Lose interest in bikes?
Discussion
As the title suggests anyone else lose interest in bikes it was only 5/6 years ago all I thought about was bikes and trips out. Then in may 2019 I sold both my bikes, in the December I went to Spain and the roads was amazing so as soon as I got back I went to purchase another bike I then bought another one so back to 2 bikes, I was in Spain on one last September all month but I’ve not been out on my bike since and don’t really feel the urge to go out either does anyone else get like this?
Yes, I think for me it wasn’t helped by my riding buddy having to sell up to fund a house deposit. Suddenly I wasn’t going out for a blast every weekend. That and having a young family means there’s little time to ride for the sake of riding.
Last year I upgraded my old MT09 to the new model thinking it would spur me on to get out on it… It’s not even done 700 miles in the year I’ve had it. Expensive ornament really.
Last year I upgraded my old MT09 to the new model thinking it would spur me on to get out on it… It’s not even done 700 miles in the year I’ve had it. Expensive ornament really.
AlunJ said:
Last year I upgraded my old MT09 to the new model thinking it would spur me on to get out on it… It’s not even done 700 miles in the year I’ve had it. Expensive ornament really.
I bet you enjoyed those miles, though?I don’t do many miles on mine, but whilst ever I can afford it, I’ll keep it. It’s a toy. (Albeit an expensive one. Lol)
It’s no different to having a special car that only comes out on high days and holidays.
I've only recently started doing the bike thing as my midlife crisis but having lots of fun on a little 125cc on a CBT as having to revs the nuts out of it and carry momentum through the turns/hills. Daft how long I can be on the road for and I'll come back and the fuel bill will be tuppence, even with today's prices.
Does get a bit tiring though trying to overtake lorries when the bike will only do 65ish comfortably (50 on a hill) and I'm also always wondering if/when the little 125 engine will blow up doing near max revs on a dual carriageway for ages going into wales. I hope when I eventually upgrade to a 600cc or something that it doesn't get boring having comparitively all the power in the world on tap but not being able to work through the gears so much (below 100mph).
Usually stick to daft hours in the morning to avoid traffic (4am ish usually) so back in time for work before 9. Just sheep and rabbits to worry about
Does get a bit tiring though trying to overtake lorries when the bike will only do 65ish comfortably (50 on a hill) and I'm also always wondering if/when the little 125 engine will blow up doing near max revs on a dual carriageway for ages going into wales. I hope when I eventually upgrade to a 600cc or something that it doesn't get boring having comparitively all the power in the world on tap but not being able to work through the gears so much (below 100mph).
Usually stick to daft hours in the morning to avoid traffic (4am ish usually) so back in time for work before 9. Just sheep and rabbits to worry about
This comes up on PH from time to time, so it's a pretty common scenario I guess. Family for me means spare time is no longer spare. Had a succession of bikes over the last 10 years, all very enjoyable. But for some time now there's always something that seems more important to do than ride just for fun. Hopefully it will come back.
MuscleSedan said:
This comes up on PH from time to time, so it's a pretty common scenario I guess. Family for me means spare time is no longer spare. Had a succession of bikes over the last 10 years, all very enjoyable. But for some time now there's always something that seems more important to do than ride just for fun. Hopefully it will come back.
+1 Family, mortgage and a happy marriage too 
I’ve only been riding 3 years but finding the opposite is true. I take my helmet whenever I go away anywhere interesting with work so that I have the option to hire and ride if I can, and did so in Switzerland and the Netherlands this year.
Got home (Dubai) this week and took my Elise out for a spin. Just felt completely underwhelmed (the roads don’t help) and it cemented my decision to sell it and not have a sporty car here at all.
Took the bike out the next day and had an ear to ear grin. Riding just makes me happy and that feeling stays with me for hours afterwards. What makes this place dismal in a sports car makes it brilliant for riding.
I’m going to view a 954 blade track only bike at the weekend. I have a fully race prepped Clio (caged, sequential box) and plan to do both 2 and 4 wheeled track days this winter. It will be interesting to see which I prefer and which I continue with thereafter.
If I get the blade that’ll be 3 bikes in the garage!
