I'm a new rider and I am new to the forum. I've only been riding for 3 months.

I bought aa '98 Heritage Classic, with 3500 miles on it. I was just wondering if anyone knowswhat actually qualifies a bike asbeing considered aclassic?

 

That means it has a classic look to it.

 

I think that it would have to be an older bike like 20 - 25 years old. Not real sure about that, just an opinion.

And welcom to the Forums.

 

IMO.........like a car............25 years oldto be considered a classic, qualifying for "classic license plates"

 

So is a 1982 Ford Escort a classic?

I look for the rules to be changed. Here in Va., too many people are getting antique tags and sticking them on 25 year old junkers and driving them everyday. The reason they get the tags is because they only cost a one time fee and the vehicle doesn't have to have a safety inspection. The law is full of gray area. It says that you can only use the tags for parades, car shows, road testing, and here's the kicker......."occasional pleasure use". That one is hard to define.

 

Same deal here in Colo...you can get "collector" plates on ANY vehicle over 25 years old...you pay for five years of registration at a time and you only have to get an emissions test once for the remainder of ownership of said vehicle...there are no safety inspections here. Works out good for my '68...I can do whatever I like to the engine and not worry about passing emissions![sm=gears.gif]

 

In my opinion Sanfords bile is a classic. Love the colors.
Marsh

 

I'd say classics are judged through the lens of history. After 25 years or so if a bike is seen as having a unique style or design or is getting rare to find, it may be considered a "classic". Its more than just being old!

 

So maybe to the 25 year we should also consider popularity and survival rate of a particular model.
Here in this part of Florida a lot of people do the same thing. I think the TV has had a lot to do with it. Someone sees a prime restored 1970 Barricuda sell at auction for $200,000 plus or minus, and they think that old rusted out beat up Polaris is worth the same thing. So the put a "Classic" tag on it.

 

Thanks Marsh, but it's gone in a week. The painter told me yesterday the new sheet metal should be ready by this weekend.