Airhead prices climbing?!?!

[zoridog]

Last summer I was serious about getting an airhead but I wanted to spend under $2500. I found several in that ballpark and bought an 83 RT for $1800.

It seems that $3000 is rock bottom for anything I've seen in the last two months. And don't get me started on late model RTs. Decent ones are getting well above $5000.

Has anyone else noticed this or is it my jaded perception?

[jforgo]

i agree. i am so glad I bought mine when i did.
I have noticed Harley prices dropping - as the housing crisis takes hold, and that fad dies, I suppose. i suspect a lot of those were purchased with home equity loans.
But the Airheads are another story. It was my observation when I was shopping that none of the sellers of Airheads were hurting for $ - so they could wait for what the trafiic seemed to bear. That makles for stronger pricing.
Also, the airheads seem to have attracted the attention of non-enthusiast speculators, who of course want to drive prices up. There are little discrepancies in ads which tell me the seller doesn't know that particular bike at all.
Perhaps the presence of all the "Authority" BMW's is creating a trickle down increased demand for Airheads, as well.

[zoridog]

Also notice that many of the nice airheads for sale in the MOA flea market are already sold. The seller's just haven't gotten around to deleting the ads.

Looking at the bright side, next time your machine needs major work you can justify spending the money.

[jforgo]

yes, any good ones at a decent (and increased!) price are gone very quickly, aren't they?
I see this is a national phenomena - I thought it was just here in the West

[lightning]

"AIRMAIL," the Airhead Club's magazine, has good prices. Also, today's "Fleamarket" has some good buys.

[James.A]

Let's not forget the seasonal price swing, and location. Last month(March)there was a guy in suburban St.Louis who couldn't hardly sell a 1976 R90/6 for $2200. I was all ate up over it because to my mind it was a steal. Regrettably I have 4 bikes and 2 cars in a 2 car garage or it would have been mine. It was listed here and on IBMWR and eventually he put it on e-bay. Don't know if it sold. But,...man,... for 22, it could have been parted out, I'd hate to see that, but I can't buy all of them.

Still, because they haven't been made for many years, and because they are GREAT bikes, the trend on airhead prices are destined to only increase. Hell, the price of /2's has doubled in the last 5 years. Airheads can't be far behind.

By the way, I have 2 airheads, a vintage BMW, and a Honda. I'll cut a deal on the Honda

[crazydrummerdude]

It's bad for me, because I really lust after the /2's.

It's good for me, because I have $2500 in my R75 and $1800 in my R90.

There definitely seems to be a parabolic trough of value around a certain years' era with anything "older". Looks like our airheads are on the climb back up.

[flash412]

I participated in the price inflation on "the old models" buying /2s cheap and selling them for more money, or parting them out back when the /6's were in vogue. History repeats itself. When BMW quits making them... the nice, low mileage examples STOP depreciating.

At least, that was the way it was back when a BMW could be FIXED by a guy on the side of the road using the tools under the seat. Probably not so much like that in the future.

Buy my pristine Classic (carbureted) F650, designed and built by Aprilia, before the price goes up even more.

[boxerr]

Try buying an R80G/S, or any R100GS/PDs under $5000US. More like $6000, or $7000.
Out in Australia it is starting to get the same way.
You will pay as much, if not more for an Airhead, as you will for an early Oilhead.

[osbornk]

My R80RT is worth more now than when I bought it 9 years ago but I wouldn't consider selling it.

[MAD DOG]

In 1999 I bought a 1967 R60/2.. I thought it was restored. Nope, just 2 owners in the same town and lovingly cared for with 30.000 miles. The sign said " $5000 FIRM"
I didn't think twice, bought it on the spot. Sure glad I did. What are they now, 10 Grand?

Jim F.

[Na Cl K9]

Demand for the older airheads is still strong. The supply of good ones is steadily declining. That and the owner loyalty to these fine machines causes the prices to climb as one might expect. If you have cash, now is the time to buy low when the forgotten bikes find their way from the back yard shed to the market place because the owners have a house payment to make or need to fill the tank on their Cummins diesel dually to drive back and forth to work. Even those are going for premium prices now.

