Topic: How to convince my wife I need another bike?

[skamania19]

I tried this one a couple of days ago. Didn't seem to work as well as I'd liked. My friend is buying a new Harley for $16,000. I told my wife about it and said I could buy a new Japanese bike for around $6,000; thereby saving a full $10,000! Personally I thought the logic was flawless. Apparently, not so much.

What's worked for you guys?

[mrblasty]

I would rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission, and I've only been married twice  .

[hondav4]

Catch them at the right time and hope for the best.

[6pkrunner]

I use the same thing that mrblasty proposes. I drag the item home and use the same twisted bent logic of saving money we don't have or something like that. Eventually she gets tired of arguing with me and learns to adapt and adopt. I also gave up smoking and drinking many moons ago and cite the dollars used for the purchases are just the dollars I didn't puff or pi$$ against the wall.

[seaweb11]

Build one for her

[grumburg]

Doesn't say a word when I bring another one home.....................For a week.

[8 Track]

Say it was on sale. $$$

[jtb]

I said "Oh, by the way, I just bought a bike... "  She'll probably start speaking again soon.  <he he>
John

[MRieck]

You can tell her I have 3 (including a newer busa)

[skamania19]

Doesn't say a word when I bring another one home.....................For a week.

  Roger that! 

[Sam Green Racing]

Get rid of wife.....then no need to answer to her,....do ya own thing. 

[Gordon]

My wife and I solved that problem before we were ever married:  Separate bank accounts.  As long as I pay for my part of the bills, she can't say a thing about what I spend the rest of my money on, and vice versa.

[cbjunkie]

haven't any of you seen South Park the movie? what the hell is wrong with you?

[bwaller]

Not much to offer, I quess that's why my new bike is 30 odd years old!  But I agree with seaweb, just build one for her.

[Jay B]

A simple 3 step approach works for me.

1. Drag my new purchase home.
2. Remind her how much better it is to be wrenchin' and ridin' compared to sitting in a bar.
3. Lead her to her closet and show her her damned shoe collection that would put Imelda Marcos to shame.

[Gordon]

haven't any of you seen South Park the movie? what the hell is wrong with you?

Yes, but I'm not following you.  Whatcha getting at? 

[cbjunkie]

ahem...well...it has something to do with Chef's advice...

[historicjake]

It just gets easier the more bikes you have.  After the first couple old bikes she won't notice another one or two or three.....

Also I find an old blue tarp will hide lots of stuff you don't want her to see.  Nobody wants to lift up a dirty old blue tarp, might be spiders under it, or the ultimate screamer,  those half cricket/half spider things.

[Bob Wessner]

Also I find an old blue tarp will hide lots of stuff you don't want her to see.  Nobody wants to lift up a dirty old blue tarp, might be spiders under it, or the ultimate screamer,  those half cricket/half spider things.

I like this one. My wife suffers from a serious form of arachnophobia. Actaully, pretty near anything with more than two legs. 

[Ted Nomura]

Just tell her that you're helping the enviroment because motorcycles (except for the early Kawasaki H2s) get much better gas mileage. I heard that Honda CB250s get more than 75 mpg! and it's highway legal. Even the big bikes get more than 40 mpg, especially the V-twins.

[TwoTired]

You probably don't "need" another bike.

But, you might *want* another one as you perceive it will improve the quality and enjoyment of your life in some way.  Explain to her why it will give you enjoyment.
Ask her why she is unwilling to allow your full enjoyment of life.  >>>Listen to her reasons.<<<
  Marriage is not all about you.  It is about you both, shared happiness is the goal.

This all assumes you can both afford it and neither of you are going to sacrifice anything for your new aquisition.  Unless she is willing to sacrifice for you, ask yourself why she should be made to sacrifice for your enjoyment?  But, remember, if there are going to be sacrifices, it is a two way street.  Would you also sacrifice for her?  And, if her reasons turn out to be valid, are you willing to sacrifice another bike?

Dr. Fill

[Magpie]

I told her it was our 30'th wedding anniversary present to each other