Fair play. Not sure I'd buy so many bikes I couldnt ride due to keeping mileage at 0. I just wouldnt be able to resist riding them at some point. Maybe thats why they are stacked in an awkward nook. Anyway, If i had come into some money I'd be buying all sorts of daft things too. Thats what its all about.
Was thinking at the time of a 30 or 45 but as investments I think they have realised much of their potential, already tripling in value over the last 10 years or so - tried to buy what was either an exceptional deal or on the turn such as the 999R's.
oh i see, someone new eh- you sacking me? oh, the public humiliation..... you don't love me anymore...
So I understand, I'm quite jealous of you. And I totally understand the investment thing. But I still don't see how you can get any enjoyment out of the things without riding them.
They just look pretty - art I guess, just like walking in to that room, makes me smile every time I do. It's strange they survived with zero miles being main stream models, but now they have they are rather inanimate so I get what your saying totally. In the future they will remain that way through necessity of maintaining the value, unless someone with lots of money decides they want a new one on the road to re kindle past memories...
I completely get why you like having them around. A bike isn't just a tool for moving from one place to another. It's engineering deliberately designed to be appealing to the beholder. They're a physical embodiment of an experience that can be shared and induced with others. There are all the connections one holds inside one's mind to motorcycling that can all be remembered again when seeing a bike. Like associating smells with experience but with sight instead. I think it's cool. Good one Exige
Other than the R6 they all have provable history, not that new bikes need a history... The R6 was in a private collection of circa 150 bikes (rich farmer) I bought it 3 years ago to go with the R1. The R1 was in Deamon Tweeks showroom all it's life, I bought it 3 years ago. The GSX-R was one of Carl Padgett's infamous collection, I bought it 1 year ago. All for what I think were bargain prices.
Nice bikes, although slight shame it's not a blue/white GSXR as they always make a few pounds more. Are they registered, as I guess a change in future laws could make this impossible and potentially reduce value? I suppose this is a worry about it if it happens scenario though? I don't see why people are perplexed about having them and not using them. I've only ridden my 851 a few times in the year I've had it, but it makes me smile every time I walk past it in the garage.......shame wifey won't let me put it in the dining room....
There was a law imminent in 2003 which made most old stock new bikes be registered by their then owners - the law didn't happen. My R6 and GSX-R were registered by the previous owners at this time. The R1 isn't and is worth more for it. I don't think it will effect the value in the future if it happened - what will effect the value is registering and running it i.e. no longer new! As far as I'm aware it is the only new GSX-R K1 in private hands - so colour not too much of an issue. The 4XV R1 would be worth more as a 98 with red seat - but the colour of mine was more popular at the time, people didn't like the shitty red seat and most bought blue bikes. Now through hype it's said the red seat ones are more collectable as there isn't many about. Funny old world... I ride an R1 so see no issue with having a new one too my money would only be employed elsewhere, either renting a property with all the hassle that can bring, or paying my mortgage off. To me this is better than either!
I tried to insure as equities or art - had to insure them as bikes though, off the road - cost's roughly £100 per £10,000 in value
