whats your bike worth?

[slow mo]

hi all,,these bikes we ride are old and extremely powerful!! yet if i was to try to sell mine its practically worthless. i see lots listed up here in canada for 2, 000$ to 2500$ but they are not selling and if they do its for about half the asking price!!1 why is such a great bike so unappreciated;; thanks ,,ride safe ,,slow mo!!

[XSokieSPECIAL]

hi all,,these bikes we ride are old and extremely powerful!! yet if i was to try to sell mine its practically worthless. i see lots listed up here in canada for 2, 000$ to 2500$ but they are not selling and if they do its for about half the asking price!!1 why is such a great bike so unappreciated;; thanks ,,ride safe ,,slow mo!!

Well Mo, 30 years ago I was pretty, and in demand too,



but look at me now. Im 30 years older and a little unstable. I might break down any time.

[CatatonicBug]

It may be similar to asking the same thing about comic books or baseball cards. Personally, I would not pay more than $5 for a 30-y/o comic book, no matter which one it was. However, there are some people who would pay hundreds or even thousands for the right one. It's about finding the right buyer, and there aren't too many people out there who see a machine as old as these as valuable anymore. They require TLC just to keep them running, and many folks nowadays can't change their own oil, let alone tune a set of carbs. The art of automotive care is not as popular as it once was...

[XSokieSPECIAL]

It may be similar to asking the same thing about comic books or baseball cards. Personally, I would not pay more than $5 for a 30-y/o comic book, no matter which one it was. However, there are some people who would pay hundreds or even thousands for the right one. It's about finding the right buyer, and there aren't too many people out there who see a machine as old as these as valuable anymore. They require TLC just to keep them running, and many folks nowadays can't change their own oil, let alone tune a set of carbs. The art of automotive care is not as popular as it once was...

I can relate to the fact automotive care not being popular AT ALL any more. I imagine motocycles have become as nearly as trouble free as automobiles have.

Being in the buisiness, I see vehicles come in with 100,000 miles or better that have had NO maintanance other than oil changes, tires, and maybe some brakes. And sill going strong. (damned automotive engineers)

[TomRodgers]

Greg...at least the 'stache has passed the test of time

As far as the not selling for much, in my opinion, thats a good thing!! That means i can buy bikes to keep the ones i have running!!! Parts ect.!!!

Greg...i hear ya. new stuf just doesnt have character. no gearhead smells to appreciate!!! Nothing like the smell of gear lube in the morning with a good cup of coffee with some brake/carb cleaner fumes in the air!!! The new bikes look and perform well, but no personality!!!

[foreda]

Value

All good answers but why are the same age Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki worth twice as much or more that our beloved XS?

[D. P. Larmee]

I think that being made for only four years, many people just don’t really know about the XS11, and this keeps the prices way down. Look at the competition. The KZ900/1000 series were pretty much made from 1972-2002. The GL series was introduced in 1976 and continues through today. The CB 750 was made in one form or another from 1969 through 2003. Suzukis carried the GS prefix into the 2000s. The majority of the other bikes in the class of the XS11 were either produced for many more years or evolved into bikes that kept the same model designation as the old bikes for many more years. The XS11 came, was here for four years, five if you count the XJ, and then was gone. Which, for us, is great. You get a bike that is every bit as good as the competition, but for half the price. Now that is a good value. What seems weird to me, is why Yamaha dropped the XS11 so quickly. According to almost every review I have ever read, not only was it as good as the competition, it was the baddest thing on two wheels.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

I think that being made for only four years, many people just don’t really know about the XS11, and this keeps the prices way down. Look at the competition. The KZ900/1000 series were pretty much made from 1972-2002. The GL series was introduced in 1976 and continues through today. The CB 750 was made in one form or another from 1969 through 2003. Suzukis carried the GS prefix into the 2000s. The majority of the other bikes in the class of the XS11 were either produced for many more years or evolved into bikes that kept the same model designation as the old bikes for many more years. The XS11 came, was here for four years, five if you count the XJ, and then was gone. Which, for us, is great. You get a bike that is every bit as good as the competition, but for half the price. Now that is a good value.

