ADSactly Collectibles - Do You Need Motorcycles In Your Portfolio?

in #motorcycles7 years ago

Do You Need Motorcycles In Your Portfolio?

All The Cool Kids Had Them

Do you really need a motorcycle or two in your portfolio? Is there such a thing as a portfolio grade motorcycle? Maybe and yes.


Source

You may not have noticed, but collectible motorcycles are a definite thing. January sees several motorcycle auctions in Las Vegas and the prices might amaze you. A 1911 Harley Davidson Twin sold for $154,000 to top the board at Meecham’s Auction. In fact, four motorcycles sold for over $100,000 at the two day event.

Those four are destined for private collections or museums. At this price point motorcycles are provinenced with the same care as Sotheby's would give a Monet. These bikes carry with them the same tax advantages for loaning to a non profit museum that the Monet would. This four motorcycle set stands a significant chance of appreciating at a rate above normal interest.

There are literally thousands of models of motorcycles. Some are common and priced that way, some are less common, and there are a few that fit in the 'Holy Grail' category. Almost all are available somewhere in various stages of shape and running condition.


Source

Is financial gain the best reason for collecting motorcycles? Probably not. You could probably do much better by sticking the money in T-Bills for the next 20 years. But T-Bills clearly lack the ‘cool factor’ given to motorcycles.

Three Reasons to Collect Motorcycles

The only real legitimate reason to collect motorcycles is because you love them.

In my case I have an irrational need for a 1953 Indian Chieftan Roadmaster. My very first ride was on a ‘50s Chief when a friend of my father came home from Korea on one. It was, without question, the coolest thing ever created by man.

Lust. Lust is a legitimate reason to collect motorcycles. I have, on my wall where I can see it right now, a Honda Press Release photo for the 1978 CBX. The photo is pretty tattered, but the feeling I get looking at it isn’t. I have often dreamed of sitting atop one of those 6 cylinder monsters.

Cool factor. Norton motorcycles are cool. Ducati singles are very cool. Steve McQueen owned and rode multiple Triumphs. McQueen was the king of cool. Cool is utterly subjective and personal, but there is no denying the cool factor in collectible motorcycles.


photo courtesy Tom Wacker

How to Start Your Motorcycle Collection

Your first decision is what category collector you are. Portfolio grade? Cool factor? Deep seated lust?

For portfolio grade motorcycles you will probably want to stick with big name auctions at least to start. Make a list of what you want and peruse the auction lists from Bonham or Meecham. They each have an auction in Las Vegas each January and a couple of others throughout the year. Of particular note is the Quail Hollow auction from Meecham. Quail Hollow is held at Pebble Beach Golf Course and features one marquee per year. It is a concours judging event, and the most outstanding examples from the marquee are found here. It’s a champagne and flannel type event and the prices tend to be very high. Bikes at these auctions are well provinenced and you can be assured that you are getting what you pay for.

There are no doubt there are a lot of Cool motorcycles at the big auctions. The list is always pretty deep and you stand a pretty good chance at getting an ordinary cool motorcycle at a relatively reasonable price. There are also numerous motorcycle sites around the internet that deal in rare, unusual or popular motorcycles. Due diligence is the key here. Make sure you know exactly what you want and what it’s worth when dealing with private dealers.

Military motorcycles constitute a specific niche in collectible motorcycles. These are no doubt the hardest to prove the linage for. It can be incredibly complex, so be careful. There are forums and publications that can help enormously in your search for military correctness.

Riders. Collectible motorcycles that you can take to the local coffee shop. This tends to be my favorite category, I’ll buy one, ride it a while and sell it. Hopefully for enough to cover the cost of my next ‘ideal’. These can be found on Craig’s List, Local Ads, Dealer sites. I’ve even bought a few with a “For Sale” sign on them.


Source

Restorable. Be careful. You have to really love a motorcycle to finish a restoration job. I don’t know of a single individual that has made money on a complete restoration. I have several friends that always have a bike in their shop that is a ‘work in progress’. The cost is always 5x or more what you think it should be. They restore bikes because they love the work and love the bike. Failed restorations are a common occurance, occasionally even presenting the possibility of making some money after the owner gets just sick of looking at his project.

So Why Collect Motorcycles?

The obvious answer is because you love them. I have a friend in Las Vegas that has 2 Ducati singles in his living room. The fact that both of them have appreciated wildly in the last 10 years helps with his wife, no doubt. They are much the most valuable items in the whole house. In his case they were an extraordinary investment both from a financial and personal standpoint.

There is some money to be made, but I doubt that is reason enough to start this hobby. If you are in the collectible market like the commodity market you will probably end up disappointed.


Source

Remember Fonzie? He rode a Triumph. Dirty Harry was on a Moto Guzzi. McQueen jumped that fence on a Triumph. Electra Glide in Blue was a Harley Davidson. Brando sat a Triumph. Peter Fonda on a Harley. Anthony Hopkins on an Indian. Che Guevara on a Norton. Tim Allen and Martin Lawrence on Harleys. You meet the nicest people on a Honda.

There are some of the reasons you collect motorcycles. Because you can.

Authored by: @bigtom13

Click on the coin to join our Discord Chat



Go Adsactly

Vote @adsactly-witness for Steem witness!
Witness proposal is here: https://steemit.com/witness-category/@adsactly-witness/adsactly-steemit-witness-proposal
First open: https://steemit.com/~witnesses
In the bottom of the page type: adsactly-witness and press vote.

