WaltH
05-15-2010, 03:02 PM
I took delivery of my 2009 GS on May 15, 2009. In 52 weeks I have ridden it 53,550 miles with 1027 engine hours. This is by far the most miles I have ever ridden any motorcycle in a twelve month period. I seem to be riding more, not less, as I get older. I think my previous highest mileage year was less than 49,000 miles. If I stay on this path, there will be over 100,000 miles on the Spyder when the two year warranty expires.
In another year, the original expected useful life of the Spyder will be largely exhausted. The $20,000 cost will be mostly consumed through use. A two-year old Spyder with 100,000 miles will have very little resale value. Substantial expenditures would be required for renewal and restoration to prepare the Spyder for a second 100,000 miles, should this be desired. Such expenditures most likely would be less than the original cost.
My actual depreciation (allocated original cost) approaches $200 per week, and I thought I was spending a lot on gasoline. These numbers get larger for a Touring Roadster. I would like to get a Touring Roadster (waiting for resolution of the steering issue). If I do, I may want to restrict its use to touring in order to stretch out its useful life. I would then use my “old” GS for cruising. At some point, this would require renewal and restoration, or possibly a new RS for cruising. There must be some optimal combination of these alternatives.
My 2009 GS is running beautifully. I have absolutely no complaints at this time. Aside from the total loss through fire of my 2008 GS (36,500 miles), I have been very fortunate with both of my Spyders. The few problems I have had are mostly at the level of mere annoyances. I hope this declaration does not jinx my good fortune.
I am rapidly approaching the crisis point where my odometer will reset to zero (62,137 miles) and the engine hour meter will quit working (1,071 hours). The hour meter problem will occur first. Carlo assured me that these problems would be rectified. This may be so, but right now, it is not looking so good for me, personally.
In another year, the original expected useful life of the Spyder will be largely exhausted. The $20,000 cost will be mostly consumed through use. A two-year old Spyder with 100,000 miles will have very little resale value. Substantial expenditures would be required for renewal and restoration to prepare the Spyder for a second 100,000 miles, should this be desired. Such expenditures most likely would be less than the original cost.
My actual depreciation (allocated original cost) approaches $200 per week, and I thought I was spending a lot on gasoline. These numbers get larger for a Touring Roadster. I would like to get a Touring Roadster (waiting for resolution of the steering issue). If I do, I may want to restrict its use to touring in order to stretch out its useful life. I would then use my “old” GS for cruising. At some point, this would require renewal and restoration, or possibly a new RS for cruising. There must be some optimal combination of these alternatives.
My 2009 GS is running beautifully. I have absolutely no complaints at this time. Aside from the total loss through fire of my 2008 GS (36,500 miles), I have been very fortunate with both of my Spyders. The few problems I have had are mostly at the level of mere annoyances. I hope this declaration does not jinx my good fortune.
I am rapidly approaching the crisis point where my odometer will reset to zero (62,137 miles) and the engine hour meter will quit working (1,071 hours). The hour meter problem will occur first. Carlo assured me that these problems would be rectified. This may be so, but right now, it is not looking so good for me, personally.