RE: £100K Garage: Dave Ellis
Monday 2nd February 2015
Name: Dave Ellis
Previously owned: Fiat 850 Coupe, Mini 850, Vauxhall Nova, Nissan D21 pickup, Honda Transalp, CBR600 and VRF750
Currently owned: Triumph 955i Daytona, Honda Africa Twin and contender for the world's slowest car... Citroen Saxo 1.5D
On the shortlist: "Originally I intended to cover a few more bases; an NSX, perhaps a track day car to join my friend who regularly tracks his Ariel Atom, a Land Rover Defender because I've always wanted one, a barge for transporting the family to the family but then a couple of things caught my eye and a plan formed."
Honda RC-30
Cost: £43,980
Balance: £56,020
Why I chose it: "I grew up in the 1980s and was always a massive fan of bikes and particularly Hondas. I think the engineering thoroughness appealed and the VFR750R was the pinnacle. The far less exciting but still enticing Transalp, the advert for which I can still remember from Dad's Sunday Times magazine, sealed the relationship which led me to the Africa Twin. 'The off-road RC-30' according to MCN! I was told in no uncertain terms that I wasn't having a bike and they lived only in my dreams and the odd copy of Performance Bikes until I learned to ride some 20 years later.
Ducati Desmosedici RR
Cost: £44,990
Balance: £11,030
Why I chose it: "I went to the bike show around the time Ducati launched these and was blown away by the detail and specification of the Desmosedici. I haven't ridden a Ducati so why not start with something special? I generally ride like an old man, but the special bikes are the ones that fascinate. Italian V4 GP-based bike to contrast to Honda's V4, it would be great to jump from one to another on track and revel in the obsession and vision that drove the builders, even if it was at a fraction of the bike's ability. I think I prefer the all red bikes over the red and white although as the seller of the RC30 has several perhaps a deal could be done. Mainly for the track I think."
Suzuki Hayabusa
Cost: £7,995
Balance: £3,035
Why I chose it: "Who wouldn't want to be 'Super-Quick'? I always had a hankering to exceed 200mph and this is the bike for the job. Ugly as sin but fast as, and according to a recent MCN, Emma Franklin's test Hayabusa made 200 and a bit with only a Power Commander and an exhaust. This one is clean and understated enough to be my daily transport... to 200mph!"
£100K Garage: Dave Ellis
Three very special bikes and a Hilux to haul them around in for Dave's fantasy garage
Previously owned: Fiat 850 Coupe, Mini 850, Vauxhall Nova, Nissan D21 pickup, Honda Transalp, CBR600 and VRF750
Currently owned: Triumph 955i Daytona, Honda Africa Twin and contender for the world's slowest car... Citroen Saxo 1.5D
On the shortlist: "Originally I intended to cover a few more bases; an NSX, perhaps a track day car to join my friend who regularly tracks his Ariel Atom, a Land Rover Defender because I've always wanted one, a barge for transporting the family to the family but then a couple of things caught my eye and a plan formed."
Cost: £43,980
Balance: £56,020
Why I chose it: "I grew up in the 1980s and was always a massive fan of bikes and particularly Hondas. I think the engineering thoroughness appealed and the VFR750R was the pinnacle. The far less exciting but still enticing Transalp, the advert for which I can still remember from Dad's Sunday Times magazine, sealed the relationship which led me to the Africa Twin. 'The off-road RC-30' according to MCN! I was told in no uncertain terms that I wasn't having a bike and they lived only in my dreams and the odd copy of Performance Bikes until I learned to ride some 20 years later.
"The RC30 was always a favourite, the ultimate expression of Honda's belief in the V4 and achingly beautiful. I've seen a few but never ridden one, the VFR750F being a distant cousin and as near as I've ever got... until now. I had originally considered the far more reasonably priced one from the same seller but the idea of turning up to collect an unused classic and, James May train-set style, tearing off the 'Original Factory Plastic' protection, brimming the tank and riding it home through the rain brought a smile. After all buying a bike with zero miles means I can put more on it. Apparently a great road bike as well as on the track, it would see both."
Cost: £44,990
Balance: £11,030
Why I chose it: "I went to the bike show around the time Ducati launched these and was blown away by the detail and specification of the Desmosedici. I haven't ridden a Ducati so why not start with something special? I generally ride like an old man, but the special bikes are the ones that fascinate. Italian V4 GP-based bike to contrast to Honda's V4, it would be great to jump from one to another on track and revel in the obsession and vision that drove the builders, even if it was at a fraction of the bike's ability. I think I prefer the all red bikes over the red and white although as the seller of the RC30 has several perhaps a deal could be done. Mainly for the track I think."
