Balance between bike riding and life in general

[Winston001]

I've been captivated by bikes since I was a school boy and bought my first, a Suzuki TS185, while at university. This was followed by a Yamaha XS650B, and then the BMW R80RT which I still have. Plus an XR200 for the mountains.

In amongst all of that, a career, marriage, 3 great children who are now teenagers. I gave up riding for 12 years when the family were young.

Finally a love affair with a Ducati ST4 which provided all of the adrenaline and thrill I'd ever wanted. Trips to rallies in both islands with mates whose children had grown up and meeting other bikers of a similar ilk.

For me the balance has been fine. The bikes are secondary to family but important. I've pondered the visceral attraction of motorcycling and I'm sure someone somewhere on the net has eloquently described it. For me its the totality of the experience. 100% commitment, concentration, being alive in the open air. There is no mental space for worries because you have to be totally in the moment.

Regrettably I no longer ride after a serious bin on the Ducati. That is for the sake of my family. But I can still remember the rush and certain times and places. And I'm still here.

[Conquiztador]

No Need to do that, just go and do what 'you want to do' Why should anothers opinion make any diff to your life?....

No, that is not what this is about. Others opinions mean nothing here. This thread was about what we as individuals have done to keep the balance between the love of riding and the rest of our lives. I have at times seen on here threads started by posters who state that they have made a decision to give the riding away for one or another reason. I could never do that even if at times life has been tricky. There is always a way.

[Omega1]

Interesting thread, I like to think that as my life changes being a Biker and a love of motorcycles is something that will always remain constant.My skin itches if I haven't been for a ride in a month.I got into motorcycles late in life full license at 28 always loved bikes but my Mother's hate of them after her brother crashed his honda going around the Basin reserve meant her only son would never be allowed one of Satan's two wheeled wonders. Nevertheless while flating I purchased a RG150 and never looked back.
My wife has always been supportive though after buying a Harley she didn't talk to me for two days.She keeps her fears to herself but demands I call her and be on time home when I go for a ride.I don't play golf go on fishing trips play rugby etc bikes are me.I have met the best people through this hobby and while I am above ground intend to continue. I am 41 now with 2 sons, a three year old and 10 month old. The three year old love's Hayabusa's.
Riding time is now very precious and sometimes after a hard day just the site of the Buell at the back of the garage helps keeps me sane. I know she's there waiting to go.

[baptist]

Interesting thread, I like to think that as my life changes being a Biker and a love of motorcycles is something that will always remain constant.My skin itches if I haven't been for a ride in a month.I got into motorcycles late in life full license at 28 always loved bikes but my Mother's hate of them after her brother crashed his honda going around the Basin reserve meant her only son would never be allowed one of Satan's two wheeled wonders.

Are we related? my mother flatly refused to let me get a bike. My dad always rode (mum on the back) and he raced (a dustbin AJS). A couple of their friends were killed and one crippled so she went right against them. I rode illegally in the UK as a teenager (first bike a 250 superdream then a CBR600, both mates bikes) but as you can imagine was not very good at it, years of pillion though. Got married, wife hated bikes so still no joy. Married again to a lady who likes bikes and now with our kids growing up I finally got my own legal bike (it is a bike really it is), my eldest daughter got really excited when she saw it and wants a (has to wait) my youngest hates it with a vengeance...

[davebullet]

I've found the solution is try to weave your hobbies into daily life where you can. For example, I decided to make commuting the way of getting a daily ride.

The other problem is when you have too many hobbies - you never get time to do all of them justice (barely even one with family on the go).

I also don't sacrifice my running / gym for biking. I feel that exercise is an investment to keep me on a bike well into my latter years (assuming my mind stays intact).

Relationships work like a bank account. Debits and credits. Do those jobs around the house and other things (surprises) to treat your partner then you get some credit to enjoy your hobbies.

One hobby that is being neglected at the moment is bourbon.

[buellbabe]

because I'm still that 18-year-old anarchic biker at heart (and occassionally ride like it too) ...

Balance in life is more important than money or possessions (except bikes ...)

That made me smile cos I can SOOOOOOOOOO relate to that LOL.

Interesting subject...balance in your life...hmmmm more from me later, gotta go do some work, to finance the lifestyle .

[Conquiztador]

Today is a typical example of that balance stepping in and adjusting my reality: I have a w/e where there is nothing specific I need to do. Yes, there is always that List that is a few pages long from where I could easily pick one or ten things and get stuck in. But nothing that, if I don't do it, the sun won't come up tomorrow.

So riding would be a good fit. But as the boys live with me and my ex only has them every second w/e (and this is not her w/e) they are here, therefore anything more than an hour maybe max 2 away is not the thing to do without getting someone to look after them.

And then the balancing factor: My youngest is tomorrow riding the last race in the HB MX Champs. His bike is OK and can be used as it is. But I want to give it a good check over, also sort it ready for sale as this is his last race on the 50cc before moving up to 65cc.

So, I could go riding and get someone to watch the kids, then tomorrow morning take off to MX with him and his bike would be fine for the meeting. Or I can spend some time today making sure all is in place, the bike as good as we can get it, and also spend time on some of the other bikes for my boys so they work properly for our rides together (there is always stuff to do on them: adjusting, small repairs etc.), and while I am in the bike fixing moode I might as well do more of it (tools out, mind in right place, dirty clothes on etc.). The boys love having me around on our w/e's. And I love their company too.

Selfish me: Get someone to watch the kids and go riding! The MX bike will be fine for tomorrow.

Balanced me: Be with the boys, make sure the MX bike is all sorted and looks the bit, and also sort some of the other bikes. There will be time to ride when the boys are not with you. And you have some riding coming up: On Tuesday you are riding to Welly for work and back Wednesday. Then in 10 days you are off on the 9 day White Ribbon Ride! But you can still squeeze in a 1/2 hour or so ride today!

[swbarnett]

For me the bike is my second love. My wife and I have our own bikes and no other transport. Life just has to fit in around the bikes.

Today I needed to head to Bunnings and pick up a sheet of MDF for a set of pigeon holes I'm making for a friend at work. We've got no kids so I can't borrow a car from them. My parents are on the other side of Auckland so that's not that practical. Long story short I built a rig so that I could "pillion" the MDF. And believe it or not it's even still within the legal overhang limit:

[Edbear]

No meltdown. Just time to reflect and contemplate.

That's the trouble with getting onto your 50's, you do a lot of that...

I've found the solution is try to weave your hobbies into daily life where you can. For example, I decided to make commuting the way of getting a daily ride.

The other problem is when you have too many hobbies - you never get time to do all of them justice (barely even one with family on the go).

I also don't sacrifice my running / gym for biking. I feel that exercise is an investment to keep me on a bike well into my latter years (assuming my mind stays intact).

Relationships work like a bank account. Debits and credits. Do those jobs around the house and other things (surprises) to treat your partner then you get some credit to enjoy your hobbies.

One hobby that is being neglected at the moment is bourbon.

Oh NO!!! NOT THE BOURBON... !!!

For me the bike is my second love. My wife and I have our own bikes and no other transport. Life just has to fit in around the bikes.

Today I needed to head to Bunnings and pick up a sheet of MDF for a set of pigeon holes I'm making for a friend at work. We've got no kids so I can't borrow a car from them. My parents are on the other side of Auckland so that's not that practical. Long story short I built a rig so that I could "pillion" the MDF. And believe it or not it's even still within the legal overhang limit:

Nice bike! Have you had any issues with the Comstar wheels? There were reports of some loosening in the rivets.

[Edbear]

Hard to say whether one has had the right, or any, balance over the years. I started learning to ride on Mum's BSA Bantam in 1970 and was hooked! That wee 125 3-speed, painted jet black with a custom chrome pipe and muffler was the prettiest bike in the world and I loved it! Got ot age 16 and having had a Bradford and a CA Bedford got hold of a '52 BSA B31. What a powerhouse! 350cc of pure grunt! Well, I was still a bit envious of the Matchless/AJS 500's my mates were riding but the B31 was MINE!

Sold that when I got the opportunity to get may mate's T500 as he was off to Australia, (he's still there), and was blown away by the performance! Loved that bike but sold it to get married as I was marrying a solo Mum and had just lost my job into the bargain. (Mike was 2 when we got married, but I'd known my wife since she was 6mths pregnant. I'm the only father he's known).

Over the years, I had the occasional bike, a 1981 XT125 Yamaha, a fabulous little trail bike!, a TAS 60, which was a dog of thing, an XS750 Special which I unfortunately seized as I didn't realise it was using a bit of oil... (idiot!). Then really got back into bikes in '03 with a tidy '89 GSX600F. Great bike and did some long trips on that. Finally after a couple of years, my wife was persuaded to join me on pillion, (pressure from friends, Bless 'em!), and found she enjoyed it again having only been on once since the T500 on the XS750, (when I ran it out of gas and we had to walk to the nearest farmer and beg some...), but she wanted more pillion comfort so we shopped around and bought the C50T and we both love it!

We also found a bargain in an MX5, ('94 1800 manual), a couple of years back and now we've got the best of both worlds and enjoy ourselves together. Been married 33 years and brought up 3 great kids, none of them interested in bikes but we'd made a lot of sacrifices over the years for them. Single low income, but always with them and there for them. Now, despite having to make a lot of sacrifices I have no regrets - I've got a wonderful wife, fantastic kids, a beautiful grandson, our own nice home in a nice area and still alive and, once this damn body brace is off, enough good health to enjoy getting out and about.

To all you younger one's who may be going through tough times, hang in there, be patient, make the sacrifces, and you'll get what you want in the end. It's worth every tear!

[swbarnett]

Nice bike!

Thanks.

Have you had any issues with the Comstar wheels? There were reports of some loosening in the rivets.

No, no problems at all.