Some insurance companies recognize a bike a "classic" when it reaches 15 years old.

 

Classic is usually just done by age. Collectable is a nother matter, most old sport bikes don't fetch a lot of money but people still collect them as a hobby. I think eventually there will be a market for them because most of them get hammered in the first few years of there existence. Its really people's love for them that will drive prices up and make more sport bikes collectable

 

I remember someone saying to be considered a classic it had to be at least 25 years when I was a little kid...I actually asked this during a show and that was the answer the dude gave me...but pretty sure there's more to it than just age

 

It's 25 years here, but they are called antiques instead of classic.

 

I totally agree with the "25 year" quote. A bike that's 25 years old and in pristine shape it's, in my view, a classic machine.

Case in point, look below: :smile

 

A bike is a 'classic' when you'll pay more for what it was than what it is.

 

Ain't that the truth. In an add classic is usually followed by the words rare and limited edition. Not to say it isnt the truth for some. But for many it holds no validity. Classic is merely a word meant to get you feeling all warm and cozy before the asking price is mentioned.

 

^ My thoughts exactly HH, summed up much better than I would have.

 

I'd say generally anything that was ever called "a legend in it's own time" has a good shot at classic status someday. ZX11 comes to mind. First gen 10R maybe, first gen 'busa. I dunno. Probably helps if there weren't a billion of them made over a decade and a half with minimal changes, but I dunno. Probably depends on how many are left as time goes on. Regardless, it has to be something people lusted after when it was new, and still incite those same feelings years later.

 

Fuck that my 2013 14r is a classic because I said so :crazyloco Well maybe not a classic but a game changer:banghead