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Thinking about selling my bikes...

3K views 28 replies 20 participants last post by  Featherock 
#1 · (Edited)
Help talk me out of it or into it...

I have 8 bikes all but one run and I've worked or modified every single one of them. It's no longer a challenge to me or fun or interesting. I still ride every day but i'm loosing the passion for it. It's not about the money, they're all bought and paid for and I'm doing ok. Every bit of free time and spare money I've put into these bikes...

My daily ride/commuter bike is a 2011 Speed Triple. I hate that bike, it's a piece of shtt, the transmission sucks, the suspension is terrible and the seat makes everything hurt from the waist down. I ride it most days and when I do I ride it with the intention of blowing it up so I can find something new. I beat the crap out of this turd hoping it will let go, it doesn't excite me or make me feel anything at all. I messed and have more money into it that what it's worth. Trying to sort out the suspension and ergonomics is not worth it financially.

My TBS is all original and I don't want to mess with it so I hardly ride it.

The Adventurer is where I want it to be so I haven't worked on it beside regular maintenance.

The Thunderbird.. I've put more money into it that what it's worth selling for, I don't ride it much as it seems to be an accident magnet.

The Legend is the long term project, I haven't touched or rode in maybe a year, I hate myself for doing that, letting it become neglected as it was my best running, sounding, handling bike.

My Sprint 1050, loved it. Crashed it again back in December but didn't want to rebuild it again so it sits in the garage.

My Trident T160 it's a money pit and eyesore it hurts me when I see it in the garage.

The only bike that excites me and makes me smile now is my KX250 dirtbike. I can't ride it off road often, I've crashed it a bunch off road already, I'm not 16 and bullet proof anymore, and when I take it on the street the front end doesn't say on the ground for too long. I get pulled over each time on it because that cops can't believe the bike is street legal, it is leave me alone.

I know some of you guys have been here before, what did you do to shake the funk? Any ideas on what to do?

Thanks.
 
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#2 · (Edited)
Never experienced your type of funk or the number of bikes owned all at once. Seems to me you need to take your lumps and thin the herd of quite a few of those Triumphs. Especially the Speed Triple. Bikes are meant to be ridden, don't understand why you don't ride the TBS. I'm always a bit confused why so many own multiples of basically the same bike as with your older triples. If it were me, I would let all of them go except the KX and TBS and buy a different brand or a KTM 690 street bike or just something else or another challenging project bike. The love affair is over so move on. And, find something else for some of your free time.
 
#3 ·
Wow! At the risk of sounding like a jerk, I'd sell the lot of them and see if you miss riding enough to buy something again. It sounds a bit like they've been bought as a means to satisfy something which, ultimately they didn't.
And so now you're lamenting the accumulation of bikes.
It's odd that you ride the striple so much given that you apparently hate it.
This is definitely a First World problem of the highest level.


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#4 ·
The thrill of chasing down parts, repairing, rebuilding, modifying stuff, seeing my creation come together is gone. They were bought as a means to satisfy my need to stay busy, occupied and focused when I'm not at work. If I don't stay busy in the garage I usually drink the day away, this isn't helping as much as it used to.

The Speed is my daily because I hate it and it's easily replaceable.

This is a first world problem indeed but my problem none the less.
 
#6 ·
I have two, and my wife has one so the garage is fairly full. I'd ike a 3rd, but it's hard to find time for two. Sounds like you're overwhelmed, and need to get rid of some. I'd narrow it to 2 or 3, something more manageable.
 
#7 ·
2011 Speed Triple - Sell
TBS - Keep, Ride more often.
Adventurer, Legend, Thunderbird - Pick one, sell the other two.
1050 - Fix it or get another one and sell it.
T160 - Fix it or Sell it.

If you love the KX, why not something that's more obviously street legal. DRZ400SM, one of the KTMs.

I've been in a funk too, but never with that many bikes. After a while the itch comes and there's always something to do. My Legend has frustrated me and its gotten set aside a few times; but being on here, the local bike board, and a few podcasts (Motorcyles & Misfits, Cleveland Moto, Thortled) have gotten me more motivated.

My Trophy has been long set aside because I work in 30 min increments and it needs 2 full days, and I hate stuff torn apart in my garage. I won't start on that till I wrap up a motor rebuild and re-install for my brother's old Ford. One major open surgery at a time.
 
#8 ·
Keep the TBS. Run it enough to keep the fluids circulating.


Sell everything else except the Legend, and use the money to put a sidecar on it.


Just spoke with a guy at a vintage race in NH last weekend, and he had ridden everything and felt exactly as you described. Said racing sidecars got his blood moving again. Maybe a street sidecar rig will do the same for you?


If not, find another hobby. Life is too damn short.
 
#11 ·
Might need to take a break or try something different.

I rode a few supermotos and I've been leaning towards one of those. Not many options for new models here. I rode a friends Ducati Hypomotard 1100 that thing rips pretty good, haven't had luck finding a resonably priced one for sale.
 
#12 ·
This may be a very personal journey for you and I am really at a loss on advice except for my experience: 3 years ago it seemed I was quickly losing the love of riding, just didn't enjoy the Sunday afternoon rides nearly as much. When the BBC Rally came around I found the ride to the rally was fun and had found joy in riding again. It seemed then (and to this day yet) I enjoy riding much more when there is a planned destination or trip.

Maybe you need to find out what triggers your enjoyment again?
 
#13 ·
Maybe you need to find out what triggers your enjoyment again?
I think the daily commute with the bikes is what's getting to me. The heat this last few weeks and the entire city in under construction so a quick 10 minute ride to work or the store or pub is now close to a half hour all the time.
 
#16 ·
If the amount of money you have put into some of the bikes vs. what they are worth dissuades you from selling, perhaps a trade is in order. You may be able to trade one, or bundle two or three together, and get something that will really get the blood rolling. Ducati Diavel carbon? Food for thought.
 
#21 ·
No offense, but I would agree.
Sometimes we need to look at our personal goings ons and what we're doing and where we're headed in life. When I say "sometimes" I'm playing it down actually. The truth is it's vitally important.

As with all catchy slogans, "Live to ride Ride to live" is total BS. We each need to tune in to and follow our individual purposes on this little mud-ball in space. Once you tune in to and start following your own path, then you can make fun choices as to what to ride or even if to ride.

As a child, what did you dream of doing when you grew up? What interested you? Where did you want to be?
I've been there and don't want to sound pedantic or anything of the sort but it might just be a good time to sit down and re-access your life and what you really want and care about doing with it and discover what's in your way.

I wish you all the best.
 
#18 ·
Sounds like you're at about the same place I was last year, I was also worried that it was depression or something worse - turns out I was just bored with the bike. Honestly mate, get yourself out test riding some new machines - the passion will return ;).

If you can sell them all off, then just do it and with the cash buy yourself a bike (or two, or three...) that makes you smile. There's some great bikes out right now, from Yamahas to BMWs. It doesn't matter what other people think of what you end up with as long as you wear a ****-eating grin each time you sit on her. I was also worried that I'd miss tinkering with my bike, but I still have endless fun adding bits & bobs, trying to improve things, and of course cleaning her like a 6 year old on double-dose sugar pills >:).

I'd recommend starting with the trusty old BMW GS, yeah I know "it's an old man's bike", but believe me it's one bloody good machine (and we aint gettin any younger here!!). Even the "older" 2009 models are fantastic. You won't be pulling wheelies, your arse will be happy, the engine sound is great, parts & upgrades are plentiful and they also ride well in the twisties - trust me, my mate here just got a 2009 model and he shows us a thing or two every time we go out!

As you remember I was also looking for a good "all rounder", and ended up buying the KTM 1290 Super Adventure. At first I was all like "it's so big & heavy, doesn't look cool, can't get my knee down in the corners" etc', but after 5 months of ownership I'm absolutely in love with the fat cow, she just gets better & better with each ride. She does everything that I wanted, stop & go traffic, lazy "scenic" cruising, and fast knee scraping madness in the twisties. Plus with my 30 litre fuel tank I laugh at gas stations and can run all day long without having to worry.

My Adventurer is hiding in a dark corner of the garage under a dust cover and I just want rid of it to reclaim garage space.

Chin up mate, your mojo will return :doublethumb
 
#20 ·
The cops aren't pulling you over to make sure the dirt bike is street legal, they are pulling you over because of how you ride.

Sell the Striple instead of trying to make it fail.

Fix the busted bikes and sell them.

Get rid of all your bikes until the urge to ride grabs you.

Find another hobby...something you will enjoy. Maybe golf is more fitting to your advanced age. ?
 
#23 ·
........ is a 2011 Speed Triple. I hate that bike, it's a piece of shtt, the transmission sucks, the suspension is terrible and the seat makes everything hurt from the waist down. I ride it most days and when I do I ride it with the intention of blowing it up so I can find something new. I beat the crap out of this turd hoping it will let go, it doesn't excite me or make me feel anything at all. I messed and have more money into it that what it's worth.....
I'm pretty sure you're not a salesman :D
 
#26 ·
Not sure what the rules are about digressing off the topic of bikes, but Rollinslow did bring up the drinking factor, so perhaps it's not such a faux pas. I'm going to take it as part of the conversation for that reason, anyway, and chip in, because there are similarities to my own experience of getting a Triumph. I stopped drinking 2 weeks before I took possession of my Tbird, because I didn't trust myself not to, at some stage, drink and throw my leg over. That lasted for 4 years. One of the greatest accomplishments of my life, really. During that time I found farkling madness replaced drinking binges. I'd be out in the shed freezing my a### off or sweating to dehydration pulling pieces off and putting them back on again, and spent stupid amounts of money on bike bling. I resumed drinking after 4 years, and while the farkling continued, it eased up somewhat. Mind you, I realized there was a whole world out there full of all kinds of shiny stuff to buy, and I could access it all from the comfort of my lounge chair via the internet. Addiction is a sly, slippery creature that is really hard to strangle to death. Now, I find my passion for riding, farkling and upgrading my bike is all but gone. It's been replaced in recent years by martial arts training, perhaps. (Another activity you just can't do drunk.)

You can die riding. You weigh it up, and make your choice. Take your chances, I guess. When I bought my bike, I was weighing up how much I wanted to ride again against that. Now that I don't get the rush when I'm on my bike, I have to reevaluate whether the risk is worth it. Just another point worth considering when you've got a shed full of dissatisfaction.

Life is too short not to be willing to let go of what does not give you what you need, and find what does. When you find what does, put on the appropriate boots and wade in. Good luck.
 
#27 ·
They must have really improved the Speed Triples in 2012. Mine is great. It's comfortable all day long (300 mile days being a normal ride), it only let me down once in 49,000 miles (stator at 32,000 miles), and it's fun to ride. The only improvements I've made is an Ohlins suspension and bar end mirrors.

Here's hoping you get your groove back.
 
#28 ·
It seems you need some balance. You've been all-in with your bikes, riding restoring and fixing. Plus it looks like you're doing a lot of wrenching at work (fixing helicopters if i read your profile right).

As others have said, sell a few and find an additional hobby. Buy a totally different kind of bike, and i love the idea of a sidecar. Perhaps spen time with or find a significant other. Though there's obvious benefits to this last suggestion, there's a lot of downside too [emoji31][emoji13]. Hopefully that cures your all-or-nothing state, and restores some passion.

For me, i have several other pursuits and an understanding wife. Motorcycling is one of many things that compliments my life, and i can't imagine stopping any of them.


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