Is New Bike Purchase Self Indulgent ??

[corbtown]

Just got home and cracked open a beer to celebrate purchase of new (to me) 2004 R1150 R sweet, clean, one-owner very well maintained bike. Traded up from my '05 F650 GS to accomodate more realistic riding style. I'm often asked why I ride, which I just started three years ago, having waited for my daughter to marry and my son to finish college. Now my daughter has a new baby and she asks "isn't it just as important for Julian to have a grandpa as it is for you to ride?" Preaching to the choir, I'm sure, when I recite ATGATT, ride sober, ride focused, assume no one sees you, beware of critters, road conditions, fatigue and weather. We all try to balance the high risk of riding to our favor. It remains a high risk endeavor and we still do it. I'm so excited about the new bike, and feel no angst over the purchase. Obviously I intend to continue riding inspite of the potential for negative outcome; and I don't think of myself as a gambler. I had 2 1/2 hours to think about riding on the way home. Probably thinking too much. I know this: this is the third time I've bought a bike in November--never again, next time will be early Spring. For those of you who helped me with answers to technical questions before I decided to buy the bike--Thanks so much for the help.

[john1691]

Congrats on the new bike! Self indulgent? It was used, right? :scratch Yes, we try to minimize risk, and certainly we can't be guaranteed safety. The thing is, there is no guarantee in anything, the plane ride, the walk across the street, the commute to work in a car, that your arteries wont clog up and your heart stop. Life is risk. Do what you enjoy, within reason, and live life to the fullest. For a person the age of a grandparent, fast food is riskier than riding! :laugh

Ride safe!

[redrider1100]

Hi -- I've been riding for 16 years now. In between I have gotten married and adopted a little girl who is now 4.5 years old. I understand the risks of riding and the implications if something bad happens. However, riding is something I really love to do and I follow all of the same safe riding methods you listed.
In addition to the proper gear, my wife asked me to wear a reflective vest whenever I ride which I do every time I'm on the bike.

There are many things people do that come with a certain level of risk. You just need to be aware and balance your risks as best as you can.

I believe the risk/reward factor is worth my continuing to ride. While others may disagree, it's not their decision to make, nor should they be making you feel guilty for your choice.

I get angry with people who say things to me like "I can't believe you ride a motorcycle with a little girl", and the comment "your wife allows you to ride a motorcycle?!" It's difficult for me to remain polite when responding to these comments which are either from the holier-than-thou crowd or men who are not allowed to do anything without spousal approval.

Ride that "new to you" bike and enjoy your life the way you see fit regardless of what others say, even if it is your daughter.

[Gilly]

Just a simple one-liner I learned awhile back, to the "how dare you ride a motorcycle" set, which typically works:
"There's more to life than just living".
Gilly

[glennhendricks]

Self indulgent? Maybe, but at your (our) age haven't you earned a little self indulgence?

As for the grandsprog. Yes, they do deserve a Grandpa, preferably a Grandpa who hasn't been guilted out of something they love to do for the sake of the grandsprog.

It was my choice to stop riding back when my kids were small. It was my choice when or if to start again.

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Misc%20Stuff/CopyofIMG_1598cs.jpg
When Julian gets to be as old as my grandson he will want to try on grandpa's helmet. Don't deny him a lot of fun.

[GlennB]

Isn't it just as important for Julian to have a grandpa as it is for you to go into that expensive nursing home?" Where does it end? The era of Julian is upon us.
:doh

[shire2000]

Of course it is self indulgent. So what?
If you don't treat yourself, who the heck will.

I am in process of spending my kids inheritance and they know it. They don't care. They have told me to go out and have a great time.
I just have to remember, they get to pick the home they put me in. And I ain't going till I am good and ready!

[GlennB]

I just fail to see how it's self-indulgent. You've waited until your daughter got married. You waited until your son is through college. What are you supposed to wait for next? Its your money. Your a grown up, you can spend it. Its all too easy to allow others to send you on a guilt trip. Ride on and ride safe.

On a somewhat different note, you chose well. I have a 2004 R1150R and have put 67,000 miles on it since purchasing it new in the Spring of 05. Great bike!
:thumb

[nevada72]

No guarantees. You could drop dead mowing your lawn. And where would be the fun in that? :) Best to enjoy life. No - don't take foolish chances, but don't stop living either. Armor up, ride safe, and for peace of mind - get a big life insurance policy. Seriously. I'm glad I did.

Self indulgent? I call it incentive.

[yrfuneralmytrial]

I have to agree with the others. I'm nearing 45yrs old and have a 22yr old, 6yr old and 2yr old (yes, I'm a stud;) ) I've been riding about 8 years now. I, like you, try to be super defensive and ride smart. That's no guarantee but then there are no guarantees with anything. Besides time with my family, it's the one other activity that I REALLY love. Gotta ride.

[Jfixit]

In all honesty the nursing home scares me far more than motorcycle hazards. I am not in control of either, the same goes for you, your daughter, or your grandchild. It is a matter of priorities, be moderate in all things, once that is done one thing will not detract from the other. We can have our cake and eat it too; just reduce the portion a little.

