[FullRangeMan]

[FullRangeMan]

[FullRangeMan]

[SteveFord]

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]

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]

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

[psycho1122]

Question,

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

Cheers!

[SteveFord]

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...

[FullRangeMan]

Question,

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

Cheers!

Hi,
Fell free to post any bike in this thread.
Dont need to be a Classic or famous bike. 

[AllanS]

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.

This ad from the '01 brochure told me everything I ever needed to know about Buell.  I don't give a rats ass what anyone says, Buell's are classic.  I had a serious itch for an M2.Cyclone then the XB9R came out in 02 and I about lost my mind.  The XB12X is still the most fun I've had on a motorcycle.  I loved Buell's because of the Thunderstorm motor, not in spite of the motor.  The Buell 1203 and the Triumph 1050 are the best street motors IMHO.

[psycho1122]

There appears to be a common theme to the motorcycles featured in this thread. They have a racing heritage. They become classics when the street derivative emulates the race version and some of the technology trickles down. A good friend of mine owned a Honda RC-30. This was the first motorcycle I ever saw in person and could ride that closely mimicked the actual race bike with many technical tid bits. It was "Exotic!!



A brief history.....   https://iconicmotorbikeauctions.com/auction/1990-honda-rc30-5/

I personally owned a few mention-able Kawasaki's. The first motorcycle I ever owned was a 1982 GPZ 550. A great way to learn how to street ride (I rode dirt bikes as a teenager) without spitting me off into a ditch... LOL. With a swiss cheesed air-box, jet kit and a Kerker 4 in to 1 exhaust, not only was it considerably lighter, it dyno'd at 68 HP!!



History...  https://www.cycleworld.com/story/bikes/kawasaki-gpz550-launched-the-middleweight-revolution/

A couple years later, I graduated to a 1986 GPZ 900. The "Top Gun" Motorcycle. My first experience with the hand of god pushing me. 1st motorcycle to exceed 150 MPH.



Of course, becoming a motorcyclist also increased my enthusiasm for motorcycle racing. When Gran Prix was GP (not Moto GP, which I still love to watch), the nasty 2 stroke 500's were the pinnacle. Watching the Eddie Lawson and Freddie Spencer tame them was always fascinating for sure! One machine of lore was the KR500.



https://www.bikeexif.com/kork-balington-kawasaki-kr500-two-stroke

When my 1st opportunity came to buy a true hyper sport motorcycle with racing trickle down technology, I jumped right in and put my deposit down at the dealer in September of 1999. This did not come without delays and drama. As the article below explains, initial testing in Japan showed the potential to own the 1st motorcycle to exceed 200 MPH. Well, it was not to be. Governments around the world forced the "Gentleman's Agreement" between the big 4 Japanese manufactures. After working with Doug Meyer at Muzzy's, I was able to get back what Big K took away. My personal best in top secret desert testing with Paul Dean of Cycle World magazine produced a top speed of 197 MPH, with only a Muzzy pipe and a tune from a floppy disk. LOL. But much more than that for me was the pure, high speed handling and cornering worthy of track day's with my knee down. Outstanding breaks (with the addition of billet cast iron, floating rotors), full Race Tech Suspension internals and perfect chassis geometry courtesy of Kawasaki made this big stick a joy to wield with comfort to ride all day. The addition of a 1270 cc J&E piston kit that raised compression to 13.8:1 (no base gasket), cleaned up (not ported) intake ports and degree'd cams yielded some serious power from the compact engine. 202 RWHP / 111 ft. lb. TQ. Not to mention the 8% the KHI Ram Air would add. Not that I am a Jay Gleason or Ricky Gadson jockey type, my personal best in the 1/4 mile is 9.89 @ 152 MPH. Still have it, still love it.



https://www.topspeed.com/secrets-behind-the-kawasaki-ninja-zx-12r/

Cheers Guys!!




 

[SteveFord]

Wow, 197!!!
That's even faster than my Triumph 250 going over a cliff...

I agree, the Buells are under appreciated.
I was working at a dealership when the XBs first came out and owned a blue XB9R and then put 135,000 miles on an 06 Ulysses before I finally had enough of ride/repair due to parts simply wearing out. 
The guy I sold it to was thrilled, he called up the next day and wanted to know what engine work I did but to it was just a piston/cylinder at 93,000 miles, new lifters and I put the race kit on it during the initial prep.

[FullRangeMan]

Norton Interpol 2
Production 1984–89
Felix Wankel engine 588cc 85bhp air-cooled twin-rotor.

[FullRangeMan]

Norton Commando 961 Classic

[AllanS]

There appears to be a common theme to the motorcycles featured in this thread. They have a racing heritage. They become classics when the street derivative emulates the race version and some of the technology trickles down. A good friend of mine owned a Honda RC-30. This was the first motorcycle I ever saw in person and could ride that closely mimicked the actual race bike with many technical tid bits. It was "Exotic!!

I personally owned a few mention-able Kawasaki's. The first motorcycle I ever owned was a 1982 GPZ 550.

I’m questioning (and intentionally avoiding asking Gemini) what it takes to be considered a classic.  Is one person’s opinion or experience enough? 

In any case I see your reasoning reflected in many bikes.  I definitely consider the gen 5 VFR a classic - one of many short list bikes I got to ride but never owned.

One thing I miss is the smaller displacement I4 like your GPZ500 or CB400/4 Supersport.

[nlitworld]

In car terms, generally 25years, and they fit in the "classic" definition. Specifically useful for importing cars that never were tested through US safety standards like Nissan GTR. But the 25yr classic rule would also apply to the 90s Ford Exploders, so do take that term loosely... 

[SteveFord]

The older Japanese bikes are starting to command high prices.
The Kawasaki Z1, for instance:
https://bringatrailer.com/kawasaki/z1-z1-r/

[psycho1122]

The older Japanese bikes are starting to command high prices.
The Kawasaki Z1, for instance:
https://bringatrailer.com/kawasaki/z1-z1-r/

THIS machine was impressive in a scary way. My Kawasaki dealer owner back in Wisconsin owned one of these. It could run high 10's in the 1/4 and had 130 H.P. It accelerated like the Space Shuttle. However! It had a chassis that could barely handle it. It flexed and wobbled. The brakes could barely slow it down from ballistic speeds. Very spooky! The gas tank got the nick name "The Coffin" for a reason.