What to do, what to do?

[AD345]

I have to make a decision between two good things, Which is not the worst place in the world to be but it is confounding even so. I meed to choose between the following 2 options:

1. Take myself and my bike to the USA for a one-in-a-lifetime trip. My wife comes from the States and we are going back this year, one way or another. We have been planning to go with some friends and take six weeks riding coast-to-coast as well as spend quality time with her family. Part planning of the route has begin and we are looking at going across the South and then up to the NorthEast which means we will do some awesome roads including the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherehola (sp) Skyway as well as, possibly, the Blue Ridge Parkway.

2 Buy a new bike. Not just any bike but one that I have been lusting after for 3 years. It s one of only 200 in the world and this will be the one and only opportunity to buy it brand new. It has just become available this week and it won't last long

So, two rare opportunities arise at the same time and I can only afford one.

Six weeks of memories that will last a lifetime or years or the fulfillment of a three year old dream which will last for years to come?

[The Lone Rider]

Go to the states.

When you get back, do something different - buy a barely functioning bike and build your own.


I spent 3 hours grinding a seat pan today. Shitty welding that I did. In the end though, when the bike is done, there is absolutely nothing more satisfying then know I did it.

I've been working on the bike for more than a year. I feel lucky though... I expect it to be done before end of this year!

[Big Dave]

I'd buy the bike and tour NZ.

[AD345]

Go to the states.

When you get back, do something different - buy a barely functioning bike and build your own.


I spent 3 hours grinding a seat pan today. Shitty welding that I did. In the end though, when the bike is done, there is absolutely nothing more satisfying then know I did it.

I've been working on the bike for more than a year. I feel lucky though... I expect it to be done before end of this year!

Unfortunately I have no mechanical ability at all - and, to be honest, no inclination to change that.

I'll put you down as 1 for the trip though

[AD345]

I'd buy the bike and tour NZ.


That's very tempting actually. I love the South Island and there are a lot of parts of the North I am yet to do on a bike

1 for the bike

[FJRider]

Six weeks of memories that will last a lifetime or years or the fulfillment of a three year old dream which will last for years to come?

Which dream is more important ... your's ... or your's AND you wife's ... ??? :rolleyes:

[AD345]

Which dream is more important ... your's ... or your's AND you wife's ... ??? :rolleyes:

Fortunately that's not part of the equation

If I do the trip she's going on ahead to Maine and I will ride to meet her

If I get the new bike we will just go straight to Maine and hang with the rellies

[ducatilover]

I vote Big Dave's idea.

[mashman]

+1 on BD's words

[AD345]

I vote Big Dave's idea.


+1 on BD's words

3 for the bike now. It's not exactly a tourer but a bit of bungee cord will get me anywhere


Needless to say I can't sleep at the moment, if I'm going to pull the trigger on the bike it will be in the next 2 or 3 days

[The Lone Rider]

You don't need a new bike to tour NZ, and the opportunity to do so is a lot more available.

[AD345]

You don't need a new bike to tour NZ, and the opportunity to do so is a lot more available.


True, but the choice is not between touring NZ or touring the US.

I could do the US this year and still tour NZ over the next few years (once leave balance and finances had recuperated from this years trip)

If I do get the new bike though I could do a mini NZ tour this year - maybe.

[Berries]

Six weeks of memories that will last a lifetime or years or the fulfillment of a three year old dream which will last for years to come?

If I get the new bike we will just go straight to Maine and hang with the rellies
Right. So you can get the bike and go to the States. What is the question again?

[AD345]

Right. So you can get the bike and go to the States. What is the question again?


I've been to the States a few times now

It's just that if I get the bike I can't afford to take that bike to the States.

If I don't get the new bike I can take my current bike and ride across the States


Hope that clears it up

[Big Dave]

Corey Ness Bobber Style Special?

[haydes55]

Even better idea. Buy that bike you've always wanted. Go to USA without taking it with you. Buy a bike off EBay or get the rellies to pick up a bike off EBay that you buy from NZ. Tour USA as planned. Once finished the tour chuck the bike on EBay. Or put it on EBay when you start so you can have it sold and cash in your hand by the time you jump on the plane home. Could borrow some money for the trip, once the bike is sold you will be able to pay it back (the trip is only a few weeks so you should get what you paid, back. If you find a bargain and get a good deal).

