What age is Antique?
If you love motorcycles, the lure and appeal of the bike seems almost overpowering. While different enthusiasts love them for different reasons, most have a pretty well-formed opinion about which manufacturer (or even model) is the “best” one.
Some motorcycle lovers steer clear of the modern-day bike with its high-tech features and state-of-the-art creature comforts. Instead, they prefer older motorcycles, that breed of bikes that provides a throwback to simpler times.
When it comes to talking about these bikes, you may toss out such terms as “classic” or “vintage” or even “antique.” But what makes a motorcycle fall into one of these categories? The answer is not as simple as you might think.
Just as with cars, the definition of what constitutes a classic or vintage motorcycle varies from one part of the world to the next. However, unlike cars, the definition is not always set in stone.
The United Kingdom has specific definitions of what constitutes a classic, vintage or antique motorcycle, based on the year the bike was created. The U.K. also uses the term “veteran” to describe any motorcycle built before 1915, and older bikes built after Jan. 1, 1915, are referred to as “vintage.”
But in the U.S., the terms tend to be tossed about more freely and are often used interchangeably, which can be a source of confusion. From an insurability standpoint, Nationwide combines some of these definitions under its Classic Motorcycle coverage, so if you’re looking to insure a motorcycle, consult with your agent to see what best suits your needs.
Classic motorcycle
This designation isn’t an official term, and its use can indicate more than just the age of a motorcycle. In some cases, it’s even used to describe a new motorcycle that has a certain look or style – the so-called “instant classic” that has the simplicity of an older vehicle. Overall, there’s a general consensus among motorcycle enthusiasts that any motorcycle over the age of 25 could be considered a classic, but some also base their definition on the bike’s appearance or design.
