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For the past few years I've probably averaged somewhere around 250 days of riding per year between my CB1100 and my Hawk GT (most of those days I've taken the CB1100 since owning it). But lately most of that has been commuting and my commute is relatively short. So while I do get out on a bike fairly often, I haven't exceeded the "average" mileage figure listed by the Kelly Blue Book folks by all that much.
Did I mention that my CB1100 could really use a good cleaning right now? Hardly seems fair, lol.
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With all due respects to those that 'don't get those guys' that don't put a lot of miles on their bikes, I don't think you should paint with such a broad brush. I commute to work, travel the country for business, have two children, a 90 year old mother to take care of and a host of other obligations and interests. Yeah, believe it or not, some motorcycle owners don't want to ride every day! Many of my motorcycle mates are in the same boat. I'll put my/ our motorcycle passion, knowledge, and commitment against anyone's, and while some of us can't, or don't choose, to ride every day, one should not measure or rationalize their motorcycle cred versus someone else's by the odometer.
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Capo, I am sure there are legitimate reasons for people not to rack up miles, such as yours, and we don't know those reasons just by looking at a 4 year old bike with 40 miles on it, but I would find it hard to believe you have never looked at the odometer on someone's bike and wondered why they even bought the thing. Or thought what a waste to have a beautiful motorcycle sitting outside in the wind, rain, snow year after year without being moved. Never started, never run, tires dry rotting in the sun. I'm sure every one has their reasons.
BTW I'm not a boater or a camper, but I wonder the same thing about campers and boats I drive by on a daily basis that haven't been moved in years, weeds 1/2 way up their sides in the summer. I'm sure their owners have their reasons, but all I can think of is what a waste.
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I'll take a guess at the 4 year old bike with 40 miles on it that was for sale. I knew a guy that bought a bike, rode it a couple weeks and then slipped and hurt himself at work.The new bike sat in his garage for about nine months, I inquired about buying it from him. Nah I'm not selling it, I'm getting better and will be able to ride it next spring, he said. Spring came, he tried, it was hard on his back. I offered again, nah, with a little more time I'll be able to ride, he said. The bike is still sitting there after 3 years, but in his mind he'll be able to ride it by next spring.
Which really is a good thing, it gives him motivation to continue his exercises and something to look forward to. Things like that happen all the time.
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..or bicycles, or golf clubs, or baseball gloves, or fishing rods, or televisions, or books.
Some start and lose interest in a hobby. Others' interests are a mile wide an inch deep. Still others have family or work commitments that keep them away from their hobbies.
I consider myself a fly fisherman, but I haven't been on a stream in years. I don't consider my rods and reels "a waste", but perhaps I will whenever I stop considering myself a fisherman. For now, the value in having the gear on the shelf is in the hope of my next day on the stream. Hardly a waste.
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Sea, Im in that situation with bows and archery collectibles at the moment. I have approx 110 bows dating back to the mid 1800s. Hundreds of arrows, first edition archery books, arrow heads and Native American artifacts, archery memorabilia back to the Romans. I never even look at the stuff anymore. Haven't in years. Haven't hunted since I retired. To me someone should be using it or enjoying it more than I, so I am beginning to divest myself of the stuff. My brother just sold about 150 guns that he owned. Some he bought and never shot. Maybe it is our upbringing that makes us feel like we do, maybe it's age. Don't know.
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(11-23-2015, 10:35 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Sea, Im in that situation with bows and archery collectibles at the moment. I have approx 110 bows dating back to the mid 1800s. Hundreds of arrows, first edition archery books, arrow heads and Native American artifacts, archery memorabilia back to the Romans. I never even look at the stuff anymore. Haven't in years. Haven't hunted since I retired. To me someone should be using it or enjoying it more than I, so I am beginning to divest myself of the stuff. My brother just sold about 150 guns that he owned. Some he bought and never shot. Maybe it is our upbringing that makes us feel like we do, maybe it's age. Don't know.
I could see the 'collectable' angle on just 'having things'. Some years ago I came across an unfired Lee-Enfield Mk4 rifle that still had it's barrel clogged with cosmoline. It's stamped the year after I was born. I got it just to have it. The barrel is still plugged, it will probably never get cleaned out by me.
While I couldn't do it myself, I guess I could see buying a motorcycle 'just to have it'. Got to have some money to burn to do that !
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I think I've seen a version of this thread before... but maybe it was a dream because I'm one of those who has three bikes like I need a hole in the head. My 2004 Superglide has 22,000 miles on her, mostly done before I bought either of my CB's (or my KLR) with only 350 miles so far this year. My 2009 KLR has about 2600 miles with 500 road miles put on in the last 6 months since I brought her back to Florida in May. My 2014 CB also has 2600 miles now with about 1200 put on this year, most from the rally in May. I haven't ridden her much since then as I left her in Georgia and I've not been back a lot since. As for my boat... well... I used her last year. LOL! Now you want to talk cars? 10,000 on my new Mercedes since July, not to mention a few miles on a few others. Seriously, I'm not interested in selling my bikes or my boat. I know I don't ride much now, but I will, and they'll be ready when I am. Am I a collector? No, just a grown up kid with the will, and the means, but no time. Ah... but someday... soon!
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The clock turned over 10'000 km on the 31/Mar/2015 and yesterday turned over 20'000km that's on track for 15,000km for the twelve months and my summer holidays start in two weeks so could do a little more than that.
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I guess I'm guilty of not riding enough in some people's minds. I've had my CB for about 28 months and have just under 3000 miles on the clock. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh winters, a full work schedule, coaching youth sports and rotator cuff surgery has had an effect on my lack of time in the saddle the last couple years.
The bike stays in my warm garage and still looks brand new.
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