8 replies to this topic

[Routerbad]

So since moving to California I've been thinking about getting a motorcycle. I live in Oceanside and commute ~50mi every day to San Diego. Because the weather here is practically always perfect and California law allows lane filtering a bike sounded like a good idea. I just had to get my wife on board.

I told her I was going to go to sign up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic RiderCourse and once she figured I was interested she suggested going to a local motorcycle dealership to take a look and see what type of bike I would be interested in.

We went to the dealership (North County House of Motorcycles) and looked around for a while. I was interested in the Ninja250 and the Ninja650. We talked with a salesman (told him we were just putting out feelers) and he showed me some of the 250s he thought I'd be interested in. I sat on a few, and my wife sat behind me on a few, and she liked the Ninja 650 and the CBR600F4i.

We went home and I did some research and came to the conclusion that I would like either one of those bikes, so we went back two days later and talked with a salesman about the 650. They wanted 10,500 out the door, a little out of our price range (we both would need gear, too) so I started taking a closer look at the F4i. I loved the ergonomics, the throttle was smooth and not as jumpy as the more powerful superbikes, and my wife thought it had the most comfortable seat (passenger) out of all the bikes we looked at, save the Ninja 650.

I decided I'd see what I could get it at and started dealing, this is where my wife took over. She went insane, and she negotiation for five hours before we all decided on a deal. Now, my wife and I had talked previously about how we would pay for this and what the budget would be, etc. We decided that I would sell my car and use the money from that, and cover the rest from my savings account. I was starting to talk to the dealer about payment, and she dropped her debit card and payed in full. She covered the bike, TTL, and gear for both of us. A year ago she made it clear she never wanted me to own a motorcycle.

I think this is one of those times you have to remind yourself that you've found a keeper.


TL;DR:
Wanted a motorcycle, started looking, wife suprised me and decided to pay for it, and gear, in full. Reaffirm my belief that she's a keeper.

[Soldiers33]

very nice. I want a bike in the near future, hate waiting in traffic.

[BGM]

my girlfriend just gets angry when i talk about getting a bike... she doesn't want me hurting myself

[Packet1009]

totally a keeper.

ride safe - the F4i is a very capable bike - not something you'd tire of. (I ride a ZZR-600, the Kawasaki equivalent of the in-line 4)

[Routerbad]

BGM, on 21 September 2012 - 16:54, said:

my girlfriend just gets angry when i talk about getting a bike... she doesn't want me hurting myself

My wife used to be like that. To the point where I had given up on even thinking about it. She was actually the first person to mention it when she got stationed in Cali.

The most important thing to her was to know that I was willing to take any precaution, including wearing ATGATT (all the gear, all the time) and getting formal training (Basic RiderCourse is just the first step) to make me a better rider and to prepare myself for what could happen. She was relieved when I came back from the course and hadn't injured myself. I am still learning, and taking progressively longer rides so I can learn proper throttle control and balance, and commit them to muscle memory. You won't be able to convince anyone that it's safe, so don't try, but if it's something you really want hopefully your girlfriend comes around. Plus, she doesn't realize it but once you're ready for it, she'll enjoy being on it just as much as you.

Packet1009, on 21 September 2012 - 16:54, said:

totally a keeper.

ride safe - the F4i is a very capable bike - not something you'd tire of. (I ride a ZZR-600, the Kawasaki equivalent of the in-line 4)

I'm enjoying it so far. I know it's usually a no no to get a 600 as a first bike, but I didn't want to trade it in 6 months from now, and I understood (I have a tuner car that I drag race a lot) that that throttle control would be even more important. Though it doesn't have the bite that the RR's do.

[Colin McGregor]

This probably sounds like a stupid question but are those comfortable? Im just starting and got my M1 (beginners) 2 weeks ago. Im riding a honda shadow 750cc and its a full situp bike. The lean forward "Crotch rocket" type seem like they would be awkward. Maybe im wrong, thats why im asking.

[mattmatik]

Congrats! My wife has said from day 1 since we dated that if I ever got a bike she would be gone. Now that I have a kid with another in the plans, I've relaxed on the idea. Still, wish I would have got one when I was younger. Enjoy riding that thing around Diego, too. Beautiful place for a bike

[qdave]

Congrats on a bike! Drive safe with it!

If you are married, why dont you have common "fund" for family needs?

[Routerbad]

Colin McGregor, on 22 September 2012 - 18:15, said:

This probably sounds like a stupid question but are those comfortable? Im just starting and got my M1 (beginners) 2 weeks ago. Im riding a honda shadow 750cc and its a full situp bike. The lean forward "Crotch rocket" type seem like they would be awkward. Maybe im wrong, thats why im asking.

It is actually quite comfortable. The F4i doesn't lean as far forward as the CBRXXX-RR superbikes. It's more of an upright riding position, and it's quite natural. Banana seats are more comfortable as well.

qdave, on 22 September 2012 - 18:35, said:

Congrats on a bike! Drive safe with it!

If you are married, why dont you have common "fund" for family needs?

We decided long ago that we would keep our finances separate. We do have a central fund for bills but we have separate savings accounts that allow us to save at our own pace (she is a more agressive saver than I), it gives us the opportunity to do special things for each other or ourselves. Think of it as a way to be separate individuals even though most of our life is combined.