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.  (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! 

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

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

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 

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.