First child, did you rethink your decision to ride?

[ArmyValker]

Simple question guys, when you had your first child did your attitude towards riding change? Mine sure has, and I'd be interested in your experience with it.

[tank_post142]

1st kid was about 510,000 miles ago. 

[BF]

1st child was 33 years ago......and yes.  Sold my '75 Yamaha XS-650.  Didn't ride again untill the Valk and not planning to stop again untill I can't hold the Valk upright any longer.  Then I'll trike it.   

[3fan4life]

Never made a conscious decision to quit riding after my son was born, it just kinda happened.

In 2004 after 14 yrs of not riding while vactioning in FL I bought an 83 Goldwing and rode it back to VA.

In 2006 I bought my Valk.

In 2007 my son turned 18 and at his request I taught him to ride.

Now, we ride together. 

[Stanley Steamer]

Call me selfish, BUT.....one reason I decided not to have kids was that I want to spend MY time riding the bike whenever and where ever I want without having to spend my time or $$ on crumb snatchers!!.....

[GOOSE]

stanleysteamer.....you the man......you answerv sounds like it came right out of my mouth. 

[Stanley Steamer]

stanleysteamer.....you the man......you answerv sounds like it came right out of my mouth. 

 

[GreenLantern57]

First son born in 80, 2nd son born, 83. Dec 82 I got some trade in on my bike for a much needed reliable car. Went without bike till 2001 a .........wait for it......................1983 V65 Magna! Karma smiled on me. It was a financial decision and I have made several others raising 2 great sons.  You have to make your own decisions. I missed riding during that time, but would not have traded time with my sons.  
I grew up without my dad around and a not so nice step-dad. I was determined to be better than both and the hugs and "I love you." I get from 2 grown sons made it worth waiting to ride.  
Crossing my fingers that the youngest will get the job he just applied for.  If he get this job, he will be closer, make enough money to buy him a bike, and we can take our ladies on rides and make some father/son rides every year.  He got his MC endorsement in 2002 and is ready to own and ride.

[Jess Tolbirt]

Stanley and Goose,
I dont think that was what he is asking for,, sounds to me like the kid is already on the way or here,,,
I raised 3 kids and did it all while i was riding,,,if you ever have 3 kids you will know why you need a bike...

[Valker]

First off, I was 30 before I started my family. First was born when I was 31. Before marriage, I told my wife to be, "I will ALWAYS own a motorcycle. If this is not acceptable to you, walk away now. This will never change". We've been married almost 26 years now, and I've always owned a bike.
Now-kids. When the first was born, I added a sidecar to my 84 Wing. His first road trip was at 2 months. By the time he was 4 months old, he'd been in 15 states on the bike. Sold the sidecar when more wouldn't fit (I have 5 kids). They have all ridden some, 4 of them ride a lot. One owns only a bike.
I have, at various times during this, owned some really small and/or cheap bikes, but always at least one.
Just my experiences.

[Dogg]

never gave up the bike. if i was gonna die, didnt matter if I had a biek or not. it was my time. simple as that. being responsible doesnt mean geting rid of the things that make you happy...or keep you sane.

[RainMaker]

Didn't give up riding - gave up flying small planes.  Figured motorcycling was dangerous enough.

[Brad]

Nope, never stopped riding, just bought the proper amount and type of insurance to make sure the family was taken care of no matter what happened to me.

[~ Timbrwolf]

. . . ......saw some kids on Tv once.  ......changed the channel..

[bigfish_Oh]

I did sell my new '79 750F before my son was born(81), knowing riding would be limited for a few years and it wasn't really big enough for both of us. bought my '80 CBX in 83. bought my nos '82 X when my daughter was 4 months old(85)

I only slowed down riding as a "time" issue.

When my son turned 16 in 1997 I sold my '82 CBX(non stock), saved the arguments, he had no business riding anything, let alone being capable of 0-100 in 10 seconds. My leathers had shrunk a couple sizes also.

[Big Rig]

Army,


I had thoughts about giving up when my 1st son was born, I didn't, then a year later my second son was born. Again I had those thoughts. I sat and thought about the enjoyment I got from riding and the enjoyment my two sons bring me on a daily basis. Although the amount of miles I ride have deminished, it is not because I have two boys (6-7) it is because I just have less free time to ride now. I spend more time with them which in turn lets me truly appreciate my time in the saddle. For me it is a win win situation...

Increase your insurance so they are taken care of and ride. Doing this will let you relax and enjoy the wind in your face...

[BF]

. . . ......saw some kids on Tv once.  ......changed the channel..

 

[Fudd]

I was busy teaching skydiving when my son arrived and my motorcycle was just another way to get to the airport.

[Serk]

Thought about it? VERY briefly...

My father in law gave up riding when my wife was born.. He always said he's get back into it "later"...

"Later" got here, and he's not physically able to ride anymore...

Whatever will happen will happen...

Spousal unit is currently pregnant with triplets (In addition to our existing 8 year old daughter). Never once even gave hanging up the helmet any serious thought.

Obviously, you need to make up your own mind about what YOU are comfortable with. I'm willing to sacrifice a lot for my child (And coming children), but I'm not willing to stop living and move into a bubble...

[fordmano]

Nope, I had ridden on and off from the age of around 9 or 10 or so and never owned a REAL bike mopeds and scooters but loved to borrow full size bikes from buddies whenever I could. When My older brother was hit by a car on his way home from work while riding his bike 77-GL1000 it was totaled I bought the basket case, then a good friend of mine had taken his 78-GL1000 apart to hot rod the motor and never built back up he sold me the boxes of parts full rolling chassis for $350 and I made 1 bike out of all those parts and pieces then threw away the leftovers. I started riding that bike exactly 7 days after my first son was born the day I started college at the ripe old age of 28y/o and after riding for 5-6 years just kind of ran out of energy (and money) to keep up maintenance just kind of stopped riding for few years then I got the Job I have now at Stanford University and the 60+ mile round trip justified that I buy a bike and I picked the Valkyrie as my forever steed. And will own a 2 wheel beast from now on and even try to get more as money becomes available….


Some feel better about removing as many risks as possible after having kids I did not, but I do cry(show emotions) on occasion now (I figured out I was Mortal the day my 1st son was born).

[ILcruiser]

I sold my bike and gave up riding in '75, as soon as my wife became pregnant with our first of two daughters, and didn't start riding again until our younger daughter graduated from college. 

[LandElephant]

No. Neve came to my mind to ever give up riding.  After my first child wa born, straped on my helmet, fired up my knuckle head and hit the road for a couple of hours to celebrate. That was over 700,000 miles ago.

Oh and before you ask the next question, I taught all my children to love riding.  Had them on the backseat as soon as I thought it was safe.  They love to ride also.

This thread falls into the "To each his own".

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

[Mike M in ohio]

    When our first child came about in 1981, the only subtle change in our riding style was that, for a few years, we rode less together. We figured, if tragedy did strike, one of us would still be around. But, we adjusted, and did things like: My riding to events, while the Mrs drove or flew out to them, often with the kids. In fact, we still have some great shots of the younguns nestled in the sidecar, as my custom rig was being judged at the Rats Hole show in Daytona.
    But, after a few years of caution, things returned to normal and we just rode together ever more defensively. But, there is no right answer....onle advice from those who went through it.
                                                                Mike in New York
*P.S.* I would have missed some of my BEST two-wheeled experiences, had I given up the bike during my kid's early childhood. Just something to consider.

[ArmyValker]

Appreciate all the responses guys. I guess now that I'm taking care of my daughter, it's finally dawned on me that I've got people depending on me, whereas I didn't really think about it before. I'm 29 this year, had my first kid, and am working my way through Engineering school. Lots of things changing.
 

[ArmyValker]

Thought about it? VERY briefly...

My father in law gave up riding when my wife was born.. He always said he's get back into it "later"...

"Later" got here, and he's not physically able to ride anymore...

Whatever will happen will happen...

Spousal unit is currently pregnant with triplets (In addition to our existing 8 year old daughter). Never once even gave hanging up the helmet any serious thought.

Obviously, you need to make up your own mind about what YOU are comfortable with. I'm willing to sacrifice a lot for my child (And coming children), but I'm not willing to stop living and move into a bubble...

Damn. Triplets huh... My head hurts just thinking about that    Congratulations man 

[Michvalk]

Never crossed my mind to stop riding. I ride a bike like some people use their car or truck. Transportation. Go to the store, work. Just go for a ride? Rarely! When I just go for pleasure, I usually have a granddaugher with me. My bride rides with me once in a while, but, weekends are for fishin' and puttering around in the yard. Went without a bike for a few years, because I had to drive my truck to use at work, and the bike sat. So I sold it and when I got a new job, I got a new bike. Living in Michigan limits my riding to spring summer and fall. If I lived in a warmer climate, I probably wouldn't even own a cage

[GotValk]

I never gave it up, but some of my rides were short and long in between, the bike was paid for so it didn't matter to me if it sat for awhile ( 1978 KZ1000), even the few times that I could get out and ride was worth it to me, I'll tell you they are kids for a long time,as they grow there is always something or somewhere to go, so remember once you get rid of your bike it may become harder to get another one later as there are a lot of other expenses. But once there old enough to ride you'll have some of the best times bringing them along on rides, All 3 of my kids enjoyed riding with me, my oldest graduates from college this year,2nd child is finishing her 2nd year of college, and my youngest is in 9th grade.
Good Luck on your tough decision .

Gary  

[Momz]

I started riding street bikes in 1971 and never stopped. My daughter was born in 1991 but that just made my return rides just that more special. When my daughter was old enough to reach the pegs she rode with me more than my wife. I loved the laughter and singing coming from the passenger seat when she came on trips with me.

Both children and motorcycles  can enhance ones life.

[Chiefy]

Had a light bike for several years, A Kawi 440 LTD Parallel twin.  When my wife was 8 months pregnant with the first one I got two flats in the rear in two weeks out on the interstate.  Once you got down below about 35mph it got pretty hairy, tire flops over and the bike tries to run around in a circle from the rear.  After the second one I got pretty nervous going out on it.  Also started thinking about my wife raising a kid alone.  So I parked it.  A year later I sold it because we needed a refrigerator.  25 years later I bought a trike, then a few months later I went back to 2 wheels with the Valk.

[R J]

My 1st daughter was born April 23, 1951, and I had a old Harley we rode off and on.  Mostly off cause it had a lot of failures.   It liked riding in the back of pickups.

Oh yes, I was in the Marine Corps then also.   Got my discharge and got hired on as a CHP in January 1954.   Went to the Academy, got my Motor Wings so to speak and motorcycles were still in the family, a son, a daughter, a son and a daughter later, I was still riding and still a motor officer.  Retired in 1986 at the age of 53, turned 54 in September.

We figured if it was your time to go, how was not riding going to stop it.

All 5 of the kids have ridden with me, they started hollering I want to go every time they heard a motor engine start.    Mom said take them and that started a trend.     3 of those kids have been in all the lower 48 states on a motor, in my very very close to 2 million miles in a bike saddle.......  Youngest daughter says I have over 2 million, and I think I'm short a few miles, less than 8,000 miles.

Two of the kids, last 2 I might say are still riding their own rigs.   The daughter comes over and gets the Trike every so often so as to take her kids for a ride.  Her brother and I added loops and straps so as to fasten car seats in the Trike.   Looks weird her going down the street with a car seat on each side of her. You drive my Chevy Trike from the middle.

That is our thoughts on it.   Oh yes, I was insured to the hilt also just in case, but that was mainly due to my job.    In fact, they tried to take me out twice, and I tried once.   Was too ornery to die so I'm still walking on top of the ground.

[Popeye]

I didn't stop but my wife did for a while.  I am another one that believes when it's your time, it's your time.  All 3 of my boys have logged miles on the back of the a bike, both short and long rides.  I think 2 of the 3 boys will have bikes when they are done with school and can afford it.

My riding did get cut back when the boys were younger but wouldn't change a thing.  I have many fond memories of riding with my kids on the back of the bike.

You have to make your decision on what you think is best for you and your family.

[JimC]

After the 1st, NO, after the 4th, YES. I started to think what would happen to my wife and 4 kids if I was not around. I gave it up in 1983 and got back into it when my youngest graduated from HS in 1999.  Just in case you are wondering, Yes, I did miss it.
Jim

[bigdog99]

actually i never changed my mind, but my wife changed hers and i dont like to ride alone, so 

[NITRO]

Our first is about four months old now and I've considered it, but I don't think the cycle is going anywhere. It's too important of a freedom outlet for me to let go of. That and my wife wouldn't let me get rid of the cycle if I wanted to.

[valkmc]

Never stopped, got my first bike in 1975 and my first son in 1980. I doubled my life insurance when he was born. I doubled twice more with the birth of two more sons. I have at least one bike in the garage since 1975. Do not believe I would be a sane person without the bikes.

[schuitzz]

Wow, what a bunch of great responses.  I gave up riding for about 12 years.  We mis-carried (sp?)twice and when my son was born, I knew I had to sell the bike.  For me, it was not worth adding an additional chance to not seeing him grow up.  I waited until he was 12 and my daughter was 10, and then rejoined the two wheel crowd.  After the first bike, I got a chance to get a (at a garage sale!) Yamaha 360 Enduro.  Both kids learned to ride riding it around our house.  My son and I now take trips together (don't hate him, he owns a Harley Street Glide) and I even bought a Kawasaki 440 to teach my son-in-law and his brother to ride.  They both passed the class with flying colors.  Anyway, back to the point, for me it was an easy decision to stop riding for a "short" time.  Hope your decision is as easy for you, whichever way you decide!