Author Topic: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle  (Read 8624 times)

Hedge_87

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help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« on: July 27, 2016, 07:25:00 PM »
So...
I own a 2009 Harley (paid cash and we have no debt but a mortgage and a little student loans that will be forgiven next year.) When I first got I rode a lot. I would go on lots of little weekend type trips with nothing but a tent and a couple changes of cloths. Fast forward a few years I meet my wife. Good motorcycle riding still continues we go on several trips and have a lot of fun. Slowly we started getting busy and the motorcycle trips slowed way down.  Fast forward to present day we have a beautiful five month old boy.... I LOVE being a dad and would not change it for the world. However, He doesn't leave much time for anything else right now let alone a motorcycle trip. I have not even started the thing yet this year. I should just sell the thing and throw the cash into vanguard right?

Here is my hang up. My dad just got a motorcycle and has really been getting into riding. We do a lot of things together and are very close and I feel a little responsible for him wanting a bike in the first place. He has several friends who ride so I don't think he bought it JUST to ride with me. I just think selling it will hurt his feelings. I think talking it over with him will make it better I just don't know how to start the conversation. I am also worried that he might see it as a sign that we are struggling financially or something along those lines which is not the case just trying to streamline things to build even more stash.

Sibley

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2016, 07:32:35 PM »
Well, you can always tell him that you're concerned that you'll get creamed and since you have a new baby, you'd like to be alive to watch him grow up... (can you tell I'm not a fan of motorcycles?)

jalich

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2016, 08:09:22 PM »
So...
I own a 2009 Harley (paid cash and we have no debt but a mortgage and a little student loans that will be forgiven next year.) When I first got I rode a lot. I would go on lots of little weekend type trips with nothing but a tent and a couple changes of cloths. Fast forward a few years I meet my wife. Good motorcycle riding still continues we go on several trips and have a lot of fun. Slowly we started getting busy and the motorcycle trips slowed way down.  Fast forward to present day we have a beautiful five month old boy.... I LOVE being a dad and would not change it for the world. However, He doesn't leave much time for anything else right now let alone a motorcycle trip. I have not even started the thing yet this year. I should just sell the thing and throw the cash into vanguard right?

Here is my hang up. My dad just got a motorcycle and has really been getting into riding. We do a lot of things together and are very close and I feel a little responsible for him wanting a bike in the first place. He has several friends who ride so I don't think he bought it JUST to ride with me. I just think selling it will hurt his feelings. I think talking it over with him will make it better I just don't know how to start the conversation. I am also worried that he might see it as a sign that we are struggling financially or something along those lines which is not the case just trying to streamline things to build even more stash.

I was in a similar boat about 2 years ago, and didn't sell my bike until this year. I think it took me a while to admit to myself that I wasn't really into motorcycles as much as I used to be. For a while that's what I identified as (I used to race motorcycles (poorly)). I didn't really get the same thrill out of riding that I once did. It was a thing whose time had come and then gone...

As far as the conversation, why not just offhandedly say "I really haven't rode much lately, I was thinking about selling the bike just to clear up some space" - That's how I started the conversation here, it's very non-committal.


gooki

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2016, 02:37:37 AM »
If you do sell, you can always buy another, or rent one in the future.

brotatochip

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2016, 04:07:04 AM »
I say keep the bike...but being a rider I am bias.  Motorcycles really hold their value, especially HD.  Even if you only take it out a couple time a year,  it's worth it.  Insurance is also cheap, they're great on gas and bike rides in the fall are incredible. 

Rollin

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2016, 06:12:33 AM »
My dad and I bond with our bikes and I have loved that time with him. The DW understands that we have our time together, and it used to be every Sunday morning - every one - where we would go for a few hour ride together (even though he's ridden HDs for 60+ years he said he'll still ride with me even though I have a BMW). He's getting older and we don't do that anymore (we still do stuff together like boating).

I don't think selling a bike should be a quick decision, especially if the situation you described is involved. I'd give it some time to settle out. I'd also consider adjusting my schedule so that I could ride with dad once a week. Make it a regular thing. Everyone involved will benefit.

