How long do you keep a bike for

The longest period of time i kept the same bike was for 4 years, back in the 80s, a new vf750f 83 mod,,, planning to keep this one longer

My times have varied depending on need and finances.
My B1250 is at 4 now and for the first time im looking for a stable mate rather than off loading.
Previous longest ownership was about 8yrs.
Good question though because for most of us bike ownership is discretionary.

longest was 6 1/2 years all the others about 2 to 4 years / hope to keep this one but anything can happen .

Thats true 2wa, since i was 17 ive only gone without a bike for about a year, i actually got my bike licence before my car licence by about 2 years, now you need a car licence before your bike licence so my son found out!

if it aint broke don`t fix it

Either sell it under 25,000 kays or hang onto it for 10 years .I hang onto my bikes Gs 1000 15 years ,230.000 kls . New models arnt always better
The GSX which followed the GS had been hit by an ugly stick .Square headlight ,"pastie" tank,

I can still remember the local copper pulling me up on that bike in Childers, What did i do officer? Oh nothing , just wanted to have a look at that new VF! He was a motorcycle cop i spose!

Longest - 6 Years VF1000fe loved it, bought new.

Shortest - 4 Months M90 Boulevard, buy one, you'll see why.

Had the bandit just short of 2 years and the DR650 prior to that for 3 years.

Shortest for me was 3 weeks ,06 Sprint .(bought new )

yeah..whys that? I`ve tested one, it handled alright,but I found it to be down on power to my gen2

gus wrote:Shortest for me was 3 weeks ,06 Sprint .(bought new )

CV50A = 2 years.
@125 #1 = 3 months.
@125 #2 = 11 months
ER6F = 8 months
GSF1250SA = ~3 years
GSX650F = ~2 years
Tiger 800 = 2 (maybe 3) months
DL1000 = 3 or 4 months old so far
DL650 = 6 months old so far


I think. I don't really count how old the stuff is I just change it cause I want to and cause I can

3 weeks! thats gotta be a record gus

Yep , lost $3000 in 3 weeks . The thing just ran so HOT took ALL the pleasure out of riding for me . Also made my hands go to sleep but that
might be me , not the bikes fault . It was like riding an oven .

3 months was the shortest time. That was the Z1000. It didnt like being used as a commuter! Waaay too much maintenance. The rest ranged from 2 years to about 8 years. Only ever had one brand new bike and until a car reduced its wheelbase, it was on track for 7 years. The Bandit will be around a while I reckon, coz my other toy takes up too much of my pocket money to be able to save for the next bike!
.......but if anyones got this weeks winning numbers, all could change

I would have kept my first bike longer if it weren't written off. The 650FU was about 18 months or so before trading for the 1250FA. I would dearly like to keep both 1250 and 1400 for a number of years to come. Although I wouldn't be averse to having a tard as a third bike

gus wrote:Yep , lost $3000 in 3 weeks . The thing just ran so HOT took ALL the pleasure out of riding for me . Also made my hands go to sleep but that
might be me , not the bikes fault . It was like riding an oven .

That's why I sold mine,and I live in the UK,not a country known for its warm weather,on the few rare hot days it was completely unbearable.

I ride them till I think they are going to break then I'll put them in the shed or off load cheaply to some young bloke.
1986 KLR 600 cost $1500 - 1990 to present - still in the shed, looking at putting the motor in a sidewinder - still goes after 10- 20 kicks
1983 XT 250 cost $1000 - 1996 to present - in the shed next to the KLR - still goes on 2nd kick
2002 Bandit 1200 cost $7000 - 2005 to present - in the carport waiting for a little road trip south sometime.
Comes down to $$$ for me but the Bandit still makes me smile so I'll keep it for a while yet.