GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Here's my story...

6 months ago I started looking for a bike, cause I've always wanted to ride, but never expected my wife to allow it.  :oops: (come on, anyone who's married can relate I'm sure).  So somehow, someway she said yes.  Although hesitant.  One month later we find out we're pregnant.  Suprisingly, I still have an okay, cause she said that she doesn't want to keep me from something that I really want to do.  So, when she's about 3 months pregnant I get my GS after taking the MSF course.  I'm really loving it, but all I can think of is that she must be a mess whenever I take it out.  I know they are more dangerous than cars, and I'm riding as safe as I can, especially since I'm still learning.  I mostly just use the bike to commute 3 miles to work and back.  Another thing is that my Dad used to ride when my sister and I were young, and my Father in Law as well.  They both are fine and happy.  But, I just want to be there for my baby girl and my wife.  What does everyone think?

As long as you stay as safe as you can you should be fine. But this totally up to you.

I have 3 young boys with a fourth due in a few weeks and I still ride.

It is something I think about very occasionally, but I do every thing I can to reduce the risks of riding. ATM I take a bigger risk giving cheek to a heavily pregnant woman, than I do riding.

I voted keep riding, but it is something you have to decide yourself.

be a good little sheeple....sell it and buy a Buick






your time is your time

dying sucks
been there
done that
good thing they have crash carts in the meat wagon

still ride

buy some term life insurance immediately if you keep riding.

keep riding. even though its dangerous there are alot of people that go without crashing. my grandpa rode for his whole life and never once got into a wreck, he had 5 kids and a wife all while he rode too.

I am quite big destiny believer so I think you can continue riding, BUT: do everything you can to minimize the risk i.e. check the weather forecasts frequently if the weather is going to be bad(wind, snow, heavy rain) leave the bike home and take car, wear good quality full gear at all times, never ride if you don't feel like doing that, never ride when you have a feeling something could happen to you (I some times have that type of feelings or crazy dreams), avoid high speed ridind, THINK and never do anything by routine.
that's all I can think about at the moment.

cheers
let us know what your decision is!!

+1 on minimizing risk, and kudos to your wife for wanting you to do what you love! After starting to ride, I don't know if I could ever willingly give it up now. Life insurance is a good idea, whether you ride or not, but especially with a baby on the way and a sweetheart wife like you have!  :bowdown: :icon_mrgreen:

Keep riding  :thumb: Riding a Motorcycle is no more dangerous than driving a car.

You could die from eating @ taco bell on the wrong day...

O0

Quote from: quiktaco on October 25, 2007, 04:09:50 PM
So somehow, someway she said yes.  Although hesitant.

reminds me of that joke: "Apparently 'do whatever the f%$k you want' doesn't really mean that..."

I took the MSF and bought my gs when my first son was 3 months old, so I can relate...It was rough. My wife did not like the idea.
Go with your heart. You can always come back to it if you want later in life. Also, you never get this time back, either to ride or to spend time with the family. I've been able to do both for the last 5 years.

I have a six year old and a Wife.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right thing by riding.

I don't stunt, speed, or ride without gear. So I feel like the risk is as small as it can get.

Most of my riding is commuting to work. If I get up and don't feel real sharp that day, I drive my truck. I only ride when I know I have my head in the game.

If I worried about it to the point that it was interfered with my ability to stay focused while I rode, I would hang it up for awhile.

Plus 1000 on the life insurance. I have enough to replace my income if anything happens to me. That way my wife can raise our son and not have to get a job to do it.

Good luck on your decision.
PJ.

I would keep on riding. You have to be happy if your going to spend time with your wife otherwise things are going to get unhappy and fall apart. If riding is one of the things that makes you happy then you should keep doing it.

Riding FEELS more dangerous than driving a car, however if you ride in full gear and ride in an appropriate manner then you are pretty much as safe as you can be. Nearly every accident can be avoided if you pay attention, check the weather, know your routes for bad road conditions. You can really make it very safe whilst still maintaining the massive enjoyment from riding. You also have to think if you choose to stop riding because of the new baby on the way - when do you back to riding, when's the right time, will you ever? You could lose a big thing you enjoy.

