Future Classics

[KungFooBob]

I read this article...

https://www.devittinsurance.com/guides/ ... ortsbikes/

Some I agree with, some not so much.

I think the 999, the Mille (in R guise) and the TLR have merit. I think 999 prices have started to go up recently and people are asking silly money for TLR's (No idea if they actually make it).

So...

You've got £5k to buy a bike to put in the garage for 10 years that might sell for more than you paid for it (not adjusting for inflation).

What are you buying?

I think there's an outside chance of a decent Buell making some money, maybe an XB12R.

[Skub]

At my age I'm not at all interested in investment,but if someone else wanted a tip,the first ZX10R 04/05 C1 and C2 will certainly be worth a punt. You can shop for one now around the £2500 £3k mark. Even if I'm wrong,it's still a hoot to ride.

[Ditchfinder]

Already done it my Griso was £5k and it's still worth that 3 years later.

It ain't getting locked away though, although the amount of miles it gets isn't earth shattering

[KungFooBob]

Already done it my Griso was £5k and it's still worth that 3 years later.

It ain't getting locked away though, although the amount of miles it gets isn't earth shattering

I was thinking maybe an 1100 Sport. Looks a bit like a 1000 Daytona, but half the price.

[Ditchfinder]

You could probably get a MK1 Speed Triple for 5k still too

[MyLittleStudPony]

One of them Frazers.

[KungFooBob]

One of them Frazers.

You agree with the article then

[mangocrazy]

The article is a bit glib and most of their picks are fairly obvious. I'm clearly biased, as I own an Aprilia Falco, but they were way better bikes in every respect than a Firestorm and there were a lot less of them sold, so they have rarity and a degree of cachet on their side. I also can't see a future when a TL1000R will be desirable and sought after. The S was the hot ticket and values are already appreciating. And I also can't see VFR750s ever making big money, as there were just too darn many of them made and they went (in the main) to owners who looked after them. The 999 has also started appreciating, so they're behind the curve there as well.

What would I put my £5k on? I'll have a think and get back to you on that...

[mangocrazy]

One of them Frazers.

Had you been quick you could have snaffled one for a grand on this very forum a few days ago...

[Zimbo]

Ist gen R1 (1998?) has got to be up there? Although, if you're looking for appreciating values as an investment, bung the £5K on the stock market, less bother, no storage or maintenance issues, and it'll perform better as an investment ...

[Bustaspoke]

My mate has done a few bikes over the years,currentley there's a Z1300 on the bench,he's lost money on all of them...
I would put the 5K into a savings account,I think you can get 4% at the momment,by the time you deduct all the costs of owning a 'investment'bike I doubt you would make 4%,unless you sourced a proper bargain.
I think you would have to invest the money in something that had a bit of credibility & sold well but is now getting scarce.
You would also have to budget for restoring your investment bike back to concours,& with certain marques that could quickly get expensive unless the bike you source has been a one owner garage queen
I'd be looking at a early Hinckley Triumph, Thaiumph Street Triple 675R or Daytona.

[KungFooBob]

I've got the best part of 40k invested in financial stuff.

I'm not going to spend 5k on an investment bike to try and make money (I kinda already spent 5k on a 'classic' that I never ride), this is 'just for fun' and highly theoretical.

In 10 years time I'm going to revisit this thread and tell everyone how much more XB12R's cost to buy and how VFR750's can be had for £120.

[demographic]

KX 500s.
Good thing is theyve already started.

[Noggin]

At my age I'm not at all interested in investment,but if someone else wanted a tip,the first ZX10R 04/05 C1 and C2 will certainly be worth a punt. You can shop for one now around the £2500 £3k mark. Even if I'm wrong,it's still a hoot to ride.

I'd love another ZX10r 04/05 some day - need a big garage as it wouldn't be ridden often!! LOL

The S was the hot ticket and values are already appreciating.

I was devastated that I killed my 97 TLs - it was awesome. I couldn't ever buy a bike as an investment, as I'd want to ride it and with that comes the risk. But one day I will get another TLs (hopefully a 97!) and then adapt it so I can ride it

It's definitely way more awesome than the TLr!! LOL

[mangocrazy]

I've got 2 bikes that have turned out to be 'investment' bikes, even though that wasn't the intention when I bought them, but measured against the stock market (and inflation) they've both performed poorly. The first is my 350LC, bought new for £1100 in 1980, used for 10 years, then forgotten about for 25+, then brought back to life 4 or 5 years ago. I've no idea what it's worth now, anywhere between £7k and £10k, but I doubt it's appreciated in real terms over that time.

The other is my Ducati 888 SP3, bought for £12,500 secondhand in 1992. I honestly have no idea what current values are, but the most I think I'd get for it is about £25k, so doubling your money over a period of 30 years doesn't seem like a stellar investment to me.

But I've had some of the best times of my life on both of them, so who really gives a fuck?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Buying a future classic motorcycle is a bit like making love to a beautiful woman, you look at what's available within budget, you think about whether other people will like your choice, but ultimately it's an unpredictable beast.

Weirdly, I think early 1200 Bandits could be a good investment, they were an aspirational bike for a lot of people in the 90s, lot's of them have been destroyed through crashing and customising, meaning they could be in short supply in about 10 years time, I'm basing this on the whole LC350 classic status thing, 20 years ago LCs were worth nothing, now they go for £8Kish.

[KungFooBob]

Yeah, at one point you could pick a 1200 Blandit up for £1500, Mk1's on t'bay are asking for £2500.

[wull]

I've got 2 bikes that have turned out to be 'investment' bikes, even though that wasn't the intention when I bought them, but measured against the stock market (and inflation) they've both performed poorly. The first is my 350LC, bought new for £1100 in 1980, used for 10 years, then forgotten about for 25+, then brought back to life 4 or 5 years ago. I've no idea what it's worth now, anywhere between £7k and £10k, but I doubt it's appreciated in real terms over that time.

The other is my Ducati 888 SP3, bought for £12,500 secondhand in 1992. I honestly have no idea what current values are, but the most I think I'd get for it is about £25k, so doubling your money over a period of 30 years doesn't seem like a stellar investment to me.

But I've had some of the best times of my life on both of them, so who really gives a fuck?

I suppose it depends on the mileage that you’ve done, and what it’s cost you in terms of anything other than fuel and generic servicing. Not a bad return if you’ve had plenty fun and good times, memories as they say.

[mangocrazy]

Probably about 20k miles on each - but at least a third of those miles on the 888 were track day (s)miles...

[ZRX61]

In the US, ZRX11's are already selling for more than they cost new & the ZRX12's are getting up there. You can even sell just the Muzzy Megaphone exhaust for $1200 or more & they were $680 (IIRC) when I bought mine.

One fairly tricked out '99 ZRX11 just sold for $18,000... but the guy who built it may have spent that on it over the years anyway.

ZX7's are getting to be silly money (depending on the variant)