How long do you keep your bike(s)?

[vifferman]

I was thinking about bikes (I tend to do that a lot ) and how long I keep them for. This got me wondering about what was typical, the reasons others had for changing bikes, and what I'd get next.
For me, it's like this.
Wrote off my first bike after ~15 months. Replaced it a fews months laters with a slightly bigger one, when the insurance money came through (took some legal wranglings for that to happen, as I had only third-party, and despite the other party being at fault, they tried to wriggle out of it.)
Sold second bike when I ran out of money (was a poor, struggling student).
Inherited my third bike (long story). Kept it... hmmm... several years (can't remember), then traded up (same capacity, better, newer bike) when I inherited some money (kinda appropriate).
Kept that bike for about 6 years, then I guess I got bored. Bought another bike from a dealer (bigger, 5 years newer), then eventually ( a mere few weeks!) sold the previous bike when the wife started bleating.
Had that bike about 3 years (loved it!), then a retarded car driver wrote it off.
Paused for a couple of months to think about life, the universe, the price of fish, and whether I'd buy a car....
- Nah!!
Was going to buy the latest incarnation of the previous model bike, but the wife vetoed it: "Too boring! Don't like the colour!" (silver).
Jumped up in capacity, bought an acceptable bike (red) 7 years newer.
Owned that about 18 months to two years, then bought the current bike: 4 years newer, smaller capacity (781 vs. 996), similar horsies, better quality.
I've had this bike Eggs Zachary 4 years, and I'm a bit bored.
I think.
I've customised lotsa stuff, I like riding it, but... I feel somewhat discontent. Not about anything in particular.
Just "the grass might be greener" sorta stuff.

I've had a look on TardMe, and occasionally have a gander at bikes in shops, but I don't really want anything I see. Mebbe if I was buying three or four bikes, AND keeping this one, it'd be different.

I thought about a poll, but I don't need statistics, coz they're bullshit. I'm just interested in how long other people keep their bikes, and why they change them.

So tell me - how long do you keep a bike for, and why do you change? Any regrets? That sorta thing...

[EJK]

I serously can't wait for DMNTD's story...

[LilSel]

I serously can't wait for DMNTD's story...

Thats what I was gonna say lol!!!

[MotoGirl]

I have always intended to keep each one of my bikes indefinitely.

This is because I research the bike so thoroughly before buying it that any regrets are non existent. When it comes to what I want, I have a very definite idea and don't change my mind easily, hence I don't need to change the bike.

[EJK]

I was gonna keep my Scorpio for atleast 10 Years...

[Newblade]

I serously can't wait for DMNTD's story...

Hell yes, He will tell you that you've owned them all for faaarrrr too long


I think when you feel that you have reached the bikes potential for what you want to do with it.Have recently updated from a 96 ZX9R to an 07 CBR1000RR,and realised the old girl was holding me back.Guess I must have had her for too long.
But was really sad to see her go

[MotoGirl]

I was gonna keep my Scorpio for atleast 10 Years...

There's nothing wrong with that! I think I'd be adding another bike or few to that collection, though!

[jim.cox]

I've had my current bike for nearly two decades now

In the interegnum there have been others which have come and gone

But this one is a keeper

[HenryDorsetCase]

I.
I've had this bike Eggs Zachary 4 years, and I'm a bit bored.
I think.
I've customised lotsa stuff, I like riding it, but... I feel somewhat discontent. Not about anything in particular.
Just "the grass might be greener" sorta stuff.
..

Christ, you've been reading my mind. i am on the verge of trading the Hornet pretty much for exactly the same reasons. I will get something more expensive, with a LOT less horsepower and functionally inequivalent and not "better". But it will be shiny and different.

at least I think I will. but maybe not.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Longest I have owned a bike is about 15 years...

[MidnightMike]

Thats what I was gonna say lol!!!

I serously can't wait for DMNTD's story...

FOOK!

I was gonna say that too.

I think at one point he had a bike for each month. (something like that (was it 7 bikes in 6 months??? I cant remember))

[AlBundy]

I have a short attention span. I think the longest I've owned a bike was about two and a half years... It been nakeds, to supersports, the odd trail bike, the odd dual sport. Curently have a sport bike and a motard...

Some of them I was entirely happy with, until a minor crash, then it just wasn't the same, so the bike had to go. Others have been due to injuries and the bike not being comfortable to ride for extended periods.

For the most part, I've always had a bike of sorts, so never really took a break from them, though I may not have ridden much at times either...

[Maha]

Use to be an annual thing, the longest I have own a bike is two years, bi-annual ? Current bike, just over 4 months, bought it brand knew, I have no need to change for a couple of years, I guess by the time 2010 rolls around I will be looking.

[James Deuce]

I've had the Zed 3 years now. That's a personal record.

But I am looking, and looking at things much less sensible.

[martybabe]

.
I've had this bike Eggs Zachary 4 years, and I'm a bit bored.
I think.
I've customised lotsa stuff, I like riding it, but... I feel somewhat discontent. Not about anything in particular.
Just "the grass might be greener" sorta stuff.


.

Well I would have told you a story but that comment above just about covers it, that coupled with financial need to sell from time to time, hence 5 FJs.

I guess if I was to take out selling bikes for other priorities, namely Family, they would average about 2 years a piece but definitely, the grass is always greener in my case, no matter how good my bike is, I always feel I may be missing out on something else. I blame the big Daves of this world for temping me so much.