10 collectible motorcycles to watch
James Hewitt
09 June 2020
Just like cars, motorcycles are treasured collectibles. Despite their desirability, however, they trade hands on average at far lower values than cars. The car auction record, too, is nearly 50 times that of the motorcycle auction record. Generally, the lower end of the bike market is full of nostalgia-driven purchases; the top is littered with historical significance and racing pedigree.
Based on digital views of our newly-released Hagerty Motorcycle Price Guide, here are the 10 bikes in which Hagerty is seeing the most interest, arranged by price from low to high.
1968–73 Honda CB, CL and SL 350
Mecum
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $4900
The 350 Hondas improved upon the CA/CB/CL77 models to create what was to become one of the most loved Honda models. It seems like everyone in the late ’60s had one or at least knew someone who did, and that’s because the CB350 was the best-selling motorcycle in the world the very first year it was introduced, for 1968. The electrics were more reliable with a strong 12-volt system, the styling was updated and modern, and the five-speed gearbox meant 90 mph was attainable.
1959–69 Honda CA77 Dream Touring
Mecum
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $6000
The CA77 was the touring version of the CB/CL77, and it featured styling that was distinctive from any other motorcycles on the road. The affordable price and excellent reliability that Honda was quickly becoming known for was cemented with the Dream, and in the ’60s it became a youth favorite. The pressed steel frame and forks, plus features like an enclosed chain, meant that it was a great bike for a variety of weather and road conditions. That also, however, led to many Dreams being used heavily in the elements. Nice, original ones are hard to come by today.
1965–68 Honda CL77
Mecum
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $6700
The Honda CL77 was the off-road cousin of the CB77 Superhawk and CA77 Dream models; a whole line of bikes that shared massive success. The CL77 featured high scrambler pipes, tall bars, and 19-inch wheels that allowed it to easily go from town to the desert; so much so that many racers adopted the bike as their go-to desert racer, and it helped set the scene for the light-weight scramblers to come.
1969–78 Honda CB 750
Mecum
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $9100
More Honda! The Honda CB750 is the motorcycle that completely changed America’s motorcycle market. At a time when a buyer could have reliability, speed, and affordability but only choose two, the CB750 allowed them to choose all three. Honda was so unsure of the success coming that it didn’t want to invest in diecast molds, instead opting for sandcasting, and the first 7414 bikes produced in 1969 had sandcast engine cases. By the end of 750’s production run, Honda had made almost 450,000 examples and solidified the CB750 as the first superbike attainable by common folk.
1979–82 Honda CBX
Carol Gould
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $15,150
The CBX is not the first production motorcycle with six cylinders—that honor goes to the Benelli Sei—but it perhaps is the most memorable. Honda produced the bike for only four years and made it more touring-oriented in the last two years. Despite the short production run, it proved that Honda was still willing to invest in radical motorcycles at a time when the company was becoming, according to some, too predictable.
1972–75 Kawasaki Z1
Mecum
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $15,900
Not a Honda, you say? The Kawasaki Z1 was Kawasaki’s response to being beat to the punch by Honda’s CB750. That response became the new world’s fastest production motorcycle and Cycle World’s New Motorcycle of the Year during the whole production run. The Z1 took the CB750’s formula of bringing speed and reliability to the masses, and then one-upped it with 15 more horsepower—a big bump, in the ’70s. That set the tone for the horsepower wars to come.
1961–69 BMW R60/2 and R69S
Mecum
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $16,300
The BMW R60/2 and R69S, the latter being the more powerful version, were built as rugged and reliable workhorses but quickly became the go-to touring motorcycles of the ’60s. Instantly recognizable by the Earles fork suspension that reduced front-end dive under braking, the R60/2 and R69S were known for their strong reliability and extremely high quality. These motorcycles are some of the only models from the era that are regularly found showing more than 30,000 miles.
1946–53 Indian Chief
Mecum
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $32,900
With some of the most distinctive colors adorning their swooping fenders—thanks to a merger with DuPont Motors—the Chief is one of the only famous American motorcycles that is not a Harley-Davidson. The Chief was built as a competitor to Harley’s big twins, and the model remained in production from 1922–53. If looking for something more modern, a buyer can get a brand new take on the Chief from the revived Indian Motorcycle company today, swooping fenders and all.
1936–47 Harley-Davidson EL/FL Knucklehead
Mecum
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $70,800
The Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, known by that name because of the way the head makes a fist shape, is one of the most recognizable and prized motorcycles in American history. It was introduced before WWII and then ended production soon after. Since then the style has become iconic, and the model set the stage for Harleys today. The Knucklehead served as both a pleasure bike for soldiers returning from war and a workhorse for government employees. To this day it remains one of the most desirable Harley models.
1948–55 Vincent Black Shadow
Mecum
Average #2-condition (Excellent) value: $94,500
Considered one of the world’s first superbikes, the Black Shadow maintained a production top-speed record all the way until the 1973 Kawasaki Z1. With its iconic black paint, gold pinstriping, and brushed aluminum pieces, the Black Shadow is a staple of any automotive collection, whether you’re a full-on bike nut or not.
Article Courtesy of Hagerty