Should I sell it?

[LT.]

Off load the bike. No brainer for me. I know you like to ride, who doesn't? Problem is that it is not worth riding bikes anymore these days. Too many accidents, too many drivers not paying attention, too many drivers not looking out for bikes. If you get in an accident you will not come out okay. Hell, you would be lucky just to live through it. We have all heard the horror stories about someone who was hurt in an accident while on a bike. Yadda, yadda, yadda. But, have you seen the damage first hand? Was it a family member? How close of a call does one need before they give up on riding?

A good friend of mine is now out of a job due to a motorcycle accident. He was riding his Harley. Loud, shinny, very flashy bike. A lady turned in front of him and he T-boned the lady's car. Nothing malicious, she just did not see him. Well, when my friend was riding at 55 mph and hit a vehicle broad side you can imagine the damage. Shattered femur, another leg broke, busted up knees, shattered ankle, broke both arms, punctured lung, damaged liver, spleen had to be removed, broken foot, along with a really messed up face and head. The bad news is he survived. He may walk again, that is the doctors hope and ours as well, but he will never run again and may never be able to ride again.

He did nothing wrong the other driver just didn't see him. I have been Utah and I think the drivers there are the worst drivers I have ever seen. Heaven help you if you do the speed limit. You will be run off the road and cussed out. People cut others off, safety distance, Utah drivers have never heard of it.

LT.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Wow, worry much?

 

[sixstringsteve]

I sat in a drivers school for driving students in a 15 passenger van. They asked the class how Mich following distance you should leave, and I honestly heard all of these answers:

I Don't know
Half a second
one second

I couldn't believe it. Nobody, except for me, said a number beyond one second. It was pitiful.

 

[Caleb]

Off load the bike. No brainer for me. I know you like to ride, who doesn't? Problem is that it is not worth riding bikes anymore these days. Too many accidents, too many drivers not paying attention, too many drivers not looking out for bikes. If you get in an accident you will not come out okay. Hell, you would be lucky just to live through it. We have all heard the horror stories about someone who was hurt in an accident while on a bike. Yadda, yadda, yadda. But, have you seen the damage first hand? Was it a family member? How close of a call does one need before they give up on riding?

A good friend of mine is now out of a job due to a motorcycle accident. He was riding his Harley. Loud, shinny, very flashy bike. A lady turned in front of him and he T-boned the lady's car. Nothing malicious, she just did not see him. Well, when my friend was riding at 55 mph and hit a vehicle broad side you can imagine the damage. Shattered femur, another leg broke, busted up knees, shattered ankle, broke both arms, punctured lung, damaged liver, spleen had to be removed, broken foot, along with a really messed up face and head. The bad news is he survived. He may walk again, that is the doctors hope and ours as well, but he will never run again and may never be able to ride again.

He did nothing wrong the other driver just didn't see him. I have been Utah and I think the drivers there are the worst drivers I have ever seen. Heaven help you if you do the speed limit. You will be run off the road and cussed out. People cut others off, safety distance, Utah drivers have never heard of it.

LT.

I'd respectfully disagree. If that's your justification to give something up (other people, and the risk) then I hope you stay in your home locked up all day because I've seen (yes first hand) friends paralyzed and killed while offroading. I've been in some serious car accidents, I've seen first hand a pedestrian get plowed over by a passing car on Redwood Rd. They are called accidents, and that's what they are. Everything has it's risks, yes, riding a motorcycle has high risks, but I'll never let another person be the cause for a decision I make for myself.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Does your wife like the idea of a boat? Do you like fishing or water skiing? Would the boat actually get used more than the bike? We have 2 Jeeps, the Miata, a Mazda3, and now a small boat. I bought the boat 3 months ago and am yet to get it on the water, and the Miata and Jeeps see a combined 5-7k miles a year. I figure that even if I don't use the toys very often they are not costing me anything to keep them, and if I ever need to sell one the titles are close at hand.

What I am saying is that if you are going to ride it more then keep it, just don't trade it for something else that will just sit around. Another option is you could just sell it and create a rainy day fund if you don't already have one, or at least let it sit in the bank until you figure out what to spend it on.

 

[Cascadia]

but we can always go to moab or st george to ride in the winter.

But will we really? I do want to ride more but late Thursdays and the very occasional Saturday ride are the only times anyone will go. Caleb seems to ride a lot but I don't seem to be cool enough, even with the matching bike and truck. I'm off work any day after 4 and would go ride. Whatever happened to the monthly RME rides too?

 

[Cascadia]

Does your wife like the idea of a boat? Do you like fishing or water skiing? Would the boat actually get used more than the bike? We have 2 Jeeps, the Miata, a Mazda3, and now a small boat. I bought the boat 3 months ago and am yet to get it on the water, and the Miata and Jeeps see a combined 5-7k miles a year. I figure that even if I don't use the toys very often they are not costing me anything to keep them, and if I ever need to sell one the titles are close at hand.

What I am saying is that if you are going to ride it more then keep it, just don't trade it for something else that will just sit around. Another option is you could just sell it and create a rainy day fund if you don't already have one, or at least let it sit in the bank until you figure out what to spend it on.

