What makes a model new bike a worthy funding? When you’re shopping for off the showroom ground, you’re positively enjoying the lengthy sport, as most will depreciate considerably the second you signal the dotted line. Past that, the long run is unsure, and few know what the producers will construct in coming years or what traits will age higher than others.
When you’re investing in 2023, one strategy is to investigate what bikes are uncommon and vital now, and predict whether or not they’ll beat the appreciation of your common machine. And not using a crystal ball to account for this stuff, we’ll rank the next bikes in line with the recommendation of one other clever sphere—the Magic 8 Ball—becoming proper?
BMW R NineT 100 Years Anniversary version bikes come out on a regular basis, however when a storied marque like BMW celebrates a centennial, I wouldn’t sleep on it. In honor of the event, BMW Motorrad added two limited-edition 100 Years fashions to the Heritage lineup, the R 18 and R NineT. Restricted to 1,923 models, and an excellent illustration of using in 2023, I’d take the R NineT.
Boasting spoked wheels and a timeless 1,170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer engine, the usual BMW R NineT will seemingly age higher than most cruisers or bare bikes. However lengthy earlier than your common R 9 begins to understand, the 100 Years mannequin will most likely have doubled, given its distinctive specification and place in BMW historical past.
The added taste of the 100 Years mannequin is usually beauty, consisting of 100 Years badging, particular finishes and a lot of BMW’s Choice 719 milled elements. When you may spec-out a daily R NineT with most of those elements, the badging and paint-over-chrome end are particular, the latter of which takes inspiration from the 1969 R 75/5.
Positive, you’ll pay an additional $4,050 for the R NineT 100 Years version, and that may not be value it for everybody. However with regards to an investment-grade bike, the $19,995 MSRP is fairly low cost for a motorcycle that’s certain to be fascinating within the coming many years. Jostle the Magic 8 Ball, and this one comes again ‘indicators level to sure.’ [BMW Motorrad]
Ducati Panigale V4 R Why would somebody pay $20 million for a 1995 McLaren F1? For one, as a result of it’s superior, but in addition as a result of it’s a halo automobile from a golden period earlier than electronics and enhance utterly dominated the roost. There are many tremendous bikes on the market that match this logic, however I’m considering the F1’s present two-wheeled counterpart is the Ducati Panigale V4 R.
In Ducati’s phrases, the Panigale V4 R is “the closest manufacturing mannequin to a contest bike ever,” and so they’ve acquired a compelling case. On the crank, the 998 cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine produces 240.5 hp and turns 16,500 rpm in sixth gear—when geared up with the monitor exhaust setup and particular Ducati/Shell Course oil naturally.
The V4 R’s spec sheet is a gearhead’s treasure chest, together with light-weight magnesium wheels, brushed aluminum gasoline tank, gun-drilled titanium connecting rods, titanium consumption valves and aluminum pistons with a DLC (diamond like carbon) remedy utilized to the skirts. Then you definately’ve acquired a single-sided swingarm, Brembos, adjustable Öhlins shocks and a number of efficiency and monitor modes—the record goes on and on.
Manufacturing numbers haven’t been printed, however we’re advised the bike shall be a numbered collection with every bike bearing its sequence quantity on the billet triple tree. A technical masterpiece clothed in an excellent MotoGP livery, the Ducati Panigale V4 R is, and can at all times be costly. MSRP is available in at $44,995, which is up there, however a far cry from the $100k Membership. Will a mint-condition V4 R return handsomely on its funding sometime? The 8 Ball replies ‘outlook good.’ [Ducati]
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King 1968 referred to as, and so they need their FLH again. How in regards to the reverse? With the charming aesthetic of Harley’s basic deluxe touring fashions, the 2023 Electra Glide Freeway King is a time machine with trendy Milwaukee-Eight efficiency.
Beginning in 2021, Harley has been unveiling limited-edition throwback fashions as a part of their Icons Assortment, and the 2023 Freeway King is a complete knockout. The mannequin builds on the present single-spar touring chassis and Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, with two ’60s-era shade schemes of Hello-Fi Orange and Hello-Fi Magenta.
