Thinking about giving up the bike...

**Cajun** · 6th July 2009, 15:57

Mash - after looking at some of prices aprilia's are selling at, your get jackshit for it really.

Like others said, park it up, with a sheet over it or get one of those limited rego thingys that let you do max of 5,000kms a year.

And see what you feel like when summer rolls around, weather you will want to have a small blast here or there.

**MarkH** · 6th July 2009, 16:09

Originally Posted by mashman

I know, another bloody giving up the bike thread... well it's that time of life I suppose.

Perfect solution:
Why don't you let me take care of your bike for you (I'll do it free of charge) and I'll even pay for WOF & Reg. Then when you want to ride again you can let me know. I can think of no flaws whatsoever with my idea!

**Big Dave** · 6th July 2009, 16:16

'Scuse the lack of diplomacy here but IMO, Kids and family come first. You can have your toys after you have provided for them. It's a machine. Piss it off and get another one when the time is right.

Or get yourself another job or something.

And a haircut.

**Winston001** · 6th July 2009, 16:38

Understand exactly what you mean. I parked my R80 up for 12 years while my children went through their early stages and it was absolutely the right thing to do. No regrets.

I had "me" time without any need for a bike. Did a few walks in the Central Otago high country.

And then.............I bought a DUCATI.

The kids are adolescent teens and love it - well except for one daughter who refuses to get on it.

Her loss.

So. Frankly I don't think you'd sell the Aprilia for enough to make a real difference but only you can decide that. But if you do, there is always another bike.

I've still got my R80 cos I have an affection for it but in hindsight, should have sold it years ago. It was a background worry on my plate - insurance, storage, deterioration etc.

**Mom** · 6th July 2009, 18:05

I will take the negative here, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. While you can always make time to go for a ride on your bike you dont very often. Your last years mileage proves that. You obviously want to spend time with your family.

Speaking as a mother who is down to one baby left at home, and probably only for a few more months the time goes by very quickly. As a 2nd time married woman I can tell you your relationship with your wife should also take precedence over your bike.

I love my bike (patheically so some might say) but if it was a toss up between spending time with my young children and riding my bike, guess which would win?

Bikes are easy to buy any time. You get one go at your babies.

**Kiwi Graham:Me** · 6th July 2009, 18:15

Its a tough decision mate but..... toys come and go and come again. Your kids are only kids once enjoy them now before you become un-cool

If time is so tight to split between them, its a no brainer. However if taking it of the road throwing a blanky over it and sticking it in the back of the man cave for a few years/seasons going to solve the dilema choose that.
Good luck

**caseye** · 6th July 2009, 18:45

17 yrs ago, the wife sold her 21st present from me, it was a 1959 Morrie minor, I sold my GS850G ( kitted to the max) we had our three daughters and until 18 months ago I didn't ride again.
Now the wife has a 2008 bike and I have a 1981 one.
Wouldn't sell it for quids, but although we both sold something we loved and we put our time and effort into the girls, we probably could have kept the toys.
These days I take my daughters out for a ride with me and in 6 months or so the wife will be able to do the same.
We probably didn't have to sell and I don't think it would have made much difference to how we raised our teenage kids becausae we were always going to put the time into their things and their needs well before our own.
Room is a factor, got enough to park the bike up and park their bikes beside it?
Money is another, could you just go get another or partime job and pay for the necessities that way?
This is your decision, no one can make it for you,but it sounds like your wife may have already given you the answer.
Go enjoy your kids, sell if you have too.

**shafty** · 6th July 2009, 19:33

A bike will get you through a time of no money better than money will get you through a time of no bike, everytime....

**Conquiztador** · 6th July 2009, 19:38

I sold my Shovel many years ago as there was family, wife and business. We needed the money and I did not really have time to ride. So she went.

Then 3 years later so did my wife. So there I was with no bike and no wife and financial struggle.

I then started picking up cheap bikes and fixing up so I had something to ride. Sometimes only a dirt bike, but never w/o a bike. The times I was able to ride was when the boys were with ex. So every second w/e I got some riding in.

No I am not suggesting that you get rid of the wife (even if it would give you free w/e's...). But to spend the money from the bike on day to day living costs will kill you. You will have nothing for it.

My suggestion:
- Keep the bike.
- Agree on times you can ride. For example a w/e away to a rally, to a track day etc. Perhaps once a month?
- Give wife a day a month to spend doing what she wants and you focus fully on the kids. (I know when my ex has the kids they get 100% focus from her and do stuff I dont as I do the "day to day" stuff).
- Do a budget and stick to it!

Good luck!

**Grahameeboy** · 6th July 2009, 19:38

Originally Posted by skidMark

By no means an easy decision...

but kids grow up fast and you want to cherish your time with them... and being able to financially support them is also good.

In saying that i know how hard it is to give up your baby, just sold my katana and i'm regretting it, but i know it had to be done.

You needed the money.................

**YellowDog** · 6th July 2009, 20:08

Hey Mashman, sorry to hear about your predicament.

Only you know the right thing to do.

All I would say is that you have quite a new and valuable bike that you could sell and get something less financially demanding.

OR you will need to replace the escapism of biking with something else less expensive. Not easy!

**crazyhorse** · 6th July 2009, 20:18

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.

My kids were 5 and 7 when I first starting riding. They thought it was cool having a mum who rode a bike, and we went on occassional holidays on the bikes too.

If in doubt - don't! Unless financially you have to sell, otherwise, does it matter if you don't ride it as often as you like? Palm the kids off occassionally and take your wife for a ride.

Don't lose sight of your dream. You have worked hard to get what you want. Its a part of your life, like your family.

Good luck with your decision

**Paul in NZ** · 6th July 2009, 20:31

Gah - we all face this....

Look - IF it is your dream bike AND you can afford to do without the coin, chuck it in the corner after preseving it and it will wait untill the time is right - however, be warned, you WILL change and it won't... If you have a doubt, pass it on and maybe just get a little fun bike (trail bike??) that you can do up with the kids etc and have a laugh with.

However, Big Dave is right, family first and frankly the right investment now (time mainly) will result in a massive pay back later, it's just common sense. NEVER let a machine come between you and yours...

**cowpatz** · 6th July 2009, 21:45

Have the kids sell chocolate after school, car washes on the weekends and your wife could always get that second job.......she needs the social contact.
The answer is very simple...ask yourself why did you have kids? For what purpose? To rob you of time and money or to enjoy? Try and get by without selling it (there is always evening rides in summer when the kids are in bed if time is the issue or ride every second weekend) and if you have to sell it, well then out it goes.