Classic Motorbikes That We All Should Have Bought a Decade Ago
Do you ever wish you could turn back the clock and buy that motorcycle you had your eye on a few years ago? The 35 motorcycles on this list were once “cheap,” easy to find, and totally underrated. Now, they're worth a fortune or impossible to get.
1969 Honda CB750
The CB750 was the bike that changed everything. It was pretty affordable, fast, and super reliable, kicking off the superbike era and looking darn good doing it. Ten years ago, you could grab one for cheap. Now? They're rarer than hen's teeth and expensive.
1973 Yamaha RD350
Yamaha's RD350 was every hooligan's dream - lightweight, quick, and loud. It used to be the go-to bike for thrill-seekers. It’s a cult classic today, with prices climbing faster than the revs on this little monster. You should've bought it years ago!
1972 Kawasaki Z1 900
Back in the ’70s, the Kawasaki Z1 900 was Japan's answer to style and power. And, boy, did it deliver! The Z1 900 is now a holy grail for collectors who have no problem paying tens of thousands of dollars to own a clean version.
1971 Suzuki GT750
Nicknamed "Water Buffalo," the Suzuki GT750 was legendary! It had a liquid-cooled two-stroke triple engine that was so smooth, it stood out from the pack. A decade ago, these bikes were unusual and inexpensive. Today, they're weird and valuable.
1975 Ducati 900SS
The 900SS is a bike built to be admired and oozed sexy Italian styling with the rumble of a V-twin. Simply put, the bike deserved to be ridden hard! People overlooked it for newer sports bikes, but now it's a vintage icon that'll have you digging deep into your pockets to own.
1973 BMW R90S
The BMW R90S looked as cool as it sounded, boasting its two-tone paint. BMW built it specially for long rides on twisty roads, and it was one of those bikes that was way ahead of its time. Collectors love it for its old-school vibe.
1959 Triumph Bonneville T120
The Triumph Bonneville is that British beauty you wish you'd bought. It's as timeless as a leather jacket, and had that twin growl that would make your knees quiver with every rev. It's a worthy piece of motorcycling history you wish you owned.
1973 Norton Commando 850
The Commando 850 was the crown jewel of British motorcycling before things went sideways. It had the soul and style that everyone wanted in a bike. Ten years back, it was super affordable. But today, it's a badge of vintage biker pride.
1970 Harley-Davidson XR750
Even Evel Knievel trusted the XR750 to jump buses. This bike dominated flat-track racing and had that old-school Harley attitude that made everyone want a piece of the action. Now, it's rare, fast, and collectors absolutely drool over it. You should've bought one when you could still afford to.
1978 Honda CBX
The CBX has six cylinders. You read that correctly - SIX! It looked like a rocket and sounded like a Formula 1 car on two wheels. Back then, so many people thought it was overkill and missed out on a masterpiece with now-skyrocketing value.
1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MK I
Italian design with a V-twin rumble and racing roots? Yes, please! The Le Mans was one of the most stylish, fast, and reliable bikes around. It used to be a niche pick for oddballs and Guzzi enthusiasts, but now it's a red-hot classic worth a fortune!
1968 Yamaha XS650
The Yamaha XS650 was a simple, bulletproof parallel twin bike that became a legend among café racers. It was like the blank canvas of motorcycles - cheap, cool, and easy to love. But, once word got out, prices doubled or even tripled.
1972 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV
The Kawasaki was called 'The Widowmaker' for a reason. This two-stroke triple was light, fast, and had no business being street-legal. It was THE bike to have if you enjoyed living on the edge. Today, the 1972 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV is terrifying and valuable.
1950 Indian Chief
The Indian Chief was Harley's main rival back in the day and was a big, bold bike built like a piece of Americana art. If you bought one 10 years ago, you'd have a piece of motorcycle royalty in your garage - and a fat profit, too.
1948 Vincent Black Shadow
This bike's pure legend. The Black Shadow was the fastest bike in the world at its time and resembled a superhero comic. It was already pricey 10 years ago, but now they're unicorns that are extremely hard to find.
1930s BSA Gold Star
The Gold Star was a bike with racing in its veins and a sound that turned heads for miles. It was also hand-built, making it the bike that makes bike fanatics misty-eyed. Just a decade ago, it was a solid classic with a value that was climbing fast.
1987 Honda RC30
The Honda RC30 was built for racing and barely street-legal. It had exotic parts, incredible engineering, and one of those bikes Honda built just to show off. It wasn't cheap back then, but today, it's a six-figure machine you'd be lucky to own.
