There are, IMHO, only 3 times to trade:

1. When there is an issue that cannot be resolved, or is too expensive to resolve. Like with a woman.

2. When you look at your bike & it no longer "does it for you". Like with a woman.

3. When something you like better comes along. Like with a woman.

 

I traded mine in after 31 years. Are we talking about husbands or Bikes?

 

Most often I've run them until the cost of maintaining was more than it was worth (to me), then sold it. A couple of times I decided to sell a bike rather than haul it along when we relocated (due to job changes).

I've never traded a bike in on another.

 

JMO but I think the only time to trade is when your current bike just doesn't do it for you anymore and then, only when you find a new one that you can't get out of you thoughts.

I guess the same can be said for your woman!

 

... Whenever the wife is in a good mood and you think you can sneak it past her! ;-)

 

Trade? When you can get a trade-in value worth more than selling it outright yourself. In other words, hardly ever.

 

Traded 95 for 09 and 09 for 12. Got close to what I could get by private sale on each and had no hassle of dealing with peckerhead tire kickers. took stuff off the 09 and put on the 12 so saved the cost of new stuff like pegs, etc.

Loved the 09 but the 12 was just freaking awesome. Had to buy it and the wife agreed.

 

I dunno;are wives EVER in good moods?

 

They are until you marry them.

 

There are Harley's running since the 1940's till now on the street !.
I hope I will be graced with health and security to keep my bike and claim one day that I had it for a life time.


Of course I would love to have ABS on the bike, LED headlight, etc.. some of those can be added, some can't, maybe one day I get a newer bike to accommodate the 'old man' in me, but I will hope to keep this bike forever.