Top 10 Reasons to go Classic

Why you should buy a classic bike (and why, maybe, you shouldn’t)

Why You Should

1: Character

2: Simplicity, which makes fault finding easier. Just listen for obvious strange noises, try and keep the oil inside and electricity from escaping.

3: Styling – and it’s the real deal, not a retro.

4: Fixable at home. A moderately talented amateur mechanic can fix their bike at home, which is an obvious money saver.

5: Cheaper spares. Whether it’s new, old stock, second-hand parts, or pattern stuff, spares are always cheaper than modern kit. A new rear tyre for my Bonneville cost £70-£80, against £130 for my 2019 Husqvarna 401... and those need replacing in pairs.

6: Depreciation is low or non-existent. All my classics are worth between £500 and £2500 more than I paid for them –the Husky is worth half what I paid for it. Whether this will continue in a world moving away from fossil fuels is open to debate.

7: Friendship. Owning a classic will make you friends – it’s not just the camaraderie, but their help when things go wrong.

8: Cheaper insurance on a classic policy, though some providers won’t accept NCD.

9: No MoT or tax. If the bike’s over 40 years old, register it as historic and you won’t need either.

10: Banish boredom. This will be a thing of the past, replaced with confusion, frustration and, eventually, satisfaction.

Why You Shouldn’t

1: Brakes. Can be terrible by modern standards, whether early Japanese discs or British drums – they just aren’t built for modern roads. Italian stuff is slightly better.

2: Electrics. Primitive and often held together with previous owner bodges.

3: Lights. Bad enough back in the day, now at glowworm standards. Fortunately, modern LED bulbs are a simple upgrade – buy them.

4: Maintenance. You can’t just park up after a ride and expect it to be perfect next time – wipe it down and check for loose bolts and fluid leaks.

5: Pattern parts. Can be a bit iffy, especially rubber components. I’m on my third set of BSA gaiters, while factory ones I fitted 20 years ago to my Yamaha are perfect.

6: Dodgy geezers. It has to be said, there are chancers out there trying to get their hands on your money by selling you a duff bike. When buying, take an expert with you and don’t be blinded by shiny chrome.

7: Idiosyncrasies. Esoteric features, sometimes unique to a particular model – see sludge traps, magdynos and fully enclosed brake discs.

8: Previous owners. An old bike will usually have had many previous owners, all with different attitudes to maintenance.

9: Restoration cost. This will be more than you could imagine – budget for three times your first estimate.

10: No MoT. Great for the owner, but the bike has also missed out on a dealer visit and once-over every year. Now you have to rely on the seller’s honesty. See points 6 and 8.