Drifterrider

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2016, 07:07:14 AM »
I have three of the same model so I can offer no help :)

Uturn

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2016, 07:39:02 AM »
I used to ride a ton, 10-15k miles a year.  But then I just started riding less and less.  The last year that I owned a bike, it only got less than 1000 miles.  I sold it, no regrets.  Now it's 5 years later and I just picked up another bike and am loving it.  Took a lady to dinner on it just last night.  If you're not using or enjoying it, store it on craigslist until you are ready to get back on. 

Typhoid Mary

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2016, 07:44:58 AM »
We just sold ours three days ago.  My parents ride, and just moved here recently.  I know they are a little disappointed, but we also have 2 young children.  My husband could make time to ride, but with biker deaths at an all time high around here, I was thrilled when he mentioned selling it. DH was a very safe rider but with car drivers doing pretty much anything behind the wheel except driving (texting, smoking, Pokemon go, eating, sometimes all 4 at the same time), he had one too many "close calls" for comfort.  We got a nice chunk of cash for it and he said yesterday that he doesn't miss it as much as he thought he would.

Edited for grammar.
« Last Edit: July 28, 2016, 07:46:52 AM by Typhoid Mary »

bobechs

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2016, 07:52:32 AM »
Sidecar. 

Not for you, for him.

Syonyk

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2016, 08:29:53 AM »
Sidecar. 

Not for you, for him.

Beat me to it!  And by "him" I assume you mean "kid"? :)

My wife & I are looking into sidecars so we can ride with our daughter earlier than we otherwise would.  Sadly, they're mostly attached to Harleys and I cannot stand Harleys (Buell rider here).

That said, if you're not riding, sell it, and you can always buy another one down the road when you want to ride again.  Or, sell the Harley, and buy an old Japanese standard or something - still a motorcycle, but a whole lot less invested in it than in a Harley.

2buttons

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #11 on: July 28, 2016, 08:30:58 AM »
I am  on the opposite side. I used to have one, but it was a rocket. I sold it because I broke a few laws, and speed records, saw some of my friends feel the effects of road rash for months on end.

I wanted to get one this year, but with two kids, I decided it was best to find something else for enjoyment due to the risks.

My suggestion would be to talk to pops. Be honest and truthful, and see if you can find something else to do together that would cost less and less risky.  I am sure he will understand, he is a Dad himself. 

If you keep the bike, get some serious life insurance.  Gotta protect your house/family. 

rothwem

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2016, 08:46:21 AM »
Good luck with the transition.  I've actually quit motorcycles twice now, I'm not sure how long the latest quit is going to last.  I sold my Honda sport bike (CBR600RR) after putting 42,000 miles (that's like 300,000 miles for a sportbike) on it and I thought I was done, I then picked up a Yamaha R6 that I had for another year and a half and sold spring of 2015.  Every time its a nice day out, I crave it again and start searching craigslist for another 600rr.  I've resisted so far. 

Riding and enjoying motorcycles is such a base instinct, the speed, the rush of air, the feeling of your knee touching the pavement in a turn, it's really tough to give up.  I've also found motorcyclists (sportbikers at least) to be a really great and welcoming group of people that have awful financial skills. 

To address the people that are worried about accidents, there's a lot you can do to prevent them.  I rode for 5 years and 100,000 miles with no accidents, there's a lot that can be done from a defensive driving standpoint to avoid them.  The route you take, the speed you go, your position in the lane, situational awareness, and also your attentiveness to other drivers all make a big impact in your risk of an accident.  You can't ride a motorcycle like you can drive a car, you'll be splattered all over the road.

Uturn

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #13 on: July 28, 2016, 09:34:00 AM »
Please don't let this thread devolve into the a debate about riding.  Anyone who has ridden for more than about 10 minutes is fully aware of and accepts the risks.  I have never seen one side of this debate change the mind of the other side. 

Chris22

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2016, 09:43:46 AM »
The only thing I would offer is that you shouldn't make a decision based on the first few months of your kid's life.  At that age they are EXTREMELY time consuming and you're often too tired, stressed, etc, for much else.  But around the 18 month mark, my daughter quickly went from a drain on my energy to someone that feeds and creates it, and slowly you'll have more opportunity to get back to things you used to do with a better balance with things you can do with your kid.  IMO, make this decision when you've got some more time under your belt and life is a little more stable.

