As one who used to be heavily involved in another form of collecting, and having literally 'written the book' on at least one ascpect of the rare coin hobby (see the Pattern section of the "COIN WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN COINS") may I sugggest that the anaolgy to uncirculated (actually, Mint State or Proof State) coins vs. NOS bikes falls down on one important point:
Collecter coinage is meant to be carefully stored and maintained in as-new condition. Handling is not required to enjoy the beauty of the coins. Bikes however, at least for some of us, are meant to be ridden as part of their enjoyment is the way they respond to us as their riders. Of course, that is simply my opinion, and no more or less valid than that of any one else.
Dave Novoselsky
Chicago, Illinois