Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Gary on March 12, 2016, 10:04:23 AM
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For the past 12 years, since I started back riding on my first Guzzi, every time I pulled out of the neighborhood I found a big smile busting out on my face. It never failed and I marveled at how much I loved it and what it did for my spirit. This past summer, we sold our house and moved into a townhouse/villa, basically downsizing and looking forward to more travel. I was expecting to have more time to ride as well. The logistics of the move to a place with a much smaller garage severely limited my riding. My bike was always trapped by cabinets, unpacked boxes, tools, etc. and was a major ordeal to get out. Our new neighborhood covenants also require that we park our cars in the garage as well. It took nearly 6 months to arrive at a point that the garage was organized and easy to get the bike out (whenever my wife's car was gone that is). Now in March the weather has turned nice and I can ride without jockeying vehicles or moving tools. And so I started riding again last week. All I can say - "is that all there is?". What happened? No smile. It was OK but not compelling anymore. The most validating thing about riding a motorcycle appears to be gone. I am not giving up yet, but if it doesn't come back.....
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What do you expect? It's a Honda.
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Gary,
My guess is its not the bike its the life style change. Having to start making moves due to age, health, job or retirement isn't easy and has its down side. Give yourself some time to get used to the new situation before you make any more big moves. Like selling your bike!
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Maybe you grew up. I'm still working on that.
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I don't know how tight your garage is, but I have found that a $70 motorcycle dolly from Harbor Freight has greatly increased the accessibility of my garage/shop. It lets me get my occasional rider out without having to wheel out my daily rider. As for "That lovin' feeling", just give it some time, downsizing is quite stressful at first but once you adjust to a more Thoreau-ian existence, life is smoother. Hang in there pard.
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It happens. Get a Vespa or something light to do grocery runs and such. Your smile will come back, then will get even bigger when you get back on the big bike.
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Try riding it like you stole it, no really! I know its not a performance bike, but it will still get up and go if you poor the coals to it. Riding with "intent" makes a difference on how you will feel on a motorcycle. I'm not telling you to ride like a complete bat-sh?t squid, but wick up the throttle, jump on the binders when safe, make your own fun!
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No, Gary, it is over.
P.M. me your address and I will take that useless, worthless, joyless, soul less, Honda NC700X away, so you can move on.
No need to thank me, it's what I am willing to do.
:laugh:
kjf
Seriously,
I was commuting @ 60 mi. round trip daily for about 3 yrs. and really enjoyed it.
Now have a different situation, where I can't take the motor in, but only work 2/3 days a week.
Seems I didn't ride as much, and it seemed I was not using the motor, simply because getting geared up,
and everything ready took more effort than just getting in and driving.
I made it a point to go out for a coffee or something at least once a week, and I am reminded how much I enjoy it.
Like Mom used to say, " It's just a phase, it'll pass.."
....but my offer stands.... :evil:
kjf
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I would never live any place that dictates where my vehicles must be parked. Total BS.
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Sounds like more cleaning out the garage is needed. Sounds like some real restrictive covenants. Maybe a change is needed? Vehicles cannot be parked in the driveway and need to be garaged?
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I would never live any place that dictates where my vehicles must be parked. Total BS.
This is what I was thinking. I can understand a development having rules about having junk or project cars strewn about the property but if a vehicle is tagged and insured whats the problem with parking outside.
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They want the "ghost town" look of a retirement community.
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The garage is really a non-issue now. That bottleneck has been solved, at least to a reasonable extent. I got rid of a big roll around workbench and was able to store a lot of miscellaneous tools and materials in the attic above the garage. The community we have chosen to live in is really an experiment for us. If we don't like after a couple of years, we will move on. With the dog and cats gone, this is the type of place we can lock up and be gone for weeks at a time.
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My buddy had a similar experience a couple of years ago.
He pretty much stopped riding and got in to another sport.
But he did not sell his bike.
But this year something rekindled his motorcycle enjoyment.
Not sure what caused it. But he's all over my butt to go riding again.
Your feelings may be temporary.
Mike
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Feel the tank up and go for a non-committed ride. No real destination. No real time frame except day ride. Go explore.
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I think it's your bike of choice. Ask yourself, why did you buy that Honda? I know a guy who reads here who has 1 of those but he has other bikes (including Guzzis) to ride too. That Honda is boring even to look at. :huh:
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I have several Guzzi's f/s to help rekindle your flame.
