02-12-2014, 06:17 AM
(02-11-2014, 11:41 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Couple of points.. I know I do not have to justify my purchases to anyone, but lest someone thinks I'm rich, which I'm not, I'd like to explain how I justify ( in my own mind) this bit of seemingly extravagance...
I generally do not buy new bikes. I buy used. I buy them right and sell them right. The ST is the only new bike (besides the CBs ) that I have bought new in a bunch of years, and I bought it as a left over saving $6000 off list price in the process.
I sold 2 of my bikes to buy the 2013 CB. A Yamaha FZ-1 that I had paid $3000 for, rode for 4 1/2 years and sold for $2850 ($150 for 4 1/2 years isnt bad eh?) and my 750 Nighthawk that I paid $3000 for, kept for 5 years and sold for $2100. (not as good as the FZ but $900 for 5 years is less than $200 a year). That gave me nearly $5000 towards my 2013 CB.
I also bought my 2013 CB 1100 right. Not as right as some of the prices I have read, but I was really pleased with the deal. I walked in with a pre-written check for the amount I was willing to pay for the CB, and they accepted it. Yes, there will be depreciation, but not as bad as one would think.
I really like the look of the new Deluxe and had I known it was coming would not have bought a 13 and therefore would not have lost a penny in depreciation (although I loved my 13 and put more mileage on it last year than all the other bikes in my garage combined).
I had a Majesty scooter sitting around I wasn't riding much. I bought it used for $3000 to ride with my wife on her Majesty scooter. She didn't ride hers at all last year due to a hip replacement and barely rode it the year before..and not much the year before that either. I asked myself, would I rather have the scooter sitting there barely being used, or use the value in it to get what I really wanted which was the Deluxe? In the end it cost me $500 to own the scooter for 3 years.
Running the numbers is too complicated to figure out what I've really got invested in this new 2014. Whole lot of wrangling and dealing on 5 different motorcycles to get where I am today. There will also be some additional savings by not having to insure and maintain so many motorcycles. There will also be more room in the garage by dropping from 4 motorcycles in the stable to 2 for me and 1 for my wife which may get sold as well if she isn't going to ride it, although it's hers and I will let her make that decision.
Regardless, there are those on this forum who have spent way more modifying their 2013 motorcycles to suit them, either cosmetically, or with motor and/or suspension upgrades, than I figure I'll have in a motorcycle I won't modify at all. Pick your poison, to each his own. If you like what you've got, I'm thrilled for you, that's what it's all about, and that's all that matters.
Don't expect that I will buy another new motorcycle in my lifetime. I turn 64 in May, and hope to be able to ride until I'm 70. Any more will be icing on the cake. Family history says I won't make it many more years after that. At this point hoping my mind and body give me that much at least. My ST and the CB should outlast me I would think. If so I am set for life on motorcycles now.
The CB 1100 whether 2013 or 2014 std or 2014 Deluxe is a special motorcycle, one which caused me to abandon my usual practice of buying used, and as my wife said " opened my wallet and let some of the moths escape". (we are actually rather frugal in our family.. the family joke is "copper wire was invented by my dad and my brother fighting over a penny") .
End of story, thanks for listening! I'll be here all week, be sure and tip your waitress.
admit it mr Ferret - you do have a little guilt trading for a new motorcycle that look like your own with with a 6th gear at $6K+ cost. don't feel guilty, please yourself before you are getting too old to enjoy anything.