Here today,gone tomorrow

[Big Dog]

Don't give me any crap about why you gave up bikes,you ride or you don't because YOU don't want to...no other reason.

One thing I have learnt in life is that you never say never.

I can't forsee my ever giving up biking again.
Doesn't mean it will never happen. I may one day suddenly find I don't want to ride anymore .
More likely it will come as a choice custody of my kids vs the bike. Anything else would be a temporary, sold the bike to afford x so I could save up.

Its all about priorities. I would rather be single than bikeless, others feel differently.

[Slim]

I find it kind'a frustrating to look back to when I started riding just to realise that none of the guys I rode with are still riding today.

I know what you mean. :disapint: I know of only 1 guy (who actually took me for me first ever ride on a bike) who still owns a bike, but doesn't actually manage to get out on it very often these days.

I can't agree with people who's partners cause them to give up riding (or any hobby for that matter). If you were riding when you meet them then why would they expect you to stop riding afterwards ??

This is one of my pet hates. If any guy said to me, "It's me or your bike," I'd show him the door. As far as I'm concerned, someone who loved me wouldn't say something like that, so anyone who did say it is obviously someone I don't want to keep around in my life. I'm all for compromise, but ultimatums are a no-no.

[babyB]

well people and situations come and go in our lives for many reasons, but life is what you make it.
Slim i agree with you i will not be given an atlernation on my kids or my bike.
i have been doviced , widowed, loss of walking ability, & struggling solo mum, and i still have my bikes and i always will. im not a pro rider & i dont get on them as often as i would like but hay id so miss them if i didnt have them..i belive where there is a will there is a way to keep doing what we love no matter what. ....compromise is a good way to get through life....ar but thats me

[merv]

I've been riding continuously since 1969 and have never given up but I have changed what I do and adapted to changing circumstances (read that as being busy with too many other things to do as well). I guess I have a passion for bikes and I'm pretty fussy about looking after them so my bikes last and I keep them a long time which spreads depreciation and cost and it doesn't worry me if I get tied up doing other things and leave them sitting in the garage a while. I don't need to rush off and sell them.

As a schoolboy on got hooked on bikes after the slot-car craze subsided (that was big back in about 67-68 when we used to go racing at parlours all over the place - anyone remember that?) and any other sports faded out of my life. Then it was prepare the bike all week, ride Sunday, clean and prepare the bike all week again (we bought Jap trail bikes mainly and used them for everything and the prep was mainly just cleaning, tinkering and drooling). Then I went to Uni and stuck with the trail riding enjoying new found territory in the South Island. We went everywhere - loving the snow and ice. Uni time was pretty flexi so we were riding a lot during the week and the weekends. I stuck with the dirtbikes but flatted with guys mad on pommy stuff. We always had our garages full of bikes and the cars all stayed outside. It was stuff like if you bounced on one guys bed you'd get the conrods of a 1937 Ariel Square Four up you. I had started competing in trials and then did a bit of moto-x. While at Uni I started hearing about enduros and by the time I was stuck working in 1983 I couldn't resist trying that and competed for two seasons. In the middle of that though we had our first kid and instead of leaving the family at home I took them with me when I travelled. Eventually that got to me as my riding went off through lack of sleep - screaming baby at nights. So after doing that I retired from competition and have concentrated on fun stuff since - something to do with my age and fitness too.

As you can probably tell I'm one of those "if it feels good, do it" kind of people and when it doesn't feel right I do something else. I was never one to like such things as practice and I found at times when my riding went off a bit, the best thing to do was have a break for a few weeks and then come back. When I was about to turn 40 I thought it was time to branch out and buy a road bike instead of just riding dirt bikes on the road, so I bought the VFR. Paid $18,500 for it new, had it 10 years now and typical Honda is still runs like new so I am definitely spreading the cost out. Being like that (perhaps I'm a tight arse) I have difficulting understanding those that buy and sell all the time because depreciation must hurt real bad.

Now I'd have to be classed as a part timer really because I don't ride every week. Too busy with family, 4 wheel driving, rental properties, travel and stuff like that as well, but bikes are still number one with me, its just unlike when I was 18 or so its not the only thing in my life. When at Uni I used to pull the wheels and forks out of my dirt bike, pack the whole thing in the boot of the car along with all my worldly possessions and return home to Mum for the holidays. Now we'd need a moving truck to move. So yeah as you grow old you accumulate more, you've experienced more and I guess most of us do a wider range of things (that's something to do with what's available as well - remember the restaurants of the 70's compared to now and the entertainment that's available) so in my case my time is spread over more things. I've changed from treating bikes as a sport to more of a leisure thing as I don't compete any more but its still damned good fun. Working is a necessary time user to pay for the pleasure. However, this year I'm in the middle of a six week break and am putting it to good use to see about buying a new dirt bike. What limits me these days is all the bikes are too bloody tall and I'm too bloody short. Guess I'll just have to buy a tall one and cut it down a bit. The DR250R I have now is low because it has a height adjustable rear shock linkage setup. This is a bit of a ramble really but the point is I think anyone should just do what they feel like. I don't see many of the guys I rode with way back because we are dispersed all over the country now. The one common incentive for me is that my brother has continued to ride (and he's older than me) so I simply get together with him every now and then too.

I think its a shame when people sell their bikes and have none, but then its their choice not mine.

[What?]

I managed to avoid marriage until I was 36. When it happened, my wife was well aware that bikes would always be part of the deal. She doesn't share that part of my life with me, but I don't like gardening...

[Motu]

That was a good rave Merv - yeah,we did the slot car thing too,it was great eh? tracks all over the place,used to rewind motors for more power,oil of wintergreen on the tyres for traction...teenage hot rodders.

Like you bikes are just leasure time for me now,ride a trial once a month say,may not even get on the street for a couple of months,but I used to have sex once a day too - the bikes are winning on that one.Bikes are on my mind all day,sex is not - with the internet at my disposal I can pursue my passion...which is not porn sites.

When we first met my wife was into bikes as much as me,working on them herself and was the first woman to go through tech in her particular field.Girls on British bikes were rare,being able to fix them and keep up with the guys she got a lot of respect - you girls think you got it tough theses days,huh! We had kids and she kept up with bikes,but gradualy being a mother became her prime interest and now she seldom rides,but we hope to get out together again soon - I always enjoyed riding with her...especialy when she was in front on her Trident,what a loverly noise.I have always felt bad that we sold her bikes,but I kept up with my riding,never getting a bike for her that she can call her own again - that's important to her,that it's her bike and not just one her fella lets her ride sometimes.(she wants an Indian Enfield,always had a thing about singles) the diference is I was prepared to ride anything,she is more fussy,but she liked the TM 400 and rides the XS1 sometimes,having delivered one to Hamilton when they were new,she always told me they were a good bike.

Yep,some give up bikes for a fad,some never do - but for those who were here for only a short time,it was an experiance to remember.I wonder if Helen still thinks about riding around on the C90? did it make her a better person,a leader with the needs of the motorcyclist formost in her mind....yeah,right.

[Big Dog]

I often wonder if the fact that so many young riders give up so easily is because they tend to have as an only mode of transport. Some days I'm not looking forward to the ride but have no choice.
would be nice to have both.

[igor]

bean riding for 23 years.

first bike was a 1000cc Suzuki. Had a bike in the garage for 23 years.

Still got a bike, will always have a bike, may have some downtime sometimes when I am busy doin other shit but me bike is still in the garage.

Don't think I could survive without me bike. Just did 400kms on Monday around Coromandel and know why I still have a bike. relaxation

I was a late starter on the marriage thing and the first 6 dates were on a bike. Ride 3 was 1384kms in 2 days. Met the inlaws to be on this ride and the wife to be didn't even no me surname. The wife to be survived and pasted the test.

My wife stills likes the bike but don't ride as much as she used to. Done numerous trips everywhere in this motorcyclists paradise and some rides over 800kms in a day when down south.

