Thinking about hanging it up...

[Spartan925]

So, as much as I have enjoyed riding the past 4 years or so, I’m thinking it might be time for me to call it a day in regards to riding, at least temporarily. My wife and I just found out last week that she’s expecting, and the prospect of having not one but two kids counting on me to make it home safely to them is mostly what is driving this decision. The fact that we currently own one car and a motorcycle with the reality of having a family of four on the horizon is also a factor. I’ve been wanting to get a second car but financially it would be tight to have another car payment. The car I’m thinking of would be right around the amount I should be able to get for my bike, and whatever gear I can sell would be some extra pocket/diaper money. Having two cars will make life easier for my wife and me, removing the hassle of juggling the one car when we both work on days I can’t ride. Having my own car will also make life at work easier, as I have an outbound sales aspect to my job (about 5-10% of my time, but still there) and having a full-time car for those times would be great.

I told myself when I bought this bike (the same week my daughter was born) that the only reason I’d be getting rid of it or replacing it would be if it was totaled for some reason, but things change and I feel like this is the best way to go. I know a lot of guys end up regretting selling their bikes with the idea of one day they’ll get another and never do, but I’m willing to take that risk. I feel like my need to provide a better option for transportation to my family as well as provide myself with a safer day to day option is the right thing to do. I enjoy riding, but I can’t say I enjoy it so much that I can ignore the above points. My main reason for starting to ride was to ride with my Warriors’ Watch Riders group, but the car I want to get will fit right in and will allow me to bring my kids along on rides if my wife is working/can’t go.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation and are back on two wheels? I guess having some affirmation that it’s been done will make me feel a little better.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I went the other way.
As soon as my kids were big enough to ride, they did.
Riding now with my kids as adults is a payoff bigger than I imagined.
I started riding when I was 13. I'm 55 now.
Different mindset, I know.
Do what you gotta do.

 

[gt3x24x7]

Lol, you have an entire lifetime to get another motorcycle man. Riding will always be there. Kids won't. :ride

 

[stan23]

bikes will always be here. Do what you have to do.

 

[Pking]

:thumbupCongrats Bro! Definitely legit reason to hang it up in my book! But then again...A family that ride together.....:teeth

 

[kiwi_outdoors]

+1

Lol, you have an entire lifetime to get another motorcycle man. Riding will always be there. Kids won't. :ride

Yup - so true. Enjoy your kids while they are around.

 

[Spartan925]

I went the other way.
As soon as my kids were big enough to ride, they did.
Riding now with my kids as adults is a payoff bigger than I imagined.
I started riding when I was 13. I'm 55 now.
Different mindset, I know.
Do what you gotta do.

I do look forward to the day I can ride with my kids. With my daughter not even 2 yet and my second due next July, it'll be a while until that happens. I ould hope to be back riding again before they're old enough to themselves.

Lol, you have an entire lifetime to get another motorcycle man. Riding will always be there. Kids won't. :ride

I definitely get that. I just hear a lot of stories about guys who sell their first/second bike and then life keeps getting in the way of them ever getting one again.

 

[gt3x24x7]

I do look forward to the day I can ride with my kids. With my daughter not even 2 yet and my second due next July, it'll be a while until that happens. I ould hope to be back riding again before they're old enough to themselves.



I definitely get that. I just hear a lot of stories about guys who sell their first/second bike and then life keeps getting in the way of them ever getting one again.

The effects and results of a man's actions and decisions are the main factor. Life will never get in the way, it is the decisions and law of cause & effect that plays the factor. Trust me, by the next time you decide to buy another bike, you might even have cooler looking bikes and better safety technology! :thumbup

Edit: If you do get the itch, I'd be happy to let you ride my versys sometime. I often ride my CBR more and versys sleeps mostly in garage. Right now letting another friend of mine ride her for his club while his 01 Tiger is in the shop.

 

[DTM74]

My brother gave up riding after he had his 2nd kid and a had a minor get off. He still sort of has the itch to get back into it, but probably won't anytime soon.

Enjoy your kids.

 

[EastBayDave]

My wife has forbid getting bike(s) for my 2 sons...

She uses my limping walk/broken body as an example...

Neither seems the slightest bit interested.

I wish it were otherwise...:cry

 

[Hawaiirider]

Me too. Not that I've ever had the conscious "I'm DONE" moment, but I find myself riding less and less after getting clarted in traffic from behind by an unlicensed, uninsured driver. 36 years of street riding and it was my first ambulance ride - and "The Authorities" were pretty much useless - well, aside from the excellent care I received from the EMS and ER folks - (thanks!)

 

[Spartan925]

Thanks guys, definitely feel a bit more at ease with the idea. I'll probably keep some of my gear, namely my vest since it's obviously personalized. I thought about keeping my helmet which I got for a crazy deal when I worked at Cycle Gear, but by the time I'm needing it again it may be time for a new one anyway.

Now I just have to figure out how I want to do this. Do I buy the car first while trying to sell the bike and then pay off the car with the bike money? Not sure how else to do it since once the bike is gone I'll need something to drive, and finding the car with specific wants/needs that I have may take some time.

And selling it to a dealer is not an option I'd like to entertain seeing as I'd be losing a lot on that sort of deal.

 

[ctwo]

I regret selling a few of my primary riders. The last two I kept non-op for several years until they just ended up being in the way and rotting outside, and sold basically for scrap. I should have kept those bikes as they are rare today.

But, I still got back into riding when I wanted to, and so can you.

 

[seralat]

You should do what you feel comfortable doing. A good friend of mine rode for many years. Then one day, she decided that her desire to concern ratio had tilted more to concern than desire and she sold her bike and hasn't ridden since, other than a few times as passenger on my bike. That's a totally valid and rational decision to make and not something anyone could or should criticize.

My wife and I faced this exact same question when my first son was born 13 years ago. We had one car and a bike at the time. But we ended up making a different decision than yours.

We decided that she would stay off bikes while we were raising any kids, but that I would continue riding. We also bought a hefty life insurance policy for me, acknowledging the financial aspect of the risk we're taking.

At this point, I keep 2 bikes so that I know I'll always have one available to commute and get around. I won't say it wouldn't be more convenient sometimes to have another car, and I do think sometimes about getting one, but I'm just happier riding motorcycles for the most part.

Unfortunately, neither of my boys has shown much interest in motorcycles or riding with me, so it has remained something that I do myself.

 

[redtail]

I tend to agree with gixxerjeff but everybody has to assess their own comfort level with risk. If you begin second guessing yourself, then yeah, best to not continue riding.

Enjoy your kids, truth is, you can always change your mind about riding! :thumbup

 

[NSR500]

Ever consider just track or dirt bikes?

You still get to ride and you're also minimizing some risk.

 

[mean dad]

Meh, it'll probably help your blood pressure anyway. :laughing

 

[Sharky]

When I had my kid I started riding dirt again. Still ride street, but big track less. I still ride because I would be miserable if I didn't.

Do what is best for you and the family.

I have a cheap beater car I'll make you a deal on if you want to keep the bike!

 

[MysterYvil]

bikes will always be here. Do what you have to do.

Very much this.

I took a 10 year break, didn't regret it.

When the kids moved out I was back in the saddle. :thumbup

 

[budman]

I took a ten minute break and never regretted it.



It is every person's own decision so just do what feels right to you.

I would suggest you say "I am quitting" and keep the bike a while. Having it there reinforces your decision and if you do decide WTF was I thinking?... you don't have to go through all the masturbation to get it back. Besides it is winter and you should not lose much value if you hold it until summer.

Congrats on the kiddo!!!!