Why Classic Motorcycles Are NOT An Investment 

Someone wiser than me once told me, "if its on wheels or moves, it's not an investment. Cars, bikes, planes, boats, forget it" he told me. And I tend to agree. Not many of us managed to buy E-types for £500 and later sell em for £50K. So I just buy bikes (and older cars) to enjoy now, and if you make your peace with that, you'll never lie awake at night worrying how much money you're losing. P.s. my first visit to your channel, I like your humour. Will be staying a while :)

I like your forthright no-nonsense presentation style in this video

I tend to agree. GPZ750 Turbo (my dream bike since I was 12) went for £18000 and not a penny less a couple of years ago - now the asking price for one is £8000. The amount you spend on classic bikes is staggering - I kept a running spreadsheet for one of mine until I stopped a couple of years ago because it was too scary. Thousands upon thousands on a bike that you never get back... It's NOT a problem as long as you don't regard bikes as investments and just enjoy riding them.

I have some very nice classic bikes.Two or three are quite rare.The bikes I own are also very pleasing to the eye.I live quite near a School.I can park any of my 11 bikes outside my house for when the school kids come out.Not one vehicle attracts the slightest glance.As a kid I would have been all over them.

Hi Phil. Thanks for posting this. You are absolutely correct with all of that. It maybe a reality check for some people with a classic bike collection, small or large. Here in New Zealand, the number one reason for the sharp dip in values for classic bikes is the dwindling buyer pool. Many of the bikes for sale here on Trademe (like eBay) aren’t selling because of the high price set and the sellers aren’t budging. I get it, we all want and expect our beautiful classics to be appreciating in value but for most of these bikes it’s not the case and I don’t believe time will change that. Some people pull their heads out of the sand and accept that or as you alluded to Phil, family’s will be left to onsell their “dads or grandads” pride and joy. All the best from NZ.

To compliment on declining classic motorcycle prices, I‘ve added a few below; 1) Retro bikes from manufacturers eg - why purchase a 70‘s Z900 when for the same price price you can buy a new Z900RS ? (or a Bonny, Interceptor etc and so on for a bit less…..) Whilst enjoying more reliability. 2) France has started to make it difficult and expensive for ANY vehicle older than 2001 to be allowed to enter its cities. Maybe others will follow with a so-called „Green Zone“ 3) Unless the owner just happens to be a qualified mechanic capable of not just doing technical work but also of - more important have the facilities to do so, they will be short of people able to conduct technical maintenance. Thanks for an honest vlog, best greets from Düsseldorf Sher 1972 BSA A65L export (I bought in 76) Ex-Motorcycle Mechanic from London C & G in Motorcycle Engineering

You hit that on the head mate! Sadly it’s the same on this side of the pond too. I guess I’ll be staring at the P11 in the garage for another few years longer. Shame, ‘cos I’ve found a 1 owner (and I know him) T140D just up the road and needed the Norton gone before pulling the trigger. Oh well, I’m sure if I squidge the other bikes a bit closer together it’ll fit. All the best from an ex.pat. Brit in Putnam Valley NY.

I've bought an unregistered 1982 Triumph TSX with seven miles on the clock, I've just sent off the V55 to register it. Didn't think it was worth keeping as an unregistered investment as I'm 70 next year, so I'm getting into the grim reaper territory, theory one in your video lol. I do own another TSX and two Tridents T160 & T150 plus a few other triumphs and a C90. All probably plummeting in value, so might as well use them or admire them if not riding.

Bought a '18 Yamaha V Star 250 in August'22. I talked the dealer down $300 and it was still $4416! Nearly equals the new price. Beautiful bike, even though it had rain spotted dust on it when they delivered it 150M away for another $421! I hadn't ridden in 50 years, so I wasn't riding it all the way home from Mansfield, Ohio! I cleaned it up, polished it and it looks like new! Dead-on reliable bike! After sitting a year since last June in the garage it needed a new battery. old one was now 6 years old. New YUASA battery and it started right up. After getting fuel through the system again. Riding it in earnest, now that new right hip is healed since June '23. They really need to stop thinking a dirty old bike is worth near-new prices!

