1972 SUZUKI TS185 SIERRA

A Stunning Mint Classic With 926 Original Miles

A Museum Piece ~ Restored To Showroom New Condition

An Investment-Quality Time Capsule

Take a close look at this absolutely spectacular 1972 Suzuki TS185. With only 926 original miles, this is the kind of vintage Japanese motorcycle that almost never surfaces in this level of preservation.

Calling it a time capsule is no exaggeration. From the chrome, controls, gauges and running gear to the frame, wheels, exhaust and undercarriage, this TS185 presents remarkably close to the way it would have when new.

926 ORIGINAL MILES

The odometer shows only 926 miles, and its overall condition supports the extremely low mileage.

Most TS185s were ridden hard. These were affordable, lightweight, reliable dual-purpose motorcycles that owners used for commuting, trail riding, woods riding and general transportation. Many were modified, raced, crashed, worn out or simply used up.

This one survived.

STUNNING "REDONDO BLUE" FINISH

The motorcycle received a comprehensive restoration/service treatment that included a beautiful candy blue paint finish with white striping, complemented by the original-style metal Suzuki tank badging and distinctive 185 graphics.

The paint sparkles beautifully in direct sunlight and gives this machine a showroom-quality appearance.

The frame finish, swingarm, side covers and chassis components are equally impressive.

SUZUKI CCI OIL INJECTION

The TS185 features Suzuki's famous CCI oil-injection system, eliminating the need to premix gasoline and two-stroke oil.

For riders in the early 1970s, motorcycles like this represented true freedom. You could ride it to work, take a passenger using the rear passenger pegs, explore dirt roads and trails, or spend the weekend riding in the woods.

Its light weight also made the TS185 a popular choice for woods riding and competition, where bikes like these were frequently ridden hard and eventually destroyed.

That makes an example this well preserved especially difficult to replace today.

EXTREMELY ORIGINAL CONDITION

The level of surviving original equipment is exceptional.

Highlights include:

• 926 original miles

• Original-style gauges in outstanding condition

• Original handlebars

• Original grips

• Original levers

• Original turn signals

• Original mirrors

• Original horn

• Original chrome rims

• Original chrome fenders

• Original reflectors

• Original passenger pegs

• Original shocks

• Original wiring

• Seat upholstery believed to be factory original

• Original exhaust system and heat shield

• Original skid/bash plate

• Original tank retaining rubber

• Original hardware throughout

Even the fasteners, washers, brackets and small hardware present exceptionally well.

ORIGINAL IRC TIRES

Adding tremendously to the time-capsule character are what appear to be the original IRC trials tires, including a period date code indicating early 1972 production.

Because of their age, these tires should be considered historical items.

REMARKABLE CHROME

The chrome throughout the motorcycle is exceptional.

The fork tubes, wheel rims, handlebars, headlight hardware, gauge surrounds, exhaust guard, rear license-plate bracket and other brightwork show the kind of preservation rarely found on a motorcycle more than five decades old.

Even the underside of the front fender is remarkably clean.

NEVER ABUSED OFF-ROAD

One of the most impressive areas is underneath the motorcycle.

Look closely at the factory skid plate, lower frame rails and underside. They show virtually none of the abuse normally associated with a vintage dual-purpose motorcycle.

The skid plate is remarkably clean and shows no evidence that this motorcycle spent its life hammering through rocks, roots and New England woods.

LONG-TERM DEALERSHIP HISTORY

This Suzuki spent a significant portion of its life displayed at New Haven Suzuki, a longtime Connecticut Suzuki dealership dating back to the early 1970s.

After the dealership closed, the motorcycle was acquired directly from the owner.

That history helps explain its extraordinary state of preservation.

MECHANICALLY INSPECTED & SERVICED

We didn't simply assume the motorcycle was healthy because of its appearance.

Our technicians went through it mechanically and verified its condition.

Service and inspection included:

• Carburetor cleaned and serviced

• Gear oil changed

• New Battery Installed

• Compression test performed

• Cylinder inspected internally with a borescope

• Motorcycle test ridden

• Lighting system tested

• High and low beam tested

• Turn signals tested

• Horn tested

• Brakes inspected

• Oil-injection system inspected

• General mechanical inspection performed

Compression tested at an excellent 170 PSI.

The borescope inspection of the engine cylinder showed very little visible internal wear.

The cylinder remains on its stock bore, and there is no indication that the engine has ever been opened or rebuilt.

It runs and operates exactly the way an exceptionally low-mile TS185 should.

UNIQUE 1972 DETAILS

The early TS185 has several styling details that instantly separate it from later Japanese enduros.

The headlight assembly is especially distinctive, with its unusual mounting arrangement and integrated period hardware.

The taillight is equally interesting, featuring a sculpted, almost futuristic early-1970s design unlike the more generic rectangular lighting used on many later motorcycles.

The rear license-plate bracket, chrome work, reflectors and original lighting equipment are all present and beautifully preserved.

AN INVESTMENT-GRADE JAPANESE CLASSIC

Restoring a typical neglected TS185 to this level would be extraordinarily expensive.

A proper restoration can easily consume 70+ hours of professional labor, plus chrome work, paint, engine work, electrical restoration, rubber components, cables, tires and countless impossible-to-find original parts.

At modern professional shop rates, recreating a motorcycle of this caliber can easily become a $15,000 long term project undertaking—and even then, you would not have an original 926-mile survivor.

This motorcycle needs nothing to be appreciated immediately as a museum-quality collectible.

CONDITION

This is one of the nicest surviving early Suzuki TS185s we have encountered.

It:

Looks like new.
Runs like new.
Shows only 926 original miles.
Retains an extraordinary amount of original equipment.
Has outstanding long-term dealership and museum provenance.

You would be extremely hard-pressed to find another 1972 TS185 in comparable condition.

Whether you're a serious Suzuki collector, a fan of early Japanese enduros, building a world-class motorcycle collection or simply want one of the finest surviving examples of Suzuki's legendary two-stroke dual-purpose machines, this bike deserves serious consideration.

SHIPPING & FINANCING AVAILABLE

We can assist with nationwide shipping directly to your door.

Financing is available for qualified buyers.

Additional high-resolution photographs and information are available at KaplanCycles.com.

Even after our motorcycles are sold, we maintain many of their listings online as part of the permanent archive.

CONTACT

For questions or to purchase this motorcycle, call:

Kaplan Cycles / New England Motorcycle Museum
860-454-7024

This one will not be inexpensive—but exceptional motorcycles rarely are.

If you're looking for an investment-quality, ultra-low-mile 1972 Suzuki TS185 that looks like it stepped straight out of the early 1970s, this is it.

Thanks for looking, and God bless America.

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WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

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AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

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We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

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Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.