Anyway, I don't plan on selling mine until it's completely worn out and I can't get parts anymore. Or, until I'M completely worn out and can't get parts anymore.

Whichever comes first.

[XSPastor]

Mine sold for 3K

Just sold it a couple of months ago to a nice guy in Idaho... Now I drive a 1971 Super Beetle.

[CatatonicBug]

Now I drive a 1971 Super Beetle.

I'm hoping for a '68 bug for my next car. I want to find one that someone has totally restored. I thing they look really sweet once they are all dressed up. Either that or a totally restored VW Thing. Not too many of those out there though.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

I'm hoping for a '68 bug for my next car. I want to find one that someone has totally restored. I thing they look really sweet once they are all dressed up. Either that or a totally restored VW Thing. Not too many of those out there though.

There is a place right down the street from where I work that resores and sells vintage VWs. There is some REALLY nice stuff there. Bugs, Ghias, Buses, all look like they just rolled off the showroom floor.

[XSPastor]

Yeah, I really like the look of the late 60's beetles but I wanted a super beetle bacause of the extra storage space and the updated (and easier to service) McPherson strut front end... I wish we had a place here like in Tulsa!! Sounds like a place I where I would spend a considerable amount of time.

Even though the bike is gone, I'm still driving an air-cooled 4 banger!!

[CatatonicBug]

There is a place right down the street from where I work that resores and sells vintage VWs. There is some REALLY nice stuff there. Bugs, Ghias, Buses, all look like they just rolled off the showroom floor.

I wish I didn't know that! And Tulsa isn't too far to drive to get a nive Bug either... I'll have to keep that in mind.

Yeah, I really like the look of the late 60's beetles but I wanted a super beetle bacause of the extra storage space and the updated (and easier to service) McPherson strut front end... I wish we had a place here like in Tulsa!! Sounds like a place I where I would spend a considerable amount of time.

Even though the bike is gone, I'm still driving an air-cooled 4 banger!!

I actually look at the Super Beetles as different car altogether. The purist in me tries to avoid them. That curved windshield gives them away every time. I prefer the higher-backed front seats, and of course, the 12V electrical system. I also like the oil-filled air filter over the single carb. As a teenager, I always thought that was the coolest thing! The one thing I didn't like was the fact that the washer fluid was pushed by the pressure in the spare tire. Definitely meant you had to keep up on the tire pressure!

I do think it's cool that the same engine technology runs our bikes though!

[XSPastor]

Hmmm...

I wish I didn't know that! And Tulsa isn't too far to drive to get a nive Bug either... I'll have to keep that in mind.



I actually look at the Super Beetles as different car altogether. The purist in me tries to avoid them. That curved windshield gives them away every time. I prefer the higher-backed front seats, and of course, the 12V electrical system. I also like the oil-filled air filter over the single carb. As a teenager, I always thought that was the coolest thing! The one thing I didn't like was the fact that the washer fluid was pushed by the pressure in the spare tire. Definitely meant you had to keep up on the tire pressure!

I do think it's cool that the same engine technology runs our bikes though!

Well - let me fill you in. The '71 super has a 12v electrical system (they all have since '67), a flat windshield, high-backed seats, an oil-bath air cleaner, and the the spare tire fluid washer works perfectly. It has a built-in valve that will not let the pressure drop in the spare to a point that it is unusable. It will not let it go below 26 lbs. I run the spare at 40 lbs and I've never had to add air.

[CatatonicBug]

Well - let me fill you in. The '71 super has a 12v electrical system (they all have since '67), a flat windshield, high-backed seats, an oil-bath air cleaner, and the the spare tire fluid washer works perfectly. It has a built-in valve that will not let the pressure drop in the spare to a point that it is unusable. It will not let it go below 26 lbs. I run the spare at 40 lbs and I've never had to add air.

I knew about the electrical and the seats, but I thought all the supers had curved windshields... Didn't know about the air valve though. You must not use your washer fluid much... How many gallons do you go through in a year? I average 2 per vehicle. More in winter to melt snow.