Future classics - what do you reckon ?

Ive been seriously thinking of getting a classic bike, something useable like a 77 Z650 Kwak or a 78 400/4 Honda, but what makes a bike a classic ? and what bikes do you think will be future classics ? and will the SV be regarded that way one day ?

[fastdruid]

Classics typically are things that either evoke emotion, eg first bikes like the fs1e, bikes you wanted but couldn't afford, bikes that were the 'best' or most pretty or just what you desired as a teen. The thing that then makes them worth money is rarity. Bikes especially get crashed and damaged very easily so anything a bit wayward quickly ends up with only a few remaining.

I can see the SV being somewhat of a classic in the same way a mk1 Escort is, so common no one bothered to keep a standard low milage example and then suddenly the world realised that 99% of them had been scrapped and there were hardly any mint examples left.

We've got a mint RVF400R which IMO is a classic now, last of the 400/4's, beautiful, fantastic handling and not that many as it was never officially imported.

Druid

I reckon Sv's will be a future classic. That's why I've got an immaculate frame tucked away in the loft for some future restorer to buy.

If I remember correctly the 650 was a bit heavy, as was the thing in those days. A 400/4 is both light(ish) and not too tall. Get a old style Yoshi pipe on it and listen to it howl, although they more than likely only revved to 10k. Cheap insurance too.

[rictus01]

Are you sure Stew?, it's easy to forget how much work is involved, a modern bike requires very little looking after, it's easy to forget just how much work per mile the older one takes.

A better bet is to get one of the modern classic looking bikes Kawk W650, triumph Bonnie, Thunderbird, ducati classic range, that sort of thing.


I doubt the SV wil every be be a true Classic, although preserved long enough I dare say someone would call it one (after all insurance wise it'll get that status at some point), but it's never been expensive, exotic or a "wish" bike really, Oh it's very good at what it does, but rarely is it anything more than a stepping stone to something else.

Cheers Mark.

[Richie]

petevtwin650 is riding my classic bike, but I want it in British Racing Green.

I find it odd - for one of the most fun and affordable 650 v-twins around, it never makes it in to the top five choices in RiDE magazines choices.

Off the top of my head, I'd have to say Ducati Monster, Harley Sportster 883, BMW F650GS and Honda VFR 800 would be good future classics.

Nice topic for debate.

Originally Posted by rictus01

Are you sure Stew?, it's easy to forget how much work is involved, a modern bike requires very little looking after, it's easy to forget just how much work per mile the older one takes.

A better bet is to get one of the modern classic looking bikes Kawk W650, triumph Bonnie, Thunderbird, ducati classic range, that sort of thing.


I doubt the SV wil every be be a true Classic, although preserved long enough I dare say someone would call it one (after all insurance wise it'll get that status at some point), but it's never been expensive, exotic or a "wish" bike really, Oh it's very good at what it does, but rarely is it anything more than a stepping stone to something else.

Cheers Mark.

Yeah good point Mark, the other one Ive been having a think about is the Moto Guzzi V50 Monza, despite the Italian electrics, most guzzi,s are well sorted and it has that all important low seat height as well Saying all this Id have another curvey tomorrow if I had the cash to hand.

Originally Posted by boot

I find it odd - for one of the most fun and affordable 650 v-twins around, it never makes it in to the top five choices in RiDE magazines choices.

Off the top of my head, I'd have to say Ducati Monster, Harley Sportster 883, BMW F650GS and Honda VFR 800 would be good future classics.

Nice topic for debate.

The 883 has actually been around for years and is regarded by a classic in the classic biking world, mind you some of those peeps use pudding basin helmets as well so you cant beleive everything they say I think the VFR is defo a future classic.

Originally Posted by stewie

Yeah good point Mark, the other one Ive been having a think about is the Moto Guzzi V50 Monza, despite the Italian electrics, most guzzi,s are well sorted and it has that all important low seat height as well Saying all this Id have another curvey tomorrow if I had the cash to hand.

Well IMO if you're not spending enough money to buy a cheap Curvy, then I think you'll be buying yourself a money pit classic Stewie.

Classics IMO are bikes that stand the test of time in design and looks and are great all round .

The original R1 is one such bike and IMO so is the 02-03 one the letterbox tail light R!, still i regard it as the best looking R1 ever.

the SV a classic nope never , it is what it is a buget small sporty bike. Its not a design classic nor a big advance in technology.