Miss Piggy

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #15 on: July 28, 2016, 09:46:41 AM »
I've also found motorcyclists (sportbikers at least) to be a really great and welcoming group of people that have awful financial skills. 

Isn't that the truth!!!???

OP, if you had financed the bike and still owed on it, I'd be on the "sell it" bandwagon. But since it's paid for, I guess I feel differently. I don't put many miles on my scooter or my motorcycle these days, but I don't even try to talk myself into selling them. That said, I'm also not a new parent (or a parent at all, for that matter), and I think that's a valid concern. Sure would be nice to get a few rides in with your dad while you still can.

What would it take to make it worthwhile for you to keep the bike? Or is it simply a "new dad...need to stay safe" thing?


2buttons

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #16 on: July 28, 2016, 09:48:51 AM »
Agree about not making this pro vs against. All of us that have ridden fully understand the risks and to the previous poster, there are also some areas of the country that are much more conducive to safety given traffic volume etc. Lots of variables that calculate risk.

That said, they are a huge blast, which is why anyone who has given them up, regularly thinks about starting up again.  Highly recommend learning to properly ride at least once in your life, as there are few vehicles in life that can match the exhilaration of riding.....better stop now before I start looking at bikes online.

Syonyk

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #17 on: July 28, 2016, 09:52:04 AM »
The only thing I would offer is that you shouldn't make a decision based on the first few months of your kid's life.  At that age they are EXTREMELY time consuming and you're often too tired, stressed, etc, for much else.  But around the 18 month mark, my daughter quickly went from a drain on my energy to someone that feeds and creates it, and slowly you'll have more opportunity to get back to things you used to do with a better balance with things you can do with your kid.  IMO, make this decision when you've got some more time under your belt and life is a little more stable.

++ to that...

The first 6 months were hell.  We had no idea how the human race even survived, because clearly the only reason anyone would EVER have more kids is by accident.

She's 16 months now, and a ton of fun. :)  We need to get her a balance bike here soon, and in a year or so, I'll be repairing the little electric motorcycle we have for her (needs a motor and a battery - motors are cheap, and I build batteries as a hobby).

Bertram

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #18 on: July 28, 2016, 09:55:29 AM »
It's a 2009 harley, that bike is 7 years old. It's not going to make much of a difference if you sell it next year or the year after. Why the hurry?

And whether 5K-10K is invested or not, at the current return rates is going to be`... what 200USD before taxes?

It's going to more expensive if you decide you really did like your HD after all and go out to get another one.

acroy

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #19 on: July 28, 2016, 10:09:54 AM »
At this point I'd suggest hold onto it for another year or 2, see how things go with the new responsibilities and with your Dad. The cost to keep is low, and the regret of selling may be high.
That said, I sold my own cycle as I decided the risk to myself was too high; especially considering roads/traffic conditions in the area where I rode. It would be a big issue if I got seriously injured or killed, as I provide for a big family. You will have to weigh this risk as well.
best of luck to you!

Prairie Stash

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #20 on: July 28, 2016, 10:23:20 AM »
Sell it at the high range of what its worth. Since you don't need to sell it you don't need to take a lowball offer. The best time to sell is when you don't need to, the worst is a forced sale.

If it doesn't sell then you keep it.

fat-johnny

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #21 on: July 28, 2016, 10:44:38 AM »
Sell it at the high range of what its worth. Since you don't need to sell it you don't need to take a lowball offer. The best time to sell is when you don't need to, the worst is a forced sale.

If it doesn't sell then you keep it.
I was coming in here to offer the same advice.  Figure out what it is worth, and list it a few places online for $2k above that.  If someone wants it for that inflated price, great...and you smile all the way to the bank knowing that you "made out" financially.

If it doesn't sell, you keep it.  Besides insurance and gas, it isn't costing you anything.

2Birds1Stone

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #22 on: July 28, 2016, 10:51:32 AM »
As someone who bonds with their dad on motorcycle rides, I say keep it.

I pay $40/yr to register and $100/yr in insurance.....so even if I put on 3-5k miles a year it is totally worth it!

