5 Affordable Motorcycles Under $5,000 That Are Expected To Soar In Value

August 9, 2022

Because of their affordability and ease of storage, many people are starting to invest in motorcycles instead of an antique or collectible car. In fact, wealth and investment specialist Lee Goggin has predicted that the market for collectible and vintage motorcycles will soon skyrocket because the classic car market is reaching a ceiling. People interested in investing a small amount of cash in a motorcycle should check out these five vehicles that are expected to soar in value.

BMW R1100GS (1994–1999)

Adventure motorcycling has created big business for people who sell this vehicle and for tourism around the world, and the BMW R1100GS is pretty much the poster child for adventure riding. From the dirtbike styled handlebars to the comfortable upright seating and foot warmers, this BWM is as comfy as it is capable. Should you run into trouble on the road, the bike also comes with a kit under the rear seat that's stocked with enough tools to give your mechanic a scare. It is possible to own one of these bikes for just under $4,000 USD, which given their comfort and reliability, is a steal for these beemers.

Kawasaki KR-1S (1990–1992)

The KR-1S represents the only two-stroke motorcycle on this list and the fastest in its class, reaching speeds of 140 miles per hour. Touted as easy to tune, which seems to be the general appeal of anything from Honda during this time, buyers often overlooked the bike's failings, including heavy headshake and some reliability issues. The KR-1 was Honda's last two-stroke 250 class bike, and over the years have become exceedingly rare to find. Even though the production run of the KR-1 was short-lived, the bike managed to solidify a legacy for itself. If you manage to find one of these, however, it is possible to buy one of these exotic-looking motorcycles for about $4,000 USD.

Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa (1999 [Bronze])

Those who can afford to pay $4,600 USD can own the fastest standard production motorcycle of the 20th Century. This bike had the potential to reach 194 miles per hour right off the showroom floor, but fears of a regulatory backlash by European governments led to the installation of governors, which restricted the speed to a modest 186 miles per hour, securing its record position since no other bike could compete with it without being tampered with. The bronze version represents the fully tuned model and remains the more collectible of the range, though lower models are still in demand.

Honda VTR1000 SP-1 (2000–2001)

The Honda VTR1000 has a rich history in the World Superbike Championships, winning the competition in 2000 and 2002. This bike has been praised for its quality of build, braking system, and performance. Interested buyers can purchase one for around $5,000–$6,000 USD.

Ducati 996 (1999–2002)

Valued at around $6,000 USD, this acclaimed motorcycle won World Superbike titles in 1999 and 2001. Ducati bikes have been stereotyped as being expensive to maintain, but many owners claim that parts are a lot easier and cheaper to come by than is rumored. These are the bikes that stole the championship out from under the Honda VTR, with their more efficient Vtwin engines and fuel injection systems. While they may come with a higher price tag than bikes from other manufacturers, the brand's prowess on the track speaks to the value of these bikes. There are few motorcycles that openly compete with Ducati for a reason.

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