anyone given up on biking and regreted it?

anyone given up on biking and regreted it?

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Discussion

Sebastian Tombs

2,044 posts

191 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
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I sold my Triumph Thruxton in the summer and kind of decided that that was it for me and big motorcycles.

The last year I rode it 2 miles to subsequent MoT tests.
I had had nowhere secure to store it at my last job and theft in London had gone insane, so for 5 years or so I rode it very little, and cycled to work much more.

If I could identify a particular time my mind changed, there was the acceptance, somewhere in Normandy after spending 3 days trying to enjoy my last biking trip that actually I had bloody hated almost every mile and would much rather have been in a car.

I think there was a bit of a change in myself too. I really enjoy life these days and I'd rather not smash myself up and bugger that up. I didn't really have that same sense of self-preservation when I was younger and life seemed so much harder.


I'm keeping my Vespa and giving it a bit more use on sunny days, and am thinking about another less vintage machine (and maybe electric) for city duties, but I'm pretty sure that will be another scooter, not a motorcycle proper.

sjg

7,444 posts

264 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
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Monster has done about 150 miles in the last 4 years, and some of that was moving it to new house. Once again it's ended up SORN, I've let the MOT lapse, and it's overdue a belts service which I need to get sorted out. So it's languishing under a cover in the garden again.

Have had two kids in that time and it's not that I've given up because of them, just lack of time and opportunity. While I didn't routinely commute on it, I'd sometimes use it for getting to the office for a change - now I live further away (and WFH) and the train is just better for the odd trip in than a motorway slog on a naked bike. I used to use it for the 30 miles or so to see my parents, now I always have one or both of the kids with me so that doesn't work. Pure leisure time is really limited and to be honest on a nice sunny day I'd rather be riding my mountain bike.

Sometimes I think I should get it serviced, tidied and sold, then I'll buy something different later. Sometimes I just think it's not worth getting rid of, I've had it over 9 years (the first and only bike I've owned), it's not worth a huge amount and when I get a garage built it'll get a full nut and bolt rebuild.

MC Bodge

21,551 posts

174 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
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sjg said:
to be honest on a nice sunny day I'd rather be riding my mountain bike.
This. Or mountain running. Enjoyable and able to push yourself physically (and mentally) without breaking laws or dicing with traffic.

A500leroy

Original Poster:

5,083 posts

117 months

Tuesday 13th November 2018
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i am considering swapping my 700 for an electric bike funnily enough..

aeropilot

34,297 posts

226 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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baliongo said:
This summer i sold all of my bikes (Bsa Goldstar 500,Moto Guzzi le mans 850 & Kawasaki Zephr 1100) as knee issues have taken their toll on a 30+yr love affair with two wheels.The sale of the bikes have given me the opportunity to buy something rather nice for weekend fun with four wheels but having owned over 50 motorcycles in my 50yrs on this planet i will miss biking...
I hung my helmet up for good 3 years ago, initially due to having to spend 12 months doing other things that simply meant I couldn't ride, but also due to increasing health issues and age, that made riding not fun anymore, I had already begun to wonder as to how long I would be able to continue anyway.
So, once the 12 months or so was up, and I was in the position to ride again, I realised I hadn't missed it, and so, called it a day.
After 25 years + riding, I really thought by now I would be struggling with not riding again, but that's not been the case.




8IKERDAVE

2,280 posts

212 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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My biking history is quite scattered, I ran smaller bikes in my teens and then swapped for a car when going to uni. I didn't get on another bike for 6 years when the opportunity arose to do my direct access. 2 years on I had to sell my bike to put the money into a house deposit and didn't return to the saddle for another 6 years. After irritating my wife everytime a bike went by, sitting outside in the sun listening to bikes scream past my house I decided enough was enough and bought another. Now, I would rather sell a testicle than my bike. I have 2 kids, a stressful career and it is the only thing that offers me the escapism I need. Either that or heroine and that brings its own problems so I'm told.

