Thinking about getting into bikes a bit more now that the vintage cars are so expensive. I've also regretted not buying some relatively special vehicles when they were new (and cheap). Is there a motorcycle out there that is really special and worth considering as a new purchase? Something handmade, rare, technically advanced and "special"? It has to be stunningly beautiful so BMWs and most Japanese bikes will not do. I'd like to consider something Italian unless there is something else bespoke or unusual out there and worth considering. MV Agusta Dragster RR Benelli Moto Guzzi Thanks, LSJ
OP wants something "Something handmade, rare, technically advanced and "special"?". those fit the bill. (technically advanced maybe not )
Harley Night Rod. But seriously though they are rare, very bad ass to look at, and they run pretty well too. I have owned most bike makes and the Night Rod's still to this day attracted the most attention out of all of my bikes.
I'm assuming that never operated, never ridden, 0 mile/kilometer machines from the past do not count as "new" in your world. In which case the answer is no.
A nice minty Desmosedici RR? You won't be able to buy one new of course but they are collectible already and a beautiful piece of machinery.
If your goal is to not lose money, forget new anything. All will suffer depreciation. Not to disparage any of the brands you listed, but none of them fit all of your criteria. Guzzi is not technologically advanced, same with Benelli. MV comes the closest of the three. Benellis haven't been sold in the US for several years, but will be coming back later this year with a new US distributor. Likely though it will be the smaller Chinese bikes rather than the larger triples made in Italy and still sold in some markets. So, if you want new Italian and don't mind losing money in precipitous depreciation there are a few models that are pretty cool. Ducati XDiavel S (will be arriving shortly) Bimota...well...any model Aprilia RSV4R-FW. Basically Aprilia will build you anything up to their full 230 hp World Superbike spec machine, just bring money. Ducati doesn't do this unless you have a race team, then the RS model is a step behind what they have for the factory machines. Honda RC213V-S. Look it up is you don't know what this is, the most exotic machine sold today by a mile (only the H2R below is comparable) edit Kawasaki H2R: forgot about this one because I'm not in the market for a track-only supercharged 300hp machine sold without warranty that can do over 200 mph (stock) and whose carbon fiber winglets cost almost $3000 each to replace. Don't knock it over! If you want used or classic you shouldn't lose much money on, there are literally hundreds of choices to fit any budget or age, and not nearly all are Italian. Under $20k Ducati 1098R Ducati MH900e Ducati 916 Ducati 900 Superlight Moto Guzzi LeMans I or II Laverda Jota Benelli 900 sei Bimota YB11/SB6/SB6R MV F4 Tamburini/Oro/Mamba BSA Gold Star Suzuki RG500 Gamma $20k-$50k Ducati 900SS (bevel) Ducati Desmosedici RR Bimota Tesi Honda RC30 Honda RC45 Yamaha R7 MV F4 Claudio Castiglioni $50k+ Honda NR750 Vincent Black Shadow Brough Superior SS100 Ducati 750SS (round case bevel) Harley-Davidson VR1000 And finally if you want old bikes and don't care if you lose money, just copy what I do and buy what you like (often oddball machines) then realize when it comes time to sell that no one else wants it
holy cow...hadn't heard of that... WANT. REVEALED: 2016 Honda RC213V-S Street-Legal MotoGP Replica Racebike: Our Tech Editor provides many details about Honda?s new $184,000 street-legal MotoGP replica.
If you can believe this, the version sold in the US, to meet sound and exhaust emission rules, only makes 101 hp. The stock ECU's redline is ridiculously low, but it is legal. They then sell a full power kit that includes some CF doodads, exhaust, and ECU for $14k or something that takes it up to the full 212 hp and a redline around 14,000. Here's the thing, Honda has said they won't sell the kit to customers in the US. Countries like Germany or the UK they will. I suspect many of the RC213V-S will be sold in the US, and I also suspect in roughly 100% of those cases there will be an airline passenger returning from Europe with an exhaust system in his checked baggage...
Boutique Bikes, here are a few more: 11 Boutique Motorcycle Builders The Ecosse always caught my interest even though it's mostly an expensive old school naked bike.
Do you ride now? Will you be riding this bike? Have someone build you something. Radical ducati make some nice bikes.
oops. shows the last time I looked in to that. I knew they never quite got a foothold in the US. Didn't know they were gone. Too bad.
Sorry, didn't mean to come across as a smartalek. Was in a conference call and distracted. Pierobon is a company that is around and makes some very tasty custom Ducatis. Their frames are awesome. They even have a tube frame that replaces the Panigale's aluminum airbox/frame. HOME They are like Spondon or Harris of old crossed with a little NCR.
Vintage bikes or modern? Like yourself vintage cars have moved out of my collection range, I have all the cars I want except a countach which is priced out of my range, So I have been buying vintage italian motorcycles and have been having a blast, they are cheap, easy to work on and modify and beautiful to look at.
I bought a 1978 CX500 for that exact reason. For under 1k I can literally have a bike I can ride anywhere and not care about and something that still has style and flare. Now my new BMW S1000 on the other hand that was a little bit more.
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Lots of good suggestions here.. For something exotic and out of left field try Vyrus.. VYRUS - Luxury, style & high tech cast in exclusive motorcycles I believe Tom Cruise has one.. but don't let that stop you
I was expecting one or two replies but not this much discussion on a car forum. My thoughts are that I feel like I missed the opportunity to buy something that would become an instant classic over the years. I have been riding since I was younger on the dirt and have had a couple of street bikes over the past 20 yrs. I did just get one of my childhood dream bikes - Gen 1 Yamaha Vmax. It is nice to be able to scare the *&(() out of myself at any moment. I love it. I had a terrific Duc 900 SP for ten years which I liked and would like something interesting and unique to fill that Italian bike void. I'm not crazy about any of the HD based products but the Guzzi based custom looks interesting. Also, did Duc basically copy MV with their DraXster? BTW-I like the under $20k used bike list. There are lots on there that would make me happy with some tweaks. Benelli Sei Duc 750F1 Moto Guzzi Daytona Bimota DB1 I have a psychological block with spending too much over $20k for a bike though especially when there are so many great ones for less. Thanks, LSJ
