Renewed Outlook during SIP?

[NoTraffic]

About a month in of us being SIP, I've debated with myself if I should change my financial ways related to one of my favorite topics - motorcycles. With currently having 3 motorcycles, I would still consider myself being financially conservative with one of my favorite hobbies. I've never bought a motorcycle new, I always look for deals, and I try to do almost every maintenance job myself if skilled for it.

With the SIP in place, I'm now reconsidering if I should be a bit more relaxed in spending because you just never know when it's your time. Life is short. I've had first hand experiences knowing this all too well.

Now I know in full BARF regalia that everyone will entertain the notion of spending more money, but honestly, have any of you reconsidered how your motorcycle lifestyle may/will change after all of this is hopefully over? Increased saddle time? Complete those "one day I will get to that" adventures?

 

[redtail]

I'm not getting any younger, there are more bikes and miles in my future so I'm not going to waste the time I have.

Yeah, I'm eyeing a new 2020 bike I want to buy, soon... when the time is right!

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Not too much, but I'll definitely find time for road trips. I have a tuner and an intake update for my bike sitting on my desk right now, going in this weekend. I bought the thing brand new for my 40th two years ago so I've already demonstrated my lack of financial sense.

 

[mean dad]

As soon as my finances recover I'm picking up a Ural sidecar.

I'll probably get rid of one of the RZ's to do it, though.

 

[SVsick50]

At one point, during the financial crisis of 2008, I had like 8 motorcycles in my garage. I've had one for awhile, and I just bought another one the other day. It's a 1987 Honda SuperMagna and for year and years I've wanted a well-running, STOCK, 80's motorcycle. Had to be 80's, though. I got a ridiculous deal on it.

Getting older has changed my perspective on motorcycle riding altogether. There was a time when I thought I needed a bike for every type of riding. No. I also was an AGATT guy - anything less than full outfits was shameful. Not any more. I thought motorcycle riding was about being fast in the twisties. Nope. I thought that you had to hone your skills on the track. Been there, hosted track days... nah. Oh, and dirt riding is the true skill builder... okay? Maybe? There's no cars on trail, sooooo... I hated on squids - now I'm pumped when I see a good standup wheelie on the freeway, t-shirt flapping in the wind.

I regurgitated a lot of soap-boxy, preachy type things and I've spouted all over BARF all this nonsense for years. Gotten much older, and all that doesn't matter to me.

That being said, one bike is all I need. I got the 80's one, because the SV650 sucks for 2-up riding, and I wanted a cruiser for my wife and I to ride together, chilled out, on something vintage and cool and rare. But even two motorcycles is one too many.

So this existential crisis you're going through - I went through some time ago. I understand it, and I concluded one bike is all I really need.

 

[Gary856]

The poor economic outlook makes me want to be even more conservative financially. Having 5 bikes currently is a bit too many even during normal time, let alone having them all sitting in the garage and still paying for insurance during this down time. It would be better to down size further, cycle thru different bikes quicker rather than holding onto too many.

 

[banshee01]

The poor economic outlook makes me want to be even more conservative financially. Having 5 bikes currently is a bit too many even during normal time, let alone having them all sitting in the garage and still paying for insurance during this down time. It would be better to down size further, cycle thru different bikes quicker rather than holding onto too many.

I went this way too. I'm only 35 and I realized I should probably have atleast twice the amount in saving I have now. My wife and I have 7 bikes in the garage we paid cash for all of them but should have put more in savings. We have had a TON of fun though! But yeah that Hypermotard 950SP I had planned on buying in spring 2021 is gonna be put on hold

 

[Whammy]

I went this way too. I'm only 35 and I realized I should probably have atleast twice the amount in saving I have now. My wife and I have 7 bikes in the garage we paid cash for all of them but should have put more in savings. We have had a TON of fun though! But yeah that Hypermotard 950SP I had planned on buying in spring 2021 is gonna be put on hold

Noooooooo not the Hypermotard. Sell some of the stable if you have to but don't give up the dream bike.
If whammy can find a way to safely lower one so his feet can comfortably make safe contact with the ground the 939 will be my next bike.
Whammy don't know why sumos are all built for giants.
IDK I also have my eye on the DRZ too. it just looks fun.:teeth:ride

 

[aminalmutha]

As soon as my finances recover I'm picking up a Ural sidecar.

I'll probably get rid of one of the RZ's to do it, though.

Uhhhhh….

 

[NoTraffic]

At one point, during the financial crisis of 2008, I had like 8 motorcycles in my garage. I've had one for awhile, and I just bought another one the other day. It's a 1987 Honda SuperMagna and for year and years I've wanted a well-running, STOCK, 80's motorcycle. Had to be 80's, though. I got a ridiculous deal on it.

Getting older has changed my perspective on motorcycle riding altogether. There was a time when I thought I needed a bike for every type of riding. No. I also was an AGATT guy - anything less than full outfits was shameful. Not any more. I thought motorcycle riding was about being fast in the twisties. Nope. I thought that you had to hone your skills on the track. Been there, hosted track days... nah. Oh, and dirt riding is the true skill builder... okay? Maybe? There's no cars on trail, sooooo... I hated on squids - now I'm pumped when I see a good standup wheelie on the freeway, t-shirt flapping in the wind.

I regurgitated a lot of soap-boxy, preachy type things and I've spouted all over BARF all this nonsense for years. Gotten much older, and all that doesn't matter to me.

That being said, one bike is all I need. I got the 80's one, because the SV650 sucks for 2-up riding, and I wanted a cruiser for my wife and I to ride together, chilled out, on something vintage and cool and rare. But even two motorcycles is one too many.

