originals for display. There’s currently a CBR600 front wheel on it for the 3 1/2″ rubber. I wanted to try the legendary RC30 so I put new rubber on it and then rode it for 50 miles before it went into the basement. It really is a piece of rolling artwork, never really appreciated it until I rode it.

All gas was removed etc. Comes with original stand, in great condition as you would expect from something that’s lived in an air conditioned basement for the last few years. Photos are not great, happy to do a video call with any real buyer that wants to see specifics…..bodywork on or off. There’s nothing to hide, no stories with this one.

Price: $35,000.

The rarer these get, the more desirable and expensive they become. This one is one of the best we have seen, and it has been made ready to ride, display or do double duty. You can’t say fairer than that.