Plus at 50 mpg every time I use it to commute to work it saves me a few bucks on gas.

Chris22

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #23 on: July 28, 2016, 10:52:23 AM »
Sell it at the high range of what its worth. Since you don't need to sell it you don't need to take a lowball offer. The best time to sell is when you don't need to, the worst is a forced sale.

If it doesn't sell then you keep it.
I was coming in here to offer the same advice.  Figure out what it is worth, and list it a few places online for $2k above that.  If someone wants it for that inflated price, great...and you smile all the way to the bank knowing that you "made out" financially.

If it doesn't sell, you keep it.  Besides insurance and gas, it isn't costing you anything.

Sorry, I think this is bad advice.  If you're going to sell it, make the decision, sell it, and move on.  If you're going to price it above market, you've got to mentally get yourself prepared to sell it, and then deal with all the tire kickers, time wasters, etc, and you'll end up not selling the bike.  Your approach is the peel the bandaid off very, very slowly way, and ultimately have to make a decision whether or not to take market price in the end anyways (no one is paying $2k over market value).  Either rip that bandaid off and just get rid of the thing at/near market price, or keep it. 

robartsd

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #24 on: July 28, 2016, 10:53:19 AM »
Sell it at the high range of what its worth. Since you don't need to sell it you don't need to take a lowball offer. The best time to sell is when you don't need to, the worst is a forced sale.

If it doesn't sell then you keep it.
And since you don't need to buy should you later decided that you want to, you can wait until a good deal is available. Lots of good arguments for and against keeping it right now. I'd particularly consider the ideas of 1) family trips with kid in a sidecar (of course that would add a new expense - watch out for face punches) and 2) riding with your dad for a few hours when you can get away from your kid (perhaps grandma would love a couple of hours with grandchild if your wife also wants to go on the ride) before finally deciding that it is time to sell the bike.

Metric Mouse

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #25 on: July 28, 2016, 11:25:28 AM »
The only thing I would offer is that you shouldn't make a decision based on the first few months of your kid's life.  At that age they are EXTREMELY time consuming and you're often too tired, stressed, etc, for much else.  But around the 18 month mark, my daughter quickly went from a drain on my energy to someone that feeds and creates it, and slowly you'll have more opportunity to get back to things you used to do with a better balance with things you can do with your kid.  IMO, make this decision when you've got some more time under your belt and life is a little more stable.

Exactly. There is no problem with taking a year off of riding for a kid. That being said, if you think you'll take a full year off of riding, mathematically you should sell it and re-purchase another time. (unless your current bike is your dream bike) Nothing wrong with selling for a bit, or storing for a bit.  The difference will be small so there's hardly an argument either way.

I'm in the same boat; in 11 days I'll receive a baby and won't probably ride as much as I do currently for several weeks. A perfect time to sell the current model and buy a new one later. That's my plan anyway. Though XS may balk at me trading a Japanese machine for something built elsewhere; hopefully you don't have to deal with the international politics I do. :D

mynewchoice

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #26 on: July 28, 2016, 11:42:02 AM »
Tough choice for sure, and one I am facing myself although for somewhat different reasons.  I have an '02 FXST that has not had much use the last two years, partly due to the fact that I just have had competing priorities and partly because I also have a 1950 Ford Custom that was getting some of the road time that would have gone to my bike.  Both of my toys are paid for and only cost me the insurance, however I have been kicking around the idea of selling both of them as lately neither one is getting much use.  I am still leaning towards selling as neither one are really my dream bike or car, and I figure that I can store them on CL until I find what I really want.

In your situation, personally I would probably hang onto it for a year or two as others have said in case you do decide to start riding with your dad once things settle down a little with the new addition to your family.  The lost cost will be the insurance you pay as the value of the bike shouldn't change too much.

