The two-stroke race-replicas like this Yamaha RZ500 represent a brief, very exciting time in motorcycling. The 1980s were a difficult time for bikes as well as cars: technology was leaping forward while emissions legislation stifled performance at the same time it attempted to save the planet. Eventually, manufacturers would find ways to work within or…
A mix of sleek styling and proven Japanese power, the Aprilia RS250 was the Italian company’s entry into the hotly-contested quarter-liter sportbike class battles and intended to take the fight to Honda’s NSR250, Yamaha’s TZR250, and Suzuki’s RGV250. The monochromatic style was a far cry from the vivid speedblock and tiger-stripe designs of the Japanese…
Evolving from the now-vintage RD350, Yamaha made a splash with the first perimeter frame for the RZ350, along with the YPVS power valve and rear monoshock. Due to emissions concerns it was short-lived in the U.S., but this example is better than excellent. 1984 Yamaha RZ350 for sale on eBay Yamaha’s 347cc parallel twin…
The parallel-twin precursor to the well-known RGV250, the Suzuki RG250Γ “Gamma” was built between 1983 and 1987. Dry weight was a claimed 286lbs, helped by the aluminum frame, so the bike’s 45hp can still move the bike down the road smartly. The little Gamma was styled to match the RG500, and was packed with technology…
Just so we’re clear: this 1998 Yamaha TZ250 is not to be confused with the road-going but also very cool TZR250. The TZ250 was Yamaha’s over-the-counter GP machine, a pure race bike. As such, “originality” is a relative thing, and these things have typically evolved over their racing careers with the goal of winning at…
It’s a good time to be a two-stroke enthusiast here in the USA. Bikes like today’s Honda NSR250R that were long considered nearly unobtainable are being shipped over by enterprising individuals and companies, now that some of them are old enough to make that a viable option. The NSR250R featured a 90° liquid-cooled 249cc v-twin…
I have some bad news for anyone who lusted after the Yamaha RZV500 when it was new: the bike is now 31 years old. With any luck, you’re aging as well as this V4 two-stroke GP-replica, although I’m sure that varies by individual. And that’s the thing about bikes and bikers this old: even if…
As I’ve mentioned before, it’s weird how some bikes seem to show up in waves, and this is the third Honda RS125R I’ve seen this week. The previous example I posted was in very good condition and came with a nice stash of spares, but was more functional than this particular bike, which also has…
