I sold my Ultra Classic a few months ago and I am hanging up my riding gear.
I put in 6 years and about 40K of miles which in Connecticut is a fair amount of riding considering the season is about 6 months long.
The reason.. to chicken. Between almost getting killed last season when my rear tire blew out on the highway (be careful if you have spoked wheels, the air goes out REALLY fast if you pick up a nail) and all the riders getting killed I just am too afraid to ride. Especially with my wife on the back.
Too many riders dropping and dying due to cagers who would rather text, answer phone calls or anything else EXCEPT for paying attention when they are behind the wheel.
It seemed like every weekend somebody got killed on a bike around my area.
I learned alot of stuff on this forum and I will continue to contribute my expertise because when its all said and done, I still love motorcycles and everything about them. I am just too afraid to ride anymore.
Please everybody, be safe out there and keep the rubber side down and the shiney side up.
Because cagers seem to lose their minds when it comes to coffee, gas stations or fast food I think that dangerous spots include...
Dunken Donuts
Any fast food restaurant
Any gas station
Avoid being on your bike really late at night when the drunks come out to play.
If you see any cager looking down while they are in their car they are probably texting or checking their email or surfing the web. They will kill you for it and not think twice about it.
I know its a personal preference but.. wear a DOT approved helmet even if its a skid lid.
99% of my friends don't wear a helmet because CT is a no helmet law state. Sure, its more fun not wearing one and most of my friends claim that they wouldn't want their brain to be the only thing that survives in a major crash. I sort of agree with that but thats not why I wore a helmet 100% of the time. I wore one because of the minor crash that you can get up from with bruises, cuts and scrapes because your head was protected.
Well, off the soapbox. I just want all you riders to be really safe and enjoy the ride but don't take anything for granted and watch those cagers.
John G

 

Can't blame you. There was a blowout accident in our area yesterday-no fatalities but serious injuries incurred. My wife is concerned about the tire thing almost all the time but doesn't want to give it up yet. That mess by San Diego on Sunday has got me thinking too. Good decision by you if that's where your heads at.

 

Hey it is a personal choice! I agree with a lot of what you are saying especially about inattentive drivers. I went through an intersection yesterday with a woman looking RIGHT at me and she still started to pull out until I hit the horn (God I love the HD horn compared to the one on the VTX)

A lot of stuff that happens can be unnerving on a scoot that is for sure.

Maybe after a break you may get the itch again.

 

John G....I've been riding 45 years now, and seen a tremendous amount of changes during that time. It's definitely far more of a challenge now than it used to be years ago....to a large degree for many of the reasons you stated. I hope you're prepared for some flames, cause you know they're gonna come from some who will respond. Many (most?) won't understand where you're coming from. These days, you can't just take off on the bike and completely enjoy a nice leisurely ride on a warm sunny day....the wind in your hair, a smile on your face....not a care in the world. Pretty sad that those times are gone now. I still get more pleasure out of riding than not...who knows what the future brings. I choose to continue because it's what I am, it's what I know. I respect your choice, and wish you well. Hopefully, you'll find some other activity that's enjoyable to you and makes you happy! Best wishes to you!

Troll

 

Wishing you all the best in your endeavors..

 

If it's what you want, it's a good call.

 

I try to only ride in the country away from most cagers. Otherwise...if I lived where I could only ride in a city I would choose the same as you.

Sorry to see you go.

 

It's a personal choice that I can respect. I don't ride with my wife for these reasons...."someone's gotta live for the kids". I think I am more afraid of the blowout thing than the cagers. With that said, someone on here posted something their grandma told them that really is perfect wisdom:

"If you were born to drown, you'll never hang".

Who am I to argue with fate?

 

How much for your gear?...lol

 

If your head is not in it, its far better to get out. All the best