The Two 1990s And 2000s Sleeper Bikes Collectors Are Quietly Hoarding

11 minutes reading

Tuesday, 30 Jun 2026 15:31 0 5 autotech

Iconic motorcycles have rightfully earned their spot in the annals of motorcycling history, but it’s the underdogs that many of us like to root for. These bikes start out at the bottom and make their way to the top, or at least they try to, and many of them can surprise you in the long run. If you feel the same way about old underdog motorcycles, you wouldn’t be alone.

Not All Collectors Are The Same

A 1951 Vincent Black Shadow seen from the right parked on a center stand.

Bring a Trailer

Ever since the Daimler Reitwagen left its shed in 1885, the world has seen thousands of amazing motorcycles. Of them, many have earned the status of being the most iconic motorcycles ever built. Some have pushed the boundaries of performance, whereas some have given developing countries mobility and freedom. Some have even invented a new class of motorcycles. Without such bikes paving the way, the motorcycling world wouldn’t be what it is today.

The Collectors That Take A More Accessible Approach

For most collectors, such rare icons are hard to come by, so they take a more realistic approach with their collection. They still chase iconic bikes, only not the ones that are super rare and super expensive. Bikes like the 1969 Honda CB750, 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750, or an old Harley-Davidson Springer model. Such bikes are easy to find, affordable to buy, and relatively simple to restore. Given their plentiful status, these are also the bikes collectors would actually enjoy riding around on a nostalgic weekend.

But there’s a different class of collectors that go beyond that. These quiet collectors appreciate the underdogs: the bikes that never got to realize their full potential. They keep bikes like the Suzuki TL1000 or an old diesel-powered Royal Enfield Bullet alive. They realize one thing that other collectors don’t: even the underdogs have a place in motorcycling history and deserve to be kept alive. These days, such collectors are eyeing two sleeper bikes from the 1990s and 2000s: the Suzuki RF900R and Moto Guzzi Griso.

10 Powerful Sports Bikes From The 1980s That Are Dirt Cheap Today

If you are looking for a powerful motorcycle on a budget, one of these incredible sports bikes from the 80s might be for you

The Suzuki RF900R And Moto Guzzi Griso Are Sleeper Icons On Two Wheels

Not many of us will even know what the Suzuki RF900R or the Moto Guzzi Griso look like, but a quick Google search would be enough to jog your memory. They were the underdogs of their time, and over the years, both bikes have aged better than modern bikes that are probably on the poster on your walls. Back in the day, they were weird and seemingly not as good as their rivals, but they are now being bought up by collectors who finally get their significance.

The Suzuki RF900R, sold from 1994 to 1997, is an inline-four sports tourer that was overshadowed by its rivals, such as the Honda CBR900RR or the Kawasaki ZX-9R. But it was still a charming sports-tourer-esque motorcycle that was better than the sum of all its parts. Meanwhile, the Moto Guzzi Griso, launched in 2005, was a raw, authentic Italian roadster that focused more on character and riding experience than being a nimble, fast road bike. It even had a transverse V-twin and shaft drive, wrapped in a fresh design.

Both Bikes Stand Out For A Unique Riding Experience

Unlike the faster Japanese sports bikes of the ‘90s or the loud Italian nakeds of the 2000s, the RF900R and Griso stand out today for the unique experience they offer. It’s the reason why quiet collectors today are rediscovering them even though they have depreciated past the bottom. Luckily, they are still pretty cheap in the used market, but according to HotCars coverage and enthusiast communities, it looks like they are gaining traction in the collector’s market.

10 Classic Motorcycles That Are Now Collector Gold

These classic bikes have all become highly collectible

The Suzuki RF900R Was A Unique Sports Tourer Of The ‘90s

Not many motorcyclists today will even know what the RF900R is, and rightfully so. The bike was not on par with its more powerful rivals. It didn’t get too many fans as it was always compared to other big-capacity four-cylinder bikes from Japan, like the CBR900RR and the ZX-9R. But for those who look at the RF900R for what it is and like the idea of owning an oddball sports bike of the ‘90s, there’s hardly a better pick than this Suzuki. It ticks all the boxes of an underdog collectible.

Unexciting Yet Just The Right Amount Of Performance

Underneath the Suzuki RF900R’s wind-cheating, Ferrari Testarossa-inspired design hides a 937cc inline-four engine. Borrowed from the GSX-R1100W, this engine produces 135 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque, with peak power coming in at 10,000 RPM and the linear torque curve pulling all the way to its 12,000 RPM redline. Similarly, the bike’s underpinnings are nothing exciting, either. You get front suspension with only preload adjustment and a three-way adjustable rear shock, along with twin 4-pot Nissin calipers on 310mm rotors up front.

The problem isn’t its performance; it’s the way it was designed, which drew parallels to more serious sports bikes. However, the RF900R was never intended to be an outright sports bike; it was an all-rounder, much like the VFR750 and VFR800 of its time. Even the seating position isn’t extreme here, with handlebars sitting higher and rearsets not folding your legs up too much. It was between its sporty styling and sports-tourer performance that the RF900R got lost in the chatter about VFRs, Fireblades, and ZXs.