Your wife would be in worse condition if you were home miserable all day!

Quote from: pantablo on October 25, 2007, 09:41:55 PM

Quote from: quiktaco on October 25, 2007, 04:09:50 PM
So somehow, someway she said yes.  Although hesitant.

I took the MSF and bought my gs when my first son was 3 months old, so I can relate...It was rough. My wife did not like the idea.
Go with your heart. You can always come back to it if you want later in life. Also, you never get this time back, either to ride or to spend time with the family. I've been able to do both for the last 5 years.

Absolutely get life insurance. I would also recommend that you add a sizable disability policy. You could endure a serious injury (of course, let's hope not, and if you ride as safe as one can then yes, you reduce the likelihood) that makes it impossible for you to work or get a job, and your wife may have to go back to work to support you, your health care, and your child.

Although I'm young I've thought about what I'd do in this scenario. Many have given you some good advice here, but not a single one of us is invincible. It really is completely up to you, but if your family compromises your mental focus while riding, or if motorcycling gets in the way of your marriage or family, you should reconsider riding, or not riding. I honestly think it might be too much for me, mentally and emotionally, and I'd have to give up the bike for everybody's sake.

good luck
- G

I'd couldnt possibly tell someone to do something risky, that could take their lives. It is your personal decision. So, I will only tell you what I would do myself. I would keep riding normally, which is safe and responisble riding. You can limit the risks but you cant do others people driving too. I just watched that video about the Motorcyclist soul and I think it is a good question you posed but it is an answer that can only come from within. Congradulations Dad. You take care  :thumb:

Thanks everyone for your comments.  I'm so excited about being a Dad.  I don't think it affects me when I'm riding, though.  When I'm out, my head is completely focused on riding.  I actually don't think I really think of anything but riding while out.  Maybe it's cause I'm still learning.  I'm basically using the bike for commuting right now, only going through 3 intersections between home and work.  One is a right turn, one is a left turn on a green arrow, that is really little traffic, and the other is straight through.  A big reason for riding also, is that it's saving us money.  With 50 or so mpg on the bike compared to the 12 that I get on my truck, it's kinda hard on the wallet to drive all the time.  Also, I have 50k life insurance through my work, but is that enough?  That covers about a years salary, but what would you guys recommend?  And how much is it?

A years salary won't do a thing ,considering they will be dependant for at least 18 years of their life! I think TEN FOLD that amount might help somewhat! If I were put in your shoes, I would definitely invest in more life insurance. I am 28 years old and plan on having kids within the next 5 yrs. I wouldn't want to risk putting them in that type of situation.

I'm 27 and probably getting engaged within a few months and as soon as my GF is knocked up I'm selling my bike.  It's just not worth the risk.

If you're buying insurance then get at least a million in term life.  You can get it for less than $100/month if you don't smoke, chew, etc.

dudes! you could just slip in the shower on a piece of soap and smash your head against a bath tub...    BAM!!    you're dead...

just take it easy: enjoy your life and motorcycling cause you don't know the "time and day"....

BTW I'm 21 and already married... no kids tho...

I wish there were better studies on the accident/casualty rate for motorcyclists who have: a) taken the MSF course, and b) invested in full gear incluing full face helmet, gloves, boots, and jacket.  In other words, how much less survivable are we REALLY than the average cager?  The Hurt report found that something like 90% of accidents occur to motorcyclists who never took the MSF course.

I'm a firm believer in "Your time is your time" and there isn't a thing you can do to change that, be it locking yourself in a padded room, never venturing out of your house, or selling anything you consider "fun" or "extravagant".  Don't ride like a jack-ass, which it sounds like you don't even know how to do, if you wanted to (which it sounds like you don't either).

Keep riding, keep your head in the game, take the MSF Advanced Rider course, wear all your gear all the time, and go out on the bike "just for fun" every once in a while to keep yourself enthused and not riding just because it saves money, because that'll help keep yourself sharp too, if you are having a good time on the bike.


