Trophies or tools?

[Gary856]

Last Saturday, as I took pictures of my Multistrada against two beautiful red barns in the background off Hwy 1, its kickstand sank into the soft dirt and the bike flopped over. The left handguard and the hydraulic clutch reservoir got torn off, but I was able to ride it home.

I’ve managed to drop every bike I currently own, mostly (3 out of 5) while stopped for photos. To ease my inner guilt from this latest and totally preventable drop, I started this mental exercise to rationalize it. It’ll cost less than $50 and some work to replace the broken parts. There are some minor cosmetic scratches, but it’s really not worth the mental anguish. We’re conditioned to treat vehicles more like trophies than tools. A beat up truck parked on the street is an eye sore and lowers the value of the neighborhood, I get it. Some boast that they keep their vehicles so clean they could eat off them. On the other hand, people love the “looks” of Star Wars movies because a lot of the props have patina and battle scars to show hard usage. What about bikes – trophies or tools?

 

[budman]

Mostly tools. I like my bike clean, but won't go crazy for every ride. Specially this time of year. Cleaning is servicing in a way though. When you clean you can find things that need attention because of the detail involved.

I have a couple bikes that graduated from tool to trophy though.

 

[Rob]

Some are trophies and some are tools.

My "fun" bikes (like the turbo mini-supermoto) are totally trophies, whereas my commuter gets disdainful looks... tool.

For me, it depends on why I own the bike... want or need dictates trophy or tool.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Tools.....but I keep my tools in damn good shape.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

My Hypermotard is a trophy, though I do enjoy how it looks after a wet or dusty ride. The DRZ is a tool and I'm proud of every scratch on it, which maybe makes it a trophy as well...

 

[cheez]

Trophy:

Tools:

 

[Butch]

Toys! Sometimes toys for tots. We break them sometimes.
I like to enjoy them in the fashion that they were created for.

In my mind. And in the assigned stomping ground.

 

[Caddywumpus]

Buy a sidestand puck

 

[NoTraffic]

I like to have patina as everyday wear on my bikes and tools. I don't consider a dent or scrapes that were from my own doing- patina. I consider that oopsy accidents.

 

[bikeama]

A tool that puts a smile on my face.

 

[Gravisman]

I like the word toy. Sometimes I take pride in the shininess. Sometimes I exercise my right to neglect my toys. I always try not to take any object too seriously.

 

[Whammy]

It happens. Never intended but sometimes they fall down.
Or you fall down with them.

 

[Maddevill]

I always wash the bugs off the bodywork and keep the wheels relatively clean, but, believe me, you don't want to look at the underside of my bike. Yeeeeaach!
I do like a shiny paintjob but function takes priority.

Mad

 

[mean dad]

Some are trophies and some are tools.

My "fun" bikes (like the turbo mini-supermoto) are totally trophies, whereas my commuter gets disdainful looks... tool.

For me, it depends on why I own the bike... want or need dictates trophy or tool.

I'm sorry, did you say turbocharged mini super moto?!??




Pics and details, please.

 

[WWWobble]

Last Saturday, as I took pictures of my Multistrada against two beautiful red barns in the background off Hwy 1, its kickstand sank into the soft dirt and the bike flopped over.

But.... Did you get a good (pre-flop) picture?

 

[ScottRNelson]

My XR650L looks like it gets used and has the battle scars to prove it. I average dropping it once or twice a year - more now that I ride more dirt. I use it as a tool to have fun. The last time I dumped it I didn't even look to see if I had bent anything or that it had any new scratches.

However, there is also a KTM in my garage that I've owned for less than two months and is still about 50 miles short of getting its first service. It doesn't have any scratches yet, so I'm trying to keep it nice. Doesn't stop me from getting mud on it regularly though.

The third bike in my garage, another XR650L, is still pretty clean and will be going up for sale in a few months. I don't want to get that one dirty because it will affect its resale value.

One reason I sold the Ducati 888 SPO Superbike in 2010 was because I was afraid of scratching it. You can't get spare parts for a rare bike like that. It was replaced with a KTM 990 Adv which I never worried about. I did a pretty good job of not scratching that one up and only dropped it once. That one was a tool for having fun.

I've figured out that I would rather own tools than trophies.

 

[norcalkid]

Mechanically, valves checked, chain lubed and adjusted, synthetic oil clean, tires not bald, etc.

But my bike lives outside under my staircase, complex gardener blowing leafs and dust with a leaf blower. It's covered but a little rain hits it, rims never been cleaned, couldn't find chain lube north of Yellowstone. Tried Napa chain lube which flung all over the bike, etc.

I did give it a quick wipe down after a 4100 mile trip.


I maintain her like a trophy but she looks like a tool most of the time.

 

[Johndicezx9]

So worth $5....

 

[GAJ]

Last Saturday, as I took pictures of my Multistrada against two beautiful red barns in the background off Hwy 1, its kickstand sank into the soft dirt and the bike flopped over. The left handguard and the hydraulic clutch reservoir got torn off, but I was able to ride it home.

I’ve managed to drop every bike I currently own, mostly (3 out of 5) while stopped for photos. To ease my inner guilt from this latest and totally preventable drop, I started this mental exercise to rationalize it. It’ll cost less than $50 and some work to replace the broken parts. There are some minor cosmetic scratches, but it’s really not worth the mental anguish. We’re conditioned to treat vehicles more like trophies than tools. A beat up truck parked on the street is an eye sore and lowers the value of the neighborhood, I get it. Some boast that they keep their vehicles so clean they could eat off them. On the other hand, people love the “looks” of Star Wars movies because a lot of the props have patina and battle scars to show hard usage. What about bikes – trophies or tools?

I "might" wash my bikes.

Once a year. :laughing

 

[cheez]

I "might" wash my bikes.

Once a year. :laughing

Nature provides the occasional washing for most of mine. Well that and when I need an area clean for wrenching purposes.