Bike values

[tom clisham]

That six grand 78E on CL (see for sale forum) got me thinking, again.
There've been questions posted over the years as to why the value of these magnificent & highly collectible machines aren't worth more.

A quick revue of CLs everywhere & Ebay answers this question

First of all, we all know that an xs11 will ocassionally bring $3,000-5,000. It's a pristine one, probably bought by some one who's not all that familiar with the machine or the market. It doesn't happen very often.

If you look at the $3,000-5,000 overall motorcycle market, you see Vstars, roadstars, old HD heritages,sportsters, Dynas, the list goes on & on.

When you can get a Roadstar with reasonably low miles that looks great for $4500.00, are you going to pay that for an xs1100? I don't think so.
Just something to ponder in the question of value department.

PS: That guy in Minnesota that does full restoration of xs1100s just offered one on ebay. it didn't make his reserve. IIRC the bidding only went to low 2,000s.

It'll be a long time before these have real collector value. So, don;t worry so much about "is it original?". Just enjoy it, & fix it up any way you want.
These comments are from a guy who's about to try to sell a very original, low mileage,one owner 79SF. We'll see

[ddragon63]

I've never wyorried too much... My XS is priceless!!!!

[mack]

Shocker

I got the bikes I own professionally appraised and the results back today. Now they have been doing this for forty years and he guy was here for over three hours. He took about a hundred pictures and really went over the bikes. the result is shocking to me. However I'm not stupid and realize that these values are for insurance companies and the market (buyers) determine actual values. Dig this though, the SF was valued at 14,500 and the LH at 17,500. If I was to try to sell them, I'd be lucky to get 3500 each.

[crazy steve]

The XS11 was the last 'do it all' flagship bike Yamaha built, and only the '78 could rightfully claim that. The market fragmented after that, with ever more specialized models becoming popular in their 'niche'. If you look, it's nearly always either a '78 or a somewhat rarer MNS that bags the big bucks, never one of the more plebian versions.

While an extremely well-engineered piece, the bike really didn't break any new ground like the CBX did, being more of a final evolution of existing ideas rather than new technology and Yamaha's quick detuning of the later models didn't help sales or popularity much either, abandoning 'performance' to the Suzuki GS which had much better handling.

That it's better than it's peers overall means it really doesn't stand out in any one catagory so it's just not going to get the attention the other bikes receive. Add in the poor parts supply and the high costs of a 'correct' restoration and that means these will remain a 'cult' bike....

[tom clisham]

Mack:

Does this mean you'll pay much higher premiums?

[BA80]

Came across THIS ARTICLE written in 2010.

Intresting.

[mack]

Tom

No I'm still only going to ask for a 4K replacement value, but if my shop where I store them burns down, I'll be looking to get the appraised value. (Two different companies)

[TADracer]

Its a love

Notwithstanding perceived or actual values the XS is just a machine that garners the love of its owner. Simple as that and it takes a special person to own and operate one. Just like the Corvair or a Prada purse or Gucci shoes or any number of prised items. The monetary worth is only what another will pay but the actual worth is in the heart of the owner. That is priceless!

[tom clisham]

Well said!

Notwithstanding perceived or actual values the XS is just a machine that garners the love of its owner. Simple as that and it takes a special person to own and operate one. Just like the Corvair or a Prada purse or Gucci shoes or any number of prised items. The monetary worth is only what another will pay but the actual worth is in the heart of the owner. That is priceless!

Oh my gosh! I've owned as many Corvairs as i have xs1100s! I think that puts me in the automotive wierdo category!

BTW: My favorite Corvair was a 66 coupe powered by a 66 facory high performance 327 out of a super sport Nova. it was mounted mid-engine & really surprised a lot of people at red lights. NEVER should have sold that one.
But, I never should have sold the 34 Ford coupe or the 69 AMX, etc, etc, etc.

[crazy steve]

BTW: My favorite Corvair was a 66 coupe powered by a 66 facory high performance 327 out of a super sport Nova. it was mounted mid-engine & really surprised a lot of people at red lights. NEVER should have sold that one....

One of these?.... http://www.corvaircorsa.com/crown1a.html

A full-blown later re-do of one.... http://www.corvaircorsa.com/norris01.html

[dpotter58]

I had two Corvairs myself way back when. One was a 66 with a turbo. Not as inpressive as it sounds but it was nice.

Had two Triumph TR-3s also. It was fun to pull the crank out and start it up like tha. Quit that one drunk night when it almost broke my freakin arm.

[BA80]

I had two Corvairs myself way back when. One was a 66 with a turbo. Not as inpressive as it sounds but it was nice.

Had two Triumph TR-3s also. It was fun to pull the crank out and start it up like tha. Quit that one drunk night when it almost broke my freakin arm.

You can still start your F like that if you start feelin' nostalgic.

[Joab]

I owned a '89 Cavalier once...

[Rasputin]

I once owned a 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR. The damn thing was a cover car for the magazine "Fabulous Mustangs and Other Exotic Fords" after I sold it. I now have the Magazine and my memories. What a bummer!

[tom clisham]

yep

Yeah Steve, it was the crown conversion. Ain't those headers cool. Mine ran into 2 cherry bombs. Longest radiator hoses I ever had.Had neat 14 inch chev rally wheels. Oh well. After i sold that car for $2500.00, i found out the Nova SS 327, as stock, which mine was, double hump heads pink rods etc, was worth $2500 alone.
Now you can't touch those corv8s for less than $15,000.

dpotter: I had a tr3 also, but I sure never hand cranked it.