Have you ever felt like giving up riding?

[lizardb0y]

This is something I wrote a while ago to someone who had been suffering from ongoing problems from a concussion, and was in the process of selling all his bikes.

--
I had cereballar bleeding from a cavernous hemangioma (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cavernoma/Pages/Introduction.aspx)about seven years ago, seriously impacting my balance and co-ordination for several months. I can relate to your decision to sell your two-wheeled vehicles; I went through a similar decision making process.

At the time my "daily" ride was a 2005 Kawasaki ZX10R with thousands spent on suspension and exhaust to make it the best road & track day bike I could build. I knew after the bleed that I might never be able to ride it with the skill I was used to, but I also knew that if I sold it I might never find my way back onto two wheels again, and that was something I would always regret.

In the end I decided to keep it. When I felt capable of riding it again I found that, although my symptoms were greatly improved, my confidence had been seriously hurt. I rode it only occasionally, and gradually improved each time. It was 2010 before I dared go out on the track again. I went to a track day and spent the day riding mid- to front-field in the medium class. I felt a bit silly at first but as the day wore on I felt more and more at home - not faster, just more confident. I even dropped the bike in the paddock at one point, because my left leg still doesn't always do what I expect of it! In the end I had an absolute ball.

I realised that I wasn't going to be doing the same sort of riding that I had been doing before the haemorrhage and resolved to sell the Kwaka, but to replace it. I ended up back on Ducati riding an ST4s (I'd previously riden a '92 900SS for many years) and I absolutely love it.

I understand your reasons for selling, and I'm sure you've put a lot of thought into it before making the call. For me, I found that having the bike in the garage helped me to keep the goal in sight. I've been riding two wheels my entire adult life and I knew that was something I didn't want to give up.
--

[haydes55]

Sometimes there are more important things in life than riding. If this person has ongoing head worries then maybe it is safer for himself and family that he gives it up.

Then again their doctor could just be the average "No I wont give you clearance to ride your bike again because it has only been 6 months since your first head injury" nana.

I've never wanted to give up motorbikes. Always have a curiosity to try different kinds of motorbikes and racing though. Might sell the speedway bike to buy a Super Motard or bucket racer.

[jonbuoy]

If you can´t control your right hand with your brain not your cock - give up riding, better for everyone all round.

[hayd3n]

after a decent bike crash (me barely injured) i couldent look at my bike for 3 days but i still missed riding

[LBD]

Being overtaken on the left/off side by a car skidding with one wheel in the gravel (He did not see me and the traffic slow behind a truck) then having a car coming towards me veer into my lane distracted by the car that just missed me...that is still giving me head worries.

[sinfull]

Being overtaken on the left/off side by a car skidding with one wheel in the gravel (He did not see me and the traffic slow behind a truck) then having a car coming towards me veer into my lane distracted by the car that just missed me...that is still giving me head worries.
Well it certainly fucked up your punctuation !

[Winston001]

It's a highly personal decision.

Motorcycles are probably the only vehicle left where you can express individuality. Cars have become bland.

The trouble is that motorcycles are also inherently dangerous. That's part of the challenge but there can be a high price to pay. Death at worst but far more likely are permanent injuries to your head and body. Personality changes. Loss of career.

Still, we accept this as a possibility and not a certainty, which is borne out by the many many bikers who never have a serious accident at all.

Most of us do not live alone. We have responsibilities to others particularly if we have children. Taking up riding again after a serious time where your family watched you near death...that is not an easy decision to make.

[Oakie]

Not even on the windiest, rainiest day. I did give up when I started the family and mortgage thing in my 20s because that made sense at the time. Got back into it 8 years ago and I guess I'll give up again when for some reason it becomes impractical. It won't kill me to give up though. Biking doesn't define who I am although it does express a part of it.

[slofox]

I considered giving up riding this week when faced with a $750+ repair bill. But, like the OP, I realised that if I did, then it was extremely unlikely that I would ever own another bike.

With a little prompting from the fixit shop, I looked off-shore for the required parts and reduced the likely bill size to around $125. Phew!

