owning multiple bikes

[yaris0128]

So Im heavily considering purchasing a second bike possibly trading in my Ninja 250 for one. BTW Im only considering a Suzuki SV650. Anyway to the guys who own more than one bike do you really ride them both enough to warrant owning more than the 1? I am a hardcore rider, I ride in all weather from March 1st till December 1st. So thats not a lot of down time where I dont ride, and I ride to work everyday and go on a weekly 100+ mile group ride all spring and summer. So thats a LOT of annual riding. I already own 2 cars and 1 bike being a single guy does a 4th vehicle sound a bit crazy? I LOVE my Ninja 250 to death and trading it in is something I just dont see doing which makes getting a second bike seem pointless all together but as you can imagine it does leave a lot to be desired. I really want a second bike thats all out fun similar to why I own my del sol. My yaris left a lot to be desired.

 

[whip]

I owned a HD Sportster and a Kawasaki KLR 650. The bikes were vastly different, so I would ride them depending on my mood. Having a Ninja and an SV, the bikes seem pretty similar, and I would think I'd like one more, and mainly ride that one. I'd recommend looking at a different style of bike. Dual sports are a blast.

 

[DuckRyder]

I had 2 for a while. They were both sport bikes.

Almost never rode the "old" bike after I got the "new" bike.

I agree if they are different types it is more likely they will both get used.

Since you state the current bike leaves a lot to be desired, I would suggest making a list of pros and cons - then whether the SV (or something else) can do more of what you need well...

 

[skyactiv]

I bought an Aprilia Shiver 750 last year and kept my Suzuki DR400S.
I never ride the Suzuki anymore and plan on selling it. You wont miss the ninja 250 at all when you become accustomed to the 650's power. The SV650 is a nice bike!

 

[Clevy]

I've got 4 bikes. The old lady rides the smaller ones. I spend most of my time on my Harley. I'll never sell any of them. I wouldn't get what I want for them since they are old and honestly they are great for loaners in case I got a bud who wants to come with.

 

[the916man]

keep the 250 for commuting ,

its cheap to run and maintain

buy a nice bike that you really want for the weekends and long rides

by racking up miles on the commuter the nice bike will stay nice far longer witout the daily work miles and is cheaper to maintain overall

do the sums taking into account 1 nice bike ridden daily needing to be replaced more often , depreciation , tyre costs V keeping the 250 as well

and you will prob find that the only thing you are out of pocket is mony spent on purchasing 2 bikes

also by having 2 you can always ride even if you have to do some service or repairs

 

[Warlord]

I have a street bike and a dual sport. So far I ride them both about equally. I see no real reason for two street bikes though. Unless one is a collector.

 

[Studebaker]

I own 4 bikes. It is a PIA registering, inspecting, insuring and maintaining 4 bikes. 3 are often neglected. I intend to cut down, simplifying my life.

 

[Robenstein]

I have one for longer rides and one for "bar hopping". If you buy one for a different purpose then go ahead, but if you for instance have a Yamaha R6 and go buy a GSXR600 or some other make similar, that does not make sense to me.

 

[ddrumman2004]

I have two bikes, a 06 Yamaha V-star 650 Classic and a 2000 Sportster 1200. The Yamaha is a much, much more comfortable ride than the Sportster.
If I go an a "day" trip, the little 650 is the bike of choice. Around town and short jaunts around the area...the Sportster is the one.
I say little for the 650....the bike itself weighs more than the Sportster does.

I also have a 75 Honda CB 500 Twin that I really need to get running again. Needs some carb work.

