Top Gun bike wasn't even a Ninja, it was a GPZ 900R.
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Nominate Future Collectible Motorcycles
- Thread starter Redrock
- Start date
Another note, bikes such as the Honda NR750, Ducati Desmo, MH900 were built as limited production collector bikes. They were collectible out of the factory, they didn't need to gain collectible status so I wouldn't count those.
Insurance difference would be negligible. The 350 twin has a wider appeal because it's smaller and lighter, chicks dig it.
I nominate:
Yamaha Vision (XZ550)
1982-1983 (N.Amer.)
552cc
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia:
The XZ550 was the first Yamaha model to feature automotive-style downdraft carburetors with the air cleaner box mounted atop the carburetors, as opposed to most motorcycles' sidedraft carburetors with their side-mounted air cleaners. While downdraft carburetors flow air into the engine more efficiently than sidedraft carburetors, the height of the carburetors and their airbox required Yamaha to design a large tunnel into the bottom of the gas tank. While the tank holds 17 liters(4.5 gallons) of fuel, it looks much larger thanks to the tunnel and suggests that the bike is top-heavy, which it is not.
The XZ550 has a water-cooled engine. At the time, most water-cooled motorcycle engines had fins, intended to suggest the cooling fins on air-cooled engines, cast into their cylinder heads. While fins are absolutely necessary on an air-cooled engine — they increase the surface area of the head, hence improve cooling—they serve no function on a water-cooled engine. By leaving the fins off the XZ550's engine, it simplified the engine's manufacturing process, reduced the amount of metal needed to make the cylinders, and lowered the cost of the engine without affecting its functionality.
The Yamaha Vision was originally conceived in the late 1970s when motorcycling was at its peak, and spent three years in development, being overseen by a small group of designers and enthusiasts rather than "committee think". Several high profile external design houses contributed to the design of the XZ550 including GK Design Associates for design, and reputedly Cosworth for the engine and Porsche for the final drive. The initial models were designed to be a performance bike and GK's goal was "to make it into the most advanced super sport bike in terms of both styling and riding performance" The XZ550 succeeded on both fronts, its comfort on long rides and veritable torque-monster engine matched by its distinctive deep V-Twin exhaust beat and neck-snapping performance. Sales were poor and it was not until the bike was re-invented as a touring bike in 1983 that sales picked up, although not enough to see the bike surviving. The bike was considered "rather B.M.W.-like", in reference to its touring credentials, and "the most European motorcycle from Japan in recent memory."
Unfortunately, producing an entirely new product from scratch is never without initial problems, and the Vision suffered from a few. An off-idle carburetion quirk, known as the "Vision stumble", meant the first year machines were prone to initial stuttering on part and full-throttle takeoff. The "Vision stumble" problem, after months of research, was finally solved by racer Marc Salvisberg, who later started Factory Pro Tuning. The problem, it seemed, wasn't a Yamaha development problem at all, but was actually a lean spot, just off idle, caused by what appeared to be residual casting sand that filled the "off-idle" bleed holes at the throttle butterfly plate in the "Weber style" Mikuni carb. That information was immediately relayed to Yamaha U.S., where it was relayed to Japan and verified. The 1983 models carbureted essentially flawlessly.
In the 1982 model, lightning quick steering was considered too extreme for some, though was highly appreciated by sporting riders. The weight distribution was 55/45 and the lightly loaded front end benefited from the installation of a slightly larger than usual front tire. The front suspension was described as too soft, the rear, even with an adjustable shock, difficult to dial in. On the electrical side, the Vision had "a well deserved reputation for eating starters and stators."
The US 1983 model Vision fixed most of the faults, with an "improved" carburetor eliminating the "stumble", air adjustable front forks firming up the ride and improving the roadholding. A full fairing, with adjustable hot and cold air vents, effectively shielded the rider. With the improved carburetor and minor internal adjustments, the engine's strengths became apparent: it had enormous torque at all revs, and would pull from idle in top gear. Despite the 10,000 R.P.M. redline, the oversquare bore and short stroke kept the piston speed low, with the result that the engine always sounded relaxed, even at peak revs. The exhaust note has been compared to that of a Ferrari Testarossa (which came out several years later.) With its unique "hang support" frame, whereby the engine is suspended beneath the frame for lighter weight, the Vision's performance and roadholding were far ahead of its time. Unfortunately, so too was the cost. The motorcycling boom of the Seventies was already receding before the XZ550 hit the showroom floors, and rival motorcycle companies offered cheaper motorcycles without the quirks. The model was discontinued from sale in the U.S. in 1983, though it maintains cult status online. In current times, the XZ550 has been found to be one of the easiest motorcycles to modify to the owner's personal taste. There are "bobbers", full touring bikes, cafe racers, and general sport bikes in all areas of the world. The online forum for the Vision,www.ridersofvision.net, is a very informative and most complete location for finding repair information, rider help, ride reports and information known to this date.
