Get on the showfield for less: Buy a vintage motorcycle

I’ll let you in on a not-so-secret way to get a vehicle onto the concours showfield.

No, I’m not talking about sneaking your jalopy through an unsecured rear gate, I’m talking about buying a vintage motorcycle.

For less than the price of a new, mid-sized SUV, here are some bikes recently sold by Mecum that should turn some heads–and maybe collect some hardware along the way.

1974 Moto Guzzi Tuttoterreno

• Sold: $1925

Does uncommon also mean expensive? Not always. Take, for example, this Moto Guzzi Tuttoterreno.

The Tuttoterreno (Italian for “all terrain”) was designed to take on the rocky and muddy roads less traveled.

What makes this Moto Guzzi more special than some other bikes of the era? This one was only sold Europe.

1980 Rickman Honda Predator 900

• Sold: $11,000

How much do you think a motorcycle produced in small numbers and assembled by hand would set you back? Try $11,000.

One of just 41 believed to exist, this bike is the result of a collaboration between Honda and British custom bike builder Rickman Motorcycles.

To build the Predator 900, Rickman started by placing the 901cc inline-four engine from a CB900F inside a lightweight, handcrafted frame. AP Lockheed brakes as well as Marzocchi front forks and rear shocks were then fitted to further improve performance.

1926 Harley-Davidson Model BA Overhead Valve Single

• Sold: $36,300

For the collector who prefers to keep everything as original as possible, try this prewar Harley-Davidson BA.

Billed as being both unrestored and in highly original condition, this BA stands as Harley-Davidson’s first overhead valve road bike–and was commonly used in board track racing, too.

The engine used in the BA would go on to power the later Model S “Peashooter,” made famous for the unique sound of its engine and lack of brakes (to make the bike as light as possible, of course.)

2001 Ducati 748RS

• Sold: $40,700

How about something with a little race-induced patina?

One of fewer than 20 examples produced to meet WorldSBK’s homologation rules, this Ducati wears the No. 21 Team Ducati Infostrada livery of three-time Superbike World champ Troy Bayliss.

Of note, the tank, side cowlings and undertray were used during qualifying and free practice, and both side panels sport Bayliss’ signature.

As for the left-side cowling and front wings? Blame a race crash–but it all just adds to the story, right?

1978 Kawasaki KX380 SR Works

• Sold: $47,300

One way to better your chances of winning a concours award? Start with a vehicle that’s already racked up a few prizes.

This rare Kawasaki KX380 SR Works was ridden by Jimmy Weinert in AMA during 1978 and 1979. Since then, the bike has won awards at the Conondale Classic, VMX Magazine Classic Dirt and Devonport Motor Show.

And how do we know this Kawasaki is rare? Because these bikes were never offered for sale to the public. (Which also means this one cannot be ridden on public roads.)

1971 Norton Commando “F750” Peter Williams Road Racer

• Sold: $49,500

A good sign you have something special? When the seller notes that it’s likely the only one of its kind left–and, more than that, one of only three ever made.

This unique Norton, known as an F750, was built by motorcycle racer Peter Williams before joining the John Player-sponsored Norton factory team.

Based on a Norton Commando Production Racer (which Hagerty says is worth around $14,400 for an example in No. 2 condition), Williams improved the already fast bike into a two-wheeled machine capable of reaching 110 mph.

1990 Honda RC30 VFR750R

• Sold: $51,700

A street-legal racer? Yeah, the motorcycle world has those, too.

Case in point: This Honda VFR750R is the road-going version of the same bike Fred Merkel used to secure the 1988 and 1989 World Superbike championships.

For added desirability, the Honda is one of a little more than 300 examples sold in the United States and currently shows fewer than 7000 miles on the odometer.

1942 Harley-Davidson WLA

• Sold: $55,000

In case the olive drab didn’t give it away, the WLA was Harley-Davidson’s contribution to the war effort during WWII. While thousands were produced, many were either sold off as surplus and modified or left behind in Europe, often in Lend-Lease countries like the Soviet Union.

This example is said to have been restored using “nearly all NOS parts” from a Type VII WLA that was built in 1945.

Parts original to the motorcycle include the frame, transmission case, rear rim, luggage rack and skid plate.

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