Investing in a Future Classic - Which Bike?

First topic message reminder :

This might or might not be a hypothetical question, but either way, you guys probably would love to proffer an opinion!  The tricky question is which bike, old, not so old, even new, is going to be a future classic, sought after by riders and collectors alike.  Lets put a limit of say, $20k, on this question, which covers a range of new bikes (but by no means any of the exotic ones) and just about all of the older bikes.  What would you buy now with this budget if your were thinking of selling in a 10 - 20 year timeframe (so think about the downside of tieing up your hard earned for that period).

I have my own opinions (of course) and already have a 1997 TRX850 and 1980 XS850 in the shed speculating on this very question.  But hey, there's room for one more!

Love to get your thoughts. 

I was thinking Ninja H2 (being the first of the supercharged sports bikes to be put in production), but $33k for a new one - yikes.  

mtbeerwah wrote:I recon this ones got to be a classic

I don't think that's as funny as you might think, they do have a cult following, particularly in Europe, maybe just hang on to what you already have

Chook wrote:
I don't think that's as funny as you might think, they do have a cult following, particularly in Europe, maybe just hang on to what you already have

I was making a bit of a funny, but in all seriousness, we`re riding Bandits, because it all started with the Gen 1, and I don`t see that many on the road, and I really really like riding this thing. I think its a better bike than my other Gen2 Bandit. Although I have fixed the suspension on this one, which is their achilles heel, it will stay in an unmolested state.
 The cult Bandit thing, all started with the Gen1, and I`ve got no intension of ever selling it.
I`ve found another one, from an old bloke I work with, and his son has one, in perfect condition with 45 000 original K`s, for $1500...I`M GOING TO SNAP IT UP!!

This doesn't strike me as too bad an option.  2013 Honda CBR1000RR Repsol. Immaculate condition Repsol blade with certificate of authenticity.  $13,990 from a dealer so let's say $12,990 (maybe less for the good negotiators).  7,500kms. Only 130 imported to Oz.

Gisaride

The problem with buying any new bike on the speculation that it will appreciate is in living long enough to see it through.  

Best thing is to be on the lookout for something that the owner doesn't realise the potential, of but has kept it for a few years and just wants to get rid of.  

mtbeerwah's idea is sound.  I saw a Suzi 750R (first of the Oil cooled ones) for sale, but it was a bit dear.  I've got a few friends who have among them a CBX1000, RGB, one has a number of Kwakka 900s (and "horse trades" them all the time) another is a big fan of GSX1400s - he'll always have ONE.    

I think the TRX850 is sound, like XS650s I'm hanging on to my SRX600 at least until I can put it on (old bike rego) to ride it now and again. It is starting to "move" in value a bit, I'm torn between going completely stock with it or with slight, tasty mods, mostly to improve performance. Cult bikes are a bit of a loose cannon - look what has happened to SR500s.  They have pretty much topped out, and there are a lot of them. Rare, standout bikes are a better proposition.   

I think there is a lot to be said for unusual and/or rare bikes and keeping them as close to original as possible.  I've always wanted a Laverda 1000, but I think I've missed my chance.  - they also cost a bomb to restore, but are appreciating well. 

VMX motorbikes are starting to move.  The two strokes aren't so pricey to rebuild, but some are very hard to get bits for.  The "animals" like the Yammie IT490 or similar would be a proposition I think for a restore and store.  

I'm a little surprised that BSAs and Triumphs of the 60's aren't out there in some volume.  I'm imagining that there are a lot of them in sheds. 

I think the "blue chips" are in the unmolested, exotica, or the "common as Fords" models that you can actually find parts for and won't cost a bomb to produce an authentic example of in perfect working order.

I would consider one of these; like all of H-D's forays into the world of sports bikes it was only sold briefly (09 & 10 in OZ) and are available for reasonable money.

Provided you don't take them too seriously they are fun in a gimpy kinda way.

An interesting machine.  Quite respectable looking.

This one would put a horn on a jellyfish

Dekenai wrote:This one would put a horn on a jellyfish

I think that's the first HD that I`ve seen that looks alright.
but it doesn`t really look like an HD, it looks more euro or british

Dare I say it, even a bit VX800ish with a larish paint job, single seat and belt drive

Harley emulating a Buell.

Or emulating a Harley

MattyC wrote:RZ or RG 500 ?
They are getting hard to find now. Also maybe the 97 TL1000..lol

I think you might be on to something with the TLs. I had a red '97, it was a bag of wobbly shite. Fun shite, but still shite

Dekenai wrote:1991 Fireblade, VTR1000 SP1 or 2, Bimota SB6,

Yeah, SP1 and early 'blade, but I thought '92 was the first year

I'd say 250 2 strokes like RGVs, KR1s and TZRs. RD350s. Maaaaybe CBR400s & NC30s. Slingshot & Slabside GSXRs

This one might make it to classic status - Triumph Thruxton R1200R.  Like the Honda SP1/SP2, it is priced high which will limit sales.

Nice bit of kit. 
Triumph emulating the efforts of back yard tinkerers with fork swap and better shocks and charging five times as much as it would cost to do the work yourself.  
Good on Triumph.

Ooooooo mmmmm!!!

Funny how life goes. 
Just attended my local bike shop for an auto door call out and there you go. 




$23G and they're going like hot cakes apparently. These two are sold. 


Out of my league by $18G

Sold my original 1981 Z1000J-1 Kwaka about 2 years ago to a guy who works at a Kawasaki dealership and he intends restoring it back to its former glory.

He chased me and offered $4k cash, an offer I couldn't refuse as it had been sitting collecting dust for several years in the garage.

I have always had a soft spot for the Laverda Jota's of the early 80's and their documented rock solid handling at 150mph.

mtbeerwah wrote:I recon this ones got to be a classic

yup its a face only a Mother could love

Jimcoleman wrote:

mtbeerwah wrote:I recon this ones got to be a classic

yup its a face only a Mother could love

Ha Ha...start calling me Mummy.