[AD345]

Corey Ness Bobber Style Special?

Something like that

[AD345]

Even better idea. Buy that bike you've always wanted. Go to USA without taking it with you. Buy a bike off EBay or get the rellies to pick up a bike off EBay that you buy from NZ. Tour USA as planned. Once finished the tour chuck the bike on EBay. Or put it on EBay when you start so you can have it sold and cash in your hand by the time you jump on the plane home. Could borrow some money for the trip, once the bike is sold you will be able to pay it back (the trip is only a few weeks so you should get what you paid, back. If you find a bargain and get a good deal).


Good grief

That's a bit complicated for me I think

[mashman]

Is there one for sale in the US? Kill a few birds with 1 stone and bring it back?

[Latte]

Buy the bike, tour the US on something cheap and reliable you buy over there, that you can sell for similar money.

Or sell a kidney, lung, testicle...

[Owl]

Good grief

That's a bit complicated for me I think

I quite like that idea!

Or.......buy two bikes here and stay the fuck away from the in-laws.:msn-wink:

[sinfull]

http://youtu.be/_BOe_kDO7g8

[sinfull]

Morral of the story ?


I'd do all of them !

[AD345]

Morral of the story ?


I'd do all of them !

Ah right

I had you down as a vote to tour South America

[Blackbird]

I don't know whether it's of any interest to help with planning if you go for the USA tour option but a friend in the UK (Gary Francis) rode his Harley from east to west. His blog covers all the preparation as well as the riding and his experiences, plus magnificent photos. It starts here with his preparation: http://garysusatour.blogspot.com/

Best wishes whatever you choose - you can't lose really!

BTW, He's actually writing a book on his trip and it should be released later this year.

[Usarka]

My vote is for adventure over possession but that's just me. (Sth american women are rather adventurous!)

Imagine yourself in 20 years time looking back, which one would you regret not doing the most.......

[rachprice]

yeah man buy a bike over there!!

What is your dream bike?

In your previous trips in the States have you rode a bike? Are their parts of it you would go that you havent been?

I would lean towards the trip but only because I'm a fan of people having experiences rather than possessions

Do you think this really is the ONLY chance to get the bike?

[Edbear]

Fortunately that's not part of the equation

If I do the trip she's going on ahead to Maine and I will ride to meet her

If I get the new bike we will just go straight to Maine and hang with the rellies

Do this! You will have no regrets!

[Maha]

Im with Ed (aka gramps) on this.

[AD345]

My vote is for adventure over possession but that's just me. (Sth american women are rather adventurous!)

Imagine yourself in 20 years time looking back, which one would you regret not doing the most.......


yeah man buy a bike over there!!

What is your dream bike?

In your previous trips in the States have you rode a bike? Are their parts of it you would go that you havent been?

I would lean towards the trip but only because I'm a fan of people having experiences rather than possessions

Do you think this really is the ONLY chance to get the bike?

Good points all and I have previously taken the adventure route over that of possession. "You only live once" is a personal motto.

Buying a bike over there is not really an option. I need the trade-in of my current bike to make up the rest of the money to be able to afford another bike.

I have driven but not ridden in the States and the trip as currently planned would enable me to see parts that I would otherwise probably never get to.

This is the only chance to get this particular bike. There were only 200 of this model released worldwide and this is the last one that I can see still for sale brand new (even though its a couple of years old - confusing I know). The kicker that started all this is that the bike in question has been dramatically reduced in price, by about $17000, to something I can now afford.

I have come up with a possible "have cake and eat it option". We know a few people in Maine and one of them is a very good friend of a Victory dealer. I'm now thinking may be I could buy the bike, take a shorter trip to the States and beg, borrow or steal a bike from the dealer and that way at least I could spend some time riding around New England.

Still, the longer trip would be nice though....


Arrrgh, head hurts

[AD345]

Do this! You will have no regrets!

LOL - not helpful Ed. Read again - that was both options :laugh::laugh:


Does your wife get a say in this?

She said yesterday that it is entirely my call


She's a keeper

[MIXONE]

Another vote for the bike.

[curly]

http://youtu.be/_BOe_kDO7g8

Thank you sinfull.

+1 for the bike

[AD345]

OK - poll added for shits and giggles

I guess another way to think about this is:

Which is more important (to you)

The journey that you do or the bike that you do it on?

[Stirts]

She said yesterday that it is entirely my call

LOL, what was the tone she used when she said that?

For your own sake, do not make this decision alone.

[Edbear]

LOL - not helpful Ed. Read again - that was both options :laugh::laugh:



She said yesterday that it is entirely my call


She's a keeper

Sorry, I mean the second option. Buy the bike and go see the rellies. You never know what may turn up once there if everyone knows what you'd like to do. You could always plan a ride on the US later on.

[AD345]

LOL, what was the tone she used when she said that?

For your own sake, do not make this decision alone.

It was the probably genuinely neutral tone (always a bit of a guessing game to be fair)

She likes my current bike because we can (very occasionally) go out together on it. That would not be a realistic option on the new bike.

However, she is a little freaked out at the prospect of my riding it across the States

I guess if pressed to the limit she would probably rather that I didn't do either option

But she loves me and I'm confident that she will support my decision

[AD345]

Sorry, I mean the second option. Buy the bike and go see the rellies. You never know what may turn up once there if everyone knows what you'd like to do. You could always plan a ride on the US later on.


I admit that I am leaning towards this option. Now, anyway.

[Stirts]

But she loves me and I'm confident that she will support my decision


I admit that I am leaning towards this option. Now, anyway.

I vote "have cake and eat it option" :niceone:

[DMNTD]

Sorry, I mean the second option. Buy the bike and go see the rellies. You never know what may turn up once there if everyone knows what you'd like to do. You could always plan a ride on the US later on.

What that fulla said!

[BMWST?]

Do the states tour,you have already started planning,get a loan and buy the new bike too.Or do the tour and wait for another bike to come up(might be another three years)

[Zamiam]

Originally I was leaning towards saying to the trip but reading the thread I see you are still able to do the family bit it's just the tour. I suspect this is the bike
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-437867123.htm
And I've seen it in the flesh a couple of times. It's a nice looking bike and at that price very tempting abd i'd be in if I hadn't riden a victory. My brother rides a ness and I have riden it from New Plymouth to Auckland, personally I prefer my common as Harley.

So buy the bike do the tour next year or the year after. The states will still be there if not you won't be worried about bikes or tours

[Owl]

I suspect this is the bike
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-437867123.htm

Oh dear God, if that's the bike..............DO THE TOUR!:shit:

[Usarka]

What a cool dillema to have.

My method of resolving 50/50's is to flip a coin. The good psychological bit is if your initial reaction to the coin toss is negative or if you say "best of three" then change it and go with the other option.

[popelli]

go for the trip

the experience is something you can not put a monetary value on

did it myself in 97, the trip cost more than a new bike but the experience will stay with me forever

there is always another new bike in the showroom and always loans available to buy it

opportunities to travel and experience life do not come often enough

ps still have the bike I clocked up 18k on in the states in 97

[shafty]

Tough call Dude. LOVE the bike (if thats what it is) but having just come back from doing 15,000 klicks Stateside, I'd say TOUR THE STATES!

[Bikemad]

think the bikes a bit naff sorry.............voted for the trip

[AD345]

It's finely balanced.

I've just been outside doing a few chores to let my unconscious bubble away and see if it leaned to one way or the other.

I made a cast iron case that I could live with...

..for both options :facepalm:

[sinfull]

Would the friends do the trip without you ?
Did your wife agree to the 6 week bike trip for your sake ?

[thecharmed01]

Even better idea. Buy that bike you've always wanted. Go to USA without taking it with you. Buy a bike off EBay or get the rellies to pick up a bike off EBay that you buy from NZ. Tour USA as planned. Once finished the tour chuck the bike on EBay. Or put it on EBay when you start so you can have it sold and cash in your hand by the time you jump on the plane home. Could borrow some money for the trip, once the bike is sold you will be able to pay it back (the trip is only a few weeks so you should get what you paid, back. If you find a bargain and get a good deal).

+1 that's what I'd do!

[AD345]

Would the friends do the trip without you ?
Did your wife agree to the 6 week bike trip for your sake ?

