Dads of the VRCC - chime in with your .02

[Tundra]

Good post, obviously many have pondered the same thoughts. Great reply's
  I've owned bikes for thirty years and It's a part of me. My last real accident was 30 years ago. I've been down since, nothing serious. In the last three years, three of the Valkyrie riders I ride with have had serious accidents, two parted their bikes out and gave up on riding.
 One had two accidents in two years, one very serious with extensive bills and hospitalization. They ALL had more years of riding experience than myself, one with many years of racing. My point is, I have had the same thoughts because my Valkyrie riding companions are diminishing.
  I got over it...bottom line, You have to do what is right for you, lot's of good responses here to ponder, take your time.
  If you do decide to sell, PM me. I always wanted that color. Missed out on HotRods when he was on the fence about selling

[Michvalk]

I have owned motorcycles for a pile of years. Never even gave a thought about motorcycles being more dangerous than the cage. Actually, the worst accident i've ever had was in a cage. (Woman stopped in the passing lane of a limited access highway and I hit her at about 65 miles an hour). Riding is not something that I do for pleasure necessarially, I do it because it is who I am. I take some risk (calculated) when I open up on a flat stretch of highway, otherwise I drive like everyone is out to kill me. I drive the same way in a cage. You have to follow your own path. I went without a bike for a few years because of work and family. Don't feel i lost anything by not riding, as I knew that I would soon have another and could make up for lost time. I have another bike and ride as much as I can and not as much as I want to. I'm gettin on in years and may not ride forever, but riding NOW and lovin it.  

[the inspector]

I enjoyed the read and especially ~ Timber and Robert's post. I could relate to what there saying. All the post's were valid and worth the time to read. It's how your wired I suppose, I guess were all wired a little differnt.....thus the differnt thoughts. I seem to be wired as ~ Timberwolf and Robert.



A sixth sense is something I think every "experienced rider" develops over the years, until he approaches a "situation" and immeditely knows the danger it presents...and what evasive action he should take, if he needs to. Thats the difference between ....comming home and sharing your near mishap with others on a Motorcycle Forum

How many stupid things that we do and come out ok and yet sometimes in stupid actions that we have done thousands of times before it seems they come out the worst. Whats the thing that tips the scale and says disaster? We dont know, so do you live for the maybes, or We do what we can today and then let the day pass. There have been times when I did a stupid thing and by grace I was ok. Yet I may have heard about someone else doing the very same thing and the results weren't good. I tell you sometimes the very thing that we stop is the very thing we can enjoy with others as with Solo1. I also believe in prayer and the Lord and know that my life has a purpose that He protects me and that if anything should happen then He will take care of all things including where I go.

[NITRO]

I keep thinking about this as well. We have our first child, a son, due on December 16. I totaled my Standard this spring when an older guy pulled out in front of me. I hit his car doing at least 40 and walked away with bruises and pulled muscles. I bought my Interstate about a month later, but still often wonder if I made the right decision.

But when I get on the Valk, everything seems so right in the world. I simply can't imagine not riding.

[Smitty W.S.]

Wow, it appears we all seem to wrestle with the "pros and cons" of riding judging by the number of responses.

I rode years ago and only stopped for financial reasons which corresponded with my wife and I starting a family.   I've always looked to the future to get back into riding when I was more financially stable.  

Of course, full disability and life insurance are a must as it should be for any family man with young children to care for.  At the same time, you have to live your life for yourself as well and let the chips fall where they may.

I think some people worry so much about dying that they forget to live until it's too late.

[Oss]

After breaking ribs on a wet oily patch of road less than a mile from home I did something stupid, the very next day,   Rather than let the town that towed my bike ( and it wasnt even illegally on the side of the road) to the town garage charge me about a hundred a day I rode it home, with my wife following me in the caravan  She still says I was nuts but I think it was gettin back on the horse

That forced me to ride again, although on "high alert" and in considerable discomfort.

It never entered my mind NOT to ride anymore either after that incident or the one that totalled my first Valk at highway speed in 2003 but my riding style got more into OLD FOGY mode and I lost the desire for barreling thru twisties at 20 over the posted speed.  Two years later I still dont have the urge to ride aggressively in twisties but will see 4-5krpm on the tach when the road and I feel right.   I bought the 1150RTP because I wanted a lighter bike to work on my skills and I do work with THAT bike.  

Ride your ride and at a speed that works for you and not what your friends or anyone else is doing.

true friends will wait for you down the road.

My Valk is my smile machine, it just brings me peace and joy and I cant imagine life without it and the friends I have made through its ownership

My 2 cents is Each time you go to get on the bike, stop and listen to that inner voice, if all feels right ride, if you have doubt, then there is nothing wrong with NOT riding that day.

There have been some times I have suited up and gotten on the bike, even warming it up and then decided this was not the time and I didnt ride that day.  

You are in control, its your life and may you have many more happy miles in the saddle if that is what you decide you want, and if not then do what you feel you need to do.

