Trading up Yearly?

montesagold
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montesagold
I'm weighing out a few options... Lightly used versus new bike. Either looking at dumping off the new bike yearly or bi-annual and keeping a new bike/new payment or riding it in the ground for 5+ years and throwing it away! What plan are you guys on? I'm really hot on the new TX300 Husqvarna but not dead set. I know guys who put a lot of hours on their new bikes, keep them in top shape and sale for above payoff and repeat. They swear that they save in major maintenance cost which I know you'll never save or "come out ahead" but I'm starting to think that this may be the way to go. I've run my bike in the ground(2010) and don't wanna sell it for junk so I'll keep it and add to the collection. I don't want to keep that habit going either. If new bikes were not 10K I wouldn't think twice about pulling the trigger. Also as far as used bikes are concerned... I know their are some deals from time to time but I dread the whole process. Im sure that there are many ways to look at it but just curious what some of you think...
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JBecker 72
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JBecker 72 3/13/2017 6:59pm
3/13/2017 6:59pm
For the most part, a bike will remain good as long as the owner is willing to maintain it. If you just ride the bike and do minimal maintenance, maybe getting new bikes from time to time is good. If you like turning wrenches there's no reason you can't keep a bike for decades.

Look at all the 10+ year old two stroke revivals in the bike build section. One mans clapped bike is another's project.
slowgti
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slowgti 3/13/2017 7:18pm
3/13/2017 7:18pm
Always go with the newer model. Wait. I thought we were talking about girlfriends
montesagold
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montesagold 3/13/2017 9:28pm
3/13/2017 9:28pm
slowgti wrote:
Always go with the newer model. Wait. I thought we were talking about girlfriends
I knew I would get a bit of this, very strong debate there as well!
rrjr
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rrjr 3/13/2017 9:38pm
3/13/2017 9:38pm
slowgti wrote:
Always go with the newer model. Wait. I thought we were talking about girlfriends
It's always nice to ride a new one when she's nice and tight.

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montesagold
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montesagold 3/13/2017 9:40pm
3/13/2017 9:40pm
slowgti wrote:
Always go with the newer model. Wait. I thought we were talking about girlfriends
I have a garage full of restored two strokes from a 1975 Bultaco to a 2005 kx 250, I understand your point. I'm talking about a 13 race series of 3 hour Gncc's plus random weekends of Sprint Enduros and practice. I enjoy every part of spinning wrenches on restorations( that all get ridden) but for a current race bike... I'm talking to the point of fixing broke and wore out parts every week, when you have to drag out the wielder to fix broken motor mounts, you find out they don't last forever! My question is more geared to a plan of keeping a current race bike or run another into the ground over a period of 4 or 5 years?
montesagold
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montesagold 3/13/2017 9:42pm
3/13/2017 9:42pm
rrjr wrote:
It's always nice to ride a new one when she's nice and tight.
The hyme joints on the new Huskies are said to be
dow516
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dow516 3/13/2017 11:08pm
3/13/2017 11:08pm
I've found around at some point in time, bikes get a marshmallowy feel. No matter how many new linkage bearings, steering stem bearings, cables, suspension rebuilds, top and bottom ends.... they still feel sloppy and don't feel like a new bike. They don't have that new bike smell either.
mingham97
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mingham97 3/14/2017 1:55am
3/14/2017 1:55am
If you are doing 13 rounds, contesting championships etc. You should definitely get a new one every year. Someone who is not doing the longer races or the consecutive races won't mind a bike a little less reliable for far less money than new.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/14/2017 2:08am
3/14/2017 2:08am
I think it's smart to get a new bike annually if you can afford it, offloading the bike before the resell value tanks completely. My KTM 2016 450 has 58 hours on it and i'm close to trading it in for a new 2017 450 or 250 2 stroke.