Totally agree. I've never thought of classic bikes as an investment. When I bought my 1978 T140V, 31 years ago, as a very low mileage, totally original bike, the seller was a city trader type, complete with Porsche, who had bought it 5 years before as an investment, and never ridden it. I paid him £350 less than he bought it for. My sole intention was to ride it, which I have, as my only bike for many years. I just didn't like the modern bikes at the time (early nineties). It has had the added bonus that it is now worth 3 times what I paid for it, but that doesn't come free of charge - I have put a lot of time and money into keeping it in top condition over those years. It was never about the money, but the ride. I am a car mechanic, now retired, so maintenance has never been a problem for me, but I agree it must be getting harder to find people willing (and able) to work on these dinosaurs. Three years ago I bought a second, cheaper bike, a 1980 Suzuki GS550, to use as an everyday runabout, even through the winter. Again, investment didn't come into the consideration, I just wanted something cheap, mechanically simple, and with the advantage of being road tax and MOT exempt. I can also take it into London's ULEZ for free if I want to (I'm not far from the edge). In short, if you want to enjoy the bike, buy it. If you want an investment, look somewhere else.

Loving and using it is what it is all about when it comes to vintage bikes-cars. Price value is always a crap shoot. Find a buyer that had one as a youngster and wishes to relive his youth, you may get your price however a collector or curiosity seeker, all assholes and will run you in circles. The next category is the mechanically talented that needs a challenge, has access to spares and is looking for the ultimate fun ride experience. That is me, just restored a BMW r100rs fun to restore, fun to ride, in my eyes beautiful, comfort narrow bars, fairing, and my long legs a problem. But I love it on the sunny back roads of South Africa.

That model and colour Trident sure is beautiful. Shame it has cost you so much Phil. I think you are right about the Grim Reaper factor, much of was done through weaponized injections. making it even quicker for many.

I didn't by mine for an investment. I wanted to have a bike from my youth. Kick start, '72 Triumph hard tail bobber. 100% custom, only monderinzed where it helps, ignition system components. At 65, I ride less now... Maybe get 5,000 miles a season between the Electriglide, Triumph, and Vespa Primavera. I used to "ride'em like I stole'em". Now, ride them to someplace for a nice luncheon and come home mostly. The investment is enjoyment.

Great video and content. Number one for me however is the availability of modern “classics”, with great looks, reasonable performance, and modern reliability.

You gave me a giggle, Wobbly. Well done on another vlog that deserves many more views. I’ll spread the word.

Ah, Phil... I own 3 "classics", a '73 850 Commando, a '79 Guzzi Le Mans and a '76 BMW R90S. I've had them all for many years, and they are rather less than stock...but I ride them all regularly and they run better than when new (especially the Norton, which has the most mods). So I do know a bit about these bikes and, as a former dealer (1980-90s), I have watched the prices. My opinion is that many people bought "classic" bikes without knowing much about them or what would make them more valuable, or being aware of their dynamics. Face it, older bikes just aren't as fast or nimble as many moderns, and I haven't even mentioned the brakes. Plus, many recent buyers have little knowledge about originality, because they weren't around when these bikes were new. A modified classic (like all mine) can well be faster and more road-worthy than when new, but it is not as valuable as an all-original bike, and the cost of restoration has absolutely skyrocketed. Parts are becoming rare and expensive, and the few guys who know how to do the work properly don't work cheap. So a lot of fellows bought bikes they thought were "original"...but they weren't. Ergo, they got screwed and dumped the offending motorcycle, helping the market to crash or at least become volatile. Now, I see two trends: First, the non-so-original bikes that may well be good mounts, but are cheap, if you know what you're looking at. Second, the "restored" bikes that are stunning, and stunningly expensive. In between the two is the uninformed consumer, about to have his education, at a brutal cost...

Another brilliant video! Theory 1, I'm pretty sure. Still, I might be able to afford a CBX and a Jota one of these days! So every cloud has a silver lining ... as long as you're not selling.

Interesting points which have occurred to me also - for what its worth i'd also suggest that the Grim Reaper factor is exacerbated by the fact that most classic owners have multiple bikes (I'm guilty!) so when the time comes its not just a drip of dilution to the 'market' but a bucketful. A benefit of high values is that it's worth peoples while to make new parts - a fall in value will also wipe our support industries which creates a spiral in its self with old bikes becoming harder to maintain. As for potholes and overcrowding .. whilst the bike you mention should have indicators and decent brakes older bikes don't.. I bought a 1949 BSA A7 a few years back after period of inactivity and Harley riding, when I took it out I shit myself -- no one understood hand signals and it was terrifying! I fitted some indicators that week! Personally I've never lost money on old bikes but I bought them cheap enough and tbh didn't think of investment - My ambition is to keep my BSA A10 Super Rocket which I bought in the 80s for £300 until its worth that again!😁😁😁

Absolutely. Like you, I paid top dollar for a 70s classic a few years back. It was nice and shiny and had an aristocratic first owner, but having been laid up unused for a long time it needed a lot of recommissioning. Today it is worth little more than half what I paid and have put into it,but it is a thing of beauty and class, and a joy to own and ride.

