Classic Bikes

SteveFord · « **Reply #23 on:** **Yesterday** at 09:43 am »

I like the new Nortons but so far, they've never reached the USA.

After the Italian bikes, I put around 200,000 miles on a whole series of Buells.
The Japanese and European bike riders wouldn't set foot in a Harley dealership, the Harley guys hated the Buells so I'm not sure that any of them will ever be seen as a classic bike.
Perhaps my old S1W White Lightning would qualify.

SteveFord · « **Reply #24 on:** **Yesterday** at 09:55 am »

Much like a bad check, I bounced back to where I came from.

I'm not sure if any of the Hinkley Triumphs will be viewed as classics.
Perhaps the Speed Triple as it's probably the epitome of monster motors and a seat?
Here's my 2006 bug eyed monster:

SteveFord · « **Reply #25 on:** **Yesterday** at 09:59 am »

And possibly the Thruxton R due to it's good looks and performance.

psycho1122 · « **Reply #26 on:** **Yesterday** at 01:23 pm »

Question,

What qualifies as a classic? Age?, Style? Significance?

Cheers!

SteveFord · « **Reply #27 on:** **Yesterday** at 04:37 pm »

Yes, pretty much.
Age, low production, expensive/desirable when new, handsome styling, technologically interesting, famous designer, company racing heritage, bonus points if the parent company went out of business.

For the first 25 years, bikes really depreciate and then the trend reverses.
There's fewer surviving examples and the nostalgia/rose tinted glasses thing kicks in: I had one of those or I always wanted one of those...