I put my Heritage Classic up for sale, BUT...
#11
01-29-2011, 05:37 PM
Obviously only you can judge how you really feel. We are about the same age and I can definitely relate, but for me, when I get on that bike I can feel no pain. Maybe it's the fact that it takes so much concentration to ride safely, or maybe it's a chemical thing, don't know and don't care, just know that it works and helps to keep me young. Think spring!
#12
01-29-2011, 05:44 PM
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60 is not Old
I have been riding for 50 years. The last 20 on Ultras. Monday my new Softail will be delivered. Hell yes I hurt some times, but I ride. Oh, I will be 69 this summer. The hard part is knowing that next year I'll be 70, ha ha. And as always I will be riding my next to last bike.
#13
01-29-2011, 06:24 PM
Supporter
#14
01-29-2011, 06:26 PM
Thanks for all the encouraging comments and thoughts.
I have thought about a convertible car, or maybe a classic, but where to put it is the problem. My two car garage is filled as it is. Adding a third car means one of them will be outside, and that is a pain in the butt. Moving cars around, especially since I'll be working for quite a bit longer, isn't my favorite solution. On the other hand, my wife would be far more comfortable in a car, and as we've both aged, truth be told I may be as well.
With a bike, even if it isn't used as much as I like, it fits in the garage along with both cars. The issue with the bike is that my wife isn't comfortable riding for any length of time. Call it corny or whatever you want, but I enjoy riding with her. If she's not there I still enjoy riding, but it isn't quite the same. Don't get me wrong I ride solo quite a bit, but those 2 hour weekend runs together are/were special.
Our son and his family are 90 miles away - an easy, fun run in the "old days", but not within my wife's comfort range these days. It isn't quite the same if I ride solo roundtrip and my wife is following in the car.
That's really the issue - how to adapt to my current needs and how they will change over the next 5-10 years. I wish I had an answer, but I don't. And that's why I posted -- your comments are helping me to frame both my priorities and my "needs" versus "wants" versus "living in the past" versus "thinking myself older than I am". Lots of things going through my mind, hopefully I'll be able to sort them all out.
Thanks, and keep the ideas/comments coming.
I have thought about a convertible car, or maybe a classic, but where to put it is the problem. My two car garage is filled as it is. Adding a third car means one of them will be outside, and that is a pain in the butt. Moving cars around, especially since I'll be working for quite a bit longer, isn't my favorite solution. On the other hand, my wife would be far more comfortable in a car, and as we've both aged, truth be told I may be as well.
With a bike, even if it isn't used as much as I like, it fits in the garage along with both cars. The issue with the bike is that my wife isn't comfortable riding for any length of time. Call it corny or whatever you want, but I enjoy riding with her. If she's not there I still enjoy riding, but it isn't quite the same. Don't get me wrong I ride solo quite a bit, but those 2 hour weekend runs together are/were special.
Our son and his family are 90 miles away - an easy, fun run in the "old days", but not within my wife's comfort range these days. It isn't quite the same if I ride solo roundtrip and my wife is following in the car.
That's really the issue - how to adapt to my current needs and how they will change over the next 5-10 years. I wish I had an answer, but I don't. And that's why I posted -- your comments are helping me to frame both my priorities and my "needs" versus "wants" versus "living in the past" versus "thinking myself older than I am". Lots of things going through my mind, hopefully I'll be able to sort them all out.
Thanks, and keep the ideas/comments coming.
#17
01-29-2011, 07:11 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
I have been riding for 50 years. The last 20 on Ultras. Monday my new Softail will be delivered. Hell yes I hurt some times, but I ride. Oh, I will be 69 this summer. The hard part is knowing that next year I'll be 70, ha ha. And as always I will be riding my next to last bike.
Lencap do what you can to make it more comfortable for you. With the new air ride suspensions and several seat options you should be able to make an adjustment that will keep you on the scooter for many years to come.
#18
01-29-2011, 07:58 PM
Road Warrior
Greetings to all. I don't ride my Heritage as much as I hoped. As I crossed about the age 60 barrier both my wife and I realized that riding was enjoyable, but took a toll. We had various aches and pains, and after several surgeries over last few years I must admit that my time in the saddle isn't as much fun as it once was.
So after 40 years of riding we decided it's time to sell. I put my ad on the web, posted pictures and so far no response. So I took the bike the local dealer today, had it fully checked out and changed the oil/filter. The bike checked out fine, but after only a short ride I began to question my decision to sell.