Use small letters and no "@" sign. Or, click here to vote directly!
Thank you!


Sort:  

Great post
The motorcycle is simply fun
Well done .. Thanks for the description

Deep-seated motorcycles put the passenger on a high seat. I wonder what it would feel like but I only ride long distances nowadays and comfort is my priority. They look intriguing for me.

I don't even have a back seat on my Connie. I can pack way more stuff without it!

@j-ahomestudio, you took the words outta my mouth. the key word is comfort, i had always envisiage traveling such a long distance on motorcycles but haven't overcome the fear of loosing control.

Would appreciate any tips i can get for me to overcome this fear. Thank You

Once I learned how to ride confidently with my one and only motorbike, I lost the fear of losing control in normal circumstances. My first emergency braking experience led to a crash when a kid suddenly crossed the street (3 months into riding). It probably took at least three years before I learned how to maximize braking power without crashing (even with at 5-meter skid mark on the pavement). I had to do that kind of braking only once on a dry day and I did so fearfully but correctly. Looking back, I can say that I'm already confident riding my bike in most road conditions. I skid both tires on a rainy day once with controlled maximum braking on both wheels in order not to hit a car which made a sudden turn. -Things like that happen but it takes years of riding experience to be prepared unless you undergo specific training for emergencies. I'm talking about controlled intermittent skidding where you squeeze the front brake with controlled pressure and even pump the rear brake. With a professional trainer, I'm sure it won't have to take years to learn and you will lose your fear.

There are several really good riding academies around. They aren't cheap, but they can help you take your riding to the next level in a hurry.

I will never own another primary rider with out ABS brakes. I've been riding a long time, and panic braking is a serious deal.

would love to own some nice bikes... but first I guess I would need to learn how to ride one...

The Reason Why I Go to University

There's nothing not to love about motorcycles and there's everything to love about them.

I envy riders whenever I spot them whether on the television or in reality cause they are currently having the opportunity that I would run down every mile of this earth to have.

My plans are to get a bike, some funds and go explore the world with nothing but a back pack. It might take some years to go round but I know we'll that the images and memories that will be gotten will be out of this world.

I hope my wish comes true

I read all the 'round the world guys. All. I ride long from time to time, but nothing like that. I admire them.

I'm glad you do

Motorcycles are beautiful vehicles to admire from a far for me. I have this picture of me as a kid sitting in a Harely with the leather jacket and everything. The bike belonged to a friend of my aunt. I love the picture but have to admit it’s tge closest I’ve ever come to riding a motorcycle.
They are sleek looking, powerful and in some cases absolutely bad ass. As much as I like the way they look and sound I have never had the desire to take one for a spin. Maybe it the idea of there being nothing between me and the road in the event that there ever be. An accident.
I would consider myself as someone who would like to have a car collection. Complete with hot rods, classic cars, roadsters... you name it. I do believe that there is a place in the collection for some of the best motorcycles.
If I’m lucky my Crpto investments will pave the way to this dream like collection.

i hope your investment pays off so as to enable you fulfill those dreams of yours. we cant wait for you to share stories of your collection

I'm rooting for you. Whatever it takes.

Uff! Imagine travel all latin america in a motorcycle

I have friends that did just that. I was still working and couldn't go with. I've never forgiven them.

I think that's amazing! I'm trying to do that this year but in a van

Being a biker is not just an occupation - it's a state of mind. When driving a car, you can never feel the freedom that a biker feels during a trip. And it does not matter with what speed to move, the very process of movement is important, it is important to feel free. Those people who claim that riding a motorcycle is dangerous or not interesting - they just never drove themselves.
Build motorcycles - this is a very important point. When a person builds his personal motorcycle - he does not make a motorcycle, he collects a faithful friend who will serve as a guide for him on his way.
I respect those people who like jewelers collect very old motorcycles and give these legends a new life. It is worth a lot of effort - but we can see that these efforts are justified.
Thank you

No doubt it is a state of mind. "Motorcyclists are people that understand why a dog sticks his head out of the car window".

These are beauties

Legends do not die.It only changes shape.... @adsactly

Some don't even change that much. Nice ride...

Motorcycle riding is one of the greatest human therapy. The fun when riding one is nothing to be compared with. It doesn't have age restrictions, at 75, if you are strong enough, you can still be riding your motorcycle. its such a wonderful piece to have

You do not need a therapist if you own a motorcycle, any kind of motorcycle!
The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the bike... you have to understand what it wants. I think of a motorcycle as a pappy, and I know that sounds silly, but it's true.

lol sure, i can certainly agree with you

I most certainly agree. Every hour I ride I get at least a 59 minute vacation. I am lucky, I am able to do every bit of wrenching on my bikes. I am intimate with them :)

Hey. I am currently trying to start a contest. I want to get minnows actively involved and connect them with each other as a support group.

But I need help achieving this. I want minnows to be able to comment and interact on each other’s posts, all through joining the contest I am trying to start. Participants would comment a link to there post in the contest post and other participants could easily find that and go look at the other posts and resteem, upvote and follow at will.

And they would be entering a contest by doing this, so it’s a win win. But I need help to get it started and get noticed since I too am a minnow. Here is a link to my post if you feel inclined to check it out:

https://steemit.com/minnow-contest/@average-joe/enter-the-minnow-contest-and-win-some-sbd-getting-minnows-and-all-users-involved-contest-1