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Shops that specialize in "old" bikes

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WheelieWonka said:
First step then is to get a bike I like in good condition. Any advice on this? I assume inventory will start picking up once Spring starts but sellers might try to cash in on the Spring excitement, everybody wants to be back on the road, and I assume prices will be high and quality will be a crap shoot.

Shall I wait or it will be the same any sunny month? Where do people like to buy bikes privately here, Kijiji, Autotrader, Facebook Marketplace, this forum, other?

I am not new to bikes but I am new to riding them in Ontario.
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If you know the models you're interested in I'd start looking now. The CVMG online classifieds are a good place to keep an eye on and of course Kijiji and Facebook. Autotrader is mostly newer bikes in my experience but you never know.

Perhaps check out the Vintage Road Racing Association (VRRA) as well. They have a classified section on their forum as well.

www.vrra.ca

Home - Vintage Road Racing Association

Quinte TT About The Vintage Road Racing Association is Canada’s classic and vintage road racing organization and is the oldest such organization in North America. It was founded in 1980 by a group of enthusiasts who wanted to get their treasured machines back on the track. Their purpose: to...
www.vrra.ca
 
WheelieWonka said:
@AFJ, sorry if this question sounds naive but: what goes on in these swap meets? What do people swap/sell?

Is is mostly just to meet and hang out with other members? Swap parts? Sell bikes? Show them off?
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The CVMG rally in Paris is great. I've been going since it was in Welland.

The swap meet aspect is spread around the fair grounds. If you know what you're looking for (and at) it's a great source. As AJ says, more and more you see Japanese bikes from 60's into the 90's brought for showing etc. Lots of bikes in various condition, and tons of parts also in varying condition.

It's a great place to go to, especially if you can ride there. Highly recommended if you like old, rare or unusual bikes.
 
Thanks everybody for the help.

My next question following the thought process here is: what rules, regulations and processes do I need to be aware of when owning a vehicle that might be 15~20 years old? I assume there has to be some regular roadworthiness/legality certification and some insurance peculiarities. I've done some google research and haven't found much trustworthy information.

I specially want to know if finding a place that certifies roadworthiness or that insures older bikes is hard to find in Toronto.
 
WheelieWonka said:
Thanks everybody for the help.

My next question following the thought process here is: what rules, regulations and processes do I need to be aware of when owning a vehicle that might be 15~20 years old? I assume there has to be some regular roadworthiness/legality certification and some insurance peculiarities. I've done some google research and haven't found much trustworthy information.

I specially want to know if finding a place that certifies roadworthiness or that insures older bikes is hard to find in Toronto.
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Once the vehicle is certified (not a huge issue as it only has to comply with what it had at manufacture), you can keep it forever without needing anymore certifications/inspections. If the next owner wants it on the road, there would need to be another certification. Shouldn't be hard to find a shop to write the certificate as long as it is reasonably stock. If it has been modified, it may be harder but that comment applies to a one year old bike as well.

15-20 isn't that old. Some insurance companies may not want to write policies but at long as it has a 17 digit vin (~1981+), it shouldn't be too hard to find some that will.
 
Awesome.

Shocker to learn there is no regular roadworthiness certification here (which explains why I couldn't find much), but at the same time I see rolling potatoes in Europe way more often than here. Maybe here it isn't needed.

A new certification when ownership changes makes sense for accountability. Plus responsible people will have a pro do a check up anyway.
 
xrljoel said:
The CVMG rally in Paris is great. I've been going since it was in Welland.

The swap meet aspect is spread around the fair grounds. If you know what you're looking for (and at) it's a great source. As AJ says, more and more you see Japanese bikes from 60's into the 90's brought for showing etc. Lots of bikes in various condition, and tons of parts also in varying condition.

It's a great place to go to, especially if you can ride there. Highly recommended if you like old, rare or unusual bikes.
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GreyGhost said:
Once the vehicle is certified (not a huge issue as it only has to comply with what it had at manufacture), you can keep it forever without needing anymore certifications/inspections. If the next owner wants it on the road, there would need to be another certification. Shouldn't be hard to find a shop to write the certificate as long as it is reasonably stock. If it has been modified, it may be harder but that comment applies to a one year old bike as well.

15-20 isn't that old. Some insurance companies may not want to write policies but at long as it has a 17 digit vin (~1981+), it shouldn't be too hard to find some that will.
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Hello again all.

I found a 1998 ZX7R in great condition in Newmarket. The temptation grows. :)


I messaged my insurance broker at Desjardins (I got my Striple RS with them) and they gave me a quote of over 200 dollars a month. The temptation shrinks. :(

Anybody recommends a different insurance provider? Last year I called TD since I have my car with them and their quote was higher than Desjardins. I understand the ZX7R is considered a high risk motorcycle because it is a fully faired sport bike, but it's comical that the insurance on it is much higher than a 2022 naked sports bike with 20 more bhp.
 
WheelieWonka said:
Hello again all.

I found a 1998 ZX7R in great condition in Newmarket. The temptation grows. :)


I messaged my insurance broker at Desjardins (I got my Striple RS with them) and they gave me a quote of over 200 dollars a month. The temptation shrinks. :(

Anybody recommends a different insurance provider? Last year I called TD since I have my car with them and their quote was higher than Desjardins. I understand the ZX7R is considered a high risk motorcycle because it is a fully faired sport bike, but it's comical that the insurance on it is much higher than a 2022 naked sports bike with 20 more bhp.
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It's based on statistics. Likely too many people filing claims on the ZX7R vs your shiny new model.
 
