How Do You Tell When The Stable Is Full??? [Archive]

bigfoot105

05-17-2005, 02:46 AM

I brought home another mount a '72 R60 /5 Toaster w/19K original miles, this past weekend and put it in a place of honor in my stable. It is now on the Handy Lift to be raised above the others. So that she can get a good look around the stable and so that I can get a good look at her.....

I now have four mounts of a mixed herd in my stable. My darling wife has said, "this is enough"! "The stable is full" "You can't even walk around in MY side of the garage without bumping into a bike"

So, this got me to thinking, If walking around in the garage and bumping into bikes, justifies the stable as being full, I think I could move them around and probably fit at least one more mount in the stable. Question is.....Is It Worth the Wrath of Carole. Its not that I am actively looking for another mount but, when a deal presents itself what is a rider supposed to do????

So, I ask this forum......How do you tell when your stable is really full especially when that exceptional deal presents itself?????

Note: Divorce is not an option......I would probably end up with an empty stable.

:dunno

boofer

05-17-2005, 06:06 AM

Got that same terrible problem here, oh sure ! With nobody to keep me in check, only the size of my checks (humble pittance) but that kant stop me.

Always playing musical chairs from season to season. Summer mode, three in the garage, poised and ready to strike, one on handylift in bikeshop.
Winter mode, one in shop, two in enclosed trailor (for possible escape) and one in garage begging for rounder miles, being taunted by a big ass snowblower.

The bad news, trailor is parked behind the garage. The garage has 8x16 doors in both front and back, but the trailor is TOO high, dang ! So, once it snows it's going nowhere.

Anyway you might consider a trailor, or perhaps a mistress with a BIG garage :thumb

Tim

DarrylRi

05-17-2005, 08:35 AM

I have been preemptive, pretty much from the moment of acquisition, with comments like "look at that, I could easily get two more in here!" or "Even if I had another one here, I could get to any bike". The wife just rolls her eyes.

The real limitation is when you reach the point that you have too much work to do to keep them running. I used to believe that the right number of bikes is N+1, where N is the number I had at the moment. But I have found that rather than increasing my choices of what to ride, at a certain point this leads to increasing the number of bikes that need maintenance or repair.

I bumped into an acquaintance earlier this year who has a big collection of bikes. We got to talking about this situation and he laughed at my dilemma. He said he used to try to keep them all in shape, but now has taken the approach of choosing 3 bikes to repair/restore/set up for a season and then rides those. Then he does the maintenance and puts them to bed, knowing that they are better than when he started. He rotates through his stable, but the maintenance is kept within reason.

username

05-17-2005, 09:21 AM

the primary function of the non-riding wife or husband is to indicate when you have too many bikes. this number is different for every relationship, and is solely (and mysteriously) determined by the wife/husband. the true maximum number is the number at which she tells you you have enough/too many, plus one.

sounds like your wife is doing her job perfectly. you now know how many bikes you can have - you can get one more. so with the maximum number established - quantity - you may now begin optimizing on quality. now you can start to pick and choose bikes for specific needs/uses/whims. for me it's be something like a fun dual sport, a slick vintage bike, and something fixed up for touring. the dual sport would be to increase the chances of breaking my collarbone. the slick vintage bike would get me around town and be an attempt to make myself seem cool when i pulled up at a local ride. the touring bike would get me to the rocky mountains effortlessly.

R100RS

05-17-2005, 10:27 AM

username hit the nail on the head.

The rule in our house is that one half of the two car garage must remain free and clear (not including a set of shelves, some bicycles and the air compressor, all of which have been grandfathered in) for the wife's car. The other half of the garage is whatever the heck I want to do with it, assuming there's room for our 4x8 tilt-bed flatbed trailer (on edge against the wall), a couple of strollers and maybe a few other odds and ends.

MCMXCIVRS

05-17-2005, 10:39 AM

She fills 90% of the closets, I fill 90% of the garage. Fair's fair. :D

bigfoot105

05-17-2005, 11:51 AM

MCMXCIVRS

05-17-2005, 01:31 PM

I have a paving company at my house today covering our RV parking pad. After inspecting their prep work yesterday my darling wife ask "Why are you having them pave all the way back to the fence?" "Are you planning on putting another shed back there?"........ :huh Whoaaa, this gal is good..... :D

To which you quickly reply: "Gee I hadn't thought of that dear, but thanks for suggesting it, it's a great idea for that spot." :thumb

username

05-17-2005, 01:37 PM

and your answer was...

