How many motorcycles is enough? One mans collection

[GS1150Pilot]

Old thread, but the right one for the moment.

I've got three currently (much modified Sportster 1200, stock BMW R1100R, and old CB900f in pieces for restoration), but am finally to the point of getting another-and it will be a dual-sport. After much digging, I think I'm going to take Trevor's advice and get a DR650. My brother is really happy with his KLR, but having gone down a DR650 rabbithole, I think that will be a great next obsession.

[unfocused]

I too am looking for a DR650. However the question about how many is enough... I had x7 at one time and rode them all...

[gtem]

Have been pondering this for a while now as my motorcycle bay of our three car garage had been on a steady upward trajectory for some time... I'm trying to thin the herd a bit.

Peter Egan had a column some years back where it was concluded that *5* bikes was the ideal:
1) Sport bike
2) Sports Tourer
3) dirt/gravel road-capable bike
4)Big Tourer (Harley V twin for Egan)
5) Old/vintage/nostalgic bike

I've always had at least 2, oftentimes 3 bikes in the "old" category which dabble a bit in the sports/sport touring/gravel realm as a function of how they were being used at the time. IE I end up riding my UJMs on gravel roads pretty regularly.

My GOAL is to get myself down to 3 bikes from my current 5, sooner or later. I'm a bit *too* well equipped with big 4cyl bikes at the moment so at least one of them will be sold. I keep almost getting back into dual sports but for whatever reason it's just not been sticking (bought and sold a DR650 last year, currently about to do the same with a KLR650). My XS500 sometimes feels like a bit of an albatross around my neck. It's my first motorcycle and I rode it across the continental US and back, I have a lot of memories wrapped up in it, but I never really ride it. Have sometimes been tempted to sell it but with 57k miles on the clock it's hardly worth anything and I know some kid would ruin it with cafe crap. Have recently started commuting on it again trying to rekindle that "relationship."

Funny to re-read my own post from a year ago. I'm happy(?) to report that I have indeed downsized the fleet. I currently find that with life's obligations, two bikes is plenty. As someone who typically owns older/used stuff, I find that with two bikes I can minimize the risk of missing out on a ride because I've got the bike torn apart for repairs/maintenance. Technically my current count is 3, I hauled my 76 XS500C out to my brother's place in PA to keep it there for when I visit and we do a nice ride on Central/Northern PA back roads once a year. When it was at my place, ironically enough I rode fewer annual miles than with it over there.

I do regret selling my '07 DR650, they're great bikes to bomb around on. The stock seat is a miserable unit to ride more than 10-15 minutes IMO, had I ponied up for a Seat Concepts or whatever other aftermarket option I suspect I may have kept the bike. A ton of fun to zip down bumpy twisty back roads that you would normally slow WAY down on on a street bike. I loved the combination of light weight+ torquey and stone-age simple air cooled carbureted big single. But I also know that I'd simply be spread too thin in terms of riding time to justify the hassle of yet another bike to register/maintain etc.

My biggest surprise is how much I'm enjoying piloting my newly acquired Kawasaki Voyager XII, I've been riding it more than the XS1100.

[trevor]

I have all I need and can handle at the moment....lol

One dual sport (DR650)
Four classics (2 gs750s, gs1100e and the Cooley)
Two Sport Touring bikes (bmw k1300r and my gsxs1000gt)
I have absolutely no desire to own a "cruiser"

And one old beat up truck

Well I have not downsized yet...in fact I just added another bike...lol...I replaced the Suzuki GT with a Honda VFR1200F and last week I bout a 1997 Triumph Daytona t595

[Rob S.]

To answer the question:

One more than you can afford/have room for.

[gs scott]

I have NO IDEA how many is just right. I probably have a few too many - LOL! AND, I'm looking for an E!
(And I'd like to get an inline 4 550; either a GS550ES or a Honda 550 Four SOHC.) You know, something lighter - that makes sense - doesn't it?
I should have my head examined...

That Barber museum is pretty incredible - thanks for that link. Me thinks that a visit there should be on the bucket list.
I've been to the Ace cafe in Orlando, pretty cool place but NOTHING in comparison to the Barber museum.

Here goes...
2018 Goldwing Tour
2007 FJR
1983 GS1100ES (and another spare ES)
1982 GS 1000SZ (and another spare Kat)
1971 Honda CL450 K4
1970 SL350 K0 (and 2 parts bikes)
1971 SL175 (and 1 parts bike)
1972 CL175

And technically, there is a 93 GSX1100G in my garage titled in my name, but it is supposed to be my brothers - but he decided he didn't want it... (long story...)
Anyone looking for one of these? This one is a 2-owner bike with EVERY maintenance record back to '97 and is clean as a whistle (with some hard-to-find factory accessories and some spares.) It'll be on Craigslist soon.

