[HarleyLance]

harleybeg, I think there are seasons for everything. Right now, you're in a season of raising your family. The bike riding season will be there at the appropriate time.

 

[Ahar]

I know what you mean. When I got married I decided to give up skydiving (100+ jumps) because it just wasn't fair to drive off on the weekend with the wife, and now kids, wondering if daddy was coming home today.

If I could make a suggestion it would be to get on the internet and start researching frames for the new chopper you've always wanted to build for yourself. If you have the money from the sale you can put down a piece of it on a frame. Then procrastinate all you want while building out the rest of the bike. The more the itch, the more you'll work on it. When you decide you've waited long enough you can finish the build and you're ready to ride. This also keeps you active on the forum since you'll be asking about finding parts and who has experience rebuilding a 30 year old kick start tranny that you found cheap.

Just a thought...

that is some of the greatest advice I have ever heard.
And you can be posting pics of the build, could be a record for the longest build.
My 89 Ultra build, 6 years and counting.
Man's gotta have a project to get lost in.

 

[rkt88403]

I quit riding for 27 years. No regrets.

 

[redfxr]

i gave up bikes when i was just starting a family ..
There was not enough money for a motorcycle habit back then.
It would have been selfish.

 

[wndchsr]

Friend-

Everybody dies. Not everyone lives.

Take care & God Bless

Couldnt agree more.

 

[Karen]

I feel the same when I am on my bike but I also feel the same when I get in my car. I am not giving up either one. We just have to be alert and careful. oh, and one last thing, you worry bout a girl hitting you while txting? Hon, boys text just as much. Just saying... Alot of states are making it illegal, we can only hope that these people obey the law so we can enjoy our rides. Gob bless.

 

[fester]

Too bad about getting psyched out like that.
But people in cars get hit and killed just the same.

 

[Tbones]

Live for today, tomorrow will take care of it's self and yesterday is gone... When it's your time, it's your time no matter what you do in life... The hardest part of any decision is making it... You made yours and there is no right or wrong in it...

 

[CapeCodUltra]

There are many people on and off this forum who give-up motorcycle while raising a family and return to it again later as I did. It has nothing to do with being a "real biker" thats all B.S. propagated by someone trying to make his/herself important. You have a family, do what works for you and motorycyling will be here when you are ready to ride again.
RJ

 

[Scrubs]

I hope that the feelings you're having never strike me...but, who knows?

Priorities change...hell, when I was between marriages I passed on a chance to be a Spec Ops medic at one time and chose a Germany assignment instead, only because I'd never been there and really wanted to go.

If I had gone the other extreme way, I might be lying 6 feet under a grave marker, and I most definitely wouldn't have my beautiful wife and best friend with me today.

Over 20 years ago, I took a long hiatus to concentrate on a military career. Stayed away from bikes all together and kind of look back thinking "Did I miss something?"

Naw, just got to accumulate some different life experiences is all.

Good luck on your path and stay in touch with the Forum, harleybeg. You would be missed around here, that's for sure.

 

[107cihog]

You sold the bike to put money in the backyard, seriously?

What would you do for your kids? To me family come first and not my wants just need to balance it all out in your mind. Then at the end of the day reflect on what had happened that day but do not justify any of it. You will find you did do the right thing.

 

[phat96]

Sold my Road King May/10 it's almost 8 months now and the worst part is hearing a Harley go by and not being able to go for that ride. I sold mine because I have a new business and 20 employees, but there's also my 6 year old daughter and my 2 year old son to think of, and the wife said thanks for doing what you did and when we can pick up another bike. I certainly will.

But everyguy needs a project, and cleaning the garage and doing yard work just isn't it. Good luck to you, and to all the others thanks for sharing your thoughts on having to do the same thing. It helps with not being able to ride.

 

[Nazzdak]

What would you do for your kids? To me family come first and not my wants just need to balance it all out in your mind. Then at the end of the day reflect on what had happened that day but do not justify any of it. You will find you did do the right thing.

One thing has nothing to do with the other.

I do things for my 4 year old son all of the time. The last thing he needs is an 18,000 dollar investment in the "backyard."

Truth be told, this particular man, sold that particular bike, because he was AFRAID of it. Cut and dry. That's fine. Better to stop pretending to be something that you are obviously not, than to find out the hard way.