[From MARS]

"Life" is terminal. The outcome is certain. Why in the world should one worry about how the end comes?:scratch

Purchasing a "new" bike expresses your optimism about life; it is good and will continue to be good until its gone. Besides, purchasing something new is your patriotic duty! The country, and your dealer/mechanic, thank you for your sacrifice.

Tom

[Vagabird]

It seems I worry more when I'm carrying a full laundry basket down the basement stairs - how long would I lay at the bottom before being rescued? - than hopping on the bike and heading out. Life is risk. Perhaps you can ask your daughter if Julian would be better off with a dull, grumpy grandpa than a lively, fun one.

Enjoy your new bike. Ride safe. Only four months until spring. (Although when I lived near Dayton, it seemed like we always got a break in early February when the temp would rise to the balmy 50s. :dance)

[jasonTDI]

These idiots see the dumb squids riding around or the helmetless rolex riders on HD's and ASSUME you do the same thing.

Tell them to mind their own business. Also tell them to learn how to drive by SIGNALING, NOT TALKING ON THE PHONE and in general just paying ATTENTION. also reming them that it's ignorant cagers like them that kill/injure most motorcycle riders. Don't even get me going about these people.......:blah

[RJM2096]

Congratulations on the new Motorcycle. How about some pictures?

Do not let anyone quilt-trip you into giving up riding. I have know people seriously injured and killed from riding their riding mower. What makes life worth living is adventure. Adventure has it risks.

My grandchild loves the adventurous lifestyle I lead. I know how he will remember me. I do not see any desire on his part to want a motorcycle ride, so I do not feel that I am encouraging him to ride a motorcycle until he can make that informed decision himself.


Never Give Up.
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/RJM2096/WheelChairMotorcycle.jpg

[JanMiller]

OF COURSE!!! Ride it!!! Move On!!!! (buy another one!!!)

[kgadley01]

Why not buy in November, the prices are better. If your worried about that white stuff ya'all get up north, put it on a trailer and come on down to S.C. . We can take a short ride to Fla. and back...:thumb

[88bmwJeff]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Misc%20Stuff/CopyofIMG_1598cs.jpg
When Julian gets to be as old as my grandson he will want to try on grandpa's helmet. Don't deny him a lot of fun.

That's a great photo.

[lkchris]

I just fail to see how it's self-indulgent.

Oh, sure it's self-indulgent.

I maintain motorcycling is a "hobby" despite the pleas of some who attempt to rationalize it as "economical transportation." Fact is, some cars these days get better fuel mileage than a BMW motorcycle and they'll have room enough to bring home some groceries besides.

Nothing wrong with hobbies, of course, but rationalization is a bit questionable.

Kind of tough and frankly dubious these days to have a hobby that involves burning gasoline, but that's the cost of self-indulgence.

I guess you can develop a self-indulgence scale that parallels money spent, i.e. perhaps including the difference between buying new and used. I'm personally repelled by all the "guilt" evidenced in these forums in the form of guys wanting to save a nickel on their hobby. "Cheapest thing on a BMW ... ."

Just leave the guilt and rationalization behind and just enjoy the motorcycling hobby. It's OK. Recognize that motorcycling is in fact expensive, as is any hobby activity besides, I suppose, collecting string.

Hard to discuss equating self indulgence with "taking risks," too. Of course I don't see motorcycles as something to ride in city traffic, as it's hard to see "hobby" and "fun" in that. Little gravel and the occasional animal seem a lot less problematic, especially compared to the fun of rural riding.

Now, owning a big old pickup truck with which you do little but drive to work for your office job ... that's self indulgent.

[NavyCWO]

I recall an old beer commercial. I'm not sure; but think it was for Miller High Life. "You only go around once; so grab all the gusto you can!"

[Paul_F]

Enjoy your riding! My three grown sons disapprove of the "old man" riding whereas my wife, daughter and granddaughter do not. I do not ride on their birthdays; I figure that if I should wipe out on one of those days, it would forever take the joy out of their special days. Other than that, I ride when I please. So should you.

[CTellman]

Buy the motorcycle. Twenty years from now it will make no difference to anyone whether you bought it or not . . .
Campbell Tellman II
'93 R100RT

[SCQTT]

Isn't it just as important for Julian to have a grandpa as it is for you to go into that expensive nursing home?" Where does it end? The era of Julian is upon us.
:doh


EXACTLY!

Sounds to me like the original poster put his life on hold to rasie Julian's mother, but that wasn't enough. Talk about self indulgent!


This is why I decided not to have children. Yes it is self indulgent. Yes, from time to time I have had some maccaroni & cheese weeks. Yes, I have crashed, Yes I have broken bones. Yes, it has been one hell of a life.


My choice & I'm lucky enough not to have to deal with guilt trips.

[rinty]

Oh, sure it's self indulgent...lkchris

Good post.

[thompsonr]

I pick up my new self indulgent Friday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:dance

[Rpbump]

Self indulgent? You only live once and might as well live life to the fullest. My wife has never liked my riding motorcycles but recognizes the fact that I enjoy riding. The kids were support my "addiction" to riding.I will retire again in 2 years and intend to travel across the lower US to CA, then up to Canada, east to Calgary, and then south through Montana & Wyoming before going east through the Badlands to Rushmore and the southeast back to FL. Looking at photos on this and other sites just increases my desire to see this wonderful country at a leisurely pace. I intend to travel for roughly 40 days and am looking forward to this trip. I hope to meet many who post at this site at the 2009 Rally in TN. Ride Safe :usa :thumb

[bob204bc]

Self indulgent!?

Just a little story. I sold a house (I'm a Realtor) to some old friends several years ago. They were moving to a remote suburban county on a beautiful piece of water. During escrow the wife was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. I told them I could get them out of the deal but they declined and said they were moving forward with their lives. Their daughters were outraged. How could their mother, while suffering with cancer move further away from them and their new, infant children who will not get to spend quality time with grandma (ie. free baby sitting) and etc...

She told them. This is about me, not about you.

When you children ask if motorcycles are as important as your grandchildren; I encourage you to remind them that, of course, your grandchildren are more important but, you did your providing and child rearing job. Now it's time to enjoy the rest of your years as YOU want.

I will now step down from the soap box. Thank you for your patience.:drink

[nevada72]

Oh, sure it's self-indulgent.

I maintain motorcycling is a "hobby" despite the pleas of some who attempt to rationalize it as "economical transportation." Fact is, some cars these days get better fuel mileage than a BMW motorcycle and they'll have room enough to bring home some groceries besides.


Have to disagree. I believe that motorcycles (especially in recent times) are an economical alternative to automobiles - not just an expensive hobby. You have seldom (2?) few choices (at least in the US) of cars that will get better MPG than even a BMW motorcycle. Those cars will cost a far sight more than any BMW bike. Yeah, more "practical" for daily use if you are in an "either or" scenario, but that also depends on the individual.

I find that my BMW nicely serves multiple roles - fun gas saver for commutes and errands (groceries fit nicely in the hard cases), and fun hobby. Oddly enough, I turned to motorcycling to reduce my hobbying costs. To me, it is a cheap hobby vs taking a Porsche to the track. Now THAT is self indulgent. Running in circles and burning lots of gas. The annual savings in maintenance and track tires alone will pay for any farkle I could ever want plus my fuel all year.

[bobh41]

I maintain motorcycling is a "hobby" despite the pleas of some who attempt to rationalize it as "economical transportation." Fact is, some cars these days get better fuel mileage than a BMW motorcycle and they'll have room enough to bring home some groceries besides.

Re: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/bestworst.shtml

"Most and Least Fuel Efficient Cars -

The Prius is listed as the overall most efficient car at 48 city, 45 highway.

My R90/6 gets 51 mpg on the highway. And to put things in a different perspective, I have recently sunk about $5K in repairs to a nice Buick worth just a little more than that with 148K miles that can get 30mpg on the highway (so it's fairly practical). If I can keep it another ten years it will probably cost another 5 - 8 K dollars and have a market value of zero.

Conclusion: The R90 is considerably cheaper to own and operate than any car, even considering the high cost of repair parts. It is a very practical vehicle for the frequent out of town commutes that I make, and I can carry most of the stuff I need (tool bag sometimes, and satchel with laptop). I have never thought of it as a hobby, but I'll be honest - it would serve me well as a hobby. If I can keep it in relatively good condition for another ten years with a maintenance cost of maybe $5K, it will probably have a market value in the $10K range.

A new Beemer might not qualify - in your terms - as a practical commuter, considering new cost, high repair costs (not to mention the approximate 30 mpg of the K). But an older BMW surely can; it's an investment, and a really nice ride.

Respectfully,
Bob

[Pat Carol]

In an economy like the one that this country is experiencing, you have done the right thing. You worked hard for it! You deserve it.
I hear stuff like "Oh it must be nice just to go out and buy a motorcycle". I know this may sound arrogant but, my answer to that is the fact that I worked hard to get where I am at today. I am blessed with a good job and blessed having a job that allow's me to go off on motorcycle trip's.
During the winter I juggle two job's and save my vacation time for most of the summer. My part time job is my motorcycling mad money.
Always keep it in your mind of how hard you have worked to buy a motorcycle and being able to ride. It is not self indulgement, it is self satisfaction. You deserve it.

Congratulation
Pat Carol:dance

[bgrebin]

Congrats on the new ride. Its a great feeling getting a new bike. Indulgent? Thats going to vary from person to person depending on circumstances. My thinking is if you can afford it,go for it. I too gave up riding on street when the kids were little. I have no regrets about it. At the time it was the right thing to do. Twelve years ago I bought another bike and have been riding ever since. I have never felt any guilt about buying motorcycles. They are the reason I get up in the morning, keep in shape, and strive to become a better rider. I am hooked. As retirement gets closer the #1 thing I want to do is ride. Is there some kind of self help group for people like us? Bob





















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