So this existential crisis you're going through - I went through some time ago. I understand it, and I concluded one bike is all I really need.

Interesting journey, I would presume you're at the one bike conclusion because you've experienced all the rest? Would you trade your one bike in lieu of all those experiences?

 

[SVsick50]

Interesting journey, I would presume you're at the one bike conclusion because you've experienced all the rest? Would you trade your one bike in lieu of all those experiences?

Yes.

I am not sure, but all those experiences definitely has concluded to having just one bike. My take on motorcycle riding has changed so much, getting older (I’m 45 now).

I’ve realized that there is not one bike that can do it all (except ADV bikes, but even those have limitations - albeit not many!) so there’s a LOT of compromise when having one bike. But I’m okay with it, and I think for those of us who have just one bike, kinda just accept that.

After I got my new-used SV, after a month or so I wish I would’ve got a V-Strom. Same motor, but just more of a “do-it-all’er”. They just look, so... old guy’ish. Like white New Balance shoes and relaxed fit blue jeans should come with the bike.

When I was in my 20’s with a brand new 1999 GSX-R 750 trying to be fast and doing stand up wheelies, I was bewildered (and thought it was kinda lame) to see “old guys” on ADV bikes, but also how agile and skilled they were. Now I kinda know why!

 

[budman]

I have been buying a new bike every 3 years or so.. starting in about 02. Traded some in and sold a couple, but kept too many.

I am on the old side of the spectrum so I need to get this in now.. so riding more has been happening for about 5 years and this year was supposed to be a lot more with 5 rallies and several weekends. I have not bought a new regular ride in 5 years so I am planning on selling that one and buying new in '21.

I will do some longer rides.. for now probably just adding a few days to weekend trips, but I really want to do the whole western states deal.

 

[bikeama]

......................
I am on the old side of the spectrum so I need to get this in now.. ..............

You are not :afm199


My outlook is still the same, hope to ride 10 more years until I turn 80 that will be :afm199

Want to buy a new bike BMW S 1000 XR with LOW suspension. BUT there are none now and the factory is closed. Still going to try and sell the Multistrada while it still has some value. I may have to buy a "keep me riding bike" while I wait for the BMW. We should be leaving on a 3-day trip tomorrow but not this year. :mad A good friend is going to retire next year and wants to do Europe again, keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[SVsick50]

I really want to do the whole western states deal.

Since watching Long Way Round back in '05-'06, I have been dreaming about doing a cross-country tour. I've been to all kinds of foreign places, but I've never seen my own country. In fact, two years ago was my first time in Nebraska - and it was at a work conference. Yeah, sounds boring, but it's America and I haven't seen any of it except the coasts and Arizona.

I have definitely been talking more about "how long can I conceivably do this?" meaning this cross country tour dream. Having a family/mortgage/career and primary bread winner currently makes this seem like a far-fetched, impossible dream

 

[davidji]

As far as what comes next, I hope to get away for a few days on the bike when this is over.

Beyond that, dunno. I'd had a 100 mile round trip commute 4 days/week for years. Not sure if I'll be asked to return to that, and not sure I'll be willing to.

The commute was always a huge factor in bike choice since I needed minimum of around 235 miles on a tank for a bike to be convenient, and more range worked much better.

If I'm not doing that, I'll have a lot more bike choices. Assuming I'm employed and earning a similar income.

 

[davidji]

I have definitely been talking more about "how long can I conceivably do this?" meaning this cross country tour dream.

I can answer that. Ride cross country north-south. CA-OR-WA. North Cascades. Olympic Peninsula. ID & MT if you want. Or AK. Whatever you have time and the desire to see or ride.

So many amazing roads to ride in the western states. Check out Butler Maps for more ideas. Do the southern part too, or put it off for next year. Include Baja if you want.

Inexpensive motorcycle travel is easier in the west. there are so many remote areas where you can just thrown down your stuff and sleep. Somewhere east of the rockies population density increases, making the scenery less amazing for much of it, and informal camping harder to do.

What looks more inviting here?

 

[bikewanker]

Since watching Long Way Round back in '05-'06, I have been dreaming about doing a cross-country tour. I've been to all kinds of foreign places, but I've never seen my own country. In fact, two years ago was my first time in Nebraska - and it was at a work conference. Yeah, sounds boring, but it's America and I haven't seen any of it except the coasts and Arizona.

I have definitely been talking more about "how long can I conceivably do this?" meaning this cross country tour dream. Having a family/mortgage/career and primary bread winner currently makes this seem like a far-fetched, impossible dream

This makes up for your comment on how I dress!

They just look, so... old guy’ish. Like white New Balance shoes and relaxed fit blue jeans should come with the bike.

 

[dittoalex]

Bay Area has turned into LA when it comes to lawless driving, so now I'm going to get an Africa Twin to do my riding outside of the Bay Area, and because pronouncing "AT AS ES DCT" sounds like the sound its valvetrain would make.

 

[SVsick50]

I'm going to get an Africa Twin

I am in 100% agreement with this statement.

 

[Lowerside]

If anything, SIP has re-enforced my conservative spending. I spend with the assumption that I make less than I actually do and squirrel away the rest towards my 6-month buffer + investments. A family medical event caused me to drop a lot of dough right before the official SIP orders were in place, which would have ruined me if not for that large buffer. I haven't been laid off yet, knock on wood, but i'd be able to last nearly a year unemployed if I absolutely had to thanks to my savings and I could sell off my investments at a loss if it comes down to that. This has been amazing for my mental health.