Hi All -

Well, I'm seriously thinking about selling my S40.  Several reasons.  I had not ridden at all from 1968 until 2008, when I got the bug again, bought a used S40, took the MSF course and got the endorsement.

What has me thinking this way is that I'm not really enjoying it that much, and the hassle of it all.  I'm only riding under 2,000 miles per season.

By the hassle, I mean that I absolutely won't ride without helment, armored jacket, heavy jeans, and gloves.  That's the hassle.

For instance, I like to wear shorts in the summer when I run around on weekends, but I wouldn't think of riding in them.  So, if I go to the airport on weekends, which is a wonderful 18 mile ride each way, then I spend the entire day in heavy jeans.  Not comfortable.

Today is a really down day in the office - no court appointments, nothing going on, and we'll close early for the holiday.  So here I sit in golf shirt and dockers - but I have to go to two different banks today, have lunch with a buddy - those sorts of errands.  Could I have ridden to work today - yes, the weather is gorgeous.  But do I want to walk into two banks in all of the riding gear? - not really.

Then the old problem that I just will not ride after even one beer, let alone anything more.  My wife and I will meet our standard group of friends after work tonite for a light dinner and beverages as we do most Friday nights.  So, had I ridden to work, I would have to go home first, get my car, then go meet our group - more hassle.

When I rode in the 60s, there were few freeways - I've never adapted to being comfortable riding on a freeway with semis roaring by.  Maybe I'm a wussie, but that's the way I feel.  At age 63, maybe it's too big a change to adapt to all at once, without having done so slowly over all of those years thru my younger days.

What has bitten me for the last year or so is trade the bike for an older Brit sports car, like an MG Midget or such.  You can get a very nice one for a price around $5,000 - about twice what the S40 will bring if I sell it.  Then, use that for recreational driving.  But if a rain comes up, I'm not "grounded" as I am on the bike, as I have no desire to play macho man and ride in the rain.  Naturally, driving a fun little car like that doesn't require all of the get-up attire either.  And you can take anyone with you, carry some stuff in the trunk - all of those conveniences.

Then there's the night issue - I don't ride at night except rarely, and am not comfortable in traffic at night, nor really on the rural roads where I live, with deer, racoons, etc.

Anyone else ever gone thru this?  If you did, how did you solve it?

Charon -

Thanks for your input.

I started out as a high school kid in love with Brit sports cars.  When the other kids of my era wanted a '57 Chevy, I had an AH Sprite for my first car, then a TR-3, a Jag 150, an MGA, and a Sunbeam Alpine.

Parts are no problem at all, and the 1960s era Brit cars are stone simple to work on.  I've taken the engines out of several.  No smog gear on them, no computer chips, about as simple as a Savage - really.  Even synchronizing multiple carbs only takes a piece of rubber tubing to stick in your ear.

What I'd really LOVE to have is a Alfa Spider Veloce of the mid 1980s, but that is a hassle to work on, since the engine is more modern, double o'head cam, computer chips, - all too complicated for this shade tree mechanic.  Although they aren't really all that expensive anymore - $7,000 - $8,000 will get a really nice one that will continue to hold its value.

For some reason, the Miata doesn't light my fire - maybe because it's really just a modern copy of the MGB; TR-4 genre of car.  I think I'd prefer the original.

I would treat a car like that just like a motorcycle - a recreational toy - certainly not a daily driver.  And when the Prince of Darkness (the Lucas electrical system) acts up, leave it parked until I have time to work on it.  We all know that the Brits like warm beer because they have Lucas refrigerators.

Youzguyz -

Know what, you may be right.  I have only two passions - my wife, and airplanes.

Airplanes have been a real passion since I was about 12 years old, and I'm so thankful that I've been able to fly since I was 18 years old, in everything from a Piper J-3 Cub to jets - I enjoyed every airplane I've ever flown.  No motor ground vehicle, regardless of the number of wheels, can even come close.

I've had a few friends killed in airplanes.  But other than in combat, you only get killed one way in an airplane - you ahae to screw up really badly yourself - machines can't kill you, only people can make mistakes.

Thanks for your wisdom, and I sure didn't take it wrongly at all.

Ride wearing safety stuff, haul easy living clotthes, change into them. Unless, the fun of riding doesnt offset the truble of changing clothes. If thast true, then, your heart just aint in it. If Im not riding far enough to get enuogh giggles out of it to justify putting all the stuff on, I dont ride either.

Ive always thot that when the day comes that Im not okay with riding, Im gonna have a sports car w/ a standard trans. Doesnt have to be fast, just gotta hug the road thru the curves,

Jerry, sounds like you may have already made up your mind. I agree that their is no shame in making the decision to no longer ride.

I for one can't wait to get back in the saddle and will ride as often as I can. Rain well if I let rain stop me from riding or doing anything then I would be at home most of the time. I live in the Pacific Northwest and rain does not prevent me from enjoying anything. Snow and Ice now that is another story.
You have ridden and sounds to me like you made smart choices when you did.
I won't drive my cage let alone ride my bike after 1 beer. I will not risk it. I am not really a drinker of alcohol so that makes it easy to refrain.
Traffic does not bother me yet cell phone users while driving does. Thank goodness Wa State passed a no cell phone no texting law.
As far as gearing up. ATGATT is what I am a firm believer of as well. I am able to wear work pants under chaps as well as work shirt under coat. I carry my work shoes in my luggage bag as I won't ride without my boots.
As far as going in someplace with my chaps on. Well I don't care if people look at me or not. Also chaps are removeable so that is easy to rectify as well.
I ride at night and go a lil slower and am constantly scanning the sides of the road as well.
I think one continues to ride as they feel it is an enjoyment and when that enjoyment is no longer there I will hang up my helmet. I hope to be able to ride till I am much older.
Smile and know you did ride. You as someone mentioned seems to have lost the desire. No shame there.
Grab yourself a nice sports car. You can still go topless and have the wind in your face. O and be sure you give us the thumbs up each time you see one of us... Hugs to you.. Kim  

Go with your passion;  no need to do something you are not into, it is a waste of time and resources.
Sell the bike and enjoy your sportscars and airplanes.  

+1