Yes, it's a lot of money just "sitting there" in the garage not being used. And the cost of insurance just adds to the monthly depreciation. But, there is still something magical about riding in general, and riding a Harley in particular. I got some "thumbs up" from people on the road (not that any of that matters), but I also just enjoyed the sound and feel of the bike. The temperature is only in the low 50s, but the sun is bright and there isn't a cloud in the sky. "Carolina blue" is how we describe the sky on days like this, and on days like this I remember why I started riding in the first place all those years ago.
So the bike is still for sale, but now I'm wondering what will happen when the weather begins to warm up and someone actually wants to buy the bike. On paper it makes all the sense in the world to sell the bike and put the money in the bank. But I never remember thinking about how much sense it made to buy a motorcycle in the first place.
Yep, I'm older, hurt more than I used to, realize that my biking skills aren't what they once were, but I also appreciate more than ever what a gift riding is and how important those few great rides are as food to the soul.
For those of you who haven't ridden in a while - take out your bike tomorrow - don't worry about the temperature, just realize how lucky we all are to be able to enjoy a ride whenever we want.
So after 40 years of riding we decided it's time to sell. I put my ad on the web, posted pictures and so far no response. So I took the bike the local dealer today, had it fully checked out and changed the oil/filter. The bike checked out fine, but after only a short ride I began to question my decision to sell.
Yes, it's a lot of money just "sitting there" in the garage not being used. And the cost of insurance just adds to the monthly depreciation. But, there is still something magical about riding in general, and riding a Harley in particular. I got some "thumbs up" from people on the road (not that any of that matters), but I also just enjoyed the sound and feel of the bike. The temperature is only in the low 50s, but the sun is bright and there isn't a cloud in the sky. "Carolina blue" is how we describe the sky on days like this, and on days like this I remember why I started riding in the first place all those years ago.
So the bike is still for sale, but now I'm wondering what will happen when the weather begins to warm up and someone actually wants to buy the bike. On paper it makes all the sense in the world to sell the bike and put the money in the bank. But I never remember thinking about how much sense it made to buy a motorcycle in the first place.
Yep, I'm older, hurt more than I used to, realize that my biking skills aren't what they once were, but I also appreciate more than ever what a gift riding is and how important those few great rides are as food to the soul.
For those of you who haven't ridden in a while - take out your bike tomorrow - don't worry about the temperature, just realize how lucky we all are to be able to enjoy a ride whenever we want.
#19
01-29-2011, 08:21 PM
Thanks again. I've modified my bike to suit my needs. The handlebars are are HD risers - closer to me to offset my multiple shoulder surgeries. The balanced engine is great for everyday riding - the vibes are fun, but hard to deal with after all the surgeries.
I love the idea of a full frame bike, but the new Road King frame is a bit too large for my height, and the Softail feels a bit better under me. The seat on the Road King is also a bit wider - harder to place my feet comfortably on the ground, especially two up. I hear great things about that new frame, but unfortunately it doesn't quite work for me. I don't like lowering bikes, it's just me, but they don't seem to handle the same.
I've explored some other brands, trying to find a better "fit", but my heart isn't really into it - I've owned lots of other brands over the years, some very fine machines, but this is my third Harley and I find it hard to replace with something else. That's part of the "problem" - I can buy a different brand for half of what I have invested in the Heritage. That would "justify" keeping the bike, even if it isn't used much. But when I do want to ride I know what I like - and then it doesn't matter so much about how much money I "saved".
A trike doesn't work for me - the storage issue is a problem. No place to put it without taking a full space in the garage. For less than the cost of a trike I can get a sports car - more comfort for my wife, and more time together.
Thanks again for the help - much appreciated.
I love the idea of a full frame bike, but the new Road King frame is a bit too large for my height, and the Softail feels a bit better under me. The seat on the Road King is also a bit wider - harder to place my feet comfortably on the ground, especially two up. I hear great things about that new frame, but unfortunately it doesn't quite work for me. I don't like lowering bikes, it's just me, but they don't seem to handle the same.
I've explored some other brands, trying to find a better "fit", but my heart isn't really into it - I've owned lots of other brands over the years, some very fine machines, but this is my third Harley and I find it hard to replace with something else. That's part of the "problem" - I can buy a different brand for half of what I have invested in the Heritage. That would "justify" keeping the bike, even if it isn't used much. But when I do want to ride I know what I like - and then it doesn't matter so much about how much money I "saved".
A trike doesn't work for me - the storage issue is a problem. No place to put it without taking a full space in the garage. For less than the cost of a trike I can get a sports car - more comfort for my wife, and more time together.
Thanks again for the help - much appreciated.
#20
01-29-2011, 08:36 PM
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