2 years ago I purchased a 750/5 for $400.00. Three months ago I looked at a 76R90/6 in similar condition with a price of $2000.00. Last month I picked up a 77RS for $2500.00 that hadn't run in 17 years. In this area, the really choice ones are gone the minute the first person to call shows up with enough cash. Most of the sellers are doing their homework too. By the way…I know two guys in this area who took out home equity loans to buy themselves a Harley. They both work in new residential construction. “How would you like your Harley? Basted, broiled or pan fried”.

[mark1305]

This talk makes me feel better about "investing" in an R80 ST on a whim late last year. (Actually, I buy them to ride - not as an investment).

It will be interesting to watch the interplay between the state of the economy and the market value of non-essentials like airheads.

[robsryder]

A couple of years ago on the AirList someone was complaining about high airhead prices. I made a sort of joking response offering to buy his bike at a very low price.

I then received a private e-mail message from a fellow Airhead (and MOA member) offering me his bike at a very good price. I thought he was joking, but he wasn't. Even though I wasn't really in the market for yet another bike, his price was too good to pass up.

So I now have another nice Airhead. I don't think that the combined purchase price of my 4 airheads equals the new price of an oilhead GS or RT.

If you are patient and look about a bit good bargains can be found.

[MrGrocer]

I've been trying to sell an airhead sidecar rig and could probably get most of my asking price if I just detached the bike and put the center stand back on! Naturally, as bikes become more and more too complicated, a simple vacuum carbed boxer will be seen as a more and more attractive option.

I could not be a total happy cyclist without an airhead in my garage. I already have my next one picked out, unless I stumble over an R80 GS

[James.A]

This talk makes me feel better about "investing" in an R80 ST on a whim late last year. (Actually, I buy them to ride - not as an investment).

It will be interesting to watch the interplay between the state of the economy and the market value of non-essentials like airheads.

Airheads,...non-essentials,...O.K., maybe.

Just today, I told a friend who is a buyer for a used car chain that I thought there might not be a bottom on used Harleys, given the type of owner who might be subject to economic trends beyond their control. Airhead owners are an entirely different breed of cat.

What I'm waiting for is to see the price of a running airhead eclipse the price of a ****ty Sportster. On the downside, it makes non-running, neglected airheads difficult to buy under $1000. The high side of airheads has not yet arrived at a place where the value of a serviceable ride is greater than the value of the parts. But, the the market is fast approaching that place.

[97077]

As an owner of 4 of these beauties I am glad and I hope they continue. But the bad part is that it seems BMW keeps raising the prices of parts. As these bikes continue to disappear the more original you keep them the better also.

[boxerr]

97077, or keep the standard parts you pull off for mods.
We all at one time sold parts, and then regreted it later.

[R100RS]

The high side of airheads has not yet arrived at a place where the value of a serviceable ride is greater than the value of the parts.
And that is what makes it difficult for sellers to price/sell them low. And it really sux to take a great and reliable and good condition ride and part it out.

[97077]

I pretty much leave my bikes stock. I did some of the electrical upgrades but otherwise keep up with maintenance. I keep all the parts I take off or replace more for sentimental reasons than to sell later. The one thing and I don't know if this is good or bad, but the cafe racer trend with these bikes scares me. As I said before some of those cafe bikes are beautiful but I hate to see the old bikes made into something other than the models that came from the factory. With that said as more of these bikes are modified the higher the prices for the stock ones will go up. So is this faze of making cafe bikes good or bad? I guess for prices of bikes people own, it's good but for buyers bad.:brow

[lbrackr756]

And that is what makes it difficult for sellers to price/sell them low. And it really sux to take a great and reliable and good condition ride and part it out.

I certainly agree with that one! Some guy consistently sells parted out airheads on EBay. He has pix of the scooter before he takes it apart and says things like "40k miles, running great," then follows an interminable list of every major part. It just sickens me to see that happen. To us, the machine is the thing to be treasured. To him, it's just a matter of economics. Currently the parts are worth more than the whole. I dislike seeing it but, at the same time, my son's '80 R100T needs a new final drive (splines badly worn) so I keep looking for a replacement. I'm glad to buy parts off a wrecked bike but I wish I didn't have to consider buying from a guy that does this sort of thing...:banghead

LB

'66 R50/2 (almost done with the resto)
'76 R75/6
'80 R100RT

[sdpc2]

:bolt

sdc



In 1999 I bought a 1967 R60/2.. I thought it was restored. Nope, just 2 owners in the same town and lovingly cared for with 30.000 miles. The sign said " $5000 FIRM"
I didn't think twice, bought it on the spot. Sure glad I did. What are they now, 10 Grand?

Jim F.

[jforgo]

It is sad to watch them be parted out. But we are increasingly the land of the fast buck.
Looking at airheads is like looking for a pet - there are so many nice ones out there, but you cannot save them all. Not to mention all the others that are rough, but could become nice with someone who cares.
I just stay at peace with the choices of airheads (and beasts) I have adopted - and take good care of them all.

[R90S]

I pretty much leave my bikes stock. I did some of the electrical upgrades but otherwise keep up with maintenance. I keep all the parts I take off or replace more for sentimental reasons than to sell later. The one thing and I don't know if this is good or bad, but the cafe racer trend with these bikes scares me. As I said before some of those cafe bikes are beautiful but I hate to see the old bikes made into something other than the models that came from the factory. With that said as more of these bikes are modified the higher the prices for the stock ones will go up. So is this faze of making cafe bikes good or bad? I guess for prices of bikes people own, it's good but for buyers bad.:brow
>>>>>>>>>>>


And what is your R80RS? and your R80 with Hannigan?

[jforgo]

The guy tearing the bikes down on Ebay might seem disturbing - at the same time I suspect everything is not as it seems. It is a good tale to sell parts for more $, to say "low miles, runs good" when there is no way for you to verify once it is apart.
Also, there are lots of bikes out there in "title death" - at least here in NV there seems no way to register a bike without original title.

[James.A]

I would also point out that if there are buyers for airhead parts, that suggests that people are fixing or saving airheads that would otherwise go to the scrap yard. For every bike that gets parted, several more might live to see the highway yet again.

[osbornk]

Also, there are lots of bikes out there in "title death" - at least here in NV there seems no way to register a bike without original title.

These could be stolen bikes, flood bikes or bikes that have sat for the last 20 years with deteriorated parts.

[97077]

>>>>>>>>>>>


And what is your R80RS? and your R80 with Hannigan?

Well my R80RS was an RT. Easy conversion, All stock BMW parts. Looks as if it came from the factory. BMW made R80RS's and sold them in Europe. My Hannigan faired bike I purchased as is. This bike is an R80 that came from the factory without any fairing and the person I bought the bike from like that type of fairing. I don't think BMW made cafe style bikes as we are seeing now.
I can put antique license on both bikes because the parts are from that time period as I understand. Could you do that on the cafe bikes? Don't get me wrong, I like the cafe style I just hate to see these bikes cut up and altered.
I really like the frame that I have seen on the internet and I would be willing to buy if it is sold but I would use a bike that is in rough shape.

[R90S]

"BMW made R80RS's and sold them in Europe. "

Wrong. Never happened. Check the serial number listings on the internets.

"My Hannigan faired bike I purchased as is. This bike is an R80 that came from the factory without any fairing and the person I bought the bike from like that type of fairing."

So it's not your fault?

"I don't think BMW made cafe style bikes as we are seeing now."

Ever see their factory race bikes?

"I can put antique license on both bikes because the parts are from that time period as I understand. Could you do that on the cafe bikes? "

That's your reason for riding?

"Don't get me wrong, I like the cafe style I just hate to see these bikes cut up and altered."

But it's ok if your bikes are altered? by you or someone before you?


"I really like the frame that I have seen on the internet and I would be willing to buy if it is sold but I would use a bike that is in rough shape."