In my experience it is the hesitant/shy/scared folks (on cars or bicycles or motorcycles) and the squids that have "accidents", not the "aggressive within limits" crowd.

the rule of thumb on life insurance is 10 times your annual income. That's a minimum.

then make sure your wife understands about investing in a good long term mutual fund.

It's not a perfect solution, but a good one.

No, I'm not a finacial adviser. Just do a lot of research on my own.

PJ.

I voted "ride recklessly" but only because I figured I'd be the only one.

Seriously though, with your girl being pregnant you should really consider her stress level as well.  High stress can cause pregnancy complications including pre-term birth.  If she is really stressed about you riding you may want to consider hanging it up for 9 months or so.  Otherwise, just do what everyone else has been saying and ride normally and safely.  That's all I really have to add to this topic.

Talk it over with your chick to make sure she's not secretly freaking out while telling you she's cool with it.  The ladies aren't always forthcoming with what they really want.  I guess that's pretty much true of a lot of people, not just the ladies.

Quote from: asobi on October 26, 2007, 07:29:38 PMThe Hurt report found that something like 90% of accidents occur to motorcyclists who never took the MSF course.

Hmmm.  Dunno if the MSf course even existed when the study was done ((http://bbburma.net/Smilies/dunno_black.gif)), but I do seem to remember the study mentioning actual motorcycling training ... as opposed to being self-taught, taught by a friend, etc.

But ... the 90% thing doesn't seem to be stated correctly.  If 90% of all riders don't take the MSF course (or its equivalent) ... and 90% of all accidents occur to those people ... that would mean that 10% of the accidents occur to the 10% of the people that DO take a training course.  Which would infer that training doesn't affect your chances one way or the other.  :o

Does anybody have a figure on the percentage of riders that are "trained"?  Without that, the other percentage is somewhat meaningless....  :icon_confused:

Great suggestions from everyone.  I really expected everyone just to say keep riding, but I'm glad to see that this topic is taken seriously.  I can't really tell how stressed she is when I go out riding.  I know she doesn't 'like' it, but she's okay with it.  But then the wierd thing is, she wants to ride on it too after the baby is born.  Not long trips or anything dangerous, but just short things here and there.  When I got the bike, she said that she felt like I was getting to go on the go carts at some track thing, while she had to wait on the sidelines and watch.  I'm pretty sure it's in her blood to have a bike, cause that's who her Mom and Dad were, too.  It was normal.
I don't really feel that the ride to work and back is dangerous.  It seems pretty easy, and I haven't had any close calls.  I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet.  Last night we had talked a little, and since that conversation, I feel a little better about riding, but I think it's never going to go away. 

Quote24. The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents.

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/hurt-report.html (http://www.clarity.net/~adam/hurt-report.html)

Thanks for the quote and the link.  :thumb:  But it still leaves me wondering....

The quote says: "The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training".

Would it also be true to say: "Motorcycle riders are essentially without training"? (http://bbburma.net/Smilies/headscratch.gif)

My wife is supportive. She loves to ride with me. She rode a motorcycle for the first time when she was 8 months pregnant with our son, in her mother's yard, very slowly with me.

My son is over a year old, and had a major cranial vault surgery six months ago due to a genetic syndrome, called Apert Syndrome. He's healthy, developing well, and the remaining 10-12 surgeries for his face, hands, feet, and head will be by a team of surgeons that are pediatric syndactily specialists, along with pediatric neurosurgeons. We'll never have enough money to pay for even one of his surgeries.

My wife and I are both healthy, and frugal. We've saved for the event of our deaths, and have planned for his future with our families. 

I rode 18000 miles mostly commuting since I bought our GS. I pop a wheelie now and again, but no stunting, ever. I view the gs as a economical tool, and a pleasure.

When you have your child, your views will change. Keep the bike for now. Go with your gut. Ride sanely, and when you want to be 'bad' think of your kid.

I drive my truck alot more now, mostly because I haven't owned a car in three years, and A/C is nice. So is staying dry. 

I voted for keep on riding, but remember:

1) You will NEVER have enough insurance coverage once you have kid( s ).
2) You will NEVER be 'safe' on a motorcycle.
3) Think about your kid missing you, and not being the guy to take him/her for their first ride.

O0

Quote from: quiktaco on October 27, 2007, 08:12:12 AM
I don't really feel that the ride to work and back is dangerous.  It seems pretty easy, and I haven't had any close calls.  I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet.  Last night we had talked a little, and since that conversation, I feel a little better about riding, but I think it's never going to go away. 

Don't get too complacent about your "usual" rides.  If you get to used to your everyday commute, you can let yourself get lazy and that is when something unexpected happens to bite you in the ass.  Just remember to stay alert and keep your eyes open, especially during your daily commute.

I bought my GS when my wife was 6 months pregnant. For me it was a great way to commute to work and back, while the mrs. had the car to her avail.
Be sure about insurance, gear etc. And drive as safe as you can. Since owning the GS it took me trough sun, rain, fog, heavy traffic and even some subzero (celcius) temps without problems.

(yes, i voted to keep on riding).

Good luck!

Sometimes It's the kids that put all of this in proper perspective.

My son is only 6, about a year ago I went out to my bike to start it before going to work. When I stuck the key in it, I noticed that someone had put a lime green, fuzzy sticker of a puppy and another one that was Orange, Also of a puppy, on the black trim in front of the speedo and tach.

I went inside and asked my son if he knew anything about it. He said "yeah, I put them where you could see them while riding so you would remember me and be safe."

How's that for wisdom from a 5 year old.
The Puppies are still there. :thumb:

BeSafe.
PJ

Thank you everyone for putting in your 2 cents.  I still haven't decided yet.  I guess this decision is going to take a lot of time.  Also thanks ohgood, and puddlejumper, I really liked both of your posts.  I think if I do continue to ride, I'll have to have a picture of both my wife and daughter with me for a reminder to stay safe.

I think motorcycle riding has been tagged a "dangerous sport" for all the wrong reasons.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of riders have no training, ride a bike that is too powerful for their skill level, and ride like idiots.  The "cage people" think it is OK to abdicate their responsibility to 30 airbags, 4,000lbs of steel, a wing, and a prayer.  It seems as if "it was just your day" if someone dies in a car crash, but "pure stupidity" if someone dies on a motorcycle.

Don't kid yourself, screaming down the road on two narrow tires IS dangerous.  However, so is standing in front of a large machine tool that will just as soon suck you in and rip you up as do its job.  Both will kill you just as quickly, yet public perception is that motorcycling is "dangerous" and working in a dangerous environment is "just a job".  Much of this thinking seems to percolate though the riding community, and some of us hear it enough that we begin to believe it.

In the end, life is short and we only get to experience it once.  As long as you understand the risks, and do your best to control your exposure to those risks, you should have a long and rewarding riding career.  If you're not willing to arm yourself with the skills and knowledge, or your feelings compromise your abilty to keep a clear head, then maybe you should find something else.

I won't tell you what to do, so I'm not going to vote in the poll.  The decision is deeply personal, and is between you, your wife, and your unborn baby.  From my standpoint, I can't do without riding.  It is part of who I am, and something I intensely enjoy.  I could never "give it up", but might change my habits if I had a family to take care of.

As others have said, life insurance is a good thing, whether you ride or not.  Having a healthy savings account, insurance, and low/no debt will make any major problem much easier to bear, regardless of cause.

GeeP  -

Very well said. Very nice perspective on the poll.

Fathers do all kinds of crazy things, Four by Fours, ATV's Dirtbikes, Snowmachines, backpacking in bear territory ect ect ect.
Prove to your wife that you care about her by riding safe all the time no exceptions. Helmet jacket pants ect ect.
But if you enjoy it, Dont put it away!

quiktaco, have you come to any sort of decision of what you're going to do.

wear your gear and keep your eyes open. motorcycles aren't dangerous, blind idiots behind the wheels of 1/2 ton steel death machines are dangerous.

Quote from: lancemclaughlin on November 08, 2007, 06:58:37 AM
wear your gear and keep your eyes open. motorcycles aren't dangerous, blind idiots behind the wheels of 1/2 ton steel death machines are dangerous.

+1 :cheers: