Single bike vs. multiple bikes

[Daleroso]

Fla doesn't require insurance on m/c's

When I'm asked "why do you own more than 1 m/c?" my response is " if I'm committed to a ride & 1 doesn't start I have a spare."


Several of us discussed how many m/c's make sense. We decided on 5 depending on your personality;
1) sport
2) dual sport or dirt
3) tourer or sport tourer
4) cruiser or standard
5) a project

Six months later in Cycle World Peter Egan & a fellow Slimy Crud M/c Club member described the same conversation with the same results, 5.

[Lannis]

Fla doesn't require insurance on m/c's

When I'm asked "why do you own more than 1 m/c?" my response is " if I'm committed to a ride & 1 doesn't start I have a spare."


Several of us discussed how many m/c's make sense. We decided on 5 depending on your personality;
1) sport
2) dual sport or dirt
3) tourer or sport tourer
4) cruiser or standard
5) a project

Six months later in Cycle World Peter Egan & a fellow Slimy Crud M/c Club member described the same conversation with the same results, 5.

I don't need a "cruiser" or a "dirt bike", so I guess "3" is the right number for me ....

At least one has to be an ideal two-up transcontinental bike ... well, 'cause there's two of us riding that way.

The others are more optional ....

Lannis

[Lannis]

From 2007 to late 2017 I did not own a car.

From January 2008 to early 2011 my 08 DR650 was my only mechanical transport, life was simple and all you had to be was be motivated come maintenance time.

I did that from 1970 to 1975, but things changed and the compromises I had to make, using just a motorcycle as mechanical transport, and no car, got to be too much.

Depending on what job you have, you might be able to have just a bike, but if you have to look like something when you get to work, and can't bail because of snow or ice or storms, or have to carry customers or tools, or run back and forth across town to meetings, then there's going to be a four-wheeler in the picture.

Then there's baby seats, and Little League teams, and family vacation trips, and ... and ....

I've seen guys do it, and more power to them, but even though I occasionally pick some strange hills to defend and die on because of principle, that wasn't one of them!

Lannis

[inditx]

Can’t justify 5 different bikes for 5 different riding styles at this point in my life. Frankly I never rode enough “different” styles when I had 7.

I remember it was simpler when the 'Ol 69 Bonny did everything, albeit with leaks, crappy electronics and all. Still, nice to have so many options these days.

Thinking seriously about getting down to one.

SO, a V85 or a Triumph 1200XC Scrambler?
What say you?
inditx

[80CX100]

     Way back in the day before common sense and comfort were part of the equation, I kept 3 different bikes on the road and managed to live without a car, even though my riding season was only about 6 mths.

     A decent dirt bike, a Yamaha XT500 and later an IT400.

     A lighter sporty style bike for curvy backroads, a Yamaha RD400 and later an SR500.

     A fully faired & bagged,comfortable highway/road bike, a Kawasaki KZ900 and later a Yamaha XS1100.

     Fast forward to today, I still have the same mindset, but the outrageously high insurance costs, in the province of Ontario Canada, is an obstacle as to what I can actually ride on the road.

     The "buy in" prices for used guzzis is so relatively cheap, I can (and do)own a fleet of them, of many different flavours, and my total cash outlay would be about half the price of a new fully dressed HD or BMW out the dealer's door, but insuring them is another story.

      I could cry when I see some of the low amounts others here are paying for insurance, up here north of the 49th, simple liability insurance is usually very close to $1K a bike.

      One aspect of the multi bike scenario that I like about guzzis a lot, are the common mechanical designs. The CARCs, spine frames and tontis all have their differences, but having the same 2 valve big block as a foundation, it sure simplifies things as an owner.

       I could make do with only one bike, but I'm glad I have options.lol 

                   

            

       
     

[Tusayan]

Multiple bikes are an enjoyable and rewarding part of my life. I have nine including a 100 cc dirt bike and one based in Europe.  Given that several of them are collector bikes ridden infrequently that’s OK with me.  Liability insurance is $380/year for all of them, so $1100 combined annual registration tax has become the bigger issue, although not enough to affect my behavior so far.  There are maybe two or three that I would sell without huge remorse, given a reason.

Picking one would make my heart bleed.

[Zinfan]

Before I retired I had two bikes, one Piaggio MP-3 for commuting and a Tiger 1050 for all else.  Just before I retired I sold the Tiger and bought a V7 for general riding around, I found I didn't like the high rev'ing Triumph as much so went for the Moto Guzzi.  After retirement I sold the MP-3 but quickly bought a 2015 Stelvio to keep alongside my V7 but as time went on I was getting antzy that I wasn't riding the V7 enough and the V85 had just been released for test riding and once I rode it I knew I was going to sell both the Stelvio and V7 and get down to one bike.  And that is where I sit today, happy to have the V85 which suits me just fine for my riding.  I don't expect I'll buy another bike.

[Lannis]

SO, a V85 or a Triumph 1200XC Scrambler?
What say you?
inditx

I say that I have a 2009 Stelvio and a 2014 Triumph Trophy 1215, I like both of them, they both do the same things, and if circumstances declared that I had to get rid of one of them, I'd just about have to flip a coin!

Lannis

[steven c]

 I'm seriously considering downsizing my fleet of 9 bikes. I never meant to have this many but I can't pass up a good deal. But I seem to work on the bikes more then I ride these days. I just got done putting a 351 kit in the KLX250 after it ate a valve for some unknown reason and it doesn't want to run, the Centauro forks just started leaving puddles on the floor, the Buell is running hotter then normal, the F7 175 oil pump ain't pumping, the XL125 doesn't like to start when hot or just stalls and will not start for a while. The Eldo drips a little and Lemans sits in a corner. My wife says sell everything and buy a new Honda.  I'm not that desperate yet but when I was at the Suzuki Kawasaki dealer yesturday getting jets for the KLX they did have a 650 Vstrom for a real good price, very tempting. I would have to keep a Guzzi,a tiddler and a dual sport and I'm not sure if I could part with the Uly.

[Perazzimx14]

I cannot "justify" even having a motorcycle. Practicality, convenience, cost of ownership  and safety wise a modest car/truck make for a much better means of transportation.

[Lannis]

I cannot "justify" even having a motorcycle. Practicality, convenience, cost of ownership  and safety wise a modest car/truck make for a much better means of transportation.

In that sense of "justify", then almost NO ONE, except certain city dwellers, can justify having a motorcycle and no car.

Lannis

[twowheeladdict]

In that sense of "justify", then almost NO ONE, except certain city dwellers, can justify having a motorcycle and no car.

Lannis

When I lived in Florida my motorcycle was my primary transportation, with a $100 15 year old rain car.  Then when married she had a car and I had a bike.   When kids came along we got her a new car (4 door, AC)  and I had my bike and her 8 year old car with no AC. 

Bikes were cheap to run in Florida back then. No insurance, cheap plates.

[alanp]

One of the reasons ADV bikes have become so popular is they offer a solution to the "One vs. Multiple Bike" dilemma.  Most of them are comfortable, handle well, carry passengers and luggage well,  have decent power, and the ability to at least manage gravel roads if not a lot more.  For now, I have 2 bikes, but if I ever decide to have just one it will be an ADV style bike. 

[Lannis]

Bikes were cheap to run in Florida back then. No insurance, cheap plates.

Bikes were dirt cheap to run anywhere when I were a lad; if they weren't, my constantly broke self couldn't have ridden one all over the East Coast.

A new bike that would go anywhere on any highway any time cost $700 new or $500 used, which was 200 hours of wages for me at the time, about the same as a cheap bike today.   Our 250s and 350s got 60 MPG, JC Whitney tires were $9.00 each, we cleaned spark plugs, used whatever oil, cut chain off of a roll at the International Harvester dealer ... it was by a long chalk the cheapest way to get around.   Not any more; some things have gotten really expensive (like tires) - some things we just don't want to put up with any more, although we were willing back then when we were tough and resilient and didn't know any better ... !

Lannis

[Perazzimx14]

In that sense of "justify", then almost NO ONE, except certain city dwellers, can justify having a motorcycle and no car.

Lannis

Even city dwellers could justify mass transit moreso than a motorcycle. Storage and security are certianly not justifyable.

Good thing I don't have to justify what i consider are toys/hobbies.

[bodine99]

We are getting to the 1 bike mode. Wife sold her GS -650, 01 Bonny & T-160 along with my T-160 3 summers ago.
Her back and left hand carpel was time, she now has a nice 08 comfy, 16" wheels 150cc scooter belt CV. start turn twister and go.This winter we will work on moving the rest of the herd. We are both in our mid-60's and I can get by with just my 03 Bonny roadster. Just a fun all round bike!!

[Perazzimx14]

We are getting to the 1 bike mode. Wife sold her GS -650, 01 Bonny & T-160 along with my T-160 3 summers ago.
Her back and left hand carpel was time, she now has a nice 08 comfy, 16" wheels 150cc scooter belt CV. start turn twister and go.This winter we will work on moving the rest of the herd. We are both in our mid-60's and I can get by with just my 03 Bonny roadster. Just a fun all round bike!!

