I sold the bike I had prior to this one when my daughter was 4 years old...25 years ago. It was the right thing to do at the time. For 25 years I always kept in the back of my mind the plan to buy another bike. Once the kids were grown and gone and I was able to afford another bike...I bought my 900 Classic. This scoot is an '07 and had 400 miles on it. The guy who owned it figured it wasn't something he needed with kids to take care of. I admire his decision to put his family first and I figure that at $5900 for the naked Classic, we all did OK. Family comes first, in my opinion.

 

Not everyone is the same. Some only like riding in nice weather. Others, such as myself, live to ride and hate not being on the bike. I don't get to ride nearly as much as I want. I have to keep my priorities straight. Family will always come first. Luckily I have an understanding wife that realizes how much I love riding, she doesn't completely get it but flows with it, and doesn't mind me riding as much as I can. Shoot, there are times when we're all going somewhere and she takes the cage with the kids and I'll ride my bike.

I suspect that there will be a lot of people getting your same feelings as winter draws near. It seems that a lot of people have been purchasing bikes because of the gas prices and the "cool" factor. Some people think they'd love riding but then it gets old when you have to deal with mother nature and other issues. Me, I've wanted a bike my entire life. I remember getting the dirt bike mags when I was 7/8 in Germany and off and on since then. I think my wife thought this might be one of those things where it would wear off. She couldn't have been more wrong! :biggrin:

For the record, I don't feel there's anything wrong with being a fair weather rider. Shoot, I plan on riding all winter but who knows. I may change my tune after that first sub 32F ride in. The only issue I have is the ones that are and don't take any kind of training to make themselves and others safer on the roads.

 

I sold the bike I had prior to this one when my daughter was 4 years old...25 years ago. It was the right thing to do at the time. For 25 years I always kept in the back of my mind the plan to buy another bike. Once the kids were grown and gone and I was able to afford another bike...I bought my 900 Classic. This scoot is an '07 and had 400 miles on it. The guy who owned it figured it wasn't something he needed with kids to take care of. I admire his decision to put his family first and I and figure that at $5900 for the naked Classic, we all did OK. Family comes first, in my opinion.

I agree that family comes first, but unless the bike is taking food off the table then there's no reason that someone can't have a bike with young kids, IMO. I didn't buy my bike as a gas saver. I wanted the lifestyle and won't ever turn back.

 

I do believe that yes, family comes first. Not just monetary, but time spent as well. They grow up so fast, and to me that time is better spent with them then on a bike for sure. But, my wife is understanding as well in me riding...dont get me wrong there. its normally my choice to ride or not.

i think alot of my problem is just the money in it sitting more then anything. i was wanting to put up my pole barn, and did the bike instead...now i think im seeing how foolish of a decision that was.

anyone want to give top dollar for a 08 green custom with some accessories?? hahaha

 

I'm a fair weather rider as well, when the temp hits 40's, I'm done.

I felt like you the first year I had a bike. Then the following summer I had health issues, and the next year I hurt my back badly. 3 years I rode 12,000 miles, and the first summer was 8,000 of it. It made me sick to see the bike sitting there, I'm making payments, and not having any fun.

Now, I'm over it. I still hate having the bike sit in the garage, but the enjoyment I get when I am riding is all worth it.

 

I know it is getting chilly in the AM hours, but you can always get yourself a nice set of winter riding gear and feel comfortable as ever...maybe more comfortable than riding in the Spring and Fall temps (you don't sweat).

Check out Gerbing's Heated Clothing // The World's Warmest Clothing! and happy shopping.

 

I do believe that yes, family comes first. Not just monetary, but time spent as well. They grow up so fast, and to me that time is better spent with them then on a bike for sure. But, my wife is understanding as well in me riding...dont get me wrong there. its normally my choice to ride or not.

i think alot of my problem is just the money in it sitting more then anything. i was wanting to put up my pole barn, and did the bike instead...now i think im seeing how foolish of a decision that was.

anyone want to give top dollar for a 08 green custom with some accessories?? hahaha

I understand what you're saying. Timing is everything and the time was right for me when I purchased. Good luck with our decision.

 

I never minded having the bike sit over (the long!!!) winter, but I hated winterizing, so I change my "lifestyle" over to more of a biker type deal and make sure I get out enough over the winter months so that I don't have to winterize. It helped that our weather has moderated a bit over the last several years. Worked great until the lifestyle took over and I had three bikes at once. Keeping them all in running condition over a long, cold winter became a chore, so I sold a bunch and am now down to one w/ fuel injection, which should be easier.

Then the wife bought her own. I suppose I'll have to winterize or take that one out myself now, too.