Chris22

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #27 on: July 28, 2016, 11:58:05 AM »
The other thing I'll tell you is this, it will get very very hard to justify spending significant money on yourself for those kinds of toys while you have kids in the near future, like for the next 20ish years.  It's easy to say "oh, I'll sell my bike now and if I want another one I'll buy it in a year."  In a year are you really going to be able to pull $XX,XXX out of the bank for a selfish toy?  I understand the economics say you're "spending" that money now because you aren't selling it and investing the money, but the reality is that it's a much different decision when the rubber meets the road.  I love my fun car, but there's always a dark time every winter where I say "I really don't need a $10k toy sitting in my garage taking up space".  However, I know that once I sold the car, there will never be a good time to buy another $10k toy until my kid(s) graduate from college, which means I keep the car.

eljefe-speaks

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #28 on: July 28, 2016, 12:19:37 PM »
I'm on Team Keep-It.

I ride with my dad and my two older brothers and if I ever had to miss a trip because I was bikeless I would sob.

Plus, my bike makes something a highlight of my day when it would otherwise be mundane - a run to the store or whatever.

The texting-while-driving crowd scares the ever-living hell out of me though! Tougher call when you're a new dad.

 

eljefe-speaks

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #29 on: July 28, 2016, 12:26:51 PM »
I should add that I have missed every bike I ever sold. '00 HD Night Train, '04 CBR600RR, '00 RC51 #1, '00 RC51 #2. I wish I still had them all! (Luckily my brother bought my first RC so I can still ride it from time to time woot!)

Hedge_87

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #30 on: July 28, 2016, 05:57:17 PM »
lol you guys are supposed to be making the decision easier not harder. I agree that it won't depreciate much just sitting in the garage and tags and insurance don't add up to much at all. I guess maybe I will let it sit for a little while before I make a decision either way. I think a part of me has just been a little overwhelmed lately and seeing that bike sitting there in the corner of the garage covered in dust and spider webs with a dead battery and a low front tire is kind of a visual reminder for me every day.

ptgearguy

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #31 on: July 28, 2016, 06:05:05 PM »
Well, you can always tell him that you're concerned that you'll get creamed and since you have a new baby, you'd like to be alive to watch him grow up... (can you tell I'm not a fan of motorcycles?)
second this.

I work in rehab and the motocycle patients are always the worst off. Lucky for me I rarely get to work with them because they usually don't make it to the rehab side :(

elledub

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #32 on: July 28, 2016, 06:26:33 PM »
I would LOVE to ride with my dad or my son. My father has gone and my son is an indoor kid. You have a special connection with your dad in riding. That has immense value. Get those tires pumped up and go ride!!

Metric Mouse

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #33 on: July 29, 2016, 06:07:32 AM »
I would LOVE to ride with my dad or my son. My father has gone and my son is an indoor kid. You have a special connection with your dad in riding. That has immense value. Get those tires pumped up and go ride!!
Or your daughter if you have one! My Dad started us kids (girl-me, brother & sister) riding when young on dirt bikes and it evolved into racing and street bikes as we got older and it started a life long love affair with riding for all of us. And of course....boys in leather was kind of a pull for sis and I too ;-).

Right? We are so super stoked to teach our boy/girl to ride! A few years out yet, but I fully expect them to have waxed chains before they learn to walk.

Syonyk

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #34 on: July 29, 2016, 08:50:08 AM »
I work in rehab and the motocycle patients are always the worst off. Lucky for me I rarely get to work with them because they usually don't make it to the rehab side :(

How many of the people you see were riding in full gear and were sober at the time of the crash?

I've done most of my riding in no-helmet-law states, and most people think I'm crazy as an ATGATT rider.  I think they're crazy as shorts-and-tshirt riders.

Digging into motorcycle crash stats, my general impression is that a helmet keeps you alive, gear keeps you intact, and being sober helps your chances on a motorcycle very substantially, as does riding regularly (daily) and taking regular recurrent training.

At one point in my life, I was riding at least 35 miles a day during the week, and hundreds of miles most weekends.  I averaged 1300 miles/month on my motorcycle since I bought it (I knew people who rode more, but they had more motorcycles).  Two high-average-miles awards at Buell rallies. :)

If you're riding that much, there's an edge one gets.  I'd say 99.9% of riders don't even know that exists, because you won't get it unless you ride a ton.  If I hadn't ridden on a three day weekend for whatever reason, I could tell on Monday morning that the edge was a bit dull, like I'd dragged sandpaper over it.  It took a day or two to get back.  And, at some point, after you've been riding a lot in an area, traffic stops surprising you.  You learn how to identify the aggressive drivers half a mile away.  You learn that certain years of Mustang have huge blind spots (I learned they would drive like I wasn't in a trailing position the next lane over long before I drove one and realized that they have a huge blind spot).

