Sell my motorcycle or not?

[ChalengeGuyFan]

Alright guys, I need some advice on selling my motorcycle or not. Actually, this is more than what to do with a motorcycle, but rather what to do with my time and money.

Some background: I bought it one year ago, has kinda been a source of frustration (except when I rode it), because I couldn't find fitting and good gear and barely rode it (about 4000 km / 2500 miles).

Total money spent until now, including the motorcycle itself, gear and maintenance: about $4000. For next year, in order to make good use of it, I should spend a further $1500 on gear and other stuff. The grand total of $5500 is about 2 months' salary (only recently I started to earn this money, which is an extremely good salary for my country).

If money was no issue, then I wouldn't mind spending this money and keeping the motorcycle for some occasional fun. But $5500 is about half of my savings and a sixth of the price of an apartment, which I intend to buy soon with a seemingly very good credit (I can pay it off in 2 years).

Also, as a comparison, a friend of mine who has had a very similar career path, but 2 extra years of experience, has 3.5 times more savings than I do. Makes me realize how much I have spent on the car, on hobbies (road biking, gym, ski, etc) and God knows what else.

Pros to keep it:
- it's interesting for me to ride it (very technical, challenging)
- good fun (powerful machine...)
- gives me a cozy, badass sensation when I see it, hop on it, ride it, talk about it
- I generally like to pursue hobbies until I get tired of them
- gave me the opportunity to meet like-minded people
- it's my type of hobby -- allows me to meet people similar to me, but also fits by loner personality (I'm trying to change this, though)

Cons too keep it:
- money -- it's more expensive than I originally thought and, to be honest, there are more important things in life to spend the money on (an apartment, time with friends and family...)
- I don't really have time to ride it -- not only there's very little time left after I do all the things that *need* to be done, but my main focus for the next stage in life is to work on my social life (meet more people, have more social experiences and fun), to try to get a business running and to build up my body in the gym. I am very motivated to start these and the motorcycle does not fit very well in this plan -- I'm afraid that it would slowly become a time waster and a distraction.

The cons weight heavier to me than the pros, but still...


To conclude: my kind request from you is not only to give suggestions what to do, but also to provide some insight regarding the psychology of my situation and some relevant advice regarding choice-making and how to invest one's time. Thanks!

 

[Bible_Belt]

What do you ride? Some bikes are a lot more expensive than others. I used to have an R1, but I sold it to buy an older bike that was a lot cheaper to own.

 

[blind_one]

I second what Bible_Belt says. Depending on your economy/salary/spare part market it all changes.

Just two months ago I bought a 20 year old small cruiser. I like the looks of it and I want it to be my primary commuting vehicle. Depending on the mileage I will be putting yearly I dont see myself spending more then 1/8 bikes worth yearly to maintain it, excluding the gas.

 

[daddymonsterpoodle]

If the bike isn't your main mode of transport then it is a vanity, although a cool vanity.
If it is stopping you from achieving other goals then ditch it.
If one of your goals is living a life wbere you get to do what you enjoy then keep it but acknowledge that it might delay other goals.

 

[Chev.Chelios]

Iv had a few motorbikes in the past, The cardinal rules to owning any transportation!
if your balling on a budget like iv always been...

1. Never buy retail
2. Always buy something you can sell for more.
3. Get good at finding parts for low cost, craigslist, ebay, wrecking yards etc...
4. never put more money into something that you will loose when you sell it.
unless of course youre keeping it forever.

I buy and sell for a living.

 

[Billtx49]

Alright guys, I need some advice on selling my motorcycle or not. Actually, this is more than what to do with a motorcycle, but rather what to do with my time and money.

Some background: I bought it one year ago, has kinda been a source of frustration (except when I rode it), because I couldn't find fitting and good gear and barely rode it (about 4000 km / 2500 miles).

Total money spent until now, including the motorcycle itself, gear and maintenance: about $4000. For next year, in order to make good use of it, I should spend a further $1500 on gear and other stuff. The grand total of $5500 is about 2 months' salary (only recently I started to earn this money, which is an extremely good salary for my country).

