Bikes that will gain value
Discussion
Inspired by the thread about cars which will gain value over on GG, which bikes do you think will appreciate?
I think the Aprillia RS250 is only going to gain value, and I beleive it's already on its way up. I think it was one of the last (if not the last?) performance 2-strokes for sale in the UK, although I can't profess to know too much about them, I reckon I'd enjoy one though
I'd also like to think the GSXR SRADs will appreciate in the future, as they're pretty different from other 600s of the time and currently, at least in terms of styling (and the last of the carbed GSXRs, if that's of any appeal!) They're still pretty common at the moment, but I reckon once their numbers start thinning out they'll be worth a bit more... I hope!
I imagine many old British bikes will continue to appreciate, but I don't really know too much about them either! So, what do you reckon?
I think the Aprillia RS250 is only going to gain value, and I beleive it's already on its way up. I think it was one of the last (if not the last?) performance 2-strokes for sale in the UK, although I can't profess to know too much about them, I reckon I'd enjoy one though
I'd also like to think the GSXR SRADs will appreciate in the future, as they're pretty different from other 600s of the time and currently, at least in terms of styling (and the last of the carbed GSXRs, if that's of any appeal!) They're still pretty common at the moment, but I reckon once their numbers start thinning out they'll be worth a bit more... I hope!
I imagine many old British bikes will continue to appreciate, but I don't really know too much about them either! So, what do you reckon?
Edited by Mellow Matt on Sunday 3rd January 12:13
I can't see the GSXR600's appreciating more than any similar bike to be honest, they are just too common, plus most of them have been covered in bolt on s
te, the K5 Thou will, with it being the last of the unfettered (by electrics) superbikes.
The RS250 will appreciate over time, as will other strokers such as the TDR250 (it is going up quite quickly), even stuff like RD400's and the like are rising quickly.
te, the K5 Thou will, with it being the last of the unfettered (by electrics) superbikes.The RS250 will appreciate over time, as will other strokers such as the TDR250 (it is going up quite quickly), even stuff like RD400's and the like are rising quickly.
Edited by Jazoli on Saturday 2nd January 18:30
Agrred on both of those - I posted a similar style thread back in November
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I can't really see that any of the current mass-produced bikes are going to go up massively for a very, very long time unless they're still crated with zero miles. There's too many around and people are switched on and will have kept some things (original Fireblade's etc) in good but used condition with making money in mind. There'll be too many about.
Some of the limited run, homologation specials may do (R7's, ZX-7RR etc) but again only if they're good and original.
Bikes take a long, long while to really go up in value unless they're incredibly rare. RC30's and 45's are only really worth anything in very original condition, and even then the really big money is in the ones with no miles.
Old Brit bikes are going absolutely nuts at the moment, mainly due to the Euro/Sterling exchange rate. Bikes that would have made 6-7k three or four years ago are clearing 20k now. I remember seeing Brough Superior SS100's for sale at around 35-40k. You won't get one for much less than 160k now (and I'm not old so i wasn't that long ago!).
People that were investing in property are now taking out full page ad's in old bike magazines as there's more investment potential. Makes me a bit sad as they're not being used to be honest.
So in summary, I don't think any modern mass-produced bikes will go up in value for 30+ years unless they're really, really special and unique in the market
Some of the limited run, homologation specials may do (R7's, ZX-7RR etc) but again only if they're good and original.
Bikes take a long, long while to really go up in value unless they're incredibly rare. RC30's and 45's are only really worth anything in very original condition, and even then the really big money is in the ones with no miles.
Old Brit bikes are going absolutely nuts at the moment, mainly due to the Euro/Sterling exchange rate. Bikes that would have made 6-7k three or four years ago are clearing 20k now. I remember seeing Brough Superior SS100's for sale at around 35-40k. You won't get one for much less than 160k now (and I'm not old so i wasn't that long ago!).
People that were investing in property are now taking out full page ad's in old bike magazines as there's more investment potential. Makes me a bit sad as they're not being used to be honest.
So in summary, I don't think any modern mass-produced bikes will go up in value for 30+ years unless they're really, really special and unique in the market
srob said:
So in summary, I don't think any modern mass-produced bikes will go up in value for 30+ years unless they're really, really special and unique in the market
I agree with you.As for 999's increasing in value, this is something I really doubt. As with most dukes, they will hold a good second hand value but for anything to be appreciating, you would probably need to look further back than 888's.
