Time to sell Black Beauty

[beyond]

Hi all,

As you know with recent events, I lost a very close riding buddy to a motorcycling
accident and the fourth friend to have gone since I got back into riding just under
six years ago. This guy was one of the best riders I know in this country and his
passing was a real shock to me. This last week over here another rider was killed
that I used to ride with. The last two cases have been four wheel drivers not looking
and simply doing a U-turn in front of them.

I love riding and particularly on the road but many of my mates and people I know are
getting killed by idiot drivers and on roads I frequent all the time. I love a hard
ride and simply don't get a buzz just pootling along so how long am I going to go
before my number is up too. These guys have all been really top riders and I am very
careful as well, but what can you do with all these twits on the road.

I don't fancy ending up maimed or losing my job or worse, leaving my wife and daughter
behind or ending up a vege. There is too much to lose and I now think the risk ratio
has swung to far into the negative.

I don't know how I'll be without a bike and with the commitments I have at present,
track riding is not an option and doesn't give me the same buzz as the road. I cannot afford
to keep a bike just for track or the expense of keeping one on the track.

In all honesty, looking at the pros and cons and the way my wife feels about me
riding, it looks like it's time to put Black Beauty on the market.

It's going to hurt..... lots :(

[Nasty]

Hard decision ... and one to think seriously about ... its one that I am considering with my baby ... for multiple reasons .. I don't think I will make a decision to sell .. just a close watch and where and when I will ride.

[hayd3n]

get a smaller bike same fun less speed

[p.dath]

That's a touching and hard story. There's no wrong decisions, just different outcomes, and you need to choose the one that is best at this point in time for yourself. Know that this outcome doesn't have to be permanent, and perhaps life will bring you back to motorycling, or perhaps take you onto bigger and better things.

Take care.

[Maha]

Yes Paul there comes a time when you have a very close look at your mortality.
Very tough decision to make but at the end of the day, the call is yours alone.
Any number of reasons and ways to keep your bike will probably be put forward, but do the whats right for you and your own piece of mind.

Mark

[Katman]

The road is not a racetrack.

[FROSTY]

mate it is tough. I've reached that crossroads a few times and its not a decision I envy you having to make.
Being a bloke rather than a gal I find myself trying to thinkof helpfull suggestions for you. None of em I feel you will find palateable right now. But just take it from a fellow biker that gives a shit
1) come over to the dirty side. (offroad) Believe me the sense of speed is still there
2) buy an older bike/less sporty bike -the thrill is there just not the speed
3) as you said do a fewtrackdays.
4) take a break from riding.

[MaxB]

Personal decision this one. If your head's not in t he game when riding because you're thinking of your fallen mates then maybe its time for a break.

IMO the one thing you can't do is live scared. If you believe all the BS in the media you would never leave the house. I still ride but I am fully insured so that if something does happen at least the family will have no money worries.

We recently lost a family member and a friend to a sudden terminal illness and a freak work accident. Life is just not fair, we can lower the odds but not eliminate them.

[boman]

It has got to be a very hard decision to make I am sure. Maybe Frosty has an idea, lock the bike away, put the rego on hold, and take a break for a year or so. If you find then the decision is the right one, then you could sell.
Selling now might be a decision, that future circumstances may not let you reverse.

Just another option you could consider.

[Edbear]

My best friend won't get back on bikes because he only got a thrill from riding hard and as that's not a good idea these days, he feels he's better off without one. Personally I enjoy pottering along and the C50T is ideal for all types of riding I do. As a commuter in Auckland, a bike makes a lot of sense both time and cost wise. You could try a cruiser and see how you like it...

[R6_kid]

If you can't enjoy the road without pushing the limits all the time then it's a good thing that you've come to the conclusion that selling the bike is the best thing to do. It won't be long til you find something to replace the buzz, maybe you should checkout your local aeroclub!

[2wheeldrifter]

End of the day it's your call, If you finding it hard to trust yourself out on the road as such..... then think of your wife and kids? am sure they would love to have you around abit longer:yes:

Mayb like Frosty said, go and get dirty!?

[slowpoke]

You don't get the same buzz on the track? Jaysus, for buzz's I reckon the track is road riding on steroids and you don't have to spend a fortune. $5k gets you an early R1 or something set up for clubman's, use race take off tyres and you have got a shitload of fun for next to nix.

But each to their own, on track or off bikes don't suit everyone.

[kiwifruit]

Get into track riding. Trackdays or a bit of racing if trackdays are too boring for you.

What about dirt riding? Trials, trail, adventure.

Mountain biking is also worth a look :)

[Mom]

If your heart is saying take a break, do it! No fun for anyone, if your heart is not in it. Selling your bike is a radical way to stop riding for a bit, but if it helps your heart to feel better do it. Bikes are easy to replace, lives aren't.

