Honda spent mega-$ designing their own V-twin Superbike, but reaped the benefits on both the AMA and WSBK scenes. This owner has identified the 2004 Nicky Hayden commemorative as the RC51 for the long term, and has kept it beautifully for the next owner. 2004 Honda RC51 RVT1000 Nicky Hayden Edition for sale on eBay…
Chasing the ever-changing rules of production racing can be rough on smaller companies. They spend years developing a machine that can be sold to the public, but also meets the stringent requirements to compete in racing, and then the formula changes, leaving the new machine high and dry, unable to race competitively. Larger companies can…
You’d think that, for sportbike owners, homologation specials would be the ultimate ride. And they technically are, but the whole point of homologation is to meet production requirements that allow certain parts to be used on a company’s racing machines, whether or not they result in a better finished product. So it turns out a…
Ducati’s instantly recognizable 916 series of superbikes remain surprisingly affordable, considering their pedigree and perceived rarity. But the same basic design was in production from 1994 to 2004 and Ducati made a shedload of them. Sure, the SPS and R bikes are extremely rare, but regular production bikes like this 996 Biposto aren’t too hard…
It’s common for manufacturers to fudge things a bit when identifying their cars and motorcycles. Often, the name specifically referred to at least the approximate size of the engine, but liberties are often taken, especially when the displacement changes, but the name stays the same. The Mustang 5.0? Actually 302ci works out to 4948cc, which…
Certainly one of the most sought-after bikes of the 1990s, today’s Featured Listing RVF750R RC45 was the follow up to Honda’s extremely successful VFR750R or RC30. Ultimately, the RC45 didn’t have the same success in racing as their earlier RC30, but it wasn’t for lack of effort. The RC45 was every bit as polished and…
The follow-on evolution of the wildly successful 851, the Ducati 888 had a short, but equally productive life span. Championed by Doug Polen on the world’s SBK stage Ducati was victorious in both 1991 and 1992 campaigns. As a street bike, the 888 continued on through 1994. However by 1993 the SPO models in the…
Update 8.24.2019: This bike has SOLD to an RSBFS reader! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc Ducatis tend to evolve gradually, rather than in sudden leaps, and the 916 was no exception. Sure, the wasp-waisted styling was a shocking change but, underneath, much of it had been seen before, in one form or another. Significantly,…