Say what you want about Terblanche...

[Vishwacorp]

I don't have an opinion on that BMW, but he did first mention the Monster as a modern classic! That, and maybe I'm in the minority, but I find the 749/999 generation of superbikes to be uniquely beautiful!

[hillbillypolack]

By that line of reasoning, an R65LS is a classic. Bear in mind that both it and the first R80GS above were sales duds. BMW did make some true classics, including the first smoke silver R90S which I had, and R100RS Motorsport above, and probably the K1. ALL of THOSE bikes actually work. The R100GS was the first real GS if you want to consider function into the equation. 

Check the auction reports. No interest in arguing with a Texan...  Not that I owned one, but you do consider a 1973 750 SS a classic, right?

BTW, I'd rather a TR-4A or better yet an AC Bristol, a true classic. For sunny Sundays I prefer a Plus 8, turnkey modern classic. 

At least Terblanche likes Hailwood..., so he can't be all bad.

That's splitting the hairs mighty fine.  So, you'd say that since the HP2 Sport, Megamoto and enduro were sales duds, they have no possibility of becoming future classics?  Those sat on dealer floors up to three years after they were released yet were the M series of BMW Motorrad at the time, simply priced too high.  What were the sales numbers of the K1?  What about the R1200S?  I don't know if sales numbers determine future classics.

BTW, the R65LS didn't begin any lineage.  It was a styled bike similar in intent to the R65 with Hans Muth bodywork.  The GS/80 started the Gelande / Strasse line which is why it was so significant.

The Ducati bevels in all their iterations were overlooked for decades, and just recently have seen their values jump up considerably.  Those among us have known they were (are) classics, but the secret is out now. . . Anything with '1974', 750SS, or 'green frame' just amplifies the supposed value.  A friend is restoring a 74 750SS, probably 'valued' at 80k.  Insane.

With Ducati's newest models, I'd have to think that only the uppermost end of the sportbikes will be classics.  There are far too many other models made, and looking at eBay values, Ducati's resale is 50% original sale prices.  For now anyway.

Maybe we ought to get back to the intent of the thread, which if I recall was Terblanche.  I've spoken with him on a few occasions, which were enlightening.  He has a soft spot for purity and simplicity-getting to the essence of riding without the complexity interfering.  The bikes he'd chosen make perfect sense in that regard.

[EvilSteve]

from the 09 EICMA

I'm still waiting for Guzzi to release or even announce those bikes. want.

[The Mad King Pepe']

The GS/80 started the Gelande / Strasse line which is why it was so significant.

That I think is the point.

For me a "Classic" is a bike (or car, or anything else) that somehow alters the status quo and has a lasting influence on the bikes that came after it.

The 916 is a classic as well. Headlights like two narrow slots, single-sided swing-arm, double high mount exhaust under the tail... still being imitated today.

I don't think the technical part matters much, the GS was (is  ) a pig of a bike, but there's just something about the bike that makes everyone love it even years since it was introduced.


Oh, and a huge +1 on the Guzzi holy trifecta bikes. Love them!

[zooom]

to Terbi's credits, I think he also penned my Cagiva Gran Canyon FWIW....