Do we need new bikes every year?

I think in some ways, it's easy to think that you need to be on a new bike every year or on the latest gen. It's somewhat always been part of the MX culture. In reality, no one cares though. Sure there are going to be a lot of people at the tracks on the newest bike but there are plenty of people on older bikes that are going fast and having fun. In most of my adult life, I'd get a new bike every couple years. That window has gotten wider now that MX is less of a priority and I enjoy my bikes that I have, by dialing them in more etc. When I am out riding, I never even think about the age of my bike or anyone else's (unless it's a new model that I haven't seen in person yet.) It's mostly when I'm bored at home and on the internet that my mind starts thinking how I might something new/different. I think if you have something that you gel with and it's reliable, then hang onto it. If something is giving you problems or you just don't love the bike, then that's when I'd move on to something else. I am on the 21-23 YZ250F because I love the chassis, it has some nice bolt-ons and a dual injector. It is the perfect bike for me right now. Maybe the '27 might be exciting and that'll be the around the time that I'm ready to move on. But as much as I think the 24-26 250Fs are nice, I'm perfectly happy with what I have. Heck, if I still had a fresh 14-18, I'd run that thing. I regret selling my bike of that gen. That is sort of why I've been hanging onto this one. I just gel with it and see no need to get rid of. I also have a couple bikes, so I don't put a bunch of hours on my main bike either. 

How are you guys selling all your old bikes? Is it really that easy to sell a 4 stroke with 100+ hours if you just put new plastic on it, or are you giving them away for next to nothing?

Do I need one? Probably not. Does it make my life easier? 100%.

I usually sell my race bikes at the end of the season with 60-70 hours. Usually to a beginner or someone less experienced. If I were to keep riding and racing the bike, it'll get to the point halfway through next season where I'll need a top end, bottom end etc etc. But for a less aggressive rider, the bike will last another 100 hours with good maintenance. These are off-road 250FX Yams generally.

This year I have a two stroke YZ250X, which I'm on the fence about selling like I normally do. I might keep this one for another season. 

Please don’t get me started on selling a used bike.  I couldn’t give away a one year old 23 Honda R with 6 hours on it!

I honestly don’t know how people do it.  A while back was taking to a guy at Ultimate MX that sold his couple of year old 450 KTM with 140 hours, no rebuild either.  The way he talked he got for good money too. 
 

I always take the OEM plastic off before I even ride the bike, usually the seat cover too and stock bars/pad. When I'm ready to sell I put it back on. I maintain the bike vigorously throughout the season, and I'll take the bike down and give it a good detail and grease before I sell it.  Usually they still look great, maybe some minor scuffs and wheel scratches, but overall in good shape. 

This bike had I think almost 80 hours when I sold it to a street bike guy getting into off-road. I just saw it with it's now third owner a couple weekends ago and it has 210 hours on it now! Still hasn't been opened up. I'm sure it's a little different with a motocross bike though. 

No, we don't. But I personally love riding and testing out bikes. I stack HOURS on my bikes, one year I put down 2200 miles of hard riding and racing. Its so much fun for me to try and experiment with different parts, considering I'm blessed with a sensitive ass and very average riding skills I like helping people out and guiding them on stuff Ive tried and tested. Debated even starting a YT channel for it. 

Another thing for me personally, I was pretty poor growing up and I couldn't get into riding until my 20s so now I can finally afford the things I wanted and enjoying it.

Agreed, it's so frustrating and annoying trying to sell a used bike (especially right now). I just trade them in and lose a ton of money on them, simply for the convenience and ease of transaction. If I do sell one privately, I more or less give them away, usually to someone I know. Everyone has a story about how much money they got for their used bike...I don't have any of those, lol.

I didnt even bother to sell my '21 450sxf with just a little over 100hrs on it. Like you said, give it away for next to nothing? It was paid off long ago. Screw it I'll keep it. Only thing is its been sitting a couple seasons. I need to be conscious about busting it out here and there. Now I gotta drain the gas and go through it. This is most likely my last season on my '23 350sxf with almost 100hrs. I dont see me keeping it. Only because I'm probably getting a low hours '24 and its the same bike. 

Very well said. I'm a 68 year old practice rider. I don't pile a lot of hours on my bike anymore, but ride about once a week. Ususally buy a new bike every 2 or 3 years. But not because I NEED a new one. lol

Just bought a new 25 KX 250X since we split time doing trails and mx. I ride with a small group of retired guys that just love to ride. 

Everyone should do what makes them happy, buy a new bike, fix up your current bike, or both. My only advice would be, don't spend more than you can afford and have fun.

im getting ready to retire in a few years. So, bought a new moto bike, off road bike and duel sport bike this year being my last brand new purchases....Already looking at next years models. Its a sickness. Yes, we need new bikes!

