Need your opinion
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
I've known a lot of people who died and none of them ever rode a motorcycle and I am sure if they knew how little time they had they would have spent more time enjoying life than being afraid to die. Two of those people died in their sleep without any medical condition or warning. All I have is today and as much as love my family and as much as they love me I will not pretend to them I control my fate so I enjoy everyday with them like it is my last because for all I know it just might be.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Keep it! It is paid for and cost very little to maintain it has sentimental value and some day you may want to introduce two wheeled life to your kids. My wife doesnt like that I ride and never rides with me 
but I paid cash for my bike and I got alot of insurance and this is my only vice. Now that my daughter is 13 she asked me to take her for a ride and she loves it. I would rather she learn how to ride from me even if she only ever wants to be passenger.
but I paid cash for my bike and I got alot of insurance and this is my only vice. Now that my daughter is 13 she asked me to take her for a ride and she loves it. I would rather she learn how to ride from me even if she only ever wants to be passenger.
For me, my bike is therapy. Riding it, wrenching on it, everything about it is an escape.
Think how good it feels to leave work on a Friday and ride home on the Harley. It's like all the stress instantly fades as soon as you crank that engine over.
If it's paid for, keep it. Ride it whenever you need that escape.
Think how good it feels to leave work on a Friday and ride home on the Harley. It's like all the stress instantly fades as soon as you crank that engine over.
If it's paid for, keep it. Ride it whenever you need that escape.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: USA
just wanted to see what you guys thought and i am sure some of you don't. I am having a really hard time with this one. I have a 2003 night train. Live in indiana so riding season can be hit and miss. 29 years old and had the bike since 2006. Wife (doesn't ride) and 2 kids (4 year old daughter and 1 year old son). I'm debating on selling the bike and waiting 10 years or so before i get another one since the only time i have to ride is to work and back (then i have to go home and get the car so i can pick the kids up at daycare). I probably only put 1000 or a little more miles on the bike last year and not even that many this year. With family, sports, busy life and knowing 4 or 5 people that have gotten killed on there bikes this year (none that were there fault. Either deer or a person in a cage). Have any of you guys been in my shoes and if so what did you do? And did you regret it or make the right choice in your opinion?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
EDITED BY ADMIN TO ENFORCE THE RULES
Lighten up dude! The man gave his particulars and asked for opinions, AND that being said, here is what I did -
When we were first married, the wife and I were avid boaters. We'd work all week and go boating and water skiing every weekend. Once she became pregnant, that was the end of boating. I had already begun taking flying lessons and worked that to completion and a license. Even though I loved flying, I found myself missing out and torn between spending time with the family. I took a 10 year hiatus from flying spending all my free time with the wife and kids. I wouldn't exchange that for "me time" for anything in the world.
Once the kids were old enough, we started up boating again AS A FAMILY. Then the inevitable happened. The kids grew up and once again it was the wife and I, hence bike time. I bought the bike thinking that I'd just commute to work with it and as luck would have it, the wife found out she liked riding with me.
My life has been and continues to be a time management cluster fu**! ALSO I might add that your children can cost more than you could possibly imagine. I was blessed with 2 of 3 that went on to graduate school after college. Start saving your money but more importantly spend as much of your time with the family as you can. That treat won't be there forever!
Lighten up dude! The man gave his particulars and asked for opinions, AND that being said, here is what I did -
When we were first married, the wife and I were avid boaters. We'd work all week and go boating and water skiing every weekend. Once she became pregnant, that was the end of boating. I had already begun taking flying lessons and worked that to completion and a license. Even though I loved flying, I found myself missing out and torn between spending time with the family. I took a 10 year hiatus from flying spending all my free time with the wife and kids. I wouldn't exchange that for "me time" for anything in the world.
Once the kids were old enough, we started up boating again AS A FAMILY. Then the inevitable happened. The kids grew up and once again it was the wife and I, hence bike time. I bought the bike thinking that I'd just commute to work with it and as luck would have it, the wife found out she liked riding with me.
My life has been and continues to be a time management cluster fu**! ALSO I might add that your children can cost more than you could possibly imagine. I was blessed with 2 of 3 that went on to graduate school after college. Start saving your money but more importantly spend as much of your time with the family as you can. That treat won't be there forever!
!["HI"'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%2389d66f' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 865
Likes: 36
From: So. Cal.
Every post has valid points, but in the end, it's really up to you!
I’m almost in the same boat (family wise), just a bit older (35), married, 2 kids (6 y/o girl & 2 y/o boy), house, 2 cars, a lifted truck, Harley, Sport bike and a quad!
I’ve been riding dirt basically my whole life, had Honda ATC's as kids, dad had a sand rail...............Been riding street for about 11 years, got my 1st Harley last Nov.
I had to make that choice before I bought my Harley of....."Would I have time to ride my new toy"?
