| Author | Message | ||
     Orngm2 |
I have a 1995 triumph speed triple, a 2004 Moto guzzi v11 cafe sport, 2000 m2 and 1999 x1. The triumph and the guzzi are called modern classics, how about the tubers? In my opinion every inch a modern classic... what does badweb readers think and what other bikes fall into this same category? | ||
| Two_seasons |
I'm a classic and so are the bikes I ride  | ||
| Jrman |
I am applying for collector plates here in British Columbia in Oct 2014. A stocker would surely pass, the only question is if they Provincial Insurance Corporation considers my mods excessive. The rules state motorbikes 15 years and older (mine is 1997)from a company either out of business or the brand retired for at least 5 years is eligible. This would surely reaffirm the "modern classic" for even non-fans should I be successful!!!! The lower insurance costs are just and added bonus -  | ||
| Kc_zombie |
The term Modern Classic is an Oxymoron used to describe something which may be destined to be a classic. I found Jrman's post interesting, so I called Hagerty Classic Insurance, and they said "not in their eyes, it must be 25 years or older, no matter if the MFG is defunct or not". The same goes with the state of Missouri, 25 Years.  Which kinda sucks because I have way more $$ into my "not a classic" than the insurance company would ever pay out. Interesting question, and IMHO...Yes, it is. | ||
| Jrman |
Yes, we are a bit luckier up here in Canada, or at least British Columbia. The Government "Crown" Corporation administering vehicle insurance allows for 15 year old vehicles where the model only had 1500 units or less, or the brand has been retired / bankrupt for minimum 5 years. For those British Columbians on badweb, link is here - http://www.icbc.com/registration-licensing/special ty-vehicles/collector-vehicles# Having spoken to a few car collectors - they say my S1 would likely be ok except for the intake & exhaust - they machine has to be in very good condition, and modifications are allowed if they are safety related (braided lines / better calipers / better levers & so forth) - but apparently they look more closely at exhaust and intake...I won't know if I can get it done, but certainly intend to try in Oct 2014!!!! | ||
| Steveford |
Modern classics? I would say so, yes. The company is gone, they meet most of the criteria: innovative, fairly rare when new, expensive when new, famous designer. Beautiful styling? To me they are. They fall short on race wins and widely desirable when new. I can live without the last two. | ||
| Buellistic |
"YES !!!" | ||
| Jolly |
YES!!! and Im with Orngm2, so is my moto guzzi v11 and my moto guzzi 1100 sport! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Modern classics for sure. I'll have another M2 someday. | ||
| Serialk |
Jrman who inspects the bike? What do they compare the bike to? How does ICBC know what was stock and what wasn't on a 97 S1? My insurance says my S1 is a 1997 Harley Davidson because Buell wasn't in the system in 97 in B.C. And yes to modern classic! Love my Buells! | ||
| Lakes |
here in Australia they need to be 30 years or older. I don't think the tubers are classic's. some people say they will never be. but does not mean i don't love my M2 the speed triple is not a classic rather is the Guzzi but both good bikes. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
"Modern Classic" sounds like an oxymoron developed by the marketing department of retro-styled bikes. Will Buell tube frame bikes become classics at some point in the future? I think the answer is YES because they are unique in the world of motorcycles, they have a strong following among the few and are already considered "cult bikes" by many, and they represent the independent thinking of one man, Erik Buell. Such legendary bikes are destined to become true classics. | ||
| Trojan |
It depends on whether you like the bikes or not (obviously if you are on this forum you do, but others don't). What endows a bike classic status is very hard to pin down, and ssome pretty ordinary bikes eeem to have achieved it in the past. However looking at prices for tubers they don't seem to be in that league yet here in the UK. | ||
| Onespeedpaul |
My opinion is that they will be "classics" to most people in the motorcycle industry, and to most people who are just really really into motorcycles, but to the rest of the 90% of the globe they'll be just another motorcycle.... Buells in general will have to become much rarer (think a couple generations from now, or barring some big crush-campaign like the late '70's) for prices to ever reflect their "collector" or "classic" status at least here in the US.... I go to a fair amount of "vintage motorcycle meets" here in my general area (gulf coast) and even then alot of people don't know what a buell is, or really care/ | ||
| Orngm2 |
Some of you guys are missing the point... I meant classic in terms of being modern interpretations of older bikes... example : 1995 speed triple is like a laverda iota. 2004 guzzi is like... a guzzi. M2 and X1 feel like later day Norton commandoes. This is purely an emotional response. Not monetary. Just asking what other bikes strike the same chord. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
