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How long do you keep yours?

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Posted by: flynbryan---------------------

Here's a poll guys. I'm just curious as to how long you guys keep your motorcycle(s). When I was racing I was amazed at how many of the people I raced w/got new bikes EVERY YEAR. My rule when I raced MX was every two yrs. Now that I ride for fun I plan on keeping my bike for several yrs. I just wondered what the percentage of ya'll do. Wether you keep it a yr. or two and sell it, hold on to it for several yrs till it starts needing serious repair, or its your baby forever? Just thought it'd be fun. Post and let everyone know. I'm sure this will expose the financially secure section of our pop. here at DRN Enjoy!


Posted by: whyzee---------------------

This is going to be interesting. I've always (when it comes to dirt bikes) bought used. ... Until today, I just bought lil Z an 03 YZ85 brand new. I'm guessing he will keep it till he out grows it in ... 3 years?! I can't wait to give it to him (Saturday)


Posted by: flynbryan---------------------

Rock on David! I was estatic when my father brought my 1st new bike home. I guess the bike tallie went right back up huh?


Posted by: Danman---------------------

You forgot an option. Until you can afford one! Its been over three years for me, but if I could have I would have replaced it last year. The economy sucks. Every time I start feeling secure about dropping the cash for a new bike something makes me rethink my purchase.


Posted by: Brian---------------------

I've never had a new one, and probably never will. I just can't justify spending that much money on something I'm going to tear up. I'd much rather spend 1/2 to 3/4 as much on something a year or two old. I usually keep mine until something pretty major happens, being 2-3 years, usually more.


Posted by: 01HondaCR---------------------

Quote:
Originally posted by Danman
Until you can afford one!


Good Thinking!


Posted by: Mully---------------------

This is hard to decide or vote on. In the late 70's and through the 80's I averaged a new bike every two to three years. In 89 I bought the last "new" (off the showroom floor) bike I owned (got married and had kids). I kept it in great shape and never had a break down riding or racing for eight years. My last two bikes (used) have been lucky finds. First one (96 RMX) sat on the showroom floor for over a year and a half. Some kid bought it from the dealer for next to nothing. He rode it maybe for a month or about 100 miles. His friends had MX bikes so he had to have one too. I bought it from him for $2400 and it was barely broken in. My 01 Gas Gas was a good find too. It was just to good of deal to pass up.

So I guess my vote is every three years.

But to let everyone know, if you search hard enough you can find some really great deals on a good used bike.

Mully


Posted by: nikki---------------------

Between Red and myself - we've had most of the years covered from 98-03:

98 RM 125 - Me
98 YZ 250 - Red
99 KX 80 - Me
01 YZ 125 - Me
01 YZ426F - Red
02 CRF 450 - Red
03 YZ 250F - Me


Posted by: High Lord Gomer---------------------

Dave...too cool!! I just called and talked to him about it on the phone, boy was he surprised!

Personally, I keep riding them until I can't find enough of the pieces to make them run.


Posted by: mx547---------------------

on the average, i keep mine three years but that wasn't an option, so i voted every other year. my race bikes are always bought new. any other bikes, i buy used.


Posted by: Y2Z---------------------

since im so young i keep my bikes as long as i can, i can only DREAM of a brand new bike, what i wouldnt give for one. right now i got a '92 KDX 200, but im still thankfor that i can ride! :D


Posted by: scooter1130---------------------

I buy a new bike every 5 years. When I made the smart move and gave up the ATVs, I bought a 92 KDX200, next was the 97 KTM200EXC(Jack Piner anniversary bike, which I still ride, have no plans on selling) and the newwest addition is an 02 Cannondale E440.

I guess 2 out of the 3 are already collectors items


Posted by: n8MX---------------------

I'm with Y2Z. After riding old 80s bike for about five years, I bought a 98 KX250 last fall... it's one SWEET bike! I bought it before getting a car, because I knew I wouldn't be able to think about buying a bike after. I was right, I bought a bike/me hauler and have NO money... so I think I did it right.

Andy


Posted by: WaltCMoto---------------------

2 years seams to be average at my house, none of them bought new. We have been finding 2-3 year old bikes in good or near new condition at quite a savings over new. I couldnt swing new stuff for 4 riders. A buddy of mine has 1 1/2 garage stalls full of every bike he ever bought, somewhere around 25 or so. He raced from 75 till 90, so he has some cool vintage machines. He also has 1 very understanding wife.


Posted by: Tony Eeds---------------------

Well .... I voted forever ... I keep them until they are worth something again.

Example
Then
1971 Penton ISDT 125 Radial Fin Sachs 5 speed
1972 DKW 125 Radial Fin Sachs 6 speed with a leading link front suspension and Curnut shocks
Now
2002 KTM 400 MXC
2001 KTM 200 MXC (pick up Friday)

I still all of the above.

I buy 2 bikes every 30 years whether I need them or not ....

They only made the DKW for ONE year!!

I am also getting a Honda 230F for my daughter to learn to ride on. It will become a pit bike when she is done learning.

Tony


Posted by: flynbryan---------------------

Yea guys looking back on it now I should have given some more time span options, but this is still fun. Please carry on. I must confess that I've had a bike every two yrs. since 96'. The only clause's in that statement being my 86Kdx200, 89Cr80,95Kx100 and my 97'KDX200. Starting in 96 its been: 96YZ125, 98Yz125, 00Yz125, and my latest baby....02Crf450. Although now that I'm getting married in oct. and we have plans to buy a house, I imagine I'll be keeping this one for a while Its a bummer having to grow up


Posted by: Brian---------------------

Tony, is the 200 MXC for you? If so, are you keeping the 400? That 400 is one of my favorite bikes I've ever ridden. Wish I had the dough to unload it from you if you sell it.


Posted by: Tony Eeds---------------------

Stan - I am keeping the 400. You can ride both when we go to Muenster on the 13th.
Tony


Posted by: Papakeith---------------------

once it's mine, I tend to hold on to it. but as of late, I've bought a used one one the average of one a year. I've had 5, only sold 2. One of them to family for cheap(just so I'd have a riding buddy), and the other back to the original owner.


Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

Back when I could, every year. May have the current one for a few years.


Posted by: Camstyn---------------------

I've usually kept them for a year and a half to three years. I'd like to start keeping and collecting them now, maybe a new one every 4 or 5 years. I wish I still had all of my previous bikes, but that just wasn't in the cards.

-First bike, 1980 CT70. Rode for about two years around the farm until I outgrew it.

-Second bike, 1993 KX80. Dad bought it for me brand new, I was 12, outgrew it before I turned 14.

-Third bike, 1985 Honda XL250. Rode it twice (it was a good deal, bought it to re-sell)

-Fourth bike, 1975 Honda TL250. Dad's hand-me-down until I could afford another bike.

-Fifth bike(quad), 1996 Yamaha Banshee. Bought it brand new, thought it would be fun but it didn't fill a bike's shoes, sold it a year later..

-Sixth bike, 1994 KX500. Bought used in '96, rode it until it was stolen in 2000.

-Seventh bike, 2000 KX250. Bought it new and rode it until 2002.

-Eighth bike, 2002 TM400. I think it's time to start keeping them, I'll get a new one after I finish paying for this one.


Posted by: GAnderson---------------------

16 years - not an option?

86 CR125 - Thanks, Dad! (pic taken last month)
02 CR250 - Thanks, Me!

86 is still in perfect shape - Blast to ride and show up at the track with - amazing how dated it looks next to 02!!!!


Posted by: GAnderson---------------------

.


Posted by: OnAnySunday---------------------

1 vote for "lifer" here.
At least if it's one i like.
I just keep puttin in parts till i cant get em anymore.
Speaking of wich......anyone in the market for a '79 YZ400? heh heh. :confused:
Have bought and sold a few that in hindsight i realize i shoulda kept.
1974 CR125 "elsi"
1980 (? i think?) IT175
1982 Odyssey FL250
(yea yea i KNOW, but it was a BLAST to ride.)

