Paul D'Orleans is well qualified to comment on the state of our sport. Moto historian, author, commentator, rider, collector; Paul lives motorbikes and its culture.
In his latest ramblings on his website "The Vintagent," he touches upon the current value doldrums in our world as he offers this advice to hesitant buyers….
"My advice…if you want a Mk8, or any motorcycle, make it happen. Soon. It's a great time to buy. Sell a bike or two, and get what you want: you only live once. That's not just a cliché, but words to live by. We have no idea if the bottom has fallen out of the market permanently, or if prices will rise again: I've seen four major price cycles in my 42 years of collecting, and consider this to be another one, but nobody really knows, since so many collectors are dying off and releasing their hordes to the market. Current values may be the new normal...but at any rate, they are for now. Live your eff'n dreams."
Sound words based in experience. Folks who try to buy motorcycles as investments are usually dissatisfied in the end. With few exceptions, bikes don't spike in value enough, or often enough, to cover the cost of ownership over the short term, and rarely over the long term. Most enthusiasts are in this thing out of a two-wheeled passion, and we fully expect our hobby to cost some discretionary income.
So, what he said: If there's a bike that's calling you, try to make it happen. Tomorrow is promised to no one, nor is good heath. Bikes are a liquid commodity, relatively cheap to acquire, don't take up much room and fun to use, look at or just talk about. If you're just yearning to experience that CBX, a classic Brit-bike, your favorite V4 or (fill in the blank)…now's a good time to start your search. Have fun!
In his latest ramblings on his website "The Vintagent," he touches upon the current value doldrums in our world as he offers this advice to hesitant buyers….
"My advice…if you want a Mk8, or any motorcycle, make it happen. Soon. It's a great time to buy. Sell a bike or two, and get what you want: you only live once. That's not just a cliché, but words to live by. We have no idea if the bottom has fallen out of the market permanently, or if prices will rise again: I've seen four major price cycles in my 42 years of collecting, and consider this to be another one, but nobody really knows, since so many collectors are dying off and releasing their hordes to the market. Current values may be the new normal...but at any rate, they are for now. Live your eff'n dreams."
Sound words based in experience. Folks who try to buy motorcycles as investments are usually dissatisfied in the end. With few exceptions, bikes don't spike in value enough, or often enough, to cover the cost of ownership over the short term, and rarely over the long term. Most enthusiasts are in this thing out of a two-wheeled passion, and we fully expect our hobby to cost some discretionary income.
So, what he said: If there's a bike that's calling you, try to make it happen. Tomorrow is promised to no one, nor is good heath. Bikes are a liquid commodity, relatively cheap to acquire, don't take up much room and fun to use, look at or just talk about. If you're just yearning to experience that CBX, a classic Brit-bike, your favorite V4 or (fill in the blank)…now's a good time to start your search. Have fun!
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