How Many Bikes Are Too Many ?

Phew, I thought for a minute I was going to have to explain the obsession growing in my garage.

 

Did at one stage in my riding life have 28 bikes of all cc's and states. Only have the one now. But the urge is still there just running out of excuses these days.

 

How many bikes is too many?
What you have + the one you haven't bought yet

 

I know what you mean, the range of Royal Enfields is becoming baffling, and there are a lot of closely related Triumphs too, among many others....

Have you considered a Honda GB350 for a runaround? Japanese build quality in a small bike. Or a scooter with loads of built in storage? What am I saying!!

 

@crispey You're so right.

 

The choice is absolutely mind boggling on paper, but when I actually look at and / or test ride machines, there are only really a few out of that vast amount that I actually want to own and ride long term. I like the look of loads of machines, don't like the looks but can appreciate the artistry or utility, performance or whatever of many others. Some I would love to own but cannot afford and others I just cannot see one single redeeming feature in .

I go into the garage every single day or night before I go to bed just to look at my bikes because I feel so fortunate to own and ride them, that is what I am looking for amongst the huge amount of choice out there.

 

There is a glowing review of the BSA Bantam in this month's Motorcycle Sport and Leisure, which summarises it as outperforming its Royal Enfield and Honda competition, and at two-thirds the price being strong competition for the Triumphs too.

The same magazine has a test of the new Triumph 400XC, Honda GB350S, Royal Enfield Guerilla 450 and Suzuki DRZ400 too - so it's a bumper small motorcycle issue!

As I've said here before, I didn't gel with my glitchy Triumph 400 and decided I preferred a twin cylinder motor, so two others to keep in mind could be the Honda 500's (I have a CL500 Scrambler, my mate has a 500F) and the Kawasaki Ninja 500 - at 471cc and 451cc, they are close in capacity to these tested "small bikes".... but faster!

 

Far too many dealer/servicing/residuals/parts issues to make BSA a serious contender in any capacity, from what I can see.

 

A job.....thats scary.

 

I don't think you can have too many (bikes), I think the thing is, you should ride them all if you can. I try not to have garage queens if I can help it, but it is a nice problem to have. As for new models, my newest bike is my STRS (24 plate) never say never, but I'm not in the market for a new motorbike any time soon.

 

I don't understand having multiple bikes...... then again I have 5 guitars!!

 

Two will do for now! Although they are both sport tourers, the Sprint GT 1050 is much sportier (and lighter) than the Trophy SE 1215. Someday, perhaps a smaller displacement bike is possible, but I'm quite used to the hp of the bigger engines. I might see a dual sport 650-800 as a possibility. Does anyone have a sense of how the lighter weight and lower hp compares to the bigger, heavier ones in performance?

 

I have three bikes with Bennett's. If you're having difficulties, might it be because only one can be stored securely?

 

Mine all get used as I do around 15000 miles a year, they all require a different riding style and feel completely different in terms of characteristics. If I did far fewer miles or more often than not left one of the bikes a long time without riding it because it didn't excite me any more then I would have fewer.

 

If I was American I'd "claim the Fifth". I hit double figures a long time ago and don't intend selling any of them before I shuffle off this mortal coil. I've long maintained the dictum that there is no such thing as "owning too many motorcycles".

And if Mr Alder is reading this I hope he'll be getting in touch soon ......

 

This is a trick question isn’t it?