Cost: £7,995
Balance: £3,035
Why I chose it: "Who wouldn't want to be 'Super-Quick'? I always had a hankering to exceed 200mph and this is the bike for the job. Ugly as sin but fast as, and according to a recent MCN, Emma Franklin's test Hayabusa made 200 and a bit with only a Power Commander and an exhaust. This one is clean and understated enough to be my daily transport... to 200mph!"
Toyota Hilux
Cost: £2,595
Balance: £440
Why I chose it: "While the Hayabusa, or the RC30, will make excellent transport I think I'd struggle to carry a chainsaw up a muddy track on either. This would be ideal for getting me to work in the woods loaded with chainsaws and tree felling stuff and bringing firewood home; plus it would be perfect for taking the RC30 and Desmosedici to the track. I felt a bit like Samson shorn of his locks when I had to sell my previous pick-up so this would fit the bill perfectly, and possibly last for ever."
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Discussion
Given the mess Honda are making of the RCV "road / production" bike and the price of the Superlegg, the DR16 looks more and more like a bargain. Great choice.
I love the RC30, like you seen a few never ridden it. That is very expensive though. I think I would have rented one when the inch made itself known and bought something else.
There was also this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/motorbikes/...
allowing you to purchase a WSBK grid with an R7 and 996SPS as well for the same money. (though oddly not on their website).
Would also have bought a trailer, you have seen the vids of people putting bikes in pick up trucks!!?!?!?
The Suzuki Hayabusa is a good choice given there are no ZX12 or 14's.
However great to see someone confusing the PH 911 glitterati with several two wheeled options, all capable of knocking the spots off any car for sale!
I love the RC30, like you seen a few never ridden it. That is very expensive though. I think I would have rented one when the inch made itself known and bought something else.
There was also this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/motorbikes/...
allowing you to purchase a WSBK grid with an R7 and 996SPS as well for the same money. (though oddly not on their website).
Would also have bought a trailer, you have seen the vids of people putting bikes in pick up trucks!!?!?!?
The Suzuki Hayabusa is a good choice given there are no ZX12 or 14's.
However great to see someone confusing the PH 911 glitterati with several two wheeled options, all capable of knocking the spots off any car for sale!
Woohoo, famous on the intenet!
The RC30 is crazy money but the whole point was (given that it's not real money) that I'd turn up in my enduro boots with a pop bottle full of petrol give the bloke an insane amount of money for a bike that's 'never going to be ridden' and then proceed to ride it in the manner it was intended to be used, paying attention to the Honda reccomended running in procedure of course.
Lots of other fine bikes mentioned but are they special? RC30 hand built by HRC ninjas in white coats, Desmosedici hand built? by Italian ninjas in brown coats, Busa probably churned out but special by vitrue of its speed?
No space for a trailer but the bikes could fit in the garden!
Cheers
The RC30 is crazy money but the whole point was (given that it's not real money) that I'd turn up in my enduro boots with a pop bottle full of petrol give the bloke an insane amount of money for a bike that's 'never going to be ridden' and then proceed to ride it in the manner it was intended to be used, paying attention to the Honda reccomended running in procedure of course.
Lots of other fine bikes mentioned but are they special? RC30 hand built by HRC ninjas in white coats, Desmosedici hand built? by Italian ninjas in brown coats, Busa probably churned out but special by vitrue of its speed?
No space for a trailer but the bikes could fit in the garden!
Cheers
My VFR750R (F666PRV) which I bought for £9200 on the 5th Jan 1989.....sold a long time ago due to financial pressure (at the time).
I sat there in the office at Harry Gill's Motorcyles in Gosport choosing which plate from the list they had available, the number of the beast leapt out from the page and it had to be...F666 PRV.
Still remember the first ride, wondering what the hell I had done spending that much money on a bike that you had to slip the clutch on upto 30 mph and then I saw the derestricted sign and a long series of bends. Best bike I ever owned and I wish I still had is tucked up in the garage. I toured on it, when to the supermarket for the weekly shop and trackday'ed. It was 26 years ago in January....
RC30, best bike.....ever bar none.
I sat there in the office at Harry Gill's Motorcyles in Gosport choosing which plate from the list they had available, the number of the beast leapt out from the page and it had to be...F666 PRV.
Still remember the first ride, wondering what the hell I had done spending that much money on a bike that you had to slip the clutch on upto 30 mph and then I saw the derestricted sign and a long series of bends. Best bike I ever owned and I wish I still had is tucked up in the garage. I toured on it, when to the supermarket for the weekly shop and trackday'ed. It was 26 years ago in January....
RC30, best bike.....ever bar none.
jeffw said:
My VFR750R (F666PRV) which I bought for £9200 on the 5th Jan 1989.....sold a long time ago due to financial pressure (at the time).
