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Undervalued Classics?

I think I mean "undervalued" in the sense of the selling price is much less than the functionality/desirability of the actual bike compared to other bikes with similar functionality/desirability.

Sidewalk said:
I guess it depends on how you define value. The fact that any of the older 600's are great sport tourers, commuters, sport bikes, and reliable, yet everyone chooses to buy the newest SS, newest tourer, or just a cheap beater makes me consider them undervalued in thier abilities.
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I think the YSR is undervalued in its abilities for race preperation :D
 
Classics? How do _you_ define a Classic? Does the bike come from '70s? How about the '80s? Those are hardly "Classics" in the sense that most collectors or aficionados would consider 'classic'. How about referring to them as Modern Classics? No, wait...Triumph uses that to describe the current Bonneville line. I know. Call them "Bargain Classics".

There are a lot of great motorcycles that fit the 'bargain classic' label because the major magazines either didn't test them (or if they did test them rated them #2 or lower), they're way undervalued, even though they're great motorcycles in their own right.

The Yamaha XS650 twin, the XS750/850 triples and the XS1100 all fall in that range. I don't think the Yamaha 2 stroke twins fit though. Sure, they were fabulous motorcycles but they're now rare and expensive to maintain if you actually ride one. 3X a year isn't 'riding'.

The Kawasaki ZG1000 Concours falls in there along with the Honda ST1100. Though it has been my experience that the ST1100 has always held its value far better than the Concours.

Tying into the excellent post by BudBandit this morning - the CBX1100 and ZX11D as well as the Hayabusa all seem to be undervalued. You must give a shout out to the heavy metal!

Honda Hornets of the 599 to 999 cc varieties are generally undervalued but fabulous motorcycles. As of course are the Honda CBs of sizes from 160 to 1100cc.

The Italians can get into the party with any of the older Moto Guzzis and with the early 90s Ducatis and Cagivas. Anything else from Italy is simply going to be too expensive to buy or too difficult to get parts for to consider it as being more than a hall object d'art.

BMWs of the R6x / R75 /R90 /R100 type (basically any BMW with two valve air cooled heads) fit in the genre'. As usual, they're at the upper end of affordability. They've ALWAYS been at the upper end of affordability.

No way would I consider any of the old Brit iron in the bargain classic mold.

Have fun with your story. If you want photos to include - let me know. I'd love to shoot for you.
 
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Honda Sabre V45 :teeth
Ok. Seriously:
Honda RC51
Honda Superhawk
Suzuki Bandit 1200

Had Suzuki not put a rotary damper that was prone to overheating, I'd say a 1000TL.
I would add the Suzuki Bandit 400 or Honda CB1, but so few were brought to the USA, that their price is ridiculous!

Ohhh. I second the SV1000 vote.

Are Tuono's undervalued? I've never looked at prices, but the older ones (2002-2005) are *way* sexy.

I can't agree with F2/F3, VFR, HawkGT being undervalued. Everyone knows they're great bikes and ones in good shape are priced accordingly.

I also can't agree with the Hornet 599 being undervalued. My new 95 F3 cost $7300 with the exact same engine, more fairing, and fully adjustable suspension vs the preload only shock, new $7100 Hornet 599. The Hornet/F3 engine tooling was paid off years ago (i.e. the Hornet is way overpriced). Want a Hornet 599? Buy a good condition F3 instead and get the fork oil changed.
 
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I just saw 3 nice looking F2s/F3s on the local CL for under $3500. Lots of bike for teh money...

hayabusafiend said:
Honda Sabre V45 :teeth
Ok. Seriously:
Honda RC51
Honda Superhawk
Suzuki Bandit 1200

Had Suzuki not put a rotary damper that was prone to overheating, I'd say a 1000TL.

Ohhh. I second the SV1000 vote.

Are Tuono's undervalued? I've never looked at prices, but the older ones (2002-2005) are *way* sexy.

I can't agree with F2/F3, VFR, HawkGT being undervalued. Everyone knows they're great bikes and ones in good shape are priced accordingly.
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This list isnt complete without the old Suzuki GS500. If they still made those instead of the new fairinged crap. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

bikepics-36708-full.jpg
 
Have you ridden one? That motor was crude in 1979. They also have a tendency to burn valves. Heavy, too...

EEL said:
This list isnt complete without the old Suzuki GS500. If they still made those instead of the new fairinged crap. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

bikepics-36708-full.jpg
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Gabe said:
Have you ridden one? That motor was crude in 1979. They also have a tendency to burn valves. Heavy, too...
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phew
I can finally forget about thinking about ever buying a GS500.. me no buys crude things that are heavy and have 39hp..
 
Honda's CB1
 
Classic to me has to be at least 15 years old. Otherwise it's just an inexpensive reliable motorcycle. It then just comes down to the math. Who has the most 15 year old or older bikes still on the road? I'm partial to the boxers.
 
