In need of some fellow bikers sympathy

king kong · Nearly there... Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Karma :

OK where do I start, I'm totally miserable and all because I hav'nt got my bike anymore.

The story really starts last May when two mates and I went on 5 day trip to the Normandy beaches, not a big trip compared to some of you guys but my first trip. I absolutley loved every single nano second of the trip. From planning and preperation to the journey to the tunnel, the trip along the whole French coast and our arrival to Arromanche. Exploring the beaches and the museums, for me Idyllic. Even the neck and shoulder ache I could put up with.

The intention was / is to do a similar trip this year with my mates, time away from my family - me time as it were. Something to look forward too.

All this against a back drop of never having any expendable cash, our existence is always hand to mouth. Anyway early last November I paid a considerable sum for a major service, the bill came to over £700, we could'nt afford this so agreed to pay £600 cash and waive the VAT with the geezr at the bike repair shop, after hours under the counter. This meant not having a receipt. The bike ran brilliantly, until my spill.

I came off the bike at relativley slow speed, the bike slid down the road and I broke my collar bone. All this before Christmas. The bike was beyond econimical repair. OK so I bought myself and old jalopy to get me through the crappy winter weather, allowing my arm and shoulder to heal.

I got an insurance payout on the bike half of which funded the car, the rest quite rightly paid off some of our debt. We decided to get rid og por credit cards last year because we were forever getting into bigger debt. The mechanic would provide us with proof that we paid all that money for the service, the insurance would have paid out on this had I provided proof.

Which leaves me to here and now, as spring approaches my thoughts turn towards the French trip. I cannot afford to get another bike, I simply cannot afford the monthly repayments. I miss the freedom of the bike, the commute to work is totally boring I hate it.

I'm angry for coming off - OK my injuries wer'nt that serious and no matter how I tell my wife, she just does not understand. I did'nt choose to give up my bike. Now I have nothing to look forward too, therefore I'm miserable. I did't realise how much I'd miss my bike.

Tell me to grow up - I don't care.

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

Stop whining.

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Hi, can you save anything at all? because unless you wanna go the loan/hp route then thats the only way.
Sell something to start the 'bike fund'..ok you might not make a trip this year but i bet if you really wanted to you could be riding summat before next winter.
now chin up and saviour the extra time planning your next trip

Pat
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Howling Terror"]Hi, can you save anything at all? because unless you wanna go the loan/hp route then thats the only way.
Sell something to start the 'bike fund'..ok you might not make a trip this year but i bet if you really wanted to you could be riding summat before next winter.
now chin up and savour the extra time planning your next trip

Pat

EDIT wFf haPpenEd Confused

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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

MinhDinh · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jan 2005 Karma :

Put it this way. atleast you are still alive and didn't lose your penis or legs.
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Phil_G · Traffic Copper Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Karma :

Cigaro · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Karma :

Just get something cheap and make sure you service it properly (yourself) before you go.

Hell, if I was doing a big european tour I'd get another C90. Got one for 200 quid once with absolutely nothing wrong it, most reliable bike in the world and parts for them can be had ANYWHERE, for peanuts.

Might be slow, but you'll get there Very Happy

Why not? It'll be a giggle.

jack_zxr400 · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Karma :

i agree, get something cheap and small so the insurance wont rape your wallet
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bikerg · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Karma :

Won't a bit of sticky tape fix up the writeoff?

king kong · Nearly there... Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Karma :

Its not just about the Euro trip, although I like the idea of planning a bigger trip the year after, its the every day experience of riding the bike, the fun, freedom and exhileration which the car can't even begin to replace.

I had my heart set on getting a DL650 V-strom, I'd found one for £2995, four years old. Even could'nt afford a Divvy 900 for £1300, I know there are bigger fish to fry and more important things in the world to worry, but still I can't shake off this misery, lethargism almost. The wife says see what the situation will be like in summer, then it will be next year and so on.
If I had'nt have come off......................!!

MinhDinh · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jan 2005 Karma :

Eddie Hitler · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Karma :

I really sympathise with you King, I hope something works out soon. Sad

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

Get a CB500/GPZ500/ER-5 for around £500. You don't need to spend much to get back on two wheels.
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arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

st3v3 · Super Spammer Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Shaun, as usual you offer nothing constructive so it'd be ever so nice of you to sling your hook.

King, I also know what you're going through, not quite the same level but the best you can do is put together ever single pound you can spare to one side, sparing nothing and trying never to 'dip into it'. Then when you have enugh for what you want; hopefully in the short future then get something.

Fact is; you aren't really managing the trip this year as you seem to stand so it's probably best to set your aims a tad lower and consider making it up next year, do it longer or something.

Anything that gives you motivation to work toward a realistic target now is massively beneficial for you over time, your life will have a 'decent'(not saying it isn't now) new level of focus and things should start to pick up for you(outlook and positivity for example). No one can turn it round but you, and think of the effect it's having on the people around you, and how it will improve their lives seeing you improve yourself. Karma

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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Cannot afford the monthly repayments? Were you going to get one of those Rolls Royce bikes? Razz

If the riding, rather than the act of having a shiny bike is what appeals to you, there are plenty of alternatives as others have suggested.

The other thing that would appear sensible to me is to learn to do some work on your bike yourself. Ok, you may have to invest in a few tools, but especially if you keep an eye on your local freecycle, this can be done remarkably cheaply.

Were it me, I'd save up a bit of money, then keep an eye on local free-ads like gumtree and bike trader. Go and look at any that seem like good deals, but don't be afraid to walk away if there's anything a bit dodgy, as more will be on there way.

Plenty of bikes available that aren't cosmetically amazing for pretty good money. I doubt I'd get over £1k if I sold my current commuting bike (worth more in parts), but it still does the job and is fine for longer trips and fun too.

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

*sigh*

st3v3 · Super Spammer Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

It's most likely (and seemingly) rhetorical, and your impact anywhere is something to be avoided.
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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

alliamc · Nearly there... Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Karma :

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Basically, what most of the others have said, mate.
You don't have to have some snazzy machine.

If you want to get on two wheels, you get on two wheels.

I'm more than slightly grouchy because I can't seem to get back on two wheels myself ... so I know how you feel, but I don't care what sort/size/shape of bike I end up riding, so long as I am on it. I may have to go and get the XJ back from mr hellkat this very weekend Laughing

So, now ...

Are fully healed from your shoulder?
If so, what else is it that is stopping you, now?
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