Great Motorcycles That Collectors Still Overlook
Some motorcycles seem like surefire collectibles with great designs, interesting specs, or ties to a particular era, yet they never quite find the spotlight. These overlooked bikes deserve more love than they get so if you’re looking to start a unique two-wheeled collection, they might be your best-kept secret.
Honda Pacific Coast (1989–1998)
The Honda Pacific Coast was a touring bike ahead of its time! Its integrated storage and bodywork that screamed “urban spaceship” offered both practicality and comfort, but its futuristic looks turned off traditionalists. Today, it’s oddly affordable and still unique; an underappreciated gem for anyone into quirky innovation.
Yamaha GTS1000 (1993–1994)
This tech-forward sport-touring bike featured hub-center steering and a single-sided swingarm. It was heavy, expensive, and decades ahead of its time. Enthusiasts admire its engineering, but the market never embraced it. It remains surprisingly cheap, and ripe for collector rediscovery.
Suzuki RE5 (1974–1976)
Suzuki’s lone rotary-engine motorcycle was a bold experiment that flopped commercially. Its Wankel engine, spaceship styling, and unusual sound set it apart, but the market wasn’t ready. Few survive in good condition, making them rare, yet surprisingly still undervalued.
Buell Lightning X1 (1999–2002)
Buell built bikes with American V-twin torque and sportbike frames, and the Lightning X1 is one of its most raw, aggressive offerings. Despite its distinct identity and cult following, prices remain low. It’s weird, loud, and oddly wonderful - if not yet appreciated!
Kawasaki ZRX1200R (2001–2005)
Styled after Eddie Lawson’s superbike glory days, the ZRX1200R blended modern performance with retro charm. It had muscle, comfort, and old-school charisma, but somehow slipped through the collectible cracks. Values are rising slowly, but it’s still a steal for its capability and character.
Honda Hawk GT (1988–1991)
The Hawk GT was a cult favorite that never caught mainstream fire. Its single-sided swingarm and V-twin engine made it feel like a boutique European bike at a fraction of the price. Sadly, the market moved on, leaving this underrated machine chasing the spotlight it deserves.
Moto Guzzi V65 Lario (1984–1989)
The V65 Lario had angular ’80s styling, a compact V-twin engine and charm to spare! Sure, it wasn’t the fastest bike on the block, but its quirky personality and distinctive look made it stand out. However, it’s largely ignored by collectors; an oversight that one day might be corrected.
BMW K75 (1985–1995)
The K75 was smooth, reliable, and well-balanced, offering a level of refinement not often found for its price tag. Despite that, its four-cylinder K100 sibling overshadowed it, so K75s are affordable, plentiful, and quietly waiting for their time to shine.
Yamaha SRX600 (1986–1987)
A café racer vibe long before the trend hit the mainstream, the SRX600 was lightweight and minimalist - a pure rider’s machine. But its modest sales and lack of marketing swagger kept it off collectors’ radar and these days, finding one in good shape is like stumbling onto pirate treasure.
Harley-Davidson XR1200 (2008–2013)
The XR1200 was a rare sporting departure for Harley, being inspired by flat track racing and built with real performance in mind. It handled better than most of its cruiser stablemates, but Harley fans didn’t know what to make of it.
Triumph Adventurer 900 (1996–2001)
With its triple-cylinder engine and cruiser styling, the Triumph Adventurer 900 stood out in a sea of twins and fours. It blended British charm with reliable performance, but its niche identity kept it from broader acclaim. Today, it's often overlooked in favor of its Bonneville cousins, despite its vintage appeal.
Honda NT650V Deauville (1998–2013)
The NT650V Deauville was dubbed “Dullville” by some because it was anything but flashy. However, with integrated panniers, shaft drive, and bulletproof reliability, it was a long-distance champ in disguise. Its lacking excitement translated to sleeping tourer classic practicality; plus, it remains super cheap.
Ducati Sport 1000 (2006–2009)
You’d think a limited-run, retro-styled Ducati would be gold by now, yet the Sport 1000 hasn’t seen the price hike many expected. Minimalist café racer lines and classic Ducati grunt ticks all the boxes, and right now it’s oddly underpriced for what it offers.
Kawasaki W650 (2000–2001)
The W650 was Kawasaki’s love letter to vintage British bikes. Its kickstart capability and polished details made it every bit the classic throwback, but limited U.S. availability and low production numbers kept it under the radar. Today, it's a retro gem hiding in plain sight.
Suzuki GSX1100G (1991–1993)
The GSX1100G mashed a sportbike engine into a shaft-driven cruiser-touring frame. The result was a torquey, dependable brute that didn’t fit into any one category. Collectors tend to pass it by in favor of more defined bikes, but it delivers serious bang for your buck.
Yamaha TDM850 (1992–1993)
Part adventure bike, part sport-tourer, the TDM850 had upright ergonomics, a parallel twin engine, and real-world versatility - it was a glimpse into the ADV future! Unfortunately, it looked odd and its unclear identity hurt sales. Collectors are only now starting to realize how unique it really was.
Honda CB900F (2002–2007)
The CB900F, also known as the 919, offered modern performance with a bare-bones, no-nonsense style. It packed a detuned Fireblade engine into a steel frame and let the riding do the talking. Its understated looks meant it flew under the radar, making it a budget sleeper in the naked bike category.
Aprilia Falco (2000–2004)
Overshadowed by its racier sibling (the RSV Mille), the Falco was a well-balanced sport-tourer with a charismatic V-twin and Italian flair. It was fast, comfortable, and packed with performance; however, it somehow failed to carve a niche. Today, it’s a lesser-known bargain with serious pedigree.
Suzuki Bandit 1200S (1996–2006)
The Bandit 1200S was the everyman’s sport-tourer - fast, reliable, and easy to live with. It had serious torque flex and comfort, but because it didn’t scream for attention, it rarely found favor among collectors. It’s one of those bikes that's excellent in every way… just not glamorous!
Buell Ulysses XB12X (2005–2010)
A V-twin adventure bike with offbeat styling and quirky engineering, the Ulysses was unlike anything else on the road. It had long-travel suspension, upright ergonomics, and Erik Buell’s signature design touches, but its weirdness kept it niche and affordable.
Kawasaki Zephyr 750 (1991–1993)
With retro looks and a smooth four-cylinder engine, the Zephyr 750 should’ve been a hit. Its arrival came just before the retro trend truly took off, though. Despite being comfortable and good-looking, it faded into obscurity - yet it remains a joy to ride and a bargain on the used market.
Yamaha XV920R (1981–1983)
This shaft-driven, V-twin standard was Yamaha’s answer to the European cafe trend. Its unique monoshock rear and streamlined bodywork never took hold in the U.S., though its unusual design and rarity make it a potential sleeper classic.
Honda CB1100 (2013–2021)
A modern homage to Honda’s early UJMs, the CB1100 blended retro charm with modern reliability, but it was never a sales leader. Collectors tend to pass it over for original CBs, even though the newer bike offers a better ride (and just as much vintage appeal).
Moto Morini 500 Sport (1977–1983)
Italian style in a middleweight V-twin package, the 500 Sport had all the makings of a collectible - it was lightweight, agile, and rare outside Europe. But limited parts availability and lack of name recognition have kept its value low, even given its loyal fan base.
Suzuki VX800 (1990–1993)
The VX800A’s shaft-driven standard and torquey V-twin engine was too practical for sport riders, and too plain for cruiser fans. Its simplicity and versatility make it an underrated gem, though! Few survived in good condition; those that did are well worth a second look.
Cagiva Gran Canyon 900 (1998–2000)
The Gran Canyon’s Ducati-sourced engine made it a capable dual-sport machine with Italian character, yet even with rugged ability and smooth V-twin power, it struggled with brand recognition in the U.S. For riders wanting Ducati performance in an ADV wrapper, it’s still an underrated treasure.
Honda CB-1 (1989–1990)
The CB-1 was a high-revving inline-four wrapped in a compact, naked chassis. Lightweight and incredibly fun to ride, it earned praise from those who actually bought one - but that number was small! Its short production run and low profile make it a criminally underrated future classic.
BMW R1200ST (2005–2007)
Designed as a sporty touring twin, the R1200ST had performance and comfort… and styling that divided opinion. Its oddball fairings and a love-it-or-hate-it aesthetic meant it never took off like its GS and RT siblings. It's mechanically solid and great to ride though, so it’s quietly waiting for a second chance.
Suzuki GS500E (1989–2009)
Long-lived, affordable, and beginner-friendly, the GS500E was never flashy - but it was solid, simple, and surprisingly fun! Its humble reputation kept it from collector appreciation; however, clean examples are getting rare. In a sea of aging plastics, its straightforward charm is starting to shine.
Harley-Davidson Street 750 (2014–2020)
Harley aimed the Street 750 at urban riders and younger buyers, offering a liquid-cooled engine and lighter build. But traditionalists snubbed it, and new riders weren’t convinced. Although it didn’t set the world on fire, its rarity and unique place in Harley history may one day get it noticed.
Yamaha FZ6 (2004–2009)
The FZ6 offered a balance of sportbike fun and everyday usability with its detuned R6 engine and upright ergonomics. It was well-rounded and reliable, but suffered in the shadow of flashier models. Its value, versatility, and smooth ride deserve far more collector attention.
Royal Enfield Continental GT (2014–2018)
Before the twin-cylinder GT650 hit the scene, this single-cylinder cafe racer tried to revive the brand’s retro image. It had classic looks and charm in spades, but lacked refinement. Still, it holds a special place in modern Enfield history - and might just age into something special.
Honda Nighthawk 750 (1991–2003)
Dependable, smooth, and under-the-radar, the Nighthawk 750 was the kind of bike that never let you down… but also never turned heads. That humility kept it from becoming a collectible, even though it ticked all the boxes for a practical classic.
KTM Duke 620 (1994–1997)
The original Duke was raw, aggressive, and wildly entertaining - a supermoto before the category exploded. Its thumper engine and edgy styling made it a hooligan’s dream, yet also too extreme for most, and early KTM quirks didn’t help. Nevertheless, it's a trailblazer that deserves more love.
Suzuki RF900R (1994–1997)
The RF900R blended sportbike performance with sport-touring comfort for a fast, stable, and well-built motorcycle, but it never found its market niche. More focused machines overshadowed it, and it faded away quietly. Today, it’s a forgotten missile that offers a lot of machine for very little money.
