Although the mid-1980s 750 F1 may not have represented the very best from Ducati, the TT2 and later TT1 race bikes that inspired them certainly did. Lightweight, perfectly formed, and highly effective, they epitomize Ducati’s racing ethos of the period. The original TT2 displaced 587cc and used the belt-drive Pantah motor, with the later TT1…
Fresh off the boat from Japan, this Suzuki RGV250 Γ “Gamma” is the higher-spec SP model that featured fully-adjustable suspension, along with a close-ratio gearbox and a dry clutch. 1988 was the first year of the RGV that replaced the parallel-twin of the RG250 with a new, 90° 249cc v-twin engine that also found its way…
With the other manufacturers building their exotic turbocharged 80s confections around more sophisticated four-cylinder designs, why did Honda base their CX650 Turbo on a bike that was so ugly, the British press dubbed it the “plastic maggot”? Well even though a simple, pushrod v-twin seems to go against the high-tech theme these motorcycles embodied, the…
Given the Bimota SB8R’s exotic reputation, you might be surprised to learn just how affordable they can be. They’re one of the most commonly-seen Bimotas and offer up Ducati noise and performance with looks that you’d never confuse with anything else. The slightly odd styling certainly matches the exotic brand and the bike uses Suzuki’s…
Today’s Yamaha TZR250R hails all the way from South Africa, although that shouldn’t surprise fans here in the US. The USA tragically never officially received any of these 250cc two-strokes that battled it out like tiny, raspy versions of the bikes that endlessly battled for sales in the 600cc and 750cc classes. Frames were trick,…
In the middle of its ten model-year life, the RGV250 was nicely updated and a critical and popular success. The lightweight 250 was equipped like a superbike, and with the right rider could keep up with one. Though the two-stroke era had already ended here, grey market machines pop up occasionally and have almost a…
A practical, naked standard, the DB6 Delirio is a pretty far cry from Bimota’s roots. The company made its name building barely streetable racebikes with lightweight trellis frames, wild styling, improved suspension, and a raft of racebike details. The DB6 definitely has top-shelf suspension and innovative details, but it was designed as Bimota’s “entry-level” model.…
In the 1990’s several manufacturers brought big V-twins out, hoping to share the thunderbikes’ successes. Suzuki had some neat innovations aboard the 1997 TL1000S and its racier sibling -R, the 996cc engine had cam drive with gears and chain, and separate rear spring and rotary shock. The company returned to its inline four roots in 2002, but the TL1000S was a…