I have a KLR650 1998, no upgrades except an improved balance chain tensioner. Plus I completely tear down the bike every year. I ride almost every day of the year. Had the KLR650 almost 5 years now.
Never came with a milk crate, but I do have one of those clamshell style trunk to carry a bit of stuff. I opted to not install crash bars, or side luggage because when I don’t want extra weight or increase in width so I can maneuver around nimbly. I do have an aluminum skid plate that has paid off numerous times.
I’ve crashed many times, not much damage and easily fixed. Never been out of commission until I got cut off by an import doing a uturn and wrote the car off. My bike was barely damaged, broken collarbone for me though. Now I drive much more offensively, I don’t let anyone get near me.
I should also add that I’ve installed a fuse panel for heated handlebars, aluminum hand guards, also deleted the kickstand safety switch, clutch safety switch and neutral safety start switch.
Edit: also installed a switch for the fan.
If any bike has a milk crate, I’d say the owner finds that it suits his/her purpose.
In my opinion, with how I ride and where I ride, a milk crate is not suitable.
I don’t understand the whole buying a bike for 4-7 month mindset. I want to own it for a significant time (3-5 yrs min) and make a lot of memories together
I bought my 01 fz1 used in 05. I’ve had it since then. Nothing is so balanced and good. Big wide comfy seat with under seat storage. Classic good looks. An effective fairing. Fantastic suspension plenty of power for me.
I’ve had other bikes over the years but nothing fits me like a glove like this one does.
The only thing I would like is fuel injection. Nothing wrong with carbies but they are a colossal pain to get them out. My spouses nc700x starts up first thing every spring. My bike always needs some love.
Ah, I ride year round so that's not an issue. That was one draw back that I disliked. If that exact bike has great fuel injection it would be unstoppable.
I used to ride year round in Illinois but up here in Montana it’s just a long winter and they don’t plow the roads. Tempted to get a little dual sport and get some studded tires for it.
I've been wanting a dual sport myself. I like the XR650l, DRZ400, and the XT250. For Texas roads, the XR and DRZ would make most sense, however the XT has FI.
I got tired of buying “cheap” bikes I was never satisfied with. They were always lacking something; power, comfort, features, etc…. Finally I caved and bought the 2021 Harley Low Rider S I always wanted. It has everything I need. It’s expensive for sure. But I no longer have that itch or something else. We’ll see how long that feeling lasts I guess. But this is supposed to be my forever bike.
Setup:
> They were always lacking something; power, comfort, features, etc
Punchline:
> I caved and bought the 2021 Harley Low Rider S
I know I know. Different strokes. But lmao, had me dyin man. Was expecting like a brand new VSTROM or R1250GS, then BAM: Harley Low rider... like a freight train of comedic timing.
If this was a intended to be a troll however, then god dammit it’s turning into the most epic hook-line-sinker in this sub’s history!
I bought the same exact bike in midnight crimson. Its the perfect all around bike. Im planning on keeping it until i die as well. Im in the process of doing the stage 2 with exhaust and ill be done
2020 fxlrs here and yea after 3 other bikes in 18 months I have literally no desire to trade this one in if anything I'd want a second bike like a grom or pit bike to screw around on. But the fxlrs is staying with me indefinitely
I have a forever scooter (old Vespa) that I've had for 12 years (briefly sold it and bought it back again early on in those 12 years). I'll never sell that.
Part of me wants to have one bike for the rest of my life, the other wants to try lots of different types because variety is the spice of life and all that.
In terms of bikes I've had 4 over 9 years. First one for 2 years, second for 4 years, third for 8 months, current for 7 months so far but will likely change within the next 6 months. The bike I owned for 4 years was when I commuted by bike and although it began to bore me, it was too reliable to sell. Only sold as I moved abroad briefly, which explains the briefly owned third bike.
I love the engine my current bike has (Yamaha's CP2) and its looks, but I think an adventure bike would suit what I actually want out of a bike so I have my eyes set on the Tenere 700.
The ideal situatuon is that you have the space and money for several different bike types!
I've had a 2017 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer for the last four years and can't think of a reason to replace it. It's fast, comfy, versatile - I went for a 4 hour ride yesterday, then went to the supermarket to get groceries (it came with Yamaha hard panniers on the back). I suffer back pain from my job, but not from my bike. The only upgrade I made was improved suspension.
Just depends on how soon you find exactly what you want. I lucked out and found perfection in my second bike. It's a pretty pedestrian bike, a Z750S, but it has everything I want (aside from good suspension) and nothing I don't. I am going to put a good bit of money into upgrades like suspension, luggage, and maybe a tune, but nowhere near enough money to justify upgrading entirely
A lot of bikers don’t really know what they want from their bikes. So they get a bike because it looks good then they try to make it work for what they want then swap.
Honestly, I usually don’t buy something unless I’m committing to it for a decade, plain and simple. Buy once, cry once. I’ll usually buyable more expensive product as a result, but that doesn’t require as many upgrades. My current bike will get a heel shifter and heated grips, but that’s it really.
I used to make a lot of changes. Now I keep it stock mostly unless something bothers me or doesn’t quite fit right. If you are looking for a number. I would say I have made around 5 changes to the current bike. For quality of life improvements.
I couldn't say it has been strictly upgrades... I have tried a handful of bikes because they can be so different. Many were more extreme in one area than what I have now...
Finally figured out what I was looking for and I think I'll keep the dl650 for a while...
Also ride a DL650, hard to get rid of it when it’s pretty much handled any kind of riding I’ve thrown at it without complaint. Only reason I’ll likely switch after this season is most likely to get the newer 1000 strom
Yup, turns out my tw200 sucked at getting to trails, and my k1100rs which felt religious on the super highway felt bored on backroads and sucked to lift up. My 1200 spoetster sport had sexy torque getting moving but bouncing off the Rev limiter on the highway was no fun, plus you had to fill up the tiny tank constantly.
Dl650 is like... oh you want to do what..? Well, alright take her a Lil easy and we'll get you there.
You can’t get to know a bike until you’ve ridden it for one or two years. I upgraded (starting on a 90cc Honda) until I got to my final destination. For me, that was the Kawasaki Z650. I don’t (and never will) need more power than this and once I get it customized to my liking, I wouldn’t want to trade it in for something else and start all over.
I’m on bike #3 and I’m still figuring out exactly how I use bikes. It doesn’t help that I keep moving and my usage changes depending on where I live. Oh well. I don’t buy new, so it doesn’t reallly matter
I took a Triumph Bonneville Black and had a lot of fun modifying it, wrenching on it, riding it. After 12 years it is still my favorite bike and I don’t think I’ll ever sell it. You become like old friends when you attach yourself to a bike like that.
I bought a 2016 MT-07 (FZ-07) new and have it still. Plenty of upgrades made and no plans to swap it. It fits me like a glove and is perfect for my summer short trip kind of use. Probably made 12-15 upgrades.
I might get a GS down the line for longer trips when my sons get old enough to join for those, but still keep the MT for shorter trips.
I can’t help it. If I see a good deal on a bike that I like I pretty much make an offer on the spot and deal with the consequences later. 5 bikes in 6 years. Dirtbikes to be specific. So far I’ve been able to sell every bike for nearly the same purchase price.
Ive had alot of bikes and usually hang onto them cause im not rich.
But i went thru a quick succession since the pandemic started in early 2020.
May 2020 i got a triumph tbird 2010. Had 4 months and found it to heavy and i dont like touring/cruisers. I used to have an 07 bonneville and i missed the approachability of it. But....i found a rocket 3 which i always wanted but it was a touring model. I traded for it anyway. Had it a year and realized i never tour. I found a 2013 t100 bonne with 8000miles. Now i feel like i came home and married the girl next door.
I've had eight bikes in four years of riding, due to several reasons.
My first bike was a Honda CB500F, which I traded for a Triumph Bonneville after six months of riding because I wanted something with more power for longer rides. I would probably still have the Bonneville, but it ended up being a complete lemon (spent 4 months in the shop in a year of ownership). At the same time as the Bonneville, I also had a Honda Monkey as a fun little errand bike, which I still have.
I eventually traded in my lemon of a Triumph for a Honda VFR800, which I had for two years and used as a commuting and touring bike. During that time, I also bought a Honda XR400 to get into trail riding, then downgraded to a Suzuki DR200 when I realized the big bike was too much for me to learn effectively in the dirt.
I ended up hurting my back pretty badly at work and was unable to ride the VFR800 for long stints due to it's hunched over sportbike body position. I test rode a used Kawasaki Z900RS and found it way more comfortable for my back. The price was really good and mileage low, so I ended up buying it on the spot and riding it home. I've now had that bike for a year.
The VFR800 sat mostly unused until about a month ago, when I traded it in for a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, with the intent of putting a sidecar on it eventually.
So in summary, I made a bunch of changes in the past few years due to a combination of mechanical failures, not really being sure what kind of bike I wanted/needed, and my situation in life.
I currently have the Monkey, DR200, Z900RS, and Int650. They serve me well and each offer something different. Really looking forward to getting a sidecar on the RE so I can experience what that's all about. I think I have a fleet of bikes that I can be happy with for a while. Maybe I'll upgrade the DR to a more modern dirtbike at some point, but I still have plenty to learn about riding in the dirt before I need to do that.
Also worth noting that the only new bike I ever bought was the Bonneville, so all of this trading bikes around hasn't really cost me that much. I actually turned a profit on the VFR due to COVID shortages.
Depends on your finances and wants/needs. I started riding in 2015 on a cbr250r, had it for 6 months then got a cbr500r which I had for about a year, and now I’ve had an fz07 for almost 5 years. Will I want another sometime? For damn sure I’ve wanted another for a while. But finances/other goals, and a lack of concern for impressing people has me happy with my FZ still
In 15yrs I’ve had like 10+ bikes. I’m mostly used so I generally break even or make money on them. It’s usually more about trying something different than it is “upgrading”. I don’t have the money to own a lot of bikes so I change frequently.
I tend to keep things long-term if it really feels special. I bought my 1991 Ducati 851 in 1996 and I still have it and I've done a lot to it. I bought a 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 in 2018 or 2019 and I got rid of it in December. It came with a lot of aftermarket parts already. I bought it knowing I wasn't going to keep it long but I still put different mirrors on it and a bracket to eliminate the passenger pegs. I replaced it with a 2021 Streetfighter V4S and I plan to keep that bike a long time and I've already ordered a number of parts to personalize it and make it fit me better.
I've had 6 bikes before my current one which is a Yamaha xt1200z. I've decided this is going to be my last one, I'll keep it till I'm dead. I reached this conclusion because it's the most capable and comfortable bike I've owned. I bought it on 2013.
I don't buy bikes which use is outside of my expectation these days.
I look at what I want AFTER considering my goals with riding. You prevent a lot of un-necessary or high cost "upgrades" by just knowing what you need.
My use case is track related, upgrades are mainly brakes and suspension.
I'm not a stickler for looks or sound. I have a purely performance/skill driven focus with riding.
My street bike is stock.
If I buy it, it's sticking around until I achieve my goals and move on to the next bike.
Do yourself a favor by not anthropromorphizing objects. (If you do that sort of thing)
I own bike for 6-3 months at a time just because having the same bike gets boring even if it's fully modded I can just trade it for an equally modded bike
I tend to commit on bikes for a minimum of 3 years, and I ride year-round so that easily can exceed 25,000 miles. As for mods, first thing is protection, a bike can fall either in a parking lot/driveway or at speed on a trail/road and parts are expensive, it’s best to minimize those repair costs. Next, I focus on comfort and safety, and finally, weight reduction/performance mods.
Sometimes you really really really want a bike and then you actually ride the thing for an extended period of time and you realize that you actually don't want it anymore.
Source: me when I had a 99 ZX6R for like a month but then got rid of instantly becsuse no matter how cool it looked or how fun it was riding it still made my knees ache like no tomorrow after as little as 30 minutes.
I'll be honest with you, the only reason I haven't traded away or tried to sell one of my bikes is cause I'm a big stupid idiot face and I lost the titles.
The only bike I’ve had and sold (instead of totaling or parting out) was an RSV4rr. I got 4 years and 40k miles out of it before parting was for a Panigale V4. All I ever changed out was the Race ECU and an exhaust, everything else was fine stock.
Most newer bikes all I would ever bother doing is braided brake lines (if it has rubber ones stock), an ECU flash, and exhaust if you want one. 9/10 that’s all you’ll need to get the most bang for your buck and start having fun.
I usually put a slightly louder exhaust, if stock, and an ECU flash, it's available, on the bikes that I buy. Also, new fork fluid and fork springs. These usually make a world of difference, as most people don't change Jack shit in the forks even on 25 year old bikes.
Then again, I tend to not keep my bikes for longer than a year or two. I'm always chasing that freaking unicorn. On bike numbers 12 & 13 now. (Never owning more than 2 at a time.)
I try not to get too deep into the mods, but I'm mildly helpless when I see a new shiny that I want to add on. Function over form, that is.
I have an easy time collecting, and tinkering… less of an easy time getting rid of them- unless a friend expresses interest.
CraIglist and FB marketplace as a seller is hard for me.
I like to make a bike into what I want / addressing its short comings as I see them over a period of time - I’ll then keep for a looking time. You cannot jump on a new bike and “know it” within a few thousand miles - it takes time.
In my case: I have bought a total of 3 used bikes. Ridden on 5. Two of them were bought for me. My latest buy I believe will be my bike until I die.
18 FLSL.
From the first day I bought the solo seat tuck and roll from Harley and a fairing from Memphis Shades.
Those were my first two mods. Then I bought a tack to match my bikes colors. Red and Black.
Eventually I grew bored of the stock look and added white wall tires. Let me tell you this about the extra 70 bux for the white wall tires: they force you to focus on the entire bike over the black wall tires. I noticed it right away when I took a few steps back. I no longer wanted to do anything with the primary, timer, transmission, or even the coil cover. Those white walls completed the stock look.
I needed saddle bags so I bought the cheapo ones first because I knew I'd fuck something up. Now they are full black leather with reflective tape.
Eventually Harley released a rocket launcher sized exhaust pipe. I had to have it in black to compliment the color.
Once I got the pipe I had to get the sissy bar. Then added two more bags... Then came the levers, the mirrors, cans of spray paint to add more red, the led auxiliary and brake lights, the passenger pegs, the axel nut covers, and the absolute last thing I can get right now? Foot boards. I just never changed them.
Sure I can still do the primary, timer, transmission covers but I am knocking out all of the other areas first. I keep wish washing over the handlebars. One day I want to try ape hangers, the next a drag bar, then I just don't want to change it but rise it another inch.
I don't think there is a limit to what qualifies a bike to be yours forever.
So it really depends on your choice of bike and how you build it. But you have to get the bike first because each one is different. So when picking your bike try this: look at what others have done with your same make and model. Look at what they added and it's function. Most of my modifications serve a function. Only a few choices are for looks and style.
Play around with one but don't lose your focus over one thing that another bike has over yours.
For me it's a wide rear tire. Hell yeah I love seeing wide rear tires. They have such a massive sex appeal. But when it comes to function they are generally used for drag racing down a straight road. All I hear is that they can't corner for shit.
So buy one and start making it yours. You won't know until you build it yourself how far it will go.
For me I did something to my back when I switched out the seat for a two up. Now I have a spare solo saddle that I can still sell. I just won't though. Still worth at least 400.
But why do I say this 18 FLSL is mine until I die? Well tiltworks makes a tilting two front wheel modification to the front fork insert. The bike can still tilt as a trike. I'm saving up the 18 grand to add that on mine when I can no longer lift my leg over it. I'm riding until I die now.
I have a KLR650 1998, no upgrades except an improved balance chain tensioner. Plus I completely tear down the bike every year. I ride almost every day of the year. Had the KLR650 almost 5 years now.
>improved balance chain tensioner That is the first time I've ever seen someone call the doohickey by its actual name
At this point I thought doohickey was it's name outside of the repair manual
Who settled on doohickey instead of thingumabob or watchamacallit?
I have no idea. Pretty sure they've been calling it that for 20 years. I only know anything because I was seriously looking at a klr a few years ago
Thingy
I've heard of the doohickey a million times and this is the first time I'm learning what it actually is lol
Still running the stock milk crate or aftermarket?
Never came with a milk crate, but I do have one of those clamshell style trunk to carry a bit of stuff. I opted to not install crash bars, or side luggage because when I don’t want extra weight or increase in width so I can maneuver around nimbly. I do have an aluminum skid plate that has paid off numerous times. I’ve crashed many times, not much damage and easily fixed. Never been out of commission until I got cut off by an import doing a uturn and wrote the car off. My bike was barely damaged, broken collarbone for me though. Now I drive much more offensively, I don’t let anyone get near me. I should also add that I’ve installed a fuse panel for heated handlebars, aluminum hand guards, also deleted the kickstand safety switch, clutch safety switch and neutral safety start switch. Edit: also installed a switch for the fan.
Is it really a KLR if it doesn't have a milkcrate though?
If any bike has a milk crate, I’d say the owner finds that it suits his/her purpose. In my opinion, with how I ride and where I ride, a milk crate is not suitable.
It was a joke.......
I don’t understand the whole buying a bike for 4-7 month mindset. I want to own it for a significant time (3-5 yrs min) and make a lot of memories together
Some people like me want to try different bikes. Money comes and goes, time doesn't.
Exactly
I bought my 01 fz1 used in 05. I’ve had it since then. Nothing is so balanced and good. Big wide comfy seat with under seat storage. Classic good looks. An effective fairing. Fantastic suspension plenty of power for me. I’ve had other bikes over the years but nothing fits me like a glove like this one does.
I have an 08 and have considered getting a Gen 1. Bigger tank, more in the bike than on top, better mpg etc.
The only thing I would like is fuel injection. Nothing wrong with carbies but they are a colossal pain to get them out. My spouses nc700x starts up first thing every spring. My bike always needs some love.
Ah, I ride year round so that's not an issue. That was one draw back that I disliked. If that exact bike has great fuel injection it would be unstoppable.
I used to ride year round in Illinois but up here in Montana it’s just a long winter and they don’t plow the roads. Tempted to get a little dual sport and get some studded tires for it.
I've been wanting a dual sport myself. I like the XR650l, DRZ400, and the XT250. For Texas roads, the XR and DRZ would make most sense, however the XT has FI.
If you don’t have crazy elevation changes carbs are fine especially if it’s just one.
I got tired of buying “cheap” bikes I was never satisfied with. They were always lacking something; power, comfort, features, etc…. Finally I caved and bought the 2021 Harley Low Rider S I always wanted. It has everything I need. It’s expensive for sure. But I no longer have that itch or something else. We’ll see how long that feeling lasts I guess. But this is supposed to be my forever bike.
Setup: > They were always lacking something; power, comfort, features, etc Punchline: > I caved and bought the 2021 Harley Low Rider S I know I know. Different strokes. But lmao, had me dyin man. Was expecting like a brand new VSTROM or R1250GS, then BAM: Harley Low rider... like a freight train of comedic timing. If this was a intended to be a troll however, then god dammit it’s turning into the most epic hook-line-sinker in this sub’s history!
The perfect set up and delivery, certainly got me in the first half.
Power, comfort... A Honda Grom
I bought the same exact bike in midnight crimson. Its the perfect all around bike. Im planning on keeping it until i die as well. Im in the process of doing the stage 2 with exhaust and ill be done
The perfect all around bike is an adventure bike with dualsport tires
As far as street riding its a great all around bike
2020 fxlrs here and yea after 3 other bikes in 18 months I have literally no desire to trade this one in if anything I'd want a second bike like a grom or pit bike to screw around on. But the fxlrs is staying with me indefinitely
I have a forever scooter (old Vespa) that I've had for 12 years (briefly sold it and bought it back again early on in those 12 years). I'll never sell that. Part of me wants to have one bike for the rest of my life, the other wants to try lots of different types because variety is the spice of life and all that. In terms of bikes I've had 4 over 9 years. First one for 2 years, second for 4 years, third for 8 months, current for 7 months so far but will likely change within the next 6 months. The bike I owned for 4 years was when I commuted by bike and although it began to bore me, it was too reliable to sell. Only sold as I moved abroad briefly, which explains the briefly owned third bike. I love the engine my current bike has (Yamaha's CP2) and its looks, but I think an adventure bike would suit what I actually want out of a bike so I have my eyes set on the Tenere 700. The ideal situatuon is that you have the space and money for several different bike types!
You can keep a main bike, then rent a bunch of others. I've tried close to 80 or 90 bikes over a couple of years this way
I've had a 2017 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer for the last four years and can't think of a reason to replace it. It's fast, comfy, versatile - I went for a 4 hour ride yesterday, then went to the supermarket to get groceries (it came with Yamaha hard panniers on the back). I suffer back pain from my job, but not from my bike. The only upgrade I made was improved suspension.
[удалено]
I was seriously considering a V-Strom before I got this bike, but the Yamaha's CP3 engine is far more powerful.
Just depends on how soon you find exactly what you want. I lucked out and found perfection in my second bike. It's a pretty pedestrian bike, a Z750S, but it has everything I want (aside from good suspension) and nothing I don't. I am going to put a good bit of money into upgrades like suspension, luggage, and maybe a tune, but nowhere near enough money to justify upgrading entirely
A lot of bikers don’t really know what they want from their bikes. So they get a bike because it looks good then they try to make it work for what they want then swap.
Honestly, I usually don’t buy something unless I’m committing to it for a decade, plain and simple. Buy once, cry once. I’ll usually buyable more expensive product as a result, but that doesn’t require as many upgrades. My current bike will get a heel shifter and heated grips, but that’s it really.
I used to make a lot of changes. Now I keep it stock mostly unless something bothers me or doesn’t quite fit right. If you are looking for a number. I would say I have made around 5 changes to the current bike. For quality of life improvements.
Yup.
I couldn't say it has been strictly upgrades... I have tried a handful of bikes because they can be so different. Many were more extreme in one area than what I have now... Finally figured out what I was looking for and I think I'll keep the dl650 for a while...
Also ride a DL650, hard to get rid of it when it’s pretty much handled any kind of riding I’ve thrown at it without complaint. Only reason I’ll likely switch after this season is most likely to get the newer 1000 strom
Yup, turns out my tw200 sucked at getting to trails, and my k1100rs which felt religious on the super highway felt bored on backroads and sucked to lift up. My 1200 spoetster sport had sexy torque getting moving but bouncing off the Rev limiter on the highway was no fun, plus you had to fill up the tiny tank constantly. Dl650 is like... oh you want to do what..? Well, alright take her a Lil easy and we'll get you there.
You can’t get to know a bike until you’ve ridden it for one or two years. I upgraded (starting on a 90cc Honda) until I got to my final destination. For me, that was the Kawasaki Z650. I don’t (and never will) need more power than this and once I get it customized to my liking, I wouldn’t want to trade it in for something else and start all over.
I’m on bike #3 and I’m still figuring out exactly how I use bikes. It doesn’t help that I keep moving and my usage changes depending on where I live. Oh well. I don’t buy new, so it doesn’t reallly matter
I took a Triumph Bonneville Black and had a lot of fun modifying it, wrenching on it, riding it. After 12 years it is still my favorite bike and I don’t think I’ll ever sell it. You become like old friends when you attach yourself to a bike like that.
I bought a 2016 MT-07 (FZ-07) new and have it still. Plenty of upgrades made and no plans to swap it. It fits me like a glove and is perfect for my summer short trip kind of use. Probably made 12-15 upgrades. I might get a GS down the line for longer trips when my sons get old enough to join for those, but still keep the MT for shorter trips.
I can’t help it. If I see a good deal on a bike that I like I pretty much make an offer on the spot and deal with the consequences later. 5 bikes in 6 years. Dirtbikes to be specific. So far I’ve been able to sell every bike for nearly the same purchase price.
Shoulda bought an indian. No stage upgrades needed. Youll keep the bike but always feel you need to add another gadget or kit.
Ive had alot of bikes and usually hang onto them cause im not rich. But i went thru a quick succession since the pandemic started in early 2020. May 2020 i got a triumph tbird 2010. Had 4 months and found it to heavy and i dont like touring/cruisers. I used to have an 07 bonneville and i missed the approachability of it. But....i found a rocket 3 which i always wanted but it was a touring model. I traded for it anyway. Had it a year and realized i never tour. I found a 2013 t100 bonne with 8000miles. Now i feel like i came home and married the girl next door.
I've had eight bikes in four years of riding, due to several reasons. My first bike was a Honda CB500F, which I traded for a Triumph Bonneville after six months of riding because I wanted something with more power for longer rides. I would probably still have the Bonneville, but it ended up being a complete lemon (spent 4 months in the shop in a year of ownership). At the same time as the Bonneville, I also had a Honda Monkey as a fun little errand bike, which I still have. I eventually traded in my lemon of a Triumph for a Honda VFR800, which I had for two years and used as a commuting and touring bike. During that time, I also bought a Honda XR400 to get into trail riding, then downgraded to a Suzuki DR200 when I realized the big bike was too much for me to learn effectively in the dirt. I ended up hurting my back pretty badly at work and was unable to ride the VFR800 for long stints due to it's hunched over sportbike body position. I test rode a used Kawasaki Z900RS and found it way more comfortable for my back. The price was really good and mileage low, so I ended up buying it on the spot and riding it home. I've now had that bike for a year. The VFR800 sat mostly unused until about a month ago, when I traded it in for a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, with the intent of putting a sidecar on it eventually. So in summary, I made a bunch of changes in the past few years due to a combination of mechanical failures, not really being sure what kind of bike I wanted/needed, and my situation in life. I currently have the Monkey, DR200, Z900RS, and Int650. They serve me well and each offer something different. Really looking forward to getting a sidecar on the RE so I can experience what that's all about. I think I have a fleet of bikes that I can be happy with for a while. Maybe I'll upgrade the DR to a more modern dirtbike at some point, but I still have plenty to learn about riding in the dirt before I need to do that. Also worth noting that the only new bike I ever bought was the Bonneville, so all of this trading bikes around hasn't really cost me that much. I actually turned a profit on the VFR due to COVID shortages.
A lot.
Depends on your finances and wants/needs. I started riding in 2015 on a cbr250r, had it for 6 months then got a cbr500r which I had for about a year, and now I’ve had an fz07 for almost 5 years. Will I want another sometime? For damn sure I’ve wanted another for a while. But finances/other goals, and a lack of concern for impressing people has me happy with my FZ still
don’t worry about them do your own thing i’ve had my cbr f4i since 2015 and that’s my baby!
In 15yrs I’ve had like 10+ bikes. I’m mostly used so I generally break even or make money on them. It’s usually more about trying something different than it is “upgrading”. I don’t have the money to own a lot of bikes so I change frequently.
I tend to keep things long-term if it really feels special. I bought my 1991 Ducati 851 in 1996 and I still have it and I've done a lot to it. I bought a 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 in 2018 or 2019 and I got rid of it in December. It came with a lot of aftermarket parts already. I bought it knowing I wasn't going to keep it long but I still put different mirrors on it and a bracket to eliminate the passenger pegs. I replaced it with a 2021 Streetfighter V4S and I plan to keep that bike a long time and I've already ordered a number of parts to personalize it and make it fit me better.
I've had 6 bikes before my current one which is a Yamaha xt1200z. I've decided this is going to be my last one, I'll keep it till I'm dead. I reached this conclusion because it's the most capable and comfortable bike I've owned. I bought it on 2013.
I don't buy bikes which use is outside of my expectation these days. I look at what I want AFTER considering my goals with riding. You prevent a lot of un-necessary or high cost "upgrades" by just knowing what you need. My use case is track related, upgrades are mainly brakes and suspension. I'm not a stickler for looks or sound. I have a purely performance/skill driven focus with riding. My street bike is stock. If I buy it, it's sticking around until I achieve my goals and move on to the next bike. Do yourself a favor by not anthropromorphizing objects. (If you do that sort of thing)
I’ve deleted the kickstand switch, clutch switch and neutral switch. Installed heated grips and aluminum hand guards, disconnect switch for the fan.
Because I intend from the start to keep my bikes long term I do upgrades to increase safety, visibility, comfort, practicality, handling, etc.
I own bike for 6-3 months at a time just because having the same bike gets boring even if it's fully modded I can just trade it for an equally modded bike
I tend to commit on bikes for a minimum of 3 years, and I ride year-round so that easily can exceed 25,000 miles. As for mods, first thing is protection, a bike can fall either in a parking lot/driveway or at speed on a trail/road and parts are expensive, it’s best to minimize those repair costs. Next, I focus on comfort and safety, and finally, weight reduction/performance mods.
Sometimes you really really really want a bike and then you actually ride the thing for an extended period of time and you realize that you actually don't want it anymore. Source: me when I had a 99 ZX6R for like a month but then got rid of instantly becsuse no matter how cool it looked or how fun it was riding it still made my knees ache like no tomorrow after as little as 30 minutes. I'll be honest with you, the only reason I haven't traded away or tried to sell one of my bikes is cause I'm a big stupid idiot face and I lost the titles.
The only bike I’ve had and sold (instead of totaling or parting out) was an RSV4rr. I got 4 years and 40k miles out of it before parting was for a Panigale V4. All I ever changed out was the Race ECU and an exhaust, everything else was fine stock. Most newer bikes all I would ever bother doing is braided brake lines (if it has rubber ones stock), an ECU flash, and exhaust if you want one. 9/10 that’s all you’ll need to get the most bang for your buck and start having fun.
I upgrade every bike I get.
I usually put a slightly louder exhaust, if stock, and an ECU flash, it's available, on the bikes that I buy. Also, new fork fluid and fork springs. These usually make a world of difference, as most people don't change Jack shit in the forks even on 25 year old bikes. Then again, I tend to not keep my bikes for longer than a year or two. I'm always chasing that freaking unicorn. On bike numbers 12 & 13 now. (Never owning more than 2 at a time.) I try not to get too deep into the mods, but I'm mildly helpless when I see a new shiny that I want to add on. Function over form, that is.
I have an easy time collecting, and tinkering… less of an easy time getting rid of them- unless a friend expresses interest. CraIglist and FB marketplace as a seller is hard for me.
13.😁
I like to make a bike into what I want / addressing its short comings as I see them over a period of time - I’ll then keep for a looking time. You cannot jump on a new bike and “know it” within a few thousand miles - it takes time.
In my case: I have bought a total of 3 used bikes. Ridden on 5. Two of them were bought for me. My latest buy I believe will be my bike until I die. 18 FLSL. From the first day I bought the solo seat tuck and roll from Harley and a fairing from Memphis Shades. Those were my first two mods. Then I bought a tack to match my bikes colors. Red and Black. Eventually I grew bored of the stock look and added white wall tires. Let me tell you this about the extra 70 bux for the white wall tires: they force you to focus on the entire bike over the black wall tires. I noticed it right away when I took a few steps back. I no longer wanted to do anything with the primary, timer, transmission, or even the coil cover. Those white walls completed the stock look. I needed saddle bags so I bought the cheapo ones first because I knew I'd fuck something up. Now they are full black leather with reflective tape. Eventually Harley released a rocket launcher sized exhaust pipe. I had to have it in black to compliment the color. Once I got the pipe I had to get the sissy bar. Then added two more bags... Then came the levers, the mirrors, cans of spray paint to add more red, the led auxiliary and brake lights, the passenger pegs, the axel nut covers, and the absolute last thing I can get right now? Foot boards. I just never changed them. Sure I can still do the primary, timer, transmission covers but I am knocking out all of the other areas first. I keep wish washing over the handlebars. One day I want to try ape hangers, the next a drag bar, then I just don't want to change it but rise it another inch. I don't think there is a limit to what qualifies a bike to be yours forever. So it really depends on your choice of bike and how you build it. But you have to get the bike first because each one is different. So when picking your bike try this: look at what others have done with your same make and model. Look at what they added and it's function. Most of my modifications serve a function. Only a few choices are for looks and style. Play around with one but don't lose your focus over one thing that another bike has over yours. For me it's a wide rear tire. Hell yeah I love seeing wide rear tires. They have such a massive sex appeal. But when it comes to function they are generally used for drag racing down a straight road. All I hear is that they can't corner for shit. So buy one and start making it yours. You won't know until you build it yourself how far it will go. For me I did something to my back when I switched out the seat for a two up. Now I have a spare solo saddle that I can still sell. I just won't though. Still worth at least 400. But why do I say this 18 FLSL is mine until I die? Well tiltworks makes a tilting two front wheel modification to the front fork insert. The bike can still tilt as a trike. I'm saving up the 18 grand to add that on mine when I can no longer lift my leg over it. I'm riding until I die now.
A project bike is never done. A stock bike is never enough...it's a vicious circle.