Quote Originally Posted by Trike lady View Post
Bikes made in limited quantities are worth money and collectible. I have a friend who is now living in Kentucky and he has a large collection of Japanese and American bikes. He has managed to find two GL1000s that have 1974 on the vin tag and a couple of GL1000 prototypes that made there way to the general public. So check the GL1000 carefully before saying no. The 1985 GL1200 Limited this was the first Goldwing with fuel injection and the 1986 GL1200 Aspencade SEi that last fuel injected Goldwing. The 1976 GL1000 Limited the one with the gold wheels. All three of these bikes were built in limited numbers. The Honda PC800 Pacific Coast (looks like a baby Goldwing) a strange little bike. The 1983 CX/GL 650 models, it was the last year for this bike. The Silverwing series (long before the scooter model) came as a 'naked' and an 'Interstate' model. The Interstate can be set up with different touring packages. I have a GL650I with the single seat and small trunk, not a popular set up. You have the Turbo CX 650, a CX Custom and a CX. There are also CX/GL 500 and a Turbo.
Then you have odd bikes like the Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter (Indian style bike). Suzuki Cavalcade that competed against the Goldwing.. There is a GL1500 Interstate with the radio in the left fairing pocket. Anniversary bikes are normally made in limited numbers, the 2009 GL1800 in light blue was limited to 500 units.
Not all HDs are collector bikes either 95th and earlier anniversary models were built in limited numbers. The Heritage edition Electra glide in olive/orange is hard to find. There is the Sturgis and Daytona Dyna models, the 'Moo' glide the model with the bovine inspired seat and bags, the 1984 FLHX (the original), the Liberty edition, the Servicar and military bikes especially if you can find the U.S. Navy models.
Most bikes built today are just like automobiles 'Throw away'. More people will restore and older bike from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
Goldwings are a bike people hold onto.
The1983 GL650I a one year only bike.
Wow, you know your stuff Trike Lady! The thing with those though is finding ones that are still under valued. The last 75 Limited I looked at was beat and the guy still wanted a premium for it. I say the GL1000 isn't really a collector because you can find ones in decent (not pristine) condition pretty frequently. (Similar to the old BMW airheads except for special ones like the toasters.) I want a GL1000 (garden variety) just because I think they are great bikes and would love having one when I run with my vintage friends. (Assuming I couldn't find an old Moto Guzzi Edorado or Ambassador which have blown up recently.)

Funny how many bikes being mentioned here are ones I lusted after at one time or another -- yours being one of them. I peruse for a Helix or a Pacific Coast regularly because I think they'd be great second bikes. The Drifter was one I really really thought about before the current Indians came out. Now I'd just be embarrassed to be seen on one.

I guess I'm almost shifting subjects here on my own thread and revealing something about myself in the process. For me, just recognizing a bike as a future classic (coupled with a great purchase price) probably wouldn't be enough. For me, it would have to be one I really wanted as well which totally screws with that cool, reasoned, detached thing.