Pulled the trigger (did I really just do that?!)

Venom01

Venom01

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It's been years in the making but I never expected it to be today. After 15 years or riding I have finally purchased my first BRAND NEW motorcycle. 2014 FZ 09 Graphite grey with those stunning blue wheels. it's really not sinking in just yet.
So now what of my old lady and our relationship? I really don't think I'm ready to let go of my '81 750F . It's in beautiful shape with original paint and exhaust, and runs like a champ. I could slowly put some shine back on her and get her insured as a classic, or I could sell it.

Seasoned riders, what would you do?
 
Venom01 said:
I could slowly put some shine back on her and get her insured as a classic, or I could sell it.

Seasoned riders, what would you do?
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You live in Ontario which has the best used bike market in the world ... sell it for more than you paid for it. Happens all the time ... :-)
 
I know many riders who get new bikes but still keep the old one because of an emotional attachment. If the new bike is better in every way (mechanically, viscerally, aesthetically) than the old bike, you'll eventually also get emotionally attached to it and never ride the old bike. The friends I know who've said, "I'll never sell my old bike" invariably did.

Myself, I've went through a period of never selling any of my old bikes, which made garage space very tight and insurance very costly, but I did ride every new addition along with the old ones because they were all equally kick-*** or they were for different purposes (touring, dirt, track, etc).
 
Venom01 said:
I could slowly put some shine back on her and get her insured as a classic, or I could sell it.
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I'd like to start out by saying Congrats Venom01! Secondly I'd like to disregard this:
Venom01 said:
Seasoned
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because I'm no vet- just another guy in the GTA (It'd take alot of cash, maybe even a decent trade + cash to pry my R1 out of my hands). That in mind. I have to say, if you've had her for that long, and you have the space to have both securely and can afford to keep both maintained and insure them both- That is certainly what I'd do. I'm pretty sure to insure as a classic though you need an appraisal and you can only ride it occasionally for shows or something like that. NBD. Not that, that would be an issue since you've got a great new bike in the garage.
 
Bought the exact same bike as you (fz09 grey with blue wheels) and now I am selling my street bike, it is just a bike, no reason to be attached
 
I am currently covered in thyme and paprika. I'd keep the classic and fix her up!
 
given each added vehicle must have it's own liability (don't even get me started), it'll sit, it'll be expensive, but you'll never really ride it anymore. Sell it and use the money to buy new suspension for the FZ-09
 
Yeah, beat me to it. Sell it, upgrade suspension. Enjoy the goofy grin that bike will give you.
 
Venom01 said:
It's been years in the making but I never expected it to be today. After 15 years or riding I have finally purchased my first BRAND NEW motorcycle. 2014 FZ 09 Graphite grey with those stunning blue wheels. it's really not sinking in just yet.
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Congrats man! Ahh.. a fresh new bike.. That bike sounds like a beast too! If your other bike isn't going to cost you anything, or take up any valuable space, I would keep it just in case you are in need of a second ride for any reason.
 
congrats!! new bike is always great!
just like a few have commented, if keeping both bikes isnt a burden, keep the old one! restore it to its former 80's glory and make it your trophy :)

ninja edit: but DONT CHEAT! restore the bike to the bone! take the thing apart, get the frame cleaned up/powdercoated, rebuild the motor, take years to accomplish it, but do it! its the greatest feeling ever
 
I have a great deal of difficulty selling any bike that I've owned for a while. I just keep adding more.
 
It's nice having two bikes; if one needs to be repaired, the other is still available.
 
Hind sight is 20/20, but there is a hidden benefit of trading in when you buy a new bike. With a trade-in, you only pay the HST on the difference. So to break even, you need to sell your old bike privately for 13% more than the dealer will give you on trade-in. If the dealer gives you good value on your old bike (as Kahuna did on my V-Strom with 38,000 kms on it), you're financially better off then trying to sell it yourself. Plus less hassle.

The other side of that coin is if the trade in value is carp and you have the space, put the basic liability insurance on it and keep it as your spare/alternative ride.
 
Venom01 said:
Really? OK. Riders with experience (possibly similar experiences )
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Keep it. Construct a bar around it with glass walls and light it from under the countertop.
 
An '81 750F isn't just some generic early 2000's plastic shrouded beginners bike. It's old and from a completely different era. That means a lot to a lot of people. You might be one of those some day. If it's not a burden, keep it. Especially if you've developed a real relationship with it, ask any older rider about bikes they wished they'd never sold. It's a sad old story.
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