Are you happy selling a bike?

[Scout63]

Yesterday I sold (or at least agreed to sell) three bikes - my 1973 Laverda 750, 1978 Ducati 900SS and 1990 Honda VFR750. Since I quit riding I’ve been trying to get down to just project bikes to build.  I sold all three on the low end of market value but I am surprised how happy I am to get rid of them.  Each bike takes up much room in my head (and garage and wallet) that I don’t appreciate until it’s gone.  Is anyone else as happy to see bikes go?  (Next topic - how happy I am to see bikes come.)

[Perazzimx14]

Yesterday I sold (or at least agreed to sell) three bikes - my 1973 Laverda 750, 1978 Ducati 900SS and 1990 Honda VFR750. Since I quit riding I’ve been trying to get down to just project bikes to build.  I sold all three on the low end of market value but I am surprised how happy I am to get rid of them.  Each bike takes up much room in my head (and garage and wallet) that I don’t appreciate until it’s gone.  Is anyone else as happy to see bikes go?  (Next topic - how happy I am to see bikes come.)

I love buying and selling motorcycles. For a while I'll go on a collecting spree and end up with 5 or 6  in the garage and then I get into sell mode and once i start selling it feels good. Each one that leaves frees up floor space and I want to keep selling. It feels good walking into the garage seeing less stuff. Then I get down to 2 bikes and pendulum swings the other way and I start buying again. Then I walk into the garage and enjoy seeing less open floor space and more bikes. I have never regretted buying or selling a bike so coming or going is the same happiness level for me. 

In the end I like buying bikes that need attention. I love to work on them and plan on keeping each one forever. I get them fully serviced and make any repairs and get the bike to the best it can be to the point where it's ready to put on endless carefree miles and then I lose interest in it and start looking for something else. It's when they need me I am fully vested. Once they all fixed up and only need to be ridden they do not need me anymore.

I will say I also do love the buying/selling game. It's very interesting how people work.

[faffi]

I have felt happy with almost every sale I have made. Currently, I own 4 bikes; The Roamer, an XT600Z that needs attention and is hence out of commision, an XV750/1100 that needs its carbs done, and an NT650V Deauville in bits that I had plans for that have now been scrapped.

But I have been happiest when I just owned one bike at a time, I will say. However, since we are looking to buy a cabin a 7 hour drive from home, the plan is to own two bikes; one for home, one for the cabin.

It will be a pleasure to see the Honda go, it will also be great to the the XV go (although the plan was for it to be a keeper, we fell out last year during the restoration). The XT will either find a home at the cabin, or be sold.

After all is settled down to just 2 bikes, I have no plans of getting another one for a very long time. I want to ride more, tinker less.

[guzziart]

Am I happy selling a bike...
At the time of sale I probably was happy but now, several years later, I have come to regret every single sale.  I have photos of all the ones that came & went since day one and when looking at those pics memories of the ride I was on when the pic was taken comes rushing back.  I recall the feel of the bike and it's idiosyncrasies.  I miss them but at the same time I remember why I sold them....lack of room, home improvement funding, money to buy another bike, horse trailer, kid car, college, etc.  And then there are all the tire kickers, chiselers, cheapskates, know it alls, time wasters and genuinely insincere folks I had to deal with for a "sale" but I kept no memory of those PITA's.  Oh well.
Art

[Moparnut72]

This is kind of funny in a way. Just yesterday I had ridden my Mandello to do errands. As I was heading home I thought this bike is so easy to ride, more so than my V7lll maybe I should sell the V7. But then again I got the V7 as a backup to my Audace in case it had an issue that required a long wait on a part on a slow boat from Italy. Maybe that is still a good strategy since I am kind of a beta tester for the V100.
kk

[guzziart]

This is kind of funny in a way. Just yesterday I had ridden my Mandello to do errands. As I was heading home I thought this bike is so easy to ride, more so than my V7lll maybe I should sell the V7. But then again I got the V7 as a backup to my Audace in case it had an issue that required a long wait on a part on a slow boat from Italy. Maybe that is still a good strategy since I am kind of a beta tester for the V100.
kk

Absolutely, if you're able to swing it, you always should have a back-up bike (and a contingency plan)! imo.
Art

[spmoto]

Ditto perazzamx14!!

