AllMoto's Motorcycle Investor mag

Motorcycle Investor mag

News October 2025

Harley City Collection open day, Oct 16

The extraordinary Harley City Collection in Castlemaine, Victoria, is having an open day on November 2. If you haven't yet been there, we can recommend it.

Owner David Reidie has some extraordinary motorcycles on show, several of which would grace any international collection.

See our report on his previous open day and the launch of the two-volume set of hardbound books portraying the fleet and the background stories that go with it.

Harley City Collection website

Stampede of new Triumphs, Oct 15

Triumph Motorcycles has promised to release 29 new and updated models over the coming six months.

According to the company: "This ambitious rollout follows years of sustained investment in product development and is underpinned by Triumph’s five consecutive years of record-breaking global sales and confidence in the opportunities that exist within the volatile global motorcycle market.

"In its latest landmark financial year, from July 2024 to June 2025, Triumph delivered more than 141,683 motorcycles worldwide, cementing its position as the UK’s largest motorcycle manufacturer. This represents a remarkable 136 per cent growth in sales since 2019, delivered through a network of 950 dealers across 68 countries."

The release includes seven models that have already been announced, including the new TXP electric off-road range.

See the Triumph website

See the Thruxton 1200 R in our shed

Big money for Joey bikes and a bargain at UK sale, Oct 14

This 1988 TT-winning Honda RC30 ridden by Joey Dunlop scored Au$271,000 at a recent Bonhams sale.

That was not the most valuable bike in the event.

See more high-profile lots, plus a Cathcart bike and a potential bargain in the full story.

Polaris sells Indian, Oct 13

Polaris has announced it is selling a majority stake in Indian Motorcycles to Carolwood LP, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm.

Indian represents seven per cent of Polaris revenue (US$478 million).

Carolwood has announced long-term senior industry figure Mike Kennedy will lead the new stand-alone company. He has worked with Harley-Davidson, RumbleOn (a large powersports retail group) plus Vance & Hines.

The company has said its existing design and production facilities, plus the majority of the staff and dealership network, will remain for the time being.

Polaris acquired Indian in 2011 and revived the marque with a launch of a new Chief range back in 2013.

See the full statement from Polaris.

See our 2013 report on the Australian launch of the then-new range.

Honda CBX1000C – our bikes, Oct 11

We're now 10 months down the ownership road with the mighty 1982 Honda CBX1000C – what's it like? See the story, here.

One great ride, Oct 10

Is it possible you spent all that money for a single run?

As someone who is terrible at selling motorcycles, and usually only does it grudgingly, I tend not to think about the process of how or why we talk ourselves into the decision. But let’s have a crack at it...

See the story, here

Yamaha's hot seventies style, Oct 9

Hot style, blistering performance and a deep-finned block, race-proved in the furnace of international competition. That's the promise from this 1971 UK ad for Yamaha's YR5 (or R5) 350 two-stroke twin. Irresistible.

And while the language is dramatic, there was a kernel of truth to the claims as the bikes looked smart, were nimble and fast for their day.

See the Motorcycle Specs data

And the Cycle World period review

This ultra-clean UK example was sold by Bonhams in April 2024 for Au$10,500 (US$6900, GB£5175, €6000).

See our Yamaha YR1 mini-profile

Dunlop Hondas head high-end auction, Oct 8

Two race-winning Hondas ridden by the legendary Joey Dunlop are to be auctioned by Bonhams on October 12.

They head up a star cast of desirable bikes including a Series A Vincent-HRD, Brough Superior and Ducati 750 SS.

See the story, here

Radical Guzzi, Oct 7

Custom bike of the week: we like this stylish effort from the good folk at Radical Speedshop in Germany.

Based on a relatively humble Moto Guzzi Bellagio 940, it's now running an engine bored and stroked to 1700cc and claiming 112kW (150hp) for a dry weight of around 180kg (400lb).

Bikebound has the story, here.

Speaking of sporty Guzzis, see our Daytona 1000 profile.

The great BSA fuel tank fail – Sunday shed wrap, Oct 6

A cock-up and a change of plan – it has a happy ending...

More Sunday shed wrap

Flashback: MV Agusta F4 – future collectible, Oct 4

Over 25 years ago and after a decades-long 'drought', the revival of the MV Agusta marque was big news – did they get it right? See the story here.

See the F4 1000 Nero in our shed

Shed find: Radio Rider and newspaper classifieds, Oct 2

We tripped over this during a recent attempt to clean out the shed – an exercise that was an utter failure. It's a clip of the 13 February, 1993, edition of the motorcycle section of The Age newspaper (Melbourne, Australia), which featured every Saturday.

By this time the famous rivers of gold (the classifieds) were dwindling thanks to a tough economy and competition from specialist classified magazines such as Just Bikes and then Motorcycle Trader. Then they got hit with the popular uptake of internet use and a tsunami of digital competition.

Motorcycle columnist Damien Kingsbury (now Professor K) wrote a piece on 3RRR's Radio Rider, while there were plenty of tasty offerings in the ads.

See the full version of the pics, here.

Vincent auction gets buoyant prices, Oct 1