17/05/2013 | By:
Top 10 Modern Classics

Collectibles are a funny thing to figure out. Everyone wants to think a family heirloom or trinket snagged at a garage sale will be worth millions someday on Antiques Roadshow. But the truth behind trying to predict what might be a goldmine 100 years from now is that the market is unpredictable. An object is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

That said, we here at Motorcycle.com are going to take a stab at it anyway. This time, it’s a list of Top 10 Modern Classics. We think the 10 relatively new motorcycles listed here are currently available for a steal compared to what they’ll be worth several decades from now.

The criteria for eligibility is simple: each machine must be a production motorcycle available in the 1996 model year or after. This particular list won’t worry about current market value — this is for those true collectors with deep pockets (stay tuned for a budget-minded collectables list). Electronics and rider aids are really coming into their own, and history tends to remember pioneers in a given field, so expect many models on this list to be fairly current.

However, other modern machines on this list are remembered purely for their riding enjoyment, relative simplicity or sheer rarity. Clearly there are many deserving motorcycles, and we’re sure to miss a few. Tell us which bikes you would pick in the comments section. In the meantime, here are our choices.

15/11/2012 | By:

Motorcycles produced before 2002 may be banned from Paris‘ city center, if the mayor of the French city has his way.

Mayor Bertrand Delanoe has proposed a law that would ban cars built before 1997 and motorcycles built before 2002 from city streets by 2014. The goal is to clean up the air in the city by prohibiting older vehicles, a large source of air pollution.

Older vehicles would be barred from streets inside the Autoroute A86, a beltway that circles the Paris city center with a radius that varies from 5.0 to 9.9 miles. Continue Reading »

25/04/2012 | By:

Motorcycling legend Kenny Roberts has commissioned RMD Motors to auction off some rare and exclusive motorcycles from his collection, presumably to make room for more. The Japan-based company is known the world over for its collection of rare and classic motorcycles for sale, many of which are retired grand prix machines fortunate enough to escape the fate of most decommissioned racebikes: the crusher.  Continue Reading »

17/05/2011 | By:

Late night talk show host and renowned classic vehicle collector Jay Leno has added a new motorcycle to his garage: a 2011 Royal Enfield.

Leno received a brand new 2011 Royal Enfield motorcycle from Mike Frankovich, owner of a North Hollywood Royal Enfield dealership. After receiving his Royal Enfield, Leno invited Frankovich and Kevin Mahoney and Ron Greene of Royal Enfield USA, to his Big Dog Garage with several new Royal Enfield Bullets for a segment on Jay Leno’s Garage.

Visit Jay Leno’s Garage to view the segment or check after the jump for more pictures and the official press release.

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09/06/2009 | By:
The Christy’s Art Center in Sag Harbor, New York will be home for 18 classic motorcycles from Billy Joel’s personal collection, on display until June 20th.  Along with the vintage bikes will be various motorcycle themed pieces of art.  Nothing is for sale, “unless someone makes him a crazy offer, Billy might be the music man but he’s also a businessman,” jokes Rob Schneider, co-curator.

Watch the interviews with Billy Joel about the exhibit after the jump.

Continue Reading »