The Collectors' Circle: Craig's Bike Collection

It has been quite some time since I’ve had the opportunity to dive deep into a private collection and give it the detailed write-up it deserves. Recently, however, I was invited to spend the morning with an avid rider and dedicated collector right here in Auckland, gaining access to a garage that is as much a gallery as it is a workshop.

While we were setting up the shoot, the owner and I spent a fair amount of time debating the best way to showcase the silhouettes of these machines. We eventually settled on a clean, chronological-style lineup, grouping the bikes by their respective marques to highlight the evolution of each brand's design.

From the first frame to the last, the quality of this collection is remarkable. From left to right, here is the full roster of motorcycles currently calling this Auckland garage home.

Suzuki:

The Suzuki Legends: Alstare & The RK

First up, we find two Suzukis that perfectly encapsulate the evolution of the "Gixxer" legacy, though they hail from vastly different chapters of motorsport history. The 2003 GSX-R600Z Alstare Edition serves as a vibrant tribute to the Alstare Corona team’s World Superbike dominance; its iconic yellow, blue, and white livery remains one of the most evocative designs of the early 2000s. While it retains the reliable 115 hp mechanicals of the standard K3, its status as a final-year special edition makes it a prized aesthetic landmark. 

Standing in sharp contrast is the 1989 GSX-R750RR, better known to purists as the RK. This is a true "homologation special," one of only 500 units hand-finished globally to conquer the racetrack. With its reinforced chassis, long-stroke engine configuration, and signature aluminum fuel tank, the RK is a raw, uncompromising machine that prioritizes track-bred performance over street comfort. Seeing them side-by-side highlights a fascinating transition from the hand-built, limited-run racers of the late eighties to the high-fashion, celebratory street bikes of the modern era.

1989 Suzuki GSX-R750RR Limited Edition RK - 23,000kms

748 cc 4-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC, transverse 4 cylinder

Max Power: 112 hp @ 11,000 rpm

Max Torque: 74.5 Nm @ 10,000 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 11 s @ 203 km/h

Top Speed: 248.3 km/h

Production: 500 made

2003 Suzuki GSX-R600R Alstare Edition SRAD - 50,000kms

599 cc 4-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC, transverse 4 cylinder

Max Power: 115 hp @ 13,000 rpm

Max Torque: 69 Nm @ 10,800 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 10.8 s @ 200 km/h

Standing 0 -1,000 m: 20.6 s @ 239 km/h

Top Speed: 263 km/h

Production: 1,500 made

Yamaha:

The Lightweight Legends: FZR 400R & TZR 250R

Next in the lineup are two Yamahas that define the "small-displacement wars" of the early nineties, showcasing two entirely different philosophies of speed. The 1990 FZR 250R is a marvel of miniaturized engineering, featuring a 249cc inline-four engine with a staggering 19,000 RPM redline that produces a mechanical scream reminiscent of a vintage Formula 1 car. Equipped with Yamaha’s EXUP valve technology and a lightweight Deltabox frame, it’s a masterclass in four-stroke precision. The 1990 FZR 250R came in either New Black Blue or this Silky White with Blue graphic accents.

Right beside it sits its more aggressive sibling, the 1992 TZR 250R (3XV). This V-twin two-stroke was built to be a literal Grand Prix racer for the road, moving away from previous parallel-twin designs to mirror Yamaha’s factory YZR 250 competition bikes. With its signature "banana" swingarm and the explosive power delivery characteristic of a high-performance smoker, the TZR provides a sharp, visceral contrast to the FZR’s high-revving refinement. Together, they represent a golden era where Japanese manufacturers spared no expense in perfecting the 250cc class.  The 1992 3XV4 comes in either Vivid Red Cocktail/White or this one: Silky White/Graphite/Turquoise, commonly referred in Japan as the "Nescafe livery".

The TZR 250R is my personal favourite of the collection and is the how me and Craig met in the first place. While walking around Omori in Yokohama the last time I was in Japan, I saw this older gentleman riding this stunning "white-red-yellow" 1992 Yamaha TZR 250R-SP pull up to a gyoza stand for lunch, and immediately fell in love with both the bike's design and the incredible sound!

