Looking at the prices these bikes now command vs how cheaply they could be picked up back in the late 2000’s I tried to find some info. I found this graphic on https://www.themotorcyclebroker.co....ent/return-on-investment-classic-motorcycles/ Now obviously this is from a source that makes their money out of people investing in Motorcycles so that has to be taken into account but it does reflect what we are seeing in the market. Remember it’s not the values this graph display but the percentage increase - hence the base model having one of the highest increases as at one point they were dirt cheap.
When i said to myself back in 2013 it's now or never so i started seriously looking for a 916 sps as the first ever Ducati for me as i didn't bother back in 1994, the dealer in Croydon had just snapped up a 916SP from a customer for just £3.5k so i popped down to see the overall condition as a reference point. I spotted a couple of 916sps's up for sale at that time for the £7500 / 8500 mark, but ended up buying locally to me by pure chance for not much more money than the Sp.
There are still lots out there that have been for sale for a loooonnngggg time. I fancy another, more to look at that ride if I’m honest (yeah I know that’s all I do with the two I own!) but always get stuck at why would I spend 6k on that when there are so many other bikes out there for less that are ‘better’ just don’t look it. Same as the 851/888, stupid money for old, temperamental bikes
This price appreciation thing is not good news. It means your insurance goes up. It means the thieves are on the hunt. It means they get ridden less. It means you see less of them doing what they were designed for.
The value of possessing something, which when you look at it gives real pleasure is hard to price. If it can also give you physical pleasure from an amazing ride its even better. But we can't all be with Selma Hyek. So my advice would be to get an old temperamental bike which will keep you hands busy and your mind occupied...
It’s why I bought a 748b w/22k miles as my first Ducati. Something to ride and enjoy and not worry about it.
Your quiet right with your graphs. Bought these three babies in ‘15 and 16 for 5500€-6500€. Still own them
Lovely bikes and a good investment. I do wonder at the stability of certain ‘collectors’ investments over long time periods though. I think for many things there’s a peak point and then it starts to drop off unless there’s something inherently valuable about the item. Some values are driven by rarity and a combination of collectors obsession and investment speculation. But for many things there’s a third factor and I think that’s what’s having an influence on values of Ducati’s of this particular era. These are iconic bikes and were often desired by many who either couldn’t afford one or were too young at the time they were released. There’s also those bikers that had one and sold it and are now reaching an age where they are nostalgic and have the disposable income to buy things they desire. Once these people aren’t around any more then the market for such bikes will become collectors only - there will be no emotional connection to drive sales. I have no interest in bikes older than the 916 because I wasn’t of an age to appreciate them when they were new. If I see vintage bikes in a museum I’m interested from the perspective of the history but ultimately I don’t lust after owning them because there’s no emotional connection. The phenomenon is mentioned here with regards to E-Types https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/...-type-in-america-are-leaving-the-uk-standing/ As a child/young teen I used to race RC cars and I discovered during lockdown that values of these ‘vintage’ RC cars had been rapidly climbing. To the point that manufacturers such as Tamiya, Kyosho, and Schumacher have been re-releasing vintage kits from the 80’s and now early 90’s. These have been selling like hotcakes to all of the middle aged guys who are feeling nostalgic about their youth and have money to throw at toys. The same can be seen with lot’s of 80’s toys that previously were just junk. But this popularity - driven by emotional connection, only last’s as long as that generation lives. I think we will see that in these bikes - there will be a point when their mass appeal will wane and then they will be the domain of collectors.
You've missed out folk like me, had the money but wasn't prepared to spend nearly twice the cost as the latest hot fireblade in that period.
You definitely bought at a good price - sounds like you got a bargain even by 2013 prices. The 916 SPS was about £17k when originally released so it’s quite shocking how much they dipped in the following decade. Not thought of as rare collectables but just old bikes that weren’t as desirable as the latest and greatest. Seems crazy when you think how few of them there are. I did a quick check on the inflationary value of 17k in 1997 to now based on the RPI - £38,509! I take back anything I have ever said about the price of modern bikes - based on that they aren’t any different but we now get more technology for our money! V4R is the modern day equivalent of the SPS and the pricing for the 2023 model seems remarkably in line with inflation. A Fireblade was £8500 in 1997 RPI inflation would make that £19,254 - again remarkably close to the price of a new Blade today.
Well it rolled into march 2014 for first ownership, as for spending £38.5k on any motorcycle in todays market that's never going to happen ever for me, but who knows what the marketplace will be like in 10 / 20 years time as it's just a guessing game in my opinion.