Except for tires and batteries, they are all in running condition or can be within an hour.

[limeex2]

I'm trying for at least 1 bike of each cylinder configuration. After 2 recent purchases, I'm liking totally stock bikes. Every bike I have owned, I've modified. I've noticed my newer bikes have no personality. The work, work well but don't....You know what I mean?. Kinda changing direction on 1 build. Currentyly looking for a single cylinder bike and a 2-stroke street bike. Preferably a Suzuki T-500. Here's the list.

1984 BMW R100S 2 cylinder.
2001 Triumph Speed Triple 3 cylinder
1978 Suzuki GS1000 Bone stock 4 cylinder (Needs carb and brake work)
1980? Suzuki GS1100ES 4 cylinder. ?= Has Canadian gauges,leading front axels, 4V motor, factory welded full ES frame mounted fairing and stay. This is a project bike
1982 Suzuki GS1100E 4 cylinder franken/ex-rat-race/my garage find/GSResouces influenced street bike.
1982 Kawasaki GPZ750. Bone stock. 4 cylinder.
2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000 Bone stock....oops a couple mods. 4 Cylinder.
2001 Honda GL1800 Bone stock, couple doo-dads. 6 Cylinder

All running except for ironically the Suzuki's. Ex-race bike should be going by fall.

[limeex2]

I have NO IDEA how many is just right. I probably have a few too many - LOL! AND, I'm looking for an E!
(And I'd like to get an inline 4 550; either a GS550ES or a Honda 550 Four SOHC.) You know, something lighter - that makes sense - doesn't it?
I should have my head examined...

That Barber museum is pretty incredible - thanks for that link. Me thinks that a visit there should be on the bucket list.
I've been to the Ace cafe in Orlando, pretty cool place but NOTHING in comparison to the Barber museum.

Here goes...
2018 Goldwing Tour
2007 FJR
1983 GS1100ES (and another spare ES)
1982 GS 1000SZ (and another spare Kat)
1971 Honda CL450 K4
1970 SL350 K0 (and 2 parts bikes)
1971 SL175 (and 1 parts bike)
1972 CL175

And technically, there is a 93 GSX1100G in my garage titled in my name, but it is supposed to be my brothers - but he decided he didn't want it... (long story...)
Anyone looking for one of these? This one is a 2-owner bike with EVERY maintenance record back to '97 and is clean as a whistle (with some hard-to-find factory accessories and some spares.) It'll be on Craigslist soon.

Except for tires and batteries, they are all in running condition or can be within an hour.

1100G are really nice bike's. With small clear fairing to cut the wind, these are great touring bikes.

[rphillips]

The title of this thread is a trick question. When I was 60 I had 7 bikes and that was a perfect number. Today, at 70, I have the same 7 bikes but it's no doubt "too many". Problem is I still don't want to let any of them go.

[trevor]

I have 8 and all are in top working condition...except my 83 750e...went to start it the other day and I discovered a leak at one ot the "T's" between carb 1 and 2...so I ordered an O-ring kit....that's the problem with owning so many bikes and having ocd that forces me to make sure they are all in excellent riding condition at all times....it's exhausting.
I have listed my Triumph for sale...

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Trevor, what was it about the Triumph that has you passing it along?

[trevor]

Trevor, what was it about the Triumph that has you passing it along?

It's just not comfortable enough for me to ride any distance....I love the bike....but it's a little ridicules in my garage at the moment. I want to thin a bit...and the Triumph make sense to be the first to go....as a matter of fact I have someone looking at it today. If I had more room...maybe I would keep it. Also headed to California in less than 3 weeks and selling this bike would pay for a lot of the two week trip

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Fair enough. Was just curious, knowing you don't have it all that long. Well at least the prospective buyer can be sure all the maintenance is up to date. Also detailed very well, I'm sure.

[trevor]

Fair enough. Was just curious, knowing you don't have it all that long. Well at least the prospective buyer can be sure all the maintenance is up to date. Also detailed very well, I'm sure.

New brake pads all around and a fluid flush. Oil and filter. New signals and front brake master cylinder.
And yes very detailed....Lol...plus I got it qualified for collector plates here which a big deal...means your bike is good enough to qualify and much cheaper insurance....to be honest I have not have a lot of interest.
Here's my ad

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/mcy/d/saanich-central-1997-triumph-daytona/7729600531.html

[wyly]

Down to two, sold my restored Maico AW440cr to a museum, that hurt but I was never going to ride off road again so it had to go.

I'll never sell my '79 Honda CBX or my heavily modified 84 GS11500efe.

I was briefly looked at buying an Indian FTR last month, KTM 900 and Yamaha MT9 as well.

Now I'm giving serious consideration to a Honda scooter or importing a vintage restored Vespa from Asia.

Still pondering on that FTR