Pricing older airheads

[sjbmw]

I have been looking at various ads for older GS bikes, and I have to admit clueless-ness to sale pricing....

At what point does an older airhead (Pre-1990?) start accumulating 'vintage' value in it's pricing?

I have seen asking prices that are 2 to 3 times Kelly Blue Book retail value. (1980-1992 GS models in particular)

How does a seller arrive at those types of numbers?

As a buyer, what would justify those numbers?


Thanks

[Bill Burke]

Has it had a tranny job? ($5-600) Has it had a top-end job (rings, cylinders, exhaust valves, seats, springs, guides)? $1000 Has the timing chain and crank sprocket been renewed on bikes with more than 50K on the clock? Has it had the fork oil and seals replaced? When were the pushrod seals replaced? When were the transmission input splines lubed? How tired are the rear shocks, front springs? How old are the rubber bits, including tires? Has the odometer/tach pooped out or is it a good one? These are some of the common differences that make a $2000 airhead sell for $5000, and make it worth every penny.

[shire2000]

All of those things as well as supply and demand. Certain models are much sought after, particularly the GS variants.

The supply of these bikes is slowly drying up due to people collecting or just don't want to sell them along with some getting crashed.

Also, a lot of bikes are getting parted out because some people find it too much of a hassle to fix a simple problem, or get tired of having to do the upkeep and maintenance on 20-30 year old machinery. I have seen numerous bikes being parted out on Fleabay because the owner did not want to pay to have a valve job done or the timing chain replaced. As these bikes age, they are going to need some of that sort of thing done. That is normal maintenance as machinery ages.

Parting out just about any airhead will bring you way more money that what they bike is worth whole. But that just means that there is one less airhead out there and all the rest just went up in value a penny or two.

Unfortunately we also live in a "disposable" society. Lots of people don't fix or repair things anymore, they just throw it away and buy something new.

[Manfred]

Unfortunately we also live in a "disposable" society. Lots of people don't fix or repair things anymore, they just throw it away and buy something new.

I betcha them folks who end up sittin' on the side of the road watchin' their drive shaft burn ain't thinkin' they've bought somethin' better. :bolt

[crazydrummerdude]

Also, a lot of bikes are getting parted out because some people find it too much of a hassle to fix a simple problem

This I have seen, but will never understand!

I'd say the BMW's I own (two '74 /6's) are at about the trough of BMW motorcycle value. Any older or newer, and the bikes will demand more money. I have in them about what they're worth, and I'm never going to sell them, so I feel fine with that.

If you're looking for airheads from the past.. 50 years, expect /2's, /5's, G/S' and the like, to be the bikes bringing (or at least demanding) the big bucks.

[shire2000]

crazydrummerdude, You got it about the same way I do. The /2s some of the /5s and most of the early G/S's are like the are made of unobtainium. Pricing has really gone out of this world. And for some of them, I can agree with the prices, but some I just don't understand.

[GlobalRider]

How does a seller arrive at those types of numbers?

As a buyer, what would justify those numbers?

Why would you pay any less for a near zero mileage mint airhead than you would for the same in an oilhead. Hell, I can get an oilhead like that anywhere; as for the airhead...well good luck in your search.

As for KBB values; what do they know.

[GlobalRider]

Unfortunately we also live in a "disposable" society. Lots of people don't fix or repair things anymore, they just throw it away and buy something new.

And just because it is new thinking it is better or because it has an extra 50 cc. :laugh

[osbornk]

The book values are based on average condition for the model. When a vehicle get old, you don't want one that is in average condition. You want a nice one and they cost more. Part of the reason it is hard to find nice airheads is because the owners keep them when they upgrade to a more modern bike. We become attached to them and selling them would be like a death in the family. We know their every quirk and flaw but we love them anyway. At my house, bikes may come and go but my old black airhead always sits in the corner.

Ken

[88bmwJeff]

Why would you pay any less for a near zero mileage mint airhead than you would for the same in an oilhead. Hell, I can get an oilhead like that anywhere; as for the airhead...well good luck in your search.

The early oilheads are now equally priced with the good condition airheads. As I look for a GS (I'm in no hurry), I've been wondering if I should go with an airhead (R100) or an oilhead (R1100). They both have their pluses and minuses. The big appeal of the airheads is the ability to work them yourself. While, the newer bikes require computers etc. to diagnose problems. In addition, many riders who have sold previous airheads now miss their simplicity and have added one to their stable. This has increased demand a bit.

I agree with Shire2000, airheads require a bit more maintenance than newer bikes. Bits and pieces are wearing out and need to be replaced. I think it's cost prohibitive to replace all the parts at once, so it's more cost effective to replace as needed. But, this requires a bit more down time working on the bike. For some, it's not worth it, but for me it has been. I enjoy working on the bike as much as riding it.

Another reason the supply is dwindling is that their are fewer mechanics who can work on these bikes. And for the guy who cannot or does not wish to work on bikes, selling the bike is the best solution. At which point, the bikes are purchased by dismantlers and sold for parts.

[shire2000]

Ken,

I can't let my Airheads sit in the corner. They always make their way to the centre of the garage, no matter where I parked the night before. I have had many other brands in there, but they always end up in the corner, or kicked out all together.

My wife's bike (R45) even kicks butt, and won't let my daughters little commuter scooter too close. May just have to import one of those BMW C1 Scooters from Europe, if I can get it approved for our roads. Maybe it will get tolerated. These Airheads are snotty little beasties.
:laugh

[osbornk]

Ken,

I can't let my Airheads sit in the corner. They always make their way to the centre of the garage, no matter where I parked the night before. I have had many other brands in there, but they always end up in the corner, or kicked out all together.

My wife's bike (R45) even kicks butt, and won't let my daughters little commuter scooter too close. May just have to import one of those BMW C1 Scooters from Europe, if I can get it approved for our roads. Maybe it will get tolerated. These Airheads are snotty little beasties.
:laugh

Mine sits in the corner nearest the garage door where it is easy to get out. I don't ride it as much as my other bike because I plan on it being with me forever.

[jforgo]

Another part of what drives the airhead pricing, is it seems a lot of sellers don't care if they do sell them. They like the bike, are not in dire financial straits, so can afford a take it or leave it attitude.

[AnnapolisAirhead]

Unless it has an 'S' (as in RS, GS or R90S) you can find pretty straight bikes from post 1970 thru 1995 for $2-4k as a regular ride. That's a pretty good deal to me, all things considered. There will always be outliers on either side, but in general $2-4k can buy you a lot of fun.

[sjbmw]

Another part of what drives the airhead pricing, is it seems a lot of sellers don't care if they do sell them. They like the bike, are not in dire financial straits, so can afford a take it or leave it attitude.

This is so true! They are some of the most ambivalent ads around!

(you don't have to buy it, but if you really really want to, and I'll understand if you don't, the price is.....)

:)


Especially for GS's, the bikes I am looking at.

Thanks for all the info.