1990 Yamaha FZR 250RR EXUP - 15,000kms

249 cc 4-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC, transverse 4 cylinder

Max Power: 45 hp @ 14,500 rpm

Max Torque: 25 Nm @ 11,500 rpm

1992 Yamaha TZR 250R - 50,000kms

249 cc 2-stroke, read-valve parallel twin

Max Power: 50 hp @ 10,000 rpm

Max Torque: 35.5 Nm @ 9,750 rpm

The R-Series Evolution: 1999 R1 & 2019 R1M

Moving into the heavyweight category, the 1999 Yamaha R1 stands as the bike that changed everything. In its iconic "Yamaha Blue" livery, this first-generation beast threw out the rulebook by being shorter, lighter, and more powerful than anything in its class. It is the raw, analog ancestor to the technological tour de force parked beside it: a 2019 Yamaha R1M. This 1999 model came in 3 colour-ways: a White with Red livery, the inverse Bluish White Cocktail over Vivid Red Cocktail with a red seat (the most desirable), and this one, a deep Yamaha Blue.

This specific R1M is likely one of the most highly spec’d examples in the country. It is draped in FullSix carbon panels and brake vents, featuring aerodynamic Rizoma Stealth mirrors and a custom Luimoto seat from Canada. The unsprung weight has been decimated by an incredibly rare set of limited Marchesini rims—number 9 on the front and 10 on the rear from a production run of only ten sets. Mechanically, it is just as serious; following a 520 chain conversion, Brembo master cylinder upgrade, and a full Akrapovic system, it was dialed in at BRM Dyno. The result is a staggering 191 hp at the wheel, translating to an estimated 215–220 hp at the crank. This colour is the only available colour-way for the 2019 R1M.

1999 Yamaha YZF-1000 R1 - 40,000kms

998 cc 4-stroke, 20-valve, DOHC, transverse 4 cylinder

Max Power: 148.8 hp @ 10,000 rpm

Max Torque: 108.3 Nm @ 8,500 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 10.3 s @ 222.7 km/h

Top Speed: 277.2 km/h

2019 Yamaha YZF-1000 R1M - 7,000kms 

599 cc 4-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC, transverse 4 cylinder

Max Power: 200 hp @ 13,500 rpm (*215-220 hp)

Max Torque: 112.4 Nm @ 11,500 rpm 

Standing Quarter Mile: 9.8 s @ 241~km/h

Standing 0 - 300 km/h: 22.1 s

Top Speed: 300 km/h (*315~320 km/h)

Note: (*Craig's Version) Stock results otherwise

The Workhorse: 2011 YZ 450F

Finally, providing a rugged contrast to the fairing-clad sport bikes is a 2011 Yamaha YZ 450. This isn't a "garage queen" by any stretch; it is a testament to the dedication of a rider who actually uses their machines. With over 500 hours of logged work and currently sitting on its fourth engine rebuild, this bike is a living record of high-performance maintenance. It breathes through a full Yoshimura exhaust and runs an aggressive custom map, ensuring that its off-road prowess matches the intensity of its track-focused siblings. This dirt-bike is in Team Yamaha Blue and White; the other colour is Red and White

2011 Yamaha YZ 450F

449 cc, 4-stroke, 4-valve, DOHC, "reverse-layout" single cylinder

Max Power: 53.8 hp @ 9,000 rpm

Max Torque: 46 Nm @ 7,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 111 kg

Seat Height: 999 mm

Ground Clearance: 383 mm

Honda:

The Classic Beauties: QA50 Mini-bike & VFR 400R

Transitioning into the Honda wing of the garage, the timeline begins with a charming 1974 Honda QA50. This fully restored "mini-bike" is a nostalgic nod to Honda’s knack for accessibility, featuring a tiny 50cc overhead valve engine and an automatic clutch that made it a gateway machine for an entire generation of riders. Craig's choice of this beautiful "Burnt-Candy Orange" over Bright White makes it feel period correct with the charm of its disco-era 70's decade.

Moving from the playful to the purposeful, we encounter the 1989 Honda VFR 400R (NC30) in NH259M Seed Silver, a sophisticated V4 masterpiece that many consider a scaled-down RC30. Its gear-driven cams and single-sided swingarm echo the high-end racing tech of the late eighties, delivering a unique mechanical symphony that few bikes can match. The other colour for the '96 VFR 400R is NH196 Ross White.