Seems like you want it both ways.

Which is what I want. I like to see both heavily modified and pristinely original bikes, of all kinds. They are all interesting expressions of thought, whether as designed for mass production or one-off.

Let the owners decide.

[R80RTJohnny]

As for the R80RS I would check with BMW as their may have been some made for "official use".

In the late 80's was it BMW of St-Louis that prepared some for sale. They took a stock R80 and added the fairing.

[James.A]

I can't hardly contain myself, but, A buddy of mine who runs a used car lot is about to cut me into a killer good deal on a 600. A guy showed up on his lot wanting to use the bike as a partial trade on a Chrysler convertible. He wouldn't do the deal without knowing if he was hosing himself on the trade allowance. Don't know which 600 version it is, but the deal is so good, it just doesn't matter.
I think the whole deal will go down monday afternoon. My buddy heard the bike run and said it sounded O.K. and didn't smoke or anything. Man, I haven't had a good one like this jump out in front of me for a very long time.

Do not despair my fellow airheads, there are a lot of bikes waiting to be found and networking outside the box might just pay off in spades.

[Boxerkuh]

woodnsteel: GOOOD for you... I am so happy for you. I hope it will all work out for you. Keep us posted....:lurk

[97077]

WOW R90s are you mad at me or just or what I said. I may not know as much as you but I'm willing to learn. All 4 of my bikes I do ride. Maybe not as many miles as you but I do ride them.
Can you buy one of these factory BMW race bikes? A.K.A. cafe racers. My question to you. Is your cafe racer the bike you ride or just to the cafe, order your meal race across town (In England of course) and back before the waitress brings your meal to your table? As far as the antique plates. I was making a point that my bikes are not all stock but are period right. M R80RT and R100RS are stock. The R80RS is a RS because the second RT was an great buy and I was able to pick up an RS fairing at a reasonable price. My Hannigan was another great buy. Both from a close friend and the Hannigan fairing has great protection and lots of storage.
Do I want it both ways? Maybe I do but again I want to see these bike taken care of, not all done up and sitting in someones garage.
My point was maybe taken wrong or I presented wrong, I don't know. And finally you are right. It should be up to the owner how he would like his bike. If you are still mad at me. Sorry. If you would like to talk to me you can e-mail me or call my home. I love talking bikes. Kevin

[shire2000]

Just have to throw in another 2 cents worth.

I prefer to see older airheads as stock as possible, but realize that not everybody wants it that way. There are a lot of very nicely modified airheads out there as well. I can appreciate both sides. I do prefer that if a bike is modified, it should be to period style. Don't try to make an old airhead perform or look like a 2008 crotch rocket. It just ain't right.

But, there is only a limited supply of totally stock bikes out there and for someone to take a perfectly good bike and chop it up for the sole purpose of making more money, well that is just shameful.

On the other hand, R90S, BMW did actually make and sell not only R80RS but also R65RT, R65RS and R45RT. They were all limited production and only sold in some parts of Europe, Africa and some were imported to Australia. BMW tried a lot of weird and wonderful things that many people don't know about. In fact, as late as 1979, BMW would sell you an R100/7 with a side car. But you had to take delivery in Germany and part of the sale included their sidecar training course at the factory. I have 2 very dear friends who did just that in 1979. Both have since sold those bikes, but they put a lot of miles on them in Europe and then brought them both back to Canada.

[R90S]

"On the other hand, R90S, BMW did actually make and sell not only R80RS but also R65RT, R65RS and R45RT. "

This isn't supported by the model number lists:

http://www.motobins.com/history/history.php

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/fiche.asp

http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/BMW/R_Series_Airhead_Boxer/index.html#ident

http://www.verrill.com/moto/bmwchron/index.shtml

[shire2000]

R65RT/RS and R45 RT were used by numerous police forces in Europe. as well as special order from the factory up until 1985 monoshock version. Some were just used for parade type duties and escorting of dignitaries.

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photopages/photosr65rtmono.htm

Interesting copy of a French BMW advertisement for an R65RT.

