I've got a serious problem! I've had it since the late '60's. I trade motorcycles WAY TOO OFTEN! I typically keep a motorcycle about 1 or 2 years before trading it off for another bike. I've owned over 48 motorcycles. The longest I've ever owned any motorcycle was a 1985 ElectraGlide that I kept for 8 years. I've loved every one of the bikes I've owned, I just get the urge for something different. Problem is, I always regret selling the bike I got rid of for the new one. Well, I'm 64 years old. Currently own a 2008 Street Glide with 26,000 miles on it, and am at the age where I think this will the last bike I'll own. I plan on giving it to my son when I hang it up. However, I STILL get that new bike hunger as strongly as I did when I was 21 years old! My question is..........how long do you guys typically own your bikes, and how do I get past this always wanting a new/different motorcycle all the time??

 

My current bikes I've had for 2 1/2 years (bought new) and about 4 months (bought used) - last bike I had for 10 years. I'd say 4-5 years on average.


I know the feeling - my SG is a '13, bought it right before the Rushmore bikes came out. If I'd have known, I probably would have waited. But I didn't. I liked the Rushmores but not enough to trade out of mine so soon. But in a year or two? Will probably succumb to the new bike jones...

 

Still have my 65 Pan that I purchased in October 1970 after coming home. It is next up on the restoration block after I finish off my '49 Pan.

Think owning/selling/buying new vs keeping something a very long time is just the way you are wired. Those wired like you keep MoCo in business, a good thing.

 

Shortest I ever kept a bike was 4 months (the 250 Yamaha I got my license with). The longest was 22 years (the bike I have now).

 

16 years and around 175,000 miles on my 2000 Screamin' Eagle Road Glide. Got it set up just the way I like. A little more power than stock, way better suspension at both ends, better seat, bars and windshield that suit my riding style ( lots of long trips but also lots of twisties on the way), easily removable Hannigan sidecar to carry cargo on some long trips and the grandkids around town.


The 2016 Road Glide Ultra's have been seriously tempting me though!

 

I have had mine for a little over 3 years and have no plans to get rid of it any time soon. I may add another one to the garage in the distant future though. I look forward to paying it off next year and having some extra cash for mods.

 

I keep them until something happens to them or me.
Panhead...blew the engine up and didn't have the money to fix it.
Shovelhead...thoughts of crashing when I rode.
Blackline...I was rear ended and traded it in.
My Breakout...probably when I can't physically handle it or can't afford it anymore.

 

In the 15 years I have been riding I have had 9 different bikes. Some I couldn't wait to get rid of. The worse two were my CVO Ultra's. The 2007 blew a head gasket at 5000 miles and my 2009 sounded like a bag of marbles. My last one had the most miles. It was a 2012 Limited and I traded it in with 45,000 this October on my current bike. The Purple one was a "used" 2015 with 182 miles on it. Had the Shrine logo taken off and the tank repainted the first week.

 

1978 cx 500 still have it , 1991 sportster still have it
cant answer your question

 

I've only been riding 2 years and I'm on my second bike. It may happen again this spring that I switch LOL. BUt I'd like to find something I really get attached to to keep for many years.