trading the motorcycle for a miata

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T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
3,432
3
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Since we have a few riders on here i figure i'll get feedback from here as well.

I'm coming around to my 5-6th year on 2 wheels. First few was great, did like 4k, 12k, 8k on the GS500 and then 5k last year and like 2k this year on my SV650.

Lack of time and just life shifting overall. The wifey isn't very keen on 2up-ing with me on the bike, nor do i really want to either. Weather has also been JUNK in chicago. Last couple times i've just been soaked coming home. I used to be able to start riding comfortably in march/ mid april. Last couple years where was snow on the ground.

Put all those things together and well i've just toss around the idea of either getting a different toy that can be used a little more often or no toy at all.

I think its time to put riding to the side for a little bit, maybe revisit down the road.

You guys ever get that feeling? :ninja: OR am i just weird and the second i sell the bike, i'll miss it and hate myslef.
 
Fenixgoon

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,028
10,784
136
I've considered giving up my bike as well - at least for street riding. It's still enjoyable, but it's tough to take time after work and then make time on the weekends. I still want to do track days though, so maybe a track bike is in order instaed.

But yeah, you're not alone. Things change. Priorities change :)
 
repoman0

repoman0

Diamond Member
Jun 17, 2010
4,675
3,675
136
I sold my SV650 this year and don't miss it. I never really made time for it anyway .. I didn't use it for commuting because I'd rather just get in a car at 7AM and listen to music, and during free time I have a few other hobbies that I enjoy more. Combine that with riding in and around Boston not being particularly enjoyable (too crowded, crappy roads) and the fact that I will never feel comfortable riding with my GF on the back .. I went the same route as you're considering and bought an older M3 as a half toy / half spring/summer/fall DD. Great decision so far and is awesome for taking on road trips to the mountains, coast towns, random hiking / biking spots, etc. which my GF and I do often. It's much nicer being able to talk, toss stuff in the trunk, bikes on the roof, and not worry about gear.

The injury and crash possibility also never really left my mind whenever I would ride, and considering the things that I enjoy as much or more than riding require me to be injury free, at this point I just feel relieved to have sold it without getting in a crash.
 
pauldun170

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,141
5,084
136
T2urtle said:
Since we have a few riders on here i figure i'll get feedback from here as well.

I'm coming around to my 5-6th year on 2 wheels. First few was great, did like 4k, 12k, 8k on the GS500 and then 5k last year and like 2k this year on my SV650.

Lack of time and just life shifting overall. The wifey isn't very keen on 2up-ing with me on the bike, nor do i really want to either. Weather has also been JUNK in chicago. Last couple times i've just been soaked coming home. I used to be able to start riding comfortably in march/ mid april. Last couple years where was snow on the ground.

Put all those things together and well i've just toss around the idea of either getting a different toy that can be used a little more often or no toy at all.

I think its time to put riding to the side for a little bit, maybe revisit down the road.

You guys ever get that feeling? :ninja: OR am i just weird and the second i sell the bike, i'll miss it and hate myslef.
Click to expand...

Easy answer
Sell Bike
Get Miata.

I've been riding for a long time. I have never thought about giving it up and I'm Motorcyclist first. Cars second type person. I'm also getting old and set in my ways so shake stick off lawn and things.

If you are not getting enjoyment out of the bike. Sell it. Bikes are meant to be
A. Ridden
B. Enjoyed
C. Combination A and B

If you can't pick any of those options. Sell the bike. Buy the Miata.
 
BoberFett

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
I've had the same thought. MN sucks for riding weather. Then I get on the bike and it's all worth it. Even if I rode three times a year, I'd rather have the bike than the few thousand I could get for it.
 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
20,882
5,503
136
I've been having the same thoughts. The wife messed up her neck so we didn't do any weekend trips this year, and I've been doing a lot of work on my house, so the bike has been idle pretty much all year.
It's a little sad to see it just sit there in the garage gathering dust, such a beautiful machine being wasted.
 
U

unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
3,346
1
0
Honda%20VT500FT%20%201.jpg

T2urtle said:
Since we have a few riders on here i figure i'll get feedback from here as well...
Click to expand...

Having owned 6 motorcycles, last one being a VT500, and one Miata, I'd like to share my opinion...

And that is, as BoberFett alluded, that a motorcycle provides a unique experience. One that can't be duplicated by any 4 wheeled vehicle.

That said, the Miata can be a lot of fun. And, it can provide some of the same attributes as a motorcycle.

For me, the experience also depends on the roads around where you live. For example, I bought the VT in Houston and took it to Daytona with me when I moved. Still remember riding the VT on A1A back from St. Augustine or Flagler with the ocean on my left along with the pelicans riding on the breeze. Salt air and sunshine all around...

Not to mention watching for alligators while riding the loop. Or riding in Bike Week's bike parade.

On the other hand, on the beach at Daytona I'd rather drive the Miata. Even had a lady friend that would feed the sea gulls as we drove the beach... (While we were driving, she would hold up a McDonald's french fry, gulls would swoop down and take it from, her hand...) And it was nice to have a canvas top to raise during the afternoon rains...

Both the Miata and the motorcycle were easy to do routine maintenance on... Online, there is a wealth of information available about the Miata. (Mine was a '93 black and tan.)

If you have the garage space and the inclination, I'd encourage you to consider a Miata. But I'd also advise that its not a substitute for a motorcycle...

Best of luck,
Uno
 
Last edited:
WT

WT

Diamond Member
Sep 21, 2000
4,816
59
91
Was hoping this was a Jules thread !! So tired of hearing Ducati stories !!!! :p
 
T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
3,432
3
81
i'm not a hardcore biker, but i do enjoy it. But honestly when one gets up in the morning and weather isn't your typical TX/FL/CA weather is hard to gear up and get on the bike compared to getting into my cage.

I'm going to let the market determine what happens next season.

What you guys think is a fair price. 2003 SV650N, Blue, Pretty mint. It will have under 10k miles when its posted. Couple of minor mods. I think its a $3500 bike all day.
 
N

natto fire

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2000
7,117
10
76
I have very limited biking experience, but I get the unique experience angle. My favorite part was always the unbridled acceleration. I have driven a few 4 wheeled vehicles that have similar acceleration, and decided that was good enough for me over the 2 wheeled experience. I still want to get a top shelf mountain bicycle again some day for that direct feeling, but on the road, I would settle for 4 wheels, as long as acceleration is close to that freedom of a proper bike.

What I am basically saying is that I would do it, as long as I had some kind of strategy to get that Miata to at least 325whp, ideally through low end torque V8. Not sure how tall you are, but I am 6' 4" and basically do not fit into an NA first gen.
 
Fenixgoon

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,028
10,784
136
T2urtle said:
i'm not a hardcore biker, but i do enjoy it. But honestly when one gets up in the morning and weather isn't your typical TX/FL/CA weather is hard to gear up and get on the bike compared to getting into my cage.

I'm going to let the market determine what happens next season.

What you guys think is a fair price. 2003 SV650N, Blue, Pretty mint. It will have under 10k miles when its posted. Couple of minor mods. I think its a $3500 bike all day.
Click to expand...

i'd say 3500 is quite fair. definitely not less than 3k.
 
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