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photopages/photosr65rt.htm

The R45RT were special order only and were used again for escort duty by some police forces. Unfortunately I have no photos of one, but do remember seeing one when I was visiting Holland back in 1984, being used by the Amsterdam police force to escort some dignitary thru town.

BMW may deny it, but then they also denied that the Factory supplied both stock and modified Denfeld seats from the factory for many years as well.

[R90S]

Your links show bikes bearing fairings installed by owners and dealerships.
So?

The point was, people change things to suit their needs.
If one does so, one loses the high ground from which to hurl.

[ducatipaso]

who gives a ****? if it's bolt-on, it's bolt-off and the bike's soul has not been damaged in any way. this ivory tower kind of discussion irks me.

[shire2000]

R90S, So you are saying that the French Brochure/Ad published by BMW in France is not correct. OK. If you say so, you must be right. I guess if it was never sold that way in the good old US of A then it never happened. That is like saying that since BMW never advertised and sold tbe C1 in North America, then it never existed.

Whatever.

I know what I have seen in my many years of travel, all over this place we call Earth. Most of it has been extremely weird and wonderful.

For those that don't know, the C1 was a very cute little commuter scooter that BMW made for a few years, but it never really caught on.
:ca

[R90S]

Read the advertisement.

It says that the fairing from the R100RT is available as a kit, that the dealer will mount on the other models.

Sheeesh!

[shire2000]

So, were you around any BMW shops in the 1970s? Do really remember how they were shipped? I know I am getting on in years, but I distinctly remember watching the guys at the local BMW shop unpacking my 1979 R100RT as it came from the factory. The Fairing was packed in pieces in a separate crate with the Krauser made saddle bags, and the decals for the side covers were in a separate envelope with the manuals. So, as they were all DEALER INSTALLED, then using your wisdom, that bike was not a R100RT. Even though it was sold as an RT, had RT insignia on it, was registered as an RT, yadda yadda.

It really does not matter. I think for the better of the forum, it is better to agree to disagree and get on with life. This subject has been beaten to death.

Oh, Back to the original subject. Airhead prices really are rising here in Canada. I have purchased numerous airheads from Oregon, Idaho, Colorodo, Nevada, California and Washington states for a very low price. Brought them up to Canada and fixed, cleaned and generally brought back to stock condition. And usually at least doubled my money. A good example would be the 1979 R100RS I sold last month. Bought it in Portland for $2750Cdn. Brought it home with another bike in my van. After some general cleanup, rebulding the carbs, cleaning the gas tank, putting on 2 new tires and all new brakes, turned around and sold it in Vancouver for $9100Cdn. After the dust settled, I made $4200Cdn on it. It was in very good condition, just had been sitting for a few years and needed some tiddling. Average pricing for a good daily rider R100RS or RT is around $7500Cdn. The R65 goes for around $2500 to $4000. But I am certain that they will start to go up. The R65LS usually sells for $4000 to $5000 in good to above average condition.

So if you want the top dollar for your bike, bring it North of the border. There is a big group of people up here that just love the older bikes, especially ones that are fairly original or period correct.

:ca

[R90S]

?????????????????????????????

See you on the road.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f13/R90S/28814770903_0_ALB.jpg

[ducatipaso]

I'm with you. Let's ride!

Now where did I put that cutoff tool? :rofl

[crazydrummerdude]

I can't hardly contain myself, but, A buddy of mine who runs a used car lot is about to cut me into a killer good deal on a 600. A guy showed up on his lot wanting to use the bike as a partial trade on a Chrysler convertible. He wouldn't do the deal without knowing if he was hosing himself on the trade allowance. Don't know which 600 version it is, but the deal is so good, it just doesn't matter.
I think the whole deal will go down monday afternoon. My buddy heard the bike run and said it sounded O.K. and didn't smoke or anything. Man, I haven't had a good one like this jump out in front of me for a very long time.

Do not despair my fellow airheads, there are a lot of bikes waiting to be found and networking outside the box might just pay off in spades.

You know we're gonna need pictures.