Most would think a radial airplane engine is best left for airplanes. Frank Ohle is not one of those people. This mad fabricator from Germany found himself in possession of a Rotec Radial R3600 airplane engine and decided the best place for it was not in the sky, but in fact on the ground, in a motorcycle.
In only its fourth year, the One Motorcycle Show, in Portland, Oregon is quickly becoming the mecca for the “garage mechanic,” counter-culture motorcyclist. Here, everyone understands a classic motorcycle has a story to tell, especially the ones that have gone under the knife of a talented hand who saw a vision for what they wanted their machine to be.
Collectibles are a funny thing to figure out. Everyone wants to think a family heirloom or trinket snagged at a garage sale will be worth millions someday on Antiques Roadshow. But the truth behind trying to predict what might be a goldmine 100 years from now is that the market is unpredictable. An object is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
That said, we here at Motorcycle.com are going to take a stab at it anyway. This time, it’s a list of Top 10 Modern Classics. We think the 10 relatively new motorcycles listed here are currently available for a steal compared to what they’ll be worth several decades from now.
The criteria for eligibility is simple: each machine must be a production motorcycle available in the 1996 model year or after. This particular list won’t worry about current market value — this is for those true collectors with deep pockets (stay tuned for a budget-minded collectables list). Electronics and rider aids are really coming into their own, and history tends to remember pioneers in a given field, so expect many models on this list to be fairly current.
However, other modern machines on this list are remembered purely for their riding enjoyment, relative simplicity or sheer rarity. Clearly there are many deserving motorcycles, and we’re sure to miss a few. Tell us which bikes you would pick in the comments section. In the meantime, here are our choices.
Over the past few years, especially since the height of the economic crisis, more and more women have turned to motorcycling both as a way to save on fuel costs, but also to experience the joys of the open road. In an article recently published by Consumer Reports, some tips are provided for women looking to enter the sport for the first time.
David Rosie is one lucky man. He was announced as the winner of Allstate’s 2012 Victory Motorcycle Sweepstakes, winning the grand prize, a 2012 Victory Cross Country customized by none other than Arlen Ness.
Today is a rather big day for Zero Motorcycles, as the company has signed its first East Asian distributor, Yuen Ho Trading Company, Ltd. (YHT), based in Hong Kong. To celebrate, the Hong Kong government has purchased 59 MY 2012 Zero S models, the single largest sale for Zero to date.
Eric Wood, AMA Pro racer and owner of Woodcraft Technologies Inc., knows a thing or two about making a sportbike go fast. He also knows that racers, especially at the club level, inevitably hit the ground. Thankfully, there are products like the Woodcraft bar end sliders to minimize the damage in a crash.
As part of Harley-Davidson’s global 110th anniversary celebration, over 5000 motorcyclists descended upon Mexico City to join in the festive occasion, making this Mexico City’s largest motorcycle parade in history.
Michael Czysz, Founder and Team Principal of MotoCzysz, has been diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer, according to a team press release. He plans to undergo treatment immediately, which means he will not be able to attend the 2013 Isle of Man TT. He vows to return in 2014.
On June 3rd, Moto-Electra, one of the pioneers in electric motorcycle technology, will attempt to break the world record for electric vehicles in a cross-continent ride spanning over 2500 miles.