I understand it is based on statistic. I agree they are.

Those statistics are a self-fulfilling prophecy with selection bias though. Insurance rates are so high that few people get motorcycles. You remove the people that would get them due to convenience or price, and you end up with an overrepresentation of people who might ride a bit more dangerously.

As an example, the same motorcycle in Europe or the USA is cheaper to insure. Same statistics formula but different input data. The feedback loop hasn't filtered out anybody who isn't willing to pay $2k a year in insurance. So in European cities you have many people use motorcycles 90% as a commuter vehicle and the ocasional weekend joy ride. Those people get in less accidents. Insurance rates are lower. Insurance companies have more customers. Less traffic in rush hour. Car drivers expect small vehicles more and look out for them. Everybody wins.

Maybe it's the fact that we can't ride for 4 months a year here where there is an other filter happening too. In warmer climates some people have their motorcycles as their primary/only vehicle. Here it's impossible. So those who get a toy vehicle might be a bit more spirited in their driving.
 
WheelieWonka said:
I understand it is based on statistic. I agree they are.

Those statistics are a self-fulfilling prophecy with selection bias though. Insurance rates are so high that few people get motorcycles. You remove the people that would get them due to convenience or price, and you end up with an overrepresentation of people who might ride a bit more dangerously.

As an example, the same motorcycle in Europe or the USA is cheaper to insure. Same statistics formula but different input data. The feedback loop hasn't filtered out anybody who isn't willing to pay $2k a year in insurance. So in European cities you have many people use motorcycles 90% as a commuter vehicle and the ocasional weekend joy ride. Those people get in less accidents. Insurance rates are lower. Insurance companies have more customers. Less traffic in rush hour. Car drivers expect small vehicles more and look out for them. Everybody wins.

Maybe it's the fact that we can't ride for 4 months a year here where there is an other filter happening too. In warmer climates some people have their motorcycles as their primary/only vehicle. Here it's impossible. So those who get a toy vehicle might be a bit more spirited in their driving.
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What we haven't touched on is why people in Europe 'may' get in less accidents. I would say it probably starts with training and licensing requirements. What companies here could look into is providing additional 'discounts' for people who take advanced rider training. However we're already in a cart before the horse environment with insurance, would they give up the profits for the potential reduction in pay outs? I dunno.

As i recall the U.S. pays less, but they also get less for the money.
 
WheelieWonka said:
I understand it is based on statistic. I agree they are.

Those statistics are a self-fulfilling prophecy with selection bias though. Insurance rates are so high that few people get motorcycles. You remove the people that would get them due to convenience or price, and you end up with an overrepresentation of people who might ride a bit more dangerously.

As an example, the same motorcycle in Europe or the USA is cheaper to insure. Same statistics formula but different input data. The feedback loop hasn't filtered out anybody who isn't willing to pay $2k a year in insurance. So in European cities you have many people use motorcycles 90% as a commuter vehicle and the ocasional weekend joy ride. Those people get in less accidents. Insurance rates are lower. Insurance companies have more customers. Less traffic in rush hour. Car drivers expect small vehicles more and look out for them. Everybody wins.

Maybe it's the fact that we can't ride for 4 months a year here where the filter happens too. In warmer climates some people have their motorcycles as their primary/only vehicle. Here it's impossible. So those who get a toy vehicle might be a bit more spirited in their driving.
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Unfortunately there is no sense in comparing to Europe or US of MAGA. The insurance world is far different there for many reasons.

Your best bet is to call as many insurance companies as possible or enlist a broker to do it for you, if that is the bike you really want.

Another option would be to pony up for a newer bike that isn’t penalized so harshly.


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app
 
Evoex said:
What companies here could look into is providing additional 'discounts' for people who take advanced rider training.
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100%

I informed my current insurance provider that I have signed up for an advanced trainer course with RTI, and they basically said it will not change my rate. Strange. It would be a great incentive to have more people that these safety courses.

SVeezy said:
Another option would be to pony up for a newer bike that isn’t penalized so harshly.
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I already did that :D My main motorcycle is a 2022 Street Triple RS. The quote that shocked me was the one for a 1998 ZX7R, which was %20 higher than the Triumph.
 
WheelieWonka said:
100%

I informed my current insurance provider that I have signed up for an advanced trainer course with RTI, and they basically said it will not change my rate. Strange. It would be a great incentive to have more people that these safety courses.



I already did that :D My main motorcycle is a 2022 Street Triple RS. The quote that shocked me was the one for a 1998 ZX7R, which was %20 higher than the Triumph.
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Insurance basically requires at least one training course (insurance without it is crazy expensive) but values every additional course at zero as you already had the box checked. Like claims, it probably makes sense that the checkmark fades over time so a course every 3 or 5 years is required to keep the best rate. Afaik, none do that.
 
That ZX7 will be a torture rack on the street. I too watched and enjoyed the latest vids from 44 teeth, i would probably look at something different as a classic purchase though.
 
Jayv said:
That ZX7 will be a torture rack on the street. I too watched and enjoyed the latest vids from 44teeth, i would probably look at something different as a classic purchase though.
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Torture rack because of the aggressive lean forward or the stiff suspension?

Anything in particular you recommend.
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