Single bike vs. multiple bikes

[twowheeladdict]

One bike would not meet all the types of riding I enjoy.  If I had to go down to one it would have to be a compromise bike which would mean adventure/dual sport type bike.  It would also be new. 

[malik]

I've found that 2 works. I have to have something to ride while one is broken down waiting to be worked on. 2 the same, or similar, is useful - efficient use of tools & spares. Especially if time-poor, (or a chronic procrastinator) it may well take a while to get around to fixing the broken one. If you've happened across a bike that satisfies 95% of your needs, then you're golden. If you want to get really extravagant, perhaps a 250 as well to pop up to the shops. A luxury. You seem to be enamoured of the Quota - get another one - it would be a shame not to maximise the use of your hard-earned skills.

[Caffeineo]

I have just gone from 4 to 3 and do not think I want to have any less.

1 - trials bike for trials riding (so much harder than it looks and great exercise).
2- dirt bike for dirt roads and 2 track. General off road exploration.
3 - Street bike. Must be a Guzzi.

Just a youngster here @ 63  and for the past few years have realized that I most likely will need to stop riding bikes at some point. I want to ride what I want to ride until that time comes. 

[leroysch]

One word occurs to me reading this thread:

Polyamourous

[Canuck750]

About ten years ago I felt the need for a simple dual purpose bike that could take me down any gravel road from Mexico to the Artic and I bought my first KLR650, have had two and helped both my sons find a good used model. I have had a touring bike in my garage for twenty years for two up riding, started with a Kawasaki Concours then a BMW R1150RT and now a BMW K1600 GTL. The big single dual purpose and a comfortable touring bike with hard luggage and passenger comfort are all I really need. They are vastly different machines and they each fill a role.

Then there are the old Italian nails that I have for no reason other than I like restoring them, appreciate their history and enjoy an occasional ride out in the country at a slower pace. I have kept four of the vintage bikes insured at a time, all on collector plates that I only need to register once and only have PL/PD insurance, no theft or collision. I have found keeping four on the road is too many, two would be enough. The old machines need more maintenance and eventually all of the older machines systems will require refurbishment or replacement, all of which is time consuming and can get expensive. With - and travel restrictions I have put more miles on vintage machines this year than any other year so the old machines have gotten some exercise.

I am seriously considering selling off two or three bikes next year, I just don't use them enough and I think they should get ridden. Two or three vintage bikes would be more than enough.

[rschrum]

11 dollars for plates, 180 full coverage, 80 for liability. Sold 4 this year and only bought 2, so i'm working on it.

[moto-uno]

  ^  Holy crap , you ride for free !   Peter

[Scout63]

I keep trying to downsize but can’t. It seems that everyone in my area is cleaning out their garages and I can’t pass up a project.  Completed bikes in the garage include an R75/5, Yamaha SR500, Norton Commando, Matchless Scrambler.  Freshening up a V50, Complete G5 custom half done, R100S waiting its turn. I think my parts budget is higher than groceries. The only constants are two valve carbureted air cooled motors and no Harley’s, but that could change. I envy anyone who can own one bike.

[poorBob]

  A question for those with multiple bikes , if you use them , isn't it rather pricey to insure and plate them ?  Peter

Your answer is a resounding YES!

Insurance and tags is a considerable part of the equation.
Maintenance and repairs is a bigger part of the equation.
Add in some health issues and I'm up against it.
I've floated multiple bikes for about 15 years but I'm going to have to cut back.
It was nice while it lasted.

[AH Fan]

Shit you guys are depressing...... 
I plan on collecting these gems till I tip over.
\
Ciao

[Cdn850T5NT]

Well, the way it happens for me is:

1) Gasoline - Unless you use stabilized non-ethanol fuel all the time, fuel gets old, it varnishes carb jets, does "whatever" to fuel injectors, you either have to run it through the bikes, empty it, or clean it.   Takes time, whatever.

2) Tires - Tires have to be aired up more often, bikes have to be rolled about to avoid flat spots, and tires age and harden before you can wear them out.

3) Batteries - Batteries go flat, need to be kept on a charger, and need to be changed out at intervals even if you NEVER ride the bike, just like gas and tires.

4) Special tools - I have to keep clutch pullers for 2 kinds of BSA and a Norton, fork pullers for 3 different bikes,  a selection of filters that has to be kept up to date.

None of that stuff is an issue if you have one bike you ride all the time ....

Lannis

Totally agree. One bike and one car (and my utility trailer) would be optimal.

Am I a slave to all of my multiple vehicles that cry out to me: "maintain me!" or are they here to serve me?

[Lannis]

Totally agree. One bike and one car (and my utility trailer) would be optimal.

Am I a slave to all of my multiple vehicles that cry out to me: "maintain me!" or are they here to serve me?

Exactly.

But like any other addict, I know I SHOULD do it.   I know I would probably be HAPPIER if I did it.

