Been married for about 4 years now (with kids)and bought first street bike 3 years ago. Wife didn't like it much but I bought a broke down bike and told her it was an investment. She was okay with it because (1) It didn't run when I brought it home and (2) Itkept me out of her hair for a few hours on weekends. Sold that bike, made some vacation money and 4 bikes in now.Enjoy them for a few months then sell them. She still doesn't like the idea of meriding but gear is key and only drive for recreation.

 

you right, i dont know you nor does that matter.from what you wrote i can read a lot between the lines. follow your own word "my priorities straight my family is first." so do what is best for them and not yourself.. i still stand by what i said, and you know Im right. dont kid yourself!
also, just because you consider yourself to be responsible does not eliminate risk of any type. you might have have your wits while you ride but that does not mean that the rest of the public does the same.

ok, fine. fatal accidents might not be as high as we think but how about the people that lost the use of their arms, legs and ability to have a normal functional body?
the accidents that ive seen that involved bikes were not contributed to rider error. it was all road conditions. either traffic, crappy road, or stuff on road.

come on guys, you dont need to agree with me in order to feed my ego; but dont kid yourselves by thinking that what cornell wants to do is the right way.

final statement: there are many bikers that get run over by drunk drivers here, i hope thats not the case were you guys live.

 

That was kinda misunderstood, Marrige means neither has to ask permission. My whole life growin up my Dad was like alot of my friends Dad's like they either had to sneak or beg to go somewhere or buy something. When my wife and I got married I made it clear niether was a parent to the other and therefore you shouldn't need permission. That was my point. And as far as being hit by a drunk driver DON'T argue statistics with mebecause I have been hit by a drunk while in a car and not while on my bike. I was only trying to relay support and maybe give a couple Idea's for his cause. Nothin Macho about honesty.

 

Agree with her and tell her that you don't want a sportbike because they are made for 'crazy kids andracing', tell her you just want to go 'cruising'. For some reason most people think standards and cruisers are safer. The idea is to get on two wheels right? You may have to get a Z1000 or a Sv1000 instead of a fully faired sportbike.

 

True, a less intimidating looking bike might be a lot easier to get away with.

 

Thex finally said something i can agree with. And also the standard bike would probably be a good compromise. I had a Honda 919 for about a year and absolutely loved it. They're good looking bikes, handle well, more comfortable, and are faster than a F4i. The 599 is also a very sporty bike that's lots of fun and a good price. I belong to honda599.com and it's a great place if you want to go and get some info and ask some questions about either of these bikes. And make sure to get a good (read 'safe') jacket, helmet, and gloves...and wear them all the time. Hopefully that way your wife will know you're serious about staying safe, even if it's inconvenient.

Let us know what happens!

EDIT: I sold my bike when i got married...but bought another one after two years of marriage. My wife's 9 months pregnant and i commute to work every day on my bike. She knows how much i love her and how i don't do stupid things on the bike. I have fun, but don't do things that many riders do (like lanesplit, drive on the shoulder, weave around in traffic, etc). No, it's not the safest thing to do, but that's life and we'd all be miserable if we always did the 'safest' thing.

 

I have always had thoughts about horrible things happening to me. Sometimes I feel like I am comfortable with death if it happens to me in case of a fatal accident. ButI always feel differently when I am riding, I feel like it is not dangerous at all if you are very cautious and not stupid in your riding. But there are moments where I feel the urge that all men feel come out. The need for speed... Its sometimes hard to control that feeling. I know every rider out there sometimes feel like their inner mind wants to push that bike. Well what im basically saying is even though you say you have matured, you will have those cravings from your earlier bad habits.

 

Unless the the wreck was bad enough ,i dont think that you will have calmed down enough to control your urges(which is what your wife is seeing).

I suggest talking about it and not forcing the idea on her.I havent had a bike in over 14years(mainly because i was young and dumb.Totalled to interceptors back then pulling and doing stupid stuff),then i got married had kids etc etc..Last year got the craving for a bike but held off because of all the misunderstandings my wife and kids had about them.It was hard to talk my wife into a bike because she works for a orthopedic doctor and sees guys from bike wrecks all the time.

But i had to talk to other peaple we knew that owned bikes.They explained the good and bad sides of them..So she got easier on the idea.She is still not 100% happy but she is better.

To makeiteasier on her,i have taken the MSF (beginners and plan on taking the advance).I have more than enough insurance in "case" something happens to take care of my family, she knows i wont get the " need for speed" to much because thats what my car is for(its got more safety equipment in it than some race cars).Lastly i got all the proper gear to wear when i ride..Which is what 90% of the guys i know DONT do..

 

thanks for the great reply white99gt. i feel the same as you i have her somewhat at ease with it but shes not fully comforatable. i have had the msf class. you are absolutly right about the urges to try it out but i know if something happens this time i am never going to ride again. we have been talking about it for about a year an a half so its been a while. the crash i had was pretty bad but not life threatning tore up my body pretty bad. my wife also works in a hospital so she sees it all the time. her dad just got a new bike and she knows some people can ride for years without a problem if you are carefull and i plan on getting all the gear jacket helmet gloves and shoes prob just wear jeans. thanks alot for your reply