Interesting collection. So money aside, what would you be buying and stock piling now before prices rocket ?
None as I have run out of money to invest - I'm focussing on building the KR1000 replica now. I targeted bikes which are on the bottom of the value curve (hopefully) homologation bikes or cult bikes of their day, so generally 10 - 15 years old. Bikes that are in fantastic condition with low mileage so they are unrestored and original. The 3 new bikes I have were all purchased over the last 3 years at good prices. The GSX-RR and ZXR-K1 were both bargains as they had already turned in value and I managed to find then at 50% or more less than their current value - there are bargains to be had if your not looking for any particular bike. I never searched specifically for a type of bike, just what my gut feel told me was right. Wasn't interested in RC30's and the like as they had already quadrupled in price - of course I'd like one and they will still increase of course but I don't think to the same extent on percentage terms as what I bought. I am however looking for a classic Jawa 500 Speedway bike (1950's to 1970's) as my daughter is half Czech and I just like the way they look! Currently got the feelers out in the Czech Republic with the ex, although she is not too exited about it
I've got a mate who collects watches and never wears them. Even has them serviced then reboxed. And I mean watches that cost the same as those bikes!
See now i think i look at this from the other end of the spectrum I buy mine because i like them. I have zero interest in buying bikes that just don't interest me regardless of any future value or financial gain in the future. I love my grey imports be it 250 or 400 or others, and i seem to have been very lucky and bought all my bikes at the right time before prices went insane. All this is a bit academic if you (like myself) don't actually sell any bikes and have no plan on selling them either. I bought my RC30 is 2002 and i gave £6700 for it - which back then was top dollar for a RC30. I am not precious about it, and use it rain or shine and thrash the tits off it every time i use it. It gets the odd jet wash and polish, and then gets ragged some more. I have some tatty spare panels (less tatty than my best ones) which i bolt a top box to the seat unit and carry bits and bobs including my buttys if i decide to commute on it for a week or so. Similar for my MC28 Rothmans, and other rare oddities. Lifes too short and i use all my bikes - some more than others. i admit i have not used my YSR80 in over 8 years now, but i even use my little KSR80 and RD125LC Mk3 (used it yesterday) Sure i could keep this in side some glass case and watch them realise a better value in say 10 or 20 years time - but fuck it - i could be dead then and who cares ? these bikes are too good not to ride. i would rather go knowing i ragged and enjoyed a RC30 to bits than wondering if it was actually any good to ride or not - but it looked good inside some vac bag or glass case. If i blow it to bits, or fire it through a hedge backwards - no problem i break it for spares and sell it on - and still double my money too i bet. cant take it with you ! However there are still a couple of bikes i think will yet gain popularity and are worth snapping up. TZR125 - the early one, prices are still fair for nice ones RG125 Gamma - as above Yamaha R6 - the first ones in red and white only. You can still also find the odd very rare late NC29 gullarm in top almost perfect condition for sub 3k - these will be good solid investments. forget about NC30's (i have that corner covered lol) good original ones are hard to find and all top money, NC35's are still cheap - for a reason, they are not as good as the 30 (i too have that covered) and apart from the kids wanting them, anyone who knows their onions doesn't However if you can find an original 3TJ2, 6 or 7 SP in original condition for sub 3k - snap it up. the FZR has a huge following and is seem by many as the elite of the 400 imports. values are already rising fast just because there are none left in original condition worth buying and ones that are worth buying are mental money and sell over night.
I agree with your sentiments. I would never actually buy something that my heart didn't lead the way on - but I keep an open mind generally. Take the GSX-R 750 LE, when I saw it I didn't even know these existed, I felt it was a great buy 3 years ago and when they do come up for sale they are averaging 3 times what I paid. I view my investment bikes as that and would certainly run them if I could afford to! Apart from the 3 new ones of course. I have an R1 on the road and usually tax one of the others each year but along with my every day car and my S1 Exige it gets a bit costly for me. I have had my 998, RSV-R Factory and ZXR750K1 on the road so far. I plan on running my Land Speed Record Hyabusa soon which will be interesting with 440BHP at the rear wheel. I view my biking interest in three differing areas, riding, building and collecting and they are generally kept as separate interests due to cost. The bike collecting is in place of say a second property to rent and all the hassle that can bring. Hopefully the gain will be greater but certainly more enjoyable. Your RC30 was a good buy, would be great to own one but 'investment wise there are better options as they have already tripled in value as you well know. I know some will criticise not using them all, but I am happy where I am and keep my 3 facets of motorcycling interest very separate from each other and thoroughly enjoy all 3. Your collection sounds fab!
Just out of interest Mr. Exige, just how many bikes do you own? Any chance of a list please? (I understand you may well be reluctant to say on the Interweb, that's fair enough so by all means ignore me if you wish!!)
No problem, they will be in Performance Bikes soon anyway (16)... 998 BIP Ducati with (lots of) upgrades. 999 (2001 Prototype) 999R 999R Fila Aprilia RSV-R Factory MV Agusta F4S 750 Hole Shot Racing Hayabusa Turbo British Land Speed Record Bike Yamaha R1 (2002) New Yamaha 1999 R1 New Yamaha 2000 R6 New Suzuki GSX-R1000K1 Suzuki GSX-R 750 RR Kawasaki ZXR750RR (K1) Kawasaki KR1000 Recreation (Project) Kawasaki Kr1000 Replica (Project) Kawasaki Z1b 1197 Turbo
Your dining room must be huge if you can fit that lot in. Are you really David Cameron or Prince Phillip??
Thing is Exige, I'd be dead interested in having a look at them some time. (Not that I could, in reality.) I completely get why you own them and if I had a wife that would allow it I'd keep bikes in the house too. Much nicer to look at than the crap she buys from Next to dust every day. I'm sure everyone has had a wonder around a show room or a car park 'just for a look'. It's a pleasurable experience in my opinion. I think it's great that you have bikes to ride and bikes to safe guard for the future. If everyone took the same attitude towards bikes then there would be limited access to good examples of these important, historic machines. Good on you.
Unfortunately I can only see two from the dining room and six if I walk round the corner into the sun/bike room. No, I'm neither of those too thankfully. Just a poor man rich in motorbikes instead of being mortgage free!
No , his insurance company will insist he keeps them in the safe, so he can't seem them just by walking in the room.