[Linedog]

I know the feeling.  I had a near death experience riding a 750 one time driving 65mph down the road when a farm truck pulled right out in front of me. I missed him by about 4".  Scared me to death.  Went home and sold the bike.  Several years later I was buying another 0ne!  I just missed riding.  I've just bought a Valk last month.  I'm  66 years old. Common sense should tell to stay off the dam things but that old feeling just keeps coming back.  If you enjoy riding, selling your bike, will just make you miserable and you only go around once in this world.  Best of luck what ever you do!   Linedog   

[roboto65]

Great post !!! I have been riding for 25 or so years the past 10 years it has been my only means of transport  I have 3 kids. The wife and I decided on life insurance gives me the peace of mind that they will be well off IF something were to happen. I carry about 1 and six zeros worth of life insurance  lets just say I hope they never get it 

[the inspector]

This is one of the best post ever.....while reading the new post I also agree with Oss....about your 6th. sense. If you don't feel right, get off of it and ride another day. I did ride yesterday 250 miler, it was nice a few friends along, great ride. And after sleeping and thinking about this post I came to the conclusion that FATE has alot to do about what happens in everyones life. It's our destiny and athough you may be able to side track it once in a while, it will prevale it the end.

Ride Safe my friends....

[Foozle]

I certainly wouldn't immediately sell the Valk - but I do agree with the thread:  If you've lost your nerve - or have a bad feeling - park the bike.  Indecision and trepidation are poor (and sometimes dangerous) riding companions that can result in self-fulfilling prophecies.  Terry

[Jabba]

I have been trying to find stats about accident/injuries/deaths per miles ridden.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/motorcycle-accident-statistics.htm

According to this... there are about 40 deaths per 100,000,000 million motorcycle miles traveled.

or  1 death per 2,500,000 miles ridden, on average.

I am not a fatalist.  I believe we impact our own destiny.  We have free will.  So does everyone else.

 Jabba

[fudgie]

As a guy with no (living) children, and closer to your age, I say keep it and ride away. Maybe this is selfish of me but this is why I dont have kids. I like the freedom of coming and going. I see it most of the time. Baby on way, must sell. I dont want to be that guy.
Family is your priority and decissions should be taken as stated above. Life Ins, etc.
There are more ways of dieing then riding a bike. People die at home all the time. You cant cheat death, its gonna happen one way or the other. Have the family prepared if it does happen. Spend time with/doing the things you love.

[fudgie]

I have been trying to find stats about accident/injuries/deaths per miles ridden.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/motorcycle-accident-statistics.htm

According to this... there are about 40 deaths per 100,000,000 million motorcycle miles traveled.

I am not a fatalist.  I believe we impact our own destiny.  We have free will.  So does everyone else.

 Jabba

I cant recall having any MC wreck in my county this year, let alone MC fatalities. We usually will have 4 wrecks but none this year. We have had numberous car wrecks and a fatality or 4 this year. So its safer to ride a bike in Huntington Co. 

[Black Dog]

Back in '82, before we had any kids, I had a wreck that almost ended my interest in riding.  A drunk driver bumped me and my '77 GW off the interstate at about 65 mph, resulting in multiple broken bones (wrist, thumb, nose was almost torn off, ribs, and I pissed blood for a month), and my face looked like a black n blue punkin' (I know, I know...  Not much better today  ) for months...  When my wife got to the hospital to pick me up, I was on a table, covered with a sheet, and a smaller sheet over my face, with nose exposed so they could sew it back on...  To her view, I looked dead.

Once I was up and around, I swore I was done.  I lost my nerve, and didn't want to ever put her through something like that again...

Fast forward to '88, then '92, when my son's were born...  Still not riding, but missing it a bit.  In '96, I saw this print ad for a beautiful, big cruiser...  I was in love, but remembering my promise to my wife, and now having two young sons, I resisted the temptation.  I did however talk my brother in to buying a Valk, instead of his prefered HD...  Maybe a year later, he offered me the bike, at a great price (his wife wanted a HD, and wouldn't ride a Honda), and I finally bought it from him after my wife telling me that if I did, she wanted plenty of life insurance on me...

That was 75,000 miles, 8 out of 10 InZanes, and many, many other rides, ago...  As others have said, riding makes me a better person (Mental Floss  ), and I just don't want to sit around and fade away...  Life is terminal.  We're all gonna die sometime.  I listen to the voice in my head (sixth sense), and don't ride unless I'm 100% ready to ride.  I've taken the MSF Saftey Course again (just last summer) and have been much better about using any an all safety gear available.  Where I live and work is away from the big city traffic, and when I go for a head clearing, sanity ride after work, it's usually in a direction away from the areas with higher traffic...

The best advice I can give, is to listen to your voice, ride only when you are ready to ride, gear up, keep yer head on a swivel, and ride like yer invisable 

Black Dog

[RTaz]

Life is full of unexpected things..it is what it is...have faith and have fun, enjoy your family....I do, I love riding with my wife and sons....

I wish I could more often ...

[SlowRoad]

I didn't get back into riding till after my son was 18 and had moved out of the house. It wasn't necessarily due to danger, but much more financially motivated. In the past 6 months, I have had 3 friends in my age group (46 yo) pass away and none of them were motorcycle/accident related. One was a reaction to new medication for back problems and the other 2 were unforseen medical issues. As has been stated, if it's your time, it doesn't matter whether it's in the seat of a bike or laying in your bed thinking all is good and not waking up.

As everyone has stated, it has to be your decision but making an informed decision is a good idea. It has to be the decision that you can live with. I was without a bike for 15 years, and seldom a week went by that I didn't miss having one. 

Do what works for you and your family as that is the most important thing for you to consider. FWIW.


Tim

[JimC]

I bought my first motorcycle (650 BSA) when I was 18 years old. I went from that bike to a 750 Honda, then another 750 Honda. During that time, I also threw in a marriage, and 4 kids. One beautiful summer night while riding my 750 I realized that if I died, my wife would have to handle the 4 kids by herself. To be honest, I started to do a lot of soul searching much like you are doing. My wife never gave me a ghint that she wanted the bike gone, but was thrilled with my decision.

Well, I sold the bike. That was about 1981, and I refused to even ride one because I knew that I would want to head out and buy one again. I waited until the kids were all in or out of high school and I started looking again. In 1995 I found a 1200 wing. I have since bought a 1500 wing, two 1000 wings, and now the Valkyrie.

Would I give up riding for that piece of mind again? YES.
Will I tell you to do the same? NO.  Only you can answer that question

Good luck with what ever decision you make,
Jim

[highcountry]

Kaiser, ultimately only you can make the decision.  As others have said, hang on to your bike a year, then make the final decision.  BUT you can control where you ride reducing your risk.  Personally, I will not ride on I-25 through Denver.  I have seen or heard entirely too many things that present huge potential to kill a biker - ladders falling off of pickups, large piece of burlap in traffic, 6" drop-offs where new asphalt was laid, etc.  And you have little chance of avoid these hazards because of the heavy, fast traffic.  

My choice was indirectly made for me when I moved to Alaska and sold me BMW before I moved.  My first child was born there and I didn't get back into biking until 30 yrs later.  Not necessarily because I had children; I was too just busy with life and kids.

[Misfit]

I have 6 kids ages 16 to 41/2 months. I choose to ride for both their sake and mine. I have met a ton of people through riding that have been true blessings in ALL of my families lives. Had it not been for my bike, my life long passion for motorcycles and this club my whole family would have suffered without these folks being involved as our extended family. Ride safe. Ride smart and enjoy your life and family.   Good luck on whatever decision you make.

[Robert]

I rode today not knowing what was going to happen, but if I didn't ride I knew that I would live to regret it. No one is promised tomorrow, So love those around you BE YOURSELF be kind to yourself provide the best you can, enjoy as many days as you can. Be committed to those you love but also be committed to yourself knowing that what ever happens you tried your best, take time, enjoy those around you. Hold yourself to higher standards and dont compare yourself to anyone especially if you haven't walked in their shoes. The only thing constant is change and Life brings curves sometimes but if you didn't die then live. Enjoy what ever you have but dont stop desiring better. Remember this, the only thing you will take with you is the memories the rest will be left to someone else including that flesh suit we value so highly.

[Quicksilver]

You gotta have some Yeehaw in life  just to keep the juices flowing.

[solo1]

This is an amazing thread!  Everyone here has thought about it. The maturity of all the posts  show the quality of Valkyrie riders.

It would be nice to see this in a short pamphlet titled "The responsibilities of Riding"  "Why we Ride"

What a primer for possible new riders.

Solo1

[Popeye]

 
I am one of those who has crashed in the past couple of months and I am the father of 3 sons.  There has been a bike in my garage almost the whole time that I have been a parent except for about 2 years.  My sons are 25, 23, and 20.

Being a dad is the greatest gift I have ever received. My sons mean the world to me. I was a baseball and football coach and a fan at the basketball games.  Many times we went to practice on the bike.

My wife did stop riding whne the kids were born and only started riding again a few years ago.

You need to listen to what the voice is telling you, no one else can tell you what you should do.

Motorcylces are just a part of our life in my house.

It is not a decsion to be taken lightly but I can't imagine life without my sons or my motorcycle.

Just my $.02.

Popeye

[trprbill]

This is my 1st attempt at posting. I'm glad you're all here. I've been riding over 30 yrs and no major problems 'till I slammed into a guardrail on my Valkyrie Standard about a month ago. I was not paying attention, was too comfortable. I love taking my 11 year old daughter riding, and I think she loves it as much as I do. I found a '99 Interstate I bought the other day, and I'm a bit paranoid, but I have to ride. It would be different if my daughter was with me when it happened because that would be hard to deal with. She will have a bike if she wants to ride when she's old enough, and get her skills on a dirt bike 'till then. Again, I'm glad you're all here, Bill

[Smitty W.S.]

We're glad you're (still) here with us too, Bill.  

Be safe everyone.