"yes dear, we're getting a 'shed.' one with plumbing, electricity, and a nice wood stove to keep me toasty all winter while i tinker with the bikes."

i've got a friend and he has a home theater problem, errr, hobby. his wife will walk in and say, "wait a minute, those are new speakers!" and he'll grin. then she wrings the cost out of him, and she figures out a similar upgrade for herself.

i call that the "pro-active divorce method" of household finances. instead of getting angry, divorcing, and splitting the assets up 50-50 (and then going on a buying spree) couples just go tit for tat and stay harmonious. when you factor in that you only have to maintain one household, one set of utilities, and no attorney fees, it quickly becomes clear that this is a great way to manage the money. :D

Emoto

05-17-2005, 02:32 PM

Braddog

05-17-2005, 03:49 PM

I think DarrylRI has it right: The stable is full when you can no longer keep them all registered, insured, and running without expending unreasonable $$$/efforts. For me, that number is 2-3 bikes.

Beyond this and you do not have a "stable", you have a "collection" or a "museum". I think of a stable as a place where horses are kept at the ready...

That's what I see as well. Stable is what I want, and a stable implies that I could walk out to the garage on any given day and choose my ride for the day. I'd say 3 to 4. I had 4 for awhile, and managed to keep them all at the ready.

As long as she can have boxes and boxes and boxes of shoes, and lots of shiny rings, then I can have shiny motorcycles. For cryin' out loud, you can RIDE a motorcycle, you can't RIDE shoes or rings! :thumb

Congrats on R60, Bigfoot! :clap

username

05-17-2005, 03:52 PM

That's what I see as well. Stable is what I want, and a stable implies that I could walk out to the garage on any given day and choose my ride for the day. I'd say 3 to 4. I had 4 for awhile, and managed to keep them all at the ready.

now, if you had a wife/husband that was an independently wealthy bike mechanic, then you could increase that number!

As long as she can have boxes and boxes and boxes of shoes, and lots of shiny rings, then I can have shiny motorcycles. For cryin' out loud, you can RIDE a motorcycle, you can't RIDE shoes or rings!

without going into detail, and running the risk of being crass, i would beg to differ. ;)

Rich

05-17-2005, 04:55 PM

My darling wife has said, "this is enough"! "The stable is full" "

So, I ask this forum......How do you tell when your stable is really full especially when that exceptional deal presents itself?????

Looks to me like the question has been aswered for you. :wave

kbasa

05-17-2005, 06:40 PM

I've got 5, all rideable right now. But only after making sure everybody has good shoes and the like.

I've got a CB750F in parts in my garage that really needs to get put together, but I wonder whether I'd realy be able to move around the garage any longer. There is, of course, room in the atrium.....:evil

James.A

05-17-2005, 07:18 PM

You are not fully vested until you have bikes parked in your friends garages. Like Darryl Ri says,the maintenance needs pretty much govern. I have 3 runners and a derelict in my garage. Another beemer dismantled in my shed and garage(hey , it's easier to store that way). 1 dirt bike at my buddy's place.

I have room for 2 at my sisters house. I could probably scrape up room for 2 or 3 more at other places.

I am convinced that any more than 3 would require a rotation scheme, or an employee.

BradfordBenn

05-17-2005, 07:20 PM

I've got 5, all rideable right now.

I think you also have an unfair advantage of Tina also rides.

The stable is full when you can't remember what bike needs what maintenance done to it.

Congrats on the addition.

dzimbric

05-17-2005, 07:29 PM

I was told that we have no more room for another bike and for once I do have to agree, then I thought I would push the boundry and try replacing a bike. So all was well and good in the house of Dan and everything was harmonious with the house of Dan being in Indiana and Dan being in Arizona on an extended project, and let me add that AZ and CA have some really fine motorcycle roads, especially for this Hoosier farm boy who only gets to make left and right turns when he is at home.
Until the friendly BMW Motorad representative called the house of Dan and asked how Dan was enjoying the new BMW. Wherupon the keeper of the house of Dan said, what BMW, when did he buy this GS. And the BMW Motorad representative said, April '05, and she said oh no his bike is an '04 and he has had it for several years, Upon which the BMW Rep said, "I have to go now", and Dan got a phone call from the keeper. I will not use the exact words I heard in this forum, but let's just say the cat is out of the bag. :dunno
http://dzimbric.smugmug.com/photos/21163170-M.jpg

sfarson

05-17-2005, 08:11 PM

My side of the garage is filled with bikes. Sold the fancy car and put bikes in its place. Peter Egan noted once in a column, five was about the right number. He and some of his riding buddies came to this conclusion...

