veloracermike
Coast to Coast
Last weekend I went out for a long ride in perfect weather on great roads. I really didn't enjoy myself. I've come to the conclusion that I may actually enjoy designing and building bikes more than I enjoy riding them.
Don't enjoy the ride.
- Thread starter veloracermike
- Start date
sphynx88
Been Around the Block
Hey man, that's how I felt about Lego's when I was younger. It was awesome building them up but once I finished and I finally got to
play with them I lost interest. It may be cliche but sometimes it's all about the journey not the destination.
Riding my motorcycle on the other hand brings the biggest stupid looking smile to my face. Closest I could get to flying.
Anything in particular that bothered you about it?
play with them I lost interest. It may be cliche but sometimes it's all about the journey not the destination.
Riding my motorcycle on the other hand brings the biggest stupid looking smile to my face. Closest I could get to flying.
Anything in particular that bothered you about it?
veloracermike
Coast to Coast
No, nothing in particular I go out to the garage and start tinkering with it and 3 hours later I can't believe 3 hours have past. But while I was riding it just seemed like I was thinking about getting home. When I had my last bike I was living in CA at the base of Angeles Crest Hwy. I would wake up early just to get on the bike, now I barely ride it. Yet my mind is already on to the next build.
I rode the grocery store last night and a guy approached me about buying the bike. I've put 600 mi on it since getting it running but I didn't even hesitate when I said sure, I'd sell it. He called about an hour ago and I need to call him back.
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I rode the grocery store last night and a guy approached me about buying the bike. I've put 600 mi on it since getting it running but I didn't even hesitate when I said sure, I'd sell it. He called about an hour ago and I need to call him back.
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Wahoo650
Coast to Coast
Totally understand where your coming from, but my problem is the opposite. I picked up my 650 12 years ago after not riding for over 10 years. Just wanted something to wrench on. Spent almost a year getting it back on the road and loved every minute of that time. Rode it for 8 years and then the cafe' bug bit. It took me almost 4 years to get it this far- which isn't saying a lot. I just couldn't get motivated to work on it. I have a daily rider so the dire need wasn't there. Now I'm the opposite of where you are- i really don't have the desire to wrench, but can't wait for the next ride. I'm still riding and it's in the 20's when i leave for work. i am looking for work in a warmer climate so I can get back to riding all year. And I'm contemplating selling both of my old Yamaha's in the spring to help finance something newer, fuel injected, shaft drive with long distance capabilities. Either that or win the lottery and ride and wrench all the time!
veloracermike
Coast to Coast
If I were in your situation I wouldn't have even posted. I get the lack of desire to work on it but honestly it's just hard for me to justify having it if I don't want to ride it. My wife even brought it up that I don't ride it!
If this guy hits my price (and it will be high) I think I'll sell it.
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If this guy hits my price (and it will be high) I think I'll sell it.
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joevirus563
Coast to Coast
I'm a little bit like that... I like building and wrenching 
Now its winter and barely have a winter project... I need to work down to the engine!! I miss that part... I like riding... but once you start building something from nothing that is an awesome feeling.
Now its winter and barely have a winter project... I need to work down to the engine!! I miss that part... I like riding... but once you start building something from nothing that is an awesome feeling.
HerrDeacon
Over 1,000 Posts
I'm pretty much the same way, much rather be in the garage than out riding. I find it so much more rewarding. I still go on rides but not as much as I used to. Previous years I used to go for a ride everyday over lunch. This past year though, I used to ride home lunchtimes to work on one of the bikes. Great way to spend lunch and break up the work day. Got so much done in that little bit of time.
It happens. I love both riding a working on my LSR sidecar. At the moment I don't have a street bike. I sold both of them last year to finance the trip to Bonneville. And I really don't miss riding on the road. Where I live there is way too much traffic and stop and go is not my idea of riding a bike. I'm sure having something like a Hayabusa on the road must be very frustrating. All that power and nowhere to use it.
Right now I'm making some major changes to the LSR sidecar and I'm being frustrated by the lack of a lathe and a mill. I have to get in touch with a friend who's brother has a machine shop. I hate that. But it has to be done. At the moment its OK but as soon as I get the wheel machined and a couple of other things I'll be on the home stretch and that's when I get itchy to take it out and see if the changes will get a few more mph out of the wee beastie.
Right now I'm making some major changes to the LSR sidecar and I'm being frustrated by the lack of a lathe and a mill. I have to get in touch with a friend who's brother has a machine shop. I hate that. But it has to be done. At the moment its OK but as soon as I get the wheel machined and a couple of other things I'll be on the home stretch and that's when I get itchy to take it out and see if the changes will get a few more mph out of the wee beastie.
I can understand where you're coming from. I mostly just got bored with the machine. So I went out and bought the fastest bike I could afford. Now I don't really give a crap about "building"...riding is way more fun.
I think it was that I liked to be seen on my creation, the only one in the world like it. : Now though, I don't really care if my bike is identical to many others. I get a huge thrill from the connection with the bike. Scaring myself silly is all the satisfaction I need at the moment. 3500 miles later and it's still as fun as day one...
I think it was that I liked to be seen on my creation, the only one in the world like it. :
Now though, I don't really care if my bike is identical to many others. I get a huge thrill from the connection with the bike. Scaring myself silly is all the satisfaction I need at the moment. 3500 miles later and it's still as fun as day one...
veloracermike
Coast to Coast
I think suduku is the answer! Lol. Yeah I hear ya. I race bicycles and that really is my passion, the satisfaction I get out of my M/C comes mainly from people telling me how much they like it. Thanks for the replies it's good to know I'm not the only one.