"a modern interpretation of older bikes" Nope. A Buell is its own thing. Not an interpretation or copy of anything. However, I will admit that I have often described riding my Buells as being like "the best Norton Commando you have ever ridden on its best day when everything was adjusted just right and working as the engineers intended". So, if you are talking about the way the bikes make you feel when you ride them, YES. | ||
| Jolly |
that was my approach, though I have never owned a Norton..  I have stated to my buddy many times that the love/hate relationship and owner mx and creative problem solution is surely what a Norton owner must have felt while that cult developed! purely emotional from my perspective as well! | ||
| Onespeedpaul |
A tube framed buell is not entirely its own thing, it is built around a hot-rodded sportster engine!!!! If anything, it's a modern day interpretation of the ORIGINAL sportster.... | ||
| Blackm2 |
I respectfully disagree Paul. They are a completely different animal from a sportster of any year in handling and looks. 20-25 years old is when they start hitting "classic" standards. To those of us who own them, they already are, because you see everyday you ride that there still is nothing similar to them on the road. People still ask, "what kind of bike is that?" The early tube frames (RR's, RS's, and RSS's)are in the classic category for sure and prices reflect that. Some more time will make the S2's and the others classics for sure. XB's will be too at some point. | ||
| Hootowl |
A Buell is not a Sportster any more than a Corvette is a truck. They share an engine block. Big deal. | ||
| Jolly |
I agree!! my 77 vette actually has a motor from a truck because I wanted the 4 bolt main....but it still doesnt make it a 77 truck! although Chevy gets it and if I need a part for my corvette they will sell me parts for either a truck or a vette of the same year...  | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Buell is more like a Pantera or a Cobra. Big American V motor in a lightweight sports car chassis. | ||
| Dfbutler |
Tubers, IMHO, are already classics. There is nothing else like them will ever be made again. | ||
| Bsanorton |
I would agree with Dfbutler, American sport bike, my models made only for 3 years, manufacturer went out of business. Condon & Skelly insurance company agreed and I have them insured with full coverage with my 2 Nortons. All 4 for about $329 for the entire year. Nortons are a dream to ride. the only classic bikes that can be ridden up to speed on modern roads. Been riding them much much longer them Buells. To me, Buell put together a package that carried on the qualities I like in a bike and IMHO perfected it in the tuber line. I'll always have a Norton and a Buell next to it.   | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Great looking Commando! I worked at a Triumph/Norton dealership while in college. Loved the bikes. Still have 4 Triumph Twins (3 1970s and 1 1978). The first time I rode a Buell I immediately recalled the sensation of riding a well-fettled Commando. I bought my S3T the following week. | ||
| Coxster |
a co-worker calls Buell " America's Ducati ". Looking at the frame etc I think he's on the right track, but I've always considered it a 2-wheeled Cobra. ( Good call Dave ) I still have to explain to people that my M2 cost less than half my Superglide, goes faster, stops better, corners better and rides smoother - but other than that it's almost as good as a H-D (insert smirk here  ) | ||
| Rick_a |
I've always joked that Buell is a "poor mans" 2V Ducati. That said, Ducatis are much more refined, though Buells great bikes. Classic?...not yet. The RS and RR are definitely at that status and are collectors now. The S2 and up...not yet. If I were a little less practical I'd own a 2V Ducati. Knowing what it costs to replace various parts (worked at a dealer for a couple years), I may never. | ||
| Jolly |
If I were a little more practical I would own less bikes...  | ||
| Steveford |
If ever there was a bike that reminds me of a Norton it's the tube frame Buells. The S2 reminds me so much of the Fastback I had in High School, the S1 reminds me of my old Roadster I loved so much and the X1 reminds me of the Norton I always wished they would have built. | ||
| Ratbuell |
And let's not forget..."classic" generally comes with "scarce". The more Redneck Chopperz that are made, and the more tubers that are chopped...the better the survivors look. Like my '72 Satellite wagon...and my one-owner 91 Daytona competition package turbo...and my one-of-15 autographed-by-Carroll '89 Shelby CSX-VNT...my tubers will NOT be sold. I will keep them, maintain them, and honor them. And that is where these motorcycles will end up - eventually, the only folks who will own them will be people like me, and many others on this forum - owners because they want THAT bike because of what THAT bike is, not people who want a cheap bike with a Harley motor. THAT is what will make them classics. Meanwhile, I'll keep riding the wheels off mine and grinning every mile  I have a 95 S2, a 98 S1W, a 98 S3T Defender, and an 01 M2(used to be)L...none of them will be on the market anytime soon. They're just too much fun, and I'm connected to them on too many levels. |