 

[needsducktape]

My first bike was an SV650 -honestly still think of that bike and I have owned seven since then (CBR, Ducati,)

I would keep the Ninja for now, and buy the SV650-

Since we are in prime riding season, you won't have trouble selling the Ninja if you decide the SV meets ALL of your needs

 

[Silk]

I've always had lots of bikes, and still do - but to cut down on registration and insurance costs have just one road bike now. It has to be everything in a bike for me now, getting back to the '70's do all bike. I have 2 sets of wheels/tyres, 2 seat/rear guards, 2 front guards, 2 fairing/screens, 2 different types of panniers, 3 exhaust systems and lots of handle bars - it can go from a full tourer with panniers to a stripped down gravel road blaster in 30 minutes. In a couple of weeks it's going to be an all weather commuter.

 

[Ausfahrt]

Originally Posted By: yaris0128
I am a hardcore rider, I ride in all weather from March 1st till December 1st. So thats not a lot of down time where I dont ride, and I ride to work everyday and go on a weekly 100+ mile group ride all spring and summer. So thats a LOT of annual riding.


I think that this statement answers your question. I have had as many as six bikes and currently own four. I have found that four is about my limit from a practicality standpoint.

My eyes do tend to wander though. I always justify bike purchases to my wife by saying "yes dear I know that I already have 4 motorcycles, but I only have 1 woman"!

Go for it! If they become a burden then you just have to decide which one you want to sell.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Silk
I've always had lots of bikes, and still do - but to cut down on registration and insurance costs have just one road bike now. It has to be everything in a bike for me now, getting back to the '70's do all bike. I have 2 sets of wheels/tyres, 2 seat/rear guards, 2 front guards, 2 fairing/screens, 2 different types of panniers, 3 exhaust systems and lots of handle bars - it can go from a full tourer with panniers to a stripped down gravel road blaster in 30 minutes. In a couple of weeks it's going to be an all weather commuter.


I like the idea of an 'everything' bike and would prefer something like your BMW for that reason. My favorite bike (that I've owned) was my first one, bought brand new in 1977, a Yamaha 650 twin. I wish I still had it...it was great for around town and yet big enough for long trips.

 

[BigCahuna]

I've owned two bikes for a few years. One would be my betaer bike. One that got rode in the winter and never got washed, and the other was a fair weather bike. You have to ask yourself,do I want to pay the extra costs for 2 bikes? Maintenance, insurance , tires?. And how much will you really ride each bike? If you can swing it, go for it.,,

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: BigCahuna
I've owned two bikes for a few years. One would be my betaer bike. One that got rode in the winter and never got washed, and the other was a fair weather bike. You have to ask yourself,do I want to pay the extra costs for 2 bikes? Maintenance, insurance , tires?. And how much will you really ride each bike? If you can swing it, go for it.,,


Good point...you can own a really nice bike for the cost of maintaining two.

 

[sunruh]

you can only sit on 1 at a time.

 

[BigCahuna]

I could sit on both at once ,before I lost some weight.,,

 

[the916man]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: BigCahuna
I've owned two bikes for a few years. One would be my betaer bike. One that got rode in the winter and never got washed, and the other was a fair weather bike. You have to ask yourself,do I want to pay the extra costs for 2 bikes? Maintenance, insurance , tires?. And how much will you really ride each bike? If you can swing it, go for it.,,


Good point...you can own a really nice bike for the cost of maintaining two.


the only additional cost is registration and insurance

and of course the outlay for the 2nd bike

you already do maintenance and tyres

my argument is a cheap bike that runs cheap tyres costs in fuel and tyres less to run than a more expensive bike with bigger/stickier tyres

 

[RonH]

I own 9. As dumb as that sounds, I guess it's remotely similar to a family that likes a lot of kids. I don't want any kids so I like my motorcycles and enjoy owning them. Having 2 motorcycles is pretty much the bare minimum required if you really love your riding. I could easilly live with two, but some of my motorcycles I've owned for 35 years. Would be very hard to get rid of them now. Dairyland has a broadform liability policy that costs like $200 a year so I'm legal to own unlimited motorcycles and they are insured under this policy, the registration I let lapse on a few of them, as here in CO registration was $11 each a few years ago, now about $50 each on the old ones. No use paying that, all old bikes look the same, just swap a plate from another bike, heck with it.