Will a classic of my generation be a classic for my son's generation?

[Paradiso]

I was speaking to someone in a workshop that had an RC30 in for servicing. He said he carbs were really difficult to clean and had to be sent away to a specialist at a cost of over £1000. Might be something to bear in mind.

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[The Other PaulG]

When are the prices of Airhead GS’s going to drop ?

I think they may already be doing so. Are recently advertised bikes on ebay, or here, achieving their asking prices?

 

[developer]

Having ridden an RC30 first and foremost buy it for your enjoyment and then let time decide it's worth or investment for your son.

This is the plan - all my bikes are ridden and enjoyed - it's future worth is more for my curiosity.

 

[wessie]

I think they may already be doing so. Are recently advertised bikes on ebay, or here, achieving their asking prices?

certainly the case for the motley collection of BMW boxers and Moto Guzzis my brother has sold off this year. He's had to take less than he hoped but they weren't exactly pristine examples. He's 11 years older than me and has significant smoking related health problems so decided to dispose of them now as his kids, in their 40s, have no interest.
The boxer, an R50 I think, was collected on a trailer by an octogenarian from Swansea. The two old farts had to call on a couple of younger bods to get it on the trailer as they were too feeble! We have no idea if he actually made it back to Swansea from Welshpool.

 

[steve hughes]

This is the plan - all my bikes are ridden and enjoyed - it's future worth is more for my curiosity.

You say this^^^^^^^^^^^^^but in reality , riding a highly strung £30k rare bike will soon engender caution.

I had two Kr1s , one I bought off here from Cookie ( rip) Magwas mate. It was £1700 and showed its age. I thrashed it everywhere and blew the engine up.

The second one was an immaculate example it cost me £4k and in four years I did less than 250 miles. Reason being the plastics/engine parts were all mint and original. One spill or detonation and I would be into pattern parts. Every time I went out to mot it or go on a short ride I was listening for any strange engine noises.

I sold both for twice my purchase price four years ago, and I recon both are worth less today.

 

[developer]

You say this^^^^^^^^^^^^^but in reality , riding a highly strung £30k rare bike will soon engender caution.

I do this already - it's not a problem, other than as I get older they become less forgiving on my wrists/neck. I'll only be doing sunny day local(ish) trips on anything other than the 1250GS.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I think they may already be doing so. Are recently advertised bikes on ebay, or here, achieving their asking prices?

Don’t know

 

[Engineer]

I read lots online about classics of our time becoming irrelevant to the next generation, as they won't have the same nostalgic attachment to them as they do to us.

It's therefore suggested that if, in the future, they're no longer a classic, then they won't hold their value.

To provide some context, I'm contemplating buying an RC30 (which I appreciate isn't a typical motorcycle), well in excess of £30K - I'll ride it, but not very often, and eventually (let's say in about 20 years) it will belong to my son.

What do the panel think - am I being unwise?

It is a very risky investment, so just buy it because you like it.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

You say this^^^^^^^^^^^^^but in reality , riding a highly strung £30k rare bike will soon engender caution.

Which was the reason why I never rode my recommissioned SP5

The thought of it grenading itself was a real worry

It's someone else's problem now

 

[developer]

The RC30 at Bonhams Stafford auction sold at £30K yesterday - good stuff, considering there's fees to be added.

 

[PIGGLET]

Random thoughts:

There's a load of reasons been given why not to buy it. Have any of the people advising you against actually ridden one?

The comparison between an RC30 and a velocette or 'average' classic KR1 etc isn't really valid as the RC 30 when new was very far from a regular model and has always been desirable.

Buying any classic in a voltatile economic situation has it's risks.

Advice I was given from a successfull amateur classic dealer when I was young: Only buy stuff you like, don't buy stuff to speculate because if it drops in value or you can't shift it but you love it, it's not the end of the world.

As said, there are significant benefits from an inheritance tax perspective.

The RC30 as a race bike was really before my time, but as a bike lover they have legendary status both as a race and road bike. I often thought it must be overhyped until I recently rode it's little brother, the NC30. I'm not really into sports bikes but the little NC30 is absolutely magical in every way and not highly strung at all. It prompted me to start this thread..... NC/RC30

As a bike lover and enthusiast of most things mechanical and with an engine, I would absolutely love to experience a nice RC30. I suspect there are plenty of people out there who feel the same. The RC will be very useable and can be enjoyed by most able bodied competent riders, unlike more recent homologation specials. Will this mean it's desirability and appeal will be less likely to diminish???

Taking all the the above into account, who gives a fuck..... if you like it, buy it and enjoy revving the nuts of it. Life is short and they sound fab

I reckon you can guess what I would do.........

