Had to let it go
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
jpalm,
You got friends here who understand!!
It's good to know you have your priorities straight. I'd take a son or daughter over a bike anytime. One of my personal hardships in life was not being able to afford the cost of overcoming medical problems to have children with my wife.
I will give you something to consider that might help:
This summer rent a newer bike once or twice, or for a few day trip. Cost at the time I rented, $85 will let you rent all day (open to close hours) and $150 for a 24 hr day is the average to rent any of the rental bikes Harley offers.
Be sure to look into insurance before you get there. Between homeowners and auto I did not need to pay for additional coverage that is available at the time of rental.
I've had a real nice Heritage in Florida for a day and rode the Gulf Coast Boulevard from Clearwater to Pensecola. It was my first time ever out on a Harley.
Then I rented an FLHTCU monster for 24 hours and took a big day trip with the wife. And two years ago I took a Street glide for a two day vacation around upper, lower MI. The rent was $340 for Sunday Afternoon to Tuesday at close. The 45th Parallel Harley Dealership in ******* was real lenient on the times. I left there first thing Sunday & was back into town round the same time on Tuesday. When I stopped by the dealership the gal handling rentals said "we don't have another rental on that bike until tomorrow, and if you want to you can bring it back just before close @ 6 pm." I had another 5 hour "trip", 2 1/2 hours going east of ******* and back.
The only bad thing about the "getaway" was I had a new vidcam and erased all our stills and the movie footage by mistake so we didn't have any of the photos we took on our first ever Harley trip.
Oh well many more to come!!!
Have you ever rented?
You got friends here who understand!!
It's good to know you have your priorities straight. I'd take a son or daughter over a bike anytime. One of my personal hardships in life was not being able to afford the cost of overcoming medical problems to have children with my wife.
I will give you something to consider that might help:
This summer rent a newer bike once or twice, or for a few day trip. Cost at the time I rented, $85 will let you rent all day (open to close hours) and $150 for a 24 hr day is the average to rent any of the rental bikes Harley offers.
Be sure to look into insurance before you get there. Between homeowners and auto I did not need to pay for additional coverage that is available at the time of rental.
I've had a real nice Heritage in Florida for a day and rode the Gulf Coast Boulevard from Clearwater to Pensecola. It was my first time ever out on a Harley.
Then I rented an FLHTCU monster for 24 hours and took a big day trip with the wife. And two years ago I took a Street glide for a two day vacation around upper, lower MI. The rent was $340 for Sunday Afternoon to Tuesday at close. The 45th Parallel Harley Dealership in ******* was real lenient on the times. I left there first thing Sunday & was back into town round the same time on Tuesday. When I stopped by the dealership the gal handling rentals said "we don't have another rental on that bike until tomorrow, and if you want to you can bring it back just before close @ 6 pm." I had another 5 hour "trip", 2 1/2 hours going east of ******* and back.
The only bad thing about the "getaway" was I had a new vidcam and erased all our stills and the movie footage by mistake so we didn't have any of the photos we took on our first ever Harley trip.
Oh well many more to come!!!
Have you ever rented?
Last edited by JohnnyC; Apr 21, 2011 at 11:21 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
Ah dunno, looking back after two marriages and four kids, not sure "family first" is all that its cracked up to be..........all mine are of legal age but they still think I am here just to take care of them.......just sayin......going forward now its all about ME
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34,654
Likes: 36,249
From: outskirts of ba habba
Your priorities are where they should be....family first.
A bike will be in your future, enjoy your family now as they grow
fast, and you don't want to miss any of it.
A bike will be in your future, enjoy your family now as they grow
fast, and you don't want to miss any of it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
kids are worth it
I sold my '66. Mustang in 86. My kids were newborn, 2 and 4. I miss it everyday but kids need diapers and formula. Never bought a collector car, again. I waited until my youngest graduated from HS before getting my motorcycle. Glad I raised them before riding. Now I have 3 great kids, and I am picking up my first Harley in 2 days. Finally life will be perfect. For at least 1 day! Hang in there.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Southern Ohio
Sounds like you have your priorities in order. When my son was born 30 years ago, I sold my bike because it was the right thing to do; my family meant more to me than any material posession. I waited until the kids were grown and on their own before I bought my next one, and I've never regretted it. Congratulations and good luck to you.