Thursday, April 23, 2009

Is Your Motorcycle a Toy?

Abstract GT
There are motorcycle owners who refer to their bikes as toys. In the vain of “He who dies with the most toys wins”. Not a philosophy I subscribe too; but you know the type. They collect toys, their bike(s) amongst them. It seems to me that these owners like to play dress up, with themselves and with their bikes. They decorate them with leather, chrome, studs, fancy paint and other accessories. They do likewise with themselves, buying themselves the “right” look, the ladies have pretty boots and exposed cleavage. No one will accuse this lot of being “serious” riders.
Hogback Mountain
Can one conclude that serious riders do not have motorcycles for toys? Not at all. Many owners buy themselves seriousness. They have the best bike, the best gears and maybe they even go on the best rides. I can’t really relate to them either. I often find them a bore to talk to, and they condescendingly explain to me why what they have is superior to what I have. Big eye roll to them.
Hogback Mt
My bikes are neither toys nor essentials. And that brings me to my topic today. I’ve decided to take the K12GT off the road this season. It is an expense that I can not justify as I hunker down for a period of MIA income. It’s already registered, so I’ll keep that. I don’t owe any money on it. I did learn that I can’t drop the insurance on it in quite the way I expected. I was able to reduce the bill by 1/3, I was hoping to drop it my 2/3, but the insurance companies did not want me messing with their bottom line. Taking it off the road will save me at least a grand, in the tires and maintenance that won’t be happening.
Cafe Lotus
I’m a little blue about this, but putting it into perspective, I’m not going too feel bad about having only one BMW on the road while other people are having their houses foreclosed on.
VT TAG
I am setting my sights at joining the ranks of the self employed. I am building my web, Photoshop and photography skills and putting together a business plan. I have spent to long getting paid well to do work I don’t particularly enjoy. So I’m bracing for the opposite, lower income, higher levels of happiness. Making such a move makes me very nervous. But I need to listen to my own advice – whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right. I have eaten bigger elephants than this.
Track Day
Lisa and I are flying (literally) off to St Louis. After the MOA Board Meeting, we’re heading downtown to spend the school vacation week. With camera in tow, and beautiful weather predicted, I know we’ll have a grand time. See you when we get back!

5 comments:

redlegsrides said...

Gail

good luck with the self-employed thing....been doing it fulltime since 2006 and it can be interesting at times.

If you like gadgets and editing stuff, here's some part-time work I just ran across: editor neededIt's only 8-10hrs per week according to the author.....

Sojourner's Moto Tales said...

Good for you! You'll never know what can be or what you can do until you try. Now is as good a time as any to do what is in your heart. I believe we should have no regrets when we're near the end of our lives. It is far better to look back at the things you tried and even failed at than to look back at all the missed opportunties because you didn't even try. With your attitude, you'll do well!

Lucky said...

Gail,

I'm with you 100% on the motorcycle-as-a-toy concept. Truth is, the whole "my bike is better/nicer/faster/shinier than yours" is the reason I stay away from group rides. Too many poseurs on two wheels. The simple fact is that I enjoy riding (even when nobody's watching).

Good luck in your self-employment endeavours. I'm sure you'll be great at it. And don't worry about the K-GT... it'll be waiting when you're ready.

Best regards,
Lucky

Baron's Life said...

Give it a spin...so what are the plans as a self-employed entrepreneur? I don't think I got that one straight...!

Anonymous said...

nice post. thanks.