I don't have that anymore.  Not even close. :/  But I know it's there.

The riders most likely to get into crashes, statistically, seem to be middle aged men riding a few hundred miles a year with no gear to bike nights at bars.  I hate to stereotype, but the accident stats back that up.

So, uh, don't be that guy or girl. :)

Right? We are so super stoked to teach our boy/girl to ride! A few years out yet, but I fully expect them to have waxed chains before they learn to walk.

Lol chains. ;)  Sorry.  I love my belt drives and shaft drives.

My Dad's rule was that if you wanted a bike and wanted to ride you'll be the one fixing it. So that also meant learning MC repairs. One of my first jobs at 16 was working at a MC shop. Very fun! I was also the only 16 y.o. girl with her own van so I could haul my bike. I was quite popular with all the teenage boys for that reason (van!) alone ;-).

I intend to teach my daughter along this route.  You ride it, you work on it.  Plus, if by the time she's 12 or so she can outride and outshoot most of the boys, that's worth a few years of intimidation without me having to do anything. :D

Miss Piggy

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #35 on: July 29, 2016, 12:16:40 PM »
Quote from: Syonyk link=topic=59273.msg1169557i#msg1169557 date=1469803808

I've done most of my riding in no-helmet-law states, and most people think I'm crazy as an ATGATT rider.  I think they're crazy as shorts-and-tshirt riders.

I waved to a fellow rider the other day. 95 degrees outside and he must have thought I was nuts.

Me: ATGATT with full face helmet and high-viz jacket.

Him: Shirtless, shorts, sandals, and a half helmet.
« Last Edit: July 29, 2016, 12:21:00 PM by Miss Piggy »

Syonyk

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #36 on: July 29, 2016, 01:10:34 PM »
My wife & I did our honeymoon on motorcycles, and were riding through Idaho in July when it was, oh, 105F?  Probably 110-115F on the pavement.

We were in full mesh gear, riding for half an hour or 45 minutes, stopping to cool off, soaking ourselves with water, then getting back on and going again.  You'd get 20-25 minutes of wonderful cool from the water, then slowly warm up until the next stop.  Not the most productive in terms of getting places, but what else were we going to do?

People looked at us like we were stark raving mad when we were stopping in full gear.  NOBODY else had gear on.  I prefer keeping the sun off my skin and my skin off the road, even if it's quite hot out.

Metric Mouse

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #37 on: July 30, 2016, 04:29:46 AM »
My Dad's rule was that if you wanted a bike and wanted to ride you'll be the one fixing it. So that also meant learning MC repairs. One of my first jobs at 16 was working at a MC shop. Very fun! I was also the only 16 y.o. girl with her own van so I could haul my bike. I was quite popular with all the teenage boys for that reason (van!) alone ;-).

A good rule.

I would have guessed you were popular for your positive attitude and friendly disposition; good to know it was all the van. :D

Metric Mouse

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #38 on: July 30, 2016, 04:33:53 AM »
Lol chains. ;)  Sorry.  I love my belt drives and shaft drives.

Right?  XS loves herself some chain drives though. It's what she grew up customizing.  I'm a belt man myself.

Just goes to show that when two people care about each other, they can work through almost any difference. :D

Rollin

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #39 on: July 30, 2016, 07:15:33 AM »
The other thing I'll tell you is this, it will get very very hard to justify spending significant money on yourself for those kinds of toys while you have kids in the near future, like for the next 20ish years.  It's easy to say "oh, I'll sell my bike now and if I want another one I'll buy it in a year."  In a year are you really going to be able to pull $XX,XXX out of the bank for a selfish toy?  I understand the economics say you're "spending" that money now because you aren't selling it and investing the money, but the reality is that it's a much different decision when the rubber meets the road.  I love my fun car, but there's always a dark time every winter where I say "I really don't need a $10k toy sitting in my garage taking up space".  However, I know that once I sold the car, there will never be a good time to buy another $10k toy until my kid(s) graduate from college, which means I keep the car.

