Bike's Life Cycle

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Nov 23, 2012 | 07:06 AM

#41

Scorpion07

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 1,602

Likes: 3

From: Southeastern Michigan

My heart always wants the latest and greatest of all bikes. My head knows I can only ride one at a time. I've been on the 10 year plan for the last thirty. But I did manage to squeak a few extras in the middle. By the time I go to trade up, I have a high mileage bike that looks and runs like new with ridiculous miles. But I definitely buy em to ride em.
To the OP's original question. I always have the urge for a new or different bike. I just can't afford it.......time or money!

Nov 23, 2012 | 07:12 AM

#42

hambone51

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 190

Likes: 4

`02 RK and have no plans to replace it. Have it the way I like it except for a seat which is an ongoing process. Only thing I am considering is a trike only for taking the wife on long trips with more luggage and comfort. Of course would keep the King if finances and wife let me and am waiting to see if a liquid cooled trike is coming. Trikes are way over priced but it is what it is.

Nov 23, 2012 | 07:51 AM

#43

fwb35

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,672

Likes: 18

From: Orange, VA,

I think for some of us it is a matter of money, or time, or other things in life, sure I could see walking into a dealer and saying I want that one, am I, no, I bought my 99 EG this June after having several bikes in my life and not just Harley's. After riding my 99 and paying $8k for it, I know this is it for me, I will keep this bike until I can no longer ride, not saying I will never buy another, but knowing I have one of the best built motors from HD and having upgraded the tensioners plus having a carb, it is easy to work on and dependable. I have test driven new bikes, are they $20k+ better then my bike, no. I will continue to work on, make improvements, fix, paint, and rebuild, it is the one for me, just like my second wife.

Nov 23, 2012 | 09:40 AM

#44

dickey

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 19,982

Likes: 6,111

From: Florida

How do I get that past my wife? Hmmm.

You tell her "Honey, I'm buying a new bike"!

and wife let me

Oish!

Nov 23, 2012 | 09:56 AM

#45

silent1

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 1,584

Likes: 52

From: Here and there

This is my first Harley, so there is some sentimental value to it now. But aside from that, I love my bike. I have it setup exactly how I want it. It looks good, runs well, and is paid for. So there's no reason to get rid of it.

Nov 23, 2012 | 10:06 AM

#46

mikelikesbikes

Banned

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 11,232

Likes: 16

From: Socialist Republic of the USA

My most current bike is an 01 Road King with just shy of 70K which I have had for over 5 years. I have so much money into the bike I would be foolish to get rid of it. Besides it has given me very little trouble. Just now for the first time having the cam chain tensioners replaced so having Andrews 37 cams put in as well along with a little other work. I love the Road Glide but unless I hit the lottery I don't see 1 in my immediate future. Plus I love my bike too much to ever part with it. I guess next will be an engine build but not until it is necessary (or I hit the lotto).

Saw one post said he gets a new bike every 2 years. Also saw he had custom wheels. I don't get it. Must be loaded.....

Nov 23, 2012 | 10:18 AM

#47

Chunker

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 1,905

Likes: 66

From: Hartford, AL

I have no "life cycle" for anything. As long as it works, I'll keep it. When it no longer has the reliability, or if it's damaged in some way, then I'll think about replacing. I have had some vehicles 15+ years and only replaced because it didn't do the job that was needed. I have had some only a few months because it turned out not to be what I was expecting. This motorcycle meets my current and foreseeable needs and wants and as such, will be around a while. I might add a stable mate, or if physically am unable to muscle it around after retiring, go with something smaller and lighter. I don't have a planned obsolescence for anything.

Nov 23, 2012 | 04:36 PM

#48

EricD10563

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 2,480

Likes: 73

From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricD10563

I owned one bike for 20 years, then another for almost 25 years, had them both and wish I still had them today. I've had this bike for a little over three years and expect to have it for a long time. Car's I've never cared one way or the other my bikes are a different story. No life cycle for me, if it were not for moving around I would have three bikes in the garage. BTW my bikes have out lasted the women in my life.

So much for that plan I came home with a 2011 Limited last week with 7300 miles, my 09 RK was starting to feel old and I didn't want it to turn into a money pit with no resale value since it had more than 62k miles on it.

added: I got a decent price for the trade in otherwise I would have not done it. The dealer told me if the bike had 75k miles they wouldn't take it at all and I'm sure I would have had close to that sometime next year.

Last edited by EricD10563; Nov 23, 2012 at 04:45 PM.