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This conversation is over: $1,807 equals the answer to all of your Honda Navi questions.
This conversation is over: $1,807 equals the answer to all of your Honda Navi questions. (drew ruiz/)

We’ve talked about affordable motorcycles plenty (see Top 5 Cheapest Motorcycles 2022, Best Budget-Friendly Beginner Motorcycles, and Best Affordable Used Motorcycles for New Riders 2022), usually with an eye toward value, upkeep, and longevity. After all, “affordable” means saving money over the long haul, not just on the sales floor.

Curious about the other side of the affordability spectrum? Read the Top 5 Most Expensive Motorcycles 2022 and learn what Santa needs to get you this holiday season.

Sometimes affordable means inexpensive, as in cheap. New motorcycles are always a gamble, no matter the marque. Someone’s gotta be the guinea pig. Taking a flier on an untested brand comes with an upside; you look like a genius when it works out. If you’re feeling lucky, let’s look at some bikes that are affordable, period.

Couple of ground rules here. While the merits of dealerships are up for debate, anything on this list needs to be sold from a building with a lit sign in front and a person sweating out a monthly quota. And these motorcycles are inexpensive on the sticker. Motorcyclist makes no claim, guarantee, or implied level of durability for any of the motorcycles on this list.

Minibike: Honda Navi

As an unofficial Motorcyclist long-term test vehicle, the Honda Navi is paying dividends. The $1,692 saved by not buying a Grom paid for three weekends at the track, plus a cheap vacation to North Carolina. Any question about the Navi gets one answer: $1,807. What’s it got for horsepower? Enough for $1,807. Is it fun? Sure is, for $1,807. It’s an absolute steal. Sure, it can’t wheelie and it’s slower than anything 110cc has a right to be. But simple carburetion, a heavy clutch, and conservative variator weights mean more ponies are just an afternoon’s worth of work away.

Designed for the Indian market and discontinued in 2020, it found a second home on American shores in late 2021. The funky design is just faux-carbon fiber plastic and decals, but we stopped counting the times someone asked, “Is that thing electric?” With an average of 90-plus mpg (100-plus if you’re light on the throttle) in the city, it might as well be. The lockable storage space is OK, but an optional rear rack doesn’t do much for cargo. A simple air-cooled single-cylinder 109.2cc mill is mated to a CVT transmission optimized for longevity, fuel efficiency, and slowness. Not quite sold? Let’s say it again: It’s $1,807.

It took Motorcyclist a few months of searching before finding one, so start your search now.

ADV: Benelli TRK 502X or CFMoto 650 Adventura

This split decision comes courtesy of the imaginary (but very real) dividing line between 500 and 650cc. A 650 is practically a midsize ADV, a category that’s grown of late. A 500 is a bit of a stretch. That said, a new buyer gets a lot to like for cheap. Let’s start with the TRK 502X.

Owned by Qianjiang since 2005, Benellis are designed, developed, and marketed from Pesaro, Italy. Then they actually get made in Wenling, China. A liquid-cooled eight-valve parallel twin puts out 47.6 hp at 8,500 rpm, while a seat height of 33 inches keeps things democratic. Its 19- and 17-inch wheels bookend a 60-inch wheelbase that weighs in at 469.5 pounds dry. You get 140mm (5.5 inches) of travel in the front, 145mm (5.7 inches) aft.

None of these specs are particularly eye-opening until you get to the $6,399 price of the TRK 502X with the upswept exhaust, not the pedestrian TRK 502 with the underslung unit. It’s not the most dirt-capable machine. But you’re likely just starting your ADV journey, so it’s not like you’re not bombing fire roads at 50 mph yet. Just something to consider.

Then $400 more gets you an additional 147cc in the form of the $6,799 CFMoto (yes, they spell it with all caps) 650 Adventura. Hailing from Hangzhou, China, its ATVs are familiar to some on this side of the Pacific. The 650 Adventura employs a 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin that produces 60 hp at 8,500 rpm. Genuine Bosch EFI feeds it, and a six-speed transmission with slipper clutch helps put it to pavement. A 33-inch seat height extends over a shorter 56-inch wheelbase that ends with 17-inch wheels front and back.

Again, nothing amazing stands out spec-wise. But that price, though. And it comes with standard hard bags and a 5-inch TFT. As is customary these days, ABS is standard, as are 120/70 front and 160/60 rear Metzeler tires. Besides ABS, there are no riding aids, but that’s unsurprising at this price point.

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By: Anders T. Carlson
Title: Top 5-ish Most Affordable Motorcycles 2022
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/top-5-most-affordable-motorcycles/
Published Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:00:04 +0000

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

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BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas

Written by Barbara Toombs

Fremont Street in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.

Millions of visitors are understandably attracted to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas’ renowned Strip each year, where world-class resorts, casinos, shows and incredible dining options are the name of the game.

What many don’t realize is that there’s another fascinating side to the Entertainment Capital of the World, headlined by two cultural districts known simply as Downtown and Chinatown.

Downtown Las Vegas (also known as DTLV) is really where this unique desert city got its start. In 1931, construction began on what is now known as the Hoover Dam, attracting thousands of workers to a site just east of the city. To capitalize on this growing workforce, savvy businessmen began building casinos and showgirl venues along Las Vegas’ only paved road at the time: Fremont Street.

Today, DTLV is comprised of three distinct districts. Many visitors to the city are already familiar with one of them: the Fremont Street Casino District, which contains museums, restaurants and bars, as well as the original Las Vegas casinos, including El Cortez, Golden Nugget and Golden Gate. Here you’ll also find the renowned Fremont Street Experience, which debuted in 1995. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is covered by a canopy of more than two million LED lights and a state-of-the-art sound system that comes to life every night for a spectacular sound and light show called “Viva Vision.”