Yep! I got to 2 bike mode after a couple years of selling stuff off with the intent of getting down and staying with two and only two bikes. The day I delivered bikes 3 and 4 to the seller was a proud day. Came home to only two bikes in the garage ample space and cash in my pocket. One week later I was up to 3 bikes not back up to 5. I've been down to 4 bikes 3 times this year.

[Lannis]

Even city dwellers could justify mass transit moreso than a motorcycle. Storage and security are certianly not justifyable.

I've lived in a city a couple times in my life (not that I wanted to, but you go where the work is).   Both times I did not own a car, but did own a bike.   In Atlanta, I had a little tiny covered area behind a locked door to keep the bike in that came with the apartment, so that worked out OK.   Wasn't really secure, anyone could have busted the door lock, cut the Krypton lock to the water pipe, and gotten away with the bike, but it would have had to have been a determined person with tools.

In Denver, there was a covered area in a parking lot, no room for a car but a bike fit.   

Both places, the buses and trains were good and I only used the bike for when I was getting out of town for some reason.   If I had to go back to a city for any reason (and the contingency is relatively remote at my time of life), I'd probably do the same thing.   Just part of the cost of living there, but I could certainly justify it in every sense.

Lannis

[Testarossa]

I've lived in a city a couple times in my life (not that I wanted to, but you go where the work is).   Both times I did not own a car, but did own a bike.

For the decade I worked in Manhattan, I couldn't justify the cost of parking so for six months of each year stored my car with relatives in New Jersey. I walked to work or used public transport, and had the bike to use on summer evenings and weekend trips out of town. Parking the bike was free in the bikes-only lot across the street in Madison Square, or under the viaduct south of Grand Central Station -- though once in awhile the sidecovers or mirrors were stolen (once, my license plate). From November to April I needed the car for skiing so I sprang for the garage space and could park the bike in the same slot. All I can say is that the job justified the hassle, and the bike filtered the dating pool. Someone needs to start a thread on the differences between girlfriends who like to ride pillion and those who won't go near a bike.

[Chethro]

I really enjoy having my V7 and a DR 650. It lets me ride almost any road in my area. I typically alternate each ride between them. If it has rained hard and the creeks are high I will bypass the DR and stay on the street with the V7.  A bike capable of handling the interstate slab would be nice, but I really don't do that, so it's not needed. A Norge would be nice tho just in case...

If I had to go down to just one bike, a V85, Honda AT or Suzuki 1050 would work for me. I could still do gravel roads with those. I would probably go with the AT or 1050 due to them having tubeless rims, but the V85 looks great. 

[huub]

i've got way too many bikes , and probably half a dozen ready for use.
i use a guzzi for daily transport.
Cars are no fun , but i've got one for shopping and pulling trailers.
Why multiple bikes? because i own them anyway , running multiple bikes cost about the same as doing all the miles on one bike.
being old, they dont depreciate, and i dont need the money right now.
so the le mans is used a couple of times a year, the ducati bevel even less.
i can live with that.
in the future i might get rid of the project bikes, i rarely have time to spend on restoring bikes.

[Bulldog9]

For me, multiple bikes have always been a thing. Back in the 80's I had 3 XS1100's. One was 100% 79 Stock Special, one a 78 was set up with the Factory Windjammer and Yamaha Touring Seat and bags, and one a 79 Special I pulled out of the junkyard ended as a highly modified  bike with custom paint (bright metallic dark green), big bore kit, jetted carbs, flat track bar, sport shield, welded frame bracing, custom fork brace  style Kerker Exhaust. This was in my 20's and 30's when I was raising my family and penny pinching. Running multiple old bikes meant 'donor insurance coverage' and MAYBE swapping one plate across the herd ;-)

I still have my original XS11, and an XS750 that have been stored since 2013. I also have 4 Guzzi's on the road. The Entry price and garage space are the main issues for me. Thankfully, I have been fortunate to stumble on abandoned or very cheap bikes and cars. Once grabbed an XS650 for $50. Fresh gas and fluids and a tuneup, and I sold it for $4000.

When it comes to running costs, IMO, it is not much different than running one bike. Tires, brakes, plugs, gear oil, and filters are all determined by mileage.  However many miles you ride a year will determine when all that is replaced, so barring mechanical failure, it is EQUAL no matter how many bikes you have.  I do an annual oil change regardless of miles, usually at the end of the season to help with acids and gunk in the oil sitting over the winter, but everything else washes for the most part.

