Second-hand advice: Legendary bikes

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Second-hand advice: Legendary bikes
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Second-hand advice: Legendary bikes

Exceptional second hand motorcycles
Second-hand advice: Legendary bikes

You don’t want any stress, perfect driving performance and optimal value for money, in short: Are you a sensible buyer? Please turn over the next pages, otherwise you will get the creeps at this motorcycle ancestral gallery. But you will be missing out on a ton of thrills!

Thorsten Dentges

December 20, 2012


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MZ 1000 SF – The “Super fighter”.

In this second-hand advice you will only find Poltergeister with symbolic corners and edges, but also with real quirks – and these often already ex-works. In addition, the machines and manufacturers presented here share a sad fate: They are gone, dead, partly already forgotten, in any case no longer available as fresh in-store goods. But these machines are not only haunted in the memory, but are very fun-loving on the used market. And emotionally speaking, some brands are anything but dead: Moto Morini, for example, is to be revived with a new investor and online sales – whether this idea is smart remains to be seen. At the moment, those interested in Morini can find enough flawless second-hand goods at exciting prices, some of them as good as new. Buell disciples feel the same way, for whom a generous selection of used vehicles is available even after Harley-Davidson’s exit and the resulting end for the iconic American brand in 2009. Whether traditional companies like Cagiva, MZ or Laverda will ever build big motorcycles again? Pure reading of coffee grounds. That Voxan is resurrected – probably rather unlikely.

But can used machines really survive without factory support, for example if the supply of spare parts becomes a problem due to a lack of supplies and contacts? Do normal workshops have enough know-how and all the necessary information, data and documents to be able to maintain and repair a motorcycle of a lost brand? How big is the risk of getting stuck on your exotic car when reselling it? Answers to these questions can be found on the following pages, test reports at www.motorradonline.de/downloads (or phone 07 11/1 82-12 29), used offers at www.1000ps.de/gebrauchte-motorraeder.

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For doubters and those with misgivings, however, the motto is: hands off! Anyone who attaches great importance to reliability, a well-structured dealer network and reliable spare parts supply should avoid reaching for the exotic as much as possible. You need courage for the used vehicles presented here, but you will be rewarded with a full life. At brand meetings, the owners usually know each other personally and greet each other with a handshake and a hug. In addition, people believed dead live longer – the technically and externally extravagant machines have finally written a striking piece of motorcycle history and have the potential to become exclusive collector’s items with good value retention. That could even take the fear out of buyers of reason.

Buell


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The first Buell model that was also sold in Germany: the Neuner-Lightning.

Erik Buell, a motorcycle-obsessed racing driver and former chassis engineer at Harley-Davidson, founded a small company in East Troy / Wisconsin in the USA in 1983. After his first self-construction attempts with two-stroke engines, he won Harley as an engine supplier. Over the years, the cult brand from Milwaukee / Wisconsin has increasingly participated in the Buell Motorcycle Company until it acquired the remaining two percent of Erik Buell’s stake in 2003 – the year before, the XB series was established and sold relatively successfully through the Harley sales network. In the course of the global financial and economic crisis, the parent company stopped production in 2009 and sold the manufacturing facilities. Since then, the trademark rights have been suspended with Harley-Davidson.

XB9S

It should be a suspension miracle, but idiosyncratic technical solutions such as the extremely short wheelbase (1320 millimeters) or the steep steering head angle (69 degrees) demand one thing above all from the driver: a lot of training. Because the load tends to stand up frightened when braking in an inclined position, drawing clean radii is more something for advanced users. The motor? Class. Turns well, is fun, is reliable. Which one cannot exactly say about the predecessors of the XB series (2002 to 2009) – S1 and X1 (1996 to 2001). Buell had probably not expected that German autobahns would allow longer journeys at high speed without a speed limit – this could result in engine damage. In the case of the 84 PS strong XB9 (new price: 10,500 euros), however, a fan was installed. Since then, thermal engine problems have been history. The outwardly similar XB12S Lightning (101 hp) is the most popular used Buell, but the Neuner is especially interesting for urban boulevard bikers – lower performance, lower prices. The City-X model is very popular as second-hand goods. With regular professional maintenance (inspection once a year, costs: 200 to 300 euros), technically no nasty surprises are to be expected with the solid XB9S. The spare parts supply runs smoothly through Harley dealers, and the parts prices are moderate. Amazingly, there is no change interval for the drive belt in the maintenance schedule. Workshops trust it even after more than 50,000 kilometers.

Data (model year 2004)

Air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 45-degree V-engine, 985 cm³, 62 kW (84 PS) at 7400 / min, 86 Nm at 5600 / min, five-speed gearbox, aluminum bridge frame, weight with a full tank 205 kg. Top speed 211 km / h, acceleration (0-100 km / h) 3.9 seconds, pulling power (60-100 km / h) 4.9 seconds.

Market situation

The XB9S sells for looks – and for a reasonable price. From 3500 euros you can find used, but for neatly cared for copies with documented authorized workshop service you should set aside 5500 euros. Even with a lot of accessories: 7000 euros is a maximum.


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Buell XB12R Firebolt.

XB12R Firebolt: The twelve is the stronger and therefore more popular model overall. Good offers for the XB12 are rarely available for less than 6,000 euros.


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Buell 1125 CR.

1125 CR: Already the stock of the racer with 148 HP Rotax engine is exclusive: – Less than 200 CR models were sold. Used prices: from 5000 euros.


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Buell X1 Lightning.

X1 Lightning: sporty, although not fully throttle-proof, far from the monotony and a very idiosyncratic piece of mechanical engineering – offers from 3500 euros.

Cagiva


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Feister Japan-V2 in Italian clothes – fits!

CA for Castiglioni, GI for Giovanni and VA for the city of Varese. The brothers -Gianfranco and Claudio Castiglioni dedicated this motorcycle brand, founded in Northern Italy in 1978, to their father. Cagiva machines that rolled out of the former Aermacchi factory achieved world fame – whether as GP racers, Dakar rally machines with Ducati engines or avant-garde bikes. The Raptor models (2000 to 2005) belong to the last era of the brand history under the direction of the active Claudio Castiglioni. He already had brands like Husqvarna, Moto Morini or MV Agusta, but had to give up its majority as a shareholder in the MV Group in 2004 and died in 2011.

V-Raptor 1000

The rigorously drawn design bomb V-Raptor (new price: around 10,000 euros) with a beautiful tubular space frame has what it takes to become a future youngtimer with stable prices. But even the conventional Raptor 1000 without the obvious handlebar cover will probably no longer fall in price if the technical and optical condition are in order. The extremely powerful and robust V-Twin comes from the Suzuki TL 1000, the Cagiva seen in this way is not a really strange exotic. Spare parts are relatively easy to get in the event of damage, and maintenance parts anyway. The search can only degenerate into a sport in the case of fall parts such as cockpit cladding or tank (former Cagiva dealers, E-Bay, fan forums on the Internet). But who wants to fall on this beautiful motorcycle? Sometimes it’s enough just to kneel in front of it in the garage.

Data (model year 2000)

Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 90-degree V-engine, 996 cm³, 78 kW (106 PS) at 8500 / min, 90 Nm at 7000 / min, six-speed gearbox, tubular steel frame, weight with a full tank 212 kg. Top speed 225 km / h, acceleration (0-100 km / h) 3.5 seconds, pulling power (60-100 km / h) 4.0 seconds.

Market situation

No problem to shoot a Raptor for less than 3000 euros. But then you have to reckon with mileage well over 40,000 kilometers and probably also with some optical point deductions. Good specimens with a checkbook and less than 15,000 kilometers are rare and cost a good 5,000 euros.


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Cagiva Raptor 650.

Raptor 650: solid middle class – a good eye catcher even for beginners with a small budget. From 2000 euros

Moto Morini


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The Corsaro is by far the most sought-after second-hand 1200 Morini.

The traditional brand, founded in 1937 by Alfonso Morini in Bologna / Italy, had to stop production for the first time in 1993 and disappeared from the market. In 2005 the new start succeeded with a specially designed 1200 engine, which was used in all Neo-Morinis (Corsaro, 9½, Scrambler and Gran Passo). Then in 2010 bankruptcy. In 2011, production, inventory and naming rights were auctioned off by the Italian company Eagle Bike, and the new Rebello model (allegedly sold out) has been in production again since mid-2012. Via the online shop (www.motomorini motorcycles.eu), new motorcycles are also to be delivered via German service dealers. During the research, however, some of the listed dealers stated that they were not available for all services of the “new” Moto Morini. Skepticism about the future? For used vehicles, however, they offer maintenance and repairs at the usual workshop rates.

