The last Aprilia I saw in these colors for sale was listed as a “Rossi Replica,” but this particular paintjob in fact marked the Loris Reggiani replica RS250. Reggiani raced for Aprilia from 1985 through 1995 in the 250 and 500cc classes, the latter on a bored-out 380cc v-twin intended to compete based on its…
Although the Honda NSR two-stroke sportbikes were by no means “starter bikes” and were very high-performing motorcycles, they were still relatively affordable and often bought by riders not flush enough to afford the taxes on bigger bikes. Basically: young hooligans bought them. Because of this, nice examples are pretty thin on the ground in their…
Using the innovative Daytona 1000 engine, and occupying a more boulevard bike place in the line-up next to the 1100 Sport, Guzzi’s V10 Centauro was fun as a styling exercise and a powerful grocery getter. Though the basis for the modern V-twin was designed in 1971 by Lino Tonti, a significant upgrade was made in…
Ducati made a pretty good number of their updated, Pantah-engined Super Sports between 1991 and 1998, so these aren’t especially exotic. But it’s rare to find any bike that old in this kind of condition. Powered by a 904cc version of the air-cooled v-twin and backed by a six-speed gearbox and a nice, rattly dry…
Unfortunately, today’s tasty little two-stroke Suzuki RGV250Γ SP is short on photographs. It’s another of the raft of recent imports from Japan, and details are scarce, but the price may have you reaching for your mouse anyway. The RGV250Γ replaced the RG250 in 1988, swapping out that bike’s parallel-twin for a more modern v-twin that…
Today’s Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000 is the living, breathing result of an almost unbelievable underdog story. Italian and British motorcycle manufacturers never seem to lack enthusiasm. But cash? Well that’s always a problem. So while manufacturers like Honda have the financial backing of large companies to drive development and new technology, brands like Ducati and…
An update of the earlier 1988 MC18, the 1989 Honda NSR250R model saw evolutionary changes to the bodywork and styling of this small-displacement sportbike. But the most impressive feature was the highly-evolved PGM-II electronic control unit. As brutally simple as two-strokes are in concept, there is real art in the tuning, and Honda’s PGM-II orchestrated…
If you’re in the market for a high-performance, quarter-liter two-stroke, then this is the one to have. As cool to look at as it is to ride, Honda’s NSR250R is a two-stroke race replica splashed with one of the most evocative paint-and-graphics combinations of the modern era, made ever so sexy by the dangerous, forbidden-fruit…