Loyalty or sense?

[Tonibe63]

The bike owes you nothing so £1500 for a years use is what it has cost you.
The head says the depreciation on a new bike would be more than that plus you don't know how the new steed would perform in the all important area of comfort and weather protection. The old bike is a tool for a job.
The heart says "oohh new bike" ............. which could be more economical .
For me as long as it doesn't let you down why change ............... that's why I keep my 10 year old GS .

[bowber]

Yes but you can get a recent nearly new NC750 and not lose much on it, £1500 is a lot on an old bike and is the sort of money you'd lose on a new bike.
As I said, I'd be using it for the winter then looking for something newer next year.

Steve

[Andi_Archer]

Been there myself a few years ago Water pump/timing belt replacement and if sat more than a few weeks the brakes ceased up. It takes best part of an hour just to remove all the plastic which when you take it off shows all the rust on the frame.They are a great bike but given their age they are a labour of love to keep on the road



If you have the option your best picking up something else like a BMW F800 or a Suzuki V-Strom

[DavidS]

My god! I saw the photo before reading the text and thought you'd been hit by a truck.

[Andi_Archer]

That’s one of the problems with full plastics the crud goes unnoticed. I almost forgot poorly designed steel swing arm too that rot away underneath.I got a replacement from a chap in California where it had never seen rain and looked brand new.Coated in POR15 anti corrosion paint and injected with wax oil for good measure. I’m sure I have some images somewhere I will dig one up later after work.

[Andi_Archer]

Here ya go what happens over many years riding a poorly designed swing arm the later ST1300 went to aluminium. The water gets inside and corrodes out so its usually too late by the time its noticed.

[johnnyboxer]

Honda quality

[Andi_Archer]

It is a 40+ year old design that said I wonder how new bike will fair after so many years.

[tuftywhite]

Well Harvester, have you decided yet.

I'm surprised you're still having it dealer serviced. There are good independents.

It is a difficult decision to make, but, as it's a commuter, then I think it's probably worth treating yourself to something equally suitable, if you're going to continue with the commuting.

If not, think of something different.

Try a few different brands etc. Enjoy yourself.

[92kk k100lt 193214]

IMO the biggest problem with older bikes is things like threads stripping, nuts rusting etc.

'Easy' jobs suddenly turn into light engineering

I agree totally on that one....but what I have done from the day when I get an older bike is a regular dose of WD40 on all the fixings and fastenings so that over time when I have to go at them its not a mess. So far haven't had one fixing catch me out. Any I do take out...copper grease the threads. And be sure to have good tools.

But, I go back to saying about doing basics yourself. The 10 hours of hunting could be diy. The Pan is a very reliable bike and the main issues are swing arm, exhaust and the darn Honda well known electrical problem.

The longer service interval is down to what engine oil you use, fully synthetic can happily stay in for a year in most engines, but you can still wear out brake pads in 4 months, a tyre in 2 or 3 months so you are never too far from a workshop of some kind. Newer bikes do seem more reliable, up to a point, but I see some replacement parts and units costing more than I would pay for a bike. Good thing with the older bikes is lots of parts around and no depreciation.