collectible motorcycles

[pavulon]

Saw this phrase in the fiscal cliff thread and wondered if this might make an interesting list (include images please). So...let's see your ideas for collectible motorcycles that folks might run across, yet be under the radar!!

[varmint]

Any of the last generation of street legal two stroke crotch rockets.

Honda RC51? Whatever that ducati beater twin was called.

R80 - R100 GS BMWs

Early unmolested Hayabusas.

Pre Vegas victories.

I loathe Harley's. but huge heavily customized poser bikes are cheap right now.

[HardDrive]

Agree on RC51.

Ducati Sports classic S models.

70s Hondas. The two stroke street bikes seem to be ticking up in price.

I have to be honest, I don't see motorcycles as an investment.

[HardDrive]

RC-51

[Cannonball996]

pre 1953 Indians
Vincint Black Shadows
Bevel Ducati
vintage MV Agustas
early original harleys (panheads and earlier)

[motion]

I can only speak about what I know, but here are a few, along with my projection for 2015 prices. Double those for 2025.

Bike 2012 Current VG Price 2015 VG Price

Yamaha RZ500 9,000 14,000
Yamaha RZ350 5,000 9,000
Aprilia RS250 street 6,000 10,000
Honda NS400R 7,000 12,000
Honda NSR250 6,000 10,000
Honda VF1000R 5,000 10,000
Suzuki Katana 1000 6,000 12,000
Yamaha TZR250 3XV 7,000 12,000
Ducati 916/996/998 7,000 10,000
Bimota V-Due 16,000 20,000
Suzuki RG500 12,000 17,000
Honda RC30 27,000 32,000
Any of the Jap turbos 5,000 10,000

Personally, I have acquired all of the street models I want, with the exception of a nice 3XV TZR250, a Ducati Desmosedici, and a Bimota V-Due. I'll be concentrating on GP 125 and 250 race bikes from here on out, with an eventual goal of acquiring a 500cc GP bike.

[varmint]

Originally Posted by Cannonball996

pre 1953 Indians
Vincint Black Shadows
Bevel Ducati
vintage MV Agustas
early original harleys (panheads and earlier)

as long as we're fantasizing,

i'll take a pair of crockers and a britten V1000



moto guzzi made some stunning bikes in the mid 90s. they didn't sell and have been lost to time. doubt they'll ever be worth much. but nice as rolling sculpture.

[motion]

What do you guys think, should I go for it? This is the holy grail of two stroke streetbikes. I see no reason why this won't be worth $50K in 10-15 years. 150 produced worldwide.

Bimota : Vdue 500 Iniezione in Bimota | eBay Motorcycles

[Noah930]

What, no Britten?

Oh yeah, that Bimota is tasty, too.

[exc911ence]

Agree on the RC51 as a future collectible. Will add the following V-Twin superbikes:

Ducati 916

Suzuki TL1000R


Other possibilities...

1994-6 Triumph Speed Triple
1999-2000 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa (the unrestricted years)
2008 Suzuki GSX1300BK B-King (essentially a naked Hayabusa, poor seller, very under-rated bike)
1997 Suzuki TL1000S (first year "widowmaker")
Suzuki GS1200SS (Japan- and possibly Australia-only model)
Kawasaki ZRX1100 and ZRX1200 (in Eddie Lawson green specifically)
Ducati 999 (unloved when new, getting to be appreciated now)

Already collectible, but still reasonably priced:
1982/83 Suzuki GSX1100SZ Katana
1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 (first year in US was 1986)

And lastly, the oddball 80's turbo bikes...
Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo
Honda CX500/650 Turbo
Yamaha Seca Turbo

There may be others like the Kawi ZX11 (aka: ZZR1100), ZX-12 or Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird that were special in their day for their performance but there are still lots of these around and likely always will be.

[ckelly78z]

I don't know, 18,000 for a bike you can't test ride and he hasn't even hit reserve, that's maybe 25,000. I understand it is an ultra low mileage, ultra rare bike, but are facing a VERY limited buyer base when and if the matket goes up. I just think there is so much uncertainty right now, I wouldn't spend good money on risky aquisitions like this one.

[varmint]

go for it. you won't see another soon. but ride the thing. shameful for it to have less than 50 miles.



a word on the two strokes. a few years ago barbara "the ****" boxer changed the laws to make it practically impossible to register old two stroke dirt bikes. friend of mine was stuck with a garage full of great old machines he couldn't sell. be wary of crap like this.


and if anyone ever runs across a Bultaco Pursang grab it.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Noah930

What, no Britten?

Oh yeah, that Bimota is tasty, too.

Jeez, I can't even remember when I last saw a Britten for sale. I believe they are 100K+ now.

[Gogar]

Ducati 851,888,916,

Ducati Supersports, Sport Classic,

The Ducati Paul Smart replica is already overpriced.


And. . . Hinckley Triumphs!

But I'm biased.


Also, VERY clean, un-messed up superbikes from the Mid/Late '80s are hard to find and there's lots of '40 somethings looking for the bikes they had on their wall when they were younger.

[motion]

Originally Posted by varmint

go for it. you won't see another soon. but ride the thing. shameful for it to have less than 50 miles.

I'd ride it for maybe 20 miles just to feel what 330lbs and 120HP feels like on the street, but then it would be parked in the office.

[varmint]

Originally Posted by exc911ence

1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 (first year in US was 1986)

my bike in high school. guys like me are the reason they're scarce now.

almost impossible to find one today that doesn't look like it's been run over a cliff.

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by varmint

my bike in high school. guys like me are the reason they're scarce now.

almost impossible to find one today that doesn't look like it's been run over a cliff.

There are some nice ones left, and some exquisite dry-clutch LE's as well.

Rare SportBikes For Sale

I check this site daily! And now, so will you.

[HardDrive]

Always wanted one of these:

[Noah930]

The Hailwood replica is gorgeous. The Supermono is collectable, as well.

Kawi triples.
Maybe a 6 cylinder CBX.

Not just the '86 GSX-R, but minty Japanese sportbikes in general. CBR900RR. FZR1000. ZX-10 or -11.

That single-sided front swingarmed Yamaha GT bike. (GTS1000?)

Are any of the Harley V1000 racers around? There's an oddball bike.

[creaturecat]

Here is mine. 68 yr2c 350.
Not exactly exotic. Unless you consider Yamalube to be exotic.
Somewhat collectible, due to being a survivor, rather than a restoration.
We are talking investment potential.
I paid $ 75. : )