too attached?

[Leapin Lisa]

Do you ladies ever get sentimentally attached to your bikes?

I purchased a 200 EC Gas Gas in June of this year and I really enjoy riding it. I kept my 200 E/xc KTM for a spare because it is a great bike and really helped me become the rider that I feel I am today. I haven't been riding my KTM at all since June.

On Sunday I decided I should take it out and ride it because I didn't want the gas to get stale and because I thought I should really ride it once in a while. After getting used to it again, which took me about a half hour--sure makes me jealous of those riders who can jump on any bike and have no problem riding it--I was enjoying it. Then a fellow riding buddy of my husband and mine made an offer on the KTM bike. I said I didn't know if I wanted to sell it.

I went home and really had to think hard about selling the bike. It's nice to have a spare, but if I don't ride the bike, why not sell it, right? But it was my first two-stroke bike and I've always thought it was a "pretty" bike (love the 99 graphics) as well as a great bike that forced me into and over terrain that I'd never attempted on my XR 200 R.

To make a long story short, I ended up selling my KTM on Monday. I am still telling myself that I did the right thing. I do love riding my GasGas and I have no reason to own two bikes.

Funny thing is, my husband has owned numerous bikes and he doesn't seem to have the sentimental feelings like I do. Is this a "girl thing"?

 

[LoriKTM]

I don't know that it's a "girl" thing. There's quite a few posts in the General Forum about "the one that got away". I think you'll find that since the bikes provide us with fond memories, that to sell the bike is to close a chapter on our lives.

I got rid of my XR200 two years ago. It needed tranny work and I'd kept it around thinking that I'd have it fixed and keep it as a spare.
We rolled the chassis down to a neighbor's, then followed it up by rolling a wheelbarrow down with the engine in it! :scream: Even though it was in pieces-parts, it was still sad to see that part of my dirt bike history go. That little XR was, after all, my first dirt bike, and I can remember how excited I was the day I bought it.
Sadly, the time is coming soon when I should be selling the KDX, now a "spare" bike. It is nice having a spare around, but it's another maintenance item. That, and Dave has been making a lot of "trials bike, trials bike" noises since he rode Patman's at DW.

Out with the old, in with the new, as is the cycle of life.

 

[Girlrider]

Lisa,

You just need a back up bike in case your husband wrecks your GG on the ice.:) Kerrie had a hard time selling her 92 KTM since she had put so many miles on it. I personally love getting new ones and without the money from the old one there is no way I can get a new one so I am more than OK with getting rid of it. Just be thankful you can afford to ride them. I see people riding total JUNKER bikes and I think they are nuts but since it is all they can afford they love it. Someday the GG will be gone and replaced with a newer one.

 

[gospeedracer]

Guilty of sentiment right here!

Even though I got a new 00 KTM I didn't want to get rid of my 88 RM125. Not only did I not want to get rid of it I'm spending plenty of money restoring it! By the time I'm done I'm sure I'll have put more $ into it than what I paid for it. I know it won't increase the value of the bike any and most people would probably think I'm crazy but I just wanted to. It's the bike that got me back into riding and I'll never forget the day I brought it home. I couldn't just cast it aside. I also wanted to have a spare for others but I think the decision to keep it is mostly sentimental. I don't think I'll ever get rid of it. Hey maybe someday it will become a 'classic'. :confused:

 

[Yamaholley]

I know how you feel. I sold my 00 YZ 125 last week. I haven't ridden it since I got the KTM, but I still didn't want to get rid of it. I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't just lost my job...then our friend's son wanted it. So I felt I couldn't really be that selfish and keep two bikes, especially with no job!
Plus, that kid is SO fast on it, and he's enjoying it so much, I guess if I had to sell it...he's the one I would have wanted to have it anyway :)
I also get attached to my vehicles as well.
I actually cried when I sold my 1970 Bronco. ;)

 

[Michelle]

Cars for me are disposable items - bought cheap & then towed away - a
nothing thing.
Bikes, my first dirt bike got stolen, my 2nd bike we sold about 4
months after I got the KDX - I didn't want to sell it, but it wasn't
being used and the value was only going to drop. But I too loved that
little 80, and when I saw it again, I had to sit on it - boy was I
glad I'd sold it ;)
The KDX to me is an interim bike, I'm happy riding it, but I think
it's butt ugly and won't be upset when I have to sell it, especially
when I look at the new bike (haven't decided what, and know it won't
be for a couple of years).
My husband Henk - still has his original dirt bike in the garage,
plus the one he bought for spares - we're about to buy him a new bike
(once we know his job is safe for now - next Wednesday), and is
keeping his KTM as a spare bike. He still has his not-going ride bike
in the garage too - he can't sell anything. He even got upset when we
had my first car towed away to be dumped - doh, I just was glad of
the space.
So no, it's not a woman thing, it's a sentimental person thing.
Sorry, I just get more upset about saying goodbye to one of my
animals for good, rather than something I no longer want/use.
Michelle

 

[Leapin Lisa]

I'll just have to get used to the out with the old, in with the new and just be very fond of the memories. That's how Dave looks at it. I'm toying with the idea of new plastic for my GG but I'm wondering how smart that is. As much as I crash, it won't look nice for long anyway.

Girlrider: Funny you should say that about the ice bike, because Dave mentioned to me that we always have the XR500 for a backup when the GG breaks down. Of course just between you and me, we know it will be the big ox Honda that will be the one to break down! In fact, it's in the shop right now waiting for a rear tire to be laced up! :p

LoriKTM: Thanks for letting me know about "the one that got away" thread.

Lisa

 

[yzguy15]

Sheesh, what a bunch of women.... Oh wait nevermind. :scream:

No, I kinda know what you mean. I felt kinda wierd whenever we sold my '83 YZinger (predated the PW 50). I got that when I was about 3 years old and we ended up having if for about 12 years (of course, my brother and sister also leaned on it). That was a great bike though. At least I know that some other little kid is having fun on it somewhere....