So you're a family (wo)man now...

[tbs]

I started riding about 2 months before my second child was born. I've been as cautious as I can short of not actually riding. Been to Pro-rider, been to SASS, been to track days to learn how to handle it. I can't say my wife was really happy about the bike, but it definitely shortens my commute, so she sees more of me. I've spent a lot of time wondering if I was just being selfish buying a bike, and certain people have laid it on thick that I am, but boy I do love riding!

[Crasherfromwayback]

if I was just being selfish buying a bike, and certain people have laid it on thick that I am, but boy I do love riding!

Tell them to get fucked. Far more selfish of them to try to get you to give something you love away.

[Berries]

Since having kid(s), do you find you are more cautious whilst riding your bike?

Two kids in the last five years. The fact I have slowed down and don't take as many risks as I used to is partly licence preservation, as in I need a decent job now to keep them in Barbie dolls and catapults, but mainly an age thing. Mine not theirs. I try not to think about them when riding, I'd miss something important like a red light.

Tell them to get fucked. Far more selfish of them to try to get you to give something you love away.

Been told I can use my own money to buy a new one in spring.


Just got to get it in writing.

[GrayWolf]

I started riding about 2 months before my second child was born. I've been as cautious as I can short of not actually riding. Been to Pro-rider, been to SASS, been to track days to learn how to handle it. I can't say my wife was really happy about the bike, but it definitely shortens my commute, so she sees more of me. I've spent a lot of time wondering if I was just being selfish buying a bike, and certain people have laid it on thick that I am, but boy I do love riding!

Its a difficult 'thing' to balance.. when I married my wife (age 21) I simply said I ride a bike and I will not stop. We discussed it and she knew I would be an even more grumpy bastard without a bike. I can be in the shittiest mood imaginable but after 15 mins riding it melts away. Still does after almost 40yrs of it. She always had a car we made sure of that. Sometimes all I could afford was a S/hand 250, but I was still riding.
I dont know if it can be called selfish, but if the bike is a 'mental panacea' then why would you give it up. The throttle grip works in 2 directions, faster/slower.. as long as we remember this we 'should' survive till old age when as like Slofox, the kids would benifit if I shuttled off the mortal coil.

And lets be honest if you married it, or sired it... it's gonna cost you shitloads over the years

[Tigadee]

I think he'd like to retire still in possesion of the number 1 plate, so I think he was smart enough to know he was beaten last weekend, and simply got some safe points instead of throwing it down the road.

He'll be back. Gonna be a great season of racing between him and Lorenzo I reckon. Be great if it came down to the wire.

Why not retire while at the peak of one's career? Schumacher did it, and so did Michael Jordan.

Even if they did come back to the game eventually, at least they gave plenty of time to their family. And besides, if anything happened to them, at least their family will be well looked after. Most of us don't have that luxury of plenty of cash to leave the spouse and kids...

[SimJen]

Why not retire while at the peak of one's career? Schumacher did it, and so did Michael Jordan.

Even if they did come back to the game eventually, at least they gave plenty of time to their family. And besides, if anything happened to them, at least their family will be well looked after. Most of us don't have that luxury of plenty of cash to leave the spouse and kids...

my wife will have plenty due to life insurance. She can pay of the mortgage and live for 5 years on it! Doesn't cost a huge amount but at least I know they'll be comfortable if something did happen.......more comfortable than now!!! hope she doesn't get any ideas!

[Tigadee]

my wife will have plenty due to life insurance. She can pay of the mortgage and live for 5 years on it! Doesn't cost a huge amount but at least I know they'll be comfortable if something did happen.......more comfortable than now!!!

I'm thinking about that now... Does being a motorcyclist influence the policy terms/premium? And which life insurer are you with?

[SimJen]

I'm thinking about that now... Does being a motorcyclist influence the policy terms/premium? And which life insurer are you with?

no didn't influence it at all. If I was a smoker it would.
I think the policy is with Asteron.
General rule of thumb is to get enough cover to pay off your mortgage and allow the wife/kids to live for 5 years without working (especially useful if you have little ones). Mine would allow her to live mortgage free for 5 years getting $50k a year! Cruisy!
I've also got income protection cover with the same crowd and am able to claim the tax portion back on my tax return.

[Tigadee]

Cheers for that info...

Of course, having that insurance doesn't mean I'll ride like a hoon all the time...

[tbs]

Tell them to get fucked. Far more selfish of them to try to get you to give something you love away.

Can't really say that to my Mum.

Let's not forget that I had never ridden until that point. I wasn't coming back to it or being told to give up something I loved. My wanting to get the bike and open myself up to the risks (real and assumed) was the big game changer.


b.

[Tigadee]

Let's not forget that I had never ridden until that point. I wasn't coming back to it or being told to give up something I loved. My wanting to get the bike and open myself up to the risks (real and assumed) was the big game changer.

Can totally identify with that...

[Swoop]

I always leave home on my bike with the thought in my head, that I also want to return on it.

I guess a GSXR isn't for you then. (you can find one in most corners of the coro loop)

[Maha]

I guess a GSXR isn't for you then. (you can find one in most corners of the coro loop)

...and the odd tree.

[Number One]

My riding changed. The unnecessary urgency in traffic has gone completely. I only ever had 'moments' when other traffic was around. Now I just chill and hang back a bit more...not surprisingly my in traffic woes disappeared.

I also find I'm a little nervous when hubby and I are two up (reality of only having one bike) and I've been pillioning with him for much longer than we've been all sprogged up with no issues before sprog!

Tell them to get fucked. Far more selfish of them to try to get you to give something you love away.

Same story for mums? I'm a little in agreement with the selfish angle. Working full time means not much time with the family. Then if it's a sunny day riding the bike properly is an all day affair! As they can't come along it FEELS very selfish. My son told me he hates my bike anyways all good. It's just time to take it to the dirt! A whole days riding together is NOT selfish

[DMNTD:Me]

I guess a GSXR isn't for you then. (you can find one in most corners of the coro loop)

There's a certain area up Norf that has even got its own "G Spot" due to the amount of Gixxers that been bent.
Last count was either 3 or 4 within about 400m