Some good points and I am sure, all quite valid. So far, down here in Oz the market hasn't plummeted but rather plateaued, perhaps to plummet later??? In any case my solution was to buy a 'minor' classic, one which hadn't yet greatly appreciated and therefore has less to fall if and when. One which was still relatively modern but clearly still 'old school', one for which there are still mainstream mechanics that are prepared to work on it but which didn't need 'work' to get it back onto the road. So far so good as it has appreciated 50% over the last ten years if the private market is indicative and puts a big smile on my dial when just looking at it as well as riding it. And yes a T150/160 was my original goal but for half the price I picked up a pristine low km '96 Thunderbird triple and gave it a light cafe makeover. As it happens, resale value is somewhat irrelevant as my son wants it when I'm through with it...

Seems like a very accurate summary to me

Great post Phil! . As a 60 something guy, I have a small collection of various bikes, and totally agree! Unfortunately the first reason is all too realistic.

If you had any, I mean any vintage or classic bike in the 80's you'd net a queue of yuppies speculating on making a few grand. A Vincent for £80k, fang you very much. They got their fingers burned when their 20k Bonnie would only fetch 6 a few years later. For a while it put true enthusiasts out of the market but thankfully, the yuppies found other hobbies to exploit. I've always built my bikes because they're bikes I wanted. Never interested in how much "it owes me". I had fun building them (still have them) and have fun riding them.

Agree that motorcycles are not the best investment. But I object that pot holes is the problem. My modern Ninja handles them poorly. But my WW2 Norton 16H is quite unaffected and comfortable. After all, it was made to go from Normandy to the Rhine on bombed French roads. The Vincent is my best touring bike. Nimble compared to modern tourers and enough power for legal speeds. Don't get tired after hours on it. I just have them for the joy of riding them.

Hi Phil. I have a T160 and agree on all your points BTW I know someone here in NZ who paid 10 th for a top end overhaul on his $100 and hr labour charge. Must have done it with one finger up the bum.

Even the classic Japanese bike prices have dropped. Like you say, people need to stop looking at classic vehicles as an investment and enjoy them. The government have also done a good job of putting people off riding motorcycles by making it so difficult to get your licence, I'm all for training but it's not about that it's about stamping out motorcycles buy stopping people getting a licence quietly so there's no back lash. Then, us old ones will die off, add in geoengineering so it rains for 11.5 months of the year in the uk. why would anyone want a motorcycle or even a classic one.

Great summary, couldn‘t agree more. I‘m in my mid fifties and bought a CB 750 Four K2 a few years ago, for a lot of money and in seemingly in a good condition. Had to invest half of purchase price on top for repairs. Maybe I could have getting it cheaper, but it‘s a pleasure to look at it, to hear it, to ride it and I know, it’s in good order now - so who cares?

Built and rode vintage and classic BMW Motorcycles. Rode coast to coast, all over the US. Now riding a HD Soft tail, M8, all ivrr the country. Easier on the bones, more comfortable and powerfil. basic bike. no crap or tech. its just a motorcycle. ride what you have.

Entertaining as ever Wobbly 🤗👍🏼

Very true I'm lucky enough to own three bikes but then I am 60 , a Honda vf1000f always liked the v4's a kz650 and a kz1000 none of them cost me more than two grand but I've spent a bit on them but none of them are garage queens not bothered about the resale value in fact I dread the day I'm too old to ride.

Some 1980's bikes are still rising ex Honda CB 1100 RC , Suzuki GSX 1100 Katana

I was surprised to see Rod Stewart fixing roads 😮😂

2 years ago l bought a 1967 BSA C-15 250 with an alloy tank for$500 , matching# , and only 6,000+ original miles from an estate sale in Georgia.You can still find bargains out there. My 1999 Sportster 883 l have had for 25 years now. Still on the original engine with 400,000+ miles on her. Best $7,000 l ever spent. Not value on the market but valuable to me. In Britain lots of places who work on vintage British motorcycles but around here they do mostly HD's. If someone was stupid and paid stupid money for à bike that's his fault. Bikes get used when they are not looked upon as a pile of money therefore there will be parts available and service available. Some people buy a bike hoping to double their money because the previous owner did but not the case for him and he might have to take a financial loss. When people want silly money for something it's best to just walk away. At bike auctions people get carried away and spend too much. Oh well that's how it goes. Buy a bike that's you will use and enjoy. If it goes up in value fine if not who cares às long as you like it.

