What would you do?

[Moore4u]

Ok, I am thinking of selling my Rock, let me know what you guys would do. My bike will be paid for in a few months, but I think I may sell it. I am leaving to go back to Iraq for about a year in Dec. and don't know how the bike will do sitting up for that long. I don't have a garage to store it in, only a carport. There are feral cats around my house and I don't think the wife would be as diligent as I at keeping them off of it. My brother has offered to keep it for me in his garage while I am gone and ride it a bit to keep it running, but I am a little nervous to let him do that because I had a brother get killed on one of my other brother's bikes two years ago. Don't know if I could cope if something happened to him while he was on it. Anyway, I am thinking of selling it, putting the money in savings until i get back and then maybe buying a k-1200 r. What would you folks do, let me know.

Thanks,
Corey

[reidmct]

FULLY winterize it. Put a breathable cover on it, and fasten the bottom edges sufficiently to keep the cats out. Upon your safe return, uncover it, clean off all the oil you sprayed on it, check the airbox for nesting rodents, change the oil, wash it, and ride your low-mileage, paid-for bike!

[Byrdguy]

I would sell it if I couldn't find a place to store it inside. What about a rental storage unit??

[m@rco]

Keep it! If you can afford it, that is. Ok, money in the bank is nice, but the return on a few thousand dollars in a savings account (or some risky fund) is not going to make you rich.

I understand your dilemma regarding your brother. But wouldn't he be a bit more causious either? Plus he will ride the bike occassionally, not daily, wouldn't he? Parking it inside is always a good idea.

Alternatively, you may winterize it, but this being a BMW, I'd take out the battery, place the bike on a centre stand and just let it sit. After your year in Iraq, install the battery, check all fluid levels and crank it. Do not rev the engine and drive it carefully for the first 10 miles. After that, bring it back to normal speeds and get YOURSELF back up to speed. After a couple of hundred miles, check if all 85 horse have come back to life again...

I am about to go on an international assignment myself. I am going to keep my bike. I still need to solve the storage problem but I do want to ride it (will be my means of transportation) when I come back for home leave. Good luck!

[MikeCam]

Sell it. Save money while you are gone in a future motorcycle fund. While away the boredom of an overseas assignment (between the bombs and bullets) by reading, researching, watching and dreaming of what the new bike will be when you return. There will be technical changes, styling changes, environmental changes, and what-not. There will be newer views on what is the 'best' bike for [each niche of motorcycle style, performance, usage] and you may well ride the new wave when the time comes. If you return and the Rockster is still the bike that spins your tires, then buy a used one - they will be plentiful.

[hank]

I wouldn't go to Iraq.

Hank.

[rbertalotto]

Sell it!...........Put the cash in a CD and like someone else said, use the time away dreaming of a new bike.

If you are in the service, THANK YOU!

[NoRRmad]

Winterize it, put it in your brother's garage, slap a disk-lock on it and take the key with you.

[iowabeakster]

To me the big question is: How much do I like this bike?

1. As Mike said above, when you come back and if the Rockster is still your bike of choice...well...a push of the starter is all that will be needed. No money needed, no shopping, no waiting, all smiles the day you get home.

Properly prepare it for the storage and keep it indoors.

The issue of your brother is simple. Talk to him. Tell him how you feel about this. Then sabotage the bike. It won't get ridden.

2. If you thinking about some other bikes now, or see yourself wanting something new later...sell.

Thanks and best wishes.

[boxermania]

Been there, done that.

Had two bikes a 02 R1150R and a 98 Suzuki Bandit 1200S, went away for an 11 month assignment in Tokyo, was fortunate enough to have a neighbor and member of our ride group that took the bikes out every other week and they survived my time away. Another 1 1/2 year potential assignment came up and I decided to sell the bikes during the riding season.....was a bit painful, but I don't regret the decision as I couldn't bear the bikes being stored during my time away.

My 2 cents.......

[moxnix]

I wouldn't go to Iraq.

Hank.

Worst advice ever.

I would sell the bike now, it will never be worth as much as it is today. Every time I am away from home for an extended period, as soon as I get back I want a new vehicle be it bike or car. Tax-free, imminent danger pay, and not having to spend money on anything will add up quickly and you could have enough to pay cash for an HP2 upon your return.

If you keep it, put it in a storage unit, carry fire, theft and vandalism insurance. You will still have a bunch of cash so you could buy a K12R and still have the Rockster as a 'different' bike, then you only need to buy the other 4 (track bike, touring bike, dual-sport, cruiser).

BE SAFE!

[kiteman]

Either option is good. A fully paid for bike/car/house, etc. is pretty sweet. The money you make on the interest from the sale won't make up for the depreciation hit you will take. On the other hand, one less thing to think about while you are gone, and a new bike upon your return from the sand box is a nice bonus to look forward to. I think that a good question to ask yourself is how long you think that you would keep the bike after you get back. If it is less than a couple of years, I would off load it now while it has more value. If you think that you would still be happy with it for a while, enjoy the no payments. Stay safe.