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Quote from: Trigger on January 06, 2017, 09:53:21 AMVery interesting Roy, but I have restored and sold a lot of these bikes over the years and not one of those customers had that bike when they were younger. All my customers just like the look of the classic bike and answer me this, why are people going out and buying Harleys, when they never had them when they were younger ?Do people go out and buy a 400 year old painting because they had one when they were younger Like the man said Trig, these were the aspirational bikes back in their youth that maybe they couldn't afford, or parents wouldn't allow? Plus how many young (under 25) people come and buy a 500/4. The point he makes is that although its a strong market right now, the customers are mainly aged people that wont remain long term. After that the classic scene (for motorcycles) is finished. This was his view not mine I should point out.
Very interesting Roy, but I have restored and sold a lot of these bikes over the years and not one of those customers had that bike when they were younger. All my customers just like the look of the classic bike and answer me this, why are people going out and buying Harleys, when they never had them when they were younger ?Do people go out and buy a 400 year old painting because they had one when they were younger
Anybody want to but a Honda 400/4 550K3 or a Kawasaki Z650 As I am going to live to be 120 but have no job
Quote from: paul gledhill on January 06, 2017, 04:51:27 PMAnybody want to but a Honda 400/4 550K3 or a Kawasaki Z650 As I am going to live to be 120 but have no job I will give you 99p for your 400/4 Paul
Quote from: Trigger on January 06, 2017, 06:46:54 PMQuote from: paul gledhill on January 06, 2017, 04:51:27 PMAnybody want to but a Honda 400/4 550K3 or a Kawasaki Z650 As I am going to live to be 120 but have no job I will give you 99p for your 400/4 Paul Dont do it Paul, I will give you two quid.
Quote from: royhall on January 06, 2017, 08:06:21 PMQuote from: Trigger on January 06, 2017, 06:46:54 PMQuote from: paul gledhill on January 06, 2017, 04:51:27 PMAnybody want to but a Honda 400/4 550K3 or a Kawasaki Z650 As I am going to live to be 120 but have no job I will give you 99p for your 400/4 Paul Dont do it Paul, I will give you two quid. That is going to stretch Triggers wallet
I had a short discussion yesterday with the manager in my local bike shop about the merits of classic bike ownership. As he put a different spin on things, I thought I would share it as a discussion point on the forum.He is of the firm opinion that owning classic bikes such as ours is the worst financial investment for the future that anyone could make.He points out that since I started on bikes in 1975 at the age of 16, that the bikes we have in our collections today, were back then aspirational. And let’s be honest, who in 1975 didn’t want a Z1. As my age group gets older and dies off, the younger generation will want the bikes that were aspirational to them such as Ducati 916 etc. Therefore there will be many of the bikes we think as classics for sale and the prices will plummet.He also points out that very few youngsters are getting into motorbikes these days so there will be far fewer customers for our classics anyway. That’s a point that most of us can verify, the Isle of Man boat to the Classic TT is like a Saga Cruise. He thinks the reasons for this are many, but mainly due to legislation and the fact that teenagers are no longer around motorcycles to the extent that we were. Back then many people owned a bike for transport to work as cars were not yet affordable. He thinks that is why my age group still want Triumphs as that’s what our fathers and uncles rode, again aspirational.He must believe what he says as this shop did have a few restored classics around that have now been sold off. On that point he thinks that most regular classics of the 60/70’s era have found their price ceiling and it is a good time to sell them off whilst there are still loads of customers around.In my opinion he makes a few fair points, but as a major dealer he is probably only looking at the financial aspects. What price can you put on the enjoyment and interest they provide in the years up to our demise. Plus a lot of our collections wouldn’t be sold whatever, as we can’t stand to see them go. So who cares about the value after were gone?What do you guys think?