Great video as always, where on earth did you find that short road workers clip , of a young Rod Stewart as a road worker ? ! Cheers from NZ .

Classic Vespas 2 strokes , are getting more expensive by the day Even the 1st generations 4 strokes are very sought after and are selling at high prices Might be that the old folk find them easiest to ride and only now realize what they been missing all the years!

There is not many people like us left now to ride them...the enthusiasm is not there with the younger generation...you will not get your money back on them...but they are great fun I am sure you agree...they still are....john

I couldn't agree more, my bikes provide me with more joy than than their monetary value ever could, riding, fettling, tinkering and polishing are all part of the charm of older bikes. Who knew Rod Stewart repaired potholes.

Fuggin Boss....another day brightened....as the weather is shit gonna keep the investment under cover.As as we all know bikes really are crap when its pissing down.😢

In Australia the good thing about classic bikes is the cheap rego and insurance. Once a vehicle in South Australia is 25 years of age it's classed as a classic and you save a heap on them. I've got a 1982 Honda VF 750 Magna which I paid Aus $3300 for( I won't go into what I've spent getting it to just how I want it but I think it's still less than buying a new bike and getting it to the same standard) and it costs Aus $227 for 3 years rego and Third party insurance compared to over Aus $700 a year. The cost for full comprehensive insurance of nearly Aus $18000 for it and the sidecar I've attached to it is under Aus $120 per year. I never buy a bike as an investment. I always buy them to have fun. I'll also never make money on them because as soon as I hear a noise I don't like it's off to the mechanic to get it looked at. You can still pick up 90's bikes for a fairly good price so even if you have to spend some money on them it can still work out a lot cheaper than buying a new one.

Another thought, the "hands on" nature and dedication needed for owning any classic doesn’t cut it for my "younger biker buddies" sure they love the idea of being a cool hipster or Henry Cole but reality has bitten them all when the bike won't start & leaks oil when all they really want to do is just dress up, start up and go... far easier to be a prentend racer in your one piece leathers on your sports bike or a pretend "badass" biker on your modern Harley than live with that old leaky heap. The point I'm making here is fashion, of course, as bikes are now firmly in the leasure market some will always follow the current fashion/trend... Adventure bikes anyone lol!

People hit their peak earning years after 40. By 80, they have other concerns. So that means 1944 - 1984 are the peak years for collections. It's moving forward, one year per year. Cars are more familiar to many people. I can remember when 1932 Fords were all the rage. Then 1955 Chevys. Then 1963 Chevys. The people who have strong emotional attachments and money to spend are moving forward all the time. Jenny Lind memorabilia is quite rare, but who cares about her?

Agree with every comment. Go ride and enjoy. Powys has great smooth roads.

For the most part, yes. Motorcycles aren't money makers for their owners. But it depends. Some dude in the UK was buying up pre unit Triumphs in the 1970s for a song. Even by 1986 they were worth a ton more money. There was a time, when I could've bought a Vincent Black Shadow for $11,600. I'm sure it'd be worth more than $100,000 now. The Yamaha RZ350 is also worth about double (adjusted for inflation) of what it cost when it was NEW. But the financial "strategy" that I employ is to buy it used at such point where almost 100% of the depreciation is out of it. For example, buy it for $5,000, use it for 5 years, then sell it for $5,000. This CAN be done, and I've done it myself more than once.

Well said. There is also my generation (X) to whom these “classics” just don’t have the same draw. I like them, but there is no way I am going to face modern traffic with drum brakes, or, less, a carburettor. I do ride a non-abs naked, modelled after a 1980s Honda (SWM gran turismo), which I enjoy fighting with. Even then, it was a naive buy, which I would never repeat again. There is just too much “riding “ on a MCs systems for me to trust a 30 plus year old bike. Zero redundancy is a big turn off with bikes, and the older they get the more that gets to be a worry. The generation that idolised Dean, Brando and McQueen had the peak of their “classic “ bikes. My generation? More likely to drop money on a 80s Kawasaki from the Top Gun movie.

Passing that blimming mod1 and 2 test is another reason. I flunked it a couple of times and it definately wasn't cheap!!!