d8mok

1,815 posts

204 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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Similar story here with me. Been riding for 10 years purely for pleasure after selling my fast cars off, but mileage has slowly dropped year on year. Gone from 8k a year to less than 1k now. This summer ive done more miles cycling than on the motorbikes. Ive forced myself to go out on sunny days and really enjoyed it, but im sure if id of gone out mountain biking id of enjoyed it just as much and not had to force myself. Had a accident 3 years ago where i was hit by a 82 year old and it CAT C'd my panigale and if truth be known since this ive lost interest in just going out for the sake of it. Too many idiots on the road and its not fun until you start to go fast.

Servicing, tyres and insurance is about £1200 a year for my 2 bikes, and im struggling to justify it if im honest. Lets see how i feel come summer , but currently it feels like ive 90% given up anyway. However its still nice to know the bikes are there in the garage.......

A500leroy

Original Poster:

5,083 posts

117 months

Wednesday 14th November 2018
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changing the exhaust back to the standard one tomorrow ( im weird and the aftermarket one although a giggle gives me a headache after a few miles) then ill see if i gel with the bike again.

A500leroy

Original Poster:

5,083 posts

117 months

Monday 26th November 2018
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right the conclusion is i need a new bike or new tyres, ive gone from an a2 sports bike to a big(ger) naked, im currently on pirelli phantoms and im thinking pilot 2s will increase my grip and make me like the bike again, do i need to change my riding style for a naked?

Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

124 months

Monday 26th November 2018
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I haven't been riding long enough to give up.
I did come down from 6 bikes and 2 sports cars to 4 bikes and 1 sportcar and a SUV, of which I mostly ride 1 (the oldest and slowest one) and drive 1 (SUV), and the others I keep because I love to pay insurance, road tax and service.

Edited by Ho Lee Kau on Monday 26th November 13:01

MC Bodge

21,551 posts

174 months

Monday 26th November 2018
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A500leroy said:
right the conclusion is i need a new bike or new tyres, ive gone from an a2 sports bike to a big(ger) naked, im currently on pirelli phantoms and im thinking pilot 2s will increase my grip and make me like the bike again, do i need to change my riding style for a naked?
If you don't use it, new tyres aren't going to make much difference.

Bikes are great to ride,



...but as a hobby in much of the UK, a bit lacking in my opinion.

tonyinbrighton

107 posts

127 months

Monday 26th November 2018
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I gave up bikes in 1967 as soon as I could get a car licence, and didn't buy another bike until 2012 and that was only because scooters & bikes had unrestricted access to the car park at work, whereas cars had to have at least 2 people in them.
Passed my DAS four years ago and bought a 600cc Hornet (fab bike) and changed to a CB1100EX a year ago. I ride throughout the year and usually do 50-60 mile local ride-outs but I really want to make a meaningful trip, most likely to northern France next year.
I didn't miss riding while I wasn't doing it but I'd hate to give it up now....

Biker's Nemesis

38,534 posts

207 months

Monday 26th November 2018
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This time of year I always feel like giving up with the track bike, the lads know this so they've enticed me with a trip to Mugello next year.

I'll give it up after next year but I know I'll regret it.

Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

124 months

Monday 26th November 2018
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MC Bodge said:
A500leroy said:
right the conclusion is i need a new bike or new tyres, ive gone from an a2 sports bike to a big(ger) naked, im currently on pirelli phantoms and im thinking pilot 2s will increase my grip and make me like the bike again, do i need to change my riding style for a naked?
If you don't use it, new tyres aren't going to make much difference.

Bikes are great to ride,



...but as a hobby in much of the UK, a bit lacking in my opinion.
That is Sustenpass! :-)

Andybow

1,175 posts

117 months

Monday 26th November 2018
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Biker's Nemesis said:
This time of year I always feel like giving up with the track bike, the lads know this so they've enticed me with a trip to Mugello next year.

I'll give it up after next year but I know I'll regret it.
Have you done any touring BN?