A very hard decision, indeed!

[Two Jays]

I've been a motorcycle owner/rider, on and off, for most of my life. I currently have a 2008 Honda Goldwing and love the darn thing. As you can tell, I'm new to this board and I just purchased my travel trailer last Friday. One reason I got a travel trailer is because I just don't have the fire in my gut to ride anymore. I've always said that if I lose the fire in my gut for doing anything recreational, I'd quit it. Well, I now have a travel trailer and a motorcycle. I love having the bike in the garage and being there if I do feel like riding it. But, I just can't justify, to myself, the expense of everything that goes along with ownership even if you don't ride much. So, in the very near future I will have to decide if I want to own the bike for the sake of owning it or sell the thing.

This is going to be tough!

Thanks for letting me cry on your shoulder.

[Mr_D]

I sold my last bike some 20 years ago when my equilibrium went bad on a curvy road and I had to stop and let my head clear. The only thing I can figure was that it was my MS acting up. Wish I had a bike now, there's one HD Sportster model that looks like the old flathead racer that I would love to have! But I'd rather not have the bike and keep my wife!! Divorces are EXPENSIVE!!

[TXiceman]

You should have bought a toy hauler and loaded the scooter in the back.....

Ken

[Two Jays]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman You should have bought a toy hauler and loaded the scooter in the back..... Ken

I did, in fact, look at that. But, as I said, I've lost the fire in my gut.

Used to be that for days before we would go on our cross country tours, I couldn't sleep in anxious anticipation of the ride. 3 weeks of just plane fun riding around this great country. Couldn't care less of what the weather may bring, cross that bridge when we get to it. Long weekends in the Smokey Mountains cruising the wonderful roads. But, it just isn't the same anymore. Now, I dread those long, cold, wet and monkey butt days. I'm getting soft and older. Just want to be comfy and relaxed when I get to where I'm going. Setting up a camper is a minor thing compared to sitting in a hotel room next to the heater for an hour trying to get the cold out of your bones. Or next to the A/C cooling off.

Does that sound like I'm trying to convince myself to sell the bike? I guess it does. But, I don't need the added expense and I'm not using it enough. The girl was made to ride and ride a lot. Plus, if I sell her, I'd have that money (it's paid off) to put toward buying a nice new P/U to tow the trailer with. I'm afraid my Ford Flex just isn't going to cut it.

[RoyM]

I feel your pain. I had two bikes and thoroughly enjoyed them until I over boogied into a corner and landed face down with the 600 pound bike pinning my leg. Kinda lost my nerve and never rode again. Can't take that kind of excitement at my age.
I would like a trail bike but DW has informed me that if I ever get on and hurt myself she is outta here. She was a caregiver for a quad, he t-boned a car that ran a stop sign with his Harley and very nearly bought it, and refuses to go through that again.

[GMRHost]

I've got an older Goldwing- and love it. But I cannot take the long rides anymore, either. My left leg just won't hold up. That being said, I do have an extended "bumper" that consists of a 6" channel and two uprights welded in place that my bike (sans fairing) rides in... much easier to haul around and take short rides on it.
I had thought of selling it, but after a year off of it, for medical reasons, I missed it bad, and was then GLAD I hadn't sold it.
Just a thought; do what you will, but the short rides are a great "fix" on some days.

[Wayne M]

I loved riding. I belonged to an MC. One day after my 66th birthday, July 7, 2007, I was doing 50 mph down the highway when a jerk i a pickup truck pulled out and broadsided me. A hundred and 30 feet on pavement, skidding, is not fun, but hey, what a ride. The 830 pound bike I rode to a stand still pinned my right foot under the foot rest and broke my 5th metatarsal. Can I say that I was also pretty badly scraped, or shout that be shredded. (Pictures are available if you have the fortitude for seeing them) I love riding, but while in the hosp. DW and family made me promise not to ride anymore, and not because of my riding, but because you just never know. Hey! I'm alive. Scar after scar, but I'm here. Thank you Lord.

After 4 years I don't have the "fire" to ride anymore. Besides, I don't care what anyone may think, but I do believe the older we get the less younger we should try to be. So I'm acting my age. Traded up to a motor home.

[Arch Hoagland]

I'm in a Miata club. We have four bikers who bought Miatas as that was the closest thing to running the back roads in something other than a bike. We tow our Miata behind our motorhome. Sell the bike and trailer and get a Class A or C and tow the Miata. Great fun.

[njs42]

Fires go out for a reason---. I've put a few out in my lifetime----. Maybe it is your way of telling yourself something---to which you should listen.

[frankdamp]

I was an avid biker in my younger days in the UK. I even did it for a living for 18 months, working as a development engineer for AJS/Norton. I got to ride the prototype Commandos all over England every day for 6 months and got paid to do it. Later, I worked on the AJS Stormer moto-cross program, getting paid to go to race meetings.

After joining Boeing and coming to Seattle, I took one long look at the traffic and decided no more bikes. That was in 1968 and I've only ridden a couple of times on other folks' dirt bikes. At 70, I'm sure I couldn't even start a Commando.

[jmtandem]

It will cost you more if you decide after watching others riding the road that you should not have sold your bike. Put the bike in the toy hauler and take it with you. Even if you take shorter rides in places where you want to ride based out of the toy hauler instead of home you can still have your cake and eat it too. I would not sell the bike for at least a year of trying out the toyhauler/bike program. Just the dread you express of selling it is enough to tell me you really want to keep it and if you can't ride it but a few thousand miles a year from here on out, so be it. Who cares!

[sparkydog]

I had a 2000 Harley Ultra that I bought new. I also had open heart surgery and 5 bypasses during that time I owned the bike. Recovery and rehab brought back the fire I thought I'd lost when I almost fell asleep on a long ride in Sturgis prior to surgery. Two weeks ago I traded for a 2012 Harley Heritage Softail, once again I truly enjoy riding, even though you must be so careful.The DW likes this one a lot better even though it's a downsize, our riding style has changed, more into day trips rather than overnighters. We plan to take it with us in the back of the truck behind motorhome. If you still enjoy riding, even a little bit, I would keep it, or look for somethig smaller, easier to handle and fun to ride. I have a tendency to look at all those people that would love to be able to and can't, and I want to be able for as long as possible!

[RustyJC]

I guess yours is a decision that all of us motorcyclists must make someday, assuming we live long enough. I'm old enough to realize that my reflexes and reaction time are not what they used to be, but I'm not ready to hang up the helmet and gloves yet!!

You have to do what's right for you....

Good luck with your decision.


Rusty

[jmtandem]

Another option is to purchase a cabover camper and an enclosed trailer. That way when you only want to camp and not take the motorcycle you can; and when you want to go places and take the motorcycle you also can. Might be a solid option if hauling the toyhauler around is only for the motorcycle. You also might look at getting something lighter, like the legendary motorcycles from Germany, that might be a little easier loading and unloading. There is nothing light about a Gold Wing, nothing!