Classic bikes: A good investment?

My bike in Lisbon, not yet a classic but really awesome!

There has long been a strong following for classic cars. While the market has had its ups and downs over the years – just ask those unlucky folk who paid top dollar for Aston Martins in the 1980s – the more desirable machines are again proving to be a wise investment. Indeed, in the current economic climate, where interest rates are low making money somewhat redundant in the banks, many experts point to four areas of investment that appear to be failsafe: classic cars, vintage guitars, high-end classic watches, and the emerging market of classic motorcycles.

There is more to investing in a classic bike than simply looking for a return on investment: there is the added enjoyment of riding your purchase on the road. Furthermore, as classic bikes can be surprisingly affordable – some of the more tempting 1970s models are now considered to be reaching classic status – you can enter the game without a colossal investment. There’s no need to spend over £5,000 to get into the market with a very desirable machine; much less money spent can have the beginner enjoying the classic bike club scene in no time at all.

Recommended classic bikes

All riders have different tastes: perhaps they are looking for a road-racer or a touring bike, or something of a more vintage persuasion? Among the most popular classic bikes are the British offerings: evocative names such as the Norton Commando and Triumph Bonneville are perennial favourites, and provide excellent riding at a sensible price. The Commando is a bona-fide classic sports bike, an easy to maintain choice with great parts availability and a lively club, and will remain desirable as bikes from that era become more collectable.

The Bonneville is a legendary machine also, and one with a strong following. It was, without a doubt, the machine that ruled the supersports class of bikes in its era, and remains a much sought-after machine to this day. Again, the club presence is strong, and these are serviceable and usable machines that offer excellent performance. You are unlikely to suffer depreciation with what is an established vintage classic.

The Japanese Contenders

Many diehard vintage bike enthusiasts shy away from the Japanese contingent, but the fact is there are some serious bargains to be had when it comes to older bikes from the East. The Japanese were building quality, reliable and impressive-performing machines in the 1970s, and among them the Suzuki GT750 is gaining a reputation as a contender for classic status.

The Honda CB750 is Honda’s direct contender to the Suzuki mentioned above. This is another of the landmark machines that heralded the arrival of Japan as the world’s leading maker of performance bikes, and good examples of this already-classic machine can be had for very little money.

Whatever your choice of classic bike, insurance is a serious consideration. Bennetts Insurance is ranked as the number one provider of insurance, classic and otherwise, by bikers in the UK, and provides a comprehensive range of products and services for riders of bikes of all kinds. Visit Bennetts for further information.