ETex2 wrote: Last night, I may have found a great deal on a bike. 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan in near perfect condition at a price I can afford. Told him I would sleep on it and bring a deposit in the morning, etc..
Then I called my son (ex motorcycle rider and guru) to tell him the news and ask him what he thought about it. Big mistake. Or a great decision; don't know.
He proceeded to scold me for thinking about a Kawasaki (he was a Honda guy), then he eventually goes into an almost tearful lecture about he's afraid of losing his Dad in a motorcycle accident. You see, a few years ago he lost a very good friend and co-worker to a MC accident. He said he was a careful driver, etc.. How he wanted his kids (future kids) to know their grandfather. And he couldn't bear the thought of losing me, how dangerous it was, etc. etc. etc. Complete role reversal.
Wow. I had no idea he felt so strongly about this. I'm now being a little squirrely and having second thoughts. We're very close and frankly, yes I did lecture him when he had his and even told him I would be relieved when he sold his "crotch-rocket". I'm torn now and have got to give this some thought.
I'm sorry to have to say I agree with your son. I would hate to lose a family member to an MC wreck. MC wrecks are usually bad, I think we all would agree with that. Take care.
I have a sweet tender nature, however I enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions.
You can do all the safest things in the world and then die when you slip on a bar of soap and fall and crack your skull. You only go around once and it's up to you to do what you feel you must.
When I starting riding again in 03’ I bought a used Vulcan 800 Classic in mint condition at a great price (think it was an 01’) and it was a really nice and comfortable bike. Besides a couple dual purpose bikes at different times and my 84’ GPZ 750 turbo (loved that bike) my riding was mainly off road. In the teen years motocross was life for us, great times! Getting that "feeling" making this post.
All things aside I think it’s great your son cares for his dad this much! Good luck on your decision and do what feels right to you. If we weren’t so congested here with so many crazy & impatient drivers I’d still be riding.
Never rode a motorcycle in my life until I was 49. Took a motorcycle course at a local college & have been on the road ever since. I am now 63 & loving my third bike, a 2002 Honda Shadow Aero 1100. First bike was a 650 Suzuki & second bike was an 84 Yamaha Virago 750. I wrote a little blurb in our blog on Sept. 16/07 about my first day on the road with the bike entitled, Motorcycle.... First Experience.
http://thebayfieldbunch.com/2007_09_01_archive.html
Kelly & Al
2003 Damon Challenger, model 329 Chevy Workhorse 8.1 & Allison transmission. Towing '03 Hyundai Santa Fe 4 cyl 5 speed.
3 lovable doggy guys. Max, Checkers,& Cora..aka, Buddy Bear, Swamper, & Motormouse
I have a Kymco Grand Vista 250 that is plenty powerful and has
great storage. I get around 68 mpg and the scooter will do 90 mph. It's
comfortable at 65 mph. Plenty of room for 2. For under 5k you could
get a brand new Kymco or a left over 07 Honda 250. The 250 Honda
is not available in 08.
06 250 PSD Needs Fuel
08 Crossroads Cruiser 30sk
Great Wife
1 GSD 2 Blue Heelers
Kymco Grand Vista 250
I'm one of those who quit recently - after riding about 40+ years. I never got seriously hurt, and rode in some pretty dangerous areas of the city (traffic and people), but had a few minor accidents (never MY fault, of course) and a few expensive repairs to my bike. I just decided if my time for a big accident ever came I was too advanced in age to heal quickly.
Back into the more protective cage of a car again.
It is just too easy to get in a hurry and be a little overly aggressive - plus it is lots of fun to "spurt" around those slow folks and split the lanes to get closer to the front of the pack at a light.
The down side is I have to plan ahead for more time to park. Ughhh.
My wife loved riding, too, but she is happy I quit. I can't believe how many people said "congratulations, we were worried about you".
2006 Duramax Chev dually.
2008 Mobile Suites TKSB Working toward "long timing".
One of the deciding factors should be location, location, location!
"Frisco" is tougher MC turf than a rural - or less populous - area.
I live in So. CA - and have no desire to ride anymore in traffic.
(especially since every second driver is talking on a cell phone now!)
For the OP - If you're going to buy a Harley, a model -other than- a Sporty
would do better on re-sale. Every one I know who bought one - always
sold to upgrade to a bigger Harley or something else.
JC
I've been riding for 45 yrs. and still own a Honda VTX 1800R, recently I've been thinking of selling it. Riding has always been fun, but it's much more dangerous today. There are many more vehicles on the road now then when I first started riding. Today, almost everyone has a cell phone or some other gadget to distract them from their driving. Combine that with the fact you haven't been riding for 35 yrs. and you are taking a real chance by getting back in the saddle! Oh, I didn't mention the "age" factor either. I truly hate to admit that I'm not nearly as quick or responsive as when I first started my love affair with 2 wheelers!LOL Motorcycle accidents can and do happen everyday, most of the time (not always) it's a novice rider who is injured or killed. Lately, there are more than a few "older" bikers getting back to into motorcycles being injured and killed too. Usually (again not always) if a car is involved, it was the car driver's fault, they "didn't see him". I've ALWAYS driven like everyone on the road is out to kill me (they are) and that keeps me alert to what's going on ALL around me. I'm really not trying to talk you out of riding again, I'm just letting you know things have changed quite a bit in 35 yrs. Wishing you good luck in your decision.
Well, despite the pleadings and obvious logic my son has conveyed to me, I pulled the trigger today.
I bought a used Kawasaki Vulcan 800 today. But before I even take delivery, I will take a motorcycle safety course next weekend. My first few trips will be around the local neighborhood. Despite the fact that we live in a suburb of Dallas, we are in the far northeastern suburbs with plenty of nearby rural roadways to explore and enjoy. I have no desire to fight heavy Dallas traffic except for the short two miles or so that I might face driving home from work. But it is a local street and not the highway. Traffic generally moves so slow there that it gives little opportunity for the idiots to run over you.
My son got over it and is even a little excited about it, I think. But I know he still worries. I certainly worried about him.
Wish me luck, and thanks for the advice and information!
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