Wealth. That counts. Both in possession and in wealth. The wealth in our passion has been mainly in the cost of classics in recent years. But that is not fair to all the nice, affordable classics that are still there.
Moreover, the engines that were expensive were unaffordable to the common man in the past. That cost problem was also surmountable 'back then'. Because financing is of all times.
A new CB750 SOHC cost around 6.500 guilders at the time. That's about €3.200. Now such a four-cylinder, top of the range from Honda's program, can easily cost around €10.000. In 1970, the gross modal income in the Netherlands converted to 2025 was about €5.559 per year, or €417 per month. That puts the price in a different light.
And now? The modal income in the Netherlands in 2024 is €44.000 gross per year. This is an increase compared to 2023, when the modal income was €41.500 gross per year. The most expensive Honda motorcycle can now be purchased – with or without financing – for €44.549.
For example, a CB750 SOHC seems like a bargain, and you probably won't be faced with high depreciation costs in comparison. That expensive Goldwing will at least be depreciated in five years for tax purposes. But for a used Honda GL1800 Tour DeLuxe that is only a few years old, a Dutch dealer is now asking €37.890. The difference is €6.660 depreciation in less than two years, and experts will note that the three sixes in the price are almost the number of the Beast*. And that is an unfriendly approach to this top model from Honda.
Even more power
The increase in power is entirely due to the increase in knowledge and the improvement of materials and technology. The Vincent HRD Rapide, an enormously powerful, very expensive motorcycle from 1950 with a 1000 cc V-twin delivered about 45-50 hp. In 1993, the Honda CB1000 BIG 1 from the same 998 cc delivered 100 hp. But that Honda was not an icon like the Vincent, but 'just' a nice fat one. The Suzuki GS1000 L, which has since become somewhat more appreciated, was in the books for 90 hp.
Now when we talk about new mid-range machines, we are talking about 1000cc machines with a wide range of power outputs, depending on the type of engine and the manufacturer. Twin-cylinder engines deliver around 80 to 100 hp, while four-cylinder engines can sometimes deliver up to 200+ hp, especially in super sports models.
In a country where we are sometimes allowed to drive 130 km/h on a few stretches of road, anything more than the 1969 hp that BMW, when it introduced the R75/5 in 50, stated as the maximum safe speed for public roads seems sufficient.
The argument 'a lot of power is safe when overtaking' is not very valid in the current traffic situation where almost everyone neatly adheres to the prescribed speeds. On a classic - brand new - 400 cc machine you are the king of the left lane here. You might need a 500 cc machine for fast overtaking on secondary roads.
For example a Triumph Speed Twin from the early fifties. Such a beast of a machine delivered almost 30 hp! Or a Yamaha TX500 with an output of almost 50 hp.
But the bottom line: driving a classic car is not financially unaffordable. The fun you get from it is.
* For the non-Bible-savvy readers: the number 666 is associated in certain Christian religious beliefs as the number of the Beast, with Satan and the Antichrist, based on Revelation 13:17-18 from the New Testament. Fear of or avoidance of this number is therefore especially prevalent in cultures that are marked by Christianity.
Another pleasantly readable piece, now about power, horsepower, and the required power, money, one power unfortunately remains unmentioned, the thinking power.
I live on a narrow dike and while reading this article a motorcycle roars past, estimated by the speed and momentum 160??
Probably, referring to the above comment, I also think he has a fantastic dike moped.
As long as he doesn't take anyone with him, there's no problem, there's always someone to sweep him up, the problem is, who will hold the broom.
It is mainly the small classic cars that are massively ignored, and therefore not only do nothing in terms of horsepower... but also not financially.
A CB250 twin or bigger brother (sister..?) CB400/450 twin for example; DOHC, those are the really old ones, or SOHC (say anything after '78) are wonderful classics that are excellent for everyday errands (such as for little commuting).
But you don't want to be found dead on it, because it's too small and therefore substandard.
And let a Suus GN250 or Kawa LTD from the '80s be pure relaxation pleasure.
Not worth a dime, and not capable of impressing the neighbours…but fantastic dike mopeds
You're right. Indeed, those things with small cylinder capacity are too small. Doesn't look good. Even my Blauwtje that started life as a 471cc boxer. Its wheelbase of 1390mm is small. With me just over 1.90m that doesn't look good either, but I throw and throw that thing where I want it in the bends. To limit the 'reputational damage' due to 'doesn't look good', I later bought an R1150R from 2001, hi! The price I paid for it six years ago was actually unreal. Apart from a wiring harness that is peeling, there is not much wrong with it so far. With such a price, the 'return on investment' is certainly justifiable. With new rear rubber and a set of Hyperpro springs, it is also wonderfully docile in the bends. So Blauwtje also has a carefully selected set of springs. (including rear shock absorbers) The amount of work that has already gone into Blauwtje is hard to imagine, but it is really special in terms of engine. It's all very nice, but it hasn't grown. I once rode a CB250 single-cylinder. Yes, that was really slowing down. Something you describe so beautifully. But it was a wonderful bike. I still think back to it sometimes.