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Sell that Honda. It is a good, reliable, modern bike. But does it make your smile each time you get your car out of the garage and you take a glimpse on it? Do you think about its sound even when it is not running? Do you think about riding it even when you don' t have a destination in mind? Only that there is nice weather outside?
Buy a V7. Seriously. I know your situation.
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Sell that Honda. It is a good, reliable, modern bike. But does it make your smile each time you get your car out of the garage and you take a glimpse on it? Do you think about its sound even when it is not running? Do you think about riding it even when you don' t have a destination in mind? Only that there is nice weather outside?
Buy a V7. Seriously. I know your situation.
I think it's your bike of choice. Ask yourself, why did you buy that Honda? I know a guy who reads here who has 1 of those but he has other bikes (including Guzzis) to ride too. That Honda is boring even to look at. :huh:
I have had 4 Guzzi's and have a real soft spot for the brand. A V7 would be a nice option. I really wanted a "baby" Stelvio, but settled for the Honda since one from MG hasn't been forthcoming. It has been an incredibly satisfying bike for me. I really don't think I can do much better. If I can't get excited on these two wheels, it won't do any good to buy another bike, whatever it may be.
I'll take a few rides in the N. Ga mountains soon and we'll see.
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Life has cycles.
Be patient with yourself, this too shall pass.
I know your garage pain: fixed it, but at enormous cost.
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:boozing:
What do you expect? It's a Honda.
Hey hey hey! I have an NC700 and it makes me smile :boozing:
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(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic001/calm%20down%20kittens_zps397otkuh.jpg)
:clock:
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Feel the tank up and go for a non-committed ride.
Get a Griso. Then you can feel up the cylinders too. Beauty is important.
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Life has cycles.
Be patient with yourself, this too shall pass.
I know your garage pain: fixed it, but at enormous cost.
:1: Damn , no one is more addicted to motorbike riding than me , but there have been times when the interest waned briefly , step away , don't worry over much , a hobby should be fun and not a task .
Dusty
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I am POSSESSED by my MCs/scooters and have been for decades. Almost every night I go out in the garage and admire them, think about past trips and future ones on them. Some cover their steeds up until the next time they want to ride them. Not me. I go out there w/some beer or wine, and sit on them, or work on them planning the next ride. Luckily my wife understands this obsession I have had for over 50 years. :boozing: :bow:
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Life has cycles.
Sure, and my guess is that his has the wrong cycle(s) just now.
While it's unfair to the marque since my Sport 1100 is gathering dust and can't compete - it's my Harley Spurtster that makes me crack bug eatin' grins each and every time I get 'er going.
Calvin? Not so much.
Still though, as I said, the Spot is in the wings waiting to reestablish a Romance hold over my two wheeled enthusiasms.
Todd.
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:1: Damn , no one is more addicted to motorbike riding than me , but there have been times when the interest waned briefly , step away , don't worry over much , a hobby should be fun and not a task .
Dusty
Same here ....... when I began experiencing it years ago (usually first ride of the year when it was too cool to be out) I worried that I was losing interest. I got over it quickly. Now, when I experience those feelings, I think 'this too shall pass!'
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Magic is in ours heads for sure. One reason I ride is because it CAN help me banish dark head stuff. Could be you need more riding, could be you're just tired and the happy place is a few more miles down the road. I gotta believe a character bike, a sunny day, and other Guzzisti could turn this around.
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Happens to me when I ride an Asian V or parallel twin machine. No visceral connection. Bland and boring. Delete your cookies.
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My CB1100 is a joy to look at and ride. Different experience than the Griso, so I agree, it's not the bike. Probably a phase you are going through and you'll just have to live through it and see what happens once you get to the other side.
Maybe take a cross country train ride. Shake things up a bit. Life is short, go out and experience some things before you can't. E.g. lock that place up and take a trip!
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When I got bored/fed up with riding on the road, I focused on dual-sport riding for a year or two. Now I'm back enjoying road riding again and the XT500 languishes. Sometimes a change in scenery (literally!) can bring the fun back.
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Gary, unless your health is a problem, everything else can be delt with. I retired in 2012, due to a health issue, my bikes were only place holders of another time. The thrill of riding(50 years) was fading and the thought of not doing the things that other people do when they retire was in my mind.
Moving ahead, after a surgery and a report of stable condition after my last doctor visit I bought a new bike. My thrill has returned. Moving into a new place is always trying and I am not trying to preach, but the grin will return.
