How Old Is "Vintage"?

ZGrand · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:48 pm Post subject: How Old Is "Vintage"?

How old does a bike have to be to be classified as "vintage"? 20 years? 25 years?

Guth · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:27 am Post subject: 20 years or more

The VJMC's guidelines indicate 20 years or older.

All the best,
Guth

fasterspider · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:08 am Post subject: Re: How Old Is "Vintage"?

ZGrand · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:50 am Post subject:

Thanks. I was wondering if my little '88 Kawasaki was considered "vintage" or not. I guess it is if 20-years-old qualifies. Smile

Check out that huge front disc! Very Happy

LOUIS · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject:

That is in very good condition. I have a 650 KLR.

ZGrand · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:46 pm Post subject:

LOUIS · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:27 am Post subject:

I use mine for around town and when I go camping. I hate to say it, but it is a great bike for sure. ( i am a Honda guy)I do like yours very much. One of the guys from Iceland used mine at the rally and laid it down in the mountains. He paid for all new plastic and it was back looking like new in 2 hours.

smi481 · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject: What qualifies as Vintage?

What qualifies as Vintage?

V.J.M.C. - Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club
" .... the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC) is the premier worldwide club dedicated to the
preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of vintage Japanese motorcycles (20 years old or older) .

A.M.C.A. - Antique Motorcycle Club of America
"How does the club define Antique? The club defines â€œantiqueâ€ as any motorcycle 35 years old or older.
To participate in national meet judging and road rides a machine must be 35 years old."

Steve Searles · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject: Vintage-25 Years

I personally, with no backing from any club or group am trying to define VINTAGE as a motorcycle that is 25 years old or older. Here is why. Back when people first started collecting and showing old JAPANESE motorcycles they were relatively new to the United States. Example: In 1975 and vintage bike was a 1960 Honda Benly. That was when the definition of vintage was 15 years or older. Now move time up some and in 1990, a 1970 Honda CB750 was considered vintage at 20 years or older. Now in 2010, if we stayed with 20 years a 1990 Kawasaki Ninja would be considered vintage. Do you see why we have to go to 25 years? Then leave it at 25 years just like antique cars and we are done. My vote is to make Vintage 25 years or older this year or next year. Again, this is just my personal opinion.

Vesparider · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:09 pm Post subject:

Prying the top off the can of worms..... I am not affluent in English nor do I play an English teacher on TV.

Vintage is a term mostly used with Wine. When using the word Vintage in describing an item other than wine it would be correct in saying: My motorcycle is of a 1957 Vintage.

Now I think the terms; "Classic" or "Antique" would be easier to address as there are actual standards in defining them.

Kansas defines "Antique" as any motorized vehicle 35 years or older. Just some hearsay from some collectors that a vehicle needs to be at least 25 years or older to be a "Classic."

In any case. This would best describe me as "Ancient"

No dictionaries were harmed in the writing of this post. However, English Grammar may never be the same again.

Steve Searles · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject:

Vespa, we are now getting into the "Antique" arena and not that old Jap bikes are 25 years old or older we could talk in terms of Antique. Vintage is a term thrown around and was probably used before Jap bikes were 25 years old. The can of worms has been opened, let's just hope not many escape.

fasterspider · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:04 pm Post subject:

I really thought 25 was vintage with motorcycles and 50 is antique everywhere else because I am only 47.

Swedemoto · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:30 pm Post subject:

This is a tough one to nail down. I can see both sides of the fence tho. I understand there are "guidelines" that clubs put into place to define categories. But I think it also has a lot to do with ones age. The last "new" bike I had was a new '87 750 Ninja. Few bikes post '75 have the feel of vintage to me now ( a few exceptions mind you). And yes, I said it, they certainly aren't Japanese.
So there may be categories but it gets personal too i think.

CBX-tras · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

Here in Michigan, the state has determined that any motor vehicle 25 years or older can be registered as "Historic".

Good enough for me.

Vesparider · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:20 am Post subject: