Changing Your Ride?

[Zed]

I'm just curious to hear peoples different reasons as to why they replace/upgrade their bikes?

I would think the most common reason would be because of the mileage getting high and selling before the resale value drops too much, but I'm sure some riders also change their ride simply because they are sick of it and want a fresh change to something different. :ride:

Personally I have changed my ride over the years for a number of different reasons including those mentioned above, one such bike ('92 GSXR750WN) I sold after owning only 6 months because I was getting bad cramps in my knees & hips after a mere 1 hours riding. The Fireblade I then upgraded to was like sitting in a lazyboy in comparison, and I sold that 18 months later because I got married and needed the extra dough!

I also feel as a motorcyclist that the more I look at other bikes in mags and bike shops, on rides, etc, the more I get tempted and desire to change my ride, even if I am quite satisfied with what I already own!?

So what reasons have you had for changing your ride? :sherlock:

[White trash]

I've found that there's only so much of a bike that can be worn away by the fairly abrasive surface paving our roads before it's fucked. Normally about six months worth of "road wear" for me and it's time to move on.

[Zed]

I've found that there's only so much of a bike that can be worn away by the fairly abrasive surface paving our roads before it's fucked. Normally about six months worth of "road wear" for me and it's time to move on.Seriously though Jimmy, when you were selling bikes how many buyers came in and upgraded to the new model nearly every year?

I guess you'd have to be financially well-off to be able to do that!

[Qkchk]

Maybe to go bigger!!!

I had a NC30 needed to go bigger for two-up. Then the RF900R was too tame...... needed something more.

[gamgee]

i've gone suzuki sj50, yamaha sr250, honda vt250f so my reasons are pretty obvious
and i've never owned a car in my life :woohoo:

[Hitcher]

I can resist most things, but not temptation.

Hmmm... Moto Guzzi Breva 1100...

[Joni]

I am happy with my Zeal.... then I walk into Trevor Pearce motorcycles and see a Honda CB400...no rational thinking, just an "oh yeah!!!" :spudwhat:

[MadDuck]

I also feel as a motorcyclist that the more I look at other bikes in mags and bike shops, on rides, etc, the more I get tempted and desire to change my ride, even if I am quite satisfied with what I already own?

So what reasons have you had for changing your ride? :sherlock:

I didnt mean to. Took the VTR in for a service and saw this shiny new SV sitting there saying "take me home MD". So I kinda did! Its called impulse buying at its best....no doubt it will happen again :no:

[madboy]

My reason was simple, I am irresponsible and needed something with a more favourable Commodore v Bike ratio than the 400 had.

And when the finances recover from that one, it'll be onto something that gives me better front tyre mileage... I figure by that time I might actually be able to do that!

[Zed]

I am happy with my Zeal.... then I walk into Trevor Pearce motorcycles and see a Honda CB400...no rational thinking, just an "oh yeah!!!" :spudwhat:But you *want* an R1 and you know it Jo! :Punk:

[Bonez]

Hmm have'nt changed two of my rides since 1986. More m/cs seem to end up on the property though. Ride what you like, like what you ride............... :sherlock:

[Sensei]

Just like owning as many bikes as I can 53 & counting :Punk:

[Zed]

Just like owning as many bikes as I can 53 & counting :Punk:So you never trade in or sell your bikes?? You have like a bike graveyard at your home or are they all in working order?

[inlinefour]

Really the only reason to change. Newer and/or bigger.

[Joni]

But you *want* an R1 and you know it Jo! :Punk:

lol - if my feet touched the ground maybe... :2thumbsup

The body snatchers are out Matt... I like Yammies more and more...

between you and me tho, we both know what sticks to the road the best :bleh:

[Magua]

I upgraded for power primarily. I also desired a larger bike as I thought that I looked rather silly on my GN.

[Spaz]

Just like owning as many bikes as I can 53 & counting :Punk:

Holy Flying Sheet Batman! Fifty Three!
Some of us are so lucky.

[Flyingpony]

So what reasons have you had for changing your ride? :sherlock:
Have owned my current ride (FXR) since new (4yrs & first new bike too) and only bought it because my previous ride of 5yrs though on extended time, suddenly became unreliable. It became unreliable because even the slightest dampness in the air (from road or rain) and I was walking. Having reliable transport was important for getting to work on time, getting home 2hrs late for dinner without ringing is quite another story.