The oddballs will always increase in value faster than the mainstream, regardless of wether they were actually a good bike or not. A few suggestions, in no particular order and no opinion as to them being good, bad, or indifferent:
Suzuki RE5 Rotary
Yamaha TDR250
Yamaha RD250/350
X75 Hurricane Triumph
BMW R100RS
Kawasaki Z900/Z1000/ Z1000turbo
Kawasaki KE1
Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Honda CBX1000
Honda CX500 Turbo
Benelli 750 or 900sei
Any of these would have to be low mileage and in mint condition for the best return on investment.
Suzuki RE5 Rotary
Yamaha TDR250
Yamaha RD250/350
X75 Hurricane Triumph
BMW R100RS
Kawasaki Z900/Z1000/ Z1000turbo
Kawasaki KE1
Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Honda CBX1000
Honda CX500 Turbo
Benelli 750 or 900sei
Any of these would have to be low mileage and in mint condition for the best return on investment.
that could almost make me want a 'ped Tuppence worth:
Any bike that was nice, but never a big seller will go up in value if you wait long enough.
GSXR600's? Nah, no chance; there's squillions of them.
Daytona 600? Probably; never sold shedloads, but it was a decent bike that people liked and generally looked after.
End result? In 20 years time there will still be some about in fantastic condition, some that are useable, and some that are dogs, but they will all be worth money.
My buy now, laugh later list?
Triumph Trident 750 or 900 from mid 90's. Fab looking bikes, rock solid reliability (if the starter clutch has been done...) and popular with old duffers. Currently buttons, but starting to creep back up. My money would be on the 750 as it sold in even smaller numbers than the 900 so extra exclusivity.
Benelli Tornado Tre 900 bought brand new right now. Stunning looking bike with lots of gimicky stuff (shaped castings, fans in tail etc). Currently the biggest bargain in exclusive motorcycles and even the reliability thing has been sorted. Apparently.
Honda Judge Dredd scooter type thingy (what is its proper name anyone?). Actually terrific fun to ride and guaranteed to get people looking at you. How "retro-cool" is it going to be in 20 years time?
And as an absolute wildcard... Any chinese built scooter. The thing is, you are going to have to keep it in a box somewhere, so that when Ben-Wa international are the worlds largest supplier of everything, you will be able to sell it back to them as one of their early products to go in their museum, as everyone else will have thrown theirs away "many long-long times" ago.
Any bike that was nice, but never a big seller will go up in value if you wait long enough.
GSXR600's? Nah, no chance; there's squillions of them.
Daytona 600? Probably; never sold shedloads, but it was a decent bike that people liked and generally looked after.
End result? In 20 years time there will still be some about in fantastic condition, some that are useable, and some that are dogs, but they will all be worth money.
My buy now, laugh later list?
Triumph Trident 750 or 900 from mid 90's. Fab looking bikes, rock solid reliability (if the starter clutch has been done...) and popular with old duffers. Currently buttons, but starting to creep back up. My money would be on the 750 as it sold in even smaller numbers than the 900 so extra exclusivity.
Benelli Tornado Tre 900 bought brand new right now. Stunning looking bike with lots of gimicky stuff (shaped castings, fans in tail etc). Currently the biggest bargain in exclusive motorcycles and even the reliability thing has been sorted. Apparently.
Honda Judge Dredd scooter type thingy (what is its proper name anyone?). Actually terrific fun to ride and guaranteed to get people looking at you. How "retro-cool" is it going to be in 20 years time?
And as an absolute wildcard... Any chinese built scooter. The thing is, you are going to have to keep it in a box somewhere, so that when Ben-Wa international are the worlds largest supplier of everything, you will be able to sell it back to them as one of their early products to go in their museum, as everyone else will have thrown theirs away "many long-long times" ago.
Rubin215 said:
Honda Judge Dredd scooter type thingy (what is its proper name anyone?). Actually terrific fun to ride and guaranteed to get people looking at you. How "retro-cool" is it going to be in 20 years time?
Honda DN-01. There's one on Biketrader at a dealer, 09 reg, 450 miles on it, for £5495. I think offical Honda RRP is £6699 now, which makes far more sense than the £10k+ they were asking before.Anything you don't actually ride will go up in value if you keep it long enough which sort of defeats the purpose.
I haven't lost any serious money (i.e plus or minus £200) on any bike in the last 8 years. To quote just a couple from the list I've had a TDR250 and bought and then sold it for pretty much the same money despite still having the broken rear tail light of a Scania as a trophy due to some misjudged commuting. Had an RC30 with full works HRC motor (no really!) with Dymags / Ohlins and bought it / sold it for pretty much same money.
Currently own a 98 R1 in that must have red / white paint scheme, early chassis number and cannot believe how much hype this thing is currently getting (on the cover of this month's PB) but sure as eggs are eggs if I sell it I'll get pretty much what I paid for it.
As for a SRAD - you will always be fighting against those people who realise they've got an unused one in the garage with a sheet over it. Oh and its a 600 - a mint low mileage standard 750WT might appeal to hardened Suzuki fans but to everyone else the 600 is just a gutless revbox with a funny arse that will do until they find something better (or until it get on track when you will find its awesome and now worth max £1000 as a tracker!)
Motorcycles are underused in general, they go in and out of fashion both generally and in people's lives (having kids, wife hates them, mates stop using them etc) so if you actually use them, put miles on them, stonechip them, pillions legs with funky Dainese leathers scratch the st out them, salt rots out the radiators, do trackdays, foreign trips, burnouts, wheelies then gaining value is a state of mind.
You might defeat depreciation by choosing an older bike carefully but factor in a couple of normal ownership costs and you will understand (appreciate maybe?
) that reasonably recent stuff will rarely gain in true value.
Buy it to use it or if you are rich enough buy the very first model of a very succuesful model and then never, ever use it for 10 or 15 years. If you can afford a BMW S1000RR and have the space to store it (in its crate) then feel free to prove me wrong in 2045!
I haven't lost any serious money (i.e plus or minus £200) on any bike in the last 8 years. To quote just a couple from the list I've had a TDR250 and bought and then sold it for pretty much the same money despite still having the broken rear tail light of a Scania as a trophy due to some misjudged commuting. Had an RC30 with full works HRC motor (no really!) with Dymags / Ohlins and bought it / sold it for pretty much same money.
Currently own a 98 R1 in that must have red / white paint scheme, early chassis number and cannot believe how much hype this thing is currently getting (on the cover of this month's PB) but sure as eggs are eggs if I sell it I'll get pretty much what I paid for it.
As for a SRAD - you will always be fighting against those people who realise they've got an unused one in the garage with a sheet over it. Oh and its a 600 - a mint low mileage standard 750WT might appeal to hardened Suzuki fans but to everyone else the 600 is just a gutless revbox with a funny arse that will do until they find something better (or until it get on track when you will find its awesome and now worth max £1000 as a tracker!)
Motorcycles are underused in general, they go in and out of fashion both generally and in people's lives (having kids, wife hates them, mates stop using them etc) so if you actually use them, put miles on them, stonechip them, pillions legs with funky Dainese leathers scratch the s
t out them, salt rots out the radiators, do trackdays, foreign trips, burnouts, wheelies then gaining value is a state of mind.You might defeat depreciation by choosing an older bike carefully but factor in a couple of normal ownership costs and you will understand (appreciate maybe?
) that reasonably recent stuff will rarely gain in true value.Buy it to use it or if you are rich enough buy the very first model of a very succuesful model and then never, ever use it for 10 or 15 years. If you can afford a BMW S1000RR and have the space to store it (in its crate) then feel free to prove me wrong in 2045!
Mellow Matt said:
I think I'll bow to everyone's opinions on the Jap 600s then!
I still quite fancy an rs250 for some reason though, even if it's not going to make any money if I use it! I can't see myself buying any bike and then not using it, the temptation would be too great!
Get yourself an RS for the track. You know strokers are better than tractors.I still quite fancy an rs250 for some reason though, even if it's not going to make any money if I use it! I can't see myself buying any bike and then not using it, the temptation would be too great!
Mellow Matt said:
I think I'll bow to everyone's opinions on the Jap 600s then!
I still quite fancy an rs250 for some reason though, even if it's not going to make any money if I use it! I can't see myself buying any bike and then not using it, the temptation would be too great!
Do it! I bought a crash damaged RS250 a few years back. It was one of the 'MK1' shape bikes that are physically smaller than the post 99 (I think) bikes. It had general scuffs but was usable and went straight through an MOT. Can't remember exactly what I paid for it but I sold it for a grand after it'd been standing for a year when I was travelling. I only lost a couple of hundred quid on it and that was because I had to sell it mega-quick as I had under a tenner to my name!I still quite fancy an rs250 for some reason though, even if it's not going to make any money if I use it! I can't see myself buying any bike and then not using it, the temptation would be too great!
There are a few about, but buy on engine rather than bodywork. Try and ride before you buy, two-strokes are fickle animals and any issues will show themselves fairly obviously. There's lots of bodywork about (or at least there was) as so many were converted for track/race use and there was a one make series for them a few years ago that a late friend used to ride in, so there were lots of exhausts/footrests/bodywork and stuff kicking about from that.
Mine was like this (but beaten up):
This is the 'MK11' that the race bikes were based on. Not as pretty but bodywork may be easier to come by. You can't fit MK11 fairings to Mk1's easily (as I found out!):
Just hold on when you hit the powerband if you're not used to a two-stroke, or you'll do a George Formby
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff