Why not
how do you afford it?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 50
From:
Almost think that the original poster didn't really want to hear about higher income people, but with 11 pages of comments and counting, I'll throw my situation in.
Married someone with similar income (now WAY higher than mine in retirement). No kids. I have never seen the point. Those with kids don't see MY point . . .
Never had any consumer debt, other than a mortgage (which we paid off in less than five years). Went to work EVERY damn day at a job I hated for nearly 36 years. Retired at 58 and very glad of it. I have a very good education and made good use of it. I didn't hang out and smoke butts with the losers in high school (though some of them were WAY more successful than I was . . .)
When I didn't have much money, I had an old motorcycle and an old car. I always have done my own work (still do) and now we have two cars each (fairly new ones) that don't need much work, like painting (did that, too).
I didn't own a Harley until I was 50 and could throw nearly $20K in cash down for what is really just a toy. My BMWs have always been the workhorses that carried me to work in all sorts of horrible weather. Once I owned a Harley, I rode it on nice days to work, never the miserable rainy or snowy ones.
I have eight bikes, a car and a pickup. My wife has a very nice minivan and a new small car for commuting. She could retire but prefers not to. It's not the money now.
There's no magic to it, just doing a lot of what you don't want to do (work) and sticking to it. Now every day is my own, and if winter would ever end, I'd be riding every day.
Married someone with similar income (now WAY higher than mine in retirement). No kids. I have never seen the point. Those with kids don't see MY point . . .
Never had any consumer debt, other than a mortgage (which we paid off in less than five years). Went to work EVERY damn day at a job I hated for nearly 36 years. Retired at 58 and very glad of it. I have a very good education and made good use of it. I didn't hang out and smoke butts with the losers in high school (though some of them were WAY more successful than I was . . .)
When I didn't have much money, I had an old motorcycle and an old car. I always have done my own work (still do) and now we have two cars each (fairly new ones) that don't need much work, like painting (did that, too).
I didn't own a Harley until I was 50 and could throw nearly $20K in cash down for what is really just a toy. My BMWs have always been the workhorses that carried me to work in all sorts of horrible weather. Once I owned a Harley, I rode it on nice days to work, never the miserable rainy or snowy ones.
I have eight bikes, a car and a pickup. My wife has a very nice minivan and a new small car for commuting. She could retire but prefers not to. It's not the money now.
There's no magic to it, just doing a lot of what you don't want to do (work) and sticking to it. Now every day is my own, and if winter would ever end, I'd be riding every day.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 512
From: Getzville New York
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGrandPoohBah
Whatever you have got -
Ride with pride!
Well, said.
I am sure there are many folks who would love to be able to afford your bike.
Enjoy what you have and keep smiling.
your bike has plenty of life left in it believe me CVO does not impress me the road king is an awesome machine RIDE ON
Originally Posted by TheGrandPoohBah
Whatever you have got -
Ride with pride!
Well, said.
I am sure there are many folks who would love to be able to afford your bike.
Enjoy what you have and keep smiling.
your bike has plenty of life left in it believe me CVO does not impress me the road king is an awesome machine RIDE ON
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 512
From: Getzville New York
There ya GO. I've read through this thread and learned a lot.
Some of these guys make $$$$$$+ (top 10%), have 100,000 Sqft. homes, 5 cars, & 20K in chrome, on and on.
Work hard, be happy with what you can do now, if tomorrow opens new doors, thats cool too. That 07RK that is paid for is priceless. I'd rather eat a burger with you and run some backroads, than eating Lobster with them and listen to them talk about all their achievements.
He who dies with the most toys - is DEAD.
Some of these guys make $$$$$$+ (top 10%), have 100,000 Sqft. homes, 5 cars, & 20K in chrome, on and on.
Work hard, be happy with what you can do now, if tomorrow opens new doors, thats cool too. That 07RK that is paid for is priceless. I'd rather eat a burger with you and run some backroads, than eating Lobster with them and listen to them talk about all their achievements.
He who dies with the most toys - is DEAD.
I could not agree more
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,861
Likes: 17,918
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
I would also like to point out you ARE riding a 2006 Road King.
Look how many posts in this thread are by people riding bikes much older than yours such as Evos and Shovels.
It's not like you are riding an old bike with a carburetor made out of a tomato can. (wonder how many will get the reference, or more importantly if the OP will get the reference.)
Look how many posts in this thread are by people riding bikes much older than yours such as Evos and Shovels.
It's not like you are riding an old bike with a carburetor made out of a tomato can. (wonder how many will get the reference, or more importantly if the OP will get the reference.)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,742
From: South Carolina
An `06 is a new bike...
Dealerships make a good living off guys like you, and the guys you are jealous of...
I`m glad I never had the new vehicle fever, I drive my 4 wheeled vehicles into the ground, and I don`t buy and sell bikes every time a new color comes out. My newest bike is my `89 Softail (bought new).
I`ll be retiring in a little less than 2 years (I`ll be 62, and trust me, 62 comes mighty fast...).
When I retire I may just buy a brand new bike as a present to myself (but that trusty `89 isn`t leaving my garage).
Enjoy that `06, or sell it and buy a bagger of equal value.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Feb 16, 2015 at 04:49 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 4
From: Kansas
Similar to you, divorced almost 10 years ago. Got the kids a few years later, and now they are grown.
I have worked hard all my life, and was frugal with my spending. I never buy cheap mind you, but frugal all the same.
Now I have kids raised, saved a ton for a down payment so my bike payment is very low. It is the only debt I have, period.
Until I was able to reach this point in my life, I rode metrics. I don't regret a day on any one of them either, and rode for decades on them.
So basically, it takes time to get the higher cost toys. But after all I have dealt with and been through in my life, my obligations are done, and I treated myself to the toy I've always wanted.
I have worked hard all my life, and was frugal with my spending. I never buy cheap mind you, but frugal all the same.
Now I have kids raised, saved a ton for a down payment so my bike payment is very low. It is the only debt I have, period.
Until I was able to reach this point in my life, I rode metrics. I don't regret a day on any one of them either, and rode for decades on them.
So basically, it takes time to get the higher cost toys. But after all I have dealt with and been through in my life, my obligations are done, and I treated myself to the toy I've always wanted.
Senior Rider
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver Canada
So Jealous ....
I'm 70. No wish to retire. Still married to the same woman after 42 years. Had kids, adopted more, still have a 7 year old at home, 16 YO and a 19 YO. Yes, we foster.
With some luck, and an understanding Dad & Mom, we got a short-cut on a family home.
It's paid for now, ironically from their estates.
I've never been in love with debt, but used it when needed: Not for new cars, bikes or even furniture - mortgage, business loans etc. drive an 11 YO Mazda P/U, my wife a 13 YO Odyssey.
I'd love to trade my '09 FLHTC on a new Ultra - but the $20,000.00 will look better invested for my "old age".
I rode Metric for years; it's no disgrace.
Raise those kids. The bike is metal, children are your future.
With some luck, and an understanding Dad & Mom, we got a short-cut on a family home.
It's paid for now, ironically from their estates.
I've never been in love with debt, but used it when needed: Not for new cars, bikes or even furniture - mortgage, business loans etc. drive an 11 YO Mazda P/U, my wife a 13 YO Odyssey.
I'd love to trade my '09 FLHTC on a new Ultra - but the $20,000.00 will look better invested for my "old age".
I rode Metric for years; it's no disgrace.
Raise those kids. The bike is metal, children are your future.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 90
From: Charlotte
I have a 2012 SG. When I bought it, I immediately started making double monthly payments. I now owe less than $7K on it. I now wished that I would have made triple monthly payments.
There are tons on craigslist being sold, cheap. And, to pay for it, you can get a loan from a credit union. I think I recently read rates something like 1.5%. If there's a will, there's a way.
There are tons on craigslist being sold, cheap. And, to pay for it, you can get a loan from a credit union. I think I recently read rates something like 1.5%. If there's a will, there's a way.
