Falling in love is never as simple as it sounds, and that goes as much for motorcycles as it does for any other great infatuation. After a few years, familiarity creeps in and you might find yourself with a wandering eye.
But do you really need that brand new, expensive, high-tech bike? We think not. Before you say goodbye to your old ride, here are all the reasons your relationship with your motorcycle doesn’t have to be over.
Money
- A new bike will depreciate about 10% the minute you ride it off the lot. On a $25,000 motorcycle, that’s a lot of money to spend without having anything to show for it.
- It goes without saying that the cost of repairs and upgrades to an older bike is much less than the cost of a new bike. And you know you want a budget for upgrades.
- Motorcycle insurance premiums are less expensive for older bikes.
Maintenance
- In addition to upgrades, all motorcycles eventually need repairs. Older ones are more basic and easier to fix when they break down.
- You won’t have to learn how to work on the sophisticated, fancy, high-tech electrical components of today’s new motorcycles, or worse, make an expensive mistake trying.
- You won’t have to learn how to work with titanium, carbon fiber, or aluminum. Unlike good old-fashioned steel, these often require specialized training.
Value
- You know you love doing the upgrades and will do them whether you have a new bike or an old one. The difference is that upgrades on your used motorcycle will actually increase its value.
- When your bike gets to be about 10 years old, it might begin to appreciate due to its status as vintage. With luck and hard work, it might even achieve “old school cool” status, setting you apart from the crowd.
Potential
- By keeping your bike, you can realize its full potential. Just like a person, it has hidden treasure you’ve yet to uncover.
- Fine-tuning its awesomeness will give you something fun and rewarding to do in the off-season.
The Avatar Effect
- By now, you have probably customized your bike to represent you. Everything is almost exactly the way you like it and feels…right.
- Because you know your bike intimately — how it handles and how it performs — you can fix things quickly and be out on the road.
Don’t be “that person” obsessed with the “one that got away.” Nobody wants to hear about how much you miss your old bike. Keep it and turn it into a motorcycle that only you can own. As an added bonus, you’ll be easier to shop for.
Make sure you protect your investment. Get comprehensive coverage with Discount ESP.
