New and Old Japanese Four's

[Nortoon_imp]

Max according to inflation calculator a CB750 which cost $1499 in 1969 would cost $ 9998 in 2017. Now that was a sohc 750cc. Compare it to a 1983 dohc 1100cc CB1100 and we are looking at $ 3698 and $9088.00 so we are paying a little bit more now retail to retail, but hardly anyone is paying retail. Comparatively the 14 left overs at $7000 seem like a super bargain. $7000 in 2017 is like paying $2848 in 1983 and $ 1049.00 in 1969. What a bargain.

In 2013 when I decided to return to motorcycling I looked at the Triumph Bonneville. The MSRP price was $13,000 which does not include freight, dealer prep, and sales taxes. In the mid-sixties Bonnevilles were $1300 out the door.

That sticker price and the complaints about poor brakes, suspension and fuel injection on the Triumph Forum made me look around. I bought my 2013 Honda CB500XA for $6800 out the door.

Three years later I received $3730 back when I traded it in. That's works out to about 10 cents a kilometer for three summers of enjoyment.