Are Prices Softening?

[chuckthebeatertruck]

I want that H2 that does 250MPH

Just head on down to your Kawasaki dealer and order a 2025 H2R.

It’s top speed is 248.8 mph, for a whopping $31,000 retail.

But, it’s technically not street legal. The legal version only does a touch over 200mph, but costs all of 17,000 clams.

I sorta want one just cause. . .being scared to death can be great fun.

Which is also why I like very quick British bikes with questionable braking ability. Same thrill at more survivable speeds.

[BoschZEV]

I like very quick British bikes with questionable braking ability. Same thrill at more survivable speeds.

Before I retired I didn't find the time to ride as much as I would have liked, and rarely found two days in a row. But, one time when I did, the first day I covered a few hundred miles on my Ducati, with some of those miles at upwards of 100 mph.

The next day I took my Triumph 500 and, as I left the neighborhood and turned onto a larger road, I accelerated energetically through the gears. Maybe 5 seconds after that I saw a car approaching in the distance that could have been a cop, just after I had passed a 35-mph speed limit sign. Oh no! I glanced down to see how much speed I had to scrub off, at which point I saw I only had managed to accelerate to all of 35 mph.

That second day I covered fewer than half the miles, at less than half the speed, but enjoyed that ride every bit as much.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

To illustrate just how soft prices are fast becoming. . .Mrs Chuck asked after a big twin touring bike for road runs.

I smiled and reminded myself that models through the 1990 model year are amca eligible.

I scanned my usual sources, spotting more than a dozen triumph, Norton, and even an ajs at unbelievable prices easily 25-30 percent less than 4-5 years ago. A very, very clean Ducati 860gt at a negotiable price also jumped out.

it took 72 hours, but I found a running, clean, completely stock 1990 Electra Glide Sport (FLHS) with 56,000 miles on the clock, which got itself on my trailer for all of $2,500. I do need to fit new tires. So I’ll be into the bike for under 3g with fresh rubber and a 10k mile service. Amazingly, it is oil tight and close to 95 percent as it left the showroom floor.

if I keep it, it’s a dirt cheap road run bike for a decade with my bride. If I flip it, I’ll still make $1,000 for pretty easy work I’ll do on a snowy evening.

[vph-d]

I know a couple of people who have bought fairly new E-Glides in the last year for pretty cheap money. There were so many made they seem to be relatively worthless. I just sold an OP 65 for decent money and will probably be selling my 45 FL this coming year.
vph-d

[tomfiii]

As for sellers you need to find the deep pocket person. For buyers it is trying to find bike that is not ebay or auction influenced.

[exeric]

The lucky, smart, or shrewd make money at their hobby; and they can be divided into 2 camps - collectors, or opportunists. Most of us are enthusiasts and hopefully happy with what we have regardless of cost, or loss. If you get into old bikes to make money you are either really smart, or really stupid. If you get into old bikes because you love them you found the best hobby on earth. Edward G. Robinson, a renowned art collector said, he loved art, but art collected him. . . That's what old motorcycles did to me.

[KNUCK]

The British bikes definitely got slammed at the last Mecum in Vegas. I really sat there in amazement as they went off the block with a low bid and no sale. I will say that it is about time for many of the various motorcycle brands to have a correction. Just like in the stock market, prices go up and down and the trick is to get in on the down.

When I got into this hobby 40 years ago it was to have fun with what I loved, not to constantly buy and flip like some.