Plenty Of Novelty To Be Had

There’s still plenty of novelty to be enjoyed with the RF900R today. Notably, the bike uses an old-school yet odd 532 chain spec, while most of its rivals use 530 chains. Both chain specs have the same pitch and roller width; only the roller diameter is larger on the 532. Today, these chains are hard to find and getting rarer by the day. Another appeal for collectors here is the idea of owning an underdog sports bike from the past that not many even know. The idea of rolling up to a Saturday bike meet on this bike sounds exciting, doesn’t it?

The Most Iconic Bikes From The 70s

While the 70s was a decade that belonged to the UJM, there were a host of other great motorcycles that also went on to become icons of the industry

The Moto Guzzi Griso Is The Relaxed Italian Roadster

The Moto Guzzi Griso, introduced in 2005 as the Griso 1100, followed by the much-improved Griso 1200 8v in 2009, is a thoroughly old-school Italian roadster with the unapologetic character Moto Guzzi is known for. It was introduced as a luxury sporty roadster with a spec sheet to match, and today, it stands as an exclusive, laidback heavyweight Italian V-twin. That is, only if you can live with all the quirks that are a part of Moto Guzzi ownership.

Laidback, Transverse V-Twin With Plenty Of Performance

The first generation Griso 1100 featured a 1,064cc transverse V-twin with two valve heads, new fuel injection, and twin spark heads. This engine is all about grunt and character, producing 87 horsepower and 65.6 pound-feet of torque. The engine is said to offer lazy grunt just above tickover, complete with a familiar lurching torque reaction from the shaft drive on start-up. This is a character that none of the Griso’s Japanese rivals could replicate.

In 2009, the Griso 1100 was succeeded by the Griso 1200 8v, an arguably much better motorcycle. This bike features a larger 1,151cc engine with 8 valves, offering a little over 108 horsepower and a hefty 80 pound-feet of torque. Owners report that the bike feels unhurried and relaxed at 85 miles per hour. Being a Moto Guzzi, though, it’s still old-school in all its ways. You can still expect heavy-bass vibrations, side lurches when revving the engine, and plenty of involvement.

The engine sits in a modern (for the time) chassis, paired with fully adjustable Marzocchi suspension, fat tires, and Brembo brakes. Still, it wasn’t a sharp handler like the Ducati Monster. Instead, the Griso focused on offering a planted, laidback riding experience, though owners report it can still hustle through the bends. This Italian roadster is said to offer a fruity and classy character that can be a bit of a handful at times but certainly entertaining.

What makes the Moto Guzzi Griso 1100/1200 so special for collectors today is that it was the last of the authentic old-school, air-cooled Guzzi V-twin roadsters. It was ultimately killed off by ever-tightening emissions and noise regulations, and its distinctive Italian V-twin character will never be replicated. The same character that’s said to be far beefier than the Monster of its time. The bike is not as quick as its rivals, nor does it dance through corners, but it’s the right pick for collectors looking for something unique and authentic.

Both Motorcycles Are A Bargain In The Used Market

Both the Suzuki RF900R and the Moto Guzzi Griso 1100/1200 have started earning the appreciation of quiet collectors and enthusiasts who like the underdogs. Still, the same appreciation hasn’t translated to their value just yet. For what they are valued at the time of writing this article, the bikes sit well past their depreciation curve and are unlikely to lose more value. If anything, forums suggest the bikes might actually gain value over the years.

The RF900R Can Be Had For $1,500 to $3,500

The Suzuki RF900R was an underdog sports tourer of its time that sold for around $8,099 new. Today, it has become an affordable classic. Depending on the condition, you can generally find an RF900R for $1,500 to $3,500. Project bikes or non-runners can be had for even less, while mint-condition models with under 15k miles, original bodywork, and full service records can demand a little over $3,500.

Being an old carbureted sports bike, it likely already has, or will develop, fueling issues.

Think rust in the tank, failed fuel pump, vacuum leaks, clogged fuel filter or ports, and more. It’s best to do a full rebuild of the carb once you get it. Owners also report that the old suspension may be due for a refresh, so it’ll need new springs, fluids, and seals. Apart from these, expect age-related wear and tear that may need fixing, like rust spots, leaking seals, or broken panels.

The Griso 1100/1200 Can Be Had For $1,655 to $3,805

When it was new, the Griso 1100/1200 was a quality Italian exotic that was better equipped than the more basic Ducati Monster of its time. Today, it’s a rare Italian roadster that can be had for cheap. According to J.D. Power, the Griso 1100 goes for around $1,655 to $2,290, depending on year and condition. Meanwhile, the Griso 1200 8v is valued at around $2,410 to $3,805, depending on year and condition.

Owners recommend looking out for a couple of issues with this Moto Guzzi, starting with the flat tappets and camshafts. These tappets tend to lose their coatings and can cause major engine failure. Still, there are many examples where this issue has been sorted, especially on post-2013 models that should have updated rollerized tappets and camshafts. Another issue to look out for is a faulty fuel pump/filter/hose assembly, which sometimes goes bad.