To keep or not to keep the 89?

[pinkgeek]

I'm seriously considering buying a 2006F in addition to or in replacement of my 89E.  I might adore the GS500 enough to own two and mod them both. 

Does anyone have any thoughts?  I'm interested in how long people have had their 89's last.  What year engines can be put in the body, exhausts that will fit on it etc.  Is it worth fixing up and playing with or just going with the newer bike?  I do love wrenchin' on my bikes but I think I like riding them more.....  (Once I'm sans crutches..)

INFO:  The 89 has 13k on it runs really well.  Body was beat up when I got it, I've resurrected it from 5 years sitting in someone's garage.. 

~pink

[Mdow]

my 94 has about 23k and runs great

[fred]

My 94 has over 84k on it and it runs very well. As long as you keep up with maintenance , it should be fine for many tens of thousands of miles more. I don't see any reason why my bike couldn't run until the odometer goes back to zero... If your bike is beat up but runs well, it seems like painting it and fixing the couple of things that might be broken would be way cheaper than buying a new one...

[laserred97gt]

The new ones are essentially the same bike anyway.

Sure, all of the controls and pegs and such will feel new, but the older bike should last you quite a long time.

[Roadstergal]

I wouldn't get two of the same thing.  Get something different - a touring bike, a dualsport, a supermoto.

Then mod the shaZam! out of the '89.

[otownrider407]

Like fred said take good care of it, and it should last many many more miles.  I've never owned a bike that old but ridden a bunch, used bikes in general with low miles like that are great.  If you're looking for a newer bike and you're into sportbikes maybe check out like an SV or something that would be a nice upgrade.  Keep the '89, turn it into a track bike

[pinkgeek]

thanks..  good reminder that variety is the spice of life..  duh...