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MNBikerPup
Newbie Rider into all motorcycles.
For me, riding is freedom. I can't afford to own a car and everything that goes into it, including the gas. But, the bike. That's a different story. It allows me the financial freedom to get out of the house. Visit friends, explore new areas etc. I love to wrench too. I have dreams of my bike. I own a 2004V Star 1100 classic. My dream is to add a batwing fairing, lower fairings, trunk and hard bags. Something comfortable for long distances, but fun for local. Eventually want to build me a cafe as well. Just don't have the ability due to my financial crisis at the moment.
A few random thoughts.
Sometimes a "break" works. In time, the passion often returns.
I love the "dreaming and planning" of the build. It's cool to see it come together and actually run, but the planning and "building in my head" is the most fun for me. 8) New bikes are cool, but all you need is cash or a daring bank manager to own one.
As far as riding goes, I love riding old bikes with my buds. 8) Sometimes, the bench racing afterwards is as much fun as the ride!
I dislike large group rides with a passion.
I'd much rather do the "ton" on my old machine than 220 on a new sport bike.
As others have said, as far as hobbies go, do what you enjoy and makes you happy.
Sometimes a "break" works. In time, the passion often returns.
I love the "dreaming and planning" of the build. It's cool to see it come together and actually run, but the planning and "building in my head" is the most fun for me. 8) New bikes are cool, but all you need is cash or a daring bank manager to own one.
As far as riding goes, I love riding old bikes with my buds. 8) Sometimes, the bench racing afterwards is as much fun as the ride!
I dislike large group rides with a passion.
I'd much rather do the "ton" on my old machine than 220 on a new sport bike.
As others have said, as far as hobbies go, do what you enjoy and makes you happy.
Basement rat
Over 1,000 Posts
I'm finding this with my snowmobiles. I much rather build/ wrench something than ride em.
Must be that nobody has anything as old as mine and wants to slow down so I can play too.
Must be that nobody has anything as old as mine and wants to slow down so I can play too.
VonYinzer
Over 10,000 Posts
God damn... At this point, I'd debate trading ALL of my crap for one nice daily rider. I love riding more than anything. Unfortunatly, circumstances as of late have made keeping/maintaining an old bike real fucking tough. So... I've gone without for the most part. I've been a miserable prick for the majority of that time. Some things have changed and now I'll have the RD/GS and a stock (mostly) R5 all finished up for springtime. I can promise you this, those bikes are going to get RIDDEN. But, if I could afford it I'd probobly do like Ringo and snag a shiny new bike. There's a bunch out there that tickle my fancy, but my bank account laughs amd punches me in the stomach anytime I go near a dealership. So, Ill make due with what I have available.
My point, my long rambling point was that maybe you're at the right bar but you just ordered the wrong beer... Keep a cool project to enjoy working on, and find a bike that reignites that passion for getting in the wind. I have a buddy who has a nice sportbike, and he never rides it. I assumed he might give up riding eventually. Than he put some miles on his dads cruiser and you can see that spark come back into his eyes. Different strokes and all that...
My point, my long rambling point was that maybe you're at the right bar but you just ordered the wrong beer... Keep a cool project to enjoy working on, and find a bike that reignites that passion for getting in the wind. I have a buddy who has a nice sportbike, and he never rides it. I assumed he might give up riding eventually. Than he put some miles on his dads cruiser and you can see that spark come back into his eyes. Different strokes and all that...
MNBikerPup
Newbie Rider into all motorcycles.
To Von Yizer, I can totally understand the money part. Only reason i have my star is due to student loans and needing something to get me to and from without much hassle since I am unable to afford to be wrenching at the moment. To veloracermike, maybe a different ride might help too. Like Von Yizer mentioned about his buddy and how his buddy's spark returned when he rode a cruiser, maybe a different style of riding for awhile might help. Could just be you are bored with the sport bike style. Myself, I love my cruiser, but I would like to get into some form of racing. So, eventually I would like a sport bike. Either vintage cafe (LOVE EM) or modern "go like hell" sport bike. I will admit though, it does help to have friend/family that also ride. It gets real old real quick when you always ride by yourself. After all, it's the brother/sisterhood of riding that makes it a passion.
BCBarker
Coast to Coast
I hear ya. I love both and if I go without for an extended period of time, I become a dick.. Then I wrench or ride and my head gets clear. Went almost 3 years without wrenching in grad school but rode like crazy (frequently on the dragon) now that I can't just ride the dragon anytime I want, I'd rather wrench.
rays650cafe
No quarter given, none taken.
I too, sometimes get sick of riding. When weather permits I ride to/from work every day. My season starts early spring when the temp in the morning is 38 deg f. in the morning. Sometimes as early as late Febuary.( At least when whrn I'm feelin tough. ;D) And after a while, I start to burn out with the daily grind. It becomes more transportation, less fun, less adventure. Then it's time to take an epic (read different) ride. Or drive my boring ass Subie for about a week. That usually helps me. But hey if you would rather wrench than ride. Thats cool, your build is one of the first ones I noticed when I joied this foum. You do a nice job of wrenching. Do what you love the rest will fall into place.
