I am considering selling both of my bikes. There, I’ve said it! I haven’t ridden either of them much at all over the past couple of years for various reasons. First and foremost, I really haven’t had much of an urge to do so. Being retired I rarely ride at the weekend unless there is an event on, there are too many idiots about. If it’s a nice day I’m quite happy to potter about the garden or go for a round of golf tbh. If I do go out on the bike it’s without a great deal of enthusiasm so a subsequent lack of concentration is less than ideal. Secondly, for the last couple of years Mrs BRD & I have enjoyed extended road trips in June in her MX5. This year we were driving around the Dolomites and Northern lakes and had a great time. Lots of bikes around of course but I didn’t think once I would rather be on my bike. We used to take family holidays in France or Italy and I would trailer the Monster and get some long rides in whilst the girls relaxed by the pool. Once home, the bike often remained unridden for a month or so because the roads and scenery were something of a disappointment after the Alps or Pyrenees. Now my daughters are older it’s unlikely we will take those sorts of trips in the future. I welcome any thoughts or comments, especially from those of you who have experienced similar situations. I don’t need to sell them but it seems a shame for them to be spending the majority of their time on stands in the garage. I am assuming that selling them in standard trim and selling the extra bits and bobs separately that have found their way on to the bikes over my years of ownership is the way to go?
Why not sell one of them and keep one and see how you feel about using it. If you don’t feel the urge to use it then sell that one too. To be honest it sounds like you’ve moved on from biking which is perfectly fine people do all the time.
Not quite same story but I had 4 bikes at one point, Ducati road bike and ducati track bike, and a R6 road bike and r6 track bike. Never used the R6 road bike, 100 miles in two years MOT's so easy choice to get the space back. Never thought i would sell the R6 track bike but in two seasons riding it for 2 sessions (40mins) in total went to fire up one Feb and it needed quite a bit of work, oil had gunge in/cloudy, one of the electrics box contacts had gone green and few other little bits but took a while to fix up and get ready then not use. So admitted defeat, it was going to cost me time and money just to sit there and not get used so reluctantly sold it - but the new owner is using it and making them smile every time so that made it easier in my eyes. Guess its really about are you at the same point I was, will they just cost money to be ornaments if you dont plan to use them? Or its a case of do you want to keep them for any sentimental value, if so how much do they mean to you in terms of effort to keep them going on hte off chance you might use them?
Thank you for your helpful contribution. I think if they could just be kept for occasional use that might be ok. However, the reality is that they need insurance, road tax and servicing each year even for a single ride which I find hard to justify. I didn’t ride the PS once last year and the Monster hasn’t been out at all this year. I would estimate that both bikes have covered fewer than 500 miles in the last two years. It’s a difficult thing to admit but the desire to take either bike out for a ride just isn’t there at the moment and I don’t think that will change TBH.
If you don't need the money don't tax, mot or insure them, no cost then.... But there if you get the urge ..
I think I would be very nervous if they weren’t insured! They have also been serviced annually regardless of use so they are annual fixed costs.
Sell them I’d say. I fell out of love with road riding years ago due to a track day addiction. I recently got the itch for the road again and bought a KTM SDR. Fab bike just the desire wasn’t there. I sold it back to the dealer pretty much as I bought it. If you’re not feeling it, get rid. If the itch returns there’s always tons of options.
Riding has slipped down my priorities list significantly over the last two years. So much so that I have found time to buy, renovate, and sail a boat on the weekends... I'm going to sell one of my three bikes, probably the Suzuki TS185. But in truth I've been thinking about selling it for awhile and haven't. Its a funny thing having brilliant bikes, with a fair amount of money tied up, yet not really feeling motivated to part with them. Only one is insured currently, and I think thats OK as I keep the other two inside the house. They're not getting hyper expensive services each year which might diminish their value. But as they aren't collectors bikes and I'm saving the service costs I figure its a wash.
Lost my mojo a few years back. Bought a 1200R in 2017, its now got around 1900 miles on it. Even so I still get it service annually. Don't know why it's happened, just can't be bothered to ride. State of the roads and increasing numbers of cameras doesn't help though.
In a strange way that is reassuring. Even if the bike is there, taxed and ready to go on a nice dry day, I often just can’t be bothered to get all the gear on & take it out. Agree about the roads and cameras, I would also add to that list an appalling lack of awareness by some other road users.
Sounds to me like you don't feel the urge to ride anymore, but also dont want to let go of the option which I get as I go through phases. I've barely ridden this year compared to usual, done/got about 4 track days instead of hte usual 20 or so this year but other priorities but I know I will once things settle down again. I think from the outside view, going down to 1 is probably the best answer for now - still got one there if want it, but not paying to maintain two ornaments and if in a year, 2 or 3 still not interested can decide again
sounds like you have already made up your mind. get shot; you can always buy another if and when you get the urge
In my 40 years of motorcycling I've never used them just for 'riding around' or touring even. There was always a need/purpose/intent & therefore reason to use a bike. Whether that was because it was my only means of transport or for a commute. For about 10 years life got in the way and the car became the default mode of transport with the two bikes languishing in the garage. And what got me back riding was a work place change, to the centre of Bath, that better suited using the bike. And that 60 mile daily run got me back in love with riding again and also charged me to give the Darmah it's full refurb. The latter of which I now use on a very jolly commute when weather allows. So if you think you may miss bikes perhaps you could 'invent' a purpose like say always picking up the Sunday papers from a shop 10 miles away. Or leave your clubs at the golf course & on decent days ride there or ride to the garden centre to pick up the lighter stuff. Sell the present bikes and get a large capacity scooter, a Honda X-ADV anyone?, that still keeps you on two wheels but is a lot more practical plus still a hoot to boot.
Thank you all for your replies, I really appreciate them. Some interesting perspectives that I hadn’t really considered. If I do decide to sell, is it best to offer a bike at two different prices ie. bog standard and with all the extras? I have retained all of the OEM parts so they can be put back to standard with a few days work.
Regarding insurance ,you can get laid up insurance, my R1 cost me about £70 with guaranteed value ,to and from shows etc and covers my workshop tools .
I'm interested too, last time I enquired some time ago tho, the company wanted 10% of the value of the bike per year
