How long do you keep a bike?

[storysunfolding]

My 2006 V-strom has been my go to bike. The only reason I'm considering replacing it is the fact that she's creeping over 160,000 miles. No major work needed yet, but time and wear are starting to show.

I guess how long I hold onto a bike depends on it's fun factor, usability factor and reliability. Though to be honest I held onto my XZ-550 Yamaha Vision for years and that thing was no where near reliable

[totalmotorcycle]

Shortest: 1980 Honda CB400T, 4 months of 2001. Loved it, recommend it to any rider. Fun, great little bike with a go anywhere attitude. Reason so short is I totaled it missing a corner at 70km/h on the highway. http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/CB400T.htm



Longest: 1982 Yamaha Seca XJ650R. 5 years (2002-2007). Awesome UJM. Would buy it new if Yamaha still sold it. Kinda rare bike these days and the ones I've seen are the XJ750 version (which isn't as nice IMO). Loved the bike. Sold it for my 2007 V-Strom 650. While the XJ650R never handled like the V-Strom did, I never lost my love for it after I sold it and saw it on the roads a few times around Caglary.

Mike

[madjak30]

Kept my '03 GS500 for one season...it was a great bike, but I wanted more power and a little more leg room...bought my MT-01 and still love it, starting the third season...although new girlfriend likes to go for rides, so I might look at a touring bike...probably keep the MT-01 though!

Later.

[gsJack]

I started on a new CB400T that I kept for 6 months and 6k miles and traded in on a new CB750K. Thought the 400 was too underpowered and noisy for freeway use. Actually just didn't know how to ride a small bike then. My current 02 GS500 I bought slightly used with 4k miles on it in 03 and have 98.8k miles and 10 years on it and counting now. Have done quite a few 400-500 mile days on the 2 GS500s I've had, seem to be a lot bigger than that first 400. Think I must have had current GS longest but I put almost 100k miles on a CM400A in between the 750 and the 500s but don't exactly remember the dates, kept it for a winter bike for a few years along with the GSs.

[sapaul]

My little RV 90 was the longest around 20 years followed by my Montessa Cota 349 at around 15, since then they have varied, my current GS is now 6 years old the Kymco scoot 7 and the R12R around 18 months

[sv-wolf]

The shortest I've ever kept a bike is five years (except when I totalled my SV650 after nine months); the longest is ten. I've always found it difficult parting with a bike. I nearly got rid of my SV1000S (60,000 miles) three weeks aog after realising I hadn't ridden it for nearly nine months. I got it ready to sell and then fell in love with it again. It's doing more miles now than ever
.

[MmeMagpie]

First bike was laid to rest after a year. Was way cheaper to buy a spanking new one off the showroom floor than to keep fixing it. I've had the Shadow since 2004. I expect another 2-4 years out of it (I'm not sure how far past 100k I can expect a 750 to last). As long as it runs and stays reliable, it stays with me.

[BobK]

I had my Guzzi Nevada for 6 years. I've had my Harley XR1200 for three years now.

[Wrider]

Had to sell my Volusia after a mere 6 months. I'm at a year and 7 months on the Z750. Definitely considering swapping out the pistons, jugs, and cams for more performance though.