As this is posted in the Monster section, I'd guess either the S2R1000 or the 1100S (pre-evo version) may become collectable in the future. Depends how many were made & what demand there is in the future. The value of a bike is often what somebody is prepared to pay for it. Of all the air-cooled models, the Sport Classics are currently quite collectable.
M1100 evo is by far the best air cooled It's my 4th monster, and I should know Fact (also the shortest production time I think, rarer than the 1100/s, but not as rare as the anniversary model)
An original, early M900 will surely be the most collectible, especially if it's totally standard (rules mine out then)> Others may be a better bike to ride but the M900 will always be the original.
1100 Evo if it had ohlins but it did not. I'm going for the 796 anniversary. Comfortable and just the right amount of power Or the 1100 evo anniversary because most people think big is better
Thumbs down for the sport classic from me. Looks awkward Why pre-Evo? That motor was under powered and 6kg heavier than the evo
Sport Classics have been appreciating in value. Each to their own & all that, wouldn't do if we all liked the same things. Again just my own opinion, but I always felt the pre-evo Monsters looked better balanced with the twin under seat pipes. Personally I preferred the S2R1000 era (even though they had both pipes on the same side), as they had a slightly larger cockpit fairing rather than the small fly screen of the 1100 Monsters.
as you say, each to their own and as much as I like tubes on a frame they just look wrong on that swing arm.
seems there is no clear winner so there may never be a fast appreciating one. If only the 1100 Evo had a proper anniversary special edition dripping with all the goodies, instead of an anniversary retro paintjob,
I wasn't keen on the gold frame tbh, but I think a collectable monster in years to come would have to be either the new one with an r, or the old s4rs, neither being water cooled so shouldn't be on the list. There's old 900's kicking about which can be bought relatively cheaply at 20 years old, can't see much rise in price in the future for collect ability.
yep, even the 600 bound to be a classic eventually - none of that plastic tank panel stuff, nice simple electrics. Just like the 916 - the bike that is closest to the original brief is the one that gets favoured/remembered. You only have to look at 916 v. 996 prices to confirm.
It won't be any time soon that an air cooled Monster will become a collector's piece. You'll need to wait 50 years. Then I would expect a 1993 M900 in totally original condition to be worth something. It's not the best Monster, but it was the first. The best Monster engine is probably the one in the 1100evo, but the bike itself isn't as good as the M1100 it replaced. However there are many who don't consider the second generation Monsters to be true Monsters. In that case I'd suggest an S2R1000 as the best of the round headlighted air cooled Monsters. Probably the most collectable Monster at the moment is the S4RS Tricolore, but that's not air cooled.