I admire your post and understand where you are coming from and its sad she has the same preconcieved opinion about sportbikes as the rest of the general population.I bought a KLR because I knew I wasn't mature enough to continue riding a semi sporty sportbike (sv). Affter about two years I started getting bored withi it and bought an fz1. and kept the klr. It's hard if not impossible to ride faster when the conditions are right. Buy the 929, keep the fairings at a buddies house, mount a windjammer from a 76 Goldwing and see if you can sneak it in. The 929 is a fantastic bike. I owned a 2000 in the red and white scheme. Beautiful bike. Good luck
Hell,buy a nice flattrack bike if it comes to that,have her come out and watch the heats and mains at 1 race. She will trot down and get you a GSXR 1000 so quick your head will spin! (+1 on the "grow a pair" theory. I would hate to go through life not doing something I REALLY wanted to do because someone else is scared of it. But then that's just me. My mom and dad both did kinda risky sports while I was growing up,Im glad they did,it opened me up to trying more things)
spun the wheel and made a deal! at least your riding! Image theres some poor slob out there who promised no cycle at all NOW THATS A DOORMAT!!!
If you are really interested in a sport bike because of the riding position, there are several bikes with similar riding positions that aren't sport bikes. Something like the Triumph Thruxton. You probably won't ride it any faster, because it probably won't go as fast as what you have.
Triple your life insurance & double your health coverage, don't forget the loss of income coverage.........besides you're likely to use them.
^^^^^^^^^ this is a valid statement, and I feel the same way, but you never should have made an agreement if you didn't mean to keep it. You effectively bargained to get your foot in the door only to go back on your word now simply because you want something new. Not good for maintaining your integrity. Their are way too many sporty standards for this to even be an issue. Many options have been suggested. A street fighter or SM sound like the best options. They are quick but top speed is still limited due to the naked factor. Last, you will ride faster on a sport bike. You already said you leave your buddies behind because they go too slow. You will ride as fast as you feel comfortable, and a sport bike simply makes it much easier to go faster comfortably. Your own words imply you will go as fast as you feel comfortable so give that argument some further thought. Chuck
Ok ok guys, i get the picture. I wasn't going to sneak by her and get a sportsbike anyway, but as one poster said : i truly feel that a sportsbike is the safest because of the better brakes, better suspension and overall quality. But i do get the point where the comfortable speed zone moves up because the bike makes it easier. And i admire the fact that she stands her ground for one reason only: she loves me. That's why all the replies about 'get what you want, she doesn't have a say' are void. Love like that should be respected. And should i die on a bike, my family will be well cared for. House will be payed for, big sum of insurance coming, no financial worries. I feel that it is the duty of any husband/father to take such measures, even those that don't ride. Anyway, I could get what i wanted in any case, but i choose to have her consent. I just want my wife to have a peacefull mind when i'm out riding. One problem though : her definition of a sportsbike is big. Anything with a fairing. Anything with a slightly forward position. Anything with the name ducati on it. A r1100s is a sportsbike. So is a vfr. And a gsx650f. Even a ninja 650. And a monster. Oh and the budget should be around what i get for my r1100gs (my choice). And i don't like riding a naked bike. Any tips ? Maybe i should get a Dnepr or an ural...
Definitely agree. You and your wife made a deal,I think you should keep it. It's not being a doormat, its being a man and keeping your word.
I know. I wouldn't break it unless she changed her point of view. But it doesn't hurt to reason with her In any case, the rest has already convinced me to abandon the sportsbike idea.
some people warn you about an angry wife situation. But you could be angry too by having to tolerate such inflexible conditions. That you can explain to her. Talk. Beside this is not law. Everything is negociable. you have to find the value of what you are asking by offering something else. Maybe relaxing one of your own conditions (if you have none, then start making some to recuperate some power...man...). now for the hardware... you have made your choice. I wont recommend other bikes. I agree the luggage trick sounds a good idea, but she is not going to be fooled for long when she realizes these are removable. so whats the winning argument... well, she is concerned with excessive speed. you are telling you you wouldnt change your driving. so isnt there some torque limiter rev limiter you can put in? if you find the idea ludicrous, then you are not honest with us or her and you intend to push it. Mentiond it at least, and if she doesn;t agree, thats because there is something else that bothers her. If she is ok, mention the extra price casuallly, maybe now she knows you were serious she may not force you to buy such limiter. now here is another idea. is she riding with you? if so, have her agree to rent a sportbike and ride with her to show her how it is. because it is not a big investment nor permanent, she might agree at least for the ride. Then you can count on the bike to do the rest. If I read you correctly, you want it for looks mostly.
you are a wise man. It took several years for me to help my wife understand that motorcycles are not a guaranteed death sentence. Then I got rear-ended at a stop light. It wasn't real bad, I wasn't real hurt and I could have hidden it from her because she never looks at the bike. But that's not the kind of relationship that I want with her. I told her. She was really cool about it. I had really been able to help her change her mind to the point that this didn't end all riding. She asked me to up the the life insurance majorly and said: "this is the price of admission with you. without stuff like this, you can't be you. just don't be a dumbass. " Which is real hard because I am not all that risk averse to begin with. Give it time: she'll figure out that anything with a fairing is not a sport-bike.
No sportbike? Does that mean your wife thinks doing 100 and crashing on your BMW won't kill you, but on a sportbike it will? :huh
super duke R, tuono factory (v twin) or even the new tuono V4 you riding gear will get more bug splatter though.
He might as well be looking for a unicorn. He doesn't want a naked bike. She won't allow a faired bike. Gee, what is left? A car. A nice, safe, 50 airbag equipt car. I like cars too! There are some great cars! But you want a bike. A bike that can't fit in your description of what you are either allowed to get or want to ride. You might as well want 350 HP and top shelf components brand new in 2013 for under $400 out the door and that gets 200 MPG. Good luck.
She says "no fairing" and you don't like naked bikes; she says nothing with a slightly forward riding position, and you say "and the forward riding position somehow agrees with my back and makes me feel very comfortable" -- that doesn't leave much. An adventure bike like what you've got is probably about all that will fit. Maybe look at some newer sportier adventure bikes? Triumph Tiger or Explorer? Or modify the ergonomics on the bike you have to get a more forward position that makes your back happier? PhilB
Hummmm I don't feel much difference in wind between my SV1000n and a BMW GS...not night and day anyway. It's not enough that it would prevent me from wanting to ride either one. How about a Tiger 1050? Upright riding position, stonking motor, put some lower bars on it after you've had it awhile *shrug*