Posts
1818
Joined
7/26/2015
Location
MA
US
Edited Date/Time
3/26/2018 10:13am
Not sure if this has ever been brought up but I have been riding and racing for the last 20 years. I’m about to turn 30 and just restored my 89 CR250 (have a build thread or two here on it). I know it’s not quite a “vintage” bike but I think it’s cool and it’s almost 30 as well. When I show my buddies my bike and all the work I’ve done to it the only thing they seem to comment on is “ how much is it worth?” They all seem to think classic bikes as classic cars and I try to explain they they are and they aren’t. I also can’t really explain that the money I have in it could not be recouped, but I did it because I love motorcycles and I love that bike.
I guess the short question is for the people who have been involved in vintage bikes, do the values of these bikes go up and would an 89 CR250 and the like be considered the new wave of up and coming vintage models? Surely the twin shocks and pure vintage bikes will get to a point where the owners won’t race them as parts will become so scarce and they will maybe want to preserve them. Again I’m not about to sell my bike and am not in this for the money, if I was I’d be the worst businessman in history! Just curious. And do any of you think that the bikes you have are worth more than you’ve got in them or less?
I guess the short question is for the people who have been involved in vintage bikes, do the values of these bikes go up and would an 89 CR250 and the like be considered the new wave of up and coming vintage models? Surely the twin shocks and pure vintage bikes will get to a point where the owners won’t race them as parts will become so scarce and they will maybe want to preserve them. Again I’m not about to sell my bike and am not in this for the money, if I was I’d be the worst businessman in history! Just curious. And do any of you think that the bikes you have are worth more than you’ve got in them or less?
I’m 45 and although I love anything two wheels, but the bikes from my youth and racing years, 1980-1999... are the ones I like.
As my / our demographic matures they are going to want these bikes.
The older bikes, 60s-70s are probably going to start going down in value while the newer bikes will go up.
My dad was a ford model A guy. Those cars peaked in value then dropped as the enthusiasts aged and passed on. I see no reason why bikes won’t follow the same pattern.
There will be some exceptions to the rule I’m sure such as first year CR’s, YZ’s... Seems like the old bikes are getting made into display pieces, riders too old, parts too rare...
I never added up the total investments in my 84 WR400 husky or 86 CR250 honda but I recon about 1500 or more in parts each, and who knows how many hours of labor (luckily I can do everything but cylinders myself). I can imagine if you have to sub out motor and suspension the cost to restore bikes would be super salty.
They were bikes I wanted and IMO desirable models that will age gracefully. I did them to keep, not sell so I haven't worried about value, seems to be more about finding the right buyer that has to have it and isn't afraid to pony up than anything.
The Shop
In 2014, a 1989 CR250 which is the bike to have in the Evo class, was £2-3.5k. Now the same bikes are in the £2.5-5.5k range. Classic example priced at £4.2k: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CR-250-1989-Evo-motocross-bike/1529408…. That's almost $6k!
The prices have probably peaked in my opinion, especially with Evo bikes, but there is growth potential in the Super-Evo class. I guess one generation hands over to the next so to speak. This will impact the American market as UK and European dealers will look to buy up the best examples and ship them to where the market will pay a premium for the best bikes, usually advertised as 'from the dry state of California/Colorado/Arizona, and not rotted out like a Euro bike that has been battered in wet sand its whole life'.
- SOME Evo bikes are cheaper to buy and run. For example, the pre-1983 125 class is super popular and those bikes can be bought and raced for £800-£1,500. A top line CR250 prepared by someone like DocWob is still on a par with a run of the mill new bike in terms of price, meaning the very best stuff is still accessible, albeit more expensive than the USA
- Modern tracks put a lot of people off, and the Evo crowd are often business owners or senior people given their stage of life, and therefore really don't want to get hurt. They prefer the natural terrain that these events are run on, so there is a resurgence in natural tracks to fill the demand. In England, there is a law called the 12 day rule. It means (as a general rule) that for 12 days in any given year, the landowner can do anything they want on the land without requiring planning permission or having to fill in and pay for a permit. It means that a farmer can open his land up to a race club for an event a couple of times a year, or run a music or food and drink festival etc. It's designed to help the rural community diversify their income streams, and a small part of that is bike racing
- Modern racing classes tend to be full of ego's and aggression, and less about people having a good time. The Evo racing I have been to is full of friendly, helpful people who will bend over backwards to help each other out, and they are friends outside of the race track too
- I think American's often want the brand new model be it a car, iphone or whatever, so things go out of favor here and become less desirable a bit quicker. Add to that the trend that 'all things retro' is cool, especially in Europe, so there's a fair amount of youngsters who join in the vintage racing with their parents, meaning that it's not just old men racing these bikes. I was only born in 1983 but I owned a 1982 KX250 and now have two 1989 CR250s because I wanted to join in with some of my older riding buddies
- In England, there's a lot cottage industry in manufacturing, which means its a bit easier to keep the bikes running. The type of people that smoke a pipe and wear a shirt and tie under their coveralls still exist, and I love it. Some of the fabrication and engineering work I have had done has been mind blowing, and done for a fair price too. The same skills will be here in America, but without a bit website and social media, it might be going undetected and crushed by the bigger players/retailers
Of the parts and pieces was tough. I can’t see myself racing or riding it regularly just for that point alone.
I'm worried if they do add classes they will also add their 400 page rule book. I think the EVO crowd is more into a good time and a run what ya brung mentality versus complaining and crying that the other guys bike isn't fair.
I want a full gate and a long moto, the fast guys will win and the slow guys won't.
If you need help with any parts for you 89 CR, I am happy to help. They are a particularly well made bike, and there is plenty out there. Besides, I know just the guy....
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