Anyone upgrade bikes annually?

Gilby122
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Gilby122
Any of you guys spring for new bikes each year? Every two years? I have a '15 kx450 that I bought in December of 14. Replaced one fork seal...rear spring sprung a leak...kick start gear shattered and cracked my case (kawi bought me new cases if a dealer did the work...I paid all the labor)...clutch went out a couple weekends ago. Mind you my maintenance is top notch...I don't ride that well, but I ride quite a bit. I'd estimate it has around 85 hours on it in all. Anyway, I know all that's just part of owning the bike, but I get bored easy. Looking at a '16 ktm, but don't know that I really need it. I just want it.
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SlasherMcGee
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SlasherMcGee 6/24/2016 1:20pm
6/24/2016 1:20pm
I upgrade every 2 years. Whoever ends up buying my bike gets one hell of a steal. I don't ride all that much. I wash it more than I ride it.

Buying things is fun.
49weasel
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49weasel 6/24/2016 1:47pm
6/24/2016 1:47pm Edited Date/Time 6/24/2016 1:48pm
I have been buying new every year for awhile now. I put no money down and never roll over negative equity. I will find a dealer to sell me a bike at or below cost. If you get a low interest rate and pay $150-$175 a month the bike is usually paid down enough to sell it for what you owe. Some people may say that's a waste but I never have bike issues and I have zero other hobbies or vices. By the end of the year the bike usually has roughly 100 hrs on it.
I take insanely good care of my bikes and they sell fast. The last few years I've cut back on add ons. Muffler and levers is it.

Since Yamaha will most likely be coming out with a completely new bike for 18 I'm going to hold off for 17.
Gilby122
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Gilby122 6/24/2016 1:53pm
6/24/2016 1:53pm
49weasel wrote:
I have been buying new every year for awhile now. I put no money down and never roll over negative equity. I will find a dealer...
I have been buying new every year for awhile now. I put no money down and never roll over negative equity. I will find a dealer to sell me a bike at or below cost. If you get a low interest rate and pay $150-$175 a month the bike is usually paid down enough to sell it for what you owe. Some people may say that's a waste but I never have bike issues and I have zero other hobbies or vices. By the end of the year the bike usually has roughly 100 hrs on it.
I take insanely good care of my bikes and they sell fast. The last few years I've cut back on add ons. Muffler and levers is it.

Since Yamaha will most likely be coming out with a completely new bike for 18 I'm going to hold off for 17.
I was curious about the add ons. That's what I feel most guilty about. I put a $hit ton of money into crap for this bike and that's definitely what you "lose." Hose kit, plastics, shifter/brake pedal, levers, pipe, grips. But I'm with you...its about all I do.
joemoto883
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joemoto883 6/24/2016 2:07pm
6/24/2016 2:07pm Edited Date/Time 6/24/2016 2:07pm
I upgrade every 2 years since 2011, currently on a 2015 yz250f. Between my honeymoon last year and getting injured at the second race of the season I will probably keep this bike another season. Living in upstate NY our riding season is normally April to October so my bikes are usually low hours and have what ever vet-bling I have adorned them with, lol

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mx836
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mx836 6/24/2016 2:12pm
6/24/2016 2:12pm
My plan has been to get a new bike every 2 years. Broke my ankle pretty good in the last cycle and only had 40 hours on my '13 kx450 so I hung onto it for 3 years and let it go for way too little. I see people trying to sell '02 250 2 strokes on craigslist for what I let mine go for. Sad, really. Picked up a '16 this year. Not sure if I will continue to shell out the cash for a new 450 every couple of years. I don't want to ride anything older because I'm pretty hard on equipment for some reason and it's getting harder and harder to find people who still want to ride every weekend. Hardly seems worth it anymore, but you've gotta pay to play.
Sidecar
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Sidecar 6/24/2016 2:21pm
6/24/2016 2:21pm
Twelve or so years ago I worked at a Yamaha dealership.... Some dudes would buy a new year bike when they hit the shop, strip the standard plastics, pipe, silencer, seat cover, bars, grips, levers and even wheels in some cases, ride/race it all winter then in March stick all the standard parts back on, sell them on as very little use bikes and have another new one for the summer race season, new bikes were less than £5k then mind, at £7.5k+ I'm not sure if this still goes on today?
keeptwostrokesalive 6/24/2016 3:06pm
6/24/2016 3:06pm
I actually down graded to a 2003 yz250, I have never owned a new bike. I would love to have one some day, but at this point in my life I just don't see the need. Nor do I have the money to afford buying new
Motoxdoc
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Motoxdoc 6/24/2016 3:09pm
6/24/2016 3:09pm Edited Date/Time 6/24/2016 3:25pm
Yeah, back when 250's cost about $2200 and the average income was about the same as it is now. Had a new bike in 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. In 1983 and 84 I had 2 bikes each year! One for practice and one to race....but by mid-season the practice bikes got cannibalized. Times have changed..
Falcon
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Falcon 6/24/2016 3:22pm
6/24/2016 3:22pm
Before I was married I'd buy a new bike every year. I worked at a Yamaha dealer and got bikes at cost, then paid 0 interest on the card for 12 months. (I'd make small payments to scrub the balance down.) When I had owned it for 11 months, I'd clean the bike up, put it up for sale at the dealership, sell it within a week for roughly what I owed, and buy the next year's model.