The Arts District

A popular attraction in this district is The Mob Museum (the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement), which showcases intriguing tales and the age-old dichotomy of good guys versus bad guys. Explore at your own pace, go on a guided tour or uncover museum surprises as part of a group scavenger hunt. Want a literal “taste” of old-school Las Vegas? Plan to dine at Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, perched on the 24th floor of Binion’s Gambling Hall. The restaurant dates back to 1965 when it was known as Top of the Mint, the signature dining spot at The Mint hotel tower. The interior design (and menu – think steak, prime rib, lobster and even Baked Alaska) is a throwback to an earlier era when the mob ran much of Las Vegas, but the real draw is the spectacular view through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows.

Built in 2002, the Fremont East Entertainment District (FEED) is a six-block area that stretches from Las Vegas Boulevard East to 8th Street and from Ogden Street South to Carson. FEED is pedestrian-friendly, offering diverse street life and many eateries, cafes, bars and lounges, as well as ample shopping opportunities and lively entertainment. A must-see attraction in this district is the Downtown Container Park – a dining, shopping and live music venue made of 45 colorful repurposed shipping containers, all fronted by a two-story, fire-breathing praying mantis who made its original debut at Burning Man. Nearby is the popular Bin 702 – one of many great dining choices in the area – featuring a great selection of beer and wine, as well as a tantalizing choice of charcuterie and cheese, sandwiches and small plates for sharing.

18b sign in The Arts District.

In recent years, The Arts District – or the 18b as it’s also known (a reference to it occupying 18 blocks of Downtown Las Vegas, loosely outlined by Commerce Street, Colorado Ave, Fourth Street and Hoover Avenue) – has been growing in popularity. Its monthly “First Friday” block party and art walk features food trucks and live music, serving as a backdrop for artists showing their works off at a variety of open-air and indoor galleries. These include The Arts Factory, home to over 30 artists and art galleries, and ArtSquare, a hip establishment that houses design stores, designer’s studios, wellness spots, and food and drink outlets. Behind The Arts Factory sits one of many great dining choices in The Arts District: Taverna Costera, serving up delicious Coastal Mediterranean fusion that draws inspiration from coastal Spanish, French, Italian and Greek cuisines and beyond.

Just a couple of miles east of the Strip, along Spring Mountain Road (roughly between Rainbow Boulevard and Interstate 15), lies the city’s amazing Chinatown, which has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades. Here you’ll find the largest collection of Asian businesses in Southern Nevada, including a multitude of authentic Asian restaurants, gift shops, a hair stylist, a reflexologist, home decor, an Asian supermarket and the only Chinese bookstore in Nevada.

At Chinatown’s heart is the enormous and ornate Chinatown Plaza, featuring a colorful, dragon-adorned, Tang Dynasty-inspired gate and gleaming

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: BEYOND THE STRIP: Discover the Cultural Gems of Las Vegas
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/beyond-the-strip-discover-the-cultural-gems-of-las-vegas-2023/
Published Date: Fri, 19 May 2023 18:07:14 +0000

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

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2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve

This red 1967 Corvette custom coupe received a complete custom restoration at Springfield Motorsports in Peachland BC, Canada. The build consists of a completely new jig-mounted tube chassis with C4 corvette front upper and lower control arms riding on coilover shocks and power rack & pinion steering. The rear differential is a custom narrowed 9-inch Ford with aluminum Dale Gerry center section with Wilwood disc brakes on all 4 corners. Filling out the wheel wells are custom offset Fikse wheels.

K&S machine in Kelowna, British Columbia took the 454ci engine and machined it to 496ci it is equipped with Comp Thumper camshaft and 800cfm carburetor and it creates a true hot rod sound through the ceramic-coated exhaust. Lee Baxter upholstery created the one-off hand-stitched red leather interior with a rear storage area. It features Vintage Air, Digital gauges, power windows and a leather-wrapped vintage-style steering wheel.

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By: Barrett-Jackson
Title: 2024 SCOTTSDALE AUCTION: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe – No Reserve
Sourced From: www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/2024-scottsdale-auction-1967-chevrolet-corvette-custom-coupe-no-reserve/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:52:01 +0000

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From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

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Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
The Honda CBX 1000 was only in production for four years, but that was enough time for it to leave a lasting impression on the motorcycle industry. First released it in 1978 as a screaming six-cylinder naked superbike, it later faced stiff competition from its stablemate—the equally iconic CB900F. So the Japanese marque redesigned it as a sport tourer, halfway through its tenure.

The updated ‘CBX-B’ had a touring fairing, optional panniers, and Honda’s new-at-the-time Pro-Link mono-shock setup. It was a hair less powerful than before, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a legend in its own right. If you park a CBX and CBX-B next to each other, you could argue that the latter has more presence.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition

It’s that mystique that prompted the owner of this 1982 Honda CBX 1000 Pro-Link to buy it. Enamored with the fusion of modern technology and ancient traditions found in Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, he was on the hunt for a classic motorcycle that embodied that philosophy. When he found the CBX, the sheer brutalism of its six-cylinder engine was impossible to ignore.

“In the eyes of this enthusiast, the engine wasn’t just a mechanical marvel; it was the soul of the motorcycle, much like the heart in a human body,” says Tiago Gonçalves, founder of the Portuguese custom shop, Unik Edition. “This revelation laid the foundation for a transformative project, one that would honor the motorcycle’s origins while infusing it with a new identity.”

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik EditionRead More

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By: Wesley Reyneke
Title: From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/honda-cbx-1000-restomod
Published Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 16:34:54 +0000

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