How Long Do You Keep Your Bikes?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,018
Likes: 231
From: Kentucky, USA
That's it right there.
"Your money"!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 3,721
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Wow I can't imagine how much money people are wasting trading their bikes as often as some of you do. Everyone always says 'They got a great deal', but in reality I think that's just a way of trying to justify it I think.. I think people are losing a lot more than they think.
I purchased my first Harley a used 96 road king and kept it about 10 years. I bought a new 2013 Ultra in June of 2013 and plan on keeping it at least until 2020. I don't have bike lust and its difficult for me to understand why people need to switch bike's constantly. For me its about the ride not the bike. Obviously certain bikes are better suited for different types of riding so I can see people switching because of that.
I often see the 'If you can afford it' line thrown out. I don't think most people truly CAN afford it. They can make the payments. The OP said he had 48 motorcycles over the course of his life. Imagine if you even cut that in half and put that money into investments/retirements. I bet the money you would have would be staggering. I think there is a lot of people out there who are going to be in for a very rude awakening when it comes time for retirement.. suddenly they won't be able to afford it any more and they haven't saved up anything to live.
I think the problem of the 'rich' vs 'poor' is become even more of a problem as the baby boomers move into retirement (Which is already well under way).. Unfortunately I think those who showed restraint and saved up to live nicely in retirement are going to be asked to give more to those who decided they could 'afford' a lot of things they really couldn't. Its going to get even more ugly than it is now unfortunately.
Sorry kind of a political/social rant there. I'm only in my early 40's and trying to plan for retirement while still living a fun life. I certainly could afford to trade in my 2013 for a 'better' 2016, but I think it would be a financially stupid decision and I won't throw money away like that. I'm trying to encourage others to 'think ahead' because I don't want to be paying for everyone else's retirement because I decided to try to build up a healthy nest egg or be told I am greedy because I don't want to pay more in taxes.
I purchased my first Harley a used 96 road king and kept it about 10 years. I bought a new 2013 Ultra in June of 2013 and plan on keeping it at least until 2020. I don't have bike lust and its difficult for me to understand why people need to switch bike's constantly. For me its about the ride not the bike. Obviously certain bikes are better suited for different types of riding so I can see people switching because of that.
I often see the 'If you can afford it' line thrown out. I don't think most people truly CAN afford it. They can make the payments. The OP said he had 48 motorcycles over the course of his life. Imagine if you even cut that in half and put that money into investments/retirements. I bet the money you would have would be staggering. I think there is a lot of people out there who are going to be in for a very rude awakening when it comes time for retirement.. suddenly they won't be able to afford it any more and they haven't saved up anything to live.
I think the problem of the 'rich' vs 'poor' is become even more of a problem as the baby boomers move into retirement (Which is already well under way).. Unfortunately I think those who showed restraint and saved up to live nicely in retirement are going to be asked to give more to those who decided they could 'afford' a lot of things they really couldn't. Its going to get even more ugly than it is now unfortunately.
Sorry kind of a political/social rant there. I'm only in my early 40's and trying to plan for retirement while still living a fun life. I certainly could afford to trade in my 2013 for a 'better' 2016, but I think it would be a financially stupid decision and I won't throw money away like that. I'm trying to encourage others to 'think ahead' because I don't want to be paying for everyone else's retirement because I decided to try to build up a healthy nest egg or be told I am greedy because I don't want to pay more in taxes.
For some people it is about both the bike and the ride. It is for me anyway. One of the nice things about taking my '49EL on the road (secondary routes across America) is that I can park it just about anywhere and not lock it because most haven't a clue how to start it up. And it is nice to have a conversation with a new bike rider asking questions about old iron, or having a serious elderly gentleman approach me and talk about the Harley he had back in his early days of riding. So, sometimes it is about the bike, sometimes the ride, and sometimes both. Maybe if you keep your latest bike another 25-30 years, you too will ellicit that type of response from folks when you park your bike.
Yes there are some who get in over their heads with payments they cannot afford (you see that from time-to-time here), but even if you choose to make payments (I prefer not to), it doesn't mean you are living an unacceptable lifestyle (although you would seem to disagree).
I am a baby boomer (68 years young), and I do not read that the OP is asking you for anything. He has a passion for buying new every few years and is wondering if anyone else has the same drive. He never said he had to go on welfare and asked for donations to support his motorcycles.
Great, you believe that it (buying new every few years) is finacially unsound; I get it. But the tirad about your fear of you having to pay for my generation is utter bull$hit. We have done very well without your "me, me me" generation trying to impose your values on our way of life and the choices we make.
And in case you did not read this thread entirely from its start, I only ride old iron out of choice. I find it astonishing that folks trade up every couple of years as well, but I won't turn it into a rant about perceived social injustice that is somehow affecting me (I am retired and live very nicely) or you in the future.
MoCo has come a very long way from my Pan and Shovel days. Many look for improvement in the machine and are willing and able to pay for those improvements. If Mother was depending on me, there probably would be no Comapny today because they operate on profit (with a bit of retro nostalgia thrown in), and profit is not just the boutique end of things.
Last edited by panz4ever; Dec 2, 2015 at 06:08 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 124
Having owned about 2 dozen bikes over the last 4 decades,I still have a 1967 R27 BMW since 1979.And my baby, a 1988 R100RS BMW that was the last bike that I purchased new (13 used since then).I have had great experiences buying used for many years.Wish I could have kept them all...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,222
From: Michigan
I started riding in '69 and I went through a bunch of Honda's,1 BSA, then bought my first H-D ('75 Sporty) in the fall of '74.
Realized immediately that the Sporty was just too small for me and sold it to a friend for a $400 loss at 400 miles!
The following spring I bought a new '75 FLT (Electra-Glide) and that started the trail of H-D's for me.
The H-D that I've kept the longest is my '98 FLSTS (Heritage Softail Springer Anniversary Edition). A carb'd EVO that I have no plans of ever letting go.
My current "road bike" is a '13 CVO Ultra that I'll probably keep until I need a Tri-Glide.
In regards to the financial loss(es) of buying,selling, accessorizing or customizing motorcycles, my wife rarely says anything as she has an '08 Heritage that is pretty well accessorized (to her tastes) and I don't waste money on drugs, gambling, wild women, etc.
Realized immediately that the Sporty was just too small for me and sold it to a friend for a $400 loss at 400 miles!
The following spring I bought a new '75 FLT (Electra-Glide) and that started the trail of H-D's for me.
The H-D that I've kept the longest is my '98 FLSTS (Heritage Softail Springer Anniversary Edition). A carb'd EVO that I have no plans of ever letting go.
My current "road bike" is a '13 CVO Ultra that I'll probably keep until I need a Tri-Glide.
In regards to the financial loss(es) of buying,selling, accessorizing or customizing motorcycles, my wife rarely says anything as she has an '08 Heritage that is pretty well accessorized (to her tastes) and I don't waste money on drugs, gambling, wild women, etc.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 380
From: Queanbeyan, Australia
2014 FLHTK a "keeper"
Bought a Triumph Bonneville in 2010, sold it in 2012 for a 2007 Road King, which I traded in Dec 2013 for my current ride, a 2014 FLHTK.
I love this bike so much and I have put so much into accessories I can't see myself selling anytime soon. This one's a keeper - 20 years, or more?
I love this bike so much and I have put so much into accessories I can't see myself selling anytime soon. This one's a keeper - 20 years, or more?
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