Past simply flashy paint, you get all of the chrome, white partitions, interval fender designs and badges that made these bikes iconic. The saddle takes its form from HD’s patrol bikes, and is accented by a singular chrome ring. The saddle baggage are white, identical to they was once, and the removable windshield comes with color-matched tint on the decrease half.
This one actually ticks the field for traditional, however what in regards to the future? Effectively, the Freeway King is a 2023-only mannequin, and simply 1,750 shall be constructed—1,000 in Hello-Fi Orange and 750 in Hello-Fi Magenta, after which it’s gone. The HD fanbase is much and vast, particularly for nostalgia objects. For this one, the 8 Ball reads ‘it’s decidedly so,’ particularly in magenta. [More]
Norton V4SV Norton, there’s an fascinating selection given latest historical past involving pension fund schemes, monetary points and the problematic V4SS. Lately acquired by TVS Motor, the brand new Norton is about to proper the wrongs of latest years, and restore the model’s standing as a premium British marque. For this, the brand new V4SV makes a compelling argument.
The flagship of the brand new Norton, the V4SV seems rather a lot just like the previous V4SS, and shares a lot of its dimensions and specs as properly. However after totally analyzing the bike and compiling a listing of over 30 design faults, it was clear new Norton must return to sq. one.
Among the many prolonged record, the staff addressed the problem of defective welding within the chassis and swingarm. Each objects had been reworked, and the brand new chassis is TIG-welded aluminum and totally hand polished, contributing massively to the bike’s character. Its 1,200 cc V4 engine was additionally utterly re-engineered, and whereas it’s right down to 185 bhp (in comparison with the V4SS at 200 bhp), the 72-degree V4 supplies manageable, torquey efficiency for the road.
Outfitted with massive radial Brembos, adjustable Öhlins and a full assortment of carbon fiber, billet aluminum and just a little kevlar for good measure, Norton’s V4SV is actually a piece of purposeful artwork. Whereas the V4SV will at all times be in comparison with the Ducati Panigale V4 (the place it received’t win on paper), the Norton brings one thing completely different to the desk, chalk it as much as soul.
With an MSRP of $53,037, investing within the V4SV is a little bit of a chance, however one that would pay dividends if it turns into the bike to show issues round for Norton. For this one, the Magic 8 Ball replies “can’t predict now.” [Norton]
MV Agusta Rush 1000 Speak about a hyper bare! The stout and stocky aesthetic of the MV Agusta Rush might be a find it irresistible or hate it kind of factor, however contemplating you’ve acquired 208 hp on faucet and a high finish of over 187 mph, the MV is way more than only a funky look.
MV Agusta debuted the Rush again in 2021 as a scorching, 300-unit restricted version based mostly on the 1,000 cc Brutale 1000 RR. Boasting 13.4:1 compression, DLC-coated cam followers, 4 50 mm Mikuni throttle our bodies and radial valve distribution, the Rush’s inline 4 is rated at 208 hp at 13,000 RPM and 86 lb-ft at 11,000 RPM. Unhappy? Examine the field for the race equipment and output is as much as 212 hp at 13,500 RPM.
The remainder of the machine is riddled with top-of-the-line elements to deal with the grunt, together with radial Brembos, Continental ABS, Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa rubber and an electronically-controlled Öhlins NIX EC fork, TTX EC rear shock and steering dampener. Its six-axis IMU can be a premium unit, which controls the bike’s cornering ABS, traction management, cruise management, launch management and wheelie management.
MV hasn’t shared many particulars in regards to the 2023 Rush, aside from that it is available in new Mamba Crimson/Intense Black colours, and there’s no phrase on if its manufacturing numbers shall be restricted just like the 2021 model. Both means, the MV Agusta Rush is a fairly spectacular road machine with outlandish present and go, however will it recognize sufficient to finally offset its $45,598 MSRP? The 8 Ball is hesitant on this one, and returns ‘reply hazy, attempt once more.’ [MV Agusta]
