Fazer - A True Classic?

[nick crisp]

We all love our Fazers, be it FZS600/1000, FZ8 or FZ1. But is any version destined to be a true classic? With many insurance companies now giving reduced premiums to any bike over 15 or 20 years old as a classic bike, what are the criteria to define a classic bike? And can you really be objective in your view if you're a true FOCcer?

[stevierst]

Well the boxeye is the original and the first, so I guess it would be that one.

[red98]

Well the boxeye is the original and the first, so I guess it would be that one.

i`ll second that....the real early ones,parhaps a 98 in red  :lol

[nick crisp]

So first version of any model will always be a classic? Doesn't classic status require a little more than that?

[dBfazer600]

So first version of any model will always be a classic? Doesn't classic status require a little more than that?

Yep, Fox Eye and in red  :lol

Daz

[Bornagain again]

FZS will be a classic.  As an overall bike it still outperforms many bikes out there now.

What I would love to know from Yamaha is why they could continue to build the XJR and not the Fazer FZS?

[red98]

So first version of any model will always be a classic? Doesn't classic status require a little more than that?

any collector will always go for an early model,and yes it does require a bit more than that...old british bikes as you probably know are fetching big money and are highly rated...not so much for early jap bikes although some are starting to achive classic status and the money that goes with it,check out the prices for honda`s cbx1000 and kawasaki`s z1300 and z1`s and you`ll see what i mean....also,there will be loads of brit bikes at cassington on monday night,if your brave enough ask the owners what they think of jap bikes  :rolleyes


the reason i bought my 1975 honda 400/4 f1.......registered in the same month as they were launched and of course......................its a red one  :lol

[slimwilly]

so what is the definition of a classic, name 5 classics

[slimwilly]

i think i owned a classic for the last ten years,, a 1996 Honda VFR 750 , i think that is one of the 5

[nick crisp]

The reason I've asked this question is that I was skating through the classified ads in a couple of so-called classic bike magazines at work today, and I couldn't believe the money some people were asking for older Jap bikes that weren't even rated very highly in their own day. To me, one of the essential requirements for a true classic is that it has to have been considered as pretty special when it first hit the streets.
A couple of examples: RD 350LC, GPZ900R, Ducati 900SS (I'm thinking late 70s/early 80s with the Ducati).

[slimwilly]

well i guess the classics will also be added all the time, the BMW crew will have a few shouts

[noggythenog]

It seems to be the common sales shpeel these days to self proclaim ones for sale bike as a rare, a classic or a future classic, seemingly to get a bit more dosh for it.


But i dont know what makes a classic, is it even official and if so then which group or association decides it???


Or is it just an over used word to describe something that is desirable & few in number.


I think the original fazer already has that nostalgia from a high number of previous owners & many people return to it after years of trying out other bikes.no problem either as they are still cheap & plentiful.i can see this continuing until there are eventually more 'returners' than there are fazers left & then the demand could push up the prices & well.....produce a classic i suppose

[caretaker]

whoever would have thought that superdreams would become collectable? i had 3 and they were not great bikes but they just got on with it. i predict the cbx550 faired version will become a classic, mainly because there arent that many around anymore  in completely standard condition. nostalgia has a big part to play here, but also the look of a bike is extremely important.

[Lawrence]

Well the boxeye is the original and the first, so I guess it would be that one.

You wouldn't be saying that if you'd seen mine  :crazy

[Buzz]

[quote author=stevierst link=topic=8411.msg82817#msg82817 date=1371755642]
Well the boxeye is the original and the first, so I guess it would be that one.

i`ll second that....the real early ones,parhaps a 98 in red  :lol
[/quote]


Shouldn't that be a n-n-n-n-ninety eight in r-r-r-r-r-r-red?  :b

[JZS 600]

Laverda Jota, 180! a true classic. (and triple)

[fireblake]

any collector will always go for an early model,and yes it does require a bit more than that...old british bikes as you probably know are fetching big money and are highly rated...not so much for early jap bikes although some are starting to achive classic status and the money that goes with it,check out the prices for honda`s cbx1000 and kawasaki`s z1300 and z1`s and you`ll see what i mean....also,there will be loads of brit bikes at cassington on monday night,if your brave enough ask the owners what they think of jap bikes  :rolleyes


the reason i bought my 1975 honda 400/4 f1.......registered in the same month as they were launched and of course......................its a red one  :lol



It makes me laugh when you chat to people who say Jap bikes are shite. I know everyone is allowed their own opinion but you have to wonder what they define as shite? For me anything that starts on the button (Or kick start) every time is great. Peeps who who berate Japanese bikes mostly don't have to commute at 4 o'clock in the morning all year round.


Mickey

[red98]

[quote author=red98 link=topic=8411.msg82824#msg82824 date=1371756681]
[quote author=stevierst link=topic=8411.msg82817#msg82817 date=1371755642]
Well the boxeye is the original and the first, so I guess it would be that one.

i`ll second that....the real early ones,parhaps a 98 in red  :lol
[/quote]


Shouldn't that be a n-n-n-n-ninety eight in r-r-r-r-r-r-red?  :b
[/quote]



funny buzz...very bloody funny.... :lol :lol :lol ......might be sorted this weekend 

[bigbluebear]

Should a classic not be in standard format, that excludes most of us on here with all the modifications that have been done....mind you I'd rather have mine the way it is.....totally unstandard and running perfect

[VNA]

What I would love to know from Yamaha is why they could continue to build the XJR and not the Fazer FZS?

Cos they've been to specsavers and you haven't?

Who knows what becomes collectable.  Don't think any of the FZS models are on their way there yet.  Reasons?  Not pretty enougth.  Not weird enougth.  Not ugly enougth.  Not notorious.  Far from rare.

As I do a little more work on sorting out my ancient garage, I have been thinking what bike I might add if I ever get it finished, oh and have a little cash lying around.  I'm thinking about things I just fancy, plus with a view to em becoming collectable

An early 90's Speed Triple is always in mind. 
An original 98/99 R1 is always an option.
2004/5 GSXR750 anniversary model.
Honda VTR1000SP1 or 2 (but prices are already getting quite firm)
Suzuki TL1000S or R    Not sure about the S it's reputation def makes it collectable, but I wanna ride the thing - is it really as nasty as some made out?

The TL1000R is becoming collectable and sure to be a classic.  Why, cos it looks weird and it's rare.  Poor sales due to reputation of the earlier model and frankly the competition had it wasted before it even came out.    But over ten years later, just look at the thing, it's a classic and it didn't even try.

I had a 99 Fazer 600, and I've had my thou for over 9 years now.  But I don't see any of the Fazer models becoming collectable any time soon.  Give it another couple of decades, by that time anything that survives is reasonable standard nick a classic.

Oh if I do go for something, it'll need to be near dammit standard.  Nothing wrecks collectable desirability like mods and dodgy paint jobs.