Thinking about giving up the bike...

[davebullet]

Sell it only if you absolutely need the money.

I am lucky in that my bike is a luxury. I only bought it when I knew I didn't need the money. If an emergency comes up (eg. kid needs a $50k operation) - that's what I'll mortgage the house for.

Do not sell it out of guilt for your kids. If you spend quality time with them, they won't miss Dad for 2 hours in a weekend for a ride.

Your kids have to accept and see you have a life of your own. I am not here to be a 110% parent, give my all and have nothing for myself and my partner when the kids leave home. I have a life as well - and it must be shared - not owned by the kids.

[cold comfort]

Don't sell it dude. Houses and family are a sponge. Once it's gone you willl be looking to sell something else and your sacrifice will be soon forgotten. My regrets are that i ever sold ANYTHING. Over time it would have been more economical and the things i sold (ie Kawasaki 900) would be worth heaps more. Just my 2c worth

[helenoftroy]

Its not about how many km's you do in a year. Its about the enjoyment it gives you - even if you only get out on it once a month........

Of course kids and families come first but it depends how much you love bikes and riding

Bikes had been a major part of my life from 13 yrs old till i was 28 & very pregnant with my first born,the Xl500 was gone...

It was 17 years before I had a bike again,and it was only then that I realised how much riding means to me,this is it!!Nothing else does it for me like riding bikes

If we had just had an old dirtbike...anything!!that I could have just had a blast down the river bed on every month or two.....I truely believe that the ups and downs of life would have been easier to cope with.

Only you can decide....just my 2 c worth!!

[Highlander]

Only you can decide....just my 2 c worth!!

That is it in a nutshell.
Only you know your situation.

You have got to do what you think is right for you and your family here and now.

I had 12 years between bikes when our kids were young. Equally sure I wasn't the first and you wont be the last.

[MaxB]

My old man gave some good advice when I was young. Never get rid of the bike when you have to, only when you want to.

I have never been with out a bike but some times it was really tough going. Especially the guilt. When my kids were young and the missus was at home with them we had nothing to spare at the end of each week. I remember my Dad shouting a tank of gas because if I had the cash it would be spent on the kids.

Then less than 12 months later I got a job with overtime, the missus went back to work part time and things got so much easier and somehow we got the deposit for a house. The bike stayed. And got its own garage.

K'Bers with kids will understand what you are going through and whatever you decide will say good on ya.

[mashman]

The jury is back... I'm keeping the Prila... A big thanks for all of your empathy and sympathy, irrespective of how bluntly (factual) it was conveyed... Pretty much everyone on here seemed to write down what I was thinking and that underpinned that the thought process going on at home was spot on... Fortunately this was not a financial decision or it would have been an absolute no brainer and the Prila would be for sale for silly money...

I was never worried about how much of a return I would receive if I sold her (unlike the wife, not the return on the wife as was suggested), because it would have been going to a good cause... It would have been nice to take the kids to Oz to see Koalas (3 girls, 6, 3, and 18 months... but we can do that after the mortgage comes down in October or we sell the house.. but one day)...

Anyhoo... this problem really turned out to be an eye opener... The main driver behind the selling of the bike was for the kids... as it turns out it looks like i've been treating the Prila as one of the family... albeit a distant relative... I found myself, at some point last week, climbing out of the cage and trailing my fingers along the length of the Prila and it kind of filled me with a guilt for the bike... WTF, it's a piece of machinery... er, er, ah well... It's a bike that deserves to be ridden and i didn't want to hurt her feelings... better to have loved and lost maybe (hmmmmm)... pass her on to pastures new... but as so many of you have pointed out, it's a bike that won't care if i'm on it or not... Shit! i feel kinda pathetic looking back at what kicked this off and how simple the answer was...

My kids will never want for my time, money or love... just seemed like the Prila was in the way of that, where in reality it was just me complicating the issue...

When i get time i'll ride if i want to, when i don't, I won't... fuck me why couldn't i work that out ha ha ha ha...

Big thanks again, hugs of gratitude to the girls and manly mumblings of appreciation to the boys...

Cheers Gordon

[Cajun]

cool Gordon

We gonna pop down your way again soon, will catch up again.

[martybabe]

I don't have an answer for you, just some more things to consider and BTW I feel your anguish.

1. A Bastardised poem

I hope that my child, looking back on today
Remembers a Father who had time to play
A child will grow up while you're out riding
Be a father that's there, not a Father in hiding
So quiet down Engine:Bike go to sleep, I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep...

2. Or...I sold my Harley, because we needed the money and bought a Suzuki at a third of the cost, planing to get a Hog when finances picked up. The Suzy is probably a better bike in every measurable way but it's not my Harley, a bike I longed for, saved up for and made my own. Due to financial circumstances beyond my control, I doubt I will have another one to replace it any time soon and that I regret.

Good luck

Edit: I wrote this before you posted your decision, I see my timing is off as always. Onya mate, enjoy your bike and your family.

[Pussy]

Good one, Gordon!

Lloyd is organising a track day at Manfeild on December 7.... see you there!

[mashman]

I don't have an answer for you, just some more things to consider and BTW I feel your anguish.

1. A Bastardised poem

I hope that my child, looking back on today
Remembers a Father who had time to play
A child will grow up while you're out riding
Be a father that's there, not a Father in hiding
So quiet down Engine:Bike go to sleep, I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep...

2. Or...I sold my Harley, because we needed the money and bought a Suzuki at a third of the cost, planing to get a Hog when finances picked up. The Suzy is probably a better bike in every measurable way but it's not my Harley, a bike I longed for, saved up for and made my own. Due to financial circumstances beyond my control, I doubt I will have another one to replace it any time soon and that I regret.

Good luck

Edit: I wrote this before you posted your decision, I see my timing is off as always. Onya mate, enjoy your bike and your family.

Nice poem, sorry for your loss... I was lucky in that i'd already saved for it, made some profit on the house in the UK, got 4 grand of the cost of the Prila and my wife wasn't in the country... It's almost as though me and the Prila were destined to be together...

May a lorry containing all manner of Harley's smash through your living room window a la Young Ones...

Ayyyy Puthy, i'll be there...

[shafty]

Congrats.

Even having one in the shed gives great pride of ownership and a reply for when your wife is asked "What does Gordon do in his spare time away from the family"

Well done

[helenoftroy]

.......................

My kids will never want for my time, money or love... just seemed like the Prila was in the way of that, where in reality it was just me complicating the issue...

When i get time i'll ride if i want to, when i don't, I won't... fuck me why couldn't i work that out ha ha ha ha...

Big thanks again, hugs of gratitude to the girls and manly mumblings of appreciation to the boys...

Cheers Gordon

Thats great!!!

Pleased youve made a decision