PS mixed issue sampler - last updated Jul18

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Oddball bikes Words: Jim Moore | Pictures: Bauer archive Looking for something less conventional? Fancy riding something left-field? PS brings you our pick of the weird, wild, wonderful, often good value, and downright bizarre... When Wankel engines looked like the future Practical Sportsbikes 69

Oddball bikes Aimed squarely at the USA, yet still wilfully weird Yamaha FZX750 1986-1988 749cc liquid-cooled, dohc, 20v inline-four, 94bhp, 204kg What is it? Factory hot-rod powered by Yam’s epic 20-valve inline-four; if the V-Max and FZ750 got it together, this would be the result. Why so odd? Like corn-dogs, waxy chocolate and reimagined historical events, the FZX Fazer was aimed squarely at the American market. Lazy raked-out steering, nitrogen sealed-cell twin shocks, awkward blocky styling, and bizarre 16/15-inch wheels were never going to have Europeans reaching for their wallets. Why you want one: The FZ-derived motor is an absolute peach. Flexible, powerful and willing to launch a tidal wave of torque in any gear and any revs, it suits the FZX’s street rod intentions to a tee. Launch this thing away from the lights and little else will keep up. Just don’t expect to whip around the fast approaching corner with any ease. Values: £500-£2500 Harley-Davidson VR1000 1994-1995 996cc liquid-cooled, dohc, 8v 60-degree V-twin, 135bhp, 176kg What is it? All-American superbike, ultimately doomed by a lack of on-track success and a horrific price tag. Why so odd? It looks like nothing else, and its development story saw all sorts of left-field ideas (many from Erik Buell when he was involved, like a fuel-in-frame design that was eventually dropped). It’s very un-Harley, too – whether that’s good or bad is up for debate – having had everyone from Harris to Cosworth involved in the build process . Why you want one: Underneath it all, however, is a sweet-handling superbike that’s refreshingly and deliberately unlike its European or Japanese rivals. But only 55 were built for homologation purposes and at $49,000 new (later reduced to $34,000), finding one could be a life-long search. And when you do, it ain’t gonna be cheap or anywhere near as good as a Ducati. Values: £30,000-plus Ducati Paso 1986-1992 749cc a/c, (904cc l/c) sohc, 2v 90-degree L-twin , 72bhp (90),195kg (205kg) What is it? An Italian sports tourer; the result, we suspect, of an extremely boozy lunch. Why so odd? There was never going to be a time the world would be truly ready for the Fabio Taglioni designed Paso. It looks as deliberately bonkers today as it ever did, and that is a large part of its distinctive charm. Why you want one: Go for the later 907ie and you’ll have a comfortable, capable, if slightly daft-looking, continent crusher with an undeniably Latin flavour. If you’re going to buy Italian, you may as well jump in with both feet, right? Values: £2500-£4000 “IF YOU’RE GOING TO BUY ITALIAN, YOU MAY AS WELL JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET, RIGHT?” Named after the great Italian rider Renzo Pasolini. Not sure he’d have been too happy about that Blame Bimota and theirTesi for efforts like this Yamaha GTS1000 1993-1994 1002cc liquid-cooled, dohc, 20v inline-four, 102bhp, 246kg What is it? Tech-packed sports tourer that was just too far ahead of the curve to be a success back in the 1990s. A pig to work on, too. Why so odd? There hasn’t been a satisfactory upgrade on the humble telescopic fork as yet. Many have tried, but none have proven significantly better to consign the tele to the dustbin of history. Yam had previously shown us the Morpho 400 concept bike, but the production version – the GTS1000 – wasn’t any better than, say, a CBR1000, despite all its tech. Why you want one: It’s unlikely any manufacturer will build a bike like the GTS again. It represents a moment in history, albeit an unsuccessful one. Even so, the GTS isn’t a bad bike, and as a comfortable tourer it excels. Having an EXUP motor doesn’t hinder it either. Values: £1500-£3000 Yamaha Zeal 250 1991-1992 249cc liquid-cooled, dohc, 16v inline-four, 40bhp, 145kg What is it? Short-lived Japanese market street four with a strange mix of old and new tech. Why so odd? Any bike styled to mimic a swimming dolphin, as the Zeal apparently was (we can’t see it either), is by definition a bit odd. Despite an FZR250 derived engine with a 14,500rpm rev ceiling, the Zeal is softer than a marshmallow on a bed of feathers. Even in Japan’s monstrously gluttonous home market of the early 1990s the Zeal only managed two years in the range before being given the flick. Why you want one: If rarity value presses your buttons you may well covet this strange Yamaha, but if that’s the case hang out for a Honda Hornet 250 instead. It’s a better bike in every respect. Values: £800-£2500 Honda VF750S 1986-1988 748cc liquid-cooled, dohc, 16v 90-degree V4, 82bhp, 225kg What is it? A whole lot of trouble, and the worst possible showcase for Honda’s then new V4 layout. Why so odd? Honda’s V4 tech was always supposed to be the springboard for a new range of sports and race bikes, so the firm’s decision to Nice leathers, not so sure about the lid, dead certain about the bike though – shocking launch its first road going V4 in the semi-cruiser 750S was odd to say the least. It proved horribly unreliable and even a step too far for the Americans. A disaster in every respect. It almost sank the whole project. Why you want one: Trust us, you really don’t. Ever. An early VF750F with its factory recall mods, now that’s a different proposition entirely. Values: £700-£1800 Kawasaki Xanthus ZR400 1991-1992 398cc liquid-cooled, dohc, 16v inline-four, 53bhp, 168kg What is it? Barking, that’s what. No manufacturer has built anything like the Xanthus (Achilles’ horse in Greek mythology) before or since – a shame. Why so odd? Back in ’92 with its twin-stacked silencers and multi-sectioned aluminium frame the Xanthus screamed modernity in a way that made even cutting edge sportsbikes of the time look ordinary. Almost a quarter of a century later the Xanthus still packs a mighty visual punch. Why you want one: ZXR400 motor in a bonkers chassis, stripped back and naked for all the world to see. Being a home market model, and only here as a grey import, this 400 Kwak is a rare find too, so it’ll always pull a crowd. The stock cans are a must. Values: £1500-£3000 70 Practical Sportsbikes Practical Sportsbikes 71

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Page 7: HONDA CBR250 Capacity: 249cc Power:

Page 11: HONDA CBR250 Some we found earlier.

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PS mixed issue sampler - last updated Jul18

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