I have been pondering how much I should ride my classic bikes, both miles per year and distance of individual rides. My favorite bike in my garage is my 1975 Suzuki GT380. I find myself on that more than any other. Although it is in very good condition, I worry about parts availability and the fact that I cannot get reliable service on old bikes in my area (for the stuff I cannot do myself).
So I ask the group. How much do you ride your classic or older bikes?
I race one of mine, and ride the other, probably a few hours a year. I don't worry about parts. I have the bikes to ride. If I feel like riding them, I do.
In reply to Zomby Woof:
That is how I feel as well, but I wish avoid a situation in which a bike is laid up for a year while I sort out parts. I am having such a situation with my Suzuki T250.
Who are you saving it for?
Woody wrote: Who are you saving it for?
Exactly!
All the time.
Ride it don't hid it! Although i have to say last year i only got on the harley for 20 mile funneral processtion and one 45 mile round trip to work my last week there. I considered selling it but will wait untill i fond something else i can'ive with out. 1st year i had it i put on 3000 mile not bad for a 1952 Flat head then around a 1000 then 500...every year gets a bit less but look forward to riding it more this year as i sold the race car so have more weekends.
If you enjoy riding your classic bike more than just looking at it, I'd suggest you ride it whenever the urge strikes.
Life is just too short to do otherwise. As time goes on most of us realize we have gotten more pleasure out of things we've done rather than things we've owned.
I have several GB500s and ride all of them as often as possible.
Chet
Just ride it, what dose it matter if the bake fails today or six year down the road due to limited riding?
Have fun with the bike that is why it has wheels 
Chet wrote: I have several GB500s and ride all of them as often as possible. Chet
Several??
I can't even find ONE around here.
Trans_Maro wrote:Chet wrote: I have several GB500s and ride all of them as often as possible. ChetSeveral?? I can't even find ONE around here.
^This.
Moparman wrote: I wish avoid a situation in which a bike is laid up for a year while I sort out parts.
So in the meantime you'll just lay it up for most of a year as a precaution? 
(Just trying for a funnier way to say what's already been said...)
Woody wrote:Trans_Maro wrote:^This.Chet wrote: I have several GB500s and ride all of them as often as possible. ChetSeveral?? I can't even find ONE around here.
Must be because Chet is hoarding them.
I only have one bike, so all the time.
EvanB wrote:Woody wrote:Must be because Chet is hoarding them.Trans_Maro wrote:^This.Chet wrote: I have several GB500s and ride all of them as often as possible. ChetSeveral?? I can't even find ONE around here.
I actually prefer the term "investing in them" - LOL
Seriously - I consider them a great bike. Please note that I'm always looking for GB500s and parts and can usually help others if they need something.
Chet
Trans_Maro wrote:Chet wrote: I have several GB500s and ride all of them as often as possible. ChetSeveral?? I can't even find ONE around here.
If you're really serious about buying a GB500, I know of one for sale less than 30 miles from you!
Chet
Not often enough.
I had a really bad ride the last time I was out, and decided to take a break for a while. I'm starting to get the itch again though, I may spring for a new set of tires and get her back out soon. Before that, I rode 4 or 5 days a week (~150 miles/week) anytime temperatures rose above freezing during the day.
Call Paul Miller in BerlinCT and tell him Mark from Willow's Kawasaki sent you,moparman
Not too much. I had more fun building it from a bike that hadn't seen the road in 30 years to one nicer then new. But I have such limited time to ride and my modern bike is so much fun. I did ride it probably 30 times but only about 300 miles. Lots of quick around the block rides. Longest one was under 5o miles, while I did lots of 300 mile days on the modern bike. Being that last summer was hot as hell and I wear gear even around the block, it wasn't so bad.
im working on getting my 81 kx 550 going and then its going to be my daliy
I've got a 68 Honda that's decomposed primarily from lack of use. Don't recommend that route.
Ride it, enjoy it, fix it when it breaks. Yea repairs may take time, so what.
Woody wrote: Who are you saving it for?
No one. I just prefer my modern bikes so much more, which is strange since I generally prefer driving older cars.
Last year I put around 12k miles combined on my Speed Triple and k1200s (the vast majority were on the BMW), while I rode my CM450 maybe 30 miles and my Husky 390 dirtbike maybe 5 (my modern Yamaha 2 stroke saw a ton of use)
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