The Aprilia RS250 is a legendary V-twin two-stroke road going GP inspired motorcycle that satisfied riders needs for a truly excellent machine. Produced between 1994 and 2004 the Aprilia RS250 remains a modern classic today and continues to revel in the well-deserved hype that followed it from the models inception. It was 1991 when the … Read more
V-Due literally translates to V-Twin, and the Bimota V-Due was a 500cc motorcycle that was supposed to save the two stroke engine but instead accidentally killed off the boutique Italian marque in 1999. Although to be fair, the Bimota brand was revived again in 2003 so all is not lost and it wasn’t all that … Read more
The Yamaha DT250 started life in 1968 as the DT-1 and it very quickly sold through the initial 12,000 unit production run. The US market was slowing down and yet there was a gap in the market for off-road motorcycles which only manufacturers such as Bultaco and Husqvarna were currently supplying specific off-road machines. To … Read more
It was 1980 and two-stroke fans in Europe were eagerly awaiting the release of the Yamaha RD350LC. It had been delayed due to disruption with production and the smaller RD250LC had actually already been released earlier in the year. The bike was a huge hit and is looked upon as one of the most influential … Read more
The Yamaha RD250LC is considered to be an absolute hooligan machine and its reputation particularly in the UK in the 80’s is partly why it had such a short lifespan. It was released in 1980, an extension of the earlier RD250 and it was very quickly deemed a two-stroke icon; it is highly collectable today. … Read more
While the first Honda NSR250 was introduced in 1985 it can be traced further back to the MVX250 in 1983. It took all the best bits from the MVX and then went further in its quest to become the leading design for a two-cylinder, 2-stroke motorcycle. There were five distinct generations of the Honda NSR250 … Read more
In 1984 Yamaha released a road legal version of their factory YZR500 which at the time was leading the world championship with Kenny Roberts aboard. The Yamaha RD500LC was born and all the crazy kids formed an orderly queue. Intro There was a very short lived period of time in the 1980’s when a small … Read more
As amazing as motorcycles are today, there will never be anything quite like the noise, smell and speed of the classic Yamaha 2 stroke motorcycles of time gone by. The 2 stroke motorcycles produced by the Japanese manufacturer were some of the best to ever hit the road and provided many riders over the years … Read more
The Suzuki RG500 Gamma, along with the Yamaha RD500LC mark the ultimate evolution of the two-stroke motorcycle. These mid 80s motorcycles are the pinnacle of what superbly performing two-stroke powered bikes could be. The Suzuki RG500 wasn’t just a race replica, it had the performance to boot and was closer to the real race version … Read more
The Suzuki GT750 was an oddball machine when it first made an entrance way back in 1971. Known as the Kettle, Water bottle or Water Buffalo, the GT750 rolled off the production line as Suzuki’s answer to the dawn of the superbike, but in the end it was best suited as a tourer. Let’s have … Read more
The Ossa Yankee 500Z is possibly one of the most obscure motorcycles that ever existed. It has a fantastical story and while short lived it is still worth delving into this American motorcycle. Ossa Yankee 500Z History The story starts with motorcycle importer John Taylor and the Ossa Yankee 500Z would become what he is … Read more
The Kawasaki KH250 was my first ‘proper’ road bike. When I hit 17 in 1981 you could own and ride a 250cc bike as a learner in the UK and the Kawasaki triple was my weapon of choice. Mine was a second hand 1978 KH250B3 which had the front disc brake. It was the Kawasaki … Read more