Yamaha Vision (XZ550)
1982-1983 (N.Amer.)
552cc
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia:
The XZ550 was the first Yamaha model to feature automotive-style downdraft carburetors with the air cleaner box mounted atop the carburetors, as opposed to most motorcycles' sidedraft carburetors with their side-mounted air cleaners. While downdraft carburetors flow air into the engine more efficiently than sidedraft carburetors, the height of the carburetors and their airbox required Yamaha to design a large tunnel into the bottom of the gas tank. While the tank holds 17 liters(4.5 gallons) of fuel, it looks much larger thanks to the tunnel and suggests that the bike is top-heavy, which it is not.
The XZ550 has a water-cooled engine. At the time, most water-cooled motorcycle engines had fins, intended to suggest the cooling fins on air-cooled engines, cast into their cylinder heads. While fins are absolutely necessary on an air-cooled engine — they increase the surface area of the head, hence improve cooling—they serve no function on a water-cooled engine. By leaving the fins off the XZ550's engine, it simplified the engine's manufacturing process, reduced the amount of metal needed to make the cylinders, and lowered the cost of the engine without affecting its functionality.
The Yamaha Vision was originally conceived in the late 1970s when motorcycling was at its peak, and spent three years in development, being overseen by a small group of designers and enthusiasts rather than "committee think". Several high profile external design houses contributed to the design of the XZ550 including GK Design Associates for design, and reputedly Cosworth for the engine and Porsche for the final drive. The initial models were designed to be a performance bike and GK's goal was "to make it into the most advanced super sport bike in terms of both styling and riding performance" The XZ550 succeeded on both fronts, its comfort on long rides and veritable torque-monster engine matched by its distinctive deep V-Twin exhaust beat and neck-snapping performance. Sales were poor and it was not until the bike was re-invented as a touring bike in 1983 that sales picked up, although not enough to see the bike surviving. The bike was considered "rather B.M.W.-like", in reference to its touring credentials, and "the most European motorcycle from Japan in recent memory."
Unfortunately, producing an entirely new product from scratch is never without initial problems, and the Vision suffered from a few. An off-idle carburetion quirk, known as the "Vision stumble", meant the first year machines were prone to initial stuttering on part and full-throttle takeoff. The "Vision stumble" problem, after months of research, was finally solved by racer Marc Salvisberg, who later started Factory Pro Tuning. The problem, it seemed, wasn't a Yamaha development problem at all, but was actually a lean spot, just off idle, caused by what appeared to be residual casting sand that filled the "off-idle" bleed holes at the throttle butterfly plate in the "Weber style" Mikuni carb. That information was immediately relayed to Yamaha U.S., where it was relayed to Japan and verified. The 1983 models carbureted essentially flawlessly.
In the 1982 model, lightning quick steering was considered too extreme for some, though was highly appreciated by sporting riders. The weight distribution was 55/45 and the lightly loaded front end benefited from the installation of a slightly larger than usual front tire. The front suspension was described as too soft, the rear, even with an adjustable shock, difficult to dial in. On the electrical side, the Vision had "a well deserved reputation for eating starters and stators."
The US 1983 model Vision fixed most of the faults, with an "improved" carburetor eliminating the "stumble", air adjustable front forks firming up the ride and improving the roadholding. A full fairing, with adjustable hot and cold air vents, effectively shielded the rider. With the improved carburetor and minor internal adjustments, the engine's strengths became apparent: it had enormous torque at all revs, and would pull from idle in top gear. Despite the 10,000 R.P.M. redline, the oversquare bore and short stroke kept the piston speed low, with the result that the engine always sounded relaxed, even at peak revs. The exhaust note has been compared to that of a Ferrari Testarossa (which came out several years later.) With its unique "hang support" frame, whereby the engine is suspended beneath the frame for lighter weight, the Vision's performance and roadholding were far ahead of its time. Unfortunately, so too was the cost. The motorcycling boom of the Seventies was already receding before the XZ550 hit the showroom floors, and rival motorcycle companies offered cheaper motorcycles without the quirks. The model was discontinued from sale in the U.S. in 1983, though it maintains cult status online. In current times, the XZ550 has been found to be one of the easiest motorcycles to modify to the owner's personal taste. There are "bobbers", full touring bikes, cafe racers, and general sport bikes in all areas of the world. The online forum for the Vision,www.ridersofvision.net, is a very informative and most complete location for finding repair information, rider help, ride reports and information known to this date.
