In The Wind
California Girl and I went to a party on Saturday night. It was kinda out in the country and the hosts were gracious enough to let the guests ride their four-wheelers. Since the controls are mostly the same, driving one made me think about days gone by when I used to ride motorcycles. I wouldn’t remotely consider buying anything that we don’t absolutely need in the current economy; but having a bike would sure be fun. When I was last on an open-air vehicle I hadn’t yet started shaving my head; so the wind on my head was a new sensation. (I probably should have worn a helmet; but I didn’t.) The Girl says I’m having a midlife crisis. I don’t think dreaming about doing something fun constitutes a crisis. I really hope that some time in the future we’ll be able to live large.
P.S. California Girl and I had a great time at the party. The food and drinks were good and company was even better. We spend a lot of weekends being mom and dad. It was good to be California Girl and Midwestern City Boy.
Yeah, with this economy, the closest thing I would buy would be a scooter.
Oh, your loading time is very slow right now.
Kate: A motorcycle is nothing more than a (dangerous) toy and now s not the time to be buying anything non essential. I don’t know anybody whose job is safe. But it is fun to dream. The economy can’t be bad forever.
I’ve not been on a motorcycle since a car pulled out of a side road in front of me and I was done for low flying. Emma, following me on her scooter, saw my take-off and landing. The bike was a write-off and she would never let me buy another.
Alfie: It is an undisputed fact that motorcycles are dangerous. But that doesn’t make them any less fun. Fortunately, they aren’t quite so dangerous if you avoid rush hour traffic which is easier to do if you just ride for fun.
The “midlife crisis” thing seems based on the concept that certain recreational activities must be restricted by age. We wholeheartedly reject that idea!
Greg & Sheryl: I agree. I know I’m in much better shape than I was 10 years ago and don’t have a problem being active; even if some of the activities are better suited to younger men. For me it really is just about having fun.
I have two beautiful motorcycles–a 2009 Honda CBR 600, painted cream and gold pheonix:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2009models/2009-Honda-CBR600RRa.jpg
and a 2004 V Star Custom 650:
http://www.tigereye.net.au/vk4ion/images/mc14.JPG (not my picture, but an identical bike)
Couldn’t be happier. Ride either one when I can and get 60+mpg doing it. In the summer, there is no better way to ride to work.
If you want a bike and can afford it, NOW is the time to buy. With the economy down, people are dumping very nice bikes left and right for quick cash. I bought the V star last september for $2100, about $2k under its dealer worth. Picked up the CBR about a month ago (I’ve been enjoying it before I hand it over!) off craigslist, like new from someone who couldn’t make the payments.
However, if you haven’t ridden one in a long time, take the MSF class, because they have changed a LOT. My 85 honda 125 was light and easy, but now a basic bike is a 500 and is faster than most street cars.
Lauren: I’d love to get 60 MPG! Our newest vehicle is an SUV that gets less than 20. I understand the rationale for quick cash. Except for opening and using our swimming pool we too are looking at everything we spend money on with a very critical eye. And I would definitely take a motorcycle safety course. I have no intention of becoming a statistic.
I enjoy bucking the trend. I am one of the few girls with a bike, never mind a CBR street bike, in the area. It’s fun to turn lots of heads in full gear on a beautiful bike
The gas savings, for me, have been worth the purchase price of the Vstar, which gets 55+. I ride it to work about 3 days a week, and all over on the weekends, and it saves me about $30 a week, from April to early November. If I lived somewhere warmer, it would be even more.
The CBR is pure toy though!
Lauren: Having TWO bikes is unusual for a woman. Bikes are kinda a guy thing especially something like a CBR. California Girl didn’t mind riding on the four-wheelers; but wasn’t interested in driving one even with an auto-clutch. I wouldn’t ride a motorcycle to work though. Too many crazy drivers texting on their cell phones and not paying attention; especially at rush hour. Almost every week, I see an accident or near-accident on the highway because someone was paying more attention to their phone than the road.