Hopefully the prices keep falling so I can afford one😂

Yuh, ya iz doing sumpin rite, Mr 3Phills. Didn't no $ was so down on olde bikes, but are glad to here it, mebbe now eye cin aferd dat old Snortin' eye been lustin' fer, er at least grammar lesuns....

I bought a relatively new 25 year old Harley to absorb excess money. Saturday evening the roads are empty, something good about the average road user is they need to watch the real TV instead of the one in their car.

If you think any classic bikes are expensive then take a look at new bike prices. New bikes suffer from devastating depriciation in the first 5 years, that is the classics advantage. Having said that the depreciation is often replaced with maintainance costs. If you want your classic to be perfect (and remember they were always less reliable thena newer machines) then you will need to spend the kind of money that brings them up to the cost of a new machine. If you can work on them yourself, have access to parts and don't demand they look like new then you can avoid that extra cost. For me we are in a golden era of classic bikes, there are lots about, the prices are sensable and if you know what you are looking at you can avoid the danagers of being fooled by a nice paint job.

You are pretty on the mark with your summary in my view at least. I am planning on buying (not investing) in a 60s/70s Brit. I don`t relish bargaining hard for a classic that may be someones pride and joy, but I will. ps I am 69 and a half, just want to ride the thing before my knees give out, not polish it. pps I hope those that reamed you on the Trident get the karma they deserve.

The market is diminishing as riders get older

So if you always wanted one, now is the time to get a good one and ride it because in 10 years time we might not be able to buy petrol !

LMAO, well put sir. I think the answer is all the above.

I wonder if buyers of FS1/E mopeds for big bikkies are about to get their fingers burned? Here in Oz, Tridents & Commandos are still being advertised for top dollar... Rumours of greeny bans on IC engined vehicles over 40yrs old may also be a factor.

I commuted for 25 years as my only transportation. Classic vintage British motorcycles are reliable and dependable transportation when maintained properly. Maintenance is easy, very simple. Vintage British motorcycles are better now than when they were brand new. Europe is fxxxxx crazy with all the crap going on there with all the stupid regulations. Thank God vintage British motorcycles will be exempt from them. Over here in the USA are distances are so great that the.kind of bullshit like banning of ICE 's, no gas sales,all electric everything. Not here. We will gladly buy all the vintage British motorcycles we want at bargin prices if they are banned off your roads. Such silly crap. You Brits should bring back boil ing in oil , you guys were really good at that. That's what made merry old England so merry.

I'm not so sure. I can't see into the future, but if you look at the current return on investment for 1960/1970s Ducati motorcycles, I think there is a strong counter to your argument. What's more, (And I have a number of on paper investments for my retirement) You can get enjoyment out of a motorcycle that you can't get out of any other form of investments. 🏍🏍🤣🤣🏍🏍.

In the end, its a lump of metal. Enjoy it, but dont build your life on it

I bought an RC45 for £11,000 12 years ago, now sold for £40,000. Bad investment??

Youngsters seem to be ignoring motorcycles and moving direct to 4 wheels. Classic economics - No demand = diminishing prices.

I was talking to a friend about bikes and stupid money. The dealers are asking like a Honda RC30 8k new, and they are asking 30k 40k, and they are not selling, especially as a more modern bike is around 20k. Not that I would pay that for a bike. As our generations are dying out. Younger generations are not interested in class bikes. I feel a bit sad when we are all gone. What will happen to our bikes? Maybe one or two youngsters might take interest in classic bikes and keep them going. Like the Greek shipping tycoon who spent millions on specially built ship all those years ago, now lying on its side on the sand in a sorry sate rotting away.

There is an auction for someone's classic speedway bike collection upcoming. They look amazing, no idea what I would do with one! Crated bikes seem to sell for mega money, but what is the point?

You should never buy a classic car or motorcycle for investment,buy it because you want to ride it ,your only looking after it for the next person so enjoy it

Well said Phil!!!

Try telling that to my RC30 😅😅😅

One big issue is the cost of fixing and modding them with modern stuff like belt drive primary or upgraded alternators, the standard set up on my Velo Viper was such an affront to my engineering sensibilities that I spent a considerable sum upgrading it, lost track of the cost and the numerous upgrades of lovely stainless bits offered by specialists, but two years later I sold it for what I bought it for. And the reason I sold it was it was only a 350cc that was essentially slow and uncomfortable but looked absolutely beautiful but it was those things before I spent a quid on it! I do kind of regret selling it, I should have just used it more. Which of course is my long winded way of getting there in the end. Use them more. Thanks for a timely heads up for what most of us know in our hearts and wallets.

