Bike prices.

[Slakewell]

I know this is only MY opinion.
Like most of you I look at ebay/Gumtree/ other pages on the internet. Looking and hoping to find that part/bike etc. What Im asking you guys is your opinion on prices and for that reason why I see the same bikes endlessly for sale for sometimes years at a time.
Again this is only the prices I am comfortable with.

Mini bikes , I have no idea here but some seem to spend allot??
125 bikes , apart from rare as hens teeth stuff like A4's and exotic eruo stuff $3500.00 regardless of how many $ have been spent and yes they are no cheaper to restore.

250's $4000 to $5000 for most jap bikes except YZ a's a few more for true jems of euro stuff.

Open class, $4000 to $6000 for most stuff ( two stroke ) a tidy Husky/Maico/KTM is worth 5k IMO.

Maybe I just clueless and have no idea. There easy to buy and hard to sell. 

[Mike52]

Just looking at Ebay and a couple of piles of bits with Husky tanks on them. One $1800 and the other $2200.
Wonder what a runner that needs no work is worth?

[Nathan S]

There's definitely an element of "wannabe speculators" in the old dirt bike game.
Seems to play out roughly like this:

1. Someone (usually a young bloke) finds an old bike in an uncle's shed, gets it for free/carton of beer.
2. They start researching, and discover that SOME old bikes are worth good money.
3. They assume their old bike is worth good money - because a KV125 is just like a 490 Maico...
4. They get into a circle-jerk with similar people, all talking up their TS185s, blown up XT550s, and 1985 XR250s fitted with DT125 motors...

The cycle only ends when the seller needs cash to register their shitbox VS Commodork and sells it for something like what it is actually worth, but not before berating all of the potential buyers for ignoring the "mad bargain" that's been "full rebuilt"...
Some never learn - they prefer to hold onto the dream of a $1200 bike being worth $5000, rather than actually taking the $1200.

So yeah, I pretty much agree with your assessment.

-------

A few years back, there was a noticeable difference in value between eras - Pre-75s and Evo bikes were worth more than anything else. Now, it seems that this has pretty much levelled out - there's no big difference between any of the eras.

[Rossvickicampbell]

Mr S - I agree with you and just recently had a "talk" off with a gentleman on FB who insisted you don't sell a bike unless you recoup all your labour costs as well.

Regardless of size there does seem to be a ceiling - for top class bikes - around the $5-$6K.  I know we all see bikes advertised for a lot more but I wonder what they eventually sell for.  I know of 2 sellers in Australia that have high prices - some bikes sit for ages and others I think the price moves - significantly.

I know that I would be reluctant to pay high dollars for something - but that is based on how good I think my bikes are and what I would expect for them.  And of course there is always opinion and discussion as to what you would think high dollars would be - some pockets a little deeper than others.

Rossco

[b490]

The cycle only ends when the seller needs cash to register their shitbox VS Commodore

 
 That would ,more than likely ,  be the  reason  why  I got my latest   '88 Husky project  so cheap. 
 
 My bike was purchased as a  rough non runner with a few bits missing  , but  still a bargain  in comparison to those  Ebay   pile of parts Huskys  that Mike52 mentioned  ,

  Steve
   

 
   
   
 

[Curtis]

Gets me every time when they write XL250s "really rare" or "Collectors item"...

[roost250]

What about the crazy prices for what is fastly becoming the most common "vintage" dirt bike there is the CR500! 

[80-85 husky]

all these punters are looking for the "mook" who had a dirt bike 30 years ago and who hasn't been near one since and having just sold "the business" for 10 mill and is out to get a piece of their youth back without research... I recently met a bloke with a superb HT 350 Monaro which he thought was a Bathurst model when he payed "plenty" for it....it was an auto.... his words were " I should have done some research".....

[Tony Two Times]

Well timed topic for me just entering the sport.

Seems to me to be a strange sort of market place. Seen what appear to me to be fair deals through to stuff that seems quite over priced. But then I've always looked at bikes as a break even sort of venture at best.

And maybe the sellers of the top dollar stuff are happy to wait for that one person to come along, or even not to sell at all if the asking price isn't there. I'm not the guy for that situation but it can't hurt to ask right?

So I don't think there's any general rules that apply as everyone has different budgets, perspective and priorities. I just know for me that while I do want "The Golden Bike" I can't justify having that much money in something that I might struggle to get recoup one day.

[GD66]

The only thing you can be sure of is when you buy a bike it will cost heaps and when you sell it you get bugger-all. I have plenty of proof...

[William Doe]

all these punters are looking for the "mook" who had a dirt bike 30 years ago and who hasn't been near one since and having just sold "the business" for 10 mill and is out to get a piece of their youth back without research... I recently met a bloke with a superb HT 350 Monaro which he thought was a Bathurst model when he payed "plenty" for it....it was an auto.... his words were " I should have done some research".....

I have always subscribed to this theory ( never hooked one myself of course )

But as soon as a bike is advertised at what the in the know consider a ridiculous price forums like this light up .

What's it matter what someone is asking for a bike good on them . if your not prepared to pay the asking price then walk away and leave it alone .

There's always the chance they may get a plum who is cashed up and doesn't care , he just wants it .

[William Doe]

I had a bloke enquire about a bike im storing for somebody else at the weekend .

He wants to get into the sport . I told him what the bike is and the asking price 1983 kx250 $3500.00

Is it in good condition , is it tidy , etc etc 

I said mate its a 30 odd yr old dirt bike that came with no warranty when new . Your 3.5K buys you a runner that went ok last time I was raced .

Be prepared to tip in a shit load of money as you go .

[Ted]

I generally regard all bikes to be worth $500, including ground up restos. I am only interested in straight fork and frame, good hubs and engine cases, air box and a seat base. All the rest i will replace. When i have paid more than that is only because they were a particular model i desired. EG: RM 125 B and 86 IT 200 S

[b490]

I generally regard all bikes to be worth $500, including ground up restos.

    Hey Ted ,  I'll give you $600 for Your KX500    ,  if  you decide to sell  . 

   Regards ,
                   Steve

[HVA61]

Hey Ted

I will give you $500 for IT 200 , my 6.0 year old great nephew would love it