 

[fatboyfrank]

today has been difficult. i just sold my streetbob 3 hrs. ago after having too many bad thoughts about what it would be like for my young kids if some lady texting hit me. I know this is something you know going in, but i guess it started to get in the way of fully enjoying the bike.


i sold the bike today for all of what i asked and i am not the least happy. suppose i'll put them money toward the backyard.
i asked the guy if i could sit on it one last time. it honestly feels like a part of me gave up to my fears and died. i wasn't a new rider and i still have the dirt bike.

i told the wife today in 10-15 years when the kids are grown i am buying another one right away.

now i know some of you will read this and give the typical response...oh you were never a real biker. you're right! i never claimed i was. i just loved riding on the weekends to relieve the stress and on weekdays think about the weekend ride coming up.
at least i got to do a long weekend trip to vegas bike week.

hopefully i'll be on this forum in 15 yrs. with my new bagger and 55 yrs old saying "i'm back!"

here is to a great forum!

I feel for you, I think what u did was very unselfish.

 

[harleybeg]

when i sold the bike yesterday the weather was perfect for riding. bikes everywhere. at a light a group of 10 harley riders came up next to me. that was hard! i totally know what phat 96 is saying in the earlier post.

What NAZZDAK said is true. although i've had bikes when i was younger, I was afraid of it now because of certain responsibilities, not for my own safety.
thoughts of a possible accident should be in the back of your mind a little, it's what separates the good riders with the reckless ones. the problem is when it gets in the way of enjoying the ride. that's what happened to me.

but i wasn't pretending to something i wasn't.

 

[black05flhrci]

I think you are doing the right thing, Harleybeg.

Riding scared is like riding drunk. You should not ride if you can't concentrate 100%. You will be a danger to yourself as well as everyone else on the road.

Since you have a fear of leaving your children behind, you should consider getting rid of the dirt bike. They can be dangerous as well.

Have you considered a total lifestyle change? More riders are killed by obesity and cancer than texting teenagers every year. Probably best to give up smoking, drinking, fast food, white sugar, salt, and foods high in unsaturated fats.

Get healthy and be there for your children.

Good luck to you !

 

[Inspector 12]

today has been difficult. i just sold my streetbob 3 hrs. ago after having too many bad thoughts about what it would be like for my young kids if some lady texting hit me. I know this is something you know going in, but i guess it started to get in the way of fully enjoying the bike.

i sold the bike today for all of what i asked and i am not the least happy. suppose i'll put them money toward the backyard.
i asked the guy if i could sit on it one last time. it honestly feels like a part of me gave up to my fears and died. i wasn't a new rider and i still have the dirt bike.

i told the wife today in 10-15 years when the kids are grown i am buying another one right away.

now i know some of you will read this and give the typical response...oh you were never a real biker. you're right! i never claimed i was. i just loved riding on the weekends to relieve the stress and on weekdays think about the weekend ride coming up.
at least i got to do a long weekend trip to vegas bike week.

hopefully i'll be on this forum in 15 yrs. with my new bagger and 55 yrs old saying "i'm back!"

here is to a great forum!

I too am part of the crowd that sold my bikes because family was a priority. Fast forward through those days and I now have two Harleys again. The time frame from sale to replacement was similar to what you indicated, about 15 years.

One big difference, I didn't sell them because I was afraid of somebody in a bigger vehicle being distracted and running into me. Simple reality in that realm you could be in your car or pickup and have some distracted driver run a stoplight at speed and hit you broadside. Same risk, slightly more vehicle around you but still possibility of you being injured by a distracted driver. I sold the bikes to fund my education to enable me to be better positioned to provide for my family and enjoy expensive hobbies (motorcycles and shooting).

No criticism of your choice, we all have to make the ones that work for us. Did I miss not having the bikes during that period, absolutely. Do I regret having made the decision to prioritize my life in the way that I did, absolutely not. My bikes are my life but my family is my priority.

 

[Tracker56]

In 1981 I was hit by a guy who ran a stop sign. I was stationed in the D.C. area, so traffic was a way of life for a biker. I had a real fear of getting back into the daily commute and was off my ride for about six months when I realized that I needed to get back on my bike. I believe that when it's your time...it's your time. You shouldn't live in fear, too much livin' to do. Just my 2 cents...

 

[GJarrett]

harleybeg, I think there are seasons for everything. Right now, you're in a season of raising your family. The bike riding season will be there at the appropriate time.

Concise, balanced, to the point, and well said.

 

[Tsani]

You gotta do what you gotta do.

But I don't agree with the garbage about growing up, etc. A bunch of bull. You are what you are. I come from a riding family, my OL knew that going in. Doesn't mean I don't love and care for my wife and kids, I do. But to love others fully, you need to love yourself. And I love to ride. My family is fine about it. I could get out of bed tommorrow, trip over the cat and break my neck. It's life. Live it.

I am a biker. Ain't afraid to say it. Don't care if I fit into your definition either.

Your desicion to give up riding is your choice. No explaination needed. Don't think less of you for it.

It's like a marriage. If your heart ain't in it, get out.

Good luck to ya.