Classic vs vintage
- Thread starter Rc51 1976
- Start date
Carlo
Kickstart Enthusiast
The terms Vintage, Classic, Antique.... have been defined by a number of organizations over the years, but the definitions are not very clear.
Most clubs use vintage as a catch-all for any bike which is old enough to qualify for inclusion in vintage shows or rallies, rather than classic.
It's a moving target. The English have the strictest definitions for different eras of old motorcycles, while in the US there seems to be a lot of cross-over, if not outright confusion over the terms.
Your Suzuki is probably best referred to as a Classic, although many of us older guys might take exception, since classics to us, are bikes that were built if not by, the British motorcycle industry during their classic period (1950-1970, give or take a few years on either end), at least motorcycles built during that period wherever they came from.
At the other end, we have antiques, veterans, pioneers and vintage. Some of which are names only used by the UK vintage clubs. All except vintage being built before WWII.
Most clubs use vintage as a catch-all for any bike which is old enough to qualify for inclusion in vintage shows or rallies, rather than classic.
It's a moving target. The English have the strictest definitions for different eras of old motorcycles, while in the US there seems to be a lot of cross-over, if not outright confusion over the terms.
Your Suzuki is probably best referred to as a Classic, although many of us older guys might take exception, since classics to us, are bikes that were built if not by, the British motorcycle industry during their classic period (1950-1970, give or take a few years on either end), at least motorcycles built during that period wherever they came from.
At the other end, we have antiques, veterans, pioneers and vintage. Some of which are names only used by the UK vintage clubs. All except vintage being built before WWII.
ScottRNelson
Mr. Dual Sport Rider
One of the nicest looking UJM's ever. Is it a red one?
augustiron
2fast 2live 2young 2die
Harley rolls brand new "classic" models off the showroom floor to this day... Heritage Softail "classic", etc. What does that make it?
Classic is to me an subjective aesthetic description.
Vintage is a subjective designation of age.
Classic is to me an subjective aesthetic description.
Vintage is a subjective designation of age.
augustiron
2fast 2live 2young 2die
:afm199 AKA 100 years old
It is common practice to define "antique" as applying to objects at least 100 years old.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antique