My current bike has everything that I need. It doesn't have everything that I want, but wants come 2nd to need. It's proven to be 100% reliable and fuel economy is outstanding. I'll keep it for now, probably till it gets old and tired. Sure I'd like something with more ponies, but that's a want and having to buy more protective gear is a need.

Needs 1st, wants 2nd :sherlock:

Horse.

[Sensei]

So you never trade in or sell your bikes?? You have like a bike graveyard at your home or are they all in working order?

No ZED have Traded & sold bikes since 15y's old . 5 in the shed was the most .Only 2 now my GSXR & first bike I learnt to ride on a Z50A which my oldest son now ride's :Punk:

[Spaz]

I upgradee from the GN to a ZZR because it ate the cam.

I then, after getting new pads, tyres and firming the suspension on the ZZR, upgrade to a ZXR because there wasn't enough power and handling and to do what the ZXR did, I would have needed to do 160k's to 14ltrs. My ZXR on the other hand did 200k's for 8.5ltrs (which was kinda weird but I wasn't complaining), the engine handled speed better, the bike went around corners and stopped better. Great fun but I found myself wanting more power out of corners (maybe tired engine) and put more K's on it commuting than it deserved. Well sold that before I started working on any of the faults I said I would and ended up back on the GN.

Unfortunately, from having played on some more powerful bikes than the GN, I am now eating its insides.

My next bike I plan to get before I break my Motorcycle Licence is an NSR250SP for all the reasons a young guy might want a race bred machine, I'll just have to get used to that power band.

[Skyryder]

I'm on my last ride now. No more upgrading for me.................unless I win lotto.

MV Augusta Butale, Gheezie and Brian..............and a chopper.


Skyryder

[avgas]

i alwas seem to write them off one way or another.
i have never sold a working bike
my current bike i swapped for my last car

[Two Smoker]

I need the best of the best for racing, hence looking at buying a K6 Gixxer 600...

[Pixie]

My last one developed a fault after I plunged it into a Nissan Skyline :violin:

[Beemer]

I sold the RG150 because it was four years old and had done about 23,000kms since new and the power valve was getting to the end of its life. I also wanted something a bit more powerful (think being able to overtake more than one car at a time without a tail wind rather than outright speed!) and something a bit more refined - electric start, fatter tyres, an exhaust that didn't look like a baked beans can, ABS, etc. I bought the CS after falling in love with it at the Big Boys (and Girls!) Toys Show in 2001 and was in a position to buy one the following year so the RG was traded in. I loved the CS at first but then I started getting tired of the weight and the width of the seat, which combined with my short legs, dented my confidence when undertaking low speed manoeuvres. I didn't know what to get to replace the CS because many of the 400s and 500s are quite tall so I was pretty limited in my choice. The Goose has turned out to be perfect - it is like the grown-up and slightly more civilised version of the RG - electric start, fatter tyres, a decent looking exhaust and pretty cool styling - which is an important factor! It goes well, the gear box is lovely and I'm having a huge amount of fun on it. I don't find the 350 limiting to me as I'm the first to admit I'm not a fast, full-on rider. It's economical, and I can touch both feet down with ease, so I'm very happy! :ride:

[zadok]

Had the last bike (Honda NTV650 V-Twin) for nearly 14 years from new and thought it was time for a change. Plus wanted the extra grunt of a larger bike with a fairing for some serious country riding.
p.s the mate I told you about re the Blackbird, is now opting for a 'busa. His wife liked the feel of it better.

[RiderInBlack]

Have only changed bikes so far for practical reasons:

GXSR250 to VFR750: Got full bike licience and was touring as well as commuting.

VFR750 to "Roxanne" (CBR1000FL): Wrote off VFR750 trying to load it myself onto a Ute. Replace with the CBR as I was no long commuting and now do mainly along distance riding.

Short of writing off "Roxanne" or coming into some major money, I won't be replacing her in the near future. Still like perving at other bikes but (just as well "Roxanne" is not the jelious type):devil2:

[Lou Girardin]

Because I want to.

[John]

because I love spending a shit load of money that I dont have >_>

[White trash]

Holy Flying Sheet Batman! Fifty Three!
Some of us are so lucky.

He's old so it's a bit easier.

[vifferman]

Wrecked my first bike after about 18months of thrashing (t-boned a car at about 70 km/h).
After about a year of ownership, I ran out of money while at university, so sold my second bike (dumb thing to do).
Sold my third bike after two and a half years or so when I inherited some money to buy my fourth. Kept that for about 5 or 6 years, then decided I needed a newer one (it was 14 years old) and bought another (#5). After a few months, sold bike #4.
Wrecked bike #5 after 3 or 4 years, thought about buying a car instead, and very nearly did. Bought bike #6 instead, and had that for about 18 months, before wife talked me into trading it on current bike, which I've had for 9 months.

[Flyingpony]

had that for about 18 months, before wife talked me into trading it on current bike, which I've had for 9 months.
That lady deserves to be wined and dined :apint: :corn: :violin:

[Rashika]

I am happy with my Zeal.... then I walk into Trevor Pearce motorcycles and see a Honda CB400...no rational thinking, just an "oh yeah!!!" :spudwhat:

yeah I had EXACTLY the same feeling when I bought the Virago...OMG its my bike I thought!

hmmm...unfortunately having that same feeling with the Black/amber Firebolt...sigh...just a LOT more expensive

So ya gonna get it Joni???....go on...ya know ya want to... :devil2:

[Mental Trousers]

... before wife talked me into trading it on current bike, which I've had for 9 months.

My missus went from:
I'm not allowed a bike at all
Can only have a bike if I buy her a car of the same value
Can have a bike as long as it's a safe, bright colour

And then we promptly moved to an apartment where there's no lockable/covered garaging. So I still can't get another bike because there's nowhere nearby to store the thing. Bit of a pisser.

[Brains]

Had a ducati 748, kept it 5 months, lost 6 grand, reason being, the ducati dealer I had to deal with was a bunch of jerks, upgraded to a honda, love the bike and the dealers are great.

[CPB]

Started out on my RGV250 down in CHCH a number of years ago, got taken out...bike was trashed, being a student of sorts, never quite got the bucks together...had a looooooooong break from owning, became a bit of a bike slut (you know the type, hey mate, you using your bike this weekend???...played on GSXR1100, CBR400, and a few others)...moved up to Hamilvegas and got really sick of caging it...that's when the TL came to my attention last year...had to grab it...best thing I ever did!!!

[vifferman]

My missus went from:
I'm not allowed a bike at all
Can only have a bike if I buy her a car of the same value
Can have a bike as long as it's a safe, bright colour

And then we promptly moved to an apartment where there's no lockable/covered garaging. So I still can't get another bike because there's nowhere nearby to store the thing. Bit of a pisser.
If you treat her right, she may come round.
I didn't have a bike when I met my wife. Then, after reading a story about a guy who bought a Ducati racer at auction, I really really really wanted another bike. And one just turned up.:blink:
For free (well... the cost of painting my bro-in-law's roof). Plus $600 to make it less fookd.
Then I needed a better one, and my grandma left me $4500. Hmmmmm.... new bedroom suite, or new bike... decisions, decisions...

I was in disgrace for months....

My wife was sort of OK about it after that, in a resentful sort of way.
She got really pissed off when I replaced it.

I was in disgrace for years....

She wasn't happy when I decided to get another bike when I wrote that one off. The one I wanted to buy was "Too boring. Too crappy looking." But she gave grudging approval to the red one, so I bought it.
Despite getting approval before I bought it, I still got some more grief over it, until (a) I admitted it was an expensive toy; (b) every time she bleated about it, I told her I'd sell it, (c) I ran away from home for a few days, after an argument. Then the thing that REALLY turned things around was she decided she would take more of an interest in my passions (I'd been giving her heaps of my time, and almost never went riding on weekends). So, I took her for a couple of gentle rides, and she loved it! Then she discovered the commaraderie bikers share: here were complete strangers, treating us like best buddies.

As for buying the VifFerraRi - that was a window-shopping session, looking for a helmet for her. She hadn't seen many bike shops, and when we went in a few, she got quite excited. When we were offered a test-ride or two, that was it. I wanted to "go away and think about it", she wanted me to sign on the dotted line. End of story.

.... almost.
Now I'm not allowed to sell our bike. Nor get another one (but she said that about the last three). :whistle:

[InDeSkyz]

I liked how your story had a happy ending vifferman :)



I had a Honda CT240 when I was about 13-14 and now on my first road bike (Zeal).
I can see myself changing it, either when I reach my full or when I want a bit more.

[crashe]

My missus went from:
I'm not allowed a bike at all
Can only have a bike if I buy her a car of the same value
Can have a bike as long as it's a safe, bright colour

And then we promptly moved to an apartment where there's no lockable/covered garaging. So I still can't get another bike because there's nowhere nearby to store the thing. Bit of a pisser.

So sell the apartment and buy a house with a garage.
There its that simple..... ain't it.

[Rashika]

If you treat her right, she may come round.
So, I took her for a couple of gentle rides, and she loved it! Then she discovered the commaraderie bikers share: here were complete strangers, treating us like best buddies.


I think that is fantastic that she has got into it now too!!

Things might well have been diferent for me if my ex hubby had done the same, after me spending so much doing his thing
...ah well, history, I'm definately preferring things the way they are now

[Joni]

So ya gonna get it Joni???....go on...ya know ya want to... :devil2: I want to... Warwick spoke to them yesterday on my behalf... its brewing at the back of my mind at the moment!

:spudflip:

[Rashika]

I want to... Warwick spoke to them yesterday on my behalf... its brewing at the back of my mind at the moment!

:spudflip:

Hopefully he is gonna have a wee chat with them for me too :innocent:

aint it funny these thngs just play out over and over on your mind at times...

[bluninja]

Errr....having moved back to yUK from NZ, I seemed to have lost the will (and the means) to ride. Yesterday I purchased a 1980 Suzuki GT200 X5 for commuting. It cost less to buy and insure than the insurance would be on the RSVR. The last time I rode a 2 stroke on the road was errr....1980...a Suzuki A100. So I guess at least I'm on a more powerful (and 'sporty' it has a solid single disc at the front) 2 stroke than last time...same colour though...blue....I must like that colour.

So reason for change is an affordable ride. Maybe I'm also bike and I are old enough that I can claim to be buying a classic :yawn:

[SPman]

So, Simon, is the RSVR languishing in a garage somewhere, or has that gone.......:no:

[bluninja]

No the RSVR is in storage.....so Gina is now joined in the garage by Cindy the suzuki (cars are boys....bikes are girls). Whilst it may seem criminal to leave the RSVR unridden for so long.....it would take me a lot longer to get my dream bike if I let her go and had to purchase one in the future. Spent most of today going over the bike...chain needed attention...tyres are new...horn bust; new one purchased....The return to a bike with a fuel tap!!! not quite caught me out yet...but I'm sure it will.

Still looking for a decent job...just certified myself to MCSA and will get the MCSE in the next few weeks. Maybe I'll start looking for a job back in NZ. Sure I could persuade the wife and kids to return.

Here's a pic of Cindy.

[SARGE]

Seriously though Jimmy, when you were selling bikes how many buyers came in and upgraded to the new model nearly every year?

I guess you'd have to be financially well-off to be able to do that!


i have a few costomers that do that .. one guy in particular.. buys a new bike every 5000 km.. because he can i guess..

i think IF i ever decided to got out of the FJ ( unlikely)then i would be looking at a Thunderace, Blackbird, ZX12 or even a Cagiva X-Raptor.. even another FJ if i could find one as tidy as mine..

[clint640]

It took me a long time to decide what to replace my 'long termer' VFR400 with. The 400 was getting a bit ratty, held together with pop rivets & zip ties, so I was saving some cash for a new ride. I was leaning towards a 600 sportsbike but nothing really leapt out & said 'Buy Me!'.
After an awesomely fun adventure riding session down south on a hired DR250 I started thinking that maybe an adventure bike might be a good idea, & on the way back from that trip I saw my bike at AFC in Palmy - It was lust at first sight. I went home & did some research on potential adventure rigs & the KTM just kept on looking like the bizzo. Brendan at AFC came up with a pretty good deal so I just had to buy the 640. 16000 km later I don't think I'll be changing again in a hurry.

Cheers
Clint

[Sensei]

He's old so it's a bit easier.

Easy Jimmy . Still move pretty quick for 40 next month . :motu: