Undervalued Classics?

[sn0w1337]

i'm thinking the RC-51.

 

[Gnarly Cranium]

I agree with Sidewalk. 84-86 honda nighthawk series. These bikes are still very popular, especially the 86 700s.

A classic eh? Neat to know.

My '84 CB650s was $1200 off of CL, plus $750 at the shop to replace front fork tubes, brake pads, and tire, plus a new battery and squishing a charging system gremlin. Something is weeping oil, need to get that fixed but the engine is running very smooth. 34K miles on it.

According to motorcyclespecs.com this thing has 72hp, they serious? Thought it was 60.

 

[humbug612]

CB 400F

 

[Sidewalk]

My '84 CB650s was $1200 off of CL, plus $750 at the shop to replace front fork tubes, brake pads, and tire, plus a new battery and squishing a charging system gremlin. Something is weeping oil, need to get that fixed but the engine is running very smooth. 34K miles on it.

The 650 an 700 Nighthawks are nothing alike. Like saying a Ninja 250 and Ninja 500 are the same bike when they are totally different.

 

[Stormdragon]

I must say, I'm miffed nobody's bothered to remember the GPz550. The bike that pretty much brought 'sport' back to the middle class.

 

[Gabe]

See "No Comprimises" post about the 999/749. Note that I wanted "to do a story on undervalued classic/used bikes", so not everything has to be a classic...just a bike that's a good value.

I've seen 999Rs for under $15000...this is a bike that's incredibly rare and offers amazing, SBK-winning levels of performance/componentry you would never get from a Japanese factory (RIP, OW01/RC30/RC45). The 999s and 749 are also seriously cheap as well, considering the design and performance of these machines, so even $7000 for a 749 seems cheap to me when a late-model GSX-R600 is fetching about the same.

Good call on the Magna...you mean the later version, no? Or the cool one from the 80s with the solid rear wheel? Those actually are pretty pricey...I sold my step-father's a few years ago and boy did I get a lot of interest in that thing...

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.

 

[Gabe]

That's prolly at the crank, no? And it's a shaftie, right? SO figure 55-60 at the wheel. Not bad for a 25-yo bike...

A classic eh? Neat to know.

My '84 CB650s was $1200 off of CL, plus $750 at the shop to replace front fork tubes, brake pads, and tire, plus a new battery and squishing a charging system gremlin. Something is weeping oil, need to get that fixed but the engine is running very smooth. 34K miles on it.

According to motorcyclespecs.com this thing has 72hp, they serious? Thought it was 60.

 

[ThermalStone]

Good call on the Magna...you mean the later version, no? Or the cool one from the 80s with the solid rear wheel? Those actually are pretty pricey...I sold my step-father's a few years ago and boy did I get a lot of interest in that thing...

Yes I meant the later version. I am seeing them on craigslist now for less than $3000.

 

[weak_link]

I've seen Aprilia Futura's for less than I had expected although I wouldn't exactly call it a 'classic.'

 

[Gabe]

Another One: 2004-2005 ZX-10R

I'm seeing some clean-title ZX-10Rs on CL for under $5000. They're still about the lightest and fastest literbike out there...am I wrong?

 

[Snapping Twig]

Been on the sidelines most of my life. Always appreciated, but until recently never owned one.

For your consideration, the predecessor of the V Star line.....

Virago.

Still on the road, parts available, rides nice, handles well, dependable, advanced for its day.

I rebuilt the fork on mine and added a Race Tech cartridge emulator and springs, now the typical mushy front end is gone and it tracks like it's on rails.

 

[rapidrobbie]

The early FZR600 and 1000,great bikes,and early ZX7s...Robbie

 

[Sidewalk]

am I wrong?

That depends, are you looking for an undervalued classic, or a mega fast modern literbike for a decent price?

 

[Brown81]

Gabe, just read your article on the Sponsorbike class. You're an evil man.

I just read that! Hahaha!! ROFL.

Other competition- and revenue-enhancing programs will be put in place for the 2010 season. In addition to AMA officials actually selling their personal naming rights, announcers will now replace select verbs, adjectives and nouns with sponsors’ names. For instance, the word “pass” will now be “Tide,” “win” will now be “IBM”, and “motorcycle” will now be “Sunoco,” among other changes.

“I think this will be an IBM-IBM situation for everyone,” said AMA Pro Racing director McDonald’s Tyson. “There will be Fedex Cisco-ing and Google Nike-ing. But not too much Qualcom-ity will be allowed to Nordstrom the Sherwin-Williams or eBay the McKesson. But let’s not forget that first and foremost, AMA Pro Racing will always provide an Allstate to the loyal Home Depots out there, and not just Pfizer the 3Ms.”

Oh Jesus!

 

[weak_link]

The early FZR600

I used to love mine and did a lot of laps at Willow Springs before the valves mushroomed. Great bike for the money these days, especially if you can find one with a fox shock and front end that's got race-tech mods.

 

[Gabe]

I just read that! Hahaha!! ROFL.



Oh Jesus!

I'm glad you enjoyed that. I thought the phrase "and not just Pfizer the 3Ms” sounded particularly dirty for some reason.

 

[Gabe]

So the thread title muddies the question a bit: either undervalued modern bikes or undervalued classics. So yes to "a mega fast modern literbike for a decent price."

That depends, are you looking for an undervalued classic, or a mega fast modern literbike for a decent price?

 

[Sidewalk]

So the thread title muddies the question a bit: either undervalued modern bikes or undervalued classics. So yes to "a mega fast modern literbike for a decent price."

Just seems like there are a dozen of those articles every year. If that is what you want to do, then the formula works and there is low risk. If you want to be risky, well, I am guessing you aren't the type

 

[Gabe]

So tell me a risky idea! Not everyone can be on the leading edge of moto-journalism like you, you know.

Just seems like there are a dozen of those articles every year. If that is what you want to do, then the formula works and there is low risk. If you want to be risky, well, I am guessing you aren't the type

 

[ob1ventura]

I'm seeing some clean-title ZX-10Rs on CL for under $5000. They're still about the lightest and fastest literbike out there...am I wrong?

That's because I bought one in '05.

Bought a TL1000s new also then sold it w/ 35K on the clock a couple of yrs later for 3K after the british press convenced everyone they were junk.