1). A Sportbike
2). A Sport Tourer
3). A Dual-Sport/Dirt
4). A Big Cruiser
5). An "Old Crock"

I think some (if not much) of it depends on the roads nearby. Ex... I'm not sure I'd have a sportbike if nearby roads are bone straight, or I spent a lot of time riding in city stop and go traffic. Likewise, if I only blasted canyons, a cruiser wouldn't do much for me. But this is me.

Also depends on how much riding one does. If one has a diversity of roads, many opportunities to ride, puts good miles on most of the bikes, then multiple bike syndrome isn't so bad. Well, this is what I continually try to sell myself :).

DarrylRi

05-18-2005, 09:32 AM

I think some (if not much) of it depends on the roads nearby. Ex... I'm not sure I'd have a sportbike if nearby roads are bone straight, or I spent a lot of time riding in city stop and go traffic. Likewise, if I only blasted canyons, a cruiser wouldn't do much for me. But this is me.Well, people who know me and have visited here, know that the twisties literally start out my front door. I even have a pretty nice hairpin a few hundred feet down the road ;-). Yet, my bikes are sport touring (R1100RS and R1150RS) and vintage. Hmm, I suppose you might count the R90S as a sport bike... ;-)

lawman

05-18-2005, 09:55 AM

many years ago my wife said "you bring one more bike home and I'm gone.."...every now and then I kind of miss her....

sgborgstrom

05-18-2005, 09:58 AM

Stable too full?
http://stromborg.smugmug.com/photos/18644807-S.jpg

Just do this:
http://stromborg.smugmug.com/photos/18644778-S.jpg

http://stromborg.smugmug.com/photos/21872502-S.jpg

Much easier than trying pick one to sell...

Though I won't be doing as much riding this summer as I would have without this project, I think a bit of delayed gratification is good for one now and again.

Follow along at: www.stromborg.smugmug.com

Steve

jdiaz

05-18-2005, 10:17 AM

Though I won't be doing as much riding this summer as I would have without this project, I think a bit of delayed gratification is good for one now and again.

Wow Steve, that looks great!! Sure beats the old days back in Chicago.

Best to Susan. We miss seeing you guys.

bigfoot105

05-21-2005, 04:08 PM

After reading this thread and I am glad to hear that my sense of bike control is not out of line with the other wives. It does appear to me, however, that the majority of the posters are men. This is probably because the "Keepers of the House' (The Wives) are out doing stable inventories while the husbands are either out riding or spending their time on this forum trying to compare their wives comments with each other's.

As Mrs. Bigfoot105, it amazes me how Mr. Bigfoot105 can convince me that one more is all that he needs, as stated earlier in thread. I am also convinced that he got that idea from some of the other posters on this thread. "You know who you are" :brow

Therefore, from this time forward, he is officially grounded from staying up late at night and from using the computer more than one hour at a time, watching TV past 9:00 at night. He will be spending more with Mrs. Bigfoot105 going to the grocery store, jewerly stores, movies , dinners, ect.....You know..."Honey Do" things. :thumb

Thank you all for your understanding in this matter and I can guarantee you that all his postings will be reviewed and censored before he commits another post. :cry

I would like comments from the other nonriding wives..... :D :D :D :clap

Mrs. Bigfoot105...

boofer

05-21-2005, 05:07 PM

Just a thought? In the middle east, everytime a man gets another bike, the wife must cut off a finger. When you reach the appropriate #, she can no longer count them. (saves a bundle on rings, too)

Yea, I know, bed with out supper :cry

BMWBeauty

05-21-2005, 05:44 PM

Bigfoot105....You Have My Deepest Sympathy.... :cry

BradfordBenn

05-21-2005, 06:08 PM

I would rather have Brad spending money on motorcycles than on other midlife crisis. Plus he has promised me the next one with be an LT or a Goldwing so I can ride on the back. Plus he comes back happy from his rides.

bigfoot105

05-22-2005, 02:21 AM

Sssshhhhhh its 11:00 PM and Mrs Bigfoot does not know I'm here.....