Now I work for an OEM and I still can't afford to buy one. And I would get an even better price than I used to.
Pirate421
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Pirate421 6/24/2016 3:25pm
6/24/2016 3:25pm Edited Date/Time 6/24/2016 3:26pm
Damn I was just thinking about this today. I have a '14 250sx with 33hrs on it (I was injured) and I really like those '17s but there is no reason to get rid of my bike. It's all set up too lectron, suspension etc. and I only paid $6k cash for it off the showroom floor. I'd be dumb to get rid of it for a new more expensive dirtbike. So I bought a Harley to ride during the week haha. '17s going to have to wait until '18
SPYGUY
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SPYGUY 6/24/2016 5:49pm
6/24/2016 5:49pm
Gilby122 wrote:
Any of you guys spring for new bikes each year? Every two years? I have a '15 kx450 that I bought in December of 14. Replaced...
Any of you guys spring for new bikes each year? Every two years? I have a '15 kx450 that I bought in December of 14. Replaced one fork seal...rear spring sprung a leak...kick start gear shattered and cracked my case (kawi bought me new cases if a dealer did the work...I paid all the labor)...clutch went out a couple weekends ago. Mind you my maintenance is top notch...I don't ride that well, but I ride quite a bit. I'd estimate it has around 85 hours on it in all. Anyway, I know all that's just part of owning the bike, but I get bored easy. Looking at a '16 ktm, but don't know that I really need it. I just want it.
For shits and giggles, how much did you pay out the door (excluding tax) for the last bike you bought "at or below cost"?
49weasel
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49weasel 6/24/2016 5:55pm
6/24/2016 5:55pm
Gilby122 wrote:
Any of you guys spring for new bikes each year? Every two years? I have a '15 kx450 that I bought in December of 14. Replaced...
Any of you guys spring for new bikes each year? Every two years? I have a '15 kx450 that I bought in December of 14. Replaced one fork seal...rear spring sprung a leak...kick start gear shattered and cracked my case (kawi bought me new cases if a dealer did the work...I paid all the labor)...clutch went out a couple weekends ago. Mind you my maintenance is top notch...I don't ride that well, but I ride quite a bit. I'd estimate it has around 85 hours on it in all. Anyway, I know all that's just part of owning the bike, but I get bored easy. Looking at a '16 ktm, but don't know that I really need it. I just want it.
SPYGUY wrote:
For shits and giggles, how much did you pay out the door (excluding tax) for the last bike you bought "at or below cost"?
16 yz450f otd $7900
usafwx
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usafwx 6/24/2016 6:41pm
6/24/2016 6:41pm
49weasel wrote:
16 yz450f otd $7900
That dosent seem like cost, but I don't know just based on my 16 250f I got at cost last fall which was $6350. Just curious what would you list your 16 for after a year, seems like most 1-2 year old 450's around here are going for $5.5-6k. Thats a $2k loss in a year. Not saying your strategy dosent work for you, I used to be the same way but realized in the end 2 years is actually a better savings unless your taking 2 strokes which can be rebuilt over and over again and usually hold value a bit better so can keep a bit longer.
49weasel
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49weasel 6/24/2016 6:58pm
6/24/2016 6:58pm


Here is dealer pricing. Highest number is retail , middle number is cost and lowest number is cost minus hold back.
$7900 includes almost $500 of Uncle Sam's cut.
Say $160 x 12= 1920
7900-1920=$5980
I will sell for exactly what I owe plus or minus a payment or two. I have done this since 2010 and have never rolled any bad debt over. Hell 2 of them I traded them in.
Is this a smart financial move ? Probably not. Do I need a new bike every year ? No.
Like I stated I have no other hobbies or vices. I'm sure the new bike express will stop after I buy my 2018 since my son will be riding by then.
How many guys have boats and put 100+ hours on them in a year and make a bigger payment ?
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 6/24/2016 7:16pm
6/24/2016 7:16pm
If you can afford it, do it. An engine rebuild is going to cost $1,500-$3,000. So either way your gonna spend the money if you do 100hours per year, ya know.
pete24
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pete24 6/24/2016 7:30pm
6/24/2016 7:30pm
annually? last year i had a 15 fc450, sent it packing amd gota yz250 , so at least annually
RJMX834
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RJMX834 6/24/2016 7:36pm
6/24/2016 7:36pm Edited Date/Time 6/24/2016 7:37pm
I work at a dealer, However ride a different color than what we sell. I have close relationship with other dealers. I pay the lowest I can, usually $100 over invoice. I strip the plastics, wheels, levers\perches and ride it for 2-3 years. (Depends on hours). Then put the stock stuff back on, Then sell it. I usually get enough out of it to add $1500 bucks and I can go buy another new one. Just did this in febuary. I take extremely good care of my bikes. As others have said, this avoids replacing bearings and major engine rebuilds, among other things. If it's in your buget at least do it every 2 years.
Superdave19
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Superdave19 6/24/2016 7:37pm
6/24/2016 7:37pm
I swap bikes every year. Here's my cycle.
I find a very low hr 'something' that's current. I'm really not loyal to a specific brand. I found my current bike 15' RmZ 450, and it was ridden twice. I bought it in June of 15' for just under $6k. Sure I pimped it out a bit, but I should have no problem getting $4500-5k. I'll repeat, and hope to find a 16' 'something' for the $6k mark. I put around 60hrs a yr on 'em, and meticulously maintain them. So aside from normal maintenance costs (which ain't cheap), it runs me around $1500ish a yr. Plus I enjoy riding different brands..

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Krazyk2774
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Krazyk2774 6/24/2016 7:45pm
6/24/2016 7:45pm
I trade up every five years. By then I feel I got my use out of them, and they are starting to fall apart. I'm old so I don't wear them out that fast anymore! Lol
Tarz483
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Tarz483 6/24/2016 9:24pm
6/24/2016 9:24pm
Superdave19 wrote:
I swap bikes every year. Here's my cycle. I find a very low hr 'something' that's current. I'm really not loyal to a specific brand. I...
I swap bikes every year. Here's my cycle.
I find a very low hr 'something' that's current. I'm really not loyal to a specific brand. I found my current bike 15' RmZ 450, and it was ridden twice. I bought it in June of 15' for just under $6k. Sure I pimped it out a bit, but I should have no problem getting $4500-5k. I'll repeat, and hope to find a 16' 'something' for the $6k mark. I put around 60hrs a yr on 'em, and meticulously maintain them. So aside from normal maintenance costs (which ain't cheap), it runs me around $1500ish a yr. Plus I enjoy riding different brands..
Now that seems like a smart way to go
Financially!
mx510
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mx510 6/24/2016 9:57pm
6/24/2016 9:57pm
I get a new one every other year. Usually I buy a left over model that has incentives. I bought my current bike ('15 KX450F) from Motosport Hillsboro for $6,499 otd. I plan to do roughly the same thing in about 15 months.
Chris_Cooksey 6/24/2016 11:40pm
6/24/2016 11:40pm
When I rode 2 strokes it was every year, now 2-4 years depending on my money situation and how much I rode.
mb60
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mb60 6/25/2016 12:04am
6/25/2016 12:04am
49weasel wrote:
16 yz450f otd $7900
usafwx wrote:
That dosent seem like cost, but I don't know just based on my 16 250f I got at cost last fall which was $6350. Just curious...
That dosent seem like cost, but I don't know just based on my 16 250f I got at cost last fall which was $6350. Just curious what would you list your 16 for after a year, seems like most 1-2 year old 450's around here are going for $5.5-6k. Thats a $2k loss in a year. Not saying your strategy dosent work for you, I used to be the same way but realized in the end 2 years is actually a better savings unless your taking 2 strokes which can be rebuilt over and over again and usually hold value a bit better so can keep a bit longer.
That does not sound like dealer cost really ? Dealer cost on a 9k bike is only about a 1k mark up. Then take into consideration floor plan and any spiff on the bike. The only way a dealer cam make money is if a customer buys the bike before 90 days on the floor. Those bikes are financed for dealer just like the consumer.
Fearo
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Fearo 6/25/2016 1:13am
6/25/2016 1:13am
I buy new every 2 years. I try to ride twice a week so they usually end up at around 150 hours.

I've had 2 bikes that I rode for 3 years and with both of them I started having annoying little issues after the second year, which made me regret not selling it earlier. Things like a leaking brake piston, worn clutch basket, worn brake disc, worn floppy kickstarter, etc...
sgrimmxdad
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sgrimmxdad 6/25/2016 4:03am
6/25/2016 4:03am
In this same position now. Our 15 YZ250f has 117hrs on it. For us its time to freshen it. I figured up the parts for all I would like to do and its not that far from buying a new one... Bike is for sale as we speak. Ill take first 4000 CASH if anyone interested lol! We have a 16 race bike. Gonna buy another 16 for the practice bike then I figure will be ready for 18's when they hit!
garagedog
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garagedog 6/25/2016 6:44am
6/25/2016 6:44am
I buy used, fix it up, ride it for a few rides then sell for profit. I go through 4-5 bikes a year.

Recent bikes...
2014 crf250r
2006 rm250 (RC Ed)
2006 rm125
2006 cr125 (144kit)
2005 yz125
Rdubs19
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Rdubs19 6/25/2016 6:54am
6/25/2016 6:54am
I've gone from the once a decade plan to once every year or two, kind of still early in my career and I'm not sure what all I can blow on toys and fun and still be good financially. Riding a used YZ250F right now, but don't like it very much and am going to go for a new 125/150 soon or a new CRF250 or RMZ250. I absolutely loathe making payments and having loans so I will be waiting until I can buy outright or close to it.

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