Good for you too. Do what feels right, for you.

[Squiggles]

I've got $50 and a bottle of bourbon, will that do?

[Kiwi Graham]

Tough call Paul. Respect for doing it though, cant of been easy.
You had a go on the circuit and it didn't give you the same buzz, how about racing?
Once you've sold Back Beauty do some sums and see if you want to go down that route mate, I'd be glad to help in any way I can.
Always a beer out West Auckland for ya even if you turn up in a car.

[NZsarge]

Bugger! You could go 50:50 and get a CanAm Spyder...

[Maha]

Bugger! You could go 50:50 and get a CanAm Spyder...

Beautiful!...I shall remember your post for 'Best post of 2010' next December....:shifty:

[Mully]

Mountain biking is also worth a look :)

Keep that filth off this forum.....

I'll give you $100 for the GSX, Beyond. Love them bikes.

Seriously mate, tough decision. Life is full of tough decisions and I hope I will be able to make them when the time comes.

[martybabe]

Yup, a very hard call bud, I know how much you love it. I've been there or there abouts for years. I've often thought of hanging up my helmet but something keeps dragging me back out there.

If you feel the risk to you and your Family are to great vs the enjoyment you get, then I say sell without hesitation, riding with your head and heart elsewhere is never a good thing. Saying goodbye to a Bike (even one as smokin as the 14) doesn't change who and what you are, plenty of bikes out there if you ever find yourself in a place where you want to come back.

All the best for you and yours for the future Paul, much as we hate to admit it and hard as it is to believe, there are more important things in life than Motorbikes, Family and friends for sure. Cheers mate :drinkup:

[marty]

I did the same with the 'bus about a year ago. Was riding everywhere at over 200km/h, had a few big scares, saw some very experienced riders lose their life, and didn't want to be part of that any more. I was probably going to kill myself on a ride to/from work, which I simply couldn't compute. Sadly, I have been to 8 funerals for aeroplanes and bikes.


I put my time and effort into aerobatic flying (I know - that's HEAPS safer!) but with the crash of the plane and loss of life associated with it, I am now in the hunt for another water ski boat - at least my kids can enjoy that with me - they were scared of the Pitts (and rightfully so).

Probably doesn't help your call Paul, but in the long run if you think now that your call is the right one, then it is the right one.

[SPman]

You don't get the same buzz on the track? Jaysus, for buzz's I reckon the track is road riding on steroids and you don't have to spend a fortune.
But each to their own, on track or off bikes don't suit everyone.
The track still isn't the same as hard focussed road riding. The buzz in riding down a twisty, shitty bit of road really well, especially one that's new to you, takes a lot of beating. Espec. compared to going round and round and round and round on the same bit of track........it's fun, but, strangely unfulfilling.........

[beyond]

Ok, been pondering and pondering. Back to work last week and due to being so busy on my holiday break, got three rides in and that was all. I enjoyed myself immensely and had a ride in honour of Gary over some of our favourite roads.
The conclusion.... I can't sell black beauty... I love riding too much and these bikes are awesome to ride.

So there! You're stuck with me for some time yet, I hope :)

[Edbear]

Ok, been pondering and pondering. Back to work last week and due to being so busy on my holiday break, got three rides in and that was all. I enjoyed myself immensely and had a ride in honour of Gary over some of our favourite roads.
The conclusion.... I can't sell black beauty... I love riding too much and these bikes are awesome to ride.

So there! You're stuck with me for some time yet, I hope :)

Goodonyermate! You can still enjoy riding but obviously you've had a serious moment and thought about it. No doubt your riding will be a bit more measrured now.

I guess getting older helps as I've done the high speed stuff and lived to tell about it. Nowadays, I ride a cruiser and am content at a slower pace. Not that the C50T needs to be slow, a mate with a GSX1400 was very impressed on one road trip and asked if it was in fact a thou. When I assured him it was only 805cc, he then asked if I'd hotted it up...

[Mully]

The conclusion.... I can't sell black beauty... I love riding too much and these bikes are awesome to ride.


What if I raise my (already generous) offer to $200??

[Mully]

The conclusion.... I can't sell black beauty... I love riding too much and these bikes are awesome to ride.


What if I raise my (already generous) offer to $200??

[Mikkel]

What if I raise my (already generous) offer to $200??

Come on! Don't be ridiculous... it's just a Suzuki for crying out loud.

[kiwifruit]

these bikes are awesome to ride.


Have you riden anything else? :D

[Swoop]

The road is not a racetrack.
VERY true!!

A racetrack doesn't have low IQ retards driving a diesel powered shitbox, at 85kmh in the fast lane.

[beyond]

Have you riden anything else? :D

:) Yep, heaps of different bikes.