Multiple bikes

[panrider_uk]

I'm now in the postion of having two bikes for the first time in my life (three if you include the old Pan I'm slowly fettling).

Pan European ST1100AY and Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

Both great bikes to ride, both handle well and are plenty fast enough for me.

How do those of you with more than one bike decide which to ride on any given day?
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[MarJay]

My algorithm is as follows:

1. What do I fancy riding?
2. Is it roadworthy and legal?
3. Is it practical for my journey?
4. Is it near the front of the garage? Can I be bothered to shuffle bikes around?

That's pretty much it. I had to go to the dentist today which is about 7 miles away. I'd been messing with the camchain tensioner on the FireBlade, so I didn't want to risk that bike in case it needed immediate adjustment, and the KR1S is not really ideal either, so I took my Street Triple. The GSX-S was behind the KR1S in the garage (and has no petrol in it) and the GSXR has no mirrors or indicators fitted.

Next week when I go out for a 'fun' ride, I shall take the KR1S. I probably won't use the GSX-S much because its got no fuel, it's my work commuter and I'm currently out of work, and it also needs a service. The GSXR I'm taking to Snettington Park at the end of August.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

I’ve got two 20+ year old sportsbikes. I used to deliberately alternate the commute day by day because an employed machine is more reliable than one used only occasionally in my experience. However, I started to do my own maintenance and I’m very slow so inevitably only one bike becomes available.

They’re both a similar weight, and quick. The ZX6R is physically slightly bigger than the R1 making it a bit more comfortable. It has a more protective fairing and screen, and a rack. I prefer the handling of the ZX6R, it’s a bit “softer” and it was once my preference for foul-weather riding except for the carb icing. A few years ago I did a major renovation on it and learned an awful lot in the process, so I’m quite proud of it.

I’m addicted to the “blink of an eye” overtaking ability of the R1 though. It’s had a few electrical issues over the years but it has a brilliant on-board diagnostic and test display when things go wrong. It’s fuel-injected. Currently the ZX6R has the tank off, battery out and no MOT while I dither over some maintenance so I’m riding the R1 and loving it.
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'93 Yamaha XJR400 grey import (p-ex’d), '99 Kawasaki ZX6R (nicked), another '99 ZX6R (still got it) and '03 Yamaha YZF-R1 (still got that too.)

[blurredman]

I go by whichever one works. Typically, when I am fixing one bike, i'll use another- then the cycle changes at some point down the line. Firefighting basically.
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[kawakid]

I've 4 bikes, it depends on the time of the year and the weather tbh.

I only ride my er6n from October to Easter. Sunny days with no chance of rain I take the Z750s.

Commuting and touring I use the Z650.

The YBR can't move as when it was nicked the scooter changed the vin and I'm waiting on the DVLA.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[panrider_uk]

I remember the old Pan being a pig in sidewinds down the exposed bits of the A180 with the fairing acting like a sail.

So it maybe that the Pan is for calm days and the Guzzi an all weather bike.

And now that I'm old and achey/creaky the car when the temp drops below 7C
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[Polarbear]

[stinkwheel]

I'm pretty much in the same camp as Marjay. I have four bikes that are "on the road" and I can also take on of my wifes two bikes out. My bikes are all very different from one another though so the type of journey and headspace usually dictate the choice. Filtered through what's working and legal.

So this weekend I was doing a camping run up in the highlands. I could have jumped on my VFR750 and starship enterprised my way up there with loads of gear. However, I just got my big enfield back together and I really enjoy riding that so I vanned it to the end of the motorway (it's perfectly capable of doing it but sitting for 3 hours on a motorway on a big single does neither of us any good), packed less stuff and had an absolute blast on silly minor roads once I got up there.

I'mm going to the shop in a bit and I'll take the wifes Honda Wave.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.