BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I was wondering which BMW motorcycles you folks think might be considered classics in the sense of collectible value in the future. For the past 40 years here is my list of models to start the ball rolling:
1. R75/5
2. R90S
3. R80/GS
4. R100RS
5. K100RS-ABS Special
6. K75S
7. K1
8. R1200R

All certainly worthy, but do go back far enough to include the R69S, my personal all-time favorite (until the R1200R).

I bet the first year of the GS series will be sought after in the future - still some good examples around...

You asked for OPINIONS.
I have a hard time tagging a vehicle with the term "Classic" usually reserving it for high end, low production items. I have a /5 and would never consider it a classic, they were mass produced and their are way too many of them out there. Some of the others on the list I would term "collectible" and our R1200Rs are too new to deserve the term "Classic".
We have other terms for old bikes/cars that can be used Veteran/Vintage/Collectible and Old come to mind.
Don't ask for a list of Classics , I'm just giving an opinion not trying to start a war .

Bill Stevenson wrote:I was wondering which BMW motorcycles you folks think might be considered classics in the sense of collectible value in the future. For the past 40 years here is my list of models to start the ball rolling:
1. R75/5
2. R90S
3. R80/GS
4. R100RS
5. K100RS-ABS Special
6. K75S
7. K1
8. R1200R

That's probably the right list for exactly 40 years .. any earlier and you need R69S etc.

Your list is right for bikes that have achieved classic status. If you meant to include ground-breaking bikes, there are two more:
- the first K100 (Bike of the Year all over the place and the first "brick", but maybe not so collectable)
... maybe the K100RS or K100RT variants are more "classic"
....though sheer numbers still on the road (many as rat-bikes) reduces retained value, even if it proves longevity!
- R1100RS (first Telelever, resurrection of the boxer, and definitely a classic ... in producton 11 years)

And I'd argue there is one more classic for your list - R65LS. Hans Muth design, very timeless, perfect stock or with panniers.

I doubt any BMW built since the 60's will be collectible in a financial sense. Seems to me collectibility comes from an almost irrational passion often linked to high performance vehicles that were available when a person was a teenager or young adult. BMWs strike me as being more of a thoughtful, rational attraction typically developed a little later in life. A BMW enthusiast is more likely to be attracted by the features and capabilities of a new generation BMW, whatever that is at the moment, than be willing to pay a lot money for an older BMW.

That being said, I'd pay a little money to have a pristine silver R60/5 like the one I owned in 1971-73.

Bill Stevenson wrote:I was wondering which BMW motorcycles you folks think might be considered classics in the sense of collectible value in the future. For the past 40 years here is my list of models to start the ball rolling:
1. R75/5
2. R90S
3. R80/GS
4. R100RS
5. K100RS-ABS Special
6. K75S
7. K1
8. R1200R

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say No. 8.

Interesting responses so far. Thanks. My interest in, and involvement with, BMWs goes back to 1969-1970, when the R75/5 was their newest offering. It was a giant leap over the previous R69S in my opinion, at that time. The R90S was I believe, the first factory "cafe racer" and with Reg Pridmore aboard proved that the R90S could compete in road racing. As a young man, I was smitten with this model. Then the company bought out the original RS and just simply stole the show for me. Wow what an exciting bike.

I am thinking of starting a collection, but first must find a garage to store them. My list is sort of a preliminary target and your feedback is valuable and appreciated.

Regards,

Bill

The R90S for sure maybe the K1 the others not so much. Old R bikes R 23, 24 R59 etc those are the classic boxers, collectible? Depends.

R75/5- The big dog of the "modern" BMW.
R90S- No need to explain this one.
R60/6 euro -spec with disc brake- Because I have one.
R69S- Again, inarguable.
R80G/S- The first true adventure bike.
R1100RS- The first oilhead
K1- Still ahead of it's time.
K75S- Because triples just sound good.
R65- Because they were the transitional model for BMW. No one wanted one and the sat on the dealers floor. Then the police realized how good they were and they started selling. The snowflake wheels grow on you.