Wifey understands there will always be a bike in the garage. Never mentions the cost of the bike sitting there.

The biggest thing she knows is I like to come home at the end of the day alive to her so i may ride quick sometimes but no when to pull the reins in and say slowdown boy. Unlike some people who have insurance and say "if i fall off the insurance company will fix it"

Yes I have had a few spills but only ever got a graze. Met the Diesil monster a few years ago.

Would I let me wife get a bike. The answer is NO. Some people and she is one of them are not meant to ride bikes. (I will put me head out hear and say we have a few on this board in the same catogory. Ya can crash once, twice but if its a regular event and ya feel at the end of a ride, geez that was good i didn't crash, time to get another past time in my book)

i c some groups who ride have a crash nearly everytime they go out. what a joke.

i like Motu ride alone or with 2 or 3 mates. Thats the way i like it. i may tie up with a group but come and go like this.

i rode with the useless's group once. some of them were plane igits who are a danger to themselves and other road users.

so if ya out ridden ya sports bike and get cleaned up by a 10 year old bemmer trailee ya will of just learnt the fastest bike on the road ant always the fastest bike on a stretch of road.

over and out

[Coldkiwi]

right, well at 24 I feel a little underqualified in this company! But I'm happy to say biking is much more than a hobby for me. Its not my #1 priority but its huge and my fiancee knows what it means to me and I'm pretty sure she won't make me give it up (she's said she's cool with me going racing... what a woman!)
I've seen the ads 'its the bike or the wife' in Bike Trader and I've often thought 'you poor bastard'. I wish all riders had such understanding partners as most of us seem to.

FWIW, i'm not a car hater even though I've never owned one (cheap import schmimport!) ... I just find the bike so much more fun!!

[James Deuce]

I cringe when I see Wives bully Husbands into dropping a major part of the husband's life. It's certainly not a relationship based on respect and its not a partnership. My wife cringes when she sees this too - we've seen it happen with lots of friends and it mostly involves the male ditching something he enjoys, like playing music in a band, or riding with friends, or going to the Pub on a Friday night.

If I wanted to take up Golf tomorrow I know my wife would support me. If she wanted to take up Women's Rugby I'd be cutting the Oranges up to take to the game. That's how it is and there's no thinking about it.

The bike or me?? Its a bit obvious, come ON!!

[SPman]

Of the guys I started riding with in 67 (from school) , Im the only one still riding.I think, for them it was "can't afford a car yet - bikes are cheaper". One of them has still got his CD175 parked in the shed where it was parked in 88! Of my 2nd group of mates with bikes from 71-72, 3 still ride, 2 dont, but keep pining when one of us turns up - the desire is still there but is buried under family commitments or whatever..Most off us had layoffs due to family/no money/etc, but at the first opportunity............Daytona 955, old VFR750, whatever. 2 have still got their first bikes, let alone all the others. We all prefer to ride by ourselves or in small groups, although riding with others has been tried....to varying degrees of success! .

Family pressures are a massive factor, I had to sell the bike when, with 2 kids and FA money, I lost the use of a works vehicle and had to get transport of some sort! So the GT750 went, the Morry Minor convertible arrived, with the promise of a new Pantah 600 within 2 yrs....haah! Mrs Ex was quite happy with me riding! As a pillion, she would read paperbacks, smoke, sleep, whatever, with no trouble at all..Although the nonstop Greymouth-Auckland trip when she was 7 months preg, did stretch things a bit!
However, when the marriage ended, the house was sold etc, I couldnt wait to get a bigger bike (I had obtained an AX100 to assuage my habit for a couple of years). I dont think I will part with bikes now, unless I cant physically ride any more. My G/f rides her own bike,and is of the same opinion (I think).

Oil of Wintergreen! I just used CRC!

[KATWYN]

Sometimes its not easy for us wives. Its so good to see such
positive posts about your wives- a few years ago,I found
it really hard to support my husbands motorcycling (but I still did) after he had had 2-3 not nice accidents in about 2 years, one of which, when he was lying there unconscious I thought I had lost him -frightening stuff to see in your innocence. Then during this time watching my good freind become widowed (bike accident) and seeing the aftermath of destruction in her life...all I wanted to do was give it away - and secretely wished my
hubby would as well.

