Why do people change bikes...

.....within the first year of having them?

I mean I know that there could be obvious reasons, ie urgently need money, change of circumstances, etc, but there just seems to be an awful lot of 2006 bikes being advertised.

Thing is - this seems to happens every year. But why? Is this a 'normal' thing for bikers to do?

With sportsbikes, a lot of them have to have the latest toy and will buy a 2006 'blade rather than an '04 one. It's not uncommon for sportsbike riders to replace their bike every 2 years.

I'd question how much of it is due to them benefiting from the 2bhp increase and 0.5kg weight saving or however much it is, and how much is simply liking the aesthetics of the new bike more/having to be seen with a "new" bike. A mate of mine is like this with cars and regularly changes his just to have a new version (of the same model) every couple of years. I've pointed out to him more than once that if he skipped one change and kept a car for 4 years, the money saved would mean he could buy the car he really wants (a Focus ST) at the end of the four years.

Still, people are free to spend their money however they want, I don't mind. Personally my SV will be run into the ground, it's already not worth much and by the time I'm done with it, it'll be worth more as parts.

Car driving Bikers who are in it for the fashion maybe I'll only sell mine when I'm forced too

To much disposable income? Wrong decision for suitability and needs? Low attention span? J/K I would say mainly as it didnt live up to expectations?

I got a new bike this year - but knew it would be a keeper so dont expect to chop it in for a few years yet. I could imagine my anoyance however if it didnt live up to my expectations - I would've sold it.

Did you also notice how a lot of them have really low milage? I would suggest most would race about - get bored or go the other way and find it was to much or didnt catch the interest they expected.

Dunno why, my SV's a keeper.

Although I do want a newer bike as well.

I love my present bike as much as my first ever, which I yearned for about 4 years. I have not seen anything that I would wish to have other than it which makes my options very limited.

There are many bikes better than the one I presently have, but not better for me and so changing at this point would be a fruitless exercise.

Originally Posted by Law

Dunno why, my SV's a keeper.

Although I do want a newer bike as well.

Yes, I intend to keep mine as a "working bike" (now it's my sole transport, aside from being insured on my gf's car, this has already happened to a certain extent), although I'd like to augment it with a more powerful "weekend toy" once funds permit.

I dunno why really, I get quite attached to my bikes. I suppose if you're pretty clever with your financial wrangling a whole summer's biking will only cost you a couple of grand instead of the whole purchase price. Probably get a loan and offset a few payments for later in the payback period and then sell the bike after a few months and pay the whole loan back without actually making that many payments. Or buy on a credit card and transfer to a 0% interest card and bounce it around like that until paid off at very little interest.

Now being someone who's owned 11 bikes in less than 3 years I feel qualified to answer (in part) some of this. For me it's a seasonal thing. When the weather is hot I really want a SS bike or something that has a bit of extra oomph to see off all those weekend warriors with untouched knee sliders. But towards the end of the year and going through winter I will sell up and try to buy an unfaried, less powerful bike to get me through the winter. That's the theory behind my madness. I also get bored real quick as I ride every day and do so many miles.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

With sportsbikes, a lot of them have to have the latest toy and will buy a 2006 'blade rather than an '04 one. It's not uncommon for sportsbike riders to replace their bike every 2 years.

I'd question how much of it is due to them benefiting from the 2bhp increase and 0.5kg weight saving or however much it is, and how much is simply liking the aesthetics of the new bike more/having to be seen with a "new" bike. A mate of mine is like this with cars and regularly changes his just to have a new version (of the same model) every couple of years. I've pointed out to him more than once that if he skipped one change and kept a car for 4 years, the money saved would mean he could buy the car he really wants (a Focus ST) at the end of the four years.

Still, people are free to spend their money however they want, I don't mind. Personally my SV will be run into the ground, it's already not worth much and by the time I'm done with it, it'll be worth more as parts.

Good choice of car !!

Back on track though.... I've changed my bike a few times, mainly because I wanted to rather than any other reason. After having the SV for just over a year (my first bike) I lusted after a big twin and got a Falco. Had that about 6 months and got fed up with it not starting (and if I was honest, I probably wan't ready for it either).

I got a brand new K4 Gixer 600 which I really loved but the riding position was doing my back in so I bought my 'Blade, which I've had for about 16 months. I think I have found what I'm looking for, and although I hanker after a big naked bike, I don't think it will be at the expense of my red and black rocket, I just enjoy it too much

Interestingly, I bought the 'Blade 2 years old with less than 3k on the clock, and the guy had P/Xed it against a new one.... WHY ? He didn't use the one he had....

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