Insurance cost could be a concern, but I have 3 (07 Griso, 08 1200S, 76 Convert) on Haggerty. I think it is less than $200 a year on all 3 with full coverage including roadside. I have the Stornello on Geico, as it is my daily rider, commuter, etc. I have comprehensive and roadside, no collision, and it costs $126 a year. Other than my misguided MGX purchase which I was fortunate to sell with no loss, the Stornello is the most I have ever spent on a bike ($6000 from XPS in Accident Maryland).

I really like what I have at this time, and bike for every mood or riding style.
- Stornello - daily commuter, all road touring and back/dirt/gravel/off road plunking
- Convert - Magic Carpet ride laid back cruising and long distance touring
- Griso - Thug Canyon Carver hard core riding
- 1200 Sport - Long Distance Sport Touring

But it varies from person to person. I have always had a 'project fund'  I run all my MC and Car costs through it. Makes it easy to decide what I can and can not afford.  When I was younger and raising my family, I would flip a project or two a year for max profit to fund the account. I still do that on occasion. Having put all the kids through college, my 'allowance' has a bit more headroom, but retirement is looming, so I have stuck to the same $100 per paycheck allotment into the hobby fund the last 4 years.

If I HAD to go to one, it would be the Stornello or 1200 Sport. I ride those most and are the most versatile. I would hate to get rid of the Griso or Convert.

[steven c]

 I do think of selling all my bikes and buying a  V85TT, that's if anyone would buy them, and really you by a new bike in a few years it's just another old bike.

[inditx]

There’s always buyers but patience is key when selling them for sure.
Good luck either way Steven C.
inidtx

[twowheeladdict]

I do think of selling all my bikes and buying a  V85TT, that's if anyone would buy them, and really you by a new bike in a few years it's just another old bike.

I guess that depends.  There are quite a few bikes out there that have been virtually unchanged over 20 years.  So is a DRZ400S from 2020 an old bike since it is the same as 2001 DRZ400S?  Or is a well cared for 2001 DRZ400S just as new as a 2020?   Many more examples.

[Testarossa]

With five (old but fettled) bikes I spent more time maintaining this month than riding. Installed a Dyna III on the Mille, changed fluids & filters on the F650, installed an Amal Premier on the TR6R, replaced the fork tubes, tires, chain and sprockets, oil & filter on the dirt bike. Only had to put gas in the T.

So now I'm thinking all I really need is a Tonti for the road and a light dual-sport for everything else. The too-tall XR350 goes first. It's hard to part with the others, who are all friends.

[Huzo]

For some decades the T was my only ride. Someone gave me the basket-case Triumph but I waited for retirement to get it running. Meanwhile the T got drowned and I began buying bikes to ride while rebuilding both the T and the TR6. Eventually wound up with the F650 and then the Mille, just because I missed Tonti handling.

Realistically the F650 is a pretty good all-around bike -- reasonable weight (400 lb), comfortable for two-up trips up to two hours (which is all Gail can tolerate), manageable on freeways, twisties and dirt roads. But the Triumph and T are so much fun to ride and the Mille is such a capable touring machine.

I'll be 72 this month and while I'm fit that also means I'm skinny (148 lb). Eventually the Mille will be too heavy. Eventually long-distance riding will be a happy memory. When I simplify, I may wind up with the T  for pavement day trips and a 250 dual-sport for forest service roads.

I hope I’ve got the balls to ride like you do @ 72 years mate..
You will henceforce go into the world and be known throughout the land as Testarossarone...

[Testarossa]

I hope I’ve got the balls to ride like you do @ 72 years mate..

Half of that is a wife who likes to ride pillion.

[Denis]

To me the largest single downside to having multiple bikes is the room needed to keep them.

Right now I have four Guzzis ('74 Eldo, '85 Lemans, '87 SP II and a '91 Cal big valve), a 2000 RK police bike, a '40 Indian 640-B, and two projects: '41 Indian 841 and a Ducati 450 RT.

All four Guzzis run as do the RK and the '40 Indian. I have been informed that I can't sell the RK until after my father-in-law passes away (it was his bike for 19 years).

I'm thinking seriously about selling the Ducati project since I'm getting into the other Indian and need the room.

I'd be hard pressed to sell any of the Guzzis (bought the SPII new, and have had the Eldo since 1993), won't sell the 640 (it was the first and only Indian I've restored and the only one I've ever ridden. It is an absolute joy.

The only bike I really want to add is a Chief, either a '44/'45 Essential Use Chief, a military 340B or a '46.

[Scout63]

For me acquiring, learning about and fixing up older bikes is my relaxation. It’s hard to own fewer than four or five as there are some I won’t sell at all, some I won’t sell yet, at least one current project and one or two waiting in the wings.  Add to that a stray dog or two that just needs a little love and a good home, hopefully not at a loss.

Ben