I knew if I gave it away, my husband eventually would've as well (to make
me happy) but thats the last thing I wanted for him, as he had really
found a sport he loved with a passion. Getting past your own feelings
is definitely worth it in the end when you see how happy your partner is.
And eventually those yukky events disappear from your thoughts so you
can enjoy riding again!!

Personally I can't believe women that make their men choose a bike or her.
If we always think about what makes our partner happy and support whatever they do and put everything else (uncomfortable/doubtful aside)...we will be happy, and there will be no regrets later on.

[Jackrat]

Katwyn,I know what you mean.
My wife has always been a horse rider and I have seen her in pretty bad shape after an off or two.She also came across my bike on the side of the
road after my big off.I still feel guilty as hell over that one.
Trouble is very thing I do is dangerous.
A lot of who and what my wife is,is related to her horses,the same applys to me and bikes, We would never have even met if not for our involvment in these two things.Iv,e had a couple of good friends die on bikes and then seen what their familys go through as a result.Iv,e considered chucking it in
after these things happen but have just changed my approach instead.
I quite often get in the ear of younger guys that ride hard,They mostly think I'm just an old fart an don't realise that it's about concern for their safty.As you know only to well,there is NOTHING as bad as seeing a loved one or mate broken on the ground.
I can't not ride an neither can my wife,We wouldn't be the same people anymore.Life goes on huh!

[Anita T]

I live with a man with that passion you talk about and since his last big spill I have had many people tell me to make him give it away for the sake of me and the children. These people just don't get it!!
You have to do as you say

"If we always think about what makes our partner happy and support whatever they do and put everything else (uncomfortable/doubtful aside)...we will be happy, and there will be no regrets later on"

The decision to ride as always is his, he is very aware about what you can't do when your badly injured etc and the impact that has on those around you.

Our children take "Daddy's bike is broken or Dad fell of his bike" in the genaral course of things they visit it regularly in the shop! and eagerly await it's return.
While I just wait to see how many times he changes his mind from giving it up today, to what one shall I buy next. I'm good at mind reading (sometimes)

[Goddess of Goof]

I dont think I will part with bikes now, unless I cant physically ride any more. My G/f rides her own bike,and is of the same opinion (I think).

Oil of Wintergreen! I just used CRC!

Yes, g/f is of the same opinion, SP Man, and would ride more with you if she could do it as well as you do.

Men who have ridden for a long time throughout their lives are LUCKY indeed. If it is hard for guys with partners, kids, mortgages and responsibilities to keep their bikes and keep on riding, imagine how much more difficult it is for women riders to continue!

In my experience, it used to be almost impossible for women to retain their riding skills and bikes throughout - marriage, pregnancies, bonding to vulnerable and helpless babies, breastfeeding, toddlers, pre-schoolers and school-age kids. Add to those factors, financial contraints and mortgages, maybe new business demands, the opinions of your in-laws, and so on, and it would be a rare woman indeed who could continue to own and ride her bike.

However, since the 1990's, today's young women seem to be more assertive, and less sensitive to the adverse opinions of others - and they will ride if they damn well want to, through thick and thin, in a way that we older women did not allow ourselves to. I do have some hope for the future!

It always was, (and often still is), the woman's bike that gets sold first,
"she can still ride with me on mine";
or the woman's riding that is dispensible,
"we will get a car so she can take the kids out" ;
or the woman's leathers and gear that gets sold because
"she dosen't fit them anymore" (due to life changes in body shape)
and never quite gets replaced. Expensive !

And finally, we still get oppressive males who will not allow their woman to ride - after they have snared them into marriage, of course.
Readers, please note, "will not allow" is different from
"recommending that she dosen't".

I wish I could ride more, better, and with more confidence than I do at present, but I came back to it rather late. Heheh better late than never, its true.