State of the Vintage Market.

[Tinkicker]

I know that the mainstream market is down the toilet and dealers are struggling.  I watch the bikes for sale on ebay very closely and nothing is moving there, be it a 2021 africa twin with luggage and low miles, or a top notch restored 350 LC.  I do not "do" facebook, so no idea how marketplace is faring.

 

My own beloved DT175mx failed to meet what I was looking for.  Acknowledged to "probably" be the very best example in the country.  In effect it is a brand new bike.  Professionally assessed as worth between £6950 and £7400.  I put it up on fleabay advertised at £6500, but knowing the market had softened, never expected it to sell for that.  I expected to accept £6k and take the loss on the chin.  

 

Nearest genuine offer was £5750, a LOT of money for a DT175mx, but not enough to convince me to sell. 

All is not lost.

In five years time, those teenagers who had one brand new at the start of their careers will be retiring at careers end with a lot of time on their hands, in many cases a generous pension pot and a healthy injection of nostalgia. They may also be lifelong bikers who are looking to offload their GS1300s and look for something a bit more easy to own and ride occasionally with a bit of rose tinted glasses thrown in. 

I intend to bide my time.  When the world recession is over, the bike will only go back up in value.

 

So how are the professional auction houses faring?

 

I would advise anyone thinking of selling to hold on.  A sentiment echoed on the vid.

 

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Yep. 2017 Thunderbird with 3k miles. Immaculate. Comfort seats, passenger running boards and extras. Couldn't get any decent offers, so thought stuff it. I'll just ride it. 

[ChrisBiggsUK]

Interestingly enough, while I was out visiting a mechanic friend on an entirely non-bike related matter, he asked if he could buy my bike off me and offered me £2,500.  I told him no, and that it wasn't for sale, and he again offered me the money and said he would give it to me in cash there and then as he really wanted my CG.  Again I declined and so the conversation moved back to non-bike related matters.

My bike certainly isn't special, certainly isn't that old (although, I suppose that since it was made in 2005 and registered in 2006, it is getting on a bit), and certainly isn't what I would assume is a sought after bike, but I guess it just goes to show;  If someone wants something, really wants it, they will be willing to pay over the odds for it.

In my untrained opinion, one issue is possibly that smaller capacity bikes are becoming much more the norm and are 'easier' to get in to, needing only a CBT and then you're good to go, while the bigger bikes require the extra expense of getting a full license etc and for budget conscious new bikers, or younger bikers, that makes it a no-brainer at least initially.  Cheap 125 Chinese bikes costing significantly less when new than good quality used Japanese bikes will be further pointing people toward those options rather than a good quality, reliable used model.

Market trends, changing demographics and changing usages of bikes (so many delivery riders) are all conspiring to make the market tougher, again in my untrained opinion.

All I do know for certain is that I bought my used CG for £1,500 and I never plan on selling it.  Even when I inevitably move on to a bigger bike, I'll be keeping my CG as it is nimble, agile, reliable, extremely fuel efficient and will (if looked after properly) well outlast me.  And as for when I get a 'big' bike?  I'll openly admit, I do have my eyes on one or two, including a Chinese one, but when the time comes if I could find a used bike I like, in good condition, that fits my needs, that fits my body, and is suitably priced when compared to similar newer models (though I'd be happy to pay a slight premium for a tried and true brand and model), I'd take the used one.  Though, that is just me and my thoughts. 

[Copycat73]

the problem is disposable income .. or rather the lack of .. bill increasing .. mortgage rates are high .. taxation at an all time high .. and a diminishing market.  

[Davidtav]

I’m not convinced Matthewsons is the best place to sell your pride and joy. Although I like watching the programmes and they all seem very amiable

[bud]

It's the same at Bonhams auction house as well. The last few auctions, the old classic bikes from the 60's and even 70's have gone right down to what they were a while ago. The same with the scooters too.

Only things like bantoms  seem to be doing okay. And they are cheap anyway. But iconic two strokes are still doing okay.

[KiwiBob]

At the end of the day they're only worth what someone is willing to pay!