My wife likes the idea of a boat but says to get a cheaper one. She actually says don't sell the bike because I got such a good deal on it. It seems most wives wouldn't be saying that. We would get the boat for wakeboarding and tubing with other family and friends. I think it would see quite a bit of use but it also costs a whole lot more. A boat tank vs a bike tank is a big difference.

 

[Cascadia]

Maybe I'll keep my bike just cause it's orange and cool. KTM took first place in x games endurocross and first second and third in womens endurocross tonight. If ktm made a boat then I'd be really confused.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Maybe instead of waiting for others to invite you or to schedule a ride, set one up yourself. Russ is always looking for people to ride with, and it seems like you go down to st george enough. There's usually someone looking to ride on Thursday nights, but most of us can't make every Thursday night. Give people a few days notice and you shouldn't have a problem getting a group together. I'm planning on riding this Thursday night.

 

[Caleb]

But will we really? I do want to ride more but late Thursdays and the very occasional Saturday ride are the only times anyone will go. Caleb seems to ride a lot but I don't seem to be cool enough, even with the matching bike and truck. I'm off work any day after 4 and would go ride. Whatever happened to the monthly RME rides too?

Actually, I've only rode twice since our ride up Hobble Creek...I haven't hardly rode at all this year. With that said, you are ALWAYS welcome to ride with me.

 

[Cascadia]

Next time you go let me know and I'll come. I'd like to do hobble creek again.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

My wife likes the idea of a boat but says to get a cheaper one. She actually says don't sell the bike because I got such a good deal on it. It seems most wives wouldn't be saying that. We would get the boat for wakeboarding and tubing with other family and friends. I think it would see quite a bit of use but it also costs a whole lot more. A boat tank vs a bike tank is a big difference.

Plus the gas for the tow rig. But, if you search you can find a steal on a good boat and make it worthwhile, and if you plan outings with a few friends they may help cover food and gas costs for a day on the water.

 

[LT.]

I'd respectfully disagree. If that's your justification to give something up (other people, and the risk) then I hope you stay in your home locked up all day because I've seen (yes first hand) friends paralyzed and killed while offroading. I've been in some serious car accidents, I've seen first hand a pedestrian get plowed over by a passing car on Redwood Rd. They are called accidents, and that's what they are. Everything has it's risks, yes, riding a motorcycle has high risks, but I'll never let another person be the cause for a decision I make for myself.

True but, when you run the risk (a high risk) of leaving your family, or loosing your job (due to injuries) it is not worth it in my opinion. I love riding on the back roads where you have more control. Riding on the street is too high risk for me. I understand bad things can happen anywhere but, that does not mean I am going to put myself into a position where they are more likely to happen. That is just my opinion and I understand it is not going to be shared by all. I enjoy off roading just like everyone else on this board. There was a time when I did not have a cage in my truck and others on this board pointed out my oversight. Since then, I have approached it more cautiously. I am thankful for Bart, Sprueitt, Turbosniper, and many others for pointing out my oversight. Riding a bike on the street is almost like daring danger to rear its ugly head. Again, all my opinion and I respect anyone who disagrees.

LT.

 

[LT.]

Wow, worry much?

In my job I have to try and think of everything that a enemy would do. I do this so I can complete my mission and come home safely. What I do for a living is take some risk. But, I have had the honor to learn from some of the best in the business.

Everybody has their own comfort level when it comes to taking risks. I am more comfortable with firearms and tactics than I am riding a bike on the street.

I sat in a drivers school for driving students in a 15 passenger van. They asked the class how Mich following distance you should leave, and I honestly heard all of these answers:

I Don't know
Half a second
one second

I couldn't believe it. Nobody, except for me, said a number beyond one second. It was pitiful.

Very well put, sir.

LT.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

True but, when you run the risk (a high risk) of leaving your family, or loosing your job (due to injuries) it is not worth it in my opinion. I love riding on the back roads where you have more control. Riding on the street is too high risk for me. I understand bad things can happen anywhere but, that does not mean I am going to put myself into a position where they are more likely to happen. That is just my opinion and I understand it is not going to be shared by all. I enjoy off roading just like everyone else on this board. There was a time when I did not have a cage in my truck and others on this board pointed out my oversight. Since then, I have approached it more cautiously. I am thankful for Bart, Sprueitt, Turbosniper, and many others for pointing out my oversight. Riding a bike on the street is almost like daring danger to rear its ugly head. Again, all my opinion and I respect anyone who disagrees.

LT.

I agree, you have to be crazy to ride a bike on busy roads around here. There are places and times of the day that I refuse to drive our Miata in the valley because I have already had 2 totaled by other drivers claiming "they didn't see the car", this is even more of an issue on a motorcycle. But from the sound of it the OP hardly ever rides on the pavement so it's not much of an issue and he does not ride alone on trails.

 

[Cascadia]

I did ride on the freeway to get home. It was 4 exits away. I only lasted one exit and had to get off. Too scary!! I usually take back roads or neighborhoods when I do drive around town.

 

[LT.]

I agree, you have to be crazy to ride a bike on busy roads around here. There are places and times of the day that I refuse to drive our Miata in the valley because I have already had 2 totaled by other drivers claiming "they didn't see the car", this is even more of an issue on a motorcycle. But from the sound of it the OP hardly ever rides on the pavement so it's not much of an issue and he does not ride alone on trails.

Ahh, I guess I missed that. Sorry.

LT.