And let me tell you, I get creative to find riding time, whether I ride to work (24 miles one way)......on my way home, I take the "long way" all streets, go thru a mini-canyon and just take my time getting home. Also, I ride to family events, the wife and kids are in the car (my wife doesn’t really ride either) and its cool because my kids love it!!! Especially my son, he is soooooo infatuated w/ motorcycles and he’s only 2 y/o!!
Prime example: It was in the 90’s around here over the weekend, around noon I told my wife, why don’t you take the kids to my mom’s to go swimming (mom has a in ground pool, Jacuzzi) and when I’m done working on the house, I’ll meet you guys over there. SO, about 30 minutes later they were gone, I didn’t finish working on the house till 2:30 pm, then I jumped in the shower, got dressed and hopped on the bike for a ride to my mom’s house. Its only about 25 miles 1 way, BUT, I took all streets AND took the LONG WAY!!!
Also, I take my daughter to school in the morning, so if I do ride to work, I have to go, drop her off, then come back home to get the bike.
I’m almost in the same boat (family wise), just a bit older (35), married, 2 kids (6 y/o girl & 2 y/o boy), house, 2 cars, a lifted truck, Harley, Sport bike and a quad!
I’ve been riding dirt basically my whole life, had Honda ATC's as kids, dad had a sand rail...............Been riding street for about 11 years, got my 1st Harley last Nov.
I had to make that choice before I bought my Harley of....."Would I have time to ride my new toy"?
And let me tell you, I get creative to find riding time, whether I ride to work (24 miles one way)......on my way home, I take the "long way" all streets, go thru a mini-canyon and just take my time getting home. Also, I ride to family events, the wife and kids are in the car (my wife doesn’t really ride either) and its cool because my kids love it!!! Especially my son, he is soooooo infatuated w/ motorcycles and he’s only 2 y/o!!
Prime example: It was in the 90’s around here over the weekend, around noon I told my wife, why don’t you take the kids to my mom’s to go swimming (mom has a in ground pool, Jacuzzi) and when I’m done working on the house, I’ll meet you guys over there. SO, about 30 minutes later they were gone, I didn’t finish working on the house till 2:30 pm, then I jumped in the shower, got dressed and hopped on the bike for a ride to my mom’s house. Its only about 25 miles 1 way, BUT, I took all streets AND took the LONG WAY!!!
Also, I take my daughter to school in the morning, so if I do ride to work, I have to go, drop her off, then come back home to get the bike.
Last edited by "HI"; Jul 18, 2013 at 06:40 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 1
From: SC
Keep it a little longer since it's paid for. see how you feel after a couple weeks. just put your family first. thats me. i have been in and out of bikes because of finances and family reasons. no big deal to me to sell one. you can always get another later on if you want. don't sweat regretting it. do what you feel is necessary without regret. it's your life brother, you live it and you will answer for it, not us.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 0
From: París, TX
I am 51 years young and in 1994 at the age of 32 I had what I call now as a moment of clarity. 1994 is when my second Son was born.
I had a Honda Nighthawk that like you I mainly rode to work and back everyday.
Also like you my Wife didn't ride so it was kinda only a "me" thing.
After my second Son was born two things I found out was; it cost twice as much to raise two kids than one and I realized that I had committed myself to caring and supporting not only a Wife but also two children. I might add in 1996, that children number increased by one and I ended up with three great Sons.
I decided that due to the commitment that I had made to my Wife and three Sons I had the responsibility to do whatever I could to insure that I fulfilled my commitment as a Husband and Father. This meant limiting my activities to whenever reasonable to "non-risky" ones.
So I bought life insurance, took up softball and bowling and sold my Nighthawk. I don't recall for sure, but I probably spent the money on diapers and formula
I haven't lived my life since always risk free, but I also haven't done any skydiving or mountain climbing.
It turned out that it wasn't a money thing; between football, baseball, trap shooting, cars and all the other activities that my three Sons have participated in over the last 20 years I could have bought quite a few bikes.
The key meaning as I see it, is that I was around for the last 19 years to be able to enjoy all the activities of my three Sons and have been there as a Husband to my Wife and a Dad for my Boys.
And since I'm writing a book here, I'll go ahead and try to explain how I realized the importance of being there as a Dad for my three Sons.
When I was 7 years old my parents divorced. Even though I saw my Dad off and on a few times a year for the most part for the next 20 years he wasn't a regular part of my life.
I didn't have a Dad around to help me learn to change a bicycle tire, ask questions about girls or even teach me to shave. I had to learn those things all by myself.
For years I felt that I was cheated by my Dad not being around to be able to teach me the things that really only a Dad can teach a Son.
However when I became a Dad I realized that my Dad didn't cheat me; I had learned how to change a bicycle tire, know mostly what girls were about and I have always been clean shaven, but I realized that rather my Dad had in fact cheated himself because he had lost the opportunity to be part of all the memories that he could have enjoyed and shared with me.
Memories such as the touchdown saving tackle I made in 1979 to help my team win the conference championship, getting my first varsity letter as a freshman, meeting my first girlfriend, my graduation from High School and from military basic training, my wedding to my beautiful Wife, the birth of my three great Sons and my retirement from the US Air Force, not to mention missing all the daily successes and failures that makes life interesting.
I now do have a good relationship with my Dad, but he will never get back all the memories that he has lost.
So that's why I sold my Honda Nighthawk and relegated myself to only being a cager.
I always missed riding bikes and my Wife knew that, but she appreciated the sacrifice I made for her and our three Boys and on my 50th birthday last year she let me know her appreciation, She took me down to the Harley Dealer and said to me "choose".
I was floored and that's how at age 50 after 18 years of being bikeless I ended up with my "Renee", a 2009 Heritage Classic.
I put on a personalized license plate that say's "Renee 1".
Why did I name it "Renee", why of course my Wife's name is "Renee".
So in short, sell the bike put the money away for a few years and when you kids are 5 years and older, take them to Disneyland and enjoy the memories of being a Dad.
Then in 15 years or so, I bet you're Wife will take you into the local Harley dealer and tell you to "choose". Yes you'll miss riding a bike, but at least you increase your chances of being around to not miss all the memories of being a Dad.
By the way, my Wife and I will celebrate 30 years of marriage on the July 30th and she now rides 70% of the time with me and where are we going on vacation this year. We're headed to Sturgis without the kids.
Good luck on your decision, I know it will not be an easy one.
I had a Honda Nighthawk that like you I mainly rode to work and back everyday.
Also like you my Wife didn't ride so it was kinda only a "me" thing.
After my second Son was born two things I found out was; it cost twice as much to raise two kids than one and I realized that I had committed myself to caring and supporting not only a Wife but also two children. I might add in 1996, that children number increased by one and I ended up with three great Sons.
I decided that due to the commitment that I had made to my Wife and three Sons I had the responsibility to do whatever I could to insure that I fulfilled my commitment as a Husband and Father. This meant limiting my activities to whenever reasonable to "non-risky" ones.
So I bought life insurance, took up softball and bowling and sold my Nighthawk. I don't recall for sure, but I probably spent the money on diapers and formula
I haven't lived my life since always risk free, but I also haven't done any skydiving or mountain climbing.It turned out that it wasn't a money thing; between football, baseball, trap shooting, cars and all the other activities that my three Sons have participated in over the last 20 years I could have bought quite a few bikes.
The key meaning as I see it, is that I was around for the last 19 years to be able to enjoy all the activities of my three Sons and have been there as a Husband to my Wife and a Dad for my Boys.
And since I'm writing a book here, I'll go ahead and try to explain how I realized the importance of being there as a Dad for my three Sons.
When I was 7 years old my parents divorced. Even though I saw my Dad off and on a few times a year for the most part for the next 20 years he wasn't a regular part of my life.
I didn't have a Dad around to help me learn to change a bicycle tire, ask questions about girls or even teach me to shave. I had to learn those things all by myself.
For years I felt that I was cheated by my Dad not being around to be able to teach me the things that really only a Dad can teach a Son.
However when I became a Dad I realized that my Dad didn't cheat me; I had learned how to change a bicycle tire, know mostly what girls were about and I have always been clean shaven, but I realized that rather my Dad had in fact cheated himself because he had lost the opportunity to be part of all the memories that he could have enjoyed and shared with me.
Memories such as the touchdown saving tackle I made in 1979 to help my team win the conference championship, getting my first varsity letter as a freshman, meeting my first girlfriend, my graduation from High School and from military basic training, my wedding to my beautiful Wife, the birth of my three great Sons and my retirement from the US Air Force, not to mention missing all the daily successes and failures that makes life interesting.
I now do have a good relationship with my Dad, but he will never get back all the memories that he has lost.
So that's why I sold my Honda Nighthawk and relegated myself to only being a cager.
I always missed riding bikes and my Wife knew that, but she appreciated the sacrifice I made for her and our three Boys and on my 50th birthday last year she let me know her appreciation, She took me down to the Harley Dealer and said to me "choose".
I was floored and that's how at age 50 after 18 years of being bikeless I ended up with my "Renee", a 2009 Heritage Classic.
I put on a personalized license plate that say's "Renee 1".
Why did I name it "Renee", why of course my Wife's name is "Renee".
So in short, sell the bike put the money away for a few years and when you kids are 5 years and older, take them to Disneyland and enjoy the memories of being a Dad.
Then in 15 years or so, I bet you're Wife will take you into the local Harley dealer and tell you to "choose". Yes you'll miss riding a bike, but at least you increase your chances of being around to not miss all the memories of being a Dad.
By the way, my Wife and I will celebrate 30 years of marriage on the July 30th and she now rides 70% of the time with me and where are we going on vacation this year. We're headed to Sturgis without the kids
.Good luck on your decision, I know it will not be an easy one.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 16
From: West Virginia
I didn't want my daughter riding on the back of motorcycles ridden by idiot teenagers. So I sold my bike and quit riding for 20 + years. Didn't want to come across as a hypocrite. Now she is grown and I am back to riding. No regrets.