 

Not everyone is the same. Some only like riding in nice weather. Others, such as myself, live to ride and hate not being on the bike. I don't get to ride nearly as much as I want. I have to keep my priorities straight. Family will always come first. Luckily I have an understanding wife that realizes how much I love riding, she doesn't completely get it but flows with it, and doesn't mind me riding as much as I can. Shoot, there are times when we're all going somewhere and she takes the cage with the kids and I'll ride my bike.

I suspect that there will be a lot of people getting your same feelings as winter draws near. It seems that a lot of people have been purchasing bikes because of the gas prices and the "cool" factor. Some people think they'd love riding but then it gets old when you have to deal with mother nature and other issues. Me, I've wanted a bike my entire life. I remember getting the dirt bike mags when I was 7/8 in Germany and off and on since then. I think my wife thought this might be one of those things where it would wear off. She couldn't have been more wrong! :biggrin:

For the record, I don't feel there's anything wrong with being a fair weather rider. Shoot, I plan on riding all winter but who knows. I may change my tune after that first sub 32F ride in. The only issue I have is the ones that are and don't take any kind of training to make themselves and others safer on the roads.

Thought about it and maybe my choice of words is a little off. I'm not insinuating that anyone that doesn't ride in bad weather doesn't live for riding and doesn't hate being on the bike. For me, I'd just rather be on the bike than in a cage no matter the weather (ice/snow being an exception). Don't want anyone getting offended. :wink:

 

i am soooooo seriously offended that you might have been offended or thought that he might have been offended at your possibly offending post. :biggrin:

 

LOL

I could never regret buying a motorcycle. I look at mine and it kind of hurts thinking about the weekends and other days that I could be out riding, but rather will be doing something else. Of course as it sits and I make my payments, I feel like I am paying for little of nothing sometimes. Then I remember that the bike isn't going anywhere. It isn't eating anything when it isn't being ridden. And it doesn't complain when I ignore it for a while. lol
And most importantly, I will enjoy it all the more the next time I do get on it.

Money is fleeting. It comes and goes. The bike will be there. The pole barn will get done in time. Anything you need the money for will get done if only on a slightly different schedule.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that right? lol

Priorities are important. If money is the only thing making you feel that way, consider how much the enjoyment of riding is worth and move in the direction you need. Personally I would keep the bike and be looking forward to spring!

Take care,
Robert

 

I agree that family comes first, but unless the bike is taking food off the table then there's no reason that someone can't have a bike with young kids, IMO. I didn't buy my bike as a gas saver. I wanted the lifestyle and won't ever turn back.

Have you ever noticed how often we use the pronouns "I, me and mine"?

When "my" daughter was 2, "I" became a single parent, and "I" fought any change in "my" life for the next 2 years...including the sale of "my" bike. When "I" finally sold that bike, it was after realizing that WE needed the money and SHE needed "my" time more than "I" needed the toy.

The situation we were in was unique. Not all fathers are single parents.

I can tell you that once the bike was sold there wasn't a day go by that I didn't miss it.

 

I will probably feel the same as you, this will be my first winter with a motorbike in Colorado. I hope I can at least stop my insurance for a few months to save a little.

 

that depends on your insurance provider. i know state farm use to have set months you would choose to have the insurance lowered to a storage rate type.....now with progressive, my rate quoted covers me all year long. so it all depends there.

i hope to get mine out some more yet...but im starting to get ready to put it in the corner of the garage soon and find something to cover it up with.

 

You just need to get set up for the cold weather. I have leather, a shield on my helmet, chaps on my crash bars, larger lowers, a windshield and an I-pod with my favorite music.

I look at my drive on cold mornings as a great breath of fresh air and a nice wakeup where I have control of my time and space. No wife, kids, dogs and distractions. I'll ride in the morning to work until the frost hits hard or the morning air is 32 degrees. If you dress for the part, it really is quite refreshing.

 

right now, if i could find something to cover my legs, i would still ride in the morning probably. i got insulated leather riding jacket, full helmet, neck covering, gloves...my problem is leg covering.

i am not hip on leather chaps riding to work in morning. not my thing at all. may sound stupid...but thats a no for me. rather have something that i could just slip on or over my jeans quickly that would break the wind running down the road. insulated would be nice..... not sure what is out there.

i have stopped riding lately though also due to harvesting time. they are doing corn and beans right now and the deer are out heavily. once that calms down i might be inclined to ride a few more times if i can stay warm.

 

Well, I'm guessing if you built the barn, you'd be sitting in it wishing there was a bike parked in it, and if there was one bike in it, you'd be noticing that you had room for 3 more, or a big powermatic cab saw, or a tig welder or a plasma cutter and some torches, or_________________.

