Thinking of selling fjr, what do you think?

[fjrlover]

The bike really doesn't have any commuting ability because I only have 5 miles to work, so that argument is out the window. But that does bring up a good point, with such a short ride, can this be good for the bike if I go straight to work? On the other hand I get spring fever when ever it gets warm and I want to jump on it. I know I have it bad when there is still salt on the roads and I contemplate riding, never will but it calls.

 

[Big Sky]

I had owned three bikes and been riding for eight years when my son was born (24 years ago). The bike sat in the garage far too much after I became a father, so I sold it. I was basically unhappy for the next three years, wistfully watching other folks out playing on their motorcycles. When the kid turned four I simply announced to my wife I would be getting another and she had no objection. I bought a used 1983 1100F Honda, the same machine I had sold thee years prior (and rode it for the next 10 years!). My wife and I got a few good rides in when we could find a sitter, which wasn't all that hard. When the kid was 5 I took him on a ride to a neighboring city 65 miles away. He went on a few others and when he was eight or nine, he went over the Beartooth Highway with me. He was able to go on some other rides, too. In the meantime, my wife and I gradually increased our touring schedule, making many fine trips up into BC, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming and so on. When he turned 17 I bought him a '96 Seca II. Now we really started having some family fun!

The point is, I have been riding for 33 years with just that one three-year gap. I could have/should have kept what I was riding when the kid was born; just used it less and stored it well. To do over, I would have kept it. A child does not mean the riding or other opportunities are over; it just entails dealing with more complicated logistics. Finances are another matter and depend on individual circumstances.

You can keep it, or sell it and replace it later. Good luck with your decision.

 

[07fjrTom]

There are several ways to look at this issue, and most have been covered here already, by here are my $.02 worth.

Having a baby is a huge deal, and will change your outlook on life. I had a bike when my daughter was born and I never even considered selling it. It was a large part of my life already and it was my transportation to and from work and most everywhere else I went. She loves the bike almost as much as I do and at 12ys old it has become a big part of her life as well. I have video of her "helping" me work on my bike when she was 2yrs. old. Priceless stuff.

Buying and selling motorcycles is expensive. Keeping one and not riding it will cost you a lot less than selling it and having to buy another one in a year or two when you get the itch to ride. But this really depends on how important the bike is in your life. I the thrill you get from the bike can be replaced by something else, then it really doesn't matter, it's just a money decision. Most of this is moot. It's a decision only you can make.

Good luck with the new baby, it will change your life, whether you keep the bike or not.

Tom

 

[mcatrophy]

... I only have 5 miles to work, so that argument is out the window. But that does bring up a good point, with such a short ride, can this be good for the bike if I go straight to work?...

I commute 3 miles through heavy city traffic. Don't care if it's good for the bike, it's good for me. Not yet heard of an FJR motor dying because of short runs (a few complain of battery discharging, I've never had a problem). I do go on longer runs when I can. Good for me AND the bike.

 

[Flybum]

when my son was born i sold the old bike and bought a new one, 20 months later my daughter was born and six months after that i bought a new FJR, ride most every day. Still have both bikes, ride the feej almost exclusively so i'm going to let my father-in-law borrow the other bike (Harley) for an extended period of time. don't sell. take the long way to/from work. great stress relief from the trials of parenthood. B)

 

[SpeedFreak]

Hey guy's, figure I would ask the experts. I am thinking very hard about selling my 05 abs equipped bike with about ten thousand miles. It has bar risers, givi trunk, cee Baileys windshield plus stock, audiovox cruise, wild bill brackets, new dual compound tires with about one thousand miles on them, battery tender, and a Corbin seat with backrest for passenger. This was my baby for two and a half years but I am about to have a real one in 5 weeks so I am pressured to think the unthoughtful. No pressure from the wife, I just can't see myself riding that much for a couple years and would hate such a bike just sitting there. I am curious what such a bike goes for, any ideas? thanks

Well I can only say what worked for me. I had a bike since I was 18. My first chid came along when I was 26 and I still had chances to ride.

