Am I a terrible person?

[AngryAnt]

Ok, first thread I've made in a long time, so here we go.

I've only been riding a couple years now, July made it one year on the 6R, and for some reason, I just feel tired of riding. I don't feel that exhilaration anymore, and it feels like a burden more than anything else lately.

Background: for two years, my wife and I have had the cage, and my bike. It has got me back and forth to work (at first only 2 miles, now I have maybe 8 miles when my office moved). Even though its only a few extra miles, I've just grown weary of riding it everyday, and I actually enjoy having the cage when my wife is off work (very, very rarely).

I've grown tired of waking up, checking the forecast, and still getting rained on every single day (it's rained like 12 out of the last 14 days here - where is this drought they're talking about?). Even with rain gear I still managed to get soaked, I've had my fair share of close calls in the rain with slippery pavement and idiot drivers, and even with Rain-X on my visor, I can still rarely see crap. Its never just a sprinkle, but a thunderstorm.

When it's not raining, it feels like 105 degrees, and the gear just gets unbearable. I can't bring myself to Squid out, because I like my skin being attached, and even if I could, this pale irish skin sunburns on a moonlit night.

I honestly quit checking these forums for a while, because every rider that got killed, and every 6R that went down just made me that much more nervous. Add quite a few close calls from idiotic soccer moms in SUV's, and I'm just having trouble relaxing anymore. Did I mention that statistically, Mississippi has THE worst drivers in the entire nation?

I should be enjoying it the same way everyone else does, but instead I just feel...tired, and questioning where precisely everything went wrong.

This weekend I'm finally breaking down and buying a second car. It's a brand-new Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate, in Marathon Blue. I'm driving to Nashville to pick it up. I'm actually excited about having a cage, and I know how blasphemous that should be.

So, I'm left with the question - what exactly went wrong, and can I fix it? I'm left with the question that if I'm not enjoying it - will I begin to enjoy it again when I can *choose* when to ride the bike, on the nice cool days between seasons? Should I consider just selling it, putting that money on my cage and paying it down? I put a lot of effort into finding my bike, and modding it where I was happy with it. It makes me happy when I *look* at it, but the tiredness and trouble of riding it day-in and day-out just takes the joy out of it anymore to me.

So in the end - does this make me a terrible person, or less of a 'rider' than the rest of you? I don't see how some of you still find joy in riding 60+miles every day, rain or sleet or hail or snow. Maybe it just comes down to the fact I'm a lazy cager at heart.

Anyway, if you actually read all that, props to you.

 

[Marthy]

Nothing wrong with having a cage Bro. You need to follow your needs. Some of us have a bike as a second ride for pleasure. And other, like myself is the only transportation we have. Mine is by choice. There's days that is sucks!!! But I'm fortunate to be able to use the F150 from work when needed. But I still ride the 6R 90% of the time.

 

[JT]

I know how you feel I tried to ride my ninja daily all winter a few years ago..... after a while just became this big chore, I alos got hit at a 4 way stop. there after I stoped riding it for a while, It was sitting there for son long so I sold it...

I shortly realized I had made a big mistake... every time I would see a bike I would :drool:

Most people take things for granted until you dont have it anymore. maybe just take a break to figure out if you want to be a full time cage-er. lol

 

[spider2k]

bikes are not good DD. you'll appreciate it more when you ride because you WANT to ride and not because you HAVE to ride.

 

[MistahT]

I don't like riding in the rain, so I don't. I don't enjoy riding below about 35 degrees F, so I don't. Sometimes I even take the cage so I don't have to change clothes before and after my drive/ride. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[leem00]

Ok, first thread I've made in a long time, so here we go.

I've only been riding a couple years now, July made it one year on the 6R, and for some reason, I just feel tired of riding. I don't feel that exhilaration anymore, and it feels like a burden more than anything else lately.

Background: for two years, my wife and I have had the cage, and my bike. It has got me back and forth to work (at first only 2 miles, now I have maybe 8 miles when my office moved). Even though its only a few extra miles, I've just grown weary of riding it everyday, and I actually enjoy having the cage when my wife is off work (very, very rarely).

I've grown tired of waking up, checking the forecast, and still getting rained on every single day (it's rained like 12 out of the last 14 days here - where is this drought they're talking about?). Even with rain gear I still managed to get soaked, I've had my fair share of close calls in the rain with slippery pavement and idiot drivers, and even with Rain-X on my visor, I can still rarely see crap. Its never just a sprinkle, but a thunderstorm.