[wharekura]

I considered giving up riding this week when faced with a $750+ repair bill.
On Sunday I tightened my chain but forgot to loosen the rear brake nut, causing the back wheel to lock when taking it for a spin. Fortunately I controlled it and stopped outside Whatawhata pub - towards raglan - where the nice guy let me borrow the phone and call the wife for some tools. With all the unusual smells (rubber I suspect) I booked in for a service ASAP at Boyds Hamilton. Yesterday, I got a service bill for $277 incl gst including valve clearances, full service and brakes / wheels check - all ok. The price didnt include parts as I had my own (was going to do my own "service")

I thought the bill was very good.

The wife not happy about me being on a bike and times like this does make me think if I need to trade it in for a Suzuki Alto.

[roogazza]

I often think about it. At 63 I have have had 50 bikes and have been riding about 50 years.
What I did was modify where and when I rode and that has kept me going.
I ride early, usually Sundays, less traffic and hence risk. I don't ride if it's windy or wet, again less risk. Avoid cities like the plague and from Kapiti just do Piecock, Haywards and Tukas over to Martin/B. Drink coffee, talk shit and return, that's it and it keeps me happy.
Still enjoy Trackdays and giving the bike a squirt but it's mainly a summer or fine weather sport for me now.

[G4L4XY]

Being young and stupid I have ridden in all weather! I wont quit until something really bad happens, if/when it happens, until then I'll enjoy every ride.
The servicing costs are a bit gay, wish I could do more myself. Oil & filter are easy enough, anything else and I'm too stupid/dont have any tools to do
Course I've only been riding a couple years so i've got nothing to complain about at this stage :P

[lizardb0y]

What I did was modify where and when I rode and that has kept me going.
Yeah, I've definitely changed my riding - I've become a very occasional rider, whereas before my health problems I was out constanly. I'm a fair weather rider and I'm not much concerned about going fast any more - though I'd still ike a bike that didn't scrape the exhaust every time I turn a tight corner!

I actually found myself seriously considering trading the ZX10R in on an HD XR1200R at one point a couple of years ago - though a quick ride with some friends over the Takaka Hill put that idea to rest.

With a young family, a mortgage and barely enough cash in-hand to cover debts I'm regularly considering selling the bike, but I know it would be a long long time before I had the money to buy a new one, so I hang on to it.

[sootie]

I often think about it. At 63 I have have had 50 bikes and have been riding about 50 years.
What I did was modify where and when I rode and that has kept me going.
I ride early, usually Sundays, less traffic and hence risk. I don't ride if it's windy or wet, again less risk. Avoid cities like the plague and from Kapiti just do Piecock, Haywards and Tukas over to Martin/B. Drink coffee, talk shit and return, that's it and it keeps me happy.
Still enjoy Trackdays and giving the bike a squirt but it's mainly a summer or fine weather sport for me now.
Stumbled across this & had to reply as I might have written it! I have not had 50 bikes, but a few! I am now a JAFA but came from Dunedin. Apart from that, I share your views very closely! Nearly 67 by the way!
Neat Avatar too. Go well friend we need more with your attitude!
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[Oblivion]

The only time that I will sell a bike is when I feel that I absolutely have to.

More than likely the funds will be used to fund another bike. :innocent:

[MrKiwi]

I did give up my bike and riding, for 10 years. Began to wonder if I would ever ride again, but I have and long may that last. It's a personal decision and one that is complicated by many factors. Cheers,

[FJRider]

I had considered giving up motorcycling ... once. (ok ... three times)

But that was during the process(s) of falling off.

So ... they don't count ...

[tigertim20]

I had a pearler of a crash a while back. bike was fairly messy, I was very very lucky. I thought about it, but only briefly. the rebuild became a real headache. couldnt source parts, got jerked around by other sellers, customs gave me grief, and some bits I simply couldnt find. at one point I thought about selling it as it was and walking away, but my wife told me there was, and I quote 'No fucking way Im putting up with the shitty, bad tempered asshole you would turn into if you didnt have a bike. keep with it. FIX IT'.

I couldnt survive without a bike in the shed.

[sootie]

Have a look at my album -- My wife & I riding a bike on the beach in Bali in 1974.

What's this shit about giving up bikes? I want to give up ageing!

[varminter]

What's this shit about giving up bikes? I want to give up ageing![/QUOTE]


There is only one way to that I'm afraid.

[roadracingoldfart]

I often think about it. At 63 I have have had 50 bikes and have been riding about 50 years.
What I did was modify where and when I rode and that has kept me going.
I ride early, usually Sundays, less traffic and hence risk. I don't ride if it's windy or wet, again less risk. Avoid cities like the plague and from Kapiti just do Piecock, Haywards and Tukas over to Martin/B. Drink coffee, talk shit and return, that's it and it keeps me happy.
Still enjoy Trackdays and giving the bike a squirt but it's mainly a summer or fine weather sport for me now.

63 !!!! :facepalm::facepalm::shit: Get off the road gramps.



Stumbled across this & had to reply as I might have written it! I have not had 50 bikes, but a few! I am now a JAFA but came from Dunedin. Apart from that, I share your views very closely! Nearly 67 by the way!
Neat Avatar too. Go well friend we need more with your attitude!
<label for="rb_iconid_7">http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/icons/icon7.png</label>

Hell Sootie , please dont encourage him , hes a hazzard on the road and slow as a wet weed.

[onearmedbandit]

I gave up riding back in '97 after I lost the use of my left arm in a bike accident. 3yrs later I was back riding, and have been ever since. Had some changes in my life recently that has dampened my enthusiasm for riding but I couldn't bring myself to ever sell my bike. So yes I have considered stopping riding, but then I came to my senses again.

[The Lone Rider]

I'm not allowed to give up riding, otherwise I have some rather invalid tattooing.

[Kornholio]

No....................

[Daffyd]

The only reason I've given up riding is because I couldn't afford to bring my bike with me to the Philippines and I can't afford to buy one here yet. I may eventually buy another one here, but realistically it will prolly only be a tiddler 'cos the traffic here is f**ken CRAZY, and the average speeds in town are 15-20kph. On the other hand there are some nice riding roads out of town. I'm 70, BTW.

[swbarnett]

I did give up riding when I moved to Europe. For the two years we were there we had no personal transport at all. The Swiss public transport system is second to none. It wasn't until petrol started to go through the roof that I picked up a GN simply for the commuting economy. On the very first ride I thought "Why the fuck did I ever stop?" and I've never looked back since.

I will never again be without a bike, no matter where I live.


Being young and stupid I have ridden in all weather!
Does that mean I'm still young and stupid? Nearing 50 and my bike is my ONLY transport - rain, hail, gail and Auckland traffic daily.


The trouble is that motorcycles are also inherently dangerous.
Bullshit! Read my sig: "Motorcycling is not inherently dangerous. It is, however, EXTREMELY unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence and stupidity!"

[SMOKEU]

I often feel like giving up riding. Owning shitty old bikes that need a lot of maintenance does that.

[cheshirecat]

Had bikes since the late 60's - CB160 being the first. Only time I wanted to give up like every week day morning was DRing in London for three years. Survival skills improved a level or two.

Oddly enough kind of miss it now

My current bike is my only transport so shopping, commuting, tours - no intention of changing.

[GSF]

I spent about a week once where I didn't want to get on my bike.
Was at the scene where a guy got splattered by a car (he was on foot) and had to call an ambulance and try to give first aid. Realised it was pointless when I realised the sump of the car had punched a hole straight through the back of his skull and that his lungs were filling up with blood. :sick:

I was a bit spooked after that 'cause it makes you realise how overwhelmingly massive the amount of damage just a four-door sedan can do to a human being (let alone a large 4WD or truck). After a week or so I was cool to ride again but it has given me a massive wake-up call as to how important safety on the road is, car or bike. Driving carelessly/like a cunt is never acceptable because the stakes are simply far too high.

[actungbaby]

I thought the bill was very good.

The wife not happy about me being on a bike and times like this does make me think if I need to trade it in for a Suzuki Alto.[/QUOTE]

yes that was good id love to have my bike serviced carbs balanced valves checked one day

[actungbaby]

The only reason I've given up riding is because I couldn't afford to bring my bike with me to the Philippines and I can't afford to buy one here yet. I may eventually buy another one here, but realistically it will prolly only be a tiddler 'cos the traffic here is f**ken CRAZY, and the average speeds in town are 15-20kph. On the other hand there are some nice riding roads out of town. I'm 70, BTW.

Nice mate keep going when you can enjoy the philpines though

[actungbaby]

[QUOTE=lizardb0y;1130392588]This is something I wrote a while ago to someone who had been suffering from ongoing problems from a concussion, and was in the process of selling all his bikes.
[FONT=arial]

hope you okay know mate

I started riding when i was 15 that was like 1979 i stoped riding

When we moved ciites and didnt have a job so no money that was 1987

Well sold both bikes got scotter about 1989 . before then thought not

having bike i just chould think i whould it be like no way this is my life

But when my nephew came along i needed hobby that chould do from

home so got into amiga compters, psx2 and such helped raise him

Then when was 8 got taken of us through custody fight,i thought oh dam

that was naother life changer so i got mx5 car as i got a job after 10 years

Without one so spent 3 years paying that of , i haveowned that car for last 10

years, got married finally at age of 44 yrs and had my own son , so was

looking great, lost my job of 13 years aghh life changer again.

Got part time cleaning work felt good again after 2 years of no work.

I thought labout bikes so i looked at trademe brought a damaged vfr 750 fn

thought what the f@# have i done can i ride this is going be lemon

Love riding the bike again enjoy so much so was good choice athough

looking at seems strange choice to make with family and 2 seater car and

a bike, but my confidence has imporived and feel great so good choice

for me. and way look at am happy its better for me and my family.

Listen to your head but also follow your instints too

[sugilite]

To the OP, I can honestly answer NO, I have never once considered stopping riding (30 years and counting so far). Even after my worst prang which earned me a six week stay in hospital on my back in traction. All I could think about the whole time was what new bike was I going to buy. Turned out that was Suzuki RM125 motocross bike, which I bought with my leg still in plaster. I discovered I could ride it by kick starting it with my hand, then leaning down to change gear with my hand, with plastered leg sticking out in the wind, had a few rides like that. :lol:

[Winston001]

It's a little surprising that hardly anyone has reflected on responsibility to others - for example wife and children. Once you've drawn them into the trauma of hospitals, CAT scans, serious talks with doctors, weird medication reactions...do you ignore your family and ride again? Expecting them to pick up the pieces again..and again..??



Still, as I said earlier, its a personal decision.

[tigertim20]

I often feel like giving up riding. Owning shitty old bikes that need a lot of maintenance does that.
thats half the fun. learning. I find you appreciate your ride alot more once youve actually out some effort into it, rather than just throwing cash at it

It's a little surprising that hardly anyone has reflected on responsibility to others - for example wife and children. Once you've drawn them into the trauma of hospitals, CAT scans, serious talks with doctors, weird medication reactions...do you ignore your family and ride again? Expecting them to pick up the pieces again..and again..??



Still, as I said earlier, its a personal decision.

good point. Im lucky my other half understands and enjoys my passion for bikes. she knows what a cunt Id be if I didnt have a bike. she feels the same as I, the pleasure is worth the risk.

[Daffyd]

Still, as I said earlier, its a personal decision.

I regularly think about the impact on my family; (well both families) and have decided to give up when I consider there is a strong possibility that I will stuff up, but having said that, my new partner is keen for me to keep riding. She also wants to learn as well.

[swbarnett]

It's a little surprising that hardly anyone has reflected on responsibility to others
Did anyone ever suggest that Edmond Hillary should not have climbed Everest becuase he had a responsibility to his family to play it safe? Life is for living.


Expecting them to pick up the pieces again..and again..??
If you're crashing often enough to say this you're doing something wrong.

[Conquiztador]

I will ride as long as I can and have never considered giving up. Have had a bike of some sort since 12yo.

[SMOKEU]

thats half the fun. learning. I find you appreciate your ride alot more once youve actually out some effort into it, rather than just throwing cash at it


There's a reason why I don't do much more than oil changes and spark plug replacement. It always ends in disaster, and then I have to end up paying someone else to fix my fuckups. Like yesterday it took numerous forum posts and a few hours just to get an airbox back on. I also managed to break one of the carby heater bolts right at the head of the bolt, so now the broken bolt is stuck inside the carby, and it leaks several litres of fuel per minute.

That's exactly why I pay a competent person to do the work properly first time round, otherwise the bike sits in the garage in pieces for months at a time until I can find a truck or trailer and a tow car to take the bike to someone who knows what they're doing. In the end it costs the same amount of money. I do also have a workshop manual, yet I still manage to fuck up the simplest of tasks.

[roogazza]

63 !!!! :facepalm::facepalm::shit: Get off the road gramps.

Hell Sootie , please dont encourage him , hes a hazzard on the road and slow as a wet weed.

But I still have to keep my hat on in public,
cos if girls see me, they chase me ! :laugh::laugh:

[sootie]

63 !!!! :facepalm::facepalm::shit: Get off the road gramps.




Hell Sootie , please dont encourage him , hes a hazzard on the road and slow as a wet weed.

You are as bad as my bloody nephew!
He thought about it recently & then told the family multitude that he thought 70 years of age was as old as anyone should be allowed to drive until. :angry:

[tigertim20]

There's a reason why I don't do much more than oil changes and spark plug replacement. It always ends in disaster, and then I have to end up paying someone else to fix my fuckups. Like yesterday it took numerous forum posts and a few hours just to get an airbox back on. I also managed to break one of the carby heater bolts right at the head of the bolt, so now the broken bolt is stuck inside the carby, and it leaks several litres of fuel per minute.

That's exactly why I pay a competent person to do the work properly first time round, otherwise the bike sits in the garage in pieces for months at a time until I can find a truck or trailer and a tow car to take the bike to someone who knows what they're doing. In the end it costs the same amount of money. I do also have a workshop manual, yet I still manage to fuck up the simplest of tasks.

I got two words for ya mate

project bike.

a daily reliable bike like your SRAD, and a second cheapy fucked piece of shit you slowly do up and learn on the way, then it doesnt matter how badly you fuck something up!!

[SMOKEU]

I got two words for ya mate

project bike.

a daily reliable bike like your SRAD, and a second cheapy fucked piece of shit you slowly do up and learn on the way, then it doesnt matter how badly you fuck something up!!

Good idea, I have a TS185 in the garage that I hardly ever use. It could do with a fair bit of work.

[tigertim20]

Good idea, I have a TS185 in the garage that I hardly ever use. It could do with a fair bit of work.

get stuck in man!! its how I learnt!

[Brian d marge]

No

Hes me little list

I shall give up

Drinking
Sex
bikes

NOT

If drinking gets expensive , Ill make my own ( as I do now)
Im married , but I can still dream
Motocross , or Morgan 3 wheeler ..

Those people that Know me would never take me bikes away , they Know how much they mean to me

Stephen

[roadracingoldfart]

But I still have to keep my hat on in public,
cos if girls see me, they chase me ! :laugh::laugh:

And i bet you look better with a full face helmet on too :innocent::laugh:

[roadracingoldfart]

You are as bad as my bloody nephew!
He thought about it recently & then told the family multitude that he thought 70 years of age was as old as anyone should be allowed to drive until. :angry:

Your Nephew sounds like a clever dude matey, 70 is at least 19 years older than me and 5 years younger than Roogazza.

[scumdog]

After reading some of the posts on KB it makes me think of not riding on these roads - forever!

Why risk sharing them with the nin-com-poops that post here???

[SMOKEU]

After reading some of the posts on KB it makes me think of not riding on these roads - forever!

Why risk sharing them with the nin-com-poops that post here???

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[sootie]

Your Nephew sounds like a clever dude matey, 70 is at least 19 years older than me and 5 years younger than Roogazza.

Hang on a moment; Roogazza said he was 63 ??? Us old guys learnt arithmetic proper in our day - don't give us the Raw Prawn! :argue:

[scumdog]

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

The game's safe
The players are not.

[gatch]

I chucked my bike into a wall at the same race meeting as another bloke, who unfortunately didn't survive his crash.

Seeing how distraught it made so many people and how easily it can happen even under the best conditions, really put the shits up me.

My bike has been in the shed for 5 months now. But I'm getting an itch back that, just can't be scratched by anything else...

[lizardb0y]

Did anyone ever suggest that Edmond Hillary should not have climbed Everest becuase he had a responsibility to his family to play it safe? Life is for living.

Well, I think you do have to consider family, but that doesn't need to mean giving up riding. For me it meant going from a sport bike to an Italian tractor ;)

[swbarnett]

Well, I think you do have to consider family, but that doesn't need to mean giving up riding. For me it meant going from a sport bike to an Italian tractor ;)
So, for Hillary, would that mean settling for Mt. Cook instead of Everest?

I'm not saying that we shouldn't consider family but we can't afford to lose who we are in the process. For some that means going to extremes and nothing short of that will suffice.

Not indulging our passions does our families no favours.

[vifferman]

About 9 or so years ago I was taken out by a u-turning car driver while on the way to work. I wasn't badly injured, thanks to wearing good quality gear, but it hurt a lot, and I remember lying on the road thinking, "Man! This sucks!". The crash was the last in a series on my '90 VFR750, including a lowside on a squashed softdrink can, and a kamikaze pedestrian leaping into my path, causing $3800 of damage to the bike and a badly broken leg for the pedestrian (who paid for the bike damages).
After some hard thinking, I decided to quit riding, and actually went shopping for a car, test-driving an Alfa. However, I realised I wasn't quite done with bikes after all, and bought a VTR1000 instead.

It would really suck now to give up riding; it's the easy, quickest, cheapest and least sucky way to commute to work (even in pouring rain!), and now that my SpousalUnit enjoys riding with me, there's no selfishness or guilt attached.

[ontoit]

Every time the licensing fees go up i consider giving up riding. Although if ACC have money to invest in public / private prisons i dont know why they are so high to start with.

Will keep riding as long as i am safely able to.

[Monsterbishi]

Can't say I've ever thought about giving it up, would rather give up driving first.

[cleverchap]

I had not ridden for 3 years, sold my GSXR 600 months ago and thought that was it. Until last Wednesday when I thought "bugger this, i'm having another bike", so I went out and bought a cracking little supermoto and have had end of fun buzzing about on it.

Try going cold turkey for a little while and you may come to an inevitable conclusion. I know I did :msn-wink:

[Matariki]

I'm facing that time now. I have my motorcycle that is sitting in garage but I haven't taken it out on the road yet, I've ridden it out around the yard but that's about it since the last year I've owned it.

About a year or so ago I almost lost my life in a motorcycle accident that involved a head on collision with a mobility van that failed to give way. When I found out in hospital after my surgery that I had survived, I was faced with an uphill battle of recovery. In the crash; my left tibia, fibula and ankle were exposed which resulted in my foot and leg being back to front and only the skin was holding my lower leg in place. I lost a lot of blood (approximately 2.5 liters - half of my blood content), and it took the hospital a day or so to supply me with a top up. But unfortunately during that time I had contracted necrotizing fasciitis (due to the lack of white blood cells in my body). It took two operations to remove the necrotizing fasciitis, the first one I had in Masterton, the second I had in Lowerhutt. When I got to Lowerhutt I ended up breaking my ankle for the second time in the ER (still weak from the amount of blood I had lost, and the medication I was on at the time I was walking around on crutches). In total I ended up having 3 surgeries over the period of two weeks to reconstruct my left leg (complete with rods, pins, bolts and a skin graft).