Still, a man's gotta do...


Cold weather gear= Cortech makes great insulated pants that side-zip over your pants. They work great.

 

The chaps aren't on my legs, they are on my crashbar.

I have leathers for my legs, but I'm not too keen on them either.

 

Riding my bike IS part of my lifestyle. So I don't regret such things as bike cost because I paid cash for it, and insurance costs is only $78 a year. So operating costs and accessory costs are what I'm faced with. After this year, it will only be operating costs.
I rode all last year except for feburary. Now that I have chaps on the way (and a rain suit coming a little later), we will see what mother nature has instore. I don't ride on ice. I do have a choice of a car and truck to use.
**** the torpedoes and full speed ahead ! Lets get winter on and over with. I'm ready for summer.

 

There are 10's of thousands of us out there that took a break from riding to raise our children. Giving them the attention they need when they are small takes nearly all of your time and energy not to mention $$$. You will not regret walking away and spending time with your children. We all have things we swear we will never part with. I have owned road bikes, dirt bikes, muscle cars, sports cars, boats and airplanes that I swore were what I lived for and that I would never part with them. When I tired of them, I sold them and went to something else. I have never once regretted attending virtually every activity my kids were involved with, cheer, art, dance, softball, swimming, coaching their teams, teaching them to ride a bike, drive a car, helping with projects or homework, etc. Riding is so much more rewarding now that they are grown. You will be able to hop on the bike and head out for a real adventure. Get rid of it. There will be plenty of time to ride.

 

Yes, nothing is forever, it is about living life to the best for ourselves, spouses and children. I have a 5 year old and one in college........I was out of the bike scene for a few years. But I have one now that is paid off, and I can afford to let it sit for a week or two if I do not have time to ride it. If you have buyers remorse or feel like you cannot justify having it sitting around, but at the same time do not want to be bikeless. Sell the other one, and get a cheaper/older bike you can afford to pay cash for.

It is all about Loving what you've got, not loving what you want.

 

Some good points.....

i was set on picking up a older vmax.....all the stories and such lead me to one to try one out since i loved the power of my older sport bikes, but couldn't handle the riding position any longer on my wrists and lower back....so with something like the vmax, i was hoping for still lots o powa and a decent riding position...thing was...to get a decent one without lots of miles...i was looking at $5-6K from what i was seeing for ones i liked...or thought would be good to buy for condition and miles..... so then i started thinking....hell....can buy the new 900 for just a little more.... ya, i gave up the power for sure, but the riding comfort of the 900 is great.

needless to say, i could buy something cheaper/older no doubt......but i do have certain requirements of a bike at the same time....

but, i sold all my toys when the kids were coming/here. do i miss the toys, ya...but the kids are more important..to make sure we aren't strapped for cash and to let us live comfortably. i probably should have put off the bike longer......but when you get the itch, you gots to scratch.

thing is, i owe to much to sell it now...i know that for sure. i would take probably a 2-2500 hit trying to sell it now i bet...and that is a hard lesson learned.... just not sure.

 

You don't say what bike it is you're refering to? Whatever it is, take it into a Kawasaki dealer and trade it in for a new 2009 Voyager. Then you'll be happy!

More to the point, if you have to make payments for anything, car, bike, boat, probably house, too, it takes away fro the long term enjoyment. Whenever you buy a bike, get one within your fiscal means.

 

Im rolling on a 08 900 Custom in Candy Lime Green.....oh so beautiful color.....

the hit i would take trading in the bike would be about as bad as just selling outright...

 

LOL

I could never regret buying a motorcycle. I look at mine and it kind of hurts thinking about the weekends and other days that I could be out riding, but rather will be doing something else. Of course as it sits and I make my payments, I feel like I am paying for little of nothing sometimes. Then I remember that the bike isn't going anywhere. It isn't eating anything when it isn't being ridden. And it doesn't complain when I ignore it for a while. lol
And most importantly, I will enjoy it all the more the next time I do get on it.

Money is fleeting. It comes and goes. The bike will be there. The pole barn will get done in time. Anything you need the money for will get done if only on a slightly different schedule.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that right? lol

Priorities are important. If money is the only thing making you feel that way, consider how much the enjoyment of riding is worth and move in the direction you need. Personally I would keep the bike and be looking forward to spring!

Take care,
Robert

More importantly than that, life is fleeting! Any one of us here could easily wake up dead or dying tomorrow. As long as I can afford it, I will do everything I can to enjoy my remaining days on this planet........and owning and riding a bike makes up a big part of that for me.

My Mother always used to say "Live today! You could get hit by a bus tomorrow!"