Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx explained the sad reason why he decided to sell all of his motorcycles after losing so many friends to accidents over time.
The bassist reflected on his long history with motorcycles before opening up about the emotional decision that led him to part ways with his beloved collection.
“Back in the day in front of my first house with my Honda Shadow. I only had it for about a week before trading it in for my first Harley Softail. Over the years I owned just about every kind of bike imaginable—from choppers to hardtails to drag bikes. I loved them all,” Sixx said.
He then explained the difficult turning point that changed his relationship with riding.
“But after losing a few friends and having one too many close calls myself, I knew it was time. I sold the rest and donated a few to charity,” he continued.
Sixx closed his message on a reflective note, making clear that his love for motorcycles never faded — only his willingness to risk his life for them.
“I still love motorcycles. I just decided I’d rather keep the memories than become one. Last few band rehearsals and last minute changes to the set. So proud of how hard our entire team works — Have a good day,” he said.
The post comes as Sixx and Mötley Crüe appear to be in the final stages of preparation for an upcoming performance.
The decision carries particular weight when viewed against the backdrop of Sixx’s life — one defined by survival, reinvention, and a deep-rooted connection to rock and roll culture stretching back more than four decades.
Sixx is the founding bassist and primary songwriter of Mötley Crüe. He helped form the band in early 1981 alongside drummer Tommy Lee, vocalist Vince Neil, and guitarist Mick Mars, going on to shape the sound and image of an entire era of hard rock.
Motorcycles have long been woven into the fabric of that identity. Sixx and Tommy Lee were frequently associated with the motorcycle lifestyle throughout the 1970s and 1980s, embodying the raw, rebellious spirit that defined the band’s early years.
The choice to walk away from riding was not made lightly. Sixx’s decision was driven by the trauma of losing friends in accidents — a deeply personal reckoning that had nothing to do with a shift in lifestyle or values, but everything to do with grief and self-preservation.
In recent years, Sixx has spoken openly about broader changes in his life, including his sobriety and a spiritual journey that has reshaped his outlook. That same reflective quality is evident in how he approached the motorcycle chapter of his life — not with regret, but with the clarity of someone who has learned to value what he still has.