Got home (Dubai) this week and took my Elise out for a spin. Just felt completely underwhelmed (the roads don’t help) and it cemented my decision to sell it and not have a sporty car here at all.
Took the bike out the next day and had an ear to ear grin. Riding just makes me happy and that feeling stays with me for hours afterwards. What makes this place dismal in a sports car makes it brilliant for riding.
I’m going to view a 954 blade track only bike at the weekend. I have a fully race prepped Clio (caged, sequential box) and plan to do both 2 and 4 wheeled track days this winter. It will be interesting to see which I prefer and which I continue with thereafter.
If I get the blade that’ll be 3 bikes in the garage!
A few years back, I was becoming a little jaded with bikes and my enthusiasm for them was pretty low - been doing this a long time and I also had a hot rod and an American car to indulge. I'd bought and sold half a dozen (modernish) bikes in short order, hoping that one would be the one to excite me and rekindle my interest. Almost accidentally, I bought a 1970s Laverda (not the sort of thing I'd previously owned) - it needed a bit of spoodling, but I absolutely love the thing and have bought another far more modern bike since, have been working on my old Harley and am currently rebuilding the motor on a T140 Bonneville.
Not suggesting that an old Laverda would do the same for you, but might just need a fresh approach or a different style of bike...
Not suggesting that an old Laverda would do the same for you, but might just need a fresh approach or a different style of bike...
spoodler said:
Not suggesting that an old Laverda would do the same for you, but might just need a fresh approach or a different style of bike...
This 100%I find myself using my road bikes less and less. Instead I spend my weekends greenlaning, entering enduros and practice days at MX tracks. Buying a dirt bike has reignited my passion for 2 wheels
Yes same since COVID group rides have gone quiet although meant to be on a weekend away in wales next month around 20 of us are going so that might give me the buzz back bit late in the year I suppose ha. I bought a TL1000R in jan 2020 covered 400 miles or there about so far then may last year bought a GSXS 750 thinking it will make me go out more and at first it did then went to Spain on it for a month but still only done around 1200 miles. Also thought about a track bike but then that means either one with MOT or buying a van or trailer to take it to track which is more money, so recently I’ve been looking at cars something I’d use every day and can have the odd blast in and maybe track day in it seems the best route to go.
I've had a few peaks and troughs over the years, no real reason to it.
But I usually ride with 3-4 mates, and it was more about meeting up with mates socially, over the last year or two it's just me on my own, I've forced myself to go out even though my mind might not be fully in it, but I have enjoyed my solo rides. I've started using the Calimoto app to help plot routes, new routes, new roads etc which has opened things up rather than the usual weekend roads.
Same with trackdays, I spent years doing 10-15 trackdays per year, then moved to Euro trackdays, club racing, life got in the way so had a break, but through all of that some days I would be all revved up for the day, and others I could take then or leave them.
All I would say is if you don't fancy it, force yourself to go out, you'll more than likely have a great day but you'll know within 30 mins or so and turn around.
But I usually ride with 3-4 mates, and it was more about meeting up with mates socially, over the last year or two it's just me on my own, I've forced myself to go out even though my mind might not be fully in it, but I have enjoyed my solo rides. I've started using the Calimoto app to help plot routes, new routes, new roads etc which has opened things up rather than the usual weekend roads.
Same with trackdays, I spent years doing 10-15 trackdays per year, then moved to Euro trackdays, club racing, life got in the way so had a break, but through all of that some days I would be all revved up for the day, and others I could take then or leave them.
All I would say is if you don't fancy it, force yourself to go out, you'll more than likely have a great day but you'll know within 30 mins or so and turn around.
spoodler said:
A few years back, I was becoming a little jaded with bikes and my enthusiasm for them was pretty low - been doing this a long time and I also had a hot rod and an American car to indulge. I'd bought and sold half a dozen (modernish) bikes in short order, hoping that one would be the one to excite me and rekindle my interest. Almost accidentally, I bought a 1970s Laverda (not the sort of thing I'd previously owned) - it needed a bit of spoodling, but I absolutely love the thing and have bought another far more modern bike since, have been working on my old Harley and am currently rebuilding the motor on a T140 Bonneville.
Not suggesting that an old Laverda would do the same for you, but might just need a fresh approach or a different style of bike...
Pervert!Not suggesting that an old Laverda would do the same for you, but might just need a fresh approach or a different style of bike...
Sold my bike about six months ago and not ridden since (since moving to Denmark I’ve not even driven!)
Main problem for me is that what I love about biking most is the speed. I really want to be able to get kicks from pootling along an a cruiser but it just doesn’t do it for me. It has to be acceleration, high speed, overtaking and cornering quickly. Trouble is the worry about being caught at big speeds spoils the fun for me. On top of that there is the risk of crashing and my daughter was putting more pressure on me to give up.
Main problem for me is that what I love about biking most is the speed. I really want to be able to get kicks from pootling along an a cruiser but it just doesn’t do it for me. It has to be acceleration, high speed, overtaking and cornering quickly. Trouble is the worry about being caught at big speeds spoils the fun for me. On top of that there is the risk of crashing and my daughter was putting more pressure on me to give up.
Skeptisk said:
Sold my bike about six months ago and not ridden since (since moving to Denmark I’ve not even driven!)
Main problem for me is that what I love about biking most is the speed. I really want to be able to get kicks from pootling along an a cruiser but it just doesn’t do it for me. It has to be acceleration, high speed, overtaking and cornering quickly. Trouble is the worry about being caught at big speeds spoils the fun for me. On top of that there is the risk of crashing and my daughter was putting more pressure on me to give up.
I used to be the same and sold my sports bikes as it was getting silly with the 200bhp they have now. Get a dirt bike or dual sport, loads of fun without the manic speeds. Off road is great fun, hugely challenging.Main problem for me is that what I love about biking most is the speed. I really want to be able to get kicks from pootling along an a cruiser but it just doesn’t do it for me. It has to be acceleration, high speed, overtaking and cornering quickly. Trouble is the worry about being caught at big speeds spoils the fun for me. On top of that there is the risk of crashing and my daughter was putting more pressure on me to give up.
Im 57. I had bikes until a bad prang aged 21. Didnt have a bike for 36 years, I had other hobbies but I never lost interest in bikes. About 2 months ago I got a 125. Its a toy, I dont use it for transport for reasons all covered in "why don't more people bike"
I reckon I might do about 1000 miles in a year, and am loving it.
No doubt if I had to use it when I wasn't inclined to I'd soon get jaded with it.
I reckon I might do about 1000 miles in a year, and am loving it.
No doubt if I had to use it when I wasn't inclined to I'd soon get jaded with it.
From what I see at meets and typical biker spots, most riders are old and grey with overweight bellies tottering about on sportsbikes they can't ride for more than 10 miles or the adventure types that only adventure is a few hours to their favourite trucker breakfast place.
So any feelings of losing interest are likely an old age thing.
If you've lost interest sell your kit and get an allotment or something to keep you busy.
So any feelings of losing interest are likely an old age thing.
If you've lost interest sell your kit and get an allotment or something to keep you busy.
Go and test ride a Honda Monkey or MSX 125. You’ll be smiling in minutes.
If you want a bike just for fun or similar, I promise you - you can’t get better.
I’m determined to back to one. It was just so much fun. 66mph flat out 4.5 litre tank. 120-130 miles before needing to refuel. If you can convince a bunch of mates to do the same - it’ll be some of the best group rides you’ve ever had.
If you want a bike just for fun or similar, I promise you - you can’t get better.
I’m determined to back to one. It was just so much fun. 66mph flat out 4.5 litre tank. 120-130 miles before needing to refuel. If you can convince a bunch of mates to do the same - it’ll be some of the best group rides you’ve ever had.
EVOTECH3BELL said:
From what I see at meets and typical biker spots, most riders are old and grey with overweight bellies tottering about on sportsbikes they can't ride for more than 10 miles or the adventure types that only adventure is a few hours to their favourite trucker breakfast place.
So any feelings of losing interest are likely an old age thing.
If you've lost interest sell your kit and get an allotment or something to keep you busy.
How do you come to that conclusion?So any feelings of losing interest are likely an old age thing.
If you've lost interest sell your kit and get an allotment or something to keep you busy.
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