The first question is a good one that I am trying not to think about. Once I have made up my mind I will have to discuss it with them - if I go with the bike.

The wife just wants to see her family, her mother is quite elderly now. She was/is always just going to go straight to Maine. Whether I ride there or fly there with her is up to me. If I don't ride we would probably only go for 4 weeks though

[sinfull]

mind's made up before i tried to justify it with you fellas
Good luck with the friends

[NinjaNanna]

Do you lust over the bike because its exclusive (1 of 200) or do you lust over it because you like the style?

Its an important distinction, because taste changes over time.

If you simply like the styling of your dream bike, most likely in all too short a time, once the afterglow has subsided you'll wish you'd done the trip.

If you love the exclusiveness of the bike then that's something that will last much longer and would be difficult to pass up.

[AD345]

Good luck with the friends


It's not so much of a major. They have been talking about going with a HOG group, which I'm not interested in, so we have been compromising as we build up our route. Nothing is set in stone yet and we are due to get together in February to start making bookings

[jasonu]

Do both. Go to the states and buy a just used bike there. Do your tour then take it home with you (or you could leave it with me if you wanted to...).

[AD345]

Do you lust over the bike because its exclusive (1 of 200) or do you lust over it because you like the style?

Its an important distinction, because taste changes over time.

If you simply like the styling of your dream bike, most likely in all too short a time, once the afterglow has subsided you'll wish you'd done the trip.

If you love the exclusiveness of the bike then that's something that will last much longer and would be difficult to pass up.

Interesting thought. I love the style and detailing of this bike which is what makes it exclusive. I hear what you are saying about buyer remorse though and I have been struck with it before.

I had a similar thing happen when I was 4WDing. A big SI trip or a fully tricked out vehicle. In the end I managed to swing both and I have some fantastic memories of that trip and damn the beastie I did it in gave me many happy memories afterwards

[AD345]

Do both. Go to the states and buy a just used bike there. Do your tour then take it home with you (or you could leave it with me if you wanted to...).


If I could I really would

[blackdog]

If I could I really would

Lucky for me I don't have your problems. :blink:

[martybabe]

I missed the chance to buy my dream bike last year. It smarts a bit :facepalm: I say buy the bike, you can enjoy it every day not just for a few weeks. Also, when the bike is safely sorted take your wife to Maine and give her the best holiday ever, fly with her and be happy to be there . make the trip one to remember then come home to your dream bike and start planing for a brilliant adventure on it in the future.

She's happy, you're happy, how could you want for any more.:niceone:

[Tigadee]

If I get the new bike we will just go straight to Maine and hang with the rellies

So in other words, it's actually a win-win? Get the bike then...

[Oakie]

When you go riding in NZ is it about being on the bike or is about the trip? If it's just about being on the bike and you don't care where you go, buy the bike. If it's about the journey and that journey would be just as much fun on any decent bike then take the trip. For me, I voted for the trip based on one special journey I did when what was around me made it memorable, not what I happened to be sitting on at the time.

[Big Dave]

>>What to do, what to do<<

Begin by stop repeating yourself.

[Brett]

Easy choice for me...buy the bike, do the trip, have a nice toy to come home to.

[AD345]

Well so much for that

I was going to buy the bike, emailed on Monday to say that because I was back at work I couldn't get down to the dealer until Saturday.

Bike was sold on Monday

3 years of waiting - and I missed my chance. Pretty gutted actually

[haydes55]

Well so much for that

I was going to buy the bike, emailed on Monday to say that because I was back at work I couldn't get down to the dealer until Saturday.

Bike was sold on Monday

3 years of waiting - and I missed my chance. Pretty gutted actually

Sounds like a big beer session tonight!

Although you may never own a brand new one you could still get a second hand one at some point. No doubt cheaper and in good nick.

Looks like you'll be seeing alot of USA now at least :niceone:

[AD345]

Sounds like a big beer session tonight!

Although you may never own a brand new one you could still get a second hand one at some point. No doubt cheaper and in good nick.

Looks like you'll be seeing alot of USA now at least :niceone:

yeah, cheers mate

I can see some bourbon in my immediate fuuture

[rachprice]

you poor thing!

[Zamiam]

Bugga but at least the decisions made. I didn't buy it :-)