1974 Honda QA50

49 cc 4-stroke, air-cooled, OHV, single cylinder

Max Power: 1.8 hp @ 5,000 rpm

Max Torque: 2.98 Nm @ 4,000 rpm

Transmission: 2-speed semi-auto with a centrifugal clutch

Weight: 38 kg dry with folding handlebars for easy storage into the backs of cars

Top Speed: 40-48 km/h depending on the rider's weight

1989 Honda VFR 400R - 70,000kms 

399 cc 4-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC, 90-degree V4

Max Power: 59 hp @ 12.800 rpm 

Max Torque: 39 Nm @ 10,000 rpm 

Standing Quarter Mile: 12.6 s @ 175 km/h

Top Speed: 219 km/h

90's Honda Icons: CBR 400RR & CBR 900RR

The evolution of the "Baby Blade" is masterfully represented here by the 1994 Honda CBR400RR (NC29), a machine that many enthusiasts consider the high-water mark of the Japanese 400cc market. Built on the "Gull-Arm" chassis, this precision-engineered inline-four was far more than a learner bike; it was a high-tech jewel featuring a gear-driven cam system and a stratospheric 14,500 RPM redline. Its ability to maintain incredible corner speed and flickable handling made it a giant-killer on tight, technical circuits. It's use of the iconic HRC livery really makes it live up to its namesake! This bike is NH196 Ross White with a Red to Purplish Blue livery, while the other colour available for it is NH343K Sparkler Black Pearl with Red livery.

Capping off this quartet is the bike that fundamentally redefined the superbike category: a 1997 Honda CBR 900RR. By this mid-nineties iteration, the Fireblade had perfected Tadao Baba’s "Total Control" philosophy, famously pairing the power of a flagship liter-class engine with a chassis that weighed no more than a contemporary 600cc middleweight. While its rivals were still chasing raw, heavy horsepower, the Fireblade’s aggressive mass centralization and agile geometry proved that a lighter, more balanced machine could consistently outperform the more cumbersome superbikes of its day. This CBR 900RR is painted in NH1B Graphite Black; the other colours available for this year's model is NH196K Sparkler Black Pearl with a Red livery, Y140I Pearl Yellow, and R158 Pure Red. Seen together, these two generations of CBR illustrate Honda’s obsession with the perfect marriage of power and poise. 

1994 Honda CBR 400RR Fireblade - 14,000kms

399 cc 4-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC, transverse 4 cylinder

Max Power: 59 hp @ 12,500 rpm

Max Torque: 39 Nm @ 10,000 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 13.5 s @ 169 km/h

Top Speed: 225 km/h

1997 Honda CBR 900RR Fireblade - 32,000kms

919 cc 4-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC, transverse 4 cylinder

Max Power: 130 hp @ 10,500 rpm

Max Torque: 92 Nm @ 10,000 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 10.5 s @ 211.5 km/h

Top Speed: 259 km/h

Aprilia:

Italian Soul: The Racing Spirit of Aprilia

Moving from the precision of Japanese engineering into the fiery soul of Italian performance, the collection shifts focus to a pair of Aprilia motorbikes that celebrate the brand’s storied racing pedigree. The 1995 Aprilia RS250 Max Biaggi Edition is a true street-legal tribute to the 250cc Grand Prix world championship, featuring the iconic Chesterfield livery that dominated the mid-nineties. Powered by a highly-tuned 249cc V-twin two-stroke engine sourced from Suzuki but refined by Aprilia’s engineers, the RS250 is legendary for its razor-sharp handling and a power-to-weight ratio that makes it a favorite among track purists.

Sitting in formidable contrast is the 2004 Aprilia RSV1000R Haga/Edwards Edition, a bike that marks the end of an era for the first-generation Mille. This limited-run model commemorates the legendary partnership of Noriyuki Haga and Colin Edwards, featuring the signature "Replica" graphics and premium Öhlins suspension. With its 998cc V-twin thumping out a visceral soundtrack, the RSV1000R serves as a reminder of the days when Aprilia went toe-to-toe with the best in World Superbike racing. Together, this duo represents the two pillars of Aprilia’s identity: the lightweight, screaming two-stroke agility of their GP roots and the muscular, charismatic V-twin power of their flagship superbikes.

1995 Aprilia RS 250 Chesterfield Replica Max Biaggi Edition - 1,740kms

249 cc 2-stroke, 90-degree V2

Max Power: 72.5 hp @ 11,900 rpm

Max Torque: 40 Nm @ 10,750 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 12.5 s @ 172.5 km/h

Top Speed: 209.5 km/h

Production: Even though this model looks like a limited edition model with its graphics, it was actually a mass production model and the livery came as standard for the motorcycle. Standard "non-Chesterfield Replica" motorbikes did exist as standalone models named as the Aprilia RS 250. The specifications of the standard RS 250 remained the same as the Chesterfield Replica RS 250.

2004 Aprilia RSV1000R Factory Haga/Edwards Edition - 7,000kms

997.6 cc 4-stroke, 8-valve, longitudinal 60-degree V2

Max Power: 139 hp @ 9,500 rpm

Max Torque: 107 Nm @ 7,500 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 10.7 s @ 217.3 km/h

Top Speed: 278 km/h

Production: 461 made

Ducati:

The Italian Masterpieces: A Ducati Conclusion

As we reach the final section of this remarkable collection, the focus turns to the legendary marques of Bologna. Leading the charge is the 1994 Ducati 916S Varese, a bike that isn't just a machine, but a piece of rolling history. This particular unit is an early "Varese-built" model—produced at the Cagiva factory following a fire at the Ducati plant—and carries the prestigious Ian Falloon certification, confirming its authenticity as one of the rare, original-spec examples that launched a styling revolution. With its single-sided swingarm and under-seat exhausts, it remains the definitive silhouette of the modern superbike.

Parked alongside it is the 2005 Ducati 749R, the uncompromising, track-focused peak of the Pierre Terblanche era. This is a true homologation special, featuring a larger bore, shorter stroke, and titanium internals that allow it to rev far higher than the standard 749. With its oversized fuel tank and carbon fiber flourishes, it represents the absolute pinnacle of middleweight racing engineering from the mid-2000s.

Finally, bringing the timeline into the modern era is the 2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200S. This bike serves as the "gentleman’s choice" within the collection, blending the raw soul of a 1,198cc Testastretta engine with advanced touring comfort. Equipped with Öhlins electronic suspension and four distinct riding modes, it perfectly illustrates how Ducati’s racing DNA eventually evolved into the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything machine. Whether on a racetrack or a coastal Auckland highway, these three Ducati's provide a fittingly emotional finale to an extraordinary assembly of motorcycles. While the 916 and 749 only came in red, the Multistrada 1200S came in 4 colour-ways: Titanium Matte for the Touring model, Red/White/Black Corse livery for the Pikes Peak model, and for the standard 1200S: Ducati Anniversary Red and this one, which is Arctic White with a Racing Grey Frame. All standard Multistrada 1200S's came with black wheels.

1994 Ducati 916S Varese - 12,000kms

916 cc 4-stroke, 8-valve, DOHC, 90-degree L-Twin

Max Power: 114 hp @ 9,000 rpm

Max Torque: 90 Nm @ 7,000 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 10.6 s @ 207.4 km/h

Top Speed: 255.1 km/h

Production: 199 made

2005 Ducati 749R - 9,000kms

749.5 cc 4-stroke, 8-valve, DOHC, 90-degree L-Twin

Max Power: 121 hp @ 10,250 rpm

Max Torque: 84.3 Nm @ 8,500 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 11.02 s @ 259.1 km/h

Top Speed: 256.3 km/h

Production: Approximately 500 units made.

2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200S - 50,000kms

1,198.4 cc 4-stroke, 8-valve, DOHC, 90-degree L-Twin

Max Power: 150 hp @ 9,250 rpm

Max Torque: 118.7 Nm @ 7,500 rpm

Standing Quarter Mile: 10.56 s @ 210.63 km/h

Top Speed: 241 km/h

Pedal-Powered Pedigree: The 40th Anniversary Floval Flyer

The final piece of the collection shifts gears entirely, offering a vibrant tribute to BMX heritage with a 40th Anniversary SE Racing Floval Flyer. This 24-inch cruiser is a masterclass in retro-modern styling, featuring the brand's iconic "floval" aluminum tubing finished in a striking red and yellow livery. Every detail on this build has been curated for the purist, from the legendary 7-spoke Skyway Tuffwheels wrapped in classic tan-wall rubber to the "grail" Bullseye pedals in anodized gold. It is a high-end nod to the roots of two-wheeled culture, proving that the spirit of racing and innovation is just as potent on a pedal-powered machine as it is on a liter-class superbike.

Ultimately, this garage serves as a living timeline of mechanical passion. From the screaming 19,000 RPM redline of the FZR 250RR and the hand-built rarity of the Ducati 916 Varese, to the nostalgic charm of the Honda QA50 and the wheelie-ready Floval Flyer, the collection is a testament to a life spent chasing the perfect ride. It isn't just a gathering of machinery; it’s a curated history of engineering excellence right here in Auckland. Witnessing these legends lined up in the morning sun, it’s clear that while the marques and displacements vary, the common thread is a relentless pursuit of the visceral joy that only two wheels can provide.