The 1970s and 1980s were a pivotal point for motorcycles. This period saw a major shift in engine technology, hardware features, and numerous bold decisions that have helped shape the motorcycling world we know today. This period witnessed a major evolution in sports bikes, thanks to a famed Suzuki. If not for a particular BMW motorcycle of the 1980s, we wouldn't have had the adventure bike segment today. Italian motorcycle makers like Bimota and MV Agusta pushed the envelope of exotic appeal with race bike-level components and performance.The Kawasaki that started the "Ninja" revolution was introduced during the 1980s, and Yamaha demonstrated that a cruiser bike can be both unhinged and refined. All of these highlights are why the motorcycles of this era are still cool and desirable collectibles, with some of these 50+ year-old motorcycles even inching closer to the $80,000 mark in the used market.To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, including the classic archives of Suzuki Cycles, Honda Powersports, Kawasaki, Bimota, Yamaha, Ducati, BMW, Harley-Davidson, MV Agusta, and Moto Guzzi. Used prices mentioned in this article are sourced from Classic, Bring a Trailer, Mecum Auctions, Bike-urious, and Rare Sports Bikes For Sale. This list is organized in order of personal preference. 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 Special Edition Famed Racing Homologation Special, Limited To Just 500 Units Worldwide SuzukiThe first-gen Suzuki GSX-R750 was a revelation. It was a sports bike that demonstrated to the world that a lightweight, high-performance motorcycle can be sensible, fun, and a mass-market success. This Gixxer was all about lightweight appeal with its aluminum frame weighing just 17.8 pounds. This was also the first of its kind to use engine oil as coolant. The 1986 GSX-R750 Special Edition is a highly desirable collector's bike, as only 500 units were ever produced worldwide. Well-kept examples have breached the $20,000 mark, as listed on Classic.com. Specs 1980s Honda VFR750R (RC30) Unique For Its V4 Engine And Single-Sided Swingarm This homologation special from Honda made a V4 engine popular among the sea of inline-4s during the time. It also emphasized the design and size advantages that came with the "V" engine style as well. Its beauty was not just skin-deep, as the VRF750R, also known as the RC30, was the first Japanese bike to stand out in terms of beauty and build quality, which Italian exotics like Bimota and Cagiva had previously defined. This was based on a race bike, and hence, features like a single-sided swingarm, close-ratio gearbox, fully adjustable suspension, lightweight components (including magnesium wheels), and optional race kits helped this Honda be an "exotic". Its limited production numbers and segment-defining fame make it a highly sought-after collectible, with some specimens breaching the $50,000 mark as well. Specs 1980s Kawasaki GPZ900R The Sports Bike That Started The 'Ninja' Fame Bring A TrailerThe Kawasaki GPZ900R, also known as the Top Gun bike, was the first "Ninja" model, as Kawasaki sold it under the Ninja 900 name in some parts of the world. This motorcycle was a technological marvel that was made in secret. It was powered by the world's first 16-valve liquid-cooled four-cylinder engine, producing up to 115 horsepower and 63 pound-feet of torque. Another cool feature was an industry-first 'aircraft fuel filler' that replaced the two-step twist cap with a spring-mounted one. With insane weight savings and a killer power-to-weight ratio, this sports bike was the first production model to breach the 150 mph mark. Well-kept specimens of this 40-year-old sports bike easily sell for over $25,000 today. Specs 1980s Bimota KB3 Packs A Race-Spec Chassis And A Kawasaki Engine eBay Via Bike-uriousThis is the rarest motorcycle of the bunch, with only 112 units ever made. This makes the exotic Italian sports bike a very rare classic bike that seldom comes up for sale. It is powered by a 998 cc inline-4 oil-cooled engine from the Kawasaki KZ1000J roadster. The KB3 was serious about weight savings, utilizing lightweight components, which is why it weighs under 500 pounds. The major reason that makes this particular Bimota, so special is that the KB3 was their first ever completely "factory-built" motorcycle. Previously, they would send out kits to prospective owners who had a donor bike to work with. Specs 1980s Yamaha VMax Marked The Start Of Refined Metric Muscle Cruisers YamahaThis was Harley-Davidson's kryptonite of the 1980s from the Far East. The Yamaha VMax combined Japanese innovation and refinement with American muscle to create a legendary H-D killer. The first-generation VMax is powered by a unique, high-revving V4 engine that produces a whopping 145 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque. That's sports bike territory even by today's standards.This violent mill was plonked onto a laid-back motorcycle with a cozy saddle and a relatively comfortable rider triangle. This was the dawn of the muscle cruiser segment, and the VMax was the torch-bearer. This historical reference makes the first-generation Yamaha VMax a desirable collectible, the prices of which breach the $10,000 mark today. Specs Ducati 851 (From 1987 to 1992) A Technological Leap For Ducati Bring a TrailerThis was the most successful Ducati race bike of the late 1980s, thanks to Cagiva. Yes, the Ducati 851 was built after Cagiva acquired the Italian brand in the past. The 851 cc L-twin was based on the Pantah engine and featured bleeding-edge technology of the time, including liquid cooling, fuel injection, and a four-valve desmodromic engine. Underpinnings were race-spec with a steel tube trellis frame, Marvic lightweight wheels, Brembo brakes, and Marzocchi suspension. The race bike based on the 851 won Ducati its first-ever World Superbike Championship. Its fame has only broadened, with the special Tricolore models breaching the $50,000 mark, according to Bring a Trailer! Specs 1980s BMW R80 G/S Literally Created The Adventure Bike Segment BMWThe BMW R80 G/S is the grand daddy of adventure motorcycles. Ironically, this was also a make-or-break motorcycle for BMW during the 1980s. The R80 G/S was a mixed bag that utilized a large, road-going, modified boxer engine from the R80/7. Its twin-loop steel frame was derived from a BMW R65. Even the suspension bits were shared. All of these came together to create the world's first ADV. Its historic significance makes the R80 G/S a certified collector bike, with used prices surpassing the $40,000 mark. Specs 1970s Harley-Davidson XR750 Dirt Track Domination Makes This Harley An Instant Collectible Harley-DavidsonThis is Harley's most successful race bike, winning 28 out of 37 AMA Grand National Championships from 1972 to 2008. The XR750 is also famed for being the legendary American stuntman Evel Knievel's choice for many of his death-defying jumps and stunts. While the 750 cc V-twin is old-school, it features some serious weight-saving and performance-enhancing components, such as aluminum alloy heads. At 314 pounds, this Harley undercuts Japanese and Italian race-bred sports bikes to be the lightest motorcycle of this lot. The most expensive XR750 sold is a 1980 model, valued at $55,000 via Mecum, according to Classic.com. Specs 1970s MV Agusta 750S America A Very Rare Italian Exotic With Just 583 Being Made Bring a TrailerThis MV Agusta is widely regarded to be one of the most desirable superbikes of the 1970s. This motorcycle is extremely rare, with only 583 units produced. Making the 750S America more special is the impressive list of engine and underpinnings technology utilized to extract the most from this sporty café racer. This motorcycle was designed to appeal to American motorcyclists. The 787.7 cc four-cylinder engine is, in itself, a piece of art. This exclusive Americanized Italian café racer is so sought after that a meticulously restored 1977 model sold for $77,000 on Mecum Auctions, making it the most expensive motorcycle on this list. Specs 1970s Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans Famed For Its Bleeding Edge Features Moto GuzziMoto Guzzi joined the 1970s café racer fever with the 850 Le Mans roadster. The 850 Le Mans was designed to cater to the adrenaline-demanding crowd. It was based on Moto Guzzi's humbler V7 range from the 1960s, but was given more oomph and character. Unique features of this motorcycle include a linked braking system and a bulbous front fascia. The exotic appeal of this Moto Guzzi was high, which helped it lock horns with the dramatic Ducatis and Laverdas of the time. Today, this café racer is highly sought after by many well-kept specimens, selling for over $15,000. Specs