Right now or at one time, how many bikes (motorcycles) do you have???
How do you juggle them and does one get rode more than the others???
What the allure of owning so many bikes at one time???
I've reached my capacity: 5 in the garage right now, and just last week had 4 in the basement (just gave one away). Out of the 5 in the garage, 2 are projects I'm working on for friends, 1 is waiting to be sold, and the last 2 are my "daily" rides. For the 3 remaining in the basement, 2 are being sold and and the last 1 is a LONG term project.
I have different moods for bikes. Most times I want to be crouched over the tank running at a good pace, other times I want to relax, take my time, and enjoy the view. And because no 1 bike does everything PERFECT, I have broadened the stable.
Currently 12 total; 7 tagged and running, 3 projects/part bikes, 1 ragged out dirt bike and 1 track bike.
Some are ridden more than others, depends on my mood.
It's gone from passion to obsession :laugh: I really don't know why but I can't seem to pass up a "good deal." The bikes do serve different purposes. Some are sport bikes, some are dual sports and others are UJM's.
I find no point in collecting motorcycles except for the expressed purpose of having one for touring, one for city, and one for track. Personally I'd much rather have a city bike, track bike, and a car than 15 motorcycles.
That being said I have one motorcycle. I refuse to pay the insurance rates on anything else. I also subscribe to the belief that if you spread yourself thinly across too many motorcycles you'll become a horrible rider on all of them. Have a 1-2 motorcycles you ride every day makes you a better rider. Half of the "skill" involved in motorcycling is knowing your bike to the point it's (pardon the expression) an extension of your body. Having too many prevents that from happening. Every single bike handles different. Even bikes from the same factory/year/manufacturer.
I guess i can't justify the need for more toys, so i have only allowed myself one. Soon, i might sell the GS and try something else. If that one doesn't feel right, i keep trading them till i find one that meets the most of my needs.
I do see the rationale for more than one though, and i am tempted to start collecting more.
I currently have two. One is 35 years old, not many miles but sitting for years hasn't been kind to it. I bought my '09 GS to have something to ride and enjoy while I tend to all the issues with the old one which is now going to be a cafe project :thumb: I'd have more but just don't have room for any more right now.
Too many bikes, too many projects. Just sold one today and I have at lest three more I am selling. tons of parts and parts bikes.
Just one little lonely 89 gs sitting in my parents heated garage. I guess not alone its sitting next to my dads 99 HD roadking.
Quote from: Dr.McNinja on December 11, 2011, 06:11:23 PM
I find no point in collecting motorcycles except for the expressed purpose of having one for touring, one for city, and one for track. Personally I'd much rather have a city bike, track bike, and a car than 15 motorcycles.
That being said I have one motorcycle. I refuse to pay the insurance rates on anything else. I also subscribe to the belief that if you spread yourself thinly across too many motorcycles you'll become a horrible rider on all of them. Have a 1-2 motorcycles you ride every day makes you a better rider. Half of the "skill" involved in motorcycling is knowing your bike to the point it's (pardon the expression) an extension of your body. Having too many prevents that from happening. Every single bike handles different. Even bikes from the same factory/year/manufacturer.
I hear what your saying, but it doesn't sound like the voice of experience, it sounds more like an opinion. I believe owning one bike is just plane boring, after 25+ bikes in 45 years with 35 crashless years for myself, that alone kinda makes your multiple bike hypothesis for bad riding skills sound a little silly..at least I proved it wrong. The last time I crashed (1977) was when I owned only one bike :dunno_black:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/ninja047.jpg)
Looks like you like the scoots, my brother and I were going to get one but our wife's just laughed.
I've only ever had 2 at a time. A Katana 750 and a Yamaha XS-650. I took the Yamaha if I was just kicking around town or in a mood to ride slow and look at the leaves, the Katana if I wanted to pick the pace up a bit.
Idealy I'd like 3 or 4. The GS, a track bike (maybe another GS?), a dual sport, and some sort of bobber with a suicide clutch for fun around town. But, I'm just now able to afford one bike again, so I'll be happy with that :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: knowles on December 11, 2011, 11:38:11 PM
Looks like you like the scoots, my brother and I were going to get one but our wife's just laughed.
They have their place, the most practical commuter I own is the Burgman 400, the smaller ones are just fun, the SH150i goes 65Mph and gets 92Mpg. People that are worried about what other people think or if somebody needs to maintain a macho persona...then they should stay away from the scoots
(I'm not addressing this at you personally) As I have said before...
"If you are "Too Cool" to be seen on a scooter...then you're a Poseur" :icon_idea:
Suzi: 2009. My SUV - with fairing, rear carrier, she is for shopping and long rides.
Junior: 1992 Canadian restored. More of my sports car. He really feels light and nimble and wants to do twisties. Loads of fun to ride.
