Classic Bike Guide - Real rides, real riders

Prices and values

My bikes ran from Bantam D1 through to GSXR1100 Suzuki and just about everything in between.

Having been made redundant, the bike had to go – over 60s males receive no benefits – as I have had no income of any kind for two years.

I read the buyer’s guide which I enjoy but have noticed that there’s a discrepancy now between the values in the magazine and those in the dealers. For example, the guide reckons £3500 for a Laverda SF but Cotswolds Classic have one advertised for £7500. Then there’s the 180 degree Jota, magazine price £4500, Venture Classics’ price £10,500. Now I know people have to make a profit but ‘classics’ are beginning to get ridiculous – £1500 for a Bantam?

That’s it now, moan over, great magazine, keep up the good work.

Geoff King
Matlock
Derbys

Ed Note – You’re right Geoff, the Buyer’s Guide was due for an update and will be different in future. With regard to the price of classics, as the banks are hardly encouraging people to stash away their money, they’re turning to hardware – ie classic motorcycles – which will give a better return. It’s supply and demand I’m afraid, as the Broughs and the Vincents go through the roof, ordinary Joes set their sights lower and then their chosen machines increase in price, sucked up in the vacuum of the exotica.