Modernclassics: ‘Much better than cash in the bank’
Investment in 80s and 90s collectable bikes climbs during Covid-19 pandemic
‘If you are into bikes it’s a safe investment’ CIARÁN PERRIN, EXTREME TRADING
If you’ve ever lusted after a homologation special, or dreamed of owning a tidy two-stroke, time could be running out – with sellers of rare and collectable machines noting an increased appetite during the Covid-19 pandemic.
With a series of lockdowns limiting some people’s expenditure and driving others into trawling the classifieds as a source of housebound entertainment, riders who once lusted after OW-01s, RC30s, RGVs, TZRs and more are now taking the plunge – seeing bikes of this era as a worthy investment opportunity.
“A lot of guys sitting at home, getting paid with nothing to spend their money on and an awful lot of time to look at a computer definitely fuels the buying,” says Ciarán Perrin, who runs Extreme Trading and sells bikes of this vintage across the globe. “We’re in a time with low interest rates. If you stuck £5000 in your bank account, after 12 months, I think you’d have just about enough money for a McDonalds. If you’re into bikes, it’s a very safe investment and you can have a machine that you love.” Procuring everything from low-mileage Yamaha R7s, to ultrarare Moto Guzzi-powered Magni Australias, Perrin says one of his current best sellers is the sporty gem that is the Aprilia RS250. “The big seller at the moment is two-strokes,” adds Perrin. “All models of TZR, KR-1, KR-1S, RGV – that sort of late 80s and 90s twostroke – and, of course, the Aprilia RS250. As soon as we restore one, we sell one.” Adam Payne runs Start It Up Motorcycle & Performance, in Norwich, and began noting an increased interest in rare machines early on in the pandemic, selling an RD350 and a low-mileage CBR900RR FireBlade in the first few weeks of the first lockdown back in March 2020.
“I noticed within a month that the sales of modern classics were increased,” Payne tells MCN. “With interest rates being so low, you might as well put it into something you enjoy and on high days and holidays, you can take it out and other people can too.”
Perrin went on to say additional VAT costs thrown up by Brexit and virus restrictions have dented sales in the early part of 2021, but believes the market will be bouncing back stronger.
“I think it will come back with a vengeance,” he explained. “I think by summer we’ll all be going ‘we’ve run out of stock.’ The underlying thing for me – who sources a lot from Japan – is there’s nothing left. It’s virtually all gone!”