If money was no issue, then I wouldn't mind spending this money and keeping the motorcycle for some occasional fun. But $5500 is about half of my savings and a sixth of the price of an apartment, which I intend to buy soon with a seemingly very good credit (I can pay it off in 2 years).

Also, as a comparison, a friend of mine who has had a very similar career path, but 2 extra years of experience, has 3.5 times more savings than I do. Makes me realize how much I have spent on the car, on hobbies (road biking, gym, ski, etc) and God knows what else.

Pros to keep it:
- it's interesting for me to ride it (very technical, challenging)
- good fun (powerful machine...)
- gives me a cozy, badass sensation when I see it, hop on it, ride it, talk about it
- I generally like to pursue hobbies until I get tired of them
- gave me the opportunity to meet like-minded people
- it's my type of hobby -- allows me to meet people similar to me, but also fits by loner personality (I'm trying to change this, though)

Cons too keep it:
- money -- it's more expensive than I originally thought and, to be honest, there are more important things in life to spend the money on (an apartment, time with friends and family...)
- I don't really have time to ride it -- not only there's very little time left after I do all the things that *need* to be done, but my main focus for the next stage in life is to work on my social life (meet more people, have more social experiences and fun), to try to get a business running and to build up my body in the gym. I am very motivated to start these and the motorcycle does not fit very well in this plan -- I'm afraid that it would slowly become a time waster and a distraction.

The cons weight heavier to me than the pros, but still...


To conclude: my kind request from you is not only to give suggestions what to do, but also to provide some insight regarding the psychology of my situation and some relevant advice regarding choice-making and how to invest one's time. Thanks!

I did not see the risk of physical injury on your Cons list. That risk trumps all other concerns. Been there

 

[Atom Smasher]

Does the enjoyment you get out of it outweigh the satisfaction of the extra money in the bank?

I would say if you are not passionate about riding, you should sell it. You can always buy another one when you're more financially stable. If it gnaws at you to get another one, you eventually will.

I'm actually selling my Harley this spring because a bike is a liability, not an asset, and since I'm starting a new business right now, I know my desire to ride will be limited.

The way I look at it, it is always best to divest of a liability when on the fence about it, because you can always buy another one later if you really miss riding.

 

[backseatjuan]

Bikes and scooters cause accidents. I'm a good car driver, and I managed to hit a scooter, for no reason. You should ditch that thing just because it is unsafe. It is bible_belt could ride his R1 in USA with all those people around him that follow traffic laws. In your country, I can bet on it, riding bike is dangerous. Get rid of it.

Don't bother telling me that you ride it very carefully. The guy I hit drove it 20 miles per hour.

 

[Calum Tingham]

Well, I think the fact that you're asking on here for confirmation is enough for me to say sell it!

As you asked, here's my story:

Two years ago, I sold most of my guitar and other musical equipment. It was a hard decision to make, but it was one of the best because I used the money to move to Moscow. I can always buy another guitar if I want, but having the opportunity to move cities at that time of my life was too big.
Ultimately, I think, opportunity and experience trumps material possessions.

Regarding psychology:

It was incredibly hard to make that decision, as I felt that I was giving up a huge part of my life. I'd played guitar for over 10 years, been in a band, met people through music and seduced girls with it. The hardest part was that I defined myself as a guitarist. And selling it would mean losing that label which I so deeply loved. And giving up the dream of being a musician!

In the end, I sold it because I was adamant about starting a new life, growing as a person and moving forward. I realized that if I could give up my beloved guitar then I could really give up anything. And by going through that difficult process I would become a stronger person and really understand the nature of impermanence. I considered that it would give me an advantage with women too, in the sense that I could go through the pain of losing treasured items.

Now, I still keep the label of being a guitarist, because any time I see a guitar I can pick it up and play (I never lost the skill). Plus, I really did become a stronger person and by giving up my guitar, I opened doors for a new me and a much better lifestyle.

I hope that helps,

C