 

[Devon]

Parts for many Jap bikes and most classic Italian bikes are already hard to come by.
Many Laverdas were relying on bikes being broken for spares to be kept on the road 10 years ago. Jap stuff got upgraded every 6 months even on short lived models and the parts are not interchangeable. I had to buy rubber inlets for a 1976 Z650 from Germany 5 years ago and stuff like rubber diaphragms for Suzuki GS1000/850/750 carbs are no longer available anywhere as far as I know. Find an injection module for an 80s Gpz1100: forget it. And remember, parts perish even if the bike is in a heated garage.
Classic prices at auction for reasonable bikes seem to be on their arse so it's a good time to buy to ride, if you accept an uncertain future for prices.
I am down from 30 Classics to a single 1980 GS850G now, if I do buy anything else in the future it will be a BMW Airhead as parts should be available for a few more years from Germany and they are actually quality machines that stay together once they are sorted.
That said, you are a long time dead and there aren't really many things that are safe investments anymore, from Classic Bikes/Cars, to high-end watches to property, so maybe it's best to just buy what you want and enjoy while you can.

 

[snelly]

Parts for many Jap bikes and most classic Italian bikes are already hard to come by.
Many Laverdas were relying on bikes being broken for spares to be kept on the road 10 years ago. Jap stuff got upgraded every 6 months even on short lived models and the parts are not interchangeable. I had to buy rubber inlets for a 1976 Z650 from Germany 5 years ago and stuff like rubber diaphragms for Suzuki GS1000/850/750 carbs are no longer available anywhere as far as I know. Find an injection module for an 80s Gpz1100: forget it.
That said Classic prices at auction for reasonable bikes seem to be on their arse so it's a good time to buy to ride, if you accept an uncertain future for prices.
I am down from 30 Classics to a single 1980 GS850G now, if I do buy anything else in the future it will be a BMW Airhead as parts should be available for a few more years from Germany and they are actually quality machines that stay together once they are sorted.
That said, you are a long time dead and there aren't really many things that are safe investments anymore, from Classic Bikes/Cars, to high-end watches to property, so maybe it's best to just buy what you want and enjoy while you can.

The shaft drive Suzuki's were pretty tough and reliable bikes from what i remember they did'nt get the thrashing the chain driven models seemed to receive; it should last you for awhile i would have thought.

 

[MarkShelley]

Most of us here probably watch Bangers and Cash and have heard Derek’s warnings about the older vehicles dropping in value as those who remember them being current models die off. As far as classic cars are concerned I believe anything that is currently useable in modern traffic should retain its value because road speeds are not going to be increasing going forward. More likely the opposite in fact.
Unfortunately I don’t see the same outcome for bikes in general, not just classics. The number of active motorcyclists is diminishing year on year. That means less buyers.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I've got a mate who's looking to buy a Morris 1000 Pick-Up just so he can drive it everywhere at 30mph with the window open and his arm hanging out fucking every other motorist off

If you have a nice one For Sale then drop me a PM

 

[Wapping]

I was speaking to someone in a workshop that had an RC30 in for servicing. He said he carbs were really difficult to clean and had to be sent away to a specialist at a cost of over £1000. Might be something to bear in mind.

Anyone spending between 25 and 30,000 on a bike, is not going to worrying too much over a grand. The probably very cheap insurance will ease the pain anyway.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Another 5 years and an RC30 could be registered as 'Historic' so no MOT & Tax plus 'Classic' insurance

 

[glenn2926]

In answer to the original question. I don’t think so, cars for instance. To me a classic is an E type or Mk 2 Jaguar, Triumph TR 4 or 6, Jenson interceptor or a Healey etc. the next generation want XR2s XR3is 205 GTIs or others from that era.
It moves on, and rightly so.

 

[AdrianS]

In answer to the original question. I don’t think so, cars for instance. To me a classic is an E type or Mk 2 Jaguar, Triumph TR 4 or 6, Jenson interceptor or a Healey etc. the next generation want XR2s XR3is 205 GTIs or others from that era.
It moves on, and rightly so.

Very true.
We all reminisce about the past, and when we do re live it, we are often disappointed. I’ve gone through the reliving my younger years with old British iron and a few old classic British cars, and to be honest, they were all shite and that’s why we have progress.
I suppose it’s different if the vehicle is an investment and has some desirability, but even then it’s generally an expensive game and there is never a guarantee of an increase in value.
Remember, if it’s got tits or wheels, it will give you trouble and cost you money.

 

[dashfixer]

I never buy a bike as an investment, I buy them because I want to ride them. I've lost sooooo much money on them but I have thousands of smiles to remember (priceless).