Top 5 Bike-uriosities – Week of 9/12

Top 5 Bike-uriosities – Week of 9/12

At Bike-urious, we’re spending all of our time finding the most interesting motorcycles that are currently for sale for you to drool over (and maybe empty your wallet for). So let’s take a look at our five favorite offerings from this week!

1. Confused KLR – 2005/2008 Kawasaki KLR650 Supermoto

There's a lot of custom KLRs out there - but typically when a KLR owner throws money at his or her bike, it's to make it more dirt-friendly. This seller has gone in a slightly different direction, as he's turned it into a fat-tired supermoto. To be frank, I'm not sure it makes sense... but it's unique enough to share.

This bike started as a 2006 model but it's been updated with 2008 bodywork, then given a graphics kit from an older KTM. The supermoto conversion includes KYB forks from a '05 Yamaha YZ450 MX bike, and the 17-inch wheels and brakes from a Honda CBR600. (Gotta love a Frankenbike! -Ed) Other features include a DanMoto slipon, Trailtech computer, Renthal bars, Acerbis guards with aluminum Barkbusters, Giant Loop tank bag, Emgo trunk, and more. The bike needs new tags and there's some popping on decel so you may want to play around with the jetting, but otherwise this bike is ready to go - assuming you know what you want to do with it.

Find this KLR for sale here on Craigslist for $2,500 in Portland, Oregon.

2. Vee Two Ducati Alchemy SV-1

Last week I featured one of the rare distinct models from Brook Henry's famed Australian Ducati tuning house, Vee Two. Here's the other one, a bevel head-based exotic called the Alchemy SV-1.

If this bike intrigues you at all, you owe it to yourself to check out this article from OddBike, written by the always-comprehensive Jason Cormier. Otherwise, the very brief summary is that the Alchemy was available either as a kit to build yourself, or a complete bike that you could ride away. It all started because Brook realized that his go-faster parts were overwhelming the OEM Ducati frames, so he decided to build a better frame in-house. Brook introduced the SV-1 to the world in kit form in 1991 for $3,500 AUD. 97 kits and 7 complete bikes were built.

As these bikes were usually built as kits, there can be quite a bit of variation between specific examples. This bike started as a road racer and was eventually made street legal. I try not to be mean on this site, so I'll just say that the paint job is... informal. Find this Alchemy for sale here on Raider Moto, though it's unclear where exactly the bike is. This shop is based in Australia and that's usually where their offerings are located, though it's possibly in the United Kingdom. Either way, there'll probably be some shipping involved!

3. Deus Ex Build – BMW R100S Custom

If you're a fan of Deus Ex Machina's bikes, then you're a fan of Michael Woolaway (affectionately known as Woolie), their US Motorcycle Design Director. Woolie was in the news quite recently for his work with Orlando Bloom's new bike, a custom BMW S1000R. But a couple of years ago he turned his attention to an older BMW, creating the R100S custom you see in front of you - now it's up for sale.

In Woolie's words, "The inspiration behind this bike was to build something that didn’t look very much like a BMW. I tried to change the look of it and to style it around something that was a bit older than the bike was. It’s got a big tank and you’re all stretched out, so you really feel like you’re tucked in behind it. It’s a fun bike... it’s a bit faster than I actually expected. It’s definitely a one-off. There’s only ever going to be one of these.”

Obviously the modifications are extensive, but highlights include a hand built chromoly subframe, 1,200-degree heat shield, drum rear brake, Works Performance rear suspension, Ohlins forks that were shortened and re-valved by Lindemann Engineering, Rizoma bars/bar mounts/mirrors/turn signals, and more. In addition, the tank and seat cowl were custom built by Evan Wilcox, which required being on the waitlist for over a year.

Soon after this bike was built, it was featured at the 2013 One Moto Show. It's also been featured at the Ton Up exhibit at Sturgis, put together by Michael Lichter and Paul D'Orleans (and featured in their book Cafe Racers: Speed, Style, and Ton-Up Culture

) It's also been featured in the lobby exhibit of the Petersen Automotive Museum to promote their Cafe Racer exhibit, and it was in the Greasy Hands Preachers documentary. Phew, that's quite a list!

Find this custom R100S for sale in Los Angeles for $63,000 or best offer - and for those of you that are up on modern currencies, the seller will also accept bitcoin! Email me at abhi AT bike-urious.com if you'd like to be put in touch with the seller.

4. One Owner – 1980 Ducati 900SS

After the angular design of the 860GT, Ducati went back to the classic lines of the 750SS when they styled the 900 Super Sport. Despite fewer-than-expected sales when it was first released, the 900SS has been steadily gaining value in recent years - and this example stands out because it's being offered by the original owner!

The black-and-gold paint scheme of this 900 SuperSport has become quite iconic for Ducati, and as greenframe bike prices have entered the stratosphere, many riders have been instead looking for excellent examples of the 900SS like this bike (VIN: 0891700). It has 12,276 miles and it was given 40mm Dell'Orto carbs and Conti exhaust to replace the stock 36mm and Silentiums. Other modifications include stainless steel brake lines, V-Two Gear Gzer, Dyna coils, WORKS suspension front and rear, and a longer clutch actuation arm.

The seller says the bike is mechanically excellent and that it got a new clutch and rings recently. He has nearly all of the maintenance records since new, and the bike was featured in a Motorcycle Classics article back in 2008. It's got some cosmetic wear but I'm a big fan. The seller only rides it once or twice a year so he's letting it go to a lucky new owner.

Find this 900SS for sale in Banner Elk, North Carolina, with bidding up to $22,690 and the reserve not yet met or a staggering BIN of $39,000 here on eBay.

5. Number 2 - 1984 Kawasaki Ninja 900 GPZ900R

The GPZ900R was Kawasaki's first Ninja - the beginning of a long line of iconic motorcycles. If I remember correctly, serial number 1 is currently in Kawasaki's museum at their US headquarters in Foothill Ranch, California. According to this seller, serial number 2 is now up for sale.

Produced from 1984 to 1996, the Ninja was a revolutionary design when it came out. In fact, some would argue that it was the predecessor of what we consider today to be a modern sport bike. It was the first 16-valve liquid-cooled inline four, something the competition would take years to catch up on. The engine produced 115 horsepower, good for a top speed of 151 mph - it was the first production road bike to top 150. Nowadays these numbers might seem tame, but this bike was an instant legend when it was released. It didn't hurt that the bike also got a supporting role in Top Gun:

This example apparently has some race history (campaigned in Daytona in 1984) but it was "restored to new condition." Well, that's what the seller claims, but it is annoyingly missing the Kawasaki stickers on the tank (which seems like a pretty obvious oversight). Either way, all racing parts are in storage and will be included in the sale. It has a new tires, an extra swingarm, and... a new motor. Hopefully the original numbers matching the engine is included but that isn't mentioned by the seller.

Find this Ninja for sale here on Craigslist for $4,000 in Fort Collins, Colorado.

What would you put in your garage?