The bike is in very good shape but at the same time a new bike is a new bike. Just like dow516 said, you can change pretty much every part on a used bike and it will feel like a used bike.
Acidreamer
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Acidreamer 3/14/2017 2:41am
3/14/2017 2:41am
A used 2016 would be the most affordable. You meed to pull the top end and check the crank and your valves just to be sure it wont gerenade on you. After that you have tires; suspension service, chain & sprockets, brakes, grips, levers, footpegs, graphics. All that kind of stuff you have to set up. Its more work but will save you from dumping 10k on a brand new one. Or you could get a brand new japanese bike instead of a ktm. I dont think ktms are worth the price hike tbh.
chump6784
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chump6784 3/14/2017 3:06am
3/14/2017 3:06am
I used to trade up yearly when I was faster and got bikes for cost price. I was doing a lot of riding and putting a lot of hours on my bikes.
By flipping the bikes yearly it saved the full rebuild at the end of the season. Talking engine, suspension, bearings, brakes etc.
Also because I was getting the bikes cheaper i lost less money.

It probably cost more to flip yearly but I don't really enjoy working on bikes anyway so I see that eating into my spare time
fast willy
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fast willy 3/14/2017 5:24am
3/14/2017 5:24am
I flip my Ktm's every year. I go through 2 sets of tires & 1 set of chain & sprockets. It's great to always have a fresh bike. I ride & race mainly off-road with a little moto. I see so many bikes that are older have nagging issues out in the pits or woods where I ride. Just won my first race of the year on my 2017 KTM 300xc. Also got a free rear tire for winning the A class I race in.






rmoto003
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rmoto003 3/14/2017 5:28am
3/14/2017 5:28am
Step 1) Buy a 2008 rmz450

Step 2) keep it until 2018

Step 3) Never need to trade up every year, always have the newest model

Step 4)???

(Disclaimer: I own a RMZ, love it)
montesagold
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montesagold 3/14/2017 12:42pm
3/14/2017 12:42pm
rmoto003 wrote:
Step 1) Buy a 2008 rmz450 Step 2) keep it until 2018 Step 3) Never need to trade up every year, always have the newest model...
Step 1) Buy a 2008 rmz450

Step 2) keep it until 2018

Step 3) Never need to trade up every year, always have the newest model

Step 4)???

(Disclaimer: I own a RMZ, love it)
My thought exactly, how much of a hit can I expect? How you like the new 300? I haven't rode one yet but I'm leaning heavy to it
montesagold
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montesagold 3/14/2017 12:44pm
3/14/2017 12:44pm
rmoto003 wrote:
Step 1) Buy a 2008 rmz450 Step 2) keep it until 2018 Step 3) Never need to trade up every year, always have the newest model...
Step 1) Buy a 2008 rmz450

Step 2) keep it until 2018

Step 3) Never need to trade up every year, always have the newest model

Step 4)???

(Disclaimer: I own a RMZ, love it)
I have actually considered it! I know a few XC1 guys were running them last year in GNCC, I've heard the milder (for a 450) power works well and turns great. What kinda deals are out there on one that's set around unsold for 5 years?
c0ncEpT
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c0ncEpT 3/14/2017 1:27pm
3/14/2017 1:27pm
I can see where guys are coming from with 4 strokes for sure.

Buy a new bike and put 70-100 hours on it in a year (Easy for the offroad guys).

Option 1 - Rebuild the whole motor, service suspension, ect for 2K+

Option 2 - Sell bike for 2K less than you bought it for and buy a brand new bike.

rikhek
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rikhek 3/14/2017 3:20pm
3/14/2017 3:20pm Edited Date/Time 3/14/2017 3:21pm
I get a new KTM 450 SX-F every 2 years. I'm an intermediate vet and ride right at 100 hours/year, all moto. On my last 3 KTM 450's (i.e., 2010, 2013, 2015) I've been able to run them 200 hours without having to do anything to the engine or tranny. Only cost has been consumables. Bought a 2017 about 1.5 months ago.

I've never been able to get anywhere near this many hours on the Honda's I used to ride/own. I'd have to put top ends in at about 45 hours and clutches about as frequent.

I just paid $8,800 out the door for my 2017 KTM. I sold my 2015 for $5,800. So, it costs me $1,500/yr to ride a nice bike and I don't have to work on them other than maintenance. I've bought and sold all my recent bikes for similar numbers.

I think riding a newer bike for $15/hour is the way to go. Not too long ago I was keeping my bikes for 5 years or so and working on them more than I rode them.....

Rick

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