Motorcycle Investor mag

What's happening

Influential designs on show in Qld, Feb 28

Probably well worth a trip to Brisbane, later in the year.

Classic-looking boxer outfit on the market, Feb 27

BMW R100S Steib outfit

Nice-looking outfit for sale - BMW R100S and Steib replica:
https://www.facebook.com/ marketplace/item/ 516095952356526/

Bana to shoot Hailwood movie, Jan 26

Eric Bana Mike Hailwood

Australian actor Eric Bana is to direct and star in a biopic of the late great Mike Hailwood. See the story at InfoMoto.

Huge money for 1999 Honda Z50s in crate, Feb 24

Honda Z50s in crate

A pair of still-crated 1999 Honda Z50Rs has just sold for US$16,700 - Au$25,300. More here at Barnfinds.com.

Triumph moves more production to Thailand, Feb 22

triumph motorcycle production

This has implications for the long-term market prospects of Hinckley build Triumphs.
Collectors are always on the hunt for something that separates one model from another, so Hinckley-built (rather than Thai-built) will become a distinguishing point.
It may well make perfect business sense to shift production to an even greater extent than it has already, but that’s not a major consideration for collectors. See the UK Motorcycle news story.

Was Norton a con? Feb 18

Norton commando 961

A big question, and it's a serious one proposed by Superbike magazine in the UK. This extensive feature lays out a litany of suspect dealings.

Big result for Suzuki RGV250, Feb 18

Suzuki RGV250

A 1990 Suzuki RGV250 dressed up in Lucky Strike GP livery and bearing a Kevin Schwantz signature sticker hit an impressive $20,500 at last night's Shannons auction. That was well above estimate, which topped out closer to $15,000, and probably represents a benchmark for the model.

The result fits with a wider trend of climbing values for two-stroke sport bikes, though whether this was the result of two very determined bidders going head-to-head or a bigger phenomenon is yet to be seen.

Suzuki RGV profile; Kevin Schwantz profile.

Suzuki RGV250

Police Hondas, Feb 15

Honda police motorcycle

Here's something you don't see every day - a brochure for 1970s police model Honda fours, in 750 and 550 guise.

In addition to all the lights and sirens, the solo saddles were the norm, while the 750 boasted a (for the time) fat 4.50 rear tyre and heavy duty O-ring drive chain. Weight for the 750 climbed to a substantial 274kg dry.

Read this USA owner's story on one of these.

Honda police motorcycle

Peter Stevens Elizabeth St sold, Feb 15

peter stevens elizabeth street

Melbourne's Elizabeth Street motorcycle precinct is to dwindle dratically in coming years, as major retailer Peter Stevens has sold its landmark building. It will lease the premises in the medium term, but redevelopment seems inevitable. See this story from The Age newspaper (pic: theage.com.au).

Royal Enfield 650 twins, Feb 9

royal enfield 650 twins

Royal Enfield 650 twins - was playing with them over the weekend - a compelling pair. Look for the upcoming story in Motorcycle Trader mag. RE 650 homepage.

Getting value for money, Feb 7

tom miller BMW R80GS

We liked this post by UK rider Tom Miller, posted to the BMW airhead feed on Facebook: 30 years ago today I passed my motorcycle test and rode straight to BMW Park Lane and bought this BMW R80GS. I’ve ridden it around Britain several times, to the a south of France three times. I’ve come off it on more than one occasion. It’s now done over 118,000 miles and in spite of the mayor of London trying his hardest to stop me riding it in London, I still have it and it’s still going strong and I love it. The best £4200 I’ve ever spent.

Tinker's Circus, Feb 3

Neil Tinker MV Agusta

A lovely piece by Don Cox and published by Australian Motorcycle News.
See his book Circus Life, about Aussies on the European GP gypsy trail in the fifties.

Slick Suzuki, Feb 2

Suzuki GS1000E