Long term Motorcycle Investment

ShandyAndy_2

In true money saving fashion I’ve been considering buying 1 or 2 motorcycles which are now peanuts to buy that potentially could be long term money pots, for example look how much 250 2 strokes are going for, and even bikes like Honda C90 are rising fast, I would rarely use the bike, just go for a quick blast once a month or so, I want it to be between 100-600cc ideally, I’m not particularly bothered about going fast. Bikes from my youth are very tempting ie Cagiva Mito, Aprillia Rs125 if also very temperamental, I’ve always wanted a Vfr 400 but they’re getting expensive now for a good one, I would like something under £1000, I have been thinking of Fzr 400, Gsf 600, Cb500 , maybe even something like a Rsx100, Gp100 could be a laugh to ride and worth money longer term? 

Herzlos

True money saving fashion doesn't usually involve buying old bikes and hoping they'll be worth more later. Chances are that once you factor in storage, maintenance and so on you're going to lose money on them unless something spectacular happens.

If you just want a cheap bike to ride then go for it, but I wouldn't count on making anything on them.

facade

Most bikes go for good money nowadays, but to make money above what it costs you to store it- and over what you'd get buying gold coin/ bullion) you need to get the crystal ball out. I reckon it is nostalgia, the 50 somethings are buying what they remember as their first (and therefore "best") bike, and remembering what it was like to be 17 when they ride their RD/KH/GT 250. (I had an RD250 torque induction = reed valves, wish I had it now )

I think you are right about an early RS125 fetching good money in about 2030.

You need to keep it in the house, a heated garage, or try one of those giant plastic bags that cost about £45

born_again

You takes you chance.
I would hardly class any of them as future classics though. Hope you got plenty of bedrooms to keep them in & and they are brand new never been run.

Add in the whole ICE engine stopping in 15 years. 

EssexExile

I often think back to the cars that I've owned & wonder what they'd be worth now.

Probably a hell of a lot less than it would've cost to keep them in good condition.

facade

EssexExile said:

I often think back to the cars that I've owned & wonder what they'd be worth now.

Probably a hell of a lot less than it would've cost to keep them in good condition.

The cars I have let go would be worth an absolute fortune- but the reason that they were got rid of was I was sweeping too much of them off the drive, so there wouldn't be much left of any of them now.

The 'bikes I've owned would be worth a lot more than I sold them for though, and they tend to survive in better condition.

jacko74

Any ''future classic'' be it bike or car that hasn't already been caught up in the insane asset price bubble that we've had for the last few years is never going to considerably increase in value IMO.

shinytop

It's a very hard one to call.  Small bikes like the ones you mention are unlikely ever to be worth much and they can cost just as much as bigger  ones to keep on the road.  A grand doesn't get you much either and you'd probably end up spending more to fix it up/keep it going. Have a look at Practical Sportsbikes magazine; they often discuss prices of old stuff and what's in/out.  

I still have a a bike I owned 30 plus years ago; it's worth a lot more now than it was then but it's very expensive to fix/replace anything. A bit of a money pit tbh and not very MSE. 

And bikes have come on a long way.  In practical terms, old ones are really, really bad in nearly every way compared to modern ones.  Good luck though, it's a lot of fun too.

 

ssparks2003

Bikes that cost peanuts are going to be in poor condition and riding them only occasionally is not going to improve that position. Whilst certain bikes have increased in value I doubt that they will have increased at a greater rate than wisely investing the money would have, most will havestruggled to keep inline with inflation. And if they have risen well these are mint low mileage examples kept mint and low mileage. Unless you own a working crystal ball, a good place to safely store them and are prepared to sink the money for 20, 30. 40+ years you will not even break even.

MinuteNoodles

facade said:

The cars I have let go would be worth an absolute fortune- 

But here's the thing. Whilst quite a few of mine would have been.....MK2 Escort Van (which rival RS's for their price), several Ford Capris, a Rover SD1 V8, a Rover P6....there was an awful lot of them that would be worth nothing such as my Triumph Dolomite 1300, a Lada Riva, 1.3L Austin Allaggro, Mazda 626, Nissan Cherry. Just because it's old doesn't mean people will want one. 

missile

I sold my Norton Dominator for £140, it would be worth £X now, but only if I had spent £X plus on storage and maintenance. I know classic car owners who brag about their appreciating asset. They forget to mention cost of restoration. A bit like gamblers who brag about their winnings, never mention losses.
IMHO, classic vehicles are more a hobby than an investment.