I sold it when the second child came. Then there was the third and fourth.

When I hit my 40's I needed to get a bike again. And I did. My youngest kids were still pretty young and my oldest were in the mid teens. This became a good father and child experience. All my kids love riding on the bike and we take trips every year. Now my oldest daughter who will be 21 in a week is buying her third m/c.

Having a m/c with my kids has been a very rewarding experience. Its great to share your passion with the people you have a passion for as well.

good luck

-=SF=-

 

[blueman]

KEEP IT! You will need it more than ever. After changing those diapers you will need to go for a ride! I will also recommend getting another bike "dirt bike for your self and new family member" Thats called a Win Win deal, right! . Best thing to raise kids on dirt bikes. I have three boys 22,18,and 8. They all ride. The oldest races and go's though so many parts he has worked at cycle shops his whole life. Every time my wife got pregnet I figured it was time to get another bike. Maybe I should become Catholic!

 

[reecebike]

They would be very few bikes if everybody gave up there bikes when they had kids!!!

 

[FJRBluesman]

That's a very personal thing between you and the family. You know your needs and the families, etc. Do what's best for all.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[krashdragon]

You can always keep it and sell it later for college tuition money!

anyway.... I can sympathise... I stopped riding when I had kids...actually, I was also 6 months pregnant. That did have something to do with it!

After my then husband's little 450 Suzuki wore out, he rode my Yamaha 650 Special until it wore out.... even took the 9 yr old to golf practice in the summer, then would head off to work.... 50 miles round trip every day... he liked to brag to his friends how much money he was saving riding the bike..... Um....25 miles one way in non-rush-hour freeway traffic (he worked swing shift) in Hawaii. Once in a while it would rain, as in extreme, and I'd drive him to work. big deal. But it was way cheaper than two cars.

So my suggestion..... don't sell the bike unless you need to. My oldest thot riding pillon was cool, the youngest now has his own m/c license.

Didn't get another bike until after I was divorced, my youngest took the MSF class with me. You never know what will happen.

If it were a car would you sell it just because? It's transportation.... and a lot more!

Take care.

mary aka Krashdragon

 

[al_templeton]

Hey guy's, figure I would ask the experts. I am thinking very hard about selling my 05 abs equipped bike with about ten thousand miles. It has bar risers, givi trunk, cee Baileys windshield plus stock, audiovox cruise, wild bill brackets, new dual compound tires with about one thousand miles on them, battery tender, and a Corbin seat with backrest for passenger. This was my baby for two and a half years but I am about to have a real one in 5 weeks so I am pressured to think the unthoughtful. No pressure from the wife, I just can't see myself riding that much for a couple years and would hate such a bike just sitting there. I am curious what such a bike goes for, any ideas? thanks

I say keep it (unless you need the $ for the baby).

I sold mine about 2 years ago and now I spend time lurking the bike forums dreaming about which bike I'll get next... I wish I had just kept the bike I had. I traded-in my cruiser to get a CBR1100XX which was great until my insurance went through the roof and I felt it was just too much money to spend on a toy, so I got rid of it.

Now I have a 20 month old baby girl (and a 15 year old girl) and I can't wait to get another bike. I want an FJR so bad but I need to save the money first... I don't want a big loan for what is essentially dad's toy.

Long story short, keep the bike, prep it well if it's going to sit and just enjoy it later. It may be hard to get another bike down the road when you've got a great one already.

 

[LgFJR]

Keep the bike. Guys that farkle up a bike to the way they like it are addicted, and you will spend your days pining away for another machine as soon as the snow melts. It's a lose lose if you sell, it would be at least $17K to buy a new machine and fix it to the level you have now, and you will get little extra for all the time and expense you have expended on this machine. I just finished a short ride with my son up at Death Valley, we now have matching KLR's and have a ball out riding the countryside. Think long range..........you need stress relief and your Yammie is there loaded with it...........and you can ride with the kids later..........

LG