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

[REKMec]

I’ve a few as investments and I also have the rule of only buying the ones I like and enjoy. I also don’t buy too old as the people from the ‘too old’ era aren’t around anymore to pay me a dividend for them.

 

[Engineer]

I’ve a few as investments and I also have the rule of only buying the ones I like and enjoy. I also don’t buy too old as the people from the ‘too old’ era aren’t around anymore to pay me a dividend for them.

I was chatting with Karen's financial advisor last weekend - he has an elderly client with a collection of old/vintage motorcycles that he was hoping would boost his pension fund, he has been trying unsuccessfully to sell them for months but the market has dwindled to almost nothing.

 

[Vulpine2]

I understand the generational thing, but much depends on the individual as well. I was a teenager in the 70s, wouldn’t know where to start with British bikes, and do indeed lust after the bikes of my youth - but also older bikes that I find interesting. Happy to take a punt on European stuff ( at least I won’t need a new set of tools). Got one or two bikes from the 70/80/90s but a couple of years ago I bought a bike that’s older than I am, a Guzzi Falcone single Its a lovely example of classic 50/60’s Italian design and I thought it would be useable, reliable and fun to ride. Turns out I was right. I also get pleasure just from looking at it, as do others. Park it up anywhere there’s always somebody looking at it when I come back, male and female, young and old. Fortunately kick starting the Falcone’s (usually!) a doodle. Some older bikes aren’t so accomodating. A simple thing, but it can be enough to put people off ownership.

 

[Davey B]

I was chatting with Karen's financial advisor last weekend - he has an elderly client with a collection of old/vintage motorcycles that he was hoping would boost his pension fund, he has been trying unsuccessfully to sell them for months but the market has dwindled to almost nothing.

It's knowing when to sell (as well, obviously, as the right time to be buying)
A pal has over 40, 1980s bikes like KR1S, 250/350 LC etc etc. They've all made a huge paper return...the key will be getting rid in dribs and drabs over the coming 10 years rather than waiting until potential buyers are in their 70s and older.....

 

[steve hughes]

It's knowing when to sell (as well, obviously, as the right time to be buying)
A pal has over 40, 1980s bikes like KR1S, 250/350 LC etc etc. They've all made a huge paper return...the key will be getting rid in dribs and drabs over the coming 10 years rather than waiting until potential buyers are in their 70s and older.....

The Kr1s’s are likely to be early 90’s bikes, values are still ok on these , but they have dropped since I sold my last one in 2023. The issues I had selling my last one was the number of scammers and chancers on ebay. Ironically I sold it to a guy 5 miles away. I wouldnt relish selling 40 odd bikes though. Owners forums and even facebook owner groups are less effort that the bay.

 

[SKIPSTER]

My two penneth.

I’ve now cleared the decks and run two bikes. They suit my needs as well as I can imagine any bikes doing.

Simply put, they rock my boat when I look at them (both a touch modified) and give me the ‘fizz’ when I ride them.

I’ve lost money on my XR (bought from new) but I’ve racked up 25k and don’t intend to slow down ……Zero regrets with this, as value to me has been the 8 years plus of riding enjoyment and the brilliant and fond memories I have accumulated.

Many bikes have come and gone, a couple I regret selling, but the piece de resistance is my HP2 Enduro. A truly epic beast of a machine that ticks every box, a sort of loveable, docile Rottweiler that offers moments of pure, unadulterated riding nirvana.
It is so versatile, yet far from perfect, but perfect for me. I love its looks, sound, leg room and riding position, it’s even easy to clean and maintain.

I expect I’ll loose money just like on the XR, but the bottom line, Mother time is marching on and when I go into my shed I thank the BMW biking Gods that such a looney, radical concept was ever made….

Summary.
Will it appeal to the next generation? There will always be people with surplus money, hankering after a focussed, rare, iconic race bike with lights.
If you can suck up the consequences, sod the value, possible depreciation or even appreciation, if you like it enough (for what ever reason that might be), just do it.
There are many Tossers (some sadly now riding the clouds above) that would love the opportunity to make that dream, passionate purchase one more time.
No regrets.

I doubt that helped, but post some pics when you get it!)

 

[leadfarmer]

Here’s a bit of an answer….