When is it time to get another bike? | GTAMotorcycle.com

When is it time to get another bike?

sburns

sburns

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I know I know, no easy answer on this, and yes it's a Harley so there is that.

This year my riding has suffered from mechanical issues. Various different things, some fixed, some still in progress, like the pinging.

Today I set out to do a longer ride. I got as far as Coboconk. Up until that point it was ok, but during the ride it was a making sort of thumping sound, like a rock suck in a tread or something. I pull off in Coboconk to check nothing unusual. Start up again and try to shift into 2nd and something is wrong. Pull over and shift back into neutral, ok. Pull back out and shifting is all wrong. Pull over to a side road to test it out, it shifts but something is definitely wrong with either the shifting or transmission and that thumping is more like something knocking in the engine.

Pull over and call CAA. (home now)

I feel with everything going on with my bike I have to rip it all down and rebuild it again. I could be over dramatic about it, but it's just my gut saying there have been long standing issues since I've bought it and I've just been lucky enough to work around it. Time to see what really is going on.

Or just move on from this and get something else altogether. Before this happened I was thinking of getting something else less mechanically finicky and better build. Years ago I switch from NA cars to Japanese and it's been such a great move. Might have to do this with the bike.

Currently my bike has 88760 miles on it (yup 142,000 k).

Oh and to top it off I left my helmet in Coboconk. :rolleyes:
(luckly I contacted the store and they retrieved it for me, so I have to go back and pick it up...)

Thoughts!
 
When your bike is no longer doing what you need it to (long-term).
 
sburns said:
I know I know, no easy answer on this, and yes it's a Harley so there is that.

This year my riding has suffered from mechanical issues. Various different things, some fixed, some still in progress, like the pinging.

Today I set out to do a longer ride. I got as far as Coboconk. Up until that point it was ok, but during the ride it was a making sort of thumping sound, like a rock suck in a tread or something. I pull off in Coboconk to check nothing unusual. Start up again and try to shift into 2nd and something is wrong. Pull over and shift back into neutral, ok. Pull back out and shifting is all wrong. Pull over to a side road to test it out, it shifts but something is definitely wrong with either the shifting or transmission and that thumping is more like something knocking in the engine.

Pull over and call CAA. (home now)

I feel with everything going on with my bike I have to rip it all down and rebuild it again. I could be over dramatic about it, but it's just my gut saying there have been long standing issues since I've bought it and I've just been lucky enough to work around it. Time to see what really is going on.

Or just move on from this and get something else altogether. Before this happened I was thinking of getting something else less mechanically finicky and better build. Years ago I switch from NA cars to Japanese and it's been such a great move. Might have to do this with the bike.

Currently my bike has 88760 miles on it (yup 142,000 k).

Oh and to top it off I left my helmet in Coboconk. :rolleyes:
(luckly I contacted the store and they retrieved it for me, so I have to go back and pick it up...)

Thoughts!
Click to expand...
If the issues are persistent, then perhaps get a pro to look at it? And see how much it would cost, ballpark figure?

If its more than what you would consider reasonable, start looking for another bike
 
You seem to be having gremlins popping up all over at this point.

When you are unsure if you are going to make it through a ride without a breakdown, it's time to let it go IMO.
 
I tend to trust my gut. When it tells me it’s time to take action on something I do so. Sometimes it’s a win and sometimes it’s a lesson learned.

I’m okay with either outcome.
 
At 142,000 km I'd say get something new. You need something more reliable if you're putting on that kind of mileage.
 
I retired my old GS at just under 250,000 kms. At that point, the repairs were becoming too frequent and costly that it justified a new bike. I sold it to a mechanic that was going to cannibalize it for his other customers who needed parts.

There's a tipping point when repairs of a an older motorcycle outweigh the cost of a new (or new-to-you) bike. Your wallet will let you know.
 
I always struggle with this - do I fix it or replace? For me it usually ends up being fix, I have the space, and tools and what I don't know I can usually find on the interweb. I never rush an overhaul, I go at a pace that keeps me interested. I have other bikes to ride when one is on the stand.

Your cop HD is a cool bike, you seem attached to it -- might be worth overhauling her AND getting another bike. If you think you can handle a major overhaul and are willing to try, 142K isn't big mileage. Take your time, go thru the entire bike -- the old girl could go another 100,000 miles. If you try this, buy another bike to ride while you're doing the project. It eases the pressure to finish, fast -- something you don't need if it is your first overhaul. For the other bike, maybe try something known for low maintenance, that way the riding season doesn't equal maintenance season.

On the other hand, a project HD with a clear title should fetch good money. If the overhaul project feels more daunting than interesting, I'd sell and replace.
 
Lightcycle said:
I retired my old GS at just under 250,000 kms. At that point, the repairs were becoming too frequent and costly that it justified a new bike. I sold it to a mechanic that was going to cannibalize it for his other customers who needed parts.

There's a tipping point when repairs of a an older motorcycle outweigh the cost of a new (or new-to-you) bike. Your wallet will let you know.
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I think Harley's are a bit unique, unless they are crashed badly they are usually worth overhauling. Parts easy to find, not horribly expensive, and they are relatively simple machines as far as motorcycles go -- closer to fixing a lawn mower than a space shuttle. Not the same for most large CC Japanese and almost all Eurobikes (unless it's a model that has reached collector status) - parts get hard to find, expensive and the gee-wizz tech stuff can be unobtanium.
 
Dimitri said:
I use a 40% rule. I read about it in a book about operating budgets for factories a long time ago.

If it's going to cost me 40% the cost I bought it for to fix it maybe it's time to move on.

Applies to most things in life.
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Hmm interesting rule, will give that one more thought, but seems right.
 
Dimitri said:
I use a 40% rule. I read about it in a book about operating budgets for factories a long time ago.

If it's going to cost me 40% the cost I bought it for to fix it maybe it's time to move on.

Applies to most things in life.
Click to expand...
That's an old school rule of thumb for factory equipment -- it's pretty solid and works over averages.

The rule is wildly off for things replacing things like houses, collectibles and wives. Those are usually cheaper to overhaul.
 
Even if it's a relatively new bike. If you're thinking about giving it the boot, just do it. I've had a couple of bikes that i thought were going to be good and turned out to be turds. Just do it.
 
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Hey all, thanks for all the input. (y)

My gut, like @Evoex points out, is telling it's time to consider something else, but like @Mad Mike points out I am kinda attached to my bike. For the most part it has treated me fairly well, and does mostly all the things I wanted to get out of it. I don't think I will give up on it entirely. My idea right now is to keep it like a project bike. Buy another interim bike to get me going again, and try something and see how that goes.

I'll speak to a couple of mechanic's, but I know to repair it will cost a bunch as I would want to fix all the things I believe are not right.
 
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