Ouch! Heaven forbid that the guy take some time to himself, to recharge, to spend time with dad. I guess we need to stay home in all our waking hours (besides when we are at work) and cater to the fam. Put all our "selfish" pursuits behind.

Actually, in life with family it is all about balance, and that varies for each person and each family. Everyone could use a little time away, doing things that are possibly looked at by others as selfish, but then again if you live your life by the opinions of others I'd say you will suffer.

Rollin

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #40 on: July 30, 2016, 07:26:22 AM »
lol you guys are supposed to be making the decision easier not harder. I agree that it won't depreciate much just sitting in the garage and tags and insurance don't add up to much at all. I guess maybe I will let it sit for a little while before I make a decision either way. I think a part of me has just been a little overwhelmed lately and seeing that bike sitting there in the corner of the garage covered in dust and spider webs with a dead battery and a low front tire is kind of a visual reminder for of me every day.

Are you worried about you looking like the bike soon?  JK (sort of). Having and caring for kids is a major thing (I have three), requires some transition and I understand why you are asking the question about the bike. However, your life will change in many great and mysterious ways, but doesn't need to be put on a course completely 180 degrees from your current course. I really do believe that a healthy father, husband, partner needs to spend quality time with other males (like our dads), and in doing things that are purely for fun and enjoyment. I feel it is irresponsible and detrimental to the family if I give up too much, possibly build resentment along the way, or just simply become a grumpy young guy because you cannot do a few things that I simply want to do for the fun of it.

This of course coming from a guy who is leaving a 30 year work career in four working days, then heading out on a motorcycle for a few month trip around the US and Canada : ) See you in the fall!
« Last Edit: July 30, 2016, 07:33:48 AM by Rollin »

Metric Mouse

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #41 on: July 30, 2016, 07:31:26 AM »
This of course coming from a guy who is leaving a 30 year work career in four working days, then heading out on a motorcycle for a few month trip around the US and Canada : ) See you in the fall!

Congrats! Super exciting. Be sure to keep us updated!  I've done the C.A. thing on a bike, assuming it would be cheaper. Looking forward to doing more N.A. sometime in the future. Be safe and enjoy the ride! It'll be even sweeter after 30 years of hard work.

Rollin

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #42 on: July 30, 2016, 07:43:07 AM »
This of course coming from a guy who is leaving a 30 year work career in four working days, then heading out on a motorcycle for a few month trip around the US and Canada : ) See you in the fall!

Congrats! Super exciting. Be sure to keep us updated!  I've done the C.A. thing on a bike, assuming it would be cheaper. Looking forward to doing more N.A. sometime in the future. Be safe and enjoy the ride! It'll be even sweeter after 30 years of hard work.

Thank you MetricMouse - you know what I'm heading into. I've said the only thing that will limit my time on the ride is the snow that will inevitably start falling in the mountains out west.

Next year may be another adventure like The Great Loop on my 18 foot skiff, and then later in the year a train ride from FL to DC and bicycle from there to Michigan - in November - to see the Wolverines play OSU at the Big House!

All these adventures show my kids that that I'm a dad that has other interests, loves to be outside, which I feel is a great thing, and still loves and supports them. I've taken each of them on a MC trip when they were 13. First one from MA to Newfoundland and then on to NY, second from FL to NY and MI (entire Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive), and the third from MI to WI (ferry across Lake Michigan) and back. I'll be considering bringing each one part of the Great Loop with me while they are off during the summer. Also, meeting the DW during the MC trip in either Vancouver or Sedona AZ.

More specifically to the OP, you gotta make the decision that best fits what your gut is telling you. Once you make it stick with it 100%. Things will change, as they always do, and you may make a decision to stay off the bike or get back on later depending on the circumstances (my brother is off for good I think, after our buddy went off a cliff on his way to Alaska (gone forever) - apparently caused by himself, plus another close call my bro had while riding by himself - and only because of himself).