[2WheelsUp]

Wasn't happy when I sold my first LM1 for a new Ducati 748, mostly since I rode over 60K miles across the US on it, so we bonded over many wonderful and eventful miles. Knew I messed up as the new owner was smiling leaving the driveway with my LM1 in tow. Happy I bought the 748, just should have kept the LM1. That's issue is resolved now that I have a beautiful LM1 sitting my garage. On the other hand, I was happy and relieved when I sold my Norge. While I put on 12K miles on it, I wasn't in love with it. I sold it at the low end of its value, actually around the cost of the suspension and fueling changes I made to it, still no regrets. I love my Ducati 939 SS, fits me like a glove, up till recently I thought I'd never sell it, but now I'm more into riding classic bikes so who knows, it could go to a new home sometime. So, I guess if you have a long emotional attachment to a bike, don't sell it, else move it out and on with your life.

[tommy2cyl]

I am generally happy when they are gone.  I am not a mechanic or restorer so other than routine maintenance I don't have that skill set to
enjoy bikes in that regard.  For me, motorcycles are a kinetic experience and I ride for the travel and experience.  If they are not being used, I move
them along and enjoy the memories. 

[Perazzimx14]

I am generally happy when they are gone.  I am not a mechanic or restorer so other than routine maintenance I don't have that skill set to
enjoy bikes in that regard.  For me, motorcycles are a kinetic experience and I ride for the travel and experience.  If they are not being used, I move
them along and enjoy the memories.

A few years back I made a self imposed rule that if a bike does not get 1000 miles per year on it, it gets sold. If I'm not using it, I'm not enjoying it. Made some very difficult decisions at the time very easy.

 

[tommy2cyl]

A few years back I made a self imposed rule that if a bike does not get 1000 miles per year on it, it gets sold. If I'm not using it, I'm not enjoying it. Made some very difficult decisions at the time very easy.

I also have a V 85  (2020) and a 2017 Van Van 200 and both are used.  I tend to hold onto bikes a long time, but I ride them.  I had a 2002
VStrom from new that I put 60 K miles on and sold to buy the V 85.  Still own DR 350 SE bought new in 1999, the last year for that model.  Three
bikes seem to be the best formula for me to cover my riding needs.  Having said that, I have a Triumph 400  Scrambler X on order so hoping my
new formula is 4 bikes.   

[Dilliw]

I'm selling both of mine right now and not very happy about it.  The EV has been ours since 2005 and took to all sorts of great places.  The Griso was my dreambike from when they came out in 2007 to when I finally got one in 2016. 

It pains me to let them go, but life has always been a funny thing.

[faffi]

Speaking of not selling; a bloke I ride with every summer still owns his first car, although he drives another, and the only vehicle he has ever sold was his 1981 Suzuki GS650L, sold to help finance his first home. I have sold about 40 bikes and 15 cars, and never regretted any of the sales. Why cry over spilled milk? Or, rather, if I have sold something, it has been for a reason, meaning I was ready to move on.

[twowheeladdict]

I am never happy to see a bike go, because I only sell to free up money for the next bike.   That helps cushion the blow. 

[spmoto]

Then there's the carousel of ownership. Exemplified by my relationship with my SP's, one of which I owned four, yes four, different times. Bought it, sold it a few years later, regretted it, bought it back, sold it.....etc., etc. Neurotic?? Maybe so.

[LowRyter]

Yesterday I sold (or at least agreed to sell) three bikes - my 1973 Laverda 750, 1978 Ducati 900SS and 1990 Honda VFR750. Since I quit riding I’ve been trying to get down to just project bikes to build.  I sold all three on the low end of market value but I am surprised how happy I am to get rid of them.  Each bike takes up much room in my head (and garage and wallet) that I don’t appreciate until it’s gone.  Is anyone else as happy to see bikes go?  (Next topic - how happy I am to see bikes come.)

I was happy to get of my old Bandit and would happy to give away my '98 EV.  The V11 Sport and Ducati 939 I want to ride and keep.  Yes, I know the feeling.  I might feel the same about my Toy Hauler too. 

[bobrebos1]

 :thumb:Yes!  Less is more.  Simplify baby! 

[Seventy One]

I was extremely happy to see my 2013 Triumph Tiger go down the road. I felt sort of bad for the new owner but made sure to warn him about what a POS it was before any money exchanged hands. I knew I wasn't gonna sleep well if I hadn't warned him.

I thought selling my first bike was going to be hard. It wasn't. I think I'll have a hard time letting go of my Versys though.

