Don't want to start an argument,BUT

[Jackrat]

After thinking about what Bob said a few threads back,I got to wondering,what constitutes a Real classic??
To me it doesn't have much to do with age,or country of origin.
I like to think of any bike that was at the top of the game/class during it's era as being a classic.
Like a 69 Honda CB 750 is most deffinatly a classic,So to the 68-69 Bonnie,
or the 73 Z900 Kawasaki,the 84 kawasaki ninja.
Yamahas XS1,There was no other Jap twin to touch it.
Some bikes are just OLD in my eyes and are never going to be classic no matter how old they get.yet to some, age is the defining factor.
I've always found that approach a bit odd,like as long as it's old,leaks oil and it's british,it's a classic????That includes some pretty nasty motorbikes I reckon.
Can ya' spell Francis barnet,I'm not sure I can, but I don't care they'll never be classics no matter how old they get.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Yep, mine's never going to be a classic, it was never a great bike in it's day. Nor is it particularly unique - it is fairly rare, but thats about it. OTOH, the parents R75/6 could be - a step down from the R90S, but still pretty good in it's day - top of it's class, and the R100RS similarly so.
Does that give a few ideas?

[riffer]

I like to think of any bike that was at the top of the game/class during it's era as being a classic.

I agree with you 100% on this one Jackrat.

[Warren]

*cough*Nifty fifty*cough*

[Blakamin]

Does that include the 1976 Z900? hope so, coz then I've got some classic bits sitting in OZ now!

Mind you, in 10 years the CBR400RRK nc23 might be considered a bit of a classic.
one of the best 400's of its time... "when honda got it right" I like to call it

[mangell6]

No arguments yet, the Water Bus and the RD350 of the early seventies were classics. As were the Vincents, then there were the 500 Manxs and I know stuff all about non-japanese bikes but those to me are classics.

[jrandom]

Doesn't have to be particularly old at all, I reckon.

Examples, none of 'em British:

- MVA F4 750

- ZX-7R

- XB9R

All modern classics in their own right, IMHO, and should still sell well to fans in 30 years time.

I'm not including Ducatis here, because they fall to bits before they ever have a *chance* to become classics...

[FROSTY:Me]

funny wot different people call classics.
To me the CB900 boldor and the GSX1100 are classic UJM s -
And i would still own a XJ750 as a daily commuter

[Kickaha]

I'm not including Ducatis here, because they fall to bits before they ever have a *chance* to become classics...

Ok I'll bite

I take it thats the voice of experience speaking,so just as a matter of interest what models have you owned,how many km's did you do on them and what fell off?

Could be worse you could own a FXR150 (future classic)

[jrandom]

Ok I'll bite

I take it thats the voice of experience speaking,so just as a matter of interest what models have you owned,how many km's did you do on them and what fell off?

I'm afraid it's just the voice that spends the rest of its time asking who's trip-tropping over its bridge...

Could be worse you could own a FXR150 (future classic)

Future Coke cans, more like.

[Bob]

I came up with something that got people thinking? Gosh!

My insurers definition of a classic bike is 18. Years old that is.

If you want a debate on this with a bunch of classic owners, then click here.

Be prepared for a number of 'virtual groans' though - this comes up a lot on there and there will be a few people that will get very hacked off at this debate being brought up again.

(NB. I used to post on here, but long story involving not getting on with someone and also wanting to be able to do what I do over here - which doesn't really fit a classic bike site - means I don't visit any longer. So probably mentioning my name won't get you the most sympathetic response)

[ben444]

In 15-20 years time, we will remember that japanese classic we all wanted when we were young(and old), which changed the world of 'sportbikes', the original 1992 CBR900RR Fireblade.

[bgd]

For me the Suzuki GS1000G from the early '80s is a classic. For all I know it may have been a crap bike but my flatmate had one and I was often a pillion. It's a classic because it's from my past and I have good memories of it.

[Motu]

It's kind of a murky area for me too,I certainly don't consider something a classic just because it's old,and not because everyone else thinks they are,like a Z900,a bike totaly lacking in character for me...just being the fastest kid on the block at the time means nothing to me.The first CB 750 wasn't the fastest either,although the media would like everyone to think so,but it earns a place because it was such a huge leap forward for the Japs,we were agog.Yep,the XS1 is a classic,that's why it's so hard for me to let mine go.

I like rounded flowing lines,I like form follows function,and when something is so right the first time - like the Norton Commando Roadster,it becomes an instant classic,in it's own lifetime.Round head Guzzis,round case Ducatis - but the Dhama,oh,what a beauty.The sixties and seventies motocrossers - stark,functional,thugs,all of them classics to me.The /5 BMWs,with the big tank,even now it's an instantly recognisable BMW classic,it just IS a BMW,nothing before or after is so BMW.

I like???? um,kitsch?? tacky,ugly? honest attempts at being up to date but missing by a country mile - the Japs were good at this,the BSA twins were gleaming chrome,tanks and all....but little Jap 2 strokes had tinny cheap chrome panels on their tanks...but the worst in trying to be a leader in looks was the GT750,damn that was ugly then,it's ugly now,but I love them for it.The scooters,all of them,so innocent,naive,they look like Buddy Holly.

What I don't like are classic motorcyclists,and even worse are the younger guys who get a Triumph 650,or some such,cause they always wanted one when they were young fullas.They pay 7 grand for a heap of shit that's been built out of 15 bikes,but it's got a flash paint job.I got out of classic bikes when the first wave of old farts came along - they would nit pick all the things that were not original on my bikes....yes,I know they never made a swing arm M20,but I have,no,a 21in front wheel was never fitted,but I have,no,2.5 gallon tanks were not made in 1954,but mine is off a 70 Lightning,,where is the nacelle?,in the bin mate,along with all the other crap.

Good thought Jack,I'll do some more thinking on the subject.

[TwoSeven]

I think vintage is anything over 25 years old (bikes that is).

Classic to me is a machine that was incredibly popular in its day or held reverence with the majority of motorcycle enthusiasts (of the day).

I would exclude bikes that had some wonder technology, are expensive or were just different or ahead of their time.


For example the CBR900RR was a classic because it started a whole trend - you wouldnt have your R1 now if it wasnt for the cibbies.

Likewise the CBR600F2 (although there were 600s out before that - the design and performance was revolutionary enough for the other manufacturers to copy it).

The RC30 would be another one as it was used in racing and road riding and spawned the VFR400. I wouldnt include the RC45 tho.

The Triumph 750 bonnie and the BSA bantam (they may not be classic to some because they might not be old enough to remember them - but during their day they were popular).

Same with the vincent black shadow and the kawasaki Z1. They would be prime examples (still dang'd expensive too).

The Ducati 888 was another one, and you could probably add the 916 (but not the later ones or the new MV augusta).