Harley?? Irresponsible parent????
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 190
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RE: Harley?? Irresponsible parent????
Not an easy one, but with a 7 yr old son and 4 yr old daughter; I decided that after 20 yrs without a bike, I wanted back on. Never stopped thinking/dreaming about riding and decided I needed to do itfor me (vs. waiting X more years). Obviously if the family has to suffer to do it (you said money was not an issue, but as mentioned earlier TIME should be considered also), then think hard. For me, I love riding, I only have one time around this life and I deserve a little being spoiled just like the others in my family that I work hard to make sure they have what they need, plus a little.
Also, not to be morbid, but I did make sure that I had more than enough life insurance (same decision process before the bike, but had I not done it before I would certainly re-evaluate the amount when getting a bike). Enough is a vauge term, for me; cover house, vehicle, and a start for college (they are young so enough to put aside to grow).
Also, not to be morbid, but I did make sure that I had more than enough life insurance (same decision process before the bike, but had I not done it before I would certainly re-evaluate the amount when getting a bike). Enough is a vauge term, for me; cover house, vehicle, and a start for college (they are young so enough to put aside to grow).
RE: Harley?? Irresponsible parent????
Rules to live by:
1) you only live once, be happy
2) you only live once, be happy
By the way if it is your time, it does not matter what you are doing. (example: Sky diving without a chute, or sittong on the toilet taking a dump, you can go eighter way, of you can survive eighter)
[IMG]local://upfiles/47348/661E16F3DFD142ABBAA620D09E867C10.jpg[/IMG]
1) you only live once, be happy
2) you only live once, be happy
By the way if it is your time, it does not matter what you are doing. (example: Sky diving without a chute, or sittong on the toilet taking a dump, you can go eighter way, of you can survive eighter)
[IMG]local://upfiles/47348/661E16F3DFD142ABBAA620D09E867C10.jpg[/IMG]
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 547
Likes: 1
From: Republic Of Texas
RE: Harley?? Irresponsible parent????
ORIGINAL: flight
Financially I can do it no problem, it is the thought of getting injured or worse yet killed then providing for my family would become difficult needless to say.
Financially I can do it no problem, it is the thought of getting injured or worse yet killed then providing for my family would become difficult needless to say.
crossing the street?
eating at McDonalds toooften?
If you have a family you should have life insurance unless your old lady can support them on her own.
If you can afford a bike you can afford insurance.
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 2
From: Western NC
RE: Harley?? Irresponsible parent????
Be a responsible parent:
Check all your insurance and retirement plans - make sure your family will be covered if something would happen to you. This is for your family regardless of whatever your decision is about riding. If you are not prepared for a motorcycle crash then you are not prepared for that bus that might hit you tomorrow. General rule of thumb is that your life insurance should equal at least five times your annual salary. Personally I prefer whole life insurance versus term as it builds up equity that can be transferred to future retirement funds. If you are concerned about your families financial viability if something should happen to you then you need to do that first.
Get into motorcycling responsibly:
1. Take the MSF course, or Harley Riders Edge course. Personally I would go with MSF, I think their bikes are more learner friendly. If you have ridden before still take the course if you have not already.
2. Don't plan any big rides or group rides until you spend a significant amount of time in a parking lot (empty) getting to know the bike you end up with. Then if possible find an expereinced rider and ride with them, let them tail you some and they may have some good advice.
I've been riding for 20+ years I have two small children - 5 and 8. My daughter (8) is excited about the day when she gets to take the MSF. Maybe she will still want to when she is sixteen, maybe not. Riding is a big part of my life. Normally I ride at least 6 days a week, commuting.
Check all your insurance and retirement plans - make sure your family will be covered if something would happen to you. This is for your family regardless of whatever your decision is about riding. If you are not prepared for a motorcycle crash then you are not prepared for that bus that might hit you tomorrow. General rule of thumb is that your life insurance should equal at least five times your annual salary. Personally I prefer whole life insurance versus term as it builds up equity that can be transferred to future retirement funds. If you are concerned about your families financial viability if something should happen to you then you need to do that first.
Get into motorcycling responsibly:
1. Take the MSF course, or Harley Riders Edge course. Personally I would go with MSF, I think their bikes are more learner friendly. If you have ridden before still take the course if you have not already.
2. Don't plan any big rides or group rides until you spend a significant amount of time in a parking lot (empty) getting to know the bike you end up with. Then if possible find an expereinced rider and ride with them, let them tail you some and they may have some good advice.
I've been riding for 20+ years I have two small children - 5 and 8. My daughter (8) is excited about the day when she gets to take the MSF. Maybe she will still want to when she is sixteen, maybe not. Riding is a big part of my life. Normally I ride at least 6 days a week, commuting.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
RE: Harley?? Irresponsible parent????
Well I finally made up my mind. \\; My bike will be ready for pickup on Friday. \\; I bought a 2008 Street glide (Vivid Black) only because i heard its the fastest, \\; with ABS, cruise control, and security. \\; I also got the dealer to cough up $1000 of \\; dealer instore credit for the goodies. \\; Im thinking rush slip ons and a chrome front end. \\; any other suggestions??? \\; Thanks for all of the valuable input.
 \\;
Steve
 \\;
Steve
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
RE: Harley?? Irresponsible parent????
I had cycles since I was 14. \\; Married and has three boys. \\; Had motorcycles through 42.5 years off marriage. \\; Wife doesn't ride our like bikes. \\; Bought the boys street trail bikes when they were each 8. \\; It made them very good drivers when they turned 16 and got cars. \\; The wife is understanding that I will have bikes until I die. \\; Shes just not too happy with me having four and wanting to add another.
I had many " boy/dad " days when they were growing up. \\; I would take one to were he want'd to go and then another one the next week. \\; Now they are scattered over the country but we meet ea year at Sturgis, Laughlin Daytona etc. each year. \\; Next year the oldest two and I are going to Fairbanks on the Alcan highway. \\; The youngest and I did a 12 day 12 state ride in 06.
The motorcycle has made us a family not detracted from it.
I had many " boy/dad " days when they were growing up. \\; I would take one to were he want'd to go and then another one the next week. \\; Now they are scattered over the country but we meet ea year at Sturgis, Laughlin Daytona etc. each year. \\; Next year the oldest two and I are going to Fairbanks on the Alcan highway. \\; The youngest and I did a 12 day 12 state ride in 06.
The motorcycle has made us a family not detracted from it.
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Joe Kucinski
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
RE: Harley?? Irresponsible parent????
GOOD GOD!!! Get the Harley! \\; My Dad had Harleys for years up until my Mom was pregnant with my little brother. \\; She told him "If I can't ride, you can't". \\; He sold it, a '52 pan (the first bike I ever rode on) \\;in '64. \\; She still kicks herself in the @ss for that now. \\; When I was 13 he bought a used '67 Electra Glide, the first bike I learned on. \\; He's had them ever since. \\; Got my first HD at 22 and my son got his first at 23. \\; Dad is now 81, and his legs aren't too good. \\; He hasn't riden for quite a few years and I know it sucks big time for him. \\; The only concerning factor for any of us is the payments. \\; Could we afford it and the insurance? \\; Yes? \\; Then we went for it. \\; No .049658% of statistics for this or that. \\; I guess if H-D is in your blood, you don't think about the rest.
 \\;
Nuff said.
 \\;
Nuff said.