I must explain....

Her attempt to keep me from coming out to play was pretty lame, saying that I'm grounded and stuff. I'm here to set the record straight....Yes, it is true I wear the pants in this house however, she does on occaision pick them out for me. But, her post earlier today was her attempt to gain momentum for her a new car......I tried to reason with her by saying that my most recent purchase, the R60/5, was not a new motorcycle. In fact its 34 years old. I said Hell, its older than three of our five kids....If it were new it would have a lot less miles.......She didn't go for that either.

So I told her, I would keep an eye out for her a '71-72 Camaro, Chevelle SS or something else that's 34 years old.

She said, "Go ahead Gearhead"......but, you don't have anywhere to put it.....The stable is full....

Damn It...I hate losing...but...sssshhhhh, You didn't hear me say this but......She's right. Ouch!! That hurts. :cry

BradfordBenn

05-22-2005, 06:34 PM

So I told her, I would keep an eye out for her a '71-72 Camaro, Chevelle SS or something else that's 34 years old.

She said, "Go ahead Gearhead"......but, you don't have anywhere to put it.....The stable is full....

Damn It...I hate losing...but...sssshhhhh, You didn't hear me say this but......She's right. Ouch!! That hurts. :cry

My wife knows better then to tell me to keep an eye out for a 34 year old...
:brow

Now that there is the summer thaw, build another garage, quick then you will be right again.

John Brase

05-23-2005, 08:09 AM

I bought a new '03 1150RS earlier this year and it was so cool actually having a stable of bikes for the first time. And, since my other one was a '78 RS they looked so "at home" together. Same bike- 25 years apart.

But the normally tollerant girl was not particularly pleased. Might have had something to do with me just buying the thing instead of going through my usual exercise of talking about it ad nausium till she she suggests I buy it. Anyway, in an effort to restore domestic tranquility (and hot meals) I offered to sell the '78. Advertised it at a prohibitively high price. "Well honey, I tried." Whoudn't cha know, some son of a ... actually came and bought the damned thing.

John
Stable of One

Gizmo

05-23-2005, 08:43 AM

For me it was a daughter in college, I had 4 I am now lean and mean at 1.

Liv, Norway

05-27-2005, 06:07 PM

many years ago my wife said "you bring one more bike home and I'm gone.."...every now and then I kind of miss her....

If she had to wear rags and the bikes had a better house then her to live in; then I understand her.
But:
If she had money for everything she needed, a great house, clothes, food, holidays - everything; then I say you married the wrong person.

Get a girl who likes to try to fix her bike by herselfes - that's your type of girl!
Like me! :-) But be prepared for a dirty face and oil instead of lipstick! And many bikes in the shed, yours and hers! And be prepared for her to use your tools - is that OK? Your tools?
And she might bring bike parts inside and study the parts on the living room floor.
And wash your clothes your selfes, make dinner for her while she wash your bike - is that OK?

-Do you wanna marry a girl like that? Honest?
If I was a man; I would! :-)

Liv, a girl riding Scarver and do NOT wash and cook all the time!

The_Veg

05-28-2005, 06:54 PM

Damn Liv, you sound perfect! I wonder if you'd like my tools?

BMWBeauty

05-28-2005, 07:22 PM

If she had to wear rags and the bikes had a better house then her to live in; then I understand her.
But:
If she had money for everything she needed, a great house, clothes, food, holidays - everything; then I say you married the wrong person.

Get a girl who likes to try to fix her bike by herselfes - that's your type of girl!
Like me! :-) But be prepared for a dirty face and oil instead of lipstick! And many bikes in the shed, yours and hers! And be prepared for her to use your tools - is that OK? Your tools?
And she might bring bike parts inside and study the parts on the living room floor.
And wash your clothes your selfes, make dinner for her while she wash your bike - is that OK?

-Do you wanna marry a girl like that? Honest?
If I was a man; I would! :-)

Liv, a girl riding Scarver and do NOT wash and cook all the time!

Exactly Liv....