Gabriel - must I do ALL the thinking for you? The best undervalued classics are as obvious as your unibrow. They are:

1982 Yamaha XJ650R (the best all-around anti-cruiser in a sad era of cruiser juggernautical inevitability)

1979 Kawasaki KZ1300 (the other Japanese 6-cylinder. Built like a rock. A massive, dense rock)

1983 Suzuki XN85 (the first turbo'd bike to market, the first turbo'd bike to be completely forgotten by the masses)

I expect to receive half of your pay for this article in the mail. I know where you live...

PS: No, I don't consider the 1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC to be the 1st turbonic production bike since the turbo was a dealer-installed option. So there!
 
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You want half of what I make? Do you have change for a $5?

I was kind of think of stuff that's readily available...the old Seca is a good one, but those KZ1300s and the XN85...jeez, I haven't seen one for a long time...and how do you know they're undervalued?
itchface said:
Gabriel - must I do ALL the thinking for you? The best undervalued classics are as obvious as your unibrow. They are:

1982 Yamaha XJ650R (the best all-around anti-cruiser in a sad era of cruiser juggernautical inevitability)

1979 Kawasaki KZ1300 (the other Japanese 6-cylinder. Built like a rock. A massive, dense rock)

1983 Suzuki XN85 (the first turbo'd bike to market, the first turbo'd bike to be completely forgotten by the masses)

I expect to receive half of your pay for this article in the mail. I know where you live...

PS: No, I don't consider the 1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC to be the 1st turbonic production bike since the turbo was a dealer-installed option. So there!
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GS1150E Suzuki (even the 1100ES is an awesome sleeper)
Yamaha 700 Fazer
Yamaha FZR1000 (or any old 17"-wheel FZR)
Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator (the 1000 was just fugly)
Any 17"-wheel air/oil Gixxer, slabby or slingshot
ZX9, ZX7
3rd-gen (1990-1993) VFR750
CBR600F2, or F2-tailed CBR600F3 (hated the later F3 tail, personally)

Hell, any late '80's to mid-'90's supersport, really - but (again), stay away from anything with odball wheel combos - gotta be 17" all around, or at least easily swappable to a 17" wheel from a newer bike (like the older CBR900RR). Anything carbureted and non-angular bodied supersport can be had for a song, and they all have their merits. If you don't mind heavier bikes that pose a challenge when searching for aftermarket parts, most '90's sportbikes are awesome values, offering performance and power that can actually surprise most riders - even the ones that owned the same bikes new back in the day.

Again - I ride dinosaurs 'cause I'm a classic bike fanatic and a tight ass, and I have a soft spot for certain bias-tired first-gen "modern" sportbikes - but for convenience, expense, and performance, STAY AWAY from any performance-type bike that won't accept modern rubber.


Now, if you're into standards or cruisers, there are a lot of awesome bikes out there with non-modern wheel sizes (like the Eliminator above - a ZX9 engine in a cruiser chassis), and a fair selection of sticky S/T-type bias tires. But if you're into draggin knee or hard parts, finding the right tire in a matching set can be tedious and time-consuming - and a hassle of making sure the shop hasn't had your tires on the rack for the past 5 years!

Gotta love this market as a buyer - but it sucks as a seller when it comes to non-bling or non-trendy bikes. Anyone wanna buy my Slingshot??? ;)

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292516
 
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Gabe,

I would object to your inclusion or the 999/749 on the list. Everyone criticized those bikes when they were out and I've been waiting for a huge price drop since the more desirable 1098/848 series came out, but I haven't seen it. I would say you can still expect to pay minimum $7k for a nice 749 and much more for a 999.

Most of the bikes on your list aren't classics, but I like idea of writing an article (or a series) about undervalued used bikes. To your list I would add the BMW r1150r, the magna and the CBR 900 series. The previous generation Triumph Daytona series, (both the 955 triple and the 600/650 four) are also very undervalued.

I would also agree with you about the SV1000.
 
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Excellent suggestions all around, although time will tell how many of these models achieve 'classic' status. If the Mille does, then it has to be one of the most undervalued bikes around - top quality components, bulletproof engine and excellent performance for cheap.

I think the RC-51 is a classic, but it's far from undervalued. If anything, it is overvalued imo. From all accounts it's a great bike, so perhaps it is deserving of the premium it commands.

I do think the Ducati 999 is undervalued, but I'm not sure it will ever become a 'classic'. Terblanche's vision was obviously well before its time, but I'm still not sure if it's time will ever arrive. :p Considering 999's cost the same or less than 998's (same engine with the 916/Tamburini body style), which have the older/inferior chassis and are obviously older, I think it's safe to say they are undervalued. Still, it's a gamble on whether 999 value will ever rebound or just continue on a downward spiral. Somehow I'm not convinced history will be kind to the series, considering the consistently stellar designs coming from Bologna.
 
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