Trey: Learning bike. Always going through changes.
Phenix: He will raise from all the parts in the bike cave. May be the one to get the new-in-the-box original OEM full fairing I found in the UK.
Every bike riders different and I decide which to ride depending on where I'm going and simply how I feel. When Phenix is put together, Trey will probably go.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/Assorted/All_Bikes.png)
'89 GS - Streetfighter (dirtbike bars, UNIs and a V&H, big handguards w/ mirrors, BT45s, EBC HHs and braided lines, racetech springs and emulators, 15t sprocket, a kat rear shock and - pretty soon here - dual 5" HIDs.. on matte grey paint w/ a 15k/mi '96 motor in it)
'96 GS - Track Days / Bike Nights / Rare Street/Canyon Use (big bore build on its way, K6 GSXR750 front end, R6 calipers, R6 shock, solo tail, Kat rear wheel, Metzeler M3s 120/160.. pretty red paint w/ oem black frame :) )
'00 GS - Will become a stock-ish F (replacing my GF's Ninja 250R w/ it)
'80 GS450 - Barn Find / Cafe Project (Stock and dead. Needs love. Will receive it when the '96 is done)
'73 CR250 Elsinore - Collector's Item (My grandpa bought it new, took it out for an hour, fell off it, and put it in storage until I found out about it... and put it in MY storage.)
'04 Ducati 900SS - Gorgeous Princess (Bone stock except for a GPS tracking device and a battery tender hookup.. I'll do pipes someday if I come up on some high quality used ones.. but, as much as I'd love to, I'm not about to drop $1000 on some new Termi's)
I still want a couple more bikes.. when I get done with the '96 and start in on the Cafe I'll probably start looking for a wrecked Twin Cam Softail roller I can start a Harley build with, I got the bug in Sturgis.. shoot me.
I also want a dirtbike, but I know that's a whole 'nother can of worms.. so it's low on the priority list.
Someday I may step up my daily to the GS I really want (a BMW), hypothetically that'd mean I should get rid of my '89.. but I love the lil guy so much! I don't know that I could.
In all, one bike IS boring. Building them is almost as fun as riding them.. insuring/registering them, on the other hand.. sucks.
One atm, 94 GS500. (never getting rid of it, being my very first bike)
& only want 2 more.
an SV650 (first bike I wanted to get) but still really like them!
& a cruiser, preferably a self built HD from a bare frame up. (cannot wait to get into that when my current project and life priorities are done!)
I currently have 2
'01 GS - was the one and only for 2 years, now is my around town, occasional commuter
'93 Kawasaki ZX6 - recent purchase to fulfill the spirited riding side and is a much more comfortable commuter, around town though this one is a beast
I some day want a dual purpose bike, but for now two is plenty.
Have two. Had 5.
Variety.
One for street commuting/twisties
One for track
One for dirt
One for long distance comfort
And, an old Triumph
not enough?
I did have two at one time, a '75 Kawasaki KZ400D (first bike) and my current ride a '89 Kawasaki Ninja 250. Having sold the KZ400, only have the Ninja at the moment.
Tony
I've had two bikes: a 73 yamaha RD350, and my current '07 500F. How I wish I could have more than one at one time! I'm jealous...
:cheers:
I have 2 bikes, my first is a 72 Suzuki TS125 Enduro that I have had since I was 13. It still runs but could use a rebuild
My 99 GS which is my first streetbike, I bought recently to save money on gas. I really like the GS. I was looking into getting a 600cc sport bike but I like the look of naked bikes and the GS500 seems like more than enough bike for me, so its here to stay. :)
I would love to add a GSXR600 to my GSF500
but my wife would probably kill me concidering I already have:
1. GSF500
2. 03 S-10 ZQ8
3. 72 CJ-5
4. 19' Welcraft
and her Benz
I need a bigger house :D
Quote from: Dr.McNinja on December 11, 2011, 06:11:23 PM
Have a 1-2 motorcycles you ride every day makes you a better rider. Half of the "skill" involved in motorcycling is knowing your bike to the point it's (pardon the expression) an extension of your body. Having too many prevents that from happening. Every single bike handles different. Even bikes from the same factory/year/manufacturer.
I take the opposite view, having multiple motorcycles sharpens my skills. The little Nighthawk 250 is the bike I start out on every season. The lack of power and drum brakes all around makes me dust off all my safe riding skills. Not being able to accelerate or stop quickly really makes you alert for upcoming hazards. The sport bikes teach me to have good throttle control and respect for power. The dirt bike and dual sports teach me what to do during loss of traction or a slide. There is an old saying: "If you want to improve your skills on the street, ride in the dirt!" And all those skills combined make me a better rider on my UJM's like the GS500. My 2 cents... :thumb:
-Jessie