Today I have chronic nerve damage in my left leg. And I'm apprehensive about riding on the road again. But this summer I intend to make it a goal of mine to go for a ride around Greytown once I've got my new motorcycle gear, tidied up the bike and updated a few things on it. I love riding, but next time I'm on the road, I would prefer it to be pain free.

[madandy]

I sold my bike over 4 years ago for family responsibility. Now my son rides his own bike, an Oset 12.5 since the age of 3 and soon to be a pw50 or some such bike.
I'm completely over commuting in cars and track days in them too. I have a 600hp '92 Skyline GT-R for special drives and a track prepped hatchback I drive to work but neither takes me to my special place and in traffic its the daily driver hatch that has me most on edge as I share road space with others.
My leathers still fit and have been stored with love - I can hardly contain my excitement as I scan the used Vtwin market!

[nudemetalz]

It's a little surprising that hardly anyone has reflected on responsibility to others - for example wife and children. Once you've drawn them into the trauma of hospitals, CAT scans, serious talks with doctors, weird medication reactions...do you ignore your family and ride again? Expecting them to pick up the pieces again..and again..??



Still, as I said earlier, its a personal decision.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

Been 3 weeks now without riding the Guzzi.
Only 11 months and 1 week to go.....providing I don't "go for the worse" again...
Yes it does suck, especially on those fine weekends.
Yes it does suck seeing it sitting there.

However,...do I want to be reckless to go out on it and put someone elses' life (as well as my own) at risk?
Nope.
I also have two young kids and a wife to think about.

It is tough but not the end of the world.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I did give up when I was too poor tor ride. But touch wood(y) my health is not an issue.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I couldn't have put it better myself.

Been 3 weeks now without riding the Guzzi.
Only 11 months and 1 week to go.....providing I don't "go for the worse" again...
Yes it does suck, especially on those fine weekends.
Yes it does suck seeing it sitting there.

However,...do I want to be reckless to go out on it and put someone elses' life (as well as my own) at risk.
Nope.
I also have to young kids and a wife to think about.

It is tough but not the end of the world.

Plus KB is a fantastic substitute for riding, innit?

[Paul in NZ]

Plus KB is a fantastic substitute for riding, innit?

Really - I usually find it cures me of the desire to ride ;-)

Similar effect...

[nudemetalz]

Plus KB is a fantastic substitute for riding, innit?

errr.....yeah...of course..... :laugh:

I only came on here to look for the Brolly Dollys thread that seems to have died..

[HenryDorsetCase]

errr.....yeah...of course..... :laugh:

I only came on here to look for the Brolly Dollys thread that seems to have died..

that GSXR750 ad might be worth a look

[Banditbandit]

After reading some of the posts on KB it makes me think of not riding on these roads - forever!

Why risk sharing them with the nin-com-poops that post here???

That's about it ..


Don't hate the player, hate the game.


Huh??? If the game is riding bikes then I wil never hate that ... just the other dumb fuckwits I have to share the road with - bikers and cages .. and dumb fucken S/African refugees

[fishb8nz]

Returned from the UK for my sister's funeral and 32 hours travelling and 5 hours sleep, I hit a car on a roundabout, going to work. Totally my fault and to make it worse, I'd let my insurance lapse.
Cost me nearly $2000 and a broken ankle!
First ride back on bike and a nevous ride, I met a cockie in a ute on a sharp corner on a very very steep hill - stopped and just couldn't hold the bike due to the steep camber. Bike fell and the usual damage..broken winkers and footrest. Not too expensive but another dent in my confidence and I got to thinking of selling up.
Luckily I didn't and bike is still going well and so am I. Odd changes to my life as I now cycle about 3 x the km on my motorbike.

[SMOKEU]

and dumb fucken S/African refugees

I've never met one of them before.

[Brett]

I have often thought about not riding bikes on the road anymore, and just having a track bike. The problem with that is that it's a pain in the arse to have to go and do a trackday just for a little 2 wheeled action, I used to often just go on a nice summer night after work for a short blat through the country side.

[onearmedbandit]

Ha it's just been suggested to me, possibly in jest, that I should give up riding bikes by my manager at work. I've had some bad pain in the last two months from my arm and he (and possibly others there) have decided that motorcycling is responsible as I've taken a day or two off after I've gone for a brief ride. I sent a text back to him asking how on other occasions I've been for rides I've been fine and on other occasions I've had bad pain when I haven't been for a ride. It is a spinal injury that gets affected by temperature fluctuations etc, but never in 13yrs of riding after my accident have I been able to draw a correlation to physical movement.

[sootie]

Ha it's just been suggested to me, possibly in jest, that I should give up riding bikes by my manager at work. I've had some bad pain in the last two months from my arm and he (and possibly others there) have decided that motorcycling is responsible as I've taken a day or two off after I've gone for a brief ride. I sent a text back to him asking how on other occasions I've been for rides I've been fine and on other occasions I've had bad pain when I haven't been for a ride. It is a spinal injury that gets affected by temperature fluctuations etc, but never in 13yrs of riding after my accident have I been able to draw a correlation to physical movement.

Tell your manager that motorcycles are a natural way to maintain balance safety, and you have it on good authority that if you keep riding, you will never need a Zimmer Frame in old age!! :laugh:

[onearmedbandit]

Tell your manager that motorcycles are a natural way to maintain balance safety, and you have it on good authority that if you keep riding, you will never need a Zimmer Frame in old age!! :laugh:

There's only two things in life that give me some reprieve from my pain, and motorcycling is one of them. I'd give up any job before I gave up motorcycling.

[sootie]

There's only two things in life that give me some reprieve from my pain, and motorcycling is one of them. I'd give up any job before I gave up motorcycling.

OK, so I am curious - what is the other one - sex?
[It has to be something pretty good!] :killingme

[onearmedbandit]

OK, so I am curious - what is the other one - sex?
[It has to be something pretty good!] :killingme

Right on the money there.

[sootie]

Right on the money there.

Sorry to hear about the pain, but you do have seriously good taste in other matters!

[haydes55]

you do have seriously good taste in other matters!

You mean a penis? haha

On a more offensive note (Don't mean to make light of your injuries OAB). It sounds like you got of light. Motorcycling costs most of us an arm and a leg.

Red rep me for the terrible joke.

[onearmedbandit]

You mean a penis? haha

On a more offensive note (Don't mean to make light of your injuries OAB). It sounds like you got of light. Motorcycling costs most of us an arm and a leg.

Red rep me for the terrible joke.

I would but I've made worse jokes about my injury than that. Fuck if you can't laugh at yourself you're too uptight.

[haydes55]

Fuck if you can't laugh at yourself you're too uptight.

Too right there!

[AllanB]

No. Period.

[Brett]

I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.

--Jack London--

Be considerate of others with how you conduct your life, but also ensure that you LIVE your life. If bikes are ultimately the end of my existence on this earth...then so be it. Death is the doorway to the next big adventure. It's permanent disability that worries me most, but if that were to happen, will have to deal with it then.

[Winston001]

I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.

--Jack London--



Yes, its the modern anthem as per Neil Young -


It's better to burn out


Than to fade away


The trouble is these slick codas are entirely selfish when in the real world most of us live lives intertwined with our families. By all means ride until you die, walk into the Atacama Desert until you die, free-dive into caves...etc.

Pretty much up til the 1980s, everyone conducted their lives for the benefit of their spouses and children. Indeed most people do to this day. But a self-centred ethos has crept into our thinking which seductively says you must be true to yourself. Nobody else matters.

I'd love to climb Everest, ride at 300k on Bonneville, wander off into the Gobi Desert - but I can't. My children deserve my constant love and attention, not to mention paying for their university fees - which my own parents did - so that is the way it is. Sometimes riding a bike isn't enough: other responsibilities take priority. And that's what you'll be remembered for.