Mid life crisis - am I just kidding myself??

Hiteshm · L Plate Warrior Joined: 14 May 2012 Karma :

Hi all,

I've recently turned 40 (ok about a year ago), and I'm considering getting a motorcycle. Mainly as a more efficient form of transport around town. I can't see myself commuting to work at the moment.

I have no previous experience, though have recently completed my CBT and did a gear conversion course. I really enjoyed it, and as increased my excitement in passing my full test and getting a bike.

And then I think, am I just crazy at my age. I have a wife and kids to think about. Why should I take the risk, just get a cheap car.

I understand this forum maybe slightly biased, but have other people faced the same dilemma? I’ve read about the stats that your more than 30 times likely to be killed riding a motorcycle than driving a car.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

Hetzer · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Karma :

You really need to think about it in terms of being a pilot in war and whether or not you'll be going for kills in a Spitfire (hooning a sports-bike) or delivering supplies in a DC3 (plodding on a commuter). Even if you're an ace in the former case you still stand a good chance of going down. If you're not an ace you better pray you have a very good parachute.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

Hokum · Spanner Monkey Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Karma :

I'm a mere 33, and i'm a commuter. If your just getting a bike to look cool about town, fine, if you have the money to burn...

If your going to use you bike for other things than looking cool, it can be a good way to get about and cheap.
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Sane: To know when you are doing something crazy.

FerretFing · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Karma :

HI & welcome to the forum Mr. Green

....question...do you want to ride motorbikes?.......yes.......the end Thumbs Up

Benno · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2012 Karma :

I faced the exact same dilemma of how to justify buying a bike, in fact I made a thread about it:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=245431

I eventually decided I wanted a bike because they're fun, they're easy to get around with, no more massive traffic jams, the fuel efficiency on a 125 is INCREDIBLE, the tax is painfully cheap...mainly because I just wanted a bike, though.

So I'm picking up my YBR125 on wednesday Very Happy

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

This is why they call it a MLC, and when you DO it, you will wonder WHY you didn't do it twenty years ago.

Look at it this way; you have 'done' the safe and secure thing, for twenty years, you have spawned another generation, so you have done your bit to maintain the species, so you dont need to 'preserve' your life for the future, the future is HERE, you have used half your life up, so if you do kill yourself, its only half the loss, but at least you will have HAD a life.

We never regret the things we do, more, than the things we never did!

And its NOT that dangerous. Its safer than horse riding, parachuting, hang-gliding, rock climbing or risking a pint in town on a Friday night....

Its just a bit more dangerous than driving a 'boring' old car!
Statistically, about 3x more likely to have an accident ob average, that multiplied by 3 for a new or early rider, multiplied by 3 again if under 25 (which you ent) and three again, if you are a week-end warrior on a hyper-bike, who only does 300 miles a year.

Main difference is, when you HAVE an accident on a bike, its you, soft bit on the outside that gets squashed firs, not crumple zones.

So, we keep our wits, we use our eyes, and we treat every-one like they are out to KILL US, and we SURVIVE. Then it is as safe as you care to make it.

Gowarn! You only live once! It's FUN!
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Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

Efes123 · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Sep 2011 Karma :

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

I learned to drive after I did my CBT and had months on the CG125.

Driving is fucking boring. Mind numbingly so. It's like, you're in a box with screens on it. To me it feels like I'm not even connected with the outside world, makes me realise why car drivers have the rep for not looking over shoulders etc.

Do a CBT and see what you think after that. I doubt you'll regret it.

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

Simple answer, just do it.

HTH Thumbs Up

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Sherwood Bambi · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Aug 2011 Karma :

I found this thread really amusing - and Mike's post especially so !

Hiteshm - why are you worrying about a mid life crisis ? Before you know it you'll be over 50, kids left or leaving home and wondering what might have been.

Try a CBT and if you like it - go for it ! Who knows - it may give you another lease of life and your other half may get the bug as well !

I cam back to motorcycling at the age of 50 and wish I'd done it years ago, but the time and the finances were right at long last.

Anyone who wants to label you as having a MLC can go f**k emselves mate ! They're probably the ones who don't ride motorbikes !

LordShaftesbu... · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Karma :

Everyone dies.

haroman666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Karma :

Agree with everything that has been said really.

Dont piss about mulling it over; just do it.

Dont give a shit what other people think about MLC etc; just do it.

My uni mates call my bike "The Penis Extension".
Sure, without my bike, I wouldn't half as cool; but I do have one and that means I win. At everything. They lose. And I know it's only joking banter and that actually they are amazed by my awesomeness; they just don't like to admit it freely.

In short, bikes are win.
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Nexus Icon · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Karma :

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

ninja_butler · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Karma :

recman · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Mar 2012 Karma :

Beelzebob · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Karma :

hedgehugger · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Karma :

I had wanted a bike as a teen but spending most of it intoxicated and skint, just wasn't in the position or frame of mind to do it.
Roll on 20 odd years later and at the ripe 'old' ae of 38 I passed my test.
Just do it, you know you want to.
It's not a mid-life crisis, just another skill under your belt Smile

ninja_butler · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Karma :

crackfinder · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Jul 2009 Karma :

tbourner · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Karma :

I'm thinking I'm a bit late to get started at 30, for me it was cos I wasn't allowed one when I was at home, and since then I haven't had the money really to do it, but now I can it feels like I've wasted all those good years of fun.
So...... do it..... QUICK!
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Trev, now a biker?
Looking for first big bike.

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

Ribenapigeon · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Karma :

I'm 44 and have been biking just under two months, I wish I had done it years ago.

harscot · Crazy Courier Joined: 19 Apr 2011 Karma :

Hi bud and wellcome, I'm 56 and came back to bikes after a 30 year break 2 years ago, my advise, JUST DO IT you won't regret it, I can assure you Thumbs Up

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First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........