The arse has fallen out of the classic bike market.. Bikes that where ten grand 8 years ago are now half that price.. If you fancy a classic bike now is the time to buy... PS.. The mighty Trident deserves a chrome set of wing mirrors... PS.. Why do we call them wing mirrors.. None of my bikes have wings!!! 😮😮😅

If it fncks, flies or floats it's much cheaper to hire it.

Good, you sell me that Norton for the price in pounds it cost new😋

Excellent vlog. Rose tinted glasses is becoming the reason why classic motorcycles are dropping in value, buyers soon realise the characteristics of a 50 year old machine is exactly that 50 year old qualities that's smashed by todays retro machines and achievable pricing.

You are pretty right, at least for the first 2 points. When the whole generation is dead that used to ride those bike so it their value. Sad but true. I enjoyed your vid. Subbed.

Anything Old Can be a Pain to Look After,I Was a Honda Tech for 14 Years and Worked on Carb and Fuel injected Engines,Some Air/Oil Cooled and Then Water cooled. You Can Not Beat Fuel injection or Water Cooling For Making a Reliable Engine Compared to Carbs and Air /Oil Cooling,They Just Dont Last as Long and Need a Lot more Looking After.

I bought vintage British motorcycles for$500 each. People laugh Ed at me for buying them. Now l can get 7X what l paid for them. People don't laugh at me anymore. I bought my Triumph TR-6 for $500 and I have been riding her for 40 years. I have had less trouble with my old Triumph TR-6 than people have with the new ones. People don't always buy for nostalgia. Look at the people who buy veteran motorcycles. They weren't even born when those bikes were new. Many young people who have a sport bike that's too complicated to work on have a vintage British motorcycles for fun rides and to tinker with. I had 2 young guys tell me how sick my old BMW was. So there is interest by young people in vintage motorcycles. People can buy a real vintage British motorcycles in good shape for less than a fake one. There is always a limited supply of vintage motorcycles on the màrket and increasing demand but don't ask for silly money for something.

Another reason: the time will come where the green agenda will severely restrict riding and owner-maintaining bikes like these. This is why I am not extending my collection of stock early 80-ies Shovelheads. I am afraid that 10 years from now for legal reasons I cannot ride these anymore.

Yup, BSA Starfire 1970, bought £1k spent £5k sold last year £2k If the demand is dying off (literally) prices will plummet 👍

The prices for classic bikes are truly laughable when you consider how bad they ride, no wonder there are so many for sale, the nostalgia brigade trying to get their money back

Around 2009 I had a breeding pair of the cream and Yellows, one was museum mint I bought from an engineer for £4500 the other good to average purchased from a less than honest chap for over 5k as I was seeing them creep in value, sold the average one after a quick clean as I couldnt get it to run any sense the other I kept till 2015 when they topped out around 10k , would have kept it longer had I not been so worried about the fact it was british and at some point if I kept using it alot it would at some point need work, I think I may have been correct as prices are similar now some 9 years on, plus the fact you cant get anyone who can rebuild these things without selling your kidneys

I think we will be seeing the demise of a few motorcycle companys ,faced with reducing buyers , far to difficult to get a motorcycle test passed , and expensive , no encouragment from the goverments , total saturation point with masses of bikes available new and lightly used second hand often on very cheap pcp deals , and now the forced introduction of electric garbage , the days of seeing a return on a motorcycle are getting less and less , I do wonder how some dealers are serviving , thanks , ride save and slow .

If your not capable of doing your own maintenance and repairs then I would suggest classic bikes are not for you. 🙄

All very sensible stuff ✅👍😊

its the grim reaper,young people dont want these bikes.no nostalgia for them.

Collectors dying off.

Keep voting Labour or Tory muppets. Alternatively lets vote Reform and cancel net stupid. Thats whats reducing the price of your bike. The fact that there is no petrol to be had by 2040.

Great advice ride what you have. The more miles and smiles means it was all worthwhile. The only way to make a small fortune on vintage motorcycles is to start with a large one

Rode in Florida for two and a half decades. I grew tired of every seller with a particular bolt writing "I know what I've got!" in some confiscatory advert or auction. I finally came to the conclusion "Fine, enjoy your bolt then." and stood down. There's about three days a year I miss it, but the other 363, I am relieved. If you want to know what killed riding: gouging in a global market has my vote.