Too Old...For What?

Like many of you, I also ride motorcycles. I have two Hondas, one of which is 25 years old but still suits me quite well. Due to a confluence of some logistical and health challenges, now past, I hadnt ridden in a few years. Late this past summer I again undertook two-wheeled transportation.

Frank Bowlin

Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The author encountered a growing trend where specialized shops (motorcycle dealer, avionics shop) refused service for their well-maintained vehicles based on age policies (e.g., "nothing over 15 years old"), even when parts were available or the specific component was newer.
This forced the author to rely on independent repair shops that were willing and able to service older items, leading to positive experiences and highlighting their value.
The article questions whether this refusal of service is driven by a push for consumers to buy new products, a consequence of a "disposable society," or shops becoming overly selective.

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Like many of you, I also ride motorcycles. I have two Hondas, one of which is 25 years old but still suits me quite well. Due to a confluence of some logistical and health challenges, now past, I hadn’t ridden in a few years. Late this past summer I again undertook two-wheeled transportation.

My first step was to get the bikes roadworthy. I called the nearest Honda motorcycle dealer to make an appointment for general service and was denied. “We don’t work on anything over 15 years old,” they said. My considered reply was an articulate, “Huh?” Somewhat pedantically, as if he’d had to explain a dozen times a day, the service rep again essentially told me to go poundsand.