I'm not advocating either way, but am pushing for more time to oneself in what ever form that takes.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2016, 07:50:52 AM by Rollin »

use2betrix

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #43 on: July 30, 2016, 08:06:09 AM »
I just bought a motorcycle in March. I've put 6500 miles on it since. I'm pretty much an AGATT rider, except the rare time on the ride home from the gym. Other than that I ride daily with top of the line boots, jacket, gloves, and helmet. On longer trips I wear my motorcycle pants.

I think your question is impossible to answer. However, brings you use it to spend time with your dad, I'd probably keep it and take advantage of that time on more rides with him. Even if it's a Sunday trip to breakfast.

I've had an 06 R6, 01 R6, 06 R1, 06 screaming eagle v-rod, and now I have a 15 super tenere. I basically bought it because hobbies around where I live are minimal. I was sick of working a ton then having nothing to do with my little time off. It got depressive. So I bought the bike and my wife and I have loved modifying it and taking trips. We took a 3 day, 1500 mile trip to the ozarks over the 4th. We did a 650 mile day in 110 degree heat index with full gear. That was Interesting. Camelbaks were life savers.

debbie does duncan

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #44 on: July 30, 2016, 08:09:50 AM »
Love Uturn 's comment....

"If you are not using or enjoying it , store it on Craigslist until you are ready to get back on."

Brilliant!

Syonyk

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #45 on: July 30, 2016, 12:11:12 PM »
"If you are not using or enjoying it , store it on Craigslist until you are ready to get back on."

That's a pain in the ass far more often than not, and I think those comments come from people who either haven't tried it, or only buy newer vehicles used.

Every single used vehicle I've purchased has needed a good bit of work (I usually budget $500) in the first six months to bring it up to my standards or repair actual issues it has.

Dancin'Dog

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #46 on: July 31, 2016, 08:07:41 AM »
I stored my bike for about 10 years when we had our first baby.  I thought about selling it, but am glad that I chose to keep it.  I'd bought it new, as old stock for a song, and it had very low miles.  I've had it since 1991 and it's still a great bike that I really enjoy riding.

If I'd sold it back then I would probably still be without a bike now, since it would have been a "selfish" purchase & hard to justify.

StartingEarly

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #47 on: July 31, 2016, 02:44:51 PM »
I will also trumpet all the gear all the time. The only time I don't wear gear is riding three blocks to the gas station then three blocks back. Anytime else it's helmet, one piece leather racing suit, work boots if I don't feel like wearing my Vortice racing boots, gloves.

It's not a matter of if the bike will go down, it's a when unless you're extremely lucky, statistics don't lie. Mine went down about the stupidest way possible because I was pulling over on the side of the road and hit some sand on an overcast day near dark. Slid out immediately, absolutely nothing that could be done. Did learn that I should finish stopping with the rear brake since that's less likely to have the bike slide out, surprised it took me almost 20k miles to dump it the first time and to learn that one.

Keep the bike, get REAL gear EVERYWHERE and ride safe. Take an MSF course or something similar and keep up on your training, watch videos, learn new skills, keep your tires fresh and your brakes bled, etc etc. It's more dangerous than a car, but it's only obscenely dangerous if you're obscenely irresponsible.

Rollin

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Re: help me come to terms with selling my motorcycle
« Reply #48 on: July 31, 2016, 07:28:33 PM »
This of course coming from a guy who is leaving a 30 year work career in four working days, then heading out on a motorcycle for a few month trip around the US and Canada : ) See you in the fall!

Congrats! Super exciting. Be sure to keep us updated!  I've done the C.A. thing on a bike, assuming it would be cheaper. Looking forward to doing more N.A. sometime in the future. Be safe and enjoy the ride! It'll be even sweeter after 30 years of hard work.
Ditto on the congrats! Start a journal here and if you get a chance check out the "Nomads" thread on the post FIRE forum and look for Endless Journey's blog. He and his wife have been full time MC touring (2 bikes) all around the world  for something like 3 years straight. Also forum member Gunny is doing a long ride thru S. America.  OK this probably isn't helping the OP...sorry ;-).

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/post-fire/anybody-out-there-living-the-life-of-a-nomad/

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/post-fire/planning-a-motorcycle-trip-across-patagonia/

Thanks!