Good Luck
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If you were denied the opportunity to ride your bike when you wanted to Gary, it might put it back into perspective just how much a part of your life it is.seperating yourself or being separated might be where the difference is? Who can say mate, I'd think a couple of days away on it and you'd wonder how you managed without it.
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I've been in and out of motorcycling since 1971. Sometimes I get a bike that is more trouble than either fun or practical use. Sometimes I am away because some life change has made motorcycling less than possible or useful. At once I lost a business and my house and found that my mom had found her way into heart disease and Alzheimer's. I needed a four wheeled vehicle to get her to doctors and labs and hospitals and could not leave her alone for long. Life happens and we adapt. My plan is to get back to motorcycling very soon and I hope the right bike and I hope a few other things too. I also want that smile back! I will be hoping big grins to us all.
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As well as anything else, there's little denying that as aGuzzi rider you feel you are a part of a "group", good or bad, a bit like a dysfunctional family, but a family none the less. Try going to a Guzzi rally in a car or on the back of someone else and I bet the first person that asks "where's your Guzzi" will make you wish you were there on one, or even more likely if you help someone on the side of the road in strife, that'll have the same effect. My Norge is currently on the surface ( I hope!) of the Indian Ocean on it's way to England for two months in Europe, and I'm missing it already, it's because I currently "can't" ride it so that's when I seem to want to the most sometimes.
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I am POSSESSED by my MCs/scooters and have been for decades. Almost every night I go out in the garage and admire them, think about past trips and future ones on them. Some cover their steeds up until the next time they want to ride them. Not me. I go out there w/some beer or wine, and sit on them, or work on them planning the next ride. Luckily my wife understands this obsession I have had for over 50 years. :boozing: :bow:
Ok .......... Its really good to know Im not alone on this type of behaviour. :laugh:
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No, it isn't because its a Honda.
We all go through phases were something once important isn't as much anymore. Whether it becomes important again depends on lots of things. Its nothing to be concerned about and dumping the Honda and getting a Guzzi isn't some magical fix for sure.
OP, you might just have a fuller life where riding a motorcycle isn't the biggest part of it. For some people, riding a motorcycle defines their lifestyle and without it not much else is going on. For others, it is just something they like to do, a part of something bigger and more important.
Maybe something else is more important now or is about to become more important. So what? Its a motorcycle, it doesn't define you, you define it. Its like motorcycles in general, it isn't what brand or model you ride, its that you ride. Once you get wrapped up in a brand name of anything you might as well become a Kardashian.
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No, it isn't because its a Honda.
We all go through phases were something once important isn't as much anymore. Whether it becomes important again depends on lots of things. Its nothing to be concerned about and dumping the Honda and getting a Guzzi isn't some magical fix for sure.
OP, you might just have a fuller life where riding a motorcycle isn't the biggest part of it. For some people, riding a motorcycle defines their lifestyle and without it not much else is going on. For others, it is just something they like to do, a part of something bigger and more important.
Maybe something else is more important now or is about to become more important. So what? Its a motorcycle, it doesn't define you, you define it. Its like motorcycles in general, it isn't what brand or model you ride, its that you ride. Once you get wrapped up in a brand name of anything you might as well become a Kardashian.
This is true if riding a MC doesn't fill some voids(you find important) in your life that you can't find any other way. MC riding isn't for everyone, that's for sure.
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Well, it may or may not be the bike.
I had a Honda NT and it was a great all around bike. But, whenever I wanted to get on a bike and ride it was the Guzzi that I got on. Once I got the fairing and extras mounted on the T5 then I sold the Honda.
But, it may also be riding is an issue. Like you said, sometimes it is easier to just get in the car and go rather than put on the boots, jacket, helmet, gloves and then have to remove helmet and gloves every time you want to go in a store. For short errands I frequently just put on the helmet and go if I really want to take the bike.
Then there is winter. I am getting tired of suiting up for a cold 20min run.
Once I retire (in a few months) it will be interesting to see how often I do ride. Right now it is my everyday commute plus a few extras thrown in for fun. When I don't have to commute then how often will I take the time to ride? Only time will tell.
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If I lived in a cold climate I could see the rigmarole of putting on/off all the safety gear a PIA for short trips. That's why I live in a relatively warm climate and can ride year round w/o all the gear needed except on long trips. I do not do the ATGATT ritual.