Thorn Raven Sport Tour 561L

[macspud]

Thorn RST 651L
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/277244958171
Not mine.
Only 14 hours left on the listing. Looks nice but collection in person only. Might be a last minute flurry, but going for a steal at the moment 

[Andyb1]

So often the problem is that the bike is too far away and the seller does not want to pack it and send it, which I can understand.

[in4]

£720 sold! Bargain.

[PH]

Just watched that sell, even put in a cheeky bid, it jumped a bit at the end but not by as much as I expected.  Andy's point about collection is noted, but an easy place to get to for at least half the population, £50 would cover it. If that's the going rate, it's a good time to be buying and a very bad one for selling!  Is this bikes in general, or have these type of rim braked, 26" wheel tourers fallen so far from fashion few people want them?

[in4]

Just for the Rohloff hub it is a good buy.
Discs, belts and bike packing are increasingly popular. It’s an ever changing/evolving market. Sometimes it’s down to practicalities, particularly when you’re in some place like Altnahara where even the clans and sheep have left it’s bleakness!

[Andyb1]

The bike is a 2006 model so almost 20 years old…..by how much would a 20 year old car have depreciated?

Even in 2006 these bikes had a dated look and today there are only a small number of riders who want steel frames / V brakes and 26 inch wheels.   For not a lot more it is possible to buy something lighter, brand new and shiny, with disc brakes and a warranty and that is what most riders want.

A couple of friends now in their late 60s who had similar Thorns sold them to buy ebikes.  They are now on their second set of ebikes (they seem to last about 3 years / 6000 miles….) but they would not go back to their Thorns.  They see their ebikes as easier to ride and better over rough ground with the motors compensating for the increased weight.

Like it or not, secondhand prices for bikes like ours will in the short term at least remain low for what they can offer.   A bargain for anyone wanting to ride around the world on a budget.  Longer term, who knows - will they gain the status of motorcycling's Brough Superiors or Vincents in future years?