Selling your first bike?

[dmmcd]

I bought my 2002 SV650S right after I got married, it was my first new vehicle purchase. I don't buy things on a whim, and my wife actually made me get it so I would stop talking about it. I fell in love with the SV. I have spent many hours working on it, customizing it, making it my own. I have spent many more hours and nearly 40,000 miles riding it. I have so many good memories of rides and track days and time spent with friends all that. It has been like a family member and a really good friend to me.

But... I don't put many miles on it anymore. I rode it this week and had sore wrists, shoulders, back and neck. The power was nice (over the XF200) but the ride was uncomfortable. I think it is time to move on. I haven't done a track day in over 2 years, and can't justify the $250 or more it costs. Almost all of my riding these days is to work and back. I don't know if I can bring myself to sell it, though. Every time I think of selling it, I remember all the good times and memories. Like one of those sappy musical montages on TV. I also think that some day I am going to regret it as it is a fantastic all-around bike.

I keep thinking though, I can get probably $2500 for it, plus maybe $1k for my XF200, and I can then have $3500 to spend on something that better fits my current needs. I am undecided on what that might be, but there is a DRZ400SM for sale near me for $2800 right now and I have always felt a funny warm feeling whenever I look at one of those.

Has anyone else experienced the emotional attachment to a bike? Do you regret selling it?

[FastDoc]

Of course!

But that's the way it goes.

I once had an old wise physician tell me, 'You can have everything you want, you just can't have it all at the same time.'

[SpudRider]

I understand the emotional attachment to your SV650S. However, if the bike causes "sore wrists, shoulders, back and neck," it's probably time to make a change.

Spud

[MICRider]

If a bike has become uncomfortable or unused due to a lack of interest anymore I believe it's time to sell it and move on to something that you will use. Not sure how many bikes I've had over the years but it's been quite a few, and I've bought, sold, or traded all of them with the exception of my old CT70 which I still have.

My Shadow ACE sounds a lot like your SV to me, I bought it new and kept it up, but eventually it just didn't "fit" me anymore. With the purchase of my Konker I fell in love with the dual sport bikes so I traded my mint Shadow for a KLR650 and have never looked back . I still get the odd pang of regret when I look at pics of my Shadow, but I think it's much better off getting use from someone else, whilst I now have a bike that I love and use daily .

[Savage]

Would taller dirt bike bars help your wrists? That's what I did to mine. Just a thought. Here you can see the seat/bar relationship.

[dmmcd]

I thought about going 'naked' with the SV (ditch the clipons, put on some nice bars and more forward rearsets) but in reality it still won't be the bike I really want. I love the XF200. The riding position is perfect. The power... not so much. If I can sell the SV and the XF, plus I acquired a wrecked FZS6 that I am parting out, then I can probably get enough money to buy what I really want:



Currently for sale near me, but by the time I get the money it will likely be gone. Such is life. It will be nice to have the cash hidden away so if a deal pops up on this or something like it I can jump on it.

[FastDoc]

Since my YZ has been plated I gotta tell you, riding a motocrosser on the street is a riot. You'll love the KTM Sumo. :P

Wheelies and wheelspin :P . Just don't let the cops see you, and don't fall off. 8O

[Jim]

I kept my first bike a number of years, sold it finally this year. I don't miss it. I'm really not attached to any of my "stuff", they're just hunks of plastic or metal. You're not selling the memories.

[FastDoc]

Jim is wise and 100% right here.

With that said I still miss my first Fiat Abarth, my 1972 Sedan de'Ville, My '72 Chevelles, my VFR800 Interceptor....

Believe me the list goes on!

And on..... :wink:

[FastDoc]

Easier to say what I don't miss.

My Pitster Pro 400...

That's about it. :roll:

[katoranger]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Easier to say what I don't miss.

My Pitster Pro 400...

That's about it. :roll:

I have some on that list too. I was also going to say that Jim is right.

I would like my 75 CB200T back and my 1982 Chevette Diesel.

[Savage]

dmm - If you get the above pictured bike then you'll just have CTS from the vibrations. :wink:


My wife wishes I would of kept the Honda Fatcat - Meow.

[dmmcd]

The SV sold this weekend.

I posted on CL on Monday, and I didn't get a single e-mail all week. Then on Sunday morning I got three different e-mails. I scheduled a 'showing' on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. The guy came on Sunday with his son, we chatted about the bike for a while (his son didn't really seem that interested?), and he wrote me a check without even riding it.

I'm holding the bike until the check clears, so she is still in my garage for a little while longer.

I didn't post it on CL yet, but I was e-mailing about the SV with someone else and mentioned my XF. He was very interested, so the XF might not be with me much longer either...

[FastDoc]

Bittersweet news, but our needs and wants change with time so it's all good :wink: .

Funny I have also sold 2-3 bikes in the past couple years that the buyer did not test ride. Just handed over the money and put the bike on the trailer...

[Savage]

If you're wanting to get a motard to actually be comfortable enough to ride I'd suggest a motarded DR650. So much more comfy than a DRZ.