1981 Suzuki Katana 1100
This thing looked like it came from the future back in the early '80s. People didn't get it at first, but now the Katana is a style icon with prices that have doubled (or more). It's finally getting the love it deserves.
1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
The Knucklehead is pure vintage Harley muscle. And that iconic engine shape is where it all started. They were rare even back then, and ten years ago, they were just exploding in value. Ready for a bidding war to call one yours?
1984 Yamaha RZ500
A two-stroke V4 in street-legal form? Madness! The Yamaha RZ500 was a road-going race bike, and it wasn’t officially sold in the U.S., which makes it even hotter now! Ten years ago, the market imports were affordable, and now everyone wants one.
1994 Ducati 916
The Ducati 916 didn't just win races - it won design awards. The 916 was fast, sexy, and basically poster material for a generation. A decade ago, you could pick one up without emptying your savings. Today, it's a valuable masterpiece.
1996 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R
This beast wasn't the fastest on paper, but it had serious street cred. The Ninja is tough, with race-ready parts that became a cult classic for fans of 90s superbikes. It might have been an underdog bargain, but collectors are now hunting them down.
1992 Honda CBR900RR Fireblade
When Honda introduced the original Fireblade, it rewrote the rules of superbikes. It was lighter, sharper, and faster than anything else. Just ten years ago, people overlooked it for newer sports bikes. Now, it's a must-have in any performance collection.
1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 Slabside
The Suzuki Slabside started the whole sport bike scene. The original was a race bike with lights built for speed and screaming high RPMs. Back in the 2010s, they were chopped or tracked. Now, in 2025, they're worth way more than you'd guess.
2006 KTM 950 Super Enduro R
The wild KTM 950 was too much of a bike for most people. It looked like a dirt bike on steroids, and it was. Nobody wanted them back then, probably because they were so big. But now they're selling for crazy money if you can even find one.
1999 MV Agusta F4 750
Designed by the same designer who created the Ducati 916, the MV Agusta was a rolling piece of Italian art. It had exotic parts, Ferrari DNA, and hot, jaw-dropping looks. Sure, it was high maintenance, but collectors want it anyway.
1982 Harley-Davidson FXR
The FXR had the best handling Harley ever made. However, for years, it was the black sheep of the custom scene before it woke up to its potential. You could pick one up without selling your soul a few years ago, but now they're in hot demand.
1985 Yamaha VMAX
Yamaha's VMAX was pure muscle. Many compared it to a drag bike with a license plate. It was anything but subtle, but it was fun! A decade ago, people called it a relic, but that's changed as more people consider it a retro rocket that you simply must own.
1932 Royal Enfield Bullet
Old-school Enfields epitomize vintage charm. It was kick-start only, loud, and painfully slow. But, it was more about the ride than anything else. Once cheap and overlooked, the Royal Enfield Bullet is vintage gold that's getting rarer by the minute.
1985 Bimota DB1
The DB1 was a Ducati-powered bike with a massive cool factor. They were always rare, but these days, they’re considered to be museum pieces with a price tag to match. If you didn't buy one ten years ago, you've seriously lost out.
1995 Aprilia RS250
This is one of the "newer" bikes on our list of bikes you wished you'd bought ten years ago. The Aprilia RS250 was a two-stroke track rocket that resembled a race bike and rode like a dream. It was never about comfort, and that's what made it so perfect!
1984 Honda CR500R
Honda's CR500R was, and still is, a dirt bike for maniacs. It had more power than sense, and just a simple kick-start could break your ankle. Riders feared and loved it, and it is now a highly collectible bike for the brave-hearted riders.
1980 BMW R80G/S
The granddaddy of adventure bikes, the R80G/S wasn't flashy, but it could go anywhere. This is where the whole "adventure touring" thing started, making this bike an absolute legend. In 2015, you could grab one for a decent price. Now? You'll have to fight for one.
1973 Moto Morini 3½ Sport
This little Italian bike didn't make tremendous power, but it had soul and style for absolute days. It was quirky, fun, and surprisingly good to ride, making it a hidden gem for years. The good news is that it's finally getting the love it deserves.
1966 Honda Trail CT90
The Honda CT90 was a more humble bike that had its start in the backwoods or as a mail carrier's ride of choice. It was dead simple, reliable, and had a cute look. Just a decade ago, they were sold at yard sales. Today, collectors are paying big money to own one.
