I'd like an honest opinion, both pros and cons for my situation. Especially after the loss of Cedric Benson last night. I will be turning 51 in a few months and my youngest will graduate high school in May. I have been eyeing a bike for a long time, for at least 15-16 years but I never was really serious due to financial obligations with 2 boys and a wife. I never really thought about accidents back then but as we all know, they are getting more prevalent with distracted drivers.
I don't want a bike to ride around locally, like going to dinner or a movie. I would rather go on long rides of 3-7 days when feasible. I have an acquaintance that does this 2-3 times a year but he is retired. Long epic rides, 350-400 miles a day, check a place out for a day maybe and on to the next. I do not want to "trailer" to a destination and then go riding, I think the trip is the experience. I am thinking Big Bend, ski areas of New Mexico and the like, destinations so to speak. A trip to Sturgis would be on the list as well.
I have two close friends that are more interested in trailering to the Hill Country or Arkansas and riding there. I don't like the idea but it might be the safer option.
I rode a lot of dirt bikes in my youth but that ended at age 15. I would take a rider class for sure. I have no interest in purchasing my way up the ladder and starting with a smaller bike and I do like the Harley bikes but realize I can purchase another brand for less money, miles and newer. I am not looking at anything new. I like the look of the street glide style, baggers and smaller fairings.
Here is my dilemma, first off, my wife has no interest in riding and really thinks it's a dumb idea at my age to even consider this endeavor. Secondly, those of you that have been riding, are you curtailing your time on the bike due to the distracted drivers and their lack of attention? I am tempted to just shelve the idea as it has been a long time that I haven't bit the bullet.
I am looking for both good and bad input, what are your thoughts?
I don't want a bike to ride around locally, like going to dinner or a movie. I would rather go on long rides of 3-7 days when feasible. I have an acquaintance that does this 2-3 times a year but he is retired. Long epic rides, 350-400 miles a day, check a place out for a day maybe and on to the next. I do not want to "trailer" to a destination and then go riding, I think the trip is the experience. I am thinking Big Bend, ski areas of New Mexico and the like, destinations so to speak. A trip to Sturgis would be on the list as well.
I have two close friends that are more interested in trailering to the Hill Country or Arkansas and riding there. I don't like the idea but it might be the safer option.
I rode a lot of dirt bikes in my youth but that ended at age 15. I would take a rider class for sure. I have no interest in purchasing my way up the ladder and starting with a smaller bike and I do like the Harley bikes but realize I can purchase another brand for less money, miles and newer. I am not looking at anything new. I like the look of the street glide style, baggers and smaller fairings.
Here is my dilemma, first off, my wife has no interest in riding and really thinks it's a dumb idea at my age to even consider this endeavor. Secondly, those of you that have been riding, are you curtailing your time on the bike due to the distracted drivers and their lack of attention? I am tempted to just shelve the idea as it has been a long time that I haven't bit the bullet.
I am looking for both good and bad input, what are your thoughts?
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