Dilemma

[blobcat]

Background to the dilemma;

Claire and I have a pair of 09 spec Dec 08 1200GSA's, we also have 4 children now with Theo born last November. Claire's mum who was our regular childcare provider was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia last September and since we moved to Yorkshire is 5 hrs drive away.

Claire's bike has covered ~1,600 miles and mine ~2,300 neither have turned a wheel since May 09.

The dilemma is what to do with the bikes, they are 18 months old, both perfect but realistically neither of us will be able to ride this year. I also have a 17 yr old CBR 600 that I can use but haven't either because of time constraints.

Do we keep them, sell them now and replace later this year or trade them?

 

[snerkler]

What is the reason for not being able to ride this year? Is it not having a child minder? One of you could go out whilst the other stays at home with the children. Then you could sell one bike and share the other.

You say you're not likely to ride this year, but what about next year and the year after?

 

[GSmonkey]

If you're not going to ride them, sell them. I've kept bikes before when working overseas for a few years and wish I'd sold them in the end.

 

[SPL]

They will continue to depreciate, even if you don't ride them.

If you're not going to use them, sell them now and stick the cash in a savings account.

Provided you buy the equivalent bikes when you have more time (at the age that your current bikes would have been at that point in time) you should still have a few hundred quid left in the bank.

 

[blobcat]

Thanks for the feedback

Unlikely to be able to ride because of child care and Theo feeding. I can still ride the CBR as could Claire if her jacket fitted...

We bought them for touring which isn't the same doing it on your own whilst your partner sits at home looking after the kids. Assuming we will be able to go off for some trips next year then if we keep the bikes we have then as they're 1200's the extra years warranty will have to be paid...

I've had the CBR since new and have had the same issues with that, I kept it even though for years it was hardly ridden. The GSA's are still worth decent money so if we sell now and buy again in December whilst we will take a hit it wouldn't be as bad as trading in December. We would then have 2 new GSA's for next year.

 

[snerkler]

There's different views on it and at the end of the day it's down to what you want to do. If you sell now and buy later in the year, or early next year you could actually lose money, for example if you sold and then bought from a dealer (not saying you would but just using this as an example) you could pay over £1k per bike more than what you sold them for due to the mark-up

 

[David Nimrod]

Sell all 3 bikes, there's no point 'storing' vehicles

Buy 1 bike to share (something cheaper but still good).

Review the situation every year or so...

 

[blobcat]

There's different views on it and at the end of the day it's down to what you want to do. If you sell now and buy later in the year, or early next year you could actually lose money, for example if you sold and then bought from a dealer (not saying you would but just using this as an example) you could pay over £1k per bike more than what you sold them for due to the mark-up

We bought them at Rainbow when BM were doing the deals in Dec 08, very very very happy with the deal and the service from Rainbow. I've spoken to them today and they will take them in if we want.

 

[Pathologic]

Two up who drives?

Physiojo of this parish does not take pillions not even me So one bike would only be ridden by me if going our together. Think about your dynamic when you are deciding. You could always find some other riding buddies.

Regards,

Path.

 

[blobcat]

Sell all 3 bikes, there's no point 'storing' vehicles

Buy 1 bike to share (something cheaper but still good).

Review the situation every year or so...

What could be cheaper than a 17 yr old CBR600? I was knocked off it in 06 and after the insurance payout (only took 10 months...) I bought the salvage for £150 and put it back on the road with a £42 headlamp fairing bracket so that one doesn't owe me anything at all.

 

[David Nimrod]

What could be cheaper than a 17 yr old CBR600? I was knocked off it in 06 and after the insurance payout (only took 10 months...) I bought the salvage for £150 and put it back on the road with a £42 headlamp fairing bracket so that one doesn't owe me anything at all.

No, I meant cheaper than a 1200

My idea was to get yourself one bike that provides more pleasure than the CBR (unless you really like it of course... I wouldn't, but it's a personal choice).

Say, an old Airhead or K or whatever

That way you can really enjoy your riding, without having to keep all that money (and it's a lot) tied up doing nothing...

 

[snerkler]

We bought them at Rainbow when BM were doing the deals in Dec 08, very very very happy with the deal and the service from Rainbow. I've spoken to them today and they will take them in if we want.

Have you asked whether they'll sell them for you? They did that for me. They take their cut of course but you should end up getting more money than if Rainbow bought them off you

 

[blobcat]

Physiojo of this parish does not take pillions not even me So one bike would only be ridden by me if going our together. Think about your dynamic when you are deciding. You could always find some other riding buddies.

Regards,

Path.

We did, until I gave Claire a direct access course and riding gear for her birthday in 08 (that was a gift that kept on giving). The GSA was her first bike

I used to ride with a group from work, we would do a few weekend trips and a Europe trip in the year. It's not fair though for me to be off leaving Claire on babysitting duties (or the other way around for that matter) which is why were were doing trips ourselves.

I think we are going to chop them in then buy 2 more ~ Christmas (funds permitting). If anyone is in the market for 1 or 2 immaculate GSA's with Dynamic / Premium packs and BM Panniers I know where there are a couple

 

[blobcat]

Have you asked whether they'll sell them for you? They did that for me. They take their cut of course but you should end up getting more money than if Rainbow bought them off you

Yes I have and that is probably what we are going to do, we've had absolutely top service from Rainbow. They did a great deal on my R1100SS when we bought the GSA's and their offer to sell them for us is also very fair.

Very very sad to see them go, but they look sad in the back of the garage covered in remnants of the house move

 

[Dainese Brave]

You'll never make the right choice....cos which ever you choose you'll probably regret, cos you'll see the benefit of the one you didn't do!

We can give you our advice..but ultimately this decision is down to what you're happy with, and what feels the right thing to do for you.

Trade-ins are high now, with good bikes like yours being sort after, so I'm sure you'll get a good deal.

Will it work out dearer if in two years younreplace them?...probably...if you buy new...secondhand, maybe not?

....but you've saved on tax and insurance for two bikes for a year or two!

Personally...when I bought my first GSA in 06 I didn't trade in my 03 Pan European cos o loved it too much....

....I still have it, but I love the Gsa just as much now, so it's had next to no use in 3 years, and has been a waste of a good bike, and has lost money on the process.

.....and I also don't think bikes sitting for 3 years does them sny good...or certainly in your confidence in them, because of things that may have arisen in the storage period, rubber hoses perishing etc.

Me?....I'd look at with 4 children, and a seriously I'll relative, would I really have time to use them?...then balance that with cost saving of getting rid of them against cost of buying when you get a chance to be able to both ride again.....I think you know that may be a while.

.....or like many have said....trade them in for one half decent compromise that you could both enjoy when you get the chance.

 

[DavidJames]

Only you know the answer, grow some balls and make decision.

 

[APE]

If you pay for a subscription you can sell them on here

 

[blobcat]

Only you know the answer, grow some balls and make decision.

Thanks for the reply, there isn't a perfect answer if there was it wouldn't be a dilemma

With 4 kids I think I've a plentiful sufficiency

 

[blobcat]

If you pay for a subscription you can sell them on here

It ran out last September and I've not been on to do anything about it.

I also have BM System Panniers and City Lids to sell from my R1100SS so perhaps I should speculate to accumulate

 

[elefantman]

Keep the bikes but add 2 sidecars and take the little blighters with you