Then ther's the ones i shoulda bought (but didnt) wether i kept em or not....
1973 1/2 CR250 "elsi"
some guy beat me to it cuz i forgot my wallet when i checked it out, and didnt get back to it in time...
1984 YZ490
too chicken $#!^ at the time.
1984 XR500R
thought it was a "used & abused" special, but all that was wrong was the bodywork....


Posted by: KelvinKDX---------------------

I voted to in the "keep em forever" category.  I may get a new (to me) bike this year or next but will most likely continue to hang on to the old bike (99' KDX200) for a "buddy bike".


Posted by: Misscr80---------------------

I voted every two years, my husband gets a new one every other year, I kept my CR80 for 5 years before trading in, and our two boys went 3 years before moving up. But, we kept the xr50 for a camp bike, so that one is a forever vote. Our garage now has:

02 CRF450
03 CRF150
03 XR80
00 XR70
00 XR50


Posted by: MXGirl230---------------------

I voted in the "keep it..." category
I have been riding since fall of 2000.
First bike-'00XR100 (to learn on)
Second bike-'00CR80
Third bike-''01CR125
Forth bike0-99Ninja EX250
The CR125 is awesome! Since I'll be moving out of my parents house within the next year, this will be the last bike I will have for awhile! I'll be paying rent and college expenses. So probably won't get a new bike for awhile. Even when I do finally get a new bike, I'll keep my '01. It's too sweat of a bike to just sell to someone else. Plus, I got a really good price on it, and probably would lose money by selling it.
My mom and dad on the other hand...seems like new bike EVERY year..but when you can afford it, I guess you buy as often as necessary!
Here's their list, these are all starting since the fall of 2000 when we all got bikes so we could "ride as a family":
DAD-
'94(?)XR400(sold)
'01YZF426(sold)
'02CR250(current)
'02CBR954RR(current)
'83GS1100(current)
MOM-
'00XR200(sold)
'01CR80(sold)
'00CR125(current)
'00Banchee(current)

Brother-
98XR70(sold)
99XR80(sold)
99KX60(sold)
01CR80(sold)
99Banshee(current)
02XR50(current, he's putting all of the after market parts on this)
88Z50(current)
yes, my mom and brother went quad on me and my dad!!

Sister-
86CR80(sold)
01CR80(sold)
She was done with riding after the second bike!


Posted by: Moto Squid---------------------

For me its turned out to be about 2 years per. After a few seasons of racing my old bike had everything worn out. I'm on my 3rd bike right now and have had it for a year. I was thikin' about putting a down payment on the new CR250F, but with saving for college, then going to college, and this dang economy I'm just going to keep mine for a few more years...well I guess that depends how much I abuse it, and if I win the lottery


Posted by: CZ511---------------------

I sold a 1990 kdx 200 6 years ago. I have since bought a 2000 KDX 220 and sold it to buy a new KDX 200. Since I only ride a few times a year the best thing I could have done was keep my 1990 200!! I liked it better than the 220 and it certainly cost much less than a new one and they are basically the same bike.


Posted by: SociaRacing---------------------

Usually 2 85's and 1 100 a year, but don't get me wrong I don't have them just handed to me, I work my butt off for em! Finally moving to 125s next year so I'll only need a stock and a mod, still looking for a good ride for '04 though...


Posted by: 380EXCman---------------------

I voted for a new one every year. When I got back in this in 1998 I bought a new bike. And one in 99 one in 01 and one in 02. I am currently bikeless and at this point im trying to hold out for the 04's....


Posted by: IRISHCOFFEE---------------------

very, very tough to go bikeless! i tried it once waiting on a new model. could not stand it. bought a used rag to rebuild while waiting. i simply could not stand not having something in the garage to work on.


Posted by: SpeedyManiac---------------------

I wish I could afford a new bike more often. I bought my 200 last spring used, and I bought the 100 in 2000 used as well. I hope to get a CRF250R or X in the next few years. It should do me for a while. I can see if you're a pro or expert level racer that a new bike helps, but the average joe doesn't need one every year.


Posted by: BigBore---------------------

I guess I keep 'em until I get tired of them. None of my new bikes were anywhere close to worn out when I got rid of them, it was just time for a change. Right now, I can't find any faults with the 300 that can't be fixed with minimum spending, so I think I'll hang onto it for a while.


Posted by: john stu---------------------

three years wasn't on the list!!!!!!!


Posted by: motohead00---------------------

I selected new every season, but actually I am on my 3rd new bike since last April. I am so fickle! This one may stay around a year or so.


Posted by: wibby---------------------

I still have my first bike, little Z50 Minitrail. It is about ready for it's third restoration, the darn tank started rusting through the paint. It still starts on the 1st kick!


Posted by: James---------------------

I can't find my category....probably best that I don't talk about it.


Posted by: CRfury---------------------

The last three years I have gotten a new bike every spring I just cant help myself. I usually keep em until I get tired of em but I think the Cr250 will be around for awhile it seems to suit me. Im also out of money after the latest purchase I'm 15 and work two jobs to afford my toys.


Posted by: Rattletrap'83CR480---------------------

20 years+ and still running like a bat out of Hell. The only problem is that parts are getting pretty scarce and soon I won't be able to make the needed repairs. I guess that'll force me to buy a new one, huh?!?

TatTrap :thumb:


Posted by: cujet---------------------

I used to get a (new to me) bike every 6 or so months. That way I could buy and sell and get the best deals I could find. However I now have bikes that I really like. So I have kept mine for 5 years.

Chris


Posted by: c&b745XX---------------------

Back when I was a kid back in the 70's , dad would buy a new one every year and the old one would become a practice bike . Now that I'm buying the bikes , well I'll try for every other year .


Posted by: motoxpress---------------------

Oh lessee here:

1997- '89 CR250
1998- '94 KX250
1999- '00 CR 250
2000- '01 KX 250 & '00 400EX
2001- took a break
2002- '01 YZ250F & 03' Z400 & '02 YZ250

Currently hankerin' for a CRF450 but will resist for awhile. My YZ is feeling pretty good.

MX


Posted by: flyinzuki---------------------

Not only do I keep my old bikes; '81/'83 RM125, '93 RM 125, '00 RM 250.
I now find myself with my brothers old bikes '88 RM 250, '90 RM 250.
I also picked up an '03 JR 50 for the kids...It'll get used by all three of them.


Posted by: MARK IT---------------------

Every two years maby three if the 450 is lookin good after two.


Posted by: WhKnuckle---------------------

If the used bike market wasn't so bad, I'd turn them every year or so, but the last bike I bought is going to have to last for several years and I doubt I'll ever sell it. As far as selling used bikes, I have a fantastic '02 250SX (SXS forks, FC shock, Emig clamps, Doma pipe) that I've lowered the price on 4 times and haven't gotten a SINGLE response from ads, etc. At this point, I'll keep it rather than selling it for it's apparent market value. So I don't really intend to keep bikes forever, but I won't sell them for 50% less than their real value either.


Posted by: 2stroke---------------------

pretty much forever.
Ive never bought a new bike, and I never will. UNless Im like rolling in $$$ which I dont see happening. I did sell a bike once, to buy another one.

I bought my 93 KX 250 a couple of years ago in a box for $25! The most costly thing was the bottom end, which I rebuilt with a hot rod kit and new mains, etc. All in all, I have like $400 in the whole thing, and its a beauty. I do ALL my work myself. So, now Ive got a fast bike that will last a long time, (especially w/ the way I ride )

I cant see spending $6500 on a new bike that would be only marginally better than my KX, and my credit sucks too much to finance one.


Posted by: wanaride---------------------

flynbryan, you still out there? I live in Rowan County too...where do you ride?

I just got back into riding, but I plan to keep my new KDX200 forever...


Posted by: vetexrcr---------------------

Whenever I fell the new model will out perform the old,or old one is worn beyond justifiable repair to be competitive
I still ride a 1990 kx500 with works showa suspension, it out performs a new one .It is torn down every 6 mos. and refreshed. Most moving parts are not original. Once the kx500 is removed from Kawasaki's line up I will end up at the KTM dealership .The 525mxc is the closest replacement IMO.


Posted by: GMX---------------------

My parents bought me a 95 xr80 when I was around 11. Rode the XR for 2 years and traded it for a 1991 CR80(literally in perfect shape). Bought a 2003 RM125 so I gave the 80 to my dad since he paid for a lot of my bike and put the down payment on it and he just sold it. Im going to keep my RM125 just because its a 2-stroke and im probably going to get a crf250 in nov. With the 2-stroke ban scare im just going to keep in just in case. I need a mixture.... a little bit of 2 stroke.....a little bit of thumper


Posted by: mdkuder---------------------

I'd love to keep mine forever but I'm not Bill Gates or even Billy Bob Gates for that matter and have to sell the one's I have to get a new one. Currently I am selling my 2000 DRZ400s and 1998 KTM 125SX, which are in excellent condition, so that I can get a new 4 stroke MXer. So if your interested in either!


Posted by: franco 450r---------------------

I just started riding about 1 year 8 months ago. When I got my first bike which was a brand new 2002 YZ125, I was scared ****less when first riding! I thought the bike was just too much for me! After going out every weekend for about a month I couldn't believe how well I was riding for a beginner. My riding buddy races at tracks so he got me into riding practices at Lake Elsanor. I liked the track but riding in the trails and in the hills where people build thier own little tracks was funner for me. I just didn't like the power of the 125 for what I was doing so only 9 months after the YZ I fell in love with a 2003 CRF450! I had to have it, I bit the bullet and traded my in YZ. I can tell you that I will have this CRF until it dies cause I cannot afford to trade bikes anymore for a while. Now that I mention it I haven't rode for about 6 months now and I am even scared to ride the CRF450 again !


Posted by: Casper250---------------------

To the people that get new bikes every year, do you just leave your bike stock? Do you revalve the suspension or mod the engine at all or do you just ride it as stock and put no extra $$ into it?


Posted by: Curlyjoe---------------------

I've had few bikes and none of them hav'nt even been close to being new. The last bike I brought and my current bike is 13 years old (XR250). Funny that I've never sat down and thought about how old this bike is un tell I saw this thread. 13 yrs is really quite old really.

But if was to buy new (fingers crossed) I reckon I would keep it fare few years. Proberly untill I could'nt ride it any more from old age.


Posted by: mx416---------------------

I get a new bike every year. They are usually trashed after a year of racing. I was planning on keeping my bike for a second year (03 YZ125), but in the process of rebuilding it, I discovered my cylinder was going, In one season I've trashed two cylinders and heads, plus blown 4 top ends.


Posted by: 03KXRIDER---------------------

I like to get a new one every year because I ride them stock and it ends up costing about the same after you figure in New tires,clutch,sprockets,chain ect,ect,ect


Posted by: supermike---------------------

i can't say that i have a pattern- i've had bikes for 6-7 years and i've had bikes for just over a month. I've done impeckable maintenance on everything i owned (my Benzoid has 275k on the clock and runs perfect), so i've never ran into having to sell something because it was worn out- with the exception of an 86 ATC 200X that i had back in highschool- that was worn out from the day i bought it though, and i couldn't afford to fix it, so i kept riding it.
The only new bike i've ever had was an 83 z50r and a 2k1 Kawasaki zx6r (street). Why spend the money on a brand new bike- most of you aren't going to need that extra little bit of potential the newest and shinyest bike brings.


Posted by: jboomer---------------------

Looks like about every other year. I loved my KX250 and thought I wouldn't need another bike for awhile, then I rode a 4-stroke. I can't believe that bikes will get much better than my CRF, so I may keep this one a while longer. May depend more on when it will need "serious repair."


Posted by: 2stroke---------------------

Basically, forever.
I sold one to buy another one once.
GOt one stolen once.
Threw a couple away from my childhood.

Im the wrong one to ask really. Ive never actually bought a new bike. But, Im super handy with a wrench baby!

Ive brought many bikes from the ground up and have enjoyed riding them.
No, I dont race except for vintage MX, so I dont have issues with wearing out
motors in a season or less.

Case in point: I got a basket case '93 KX 250 in trade for fixing another bike, (about 2 hours) and Ive got like $750 in it. Its got new EVERYTHING and runs like a champ. I do all the work myself, so its parts only. I am a cheap SOB too. I will hunt and hunt to find bargains.
Ebay and all that.

So, Ive got a fairly modern bike that suits me fine. Im so busy with work and family, I only get to ride a dozen times a year or so. It ought to last me a while.


Posted by: MARK IT---------------------

Quote:
Originally posted by jboomer
Looks like about every other year. I loved my KX250 and thought I wouldn't need another bike for awhile, then I rode a 4-stroke. I can't believe that bikes will get much better than my CRF, so I may keep this one a while longer. May depend more on when it will need "serious repair."


You never road the origenal MX 4 stroke, YZF. I dont think im going to
go over 2 yr on my KTM as for resale and longevity.


Posted by: j_freak---------------------

My first bike arrived at our house when I was about 7. It sat out in the rain until 3 years ago, when my brother and I started getting interested in dirtbikes. Got it running for $2.75 (needed a new sparkplug), and it ran fine for a year, then started refusing to start, dying every 5 minutes, etc. I pulled the cylinder, and lo and behold, it had only one ring (out of two). It also had a huge chunk partially broken/bent on the top of the piston. This was before we got the internet, and the local parts man told us there was no chance of getting any new parts. My stepdad, who is a mechanic, machined it and fitted it with a tecumsah lawnmower ring. Put the thing back together, it started right up and ran fine (though slightly gutless). I found a used but in good shape top end on the internet for 20 bucks about a year later, and went ahead and put that on the bike (the old piston got 105 psi of compression, the manual says it shouldn't be below 115. It also sounded like someone banging on a tin can whenever I backed off the throttle). Currently I am waiting for my stepdad to coat the gas tank so I can ride it. (the gas tank has huge chunks of rust on the walls) For the time being, I am stuck riding our two 1985 Suzuki LT125 quadrunners (or as I like to call them, "Lawn Tractors"). I'm hoping to find a new(er) bike for under $1000 so I don't have to put up with this pile of doggy doo-doo anymore (another interesting note is that my bike's clutch only works when warm, the shocks are next to nonexistant, the rear brake locks up when applied (though hopefully the addition of 2 new springs should fix this), and the gasket between the two case halves leaks oil into the bottom end, so it smokes)


Posted by: Boodac---------------------

"How long do you keep yours"? I think I answered this wrong. I thought you were refering to my wife


Posted by: vetcracer---------------------

I think if you can swing it every two years.I just sold my 01 yz looking to get a 04 RM from motorcycle brokers.Anyone know anything about these guys?


Posted by: ColoradoRay---------------------

Since mine is an 86, I would say I keep them forever! Why get rid of something just because it's not the latest or greatest? So what if my bike has a rear drum brake and a tubular frame? Most riders never ride a bike to within 75% of the bikes capability, so why bother with the expense of a new ride every couple of years?
Ray

86 CR250R
99 SuperHawk!!!


Posted by: Shig---------------------

I used to get a new 250 every year because they would be so beat after a season. In 98 I tried to keep a KX 250 into the second season. What a mistake that was. All the misc failures (including a blown crank) cost me about $2,000 more than the prior year's expenditures, and I missed lots of practice and racing while it was down. Now that I only race occaisionally, I can get two years out of a CRF 450 before it's crispy.


Posted by: High Lord Gomer---------------------

Remind me not to buy one of Shig's "almost crispy" 1 year old bikes!

Lately I haven't been making it a full year before wanting/needing a new one. BTW, do you have to actually perform "maintenance" on these things?!?


Posted by: Shig---------------------

Dude, I am like totally into maintenance...totally! I wash it every week and take it to Jiffy Lube at least every 3,000 miles. I'm still not sure what that chocolate bundt cake lookin thingy under the seat is for.


Posted by: zero_cool2007---------------------

iv had my bike for 4 years



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