"The 1984 GPZ900R was the first Kawasaki bike to be officially marketed (in North America) under the Ninja brand name"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_GPZ900R
Just google GPZ900R for similar answers
What are they asking for it?
Sportster XR1200. HD dealers had a hard time selling these. Appealed to neither the cruiser or sportbike crowd. As with many poor selling bikes, may end up being a sought after collectible, give or take a few decades.
Totally agree, it will be collector.
here is my list, totally bias and very subjective.
- everything in the early 2000s during the famous 1000cc v-twin vs 750cc I4 battles (RC51, Mille, Ducati 916-998, ZX7RR, GSXR SARD)
- Aprilia RS125 (or basically any Aprilia sportbikes in 2 strokes.. hack, anything in 2-strokes thats not a dirt bike)
- Ninja 250 from 2000 - 2002, the one with aluminum frame. (only if manufacturer don't start producing super sporty 250s agressively)
- Busa up to 07, in stock pure stock form (There will be tons of busa, but not so many that haven't been chrome out or stretched)
- VFR up to early 2000s, as well as the Interceptor/Magna/Sabre. basically anything honda made with a v4
- v-max (the old one)
- ducati SuperSport (anything with end with ss. 750, 900, 1000. too many people looking at the 916 series but forget about those little gems)
Thats all i can think of now...
How bout a two stroke running castor bean oil? Mmmmmmmm!Yamaha RD 350
Nothing sounds better or smells better than a two stroke.....
socially distorted
Well-known member
++++ on the Yamaha MT-01 suggestion
kruzuki
Well-known member
-Pre-80's Suzuki GS's - plenty of junkers out there now, but a pristine one is a real attention getter. The GS1000S is already a collectible.
-Triumph Thunderbird Sport - one of their first 'new' bikes when they revived the company.
-This year's Triumph Bonneville Steve McQueen edition - I'll bet there are probably a few put away in storage without being ridden.
-Most Buells
And...(forgive me) although I personally think they are unrideable abominations, anything built by OCC, because they pioneered the recent stupid TV-show custom chopper trend which I hope has died out.
In fact, based on this, I'm sure some of the 'big name' builder's (i.e. Billy Lane, Roland Sands, and all those other Biker Build-off guys) bikes will become collectible becasuse of their association with their builders.
-Triumph Thunderbird Sport - one of their first 'new' bikes when they revived the company.
-This year's Triumph Bonneville Steve McQueen edition - I'll bet there are probably a few put away in storage without being ridden.
-Most Buells
And...(forgive me) although I personally think they are unrideable abominations, anything built by OCC, because they pioneered the recent stupid TV-show custom chopper trend which I hope has died out.
In fact, based on this, I'm sure some of the 'big name' builder's (i.e. Billy Lane, Roland Sands, and all those other Biker Build-off guys) bikes will become collectible becasuse of their association with their builders.
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againstmaturity
Member
Ahhh, the CB1!!! My very first bike back in '96 Terrific bike, and lots of fun!
Venom01
Well-known member
1989 Honda GB500, already collectible. So rare, few have heard of it.
1993 Yamaha GTS1000.
I was going to bring that one up but you beat me to it. I would love a ride on one. I read it takes all the bumps and shimmy's out of the corner. So smooth in it's handling that tester said it felt weird and kind of spooky.
Venom01
Well-known member
What about the CB1100R? Very limited numbers but was sold to the public. From what I read Honda did so only to loophole a rule in a certain race division I think?
I can't post it's picture here for some reason here's a link
http://www.eskimo.com/~carcosa/cbphoto.jpg
in that respects what about the CB1100F? I think it was only sold for a year? That might just be in Canada though.
http://viciouscycle.com/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/cb1100f.jpg
P.s. I want BOTH along with a CB900F and an old CB400 four. My Honda CB collection would be awesome with those.
I can't post it's picture here for some reason here's a link
http://www.eskimo.com/~carcosa/cbphoto.jpg
in that respects what about the CB1100F? I think it was only sold for a year? That might just be in Canada though.
http://viciouscycle.com/wordpress1/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/cb1100f.jpg
P.s. I want BOTH along with a CB900F and an old CB400 four. My Honda CB collection would be awesome with those.
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One of our company attorneys worked with McQueen family and Triumph on this project. As part of the deal he got bike #0000 and #2. I can't repost pics as they are his personal but both bikes have actual plates which say "STEVE McQUEEN NUMBER 0000" and "STEVE McQUEEN NUMBER 2". He sent detailed email to our riding distribution list with very cool pics. There will be a documentary about the bike and you will see #2 in it
Suzuki Katana GSX750S
I will have one, even if I have to fly out to Japan and pick it up myself.
Britten V-1000
Oh yeah, I totally forgot about those. Good addition vdubblues. I knew there was a reason why I posted this thread
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