When it's not raining, it feels like 105 degrees, and the gear just gets unbearable. I can't bring myself to Squid out, because I like my skin being attached, and even if I could, this pale irish skin sunburns on a moonlit night.

I honestly quit checking these forums for a while, because every rider that got killed, and every 6R that went down just made me that much more nervous. Add quite a few close calls from idiotic soccer moms in SUV's, and I'm just having trouble relaxing anymore. Did I mention that statistically, Mississippi has THE worst drivers in the entire nation?

I should be enjoying it the same way everyone else does, but instead I just feel...tired, and questioning where precisely everything went wrong.

This weekend I'm finally breaking down and buying a second car. It's a brand-new Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate, in Marathon Blue. I'm driving to Nashville to pick it up. I'm actually excited about having a cage, and I know how blasphemous that should be.

So, I'm left with the question - what exactly went wrong, and can I fix it? I'm left with the question that if I'm not enjoying it - will I begin to enjoy it again when I can *choose* when to ride the bike, on the nice cool days between seasons? Should I consider just selling it, putting that money on my cage and paying it down? I put a lot of effort into finding my bike, and modding it where I was happy with it. It makes me happy when I *look* at it, but the tiredness and trouble of riding it day-in and day-out just takes the joy out of it anymore to me.

So in the end - does this make me a terrible person, or less of a 'rider' than the rest of you? I don't see how some of you still find joy in riding 60+miles every day, rain or sleet or hail or snow. Maybe it just comes down to the fact I'm a lazy cager at heart.

Anyway, if you actually read all that, props to you.

Because you have to use the bike, it has losts its appeal. I used to use my bike as a commuter vehicle...got complacent and recked it a few times. Took a 3 year hiatus from motorcycling and got the itch back this winter.


Take a break from it...the joy will come back....but its a pleasure tool!

 

[Blue-Sun]

bikes are not good DD. you'll appreciate it more when you ride because you WANT to ride and not because you HAVE to ride.

My FZ6R is my daily driver. We do average 350-355 days of sun here per year, and when it does rain it usually doesn't last long.

We do have the occasional dust storm, but I can usually find a place to shelter until those pass.

 

[buzzbomb]

Not everyone is going to get into riding a bike rain or shine. I sometimes enjoy the miserable days as much as the beautiful days. Maybe I'm just a masochist.

I also have the option of taking my cage, if it's raining when I leave, or too cold for my layers and gear. I say hold on to the bike for a little while and enjoy your new car and the benefits it offers. Then when you feel the urge to ride, you'll be able to, and will likely enjoy the heck out of since it will be by choice and not necessity.

Most rider's are what I'd call "Fair Weather Riders." They ride when the weather is agreeable and they feel like going for a ride. They don't put a ton of miles on their bike, they just ride for fun. There's nothing wrong with that.

 

[StarZero81]

My .02. Don't do anything rash. Enjoy your new car and take a break from riding for a bit. It might take a while, but I'm sure you'll get the itch to ride again. And you will enjoy it much more when you can pick and choose your riding conditions. I would lose interest if I had to ride in nasty weather all the time too.

 

[Blue-Sun]

So, I'm left with the question - what exactly went wrong, and can I fix it? I'm left with the question that if I'm not enjoying it - will I begin to enjoy it again when I can *choose* when to ride the bike, on the nice cool days between seasons? Should I consider just selling it, putting that money on my cage and paying it down? I put a lot of effort into finding my bike, and modding it where I was happy with it. It makes me happy when I *look* at it, but the tiredness and trouble of riding it day-in and day-out just takes the joy out of it anymore to me.

Perhaps you can sit down with a piece of paper and make a list of "pros vs. cons".

Then if you sell the bike and start to regret it, you can refer back to that document as your basis for that decision.

 

[CrazyCawi]

Sounds like you tired of it because to you it was a tool to commute not a pleasure or excitement item. Same was for me when I would commute with my bike, friends would pln rides on the weekends and id have an excuse to not go. I didn't want to I rode all week commuting. Now that I have a spirited bike I don't commute with her and enjoy every second I get to swing my leg over and can't wait to do it every time. I'd start with evaluating how you use your bike.

 

[AngryAnt]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I will take a break for at least a few weeks after I get my cage, perhaps wait until it starts cooling off in September. Lucky for me, I paid cash for the bike, so I don't have be nagged about the payment, just have to pay $250 / yr for insurance. If I'm not enjoying riding again by October / November, I might sell it then, but I suppose we'll see.

