Is it over? Ride and no smile!

[Gary]

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.....

[Cam3512]

What do you expect?  It's a Honda.

[MotoG5]

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!

[RayB]

Maybe you grew up. I'm still working on that.

[jbell]

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.

[Groover]

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.

[bad Chad]

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!

[ken farr]

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.


 

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....


kjf

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I would never live any place that dictates where my vehicles must be parked. Total BS.

[Tom]

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?

[Perazzimx14]

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.

[Tom]

They want the "ghost town" look of a retirement community.

[Gary]

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.

[Travlr]

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

[Tom]

Feel the tank up and go for a non-committed ride.  No real destination.  No real time frame except day ride.  Go explore.

[Arizona Wayne]

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. 

[Perazzimx14]

I have several Guzzi's f/s to help rekindle your flame.

[fossil]

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.

[Gary]

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. 

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.

[lucydad]

Life has cycles.

Be patient with yourself, this too shall pass.

I know your garage pain:  fixed it, but at enormous cost. 

[Joe A.]

 

What do you expect?  It's a Honda.

Hey hey hey! I have an NC700 and it makes me smile 

[Penderic]

 

[Moto]

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.

[oldbike54]

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

[Arizona Wayne]

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.     

[cruzziguzzi]

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.

[ohiorider]

  :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!'

[wcguzzi]

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.

[redrider]

Happens to me when I ride an Asian V or parallel twin machine. No visceral connection. Bland and boring. Delete your cookies.

[rboe]

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!