Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) should I buy another bike?

Last year I had a clear out - sold both my boat and my bike, and gave up sailing and biking permanently on grounds of being mid 70s. The boat resolution lasted till January and I am again a happy bunny messing around with a sailing boat called Rosie. No regrets on that decision.

Now its the turn of the bike bug. My son has bought himself an electric bike for silly money and has offered me his Triumph Speedmaster 1200 at trade in value - funny, I seem to remember giving him cars outright Anyway this bike is immaculate with just 900 miles on a 2019 plate. I know I wont use it much and will hate the cleaning thats necessary on a cruiser, but riding a bike gets under your skin just like sailing or skiing.

So should I buy it or should I remember that I am old, I dont bounce like I used to do, havent got the same reactions, wont use it much and am likely to end up selling at a loss in a couple of years time?

Have to take a decision this week.

Howard,


I know how you feel, my left knee had a major issue a few years back that ended my Harley riding days, I knew I couldn't support the weight of the bike especially if wet or slippy with the left leg which I normally use when stationary. It took time but eventually I let all my Harleys go.

Fortunately the knee got better, and now I'm continually scratching at the bike itch...it just wont go away especially when the sun shining and the roads are calling, I will get another bike, possibly a lighter one this time, and as with the Harleys during winter and for periods when I wasn't riding much due to other commitments, just the knowledge that i had a bike there in the garage, I could see it, clean it and tinker around and derive enormous satisfaction for just being around a bike more than compensated for any inactivity on the riding front,

If you can afford it and it represents good value, just owning something can give immense pleasure in its self, and if you only go to a local meet every now and again to talk bikes with like minded souls can in itself be a rewarding experience. I know I wont be doing an continental biking tours anymore, but that doesn't matter I have those days banked in my memory, its nice to just experience the independence and sense of freedom a bike brings......

We are only here once, too often I meet people who wish they had done something when they could, who regret not having done it, I know the wife will mutter under her breath but would be the first to support me getting another bike as she knows I'm more complete with a bike than without one.

The answer to "should I buy another bike?" is always "yes".

If you can afford it without making any sacrifice else where then the question become why should I NOT do it.

Even if it provides only minimal pleasure then it has been worth the expense in my opinion.

I haven't given up sailing yet, but I am approaching 70 - 10. I just need my bus pass when I tack.
As for buying a bike, go for it, you won't regret. I have hanckered after a classic car for several years, kept putting off (no room in the garage, wouldn't use it, cost too much), then I found my Morgan. Whenever I go past the side door to the garage I look in with pleasure.

I'm itching to get back on a bike again after a gap of about 10 years but Mrs F-T is resolutely against it. At the moment. Just do it.

Why not?

That ist the question only YOU can answer.

Following my big prang in 2006, I realised that no matter how you ride, many car drivers are out to get you! (aka …“Sorry, I. didn’t see you!”)
Life on a bike now is very different to when we were younger…in the days when no one had mobile phones, sat navs, electronic dashboards to fiddle with! And I think your last sentence sums it up…we don’t bounce like we used to and our reactions are not what they used to be. Question is, would you have gone looking for a bike if your son didn’t happen to have one available.
The biking bug never goes but I find a Morgan is a reasonable substitute.

Interesting that the only person who counsels caution is the one who has several bikes, or at least thats how it appears. I too had a bad bike accident in 2006 when a young woman came straight on at a bend, into the side of my bike and I was airlifted off to the nearest major hospital. But thats the price of riding a bike as you see if you ever go to the Bike Show. Lots of people limping, more than a few in wheelchairs.

Went to the bike shop today for a tyre kicking session. My company was a fellow sailor and biker who confided that his cancer has not gone away and is in his lungs and esophagus. On the way back I stopped to say farewell to another fellow sailor on his deathbed with cancer. Both similar age to myself. I think I will buy the bike.

Not quite!

I also own "some" motorbikes.

I just did the last short trip today - but with all the safety clothes it was not a good idea at 29 degrees and sunshine.

What I meant above was:

I don´t know how old you are, but every motorcyclist must always -even if he is more experienced- try to decide objectively what he can (still) do.

This means among other things: reactivity, weight of the bike when standing and manoeuvring, putting it on the main stand....


And if your wishes can be reconciled with the above: Do it!

You alone can decide that for yourself.

Regards
Bernd