I sat there in the office at Harry Gill's Motorcyles in Gosport choosing which plate from the list they had available, the number of the beast leapt out from the page and it had to be...F666 PRV.
Still remember the first ride, wondering what the hell I had done spending that much money on a bike that you had to slip the clutch on upto 30 mph and then I saw the derestricted sign and a long series of bends. Best bike I ever owned and I wish I still had is tucked up in the garage. I toured on it, when to the supermarket for the weekly shop and trackday'ed. It was 26 years ago in January....
RC30, best bike.....ever bar none.
Lovely.I sat there in the office at Harry Gill's Motorcyles in Gosport choosing which plate from the list they had available, the number of the beast leapt out from the page and it had to be...F666 PRV.
Still remember the first ride, wondering what the hell I had done spending that much money on a bike that you had to slip the clutch on upto 30 mph and then I saw the derestricted sign and a long series of bends. Best bike I ever owned and I wish I still had is tucked up in the garage. I toured on it, when to the supermarket for the weekly shop and trackday'ed. It was 26 years ago in January....
RC30, best bike.....ever bar none.
What a joy to have had those experiences, I'm envious!
Having had a few Ducati's and owning a few more still always fancied a D16.
I sold my 10k mile RC30 about 4 years ago for £9k. It is a great bike but not £15k or more's worth. (To me anyway) I certainly wouldn't put it at the top of a "#1 bike to own" list. I should've kept it maybe for financial gain but it allowed me to buy a SP-2 and a 749R, so not all bad.
I was going to find the details for you, of the guy who you should look after your RC but have seen that he passed away last year. RIP Brian Capper.
I sold my 10k mile RC30 about 4 years ago for £9k. It is a great bike but not £15k or more's worth. (To me anyway) I certainly wouldn't put it at the top of a "#1 bike to own" list. I should've kept it maybe for financial gain but it allowed me to buy a SP-2 and a 749R, so not all bad.
I was going to find the details for you, of the guy who you should look after your RC but have seen that he passed away last year. RIP Brian Capper.
Well at least this fantasy garage is no more than a good sized double! A friend of mine has a RC30 with only a couple of thousand miles on. He's told by those in the trade that it'll never be mega-valuable because quite a lot of other people had the same idea and he (the dealer) is offered low miles examples regularly.
SS7
SS7
DaveEllis said:
Woohoo, famous on the intenet!
The RC30 is crazy money but the whole point was (given that it's not real money) that I'd turn up in my enduro boots with a pop bottle full of petrol give the bloke an insane amount of money for a bike that's 'never going to be ridden' and then proceed to ride it in the manner it was intended to be used, paying attention to the Honda reccomended running in procedure
Cheers
I would love to do that. So annoying that such bikes get kept as displays. I would buy it and take it to lots of events and trackdays so people could see it. The RC30 is crazy money but the whole point was (given that it's not real money) that I'd turn up in my enduro boots with a pop bottle full of petrol give the bloke an insane amount of money for a bike that's 'never going to be ridden' and then proceed to ride it in the manner it was intended to be used, paying attention to the Honda reccomended running in procedure
Cheers
shoestring7 said:
Well at least this fantasy garage is no more than a good sized double! A friend of mine has a RC30 with only a couple of thousand miles on. He's told by those in the trade that it'll never be mega-valuable because quite a lot of other people had the same idea and he (the dealer) is offered low miles examples regularly.
SS7
What sort of money were they offering? SS7
I would go for a RC45 over the RC30 but failing that an Egli vincent
The D16 is overpriced + I think tyre sizes are a nightmare to get hold of ?
The latest panigale will save you £20k.
If you wanted a true collectable then an NR750 would do the job.
A KTM prepared 450 Rally would be my final choice.
Plenty of money left for a decent runaround
The D16 is overpriced + I think tyre sizes are a nightmare to get hold of ?
The latest panigale will save you £20k.
If you wanted a true collectable then an NR750 would do the job.
A KTM prepared 450 Rally would be my final choice.
Plenty of money left for a decent runaround
DaveEllis said:
Desmosedici hand built? by Italian ninjas in brown coats
Armarni coats...Anyway, nice bikes. Not sure I could spend that much on two bikes, one of which is too precious and will be slow by modern standards, and one which is by all accounts a complete pig to ride at anything less than 9/10th's, but I like the fact that it is not only a true biker garage, but also one that won't cripple the owner with running costs. I think, baring track accidents or major parts needing machining from scratch on the Honda, most people could realistically afford to tax and service these bikes, even if it would be a bit of a big (but not crippling) insurance bill.
Nice change from the normal seven or eight bangers that will need constant care and cost thousands in tax, servicing and MOTs before the need to repair them all the time (which they will need).
Edited by SteveSteveson on Tuesday 3rd February 14:01
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