[huub]

i've still got my first bike , and my second , and third etc....
never actually sold a bike , so after 45 years of riding i have quite a collection.
i actually wear out bikes, so buy another one every couple of years to keep me mobile.
remember the old V7sport in the eighties that were dirt cheap because nobody wanted drum brakes? i still got mine.
my first bikes are now considered classics.
to be honest, i do not own every bike i ever had, i actually gave away three bikes , that i had no real interest in.


the last couple of years some friends started to stop riding, and unloaded their collection to me.
I"ve got enough projects lined up to last me 5 years of retirement ( if i eventually retire)

[Stretch]

I owned a beautiful Honda GB500 for about 25 years.

Things got to the stage where I wasn't riding it much, and I
spent too much time worrying about keeping it nice. Ya know,
moving things around in a crowded garage and - DING! - there
goes the pristine gas tank with a big dent in it sort of thing.

So I moved it down the road, and was happy to see it go to
a good home. I thoroughly enjoyed it while I had it, but I don't
miss it, either.

For the most part, there's always a reason I sell a vehicle, and I
rarely regret it.

                                             -Stretch

[Motormike]

When I sold a bike because I simply didn't like it, or it was troublesome, I was happy to see it go.  Take the money and run.   Now that I'm forced to sell bikes because of health issues and advancing old age, not happy about that at all!

[coast range rider]

For me the key is having the replacement already in the garage before selling.

[Huzo]

I had a Ducati Darmah between 1983 and ‘86.
I reluctantly sold/traded it for a GSX1100 Suzuki and enough cash my way to get to solo in gliders. I wondered after a while where it was and did a rego check (a cop mate actually did it for me), ringing the guy, I asked him if he still had the bike and he told me he was basically leaning on it and it was for sale…!
I went down to look at it at the dealer and realised I’d forgotten some of the shortcomings it had, I rode back home on what I had.
Sometimes you’re better off not meeting past loves….

[Bulldog9]

I've only sold a few in my adult years, the bikes I had as a kid don't really count.

I was sad when I sold my Yamaha XS650 for space
I was sad when I sold my Concours
I was HAPPY when I sold my FJR 13 because I traded it for the Griso
I was Neutral when I sold the Norge for the MGX-21
I was VERY Happy when I sold the MGX-21 and broke even.

With 7 in the fold, I can see selling in the next few years, but not sure it will be a happy or sad situation. It will depend.....

[Captainmal]

No.

At one time I had 22 at the same time. Many MotoGuzzi's in the lot. Today I mostly have memories. They are both good and bad as I turn 80 this year and often wish I could go back and ride some of them.

My last couple Moto Guzzi's were very hard to sell. Mostly ended up in a form of "giving them away" for very low prices. Selling my last Moto Buzzi now, a V50 I bought new in 1980 for a long-passed wife. No interest, even with my mint hard Moto Guzzi bags that I took from an old 650 "Goose" I had that fit perfectly. Seems such a shame that in the U.S. the interest in Moto Guzzi is low. Great bikes they are.

[John Croucher]

I currently own three and have sold 35.  I'm happy.

Three I should have kept, CB750 chopper, Kawasaki 1100 Zephyr and Guzzi Sport 1100.

[Huzo]

If I could buy just one back, it would be this…


The most loved bike I’ve ever had.

[Perazzimx14]

If I could buy just one back, it would be this…


The most loved bike I’ve ever had.

Why can't you? I assume the Honda made more than one and somewhere in the world there is a example that is for sale.

We hear all the time fellers opine about the bike they wished they still had but given the opportunity to buy it or one like it back the too's start. Too far away, too expensive, too.... Anything to avoid the purchase but keep the memory.

[Ncdan]

I'm interested in selling my 1974 750S full nut and bolt restoration.  Beautiful in every way and a joy to ride.
please send me a message if you're interested. 

****You will need to list your bike in the Swap Meet***

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

No.

At one time I had 22 at the same time. Many MotoGuzzi's in the lot. Today I mostly have memories. They are both good and bad as I turn 80 this year and often wish I could go back and ride some of them.

My last couple Moto Guzzi's were very hard to sell. Mostly ended up in a form of "giving them away" for very low prices. Selling my last Moto Buzzi now, a V50 I bought new in 1980 for a long-passed wife. No interest, even with my mint hard Moto Guzzi bags that I took from an old 650 "Goose" I had that fit perfectly. Seems such a shame that in the U.S. the interest in Moto Guzzi is low. Great bikes they are.

While your V50 II is one of the nicest I've seen, for $4800 it's going to be a hard sell. I'm not even sure it would sell for that much on Bring-A-Trailer. Reality is, it's worth about half of that. Just my opinion.