Corsaro 1200

Talking or writing about it is not enough to bring the unique charm of the 1200 V2 hammer closer. A test drive is strongly recommended, but at this point: The short-stroke twin of this size at the time (bore 107 millimeters, stroke only 66 millimeters) comes out of the speed cellar and then marches vehemently up the speed ladder. The chassis is well equipped for sporty rides on the country road, the brakes anchor with four-piston fixed calipers from Brembo without blame. the Corsaro (New price: around 11,000 euros) is a consistently great motorcycle, right for the heart. But can you, as a second-hand buyer, really strike with a clear conscience? If the machine has been proven to have been serviced by a trained dealer, no problem. Because the weak points are manageable and should, if possible, have already been dealt with during previous inspections by retrofitting. The cockpit is prone to defects, an exchange costs around 800 euros. Check the air pressure on models with spoked wheels (9½, Scrambler, Sport and Gran Passo) that tend to leak! Overall, you should be prepared for a relatively high price level for spare parts.

Data (model year 2005)
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke engine, 1187 cm³, 103 kW (140 PS) at 8500 / min, 123 Nm at 6500 / min, six-speed gearbox, tubular steel frame, weight fully fueled 220 kg. Top speed 250 km / h, acceleration (0-100 km / h) 3.4 seconds, pulling power (60-100 km / h) 4.9 seconds.

Market situation
Much-used machines (over 40,000 kilometers) can be sold to private sellers for 4,500 euros, but most good (dealer) offers are around 6,000 euros for mileages of around 20,000 kilometers. The Gran Passo and 9½ models are cheaper in comparison.


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Moto Morini Gran Passo.

Gran Passo: competition for BMW? As far as common sense is concerned, hardly, but as far as driving pleasure is concerned, definitely

MZ


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“SF” stands for “Super Fighter” – probably not knocked out yet.

The series production of motorcycles began in Zschopau, Saxony, as early as 1922. But it wasn’t until 1952 that the MZ brand came into being with the VEB Motorradwerk Zschopau. In 1990 the plant was privatized, MZ went bankrupt a year later, but was back on its feet in 1992 as Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk GmbH (brand name: MuZ). 1996 again bankruptcy and takeover by the Malaysian group Hong Leon Industries. After the turn of the millennium, production of the new 1000 series began. In 2008, however, the plant was closed after high financial losses, which subsequently also led to the end of what is probably the most technically complex MZ series.

1000 SF

In any case, SF did not produce large numbers. Although the highly attractive competitive price of less than 10,000 euros already appealed to almost middle-class customers. In terms of driving dynamics, the machine itself has a stable chassis and a well-coordinated two-cylinder (113 hp) in the top league of strong street fighters. Second-hand, the SF is still a good match because the engine is extremely durable (top result in the MOTORRAD endurance test, issue 1/2006) and the machine is generally considered to be very screwdriver-friendly. Typical weak points are the wheels: Bearing play and cracked rim welds are known to workshop professionals, but in the past these problems were usually solved as warranty cases. When viewing the car, ask the previous owner whether the tire pressure is always good. However, some SF drivers have already installed retrofit wheelsets, so that is the end of the issue. In addition, the headlight pan is draining in the long run, but this annoyance can also be remedied without an expensive complete replacement.

Data (model year 2005)
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, 999 cm³, 83 kW (113 PS) at 9000 / min, 98 Nm at 7000 / min, six-speed gearbox, steel bridge frame, weight with a full tank 224 kg. Top speed 217 km / h, acceleration (0-100 km / h) 3.6 seconds, pulling power (60-100 km / h) 4.4 seconds.

Market situation
The 1000s are in demand, especially since they left the market. For a while, very decent machines with a maximum of 20,000 kilometers were available for 3500 euros, at the moment machines in a similar condition cost from 5000 euros, because a tight-knit community is specifically looking for them.


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MZ 1000 S.

1000 S: The first years of construction were only able to convince sports tourists to a limited extent with their unruly revs.

Laverda


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750cc four-stroke with a few quirks, but the intoxicating handiness of a 250cc two-stroke GP.

Laverda

Orange. Orange stood for Laverda long before KTM made this brand color a cult. The company founded by Francesco Laverda in Breganze / Italy in 1949, which caused a sensation in the 1970s with its three-cylinder 1000s, went bankrupt in 1980. In 1993, the entrepreneur Francesco Tognon ventured a new start with a new plant in Zanè in the province of Vicenza under the name International Moto Laverda. In 2000, however, Tognon had to hand over the business management and naming rights of the brand to the Aprilia Group. The 750 models (1997 to 2001) were the last series machines in the Laverda range.

750 Formula

Far from any perfection, the formula achieved cult status. Fans are apparently capable of suffering – or particularly solvent. La bella Diva needs regular care and attention: the electrics like to spin, the gearbox is a blast – unfortunately not in a figurative sense. Not exactly unimportant engine parts such as the crankpins were sometimes made in terrifyingly sloppy quality, some add-on parts look extremely cheap. Well, there were reasons why Laverda went bankrupt. But that’s yesterday’s news for the daring who get used to the 750 as used. The polished frame – an eye-catcher. And when it is running, it conveys an extraordinary driving experience. Excellent handling, the best stability, a robust, unique twin that virtuously turns the 95 hp up and down between 3000 and 9000 rpm. With a relatively narrow 160 mm rear tire, the Laverda can fillet corners in any desired radius for its pilot, fascinating! Preserving this driving experience is a listed building.

Data (model year 2000)
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, 747 cm³, 70 kW (95 PS) at 9000 / min, 82 Nm at 6500 / min, six-speed gearbox, aluminum bridge frame, weight fully fueled 208 kg. Top speed 225 km / h, acceleration (0-100 km / h) 3.8 seconds, pulling power (60-100 km / h) 7.1 seconds.

Market situation
The Formula (new price: approx. 10,000 euros) has become a collector’s item and can therefore hardly be purchased for less than 6,000 euros in good original condition. The other 750 models (Sport and Strike) with almost the same engine are less iconic, but can be found for around 3500 euros after a little search.

Voxan


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A round thing? The Cafe Racer is at least committed to stringent design: playful, yet timeless.

In 1995, Jacques Gardette wanted to establish a new French motorcycle brand with great enthusiasm. The V2 models from Issoire in Auvergne not only impressed the specialist press with extravagance from their market launch in 1999, but also sold. But the ambitious project already suffered a major setback in 2001: bankruptcy. In the following year, the French entrepreneur Didier Cazeaux bought the Voxan brand and started production again in 2003. In September 2009, however, the company went bankrupt for the second time, and a court finally put an end to it. In the ten-year production period, almost 1900 motorcycles rolled off the assembly line.

No, there is no pure retro number here. The Voxan models are too independent for this. Real Cafe Racer and Scrambler were born in the 1960s and 1970s, Voxan has no such ancestors as Moto Guzzi with the Le Mans or Ducati with the 750 Sport, so cannot fall back on any technical or family ties. But on the company’s own 98 hp V2 with water cooling and an unconventional 72-degree angle as well as a regulated catalytic converter as a commitment to current standards. An unusual machine: the frame covers bolted to the cast swing arm mount nowhere obstruct the view of the eye-catching cylinders. Incidentally, the combustion chambers deliver brilliant power development, and the stable chassis can keep up well. A motorcycle like that is just fun. Although almost an exotic among exotic, the not exactly cheap Voxan (new price Cafe Racer around 13,000 euros, Scrambler around 12,000 euros) is considered reliable and durable – some fans have already unwound more than 80,000 kilometers without serious problems. That is respectable, especially since only a few vulnerabilities are known overall. For example the timing chain tensioner up to the year of construction 2003, recognizable by the black surface. Specialist Michael Stocker from Sport Connection in Furth (phone 06253/86489, www.sport-connection.de) has a retrofit system in the program and usually knows how to provide good advice in case of problems.

Cafe Racer

Data (model year 2006)
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 72-degree V-engine, 996 cm³, 69.6 kW (95 PS) at 8000 / min, 95 Nm at 6500 / min, six-speed gearbox, bridge frame made of steel, weight with a full tank 218 kg. Top speed 230 km / h, acceleration (0-100 km / h) 3.7 seconds, pulling power (60-100 km / h) 4.8 seconds.

Market situation
You shouldn’t expect this item, which is valued not only by Francophile bikers, on every corner, but used ones, rarely more than 25,000 kilometers, can be found on Internet marketplaces. The Voxan friends occasionally also offer machines. Usual prices: around 5000 euros.


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Voxan scrambler.

Scrambler: The bridge between modern and classic succeeds, as does the balancing act between asphalt and gravel.

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