No its not easy.  If you keep the bike really clean you got a good shot of getting close to what you want pretty quick on marketplace due to the shitboxes that are posted all over the place.

Tbh it takes me about a year and a half to get over 100 hours.  I only get to ride every other weekend.  Sometimes ill go twice a weekend.  If it does not look good in the used market I bounce down to the dealership trade it in and start over.  Dont recommend this advice but this is my only hobby and I do well enough to do this and take care of other responsibilities like my son, house and so on.

Vintage racing added a bunch of 125 classes & higher yr of bikes .  Biggest race in the world with the most spectators & good comp is Foxhills race.  Anyone else racing a older bike 20 yrs old ?  Fri practice race sat, sun at Xmas this weekend.  Big comp a lot of fast 125 riders & 1 of the fastest in the country.  I,m lookin to lead 20-50 ft on the start . If I time the double boost port hit correctly & don’t screwup .  It,ll be funny as hell .  

Hell, do we even need new bikes every four years? The bikes from 2017 are still competitive. Just no e start

The last few have been used as trade ins or sold to people we know. I can tell you the last bike, 17 RMZ450, my dad traded in towards his Yamaha was not at the shop for more than a few weeks before it was gone. 

No matter what bike we've had, we've never had a problem selling them. Then again, we are pretty realistic with pricing our bikes. We are trying to get what we can out of them, but also trying to move them quick. If we are selling a KX450, we look to see what KBB is, what others are trying to sell theirs for and we will go under a bit. It's worked well for us no matter what bike it is we are getting rid of.

Don't buy a new bike and make it affordable for yourself. I generally agree with your proposition. 

Nice - perhaps you consider doing some public service for the young Vital members - not bike advise. You obviously picked a very good wife so perhaps you can share the secret   ! ! ! 

When i was way too deep into road bike racing (cycling) the running joke on the fast guys was that they were either divorced or "about to be" Cyling is none technical and basically a spare time contest. 

I used to get a few new bikes every year - old and slow now so if i find one i like i ride it for a few years.

I see no problem here. A man with self awareness and a lot of motorcycles. 

I used to race every weekend. Buying a new bike every year was more about keeping it fresh than it was about new developments. I did it from 1997 to 2006. That's when I had my first kid and my priorities changed; I had to keep a bike together longer and I realized it still worked just fine, albeit a little less shiny.

Sure, the changes from one model to the next may make a faster bike, but they are so incremental that I think they are unnecessary. Do you need that latest and greatest technology? Unless you're getting beaten by your main rival every moto by a few tenths of a second, then no. (Do I always want that BNG and "improved ignition timing for more consistent, tractable power and reliable holeshots" though? Oh hell yeah, I do.) 

Welp, Kenny won an SX on an old azz Suzi THIS year.... so f no, new bikes are not any faster than those form a decade ago when in full race trim... and I aint even gonna bring up that old CR250 smoker at Lorettas.... 

I really enjoy having a new bike. It makes me more excited to ride and I love walking into the garage and seeing a sick bike. That's it. I don't need it, I can't really tell a performance difference. 

This is the correct answer.  

If I dont have a fresh new steed in my shed, with A-kit, it holds me back from my unlocking all my inborn skills on the track. Whats that you say? You saw a child on an 85 blow my doors off? Nothing to see here, lets move on! 

I don't see any problem in there.. Nice Nighthawk.

I borrowed a pals 750 for my rd test you needed 500+ cc to not get restricted.  He hit wooden stairs at a house party the night b4.  I had to tape a directional on. 

Thanks, brother! If you look closely, I have two of them...a red 1984 and a blue 1985. Such an impressive motorcycle for the time, lots of technology well before its time. I enjoy riding them just as much as the more modern street bikes I've owned.

Until 2020 I had my 06 yz125 and yz250's I bought summer of 05. With regular maintenence they lasted a long time. 

I have an 84 too, I thought that's what it was, just not sure. . I have a 92 as well, and yes they are a blast to ride, i wanted one so bad back in the 80's but could not afford one and dirt bikes at the same time.

For 99% of riders, I don't think having the latest model will make any difference.  From a technology standpoint there is rarely a need to get a new bike every year.  But, from a wear and tear standpoint there may be.  

Where are you riding? How serious of a racer are you?

Went the other way. 23 Kawi always felt sketchy in the turns. Was a straight plough. Rode a buddies ktm sx250 and it was just natural. Then a sxf 450 - same. So took a hit and got an austrian bike and love it. For me its got way better front end grip, more nimble, just a lighter feel. 

Hard part is, at least for me, You cant do your own shootout to figure out what you like. Id say unless your rolling in dough, dont ride friends bikes, cause you might end up getting a new one every year.