In other news, this is what I"m getting this weekend. It's my first "nice" car - i.e. the first one with options and not plastic wheel covers, so I'm rather excited. I drive my wife's 2008 Nissan Versa (like $12k new) - and I hate driving that thing for over half an hour.

200hp turbo charged engine, heated leather, panoramic sunroof, sat nav, ipod connector, pandora streaming, bluetooth wireless, remote start, bluelink.

 

[BKP]

Dude... NICE looking car... (and all the electronics are gravy!).

Bike's paid off -- put it aside, and forget it for while, while you enjoy the new blue 200 ponies (on a Tender)...

Give it a few months... You'll be glad you kept the 2-wheels when *that* becomes the pleasure ride, and the cage takes its place as the commuter...

P.S. -- It really *is* a nice looking ride... however, my guess is with 4 cylinders @ 1.6 liter, you're going to miss the acceleration sooner rather than later...

 

[dart1963]

So in the end - does this make me a terrible person, or less of a 'rider' than the rest of you? I don't see how some of you still find joy in riding 60+miles every day, rain or sleet or hail or snow. Maybe it just comes down to the fact I'm a lazy cager at heart.

Anyway, if you actually read all that, props to you.

we tend to like things we can't have... if we ride all the time, the wow factor tends to go away... I commute a lot less than I did, I now enjoy riding again.

then again, commuting in general, after almost 15 yrs 80ish miles every day, has finally worn on me... I am so sick of it, people are A$$holes, don't know how to just get along and drive (idiots who speed up when you put on your signal, who tailgate so you can't merge in, cross three lanes of traffic at the last second for an exit, etc...). Then again, could just be NOVA area

I now ride to get away from that experience... when I do commute on the bike, I take the long way, away from most traffic

 

[JonKerr]

bikes are not good DD. you'll appreciate it more when you ride because you WANT to ride and not because you HAVE to ride.

I was in the same boat a year ago. I quit commuting every day. Now i cant wait for the weekends to go ride.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Scott_Thomas]

Take a break and see how you feel in a month or so. I agree that since you have to ride everyday its lost its excitement. I haven't been using mine to commute but I'm going to soon. Not everyday, just nice days. Waiting for my throttle lock.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Fizzer6R]

yes you are a terrible person, now hand over the keys to your new car.

i'm like you with the weather, when it's too hot i don't want to ride, same when it's too cold, so i'm a fair weather rider. i'm not gonna ride being uncomfortable just because others want to. i also just ride for fun, not transportation, use a cage for that. although i really do enjoy taking a scooter up to the store to get some beer or 1-2 bags of food, anything more and it's car time.

just give it some time, i've gone for a year or so w/o a bike or even having one and it sitting. sooner or later the urge comes back, and once you get back on you'll know if you missed it and want to continue or give it up completely - nothing wrong with that either at all. at least you got some joy from a bike, more than can be said for most others that never even try one.

 

[leem00]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I will take a break for at least a few weeks after I get my cage, perhaps wait until it starts cooling off in September. Lucky for me, I paid cash for the bike, so I don't have be nagged about the payment, just have to pay $250 / yr for insurance. If I'm not enjoying riding again by October / November, I might sell it then, but I suppose we'll see.

In other news, this is what I"m getting this weekend. It's my first "nice" car - i.e. the first one with options and not plastic wheel covers, so I'm rather excited. I drive my wife's 2008 Nissan Versa (like $12k new) - and I hate driving that thing for over half an hour.

200hp turbo charged engine, heated leather, panoramic sunroof, sat nav, ipod connector, pandora streaming, bluetooth wireless, remote start, bluelink.

I would wait till spring of next year to decide to sell the bike...2 reasons...you can get more if you are coming into prime riding season as people don't want to buy a bike to let it sit in a garage for 2-5 months (depending on location) and overall demand for motorcycles will be back up. Plus it give you a little more time away...besides you might get the "itch" again next spring.

 

[nismos14]

Turn your attention onto the Veloster for a while, and before you know it you will be enjoying the bike again!

 

[CDN6R]

Perhaps you can sit down with a piece of paper and make a list of "pros vs. cons".

Then if you sell the bike and start to regret it, you can refer back to that document as your basis for that decision.

Lots of good advice here.but the one above I fell is a really good one. I got out of biking completely after the birth of my son,,17 years ago. My daughter was born 12 years ago and I did not miss motorcycling at all until Spring of 2009..by then the kids were alot older and in school and I was retired from my job.