Not that I consider myself any kind of hero on this forum, I just thought some of you may like to know why my presence on VFRD has been less than regular this year. Hell, maybe some of you are enjoying my absence!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
I sold my bike this spring (IMG:style_emoticons/default/angry.gif) . I rode it five times last year and just couldn't justify the expense any longer. Add that to a disastrous automotive economy here in Michigan (I'm a salesman for an auto supplier) and I think you see where this is going. My wife and I decided to try to save as much money as we could this year, and it is working...thanks partially to selling the bike, my three part time jobs, and some reduced spending habits. Even if the bike were still here, I truly wouldn't have much time to ride it, and I would feel like a shmutz for taking even more time away from my kids.
My job situation really is fragile. I still have one, but I had a horrible week this week. GM - cut our orders. Customer #1 - changed their mind on a program where we had a verbal commitment. Customer #2 - said no thanks on 2 different quotes. This leaves me with one very long shot option and a whole bunch of Customers who won't even answer the phone.
As far as the bike goes, I really miss it. I get reminded every time I see one on the road. I know I made the right (read: smart) decision by selling the bike, but I still can't help driving down certain roads wishing I was on a bike. If I can find a cheap VTR 250, or older VF, or even another Sabre, I might pick one up just as a fun bike. But to be honest, I doubt that will happen anytime soon. I just really miss riding something awful.
I'll still be checking in here often, but I find I have less to say these days. I almost feel like I'm now less qualified.
Everyone ride safe, and I'll see you on the flip side.
Lobster, Jul 23 2009, 11:07 AMAs far as the bike goes, I really miss it. I get reminded every time I see one on the road. I know I made the right (read: smart) decision by selling the bike, but I still can't help driving down certain roads wishing I was on a bike. If I can find a cheap VTR 250, or older VF, or even another Sabre, I might pick one up just as a fun bike. But to be honest, I doubt that will happen anytime soon. I just really miss riding something awful.
I'll still be checking in here often, but I find I have less to say these days. I almost feel like I'm now less qualified.
Everyone ride safe, and I'll see you on the flip side.
Hang in there Lobster. Do what you have to do and never feel like you're "less qualified."
Hope all of it works out GREAT for Ya' Buddy...hang in there, it always turns around...Need Anything, let me know..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
Lobster, I'm not where you are yet, but I'm in sales and things are bleaker than they were, and will likely get worse. My wife and I have cut back. Funny thing is, we seem to be happier. Adversity always brings us even closer together. We have each other's backs - always.
We spend more time with our (grown) kids, and more time together. I like her cooking more than any restaurant we've ever been to, and I get more of that now. We go hiking and such now, instead of flying somewhere on an expensive trip.
Haven't had to give up the bike yet, but it's a '98 VFR, so there's not a lot of value there, and I doubt if she would agree to have me sell it anyway. She prefers it when I'm fairly sane, and the VFR keeps me just barely on that side of the mental fence.
We've been down before. Had to sell my two Corvettes and my Street Rod several years ago to survive. No biggie. We worked hard for several years to get ourselves back to where we were, and even better. Now it looks like that is rapidly coming to an end, so here we go again.
I've had a lot of toys and a lot of money in my time. They pale in comparison to being blessed with a warm and loyal wife, and loving children. No matter what my financial status at any given point in time, I'm a wealthy man by my standards. What I have is priceless.
Good luck to you. Everything happens for a purpose, I'm told. Seems to be working that way for me so far!
P.S. If you're ever in my neck of the woods, feel free to use my VFR any time you want to ride. It comes with a full tank of gas!
Well, Lobster, good on you for choosing the right things in life: family, kids. No matter how much fun a bike is, that's all it is, just a bike. You can get another one, and I know you will when things pick up, but in the meantime, you can enjoy the true and simple pleasures things in life such as spending time with the family. Things will change eventually and you'll get back to where you were, most likely better. ppm
Larry, I HAD been wondering about you! Sorry you had to get rid of the bike but you're right in what you did. Hang in there and keep plugging away, that's all you can do. I'm sure you already know that but I want you to know I'm pulling for you. Things might be looking up soon.
You can ride mine anytime you want too. And mine's yellow, not like Ken's boring, red one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
vfrjim2002, Jul 23 2009, 09:28 AMHang in there Lobster. Do what you have to do and never feel like you're "less qualified."
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/+1.gif) You did what you had to do, and IMO, its the right thing to do. Where one door closes, another one will open with opportunities ahead. You will get another VFR when better times return. It will be just as good (if not better) than the one you had before.
Here's to better times ahead once this funky economy turns around (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) . Hang tough. Times will get better.
Very well said, Knife! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
I recently decided to sell off a couple things to pay some bills, or to buy a new horn without going into more debt. Still ongoing, but it actually feels good to get rid of a few things. But the bike stays unless we get desperate.
theoxmole, Jul 23 2009, 03:04 PMAnd mine's yellow, not like Ken's boring, red one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
Sorry to hear the news.. I know of 2 vfrs here sitting I could go take a look if you'd like one looks to be a 86/87 while the other is a 93 without the lowers.. There was a black 92 a guy keeps pulling out of the shed but I think he wants some coin for it
Lobster hmmmmm the name does sound vaguely familiar (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Just kidding of course. Hang in there Larry , just because you don't have a bike ( at the moment) doesn't mean your still not vfrd family (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Once a friend always a friend my friend (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
Hey Larry, thanks for checking in. You are still VFRD family no matter what! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) It's pretty much sucking wind for most of us, but it will one day turn around, here's to hanging on that long in decent spirits! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
BR
btw, there is a decent sounding VTR on sale on the WERA forums for $800, think it's listed as a VFR250! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)
No sweat my man. You're doing the right thing and right on track too. Take Ken up on his offer and head on over. I have something cooking for September. Keep that in mind!!
Good luck with everything... It will get better. Your attitude guarantees it.
Others have offered, but if you want to go fastest, you're welcome to ride my white (fastest color! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) ) '06 anytime. Room/board included.
Lobster, Jul 23 2009, 12:07 PMNot that I consider myself any kind of hero on this forum, I just thought some of you may like to know why my presence on VFRD has been less than regular this year. Hell, maybe some of you are enjoying my absence!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
I sold my bike this spring (IMG:style_emoticons/default/angry.gif) . I rode it five times last year and just couldn't justify the expense any longer. Add that to a disastrous automotive economy here in Michigan (I'm a salesman for an auto supplier) and I think you see where this is going. My wife and I decided to try to save as much money as we could this year, and it is working...thanks partially to selling the bike, my three part time jobs, and some reduced spending habits. Even if the bike were still here, I truly wouldn't have much time to ride it, and I would feel like a shmutz for taking even more time away from my kids.
My job situation really is fragile. I still have one, but I had a horrible week this week. GM - cut our orders. Customer #1 - changed their mind on a program where we had a verbal commitment. Customer #2 - said no thanks on 2 different quotes. This leaves me with one very long shot option and a whole bunch of Customers who won't even answer the phone.
As far as the bike goes, I really miss it. I get reminded every time I see one on the road. I know I made the right (read: smart) decision by selling the bike, but I still can't help driving down certain roads wishing I was on a bike. If I can find a cheap VTR 250, or older VF, or even another Sabre, I might pick one up just as a fun bike. But to be honest, I doubt that will happen anytime soon. I just really miss riding something awful.
I'll still be checking in here often, but I find I have less to say these days. I almost feel like I'm now less qualified.
Everyone ride safe, and I'll see you on the flip side.
I have finally reached that arena to where i might be selling my VFR, but i know how much you love the sound, so it wouldnt be fair if i didnt let you know it mightr be up for sale soon!
Hey. Doing what you need to do. No shame. Your karma will come back around, and you'll be on 2, again, before you know it. For what it's worth, the only riding I've done this year, is to work and errands. D-OH!
Larry, Sorry you had to sell the bike but I completely understand the logic. I will always have an extra if you are in the neighborhood. You can have your pick of a Y2k, an 86 750 an RC51 (GDC Baby) or stooping to an alltime low a SILF CBR 954. There are no bad choices in this lineup! Hang in there.
Ernie
End of thread · 21 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 1 Aug 2009