Thoughts/Opinions- Dropping street riding- MSF Coaches encouraged to reply.

[RandyO]

I can see where it may be more enjoyable for me than it is for others, I do not commute, but do use it as my personal company vehicle, 95% of my riding is mid day, mid week in rural lakes region NH, no traffic to speak of cause I stay of primary routes and I am not out there during commuter hours

[McBiggity]

I'll take the next couple weeks and mull everything over. A cheap DS may be the answer for when I want to ride and not cost me much of anything.

[TheIglu]

Direct human interaction is a much more engaging experience. I can have my 3 closest friends in the car with me, and we arent talking over intercoms.

Yeah, maybe if you are driving a Sebring in which case you need to end your life and the life of anyone you spawned immediately for the sake of all things good.





I got a 2 seater convertible last year. I rode the bike to work so little this year that I can't recall the last time I rode in. Having the drop top is just so easy when chance of rain is in the forecast, or I have to hit the store on the way home, or I have a consulting gig to get to with equipment, etc. It's not as fun, but I will say that the monotony of riding to work every day had caught me in more than one instance of "did I check to see if a car was coming before I turned left just now?".

Now I ride once in a while and I find myself far more sharp in doing so.

[Chippertheripper]

Everybody gets burnt on one thing or another, and it definitely becomes more apparent in the fall or towards the tail of "the riding season".
It may be time to just try something new. Close one chapter and move on to the next.
The toughest part is the change. Right now most of us (who don't have bikes sitting in the shop) have the opportunity to scratch whatever itch arises when time/budgets/the stars align.

[nhbubba]

I have commuted on the bike more this year than any year since I started riding. I believe I am happier for it. I have a ~45 minute, very uninteresting commute. In the AMs I just do it and get it over with. In the PMs I take the "long way" and work it out to 60 to 90 minutes. I get off the bike happy and damned glad I am fortunate enough to own a motorcycle.

I also see Mark's point of view. Traveling by bike rules. So much better than going by plane or automobile. Travel light; couple changes of underwear and a credit card. Figure the rest out later. $10 gets you into national parks and ~50 MPG. Really, what more do you want in life?

Can't imagine not having a street bike in my life.

[McBiggity]

When you have a family and young kids to care for, priorities change quite a bit. I don't have the luxury of taking the long way home, taking off on trips, etc...

[Petorius]

Can't imagine not having a street bike in my life.

This thread is making me slightly depressed. At the moment, I have to pick street or track, and I have picked track. But I will be back out there eventually.

[nhbubba]

I can dig it. It's all about priorities. Sounds like yours are family and young kids. Nobody can fault you for that.

Do whatcha gotta do.

Although I still don't understand how that precludes having a cheap ujm or dual-sport in the back of the shed.

[McBiggity]

I can dig it. It's all about priorities. Sounds like yours are family and young kids. Nobody can fault you for that.

Do whatcha gotta do.

Although I still don't understand how that precludes having a cheap ujm or dual-sport in the back of the shed.

It doesn't. As of now that is the tentative plan. Cheap ~$1500 bike to get to and from MSF class and the occasional ride.

[Chippertheripper]

When you have a family and young kids to care for, priorities change quite a bit. I don't have the luxury of taking the long way home, taking off on trips, etc...

I don't really either, but luckily I can commute if I want. I was more than happy to leave the scoot in the garage this morning though.

[McBiggity]

As of now, my commute is about 3 miles.

[Chippertheripper]

Yeah, I'm looking at 29 each way, so it is enticing, most days.

[aldend123]

As of now, my commute is about 3 miles.

And then you can skip any worry about finding time to exercise.

[McBiggity]

Just needs a car seat and I'll be set!

[Paul_E_D]

I have no commute, and in an ironic twist it is the Sprinter van that is killing my motivation to use the bike for weekend travel. Rockin up with a full size bed, sink, shower, and whatever gear I choose somehow trumps traveling light.

[Chippertheripper]

I have no commute, and in an ironic twist it is the Sprinter van that is killing my motivation to use the bike for weekend travel. Rockin up with a full size bed, sink, shower, and whatever gear I choose somehow trumps traveling light.

But the water is gonna get cold soon.

[Paul_E_D]

That's when I head to P.R.

[nhbubba]

Just needs a car seat and I'll be set!

Hey kid, checkout my ass.*



* I have no kids. Somedays it shows.

[McBiggity]

too bad it's not legal to strap one of those to an MC. ha. Problem solved for me when it comes to dropping the kid off/picking her up.

[aldend123]

Just needs a car seat and I'll be set!

And as the kid gets older there's the half-bike that bolts on the back so they can pedal their share. Whoops, bubba beat me to it.

[jasnmar]

[McBiggity]

Not sure that flies in the great state of MA

[mzdagrl]

When you have a family and young kids to care for, priorities change quite a bit. I don't have the luxury of taking the long way home, taking off on trips, etc...

I hear ya on that. BC (before child), I used to log over 5k/year commuting and pleasure riding. My peak since she was born was about 2k, and that was a couple years ago, when i made a concerted effort to get out there more. Now that she's doing sports and stuff, and we have playdates and activities all weekend every weekend, priorities re-shifted and I'm back to about 1000-1500/year. Sometimes I wonder why I even still have a bike, let alone two, but then I get a ride in and I remember all over again (getting the Triumph helped put a smile back on my face - after 8 years with the SV, it was a bit stale). I am fortunate though that motorcycles are something Rob and I do together, so if we do get some un-busy grownup time, we can often work the bikes into it somehow.

Now we are counting down the months until she is old/secure enough to ride on the back. In NH, it is based on reaching the pegs and holding on. Pegs, check. Holding on....still iffy.

[golden chicken]

Not sure that flies in the great state of MA

She just needs a helmet.

Though I haven't had a chance to try one, it sounds to me like a DRZ400 or similar would be a good fit for you.

[nhbubba]

I picked my DRZ up for about his budget.