But do I do it?   Do I sell all the bikes and buy the one Goldielocks bike that would be Just Right and live happily ever after, and bond with it and feel comfortable with it and minimize my costs and hassles?

Of course not .... Can't make myself do it.   So my critical "First World Problem" plagues me forever ...   

Lannis

[Huzo]

One word occurs to me reading this thread:

Polyamourous

Sounds like an LA hooker...

[SIR REAL ED]

Shit you guys are depressing...... 
I plan on collecting these gems till I tip over.
\
Ciao

The upside is now you know where to shop.

[larrys]

I could never do with just one. From 1980 to 2001 I kept six to ten at any given time. As Lannis posted, the maintenance gets to the point where you're spending as much time wrenching to keep them all roadworthy as you are riding. Had a couple of sidecar rigs during that time, too. Absolutely need a solo to go along with a sidecar rig.
Sold all but two by 2001. Bought number three last fall. I'm good now. The Bonneville hasn't run in fifteen years and needs a complete mechanical rebuild. Winter project, perhaps.
Larry

[cookiemech]

Expensive to have eight? Not in my case. First, I carry only liability insurance on my bikes, car, and pickup. I am of sufficient means that losing any one of them (or even all, heaven forbid!) would not be a terrible financial burden. Of course I carry very high liability limits. So my insurance only costs me an average of about $40 per year, per bike. Call it $320 per year. Considering that I have NEVER carried full-coverage insurance on anything since 1980, I have certainly saved enough money to replace any vehicle I own. (You can really only do that if you never make payments, which I never have. When I had little money I owned old used stuff.)

Registration (tags/plates) costs me $25 per year. So $200 per year.

State inspection costs $40 per year. I don't have two of them inspected and in the future may stop having any of them inspected. Yes, if I am stopped for a violation, a cop could get down on the ground to see that my sticker has expired. Even in my well-lighted garage it is very difficult for me to read some of the stickers. So say $320 per year if I obey the law.

If I lived in a state that had outrageous insurance costs or the idiocy of a personal property tax on vehicles, I guess I'd have one car and maybe two bikes. I hate fixed costs.

$840 per year to own and ride eight. Cheap.

[twowheeladdict]

Expensive to have eight? Not in my case. First, I carry only liability insurance on my bikes, car, and pickup. I am of sufficient means that losing any one of them (or even all, heaven forbid!) would not be a terrible financial burden. Of course I carry very high liability limits. So my insurance only costs me an average of about $40 per year, per bike. Call it $320 per year. Considering that I have NEVER carried full-coverage insurance on anything since 1980, I have certainly saved enough money to replace any vehicle I own. (You can really only do that if you never make payments, which I never have. When I had little money I owned old used stuff.)

Registration (tags/plates) costs me $25 per year. So $200 per year.

State inspection costs $40 per year. I don't have two of them inspected and in the future may stop having any of them inspected. Yes, if I am stopped for a violation, a cop could get down on the ground to see that my sticker has expired. Even in my well-lighted garage it is very difficult for me to read some of the stickers. So say $320 per year if I obey the law.

If I lived in a state that had outrageous insurance costs or the idiocy of a personal property tax on vehicles, I guess I'd have one car and maybe two bikes. I hate fixed costs.

$840 per year to own and ride eight. Cheap.

In my state you can add Comprehensive to Liability without having to have Collision which is the most expensive of the 3 coverages.  Comprehensive covers animal strikes, fire, theft, etc. 

It cost me $1000 to own and ride my 4 late model bikes per year.  A lot cheaper than people pay for cable TV and I get to live life instead of watch it. 

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I never forgot this when I heard it many years ago... “THE MORE THINGS YOU OWN, THE MORE THEY OWN YOU.”

They all take your time and money. You just have to decide how much of either you’re willing to give up for the benefits.

[Motormike]

Your answer is a resounding YES!

I've floated multiple bikes for about 15 years but I'm going to have to cut back.
It was nice while it lasted.

This! They can hard to part with though.  I think Buddhists call it "Clinging" and it's not a desirable trait.  I have a garage full of bikes and decided to sell off a couple that mostly sit.  So I thought I'd list my old 1997 Buell S1 Lighting on Bring-a-Trailer.  They turned me down flat!  WTF?  Their OK with common Honda Nighthawks and boring Suzuki Tempters but won't accept a bike of which only 4300 give-or-take were made?  I'd be surprised if there are 400 clean examples left in the country.  Oh well, I tried.  What's that Groucho Marx line, "I'd never join a club that would have me as a member."  Guess I'll just keep it. Didn't really want to part with it anyway.  Oh, wait, there's that "clinging" thing again.  Damn!

[twowheeladdict]

I never forgot this when I heard it many years ago... “THE MORE THINGS YOU OWN, THE MORE THEY OWN YOU.”

They all take your time and money. You just have to decide how much of either you’re willing to give up for the benefits.

Especially pets and other animals.  My wife and I rarely travel together because someone has to take care of all the animals. 

Bikes?  Nah.  I could give them up tomorrow if I couldn't afford to keep them, or it wasn't safe to ride anymore.  So thankful I live where I can ride mostly deserted roads. 

[twowheeladdict]

This! They can hard to part with though.  I think Buddhists call it "Clinging" and it's not a desirable trait.  I have a garage full of bikes and decided to sell off a couple that mostly sit.  So I thought I'd list my old 1997 Buell S1 Lighting on Bring-a-Trailer.  They turned me down flat!  WTF?  Their OK with common Honda Nighthawks and boring Suzuki Tempters but won't accept a bike of which only 4300 give-or-take were made?  I'd be surprised if there are 400 clean examples left in the country.  Oh well, I tried.  What's that Groucho Marx line, "I'd never join a club that would have me as a member."  Guess I'll just keep it. Didn't really want to part with it anyway.  Oh, wait, there's that "clinging" thing again.  Damn!

I've never been attached to a motorcycle.  I'm always looking for the next "experience" in riding.  I have dumped thousands into this V7III in hopes that continually changing it, and not wanting to realize the depreciation will allow me to hang on to it for a while.  Of course there are bikes I miss because they were great at that particular riding experience. 

[timonbik]

  ^^ Well I'm not going to mention what we pay here in B.C ( Bring Cash) !  Peter

Does BC not have a collectors plate where you can ride several bikes using one plate that is insured.?

[jwinwi]

When I added a 4th bike a couple years ago, my insurance bill went down... Insurance company sent me a check for about $7 for insuring 4 bikes instead of 3
Liability only except for Agreed Value on the V7 Sport.

[Motormike]

This may sound morbid, but one reason I feel I need to reduce the fleet count is, what would my wife do with all the bikes if I were to suddenly die?  She wouldn't have the slightest idea what to do with them, what they might be worth, or how to go about getting rid of them.  It would be just another unnecessary burden she doesn't need.  If I were single, I suppose I could hang on to them forever, ridden or not.  Let my executor worry about it.  If it happens,I just hope other family and riding friends would pitch in and help unload them.  Oh well, maybe she'll go first!

[Don G]

I have thought about this for some time, came up with keep it one brand if you have to have more than one. That way you have less consumable parts to store and battery's also swap between loop frames and Tonti's, newer cycles are extremely expensive to register here also, antiques (30 or older) cost me about $120 a year, but they are only worth $800 and have a $700 deductible, you can get them appraised and insured accordingly but then you are looking @ $600 a year, and if you want to register a bunch it gets stupid expensive real quick.  DonG

[Canuck750]

This may sound morbid, but one reason I feel I need to reduce the fleet count is, what would my wife do with all the bikes if I were to suddenly die?  She wouldn't have the slightest idea what to do with them, what they might be worth, or how to go about getting rid of them.  It would be just another unnecessary burden she doesn't need.  If I were single, I suppose I could hang on to them forever, ridden or not.  Let my executor worry about it.  If it happens,I just hope other family and riding friends would pitch in and help unload them.  Oh well, maybe she'll go first!

Not morbid, just being responsible. I have thought about the same thing, what would my wife ever do with ten old bikes and boxes and boxes of parts?? I have a couple of friends that would hopefully step up and help liquidate the lot, my two sons might be interested in or two. I have kept detailed records of the work done to each bike, parts purchased etc. and I have paid for appraisals on most of them. Still it would be a major pain for certain to get rid of all of it. Hopefully that's not something that will have to be considered for a long time...

however

This Saturday I went to an estate sale of a fellow Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group member who was killed just before Christmas when he struck a deer while out on his sidecar rig. His daughter is left with selling a lot of motorcycles, project bikes and a load of parts, mostly Japanese stuff. Sadly a lot of the stuff will probably end up in the land fill.

Likely (hopefully?) none of us will ever see it coming, preparing for what becomes of our 'stuff' is just common sense.

[bigbikerrick]

According to Peter Egan, one needs to have 5 bikes, thats the perfect number.... A sport bike, a big harley, a sport tourer, an old crock, and I cant remember what the 5th one is, maybe a dual sport?.....
Rick.

[PJPR01]

3 bikes...seems ideal to rotate amongst, each with very different riding experience....other wise, it's the same bike or same car over and over, and that gets boring after a while.

Or 1 + X where X = the current number of running bikes in the garage, constrained of course by garage space...

or, at least the # of bikes you can ride each one at least 1 x month for a decent ride and keep them all in rotation.  That means you're not dealing with charging batteries or bad gas or any other above normal maintenance items.

[Huzo]

Yeah, I'm a weirdo.

I think not..
But clearly you have a wandering eye..

[Huzo]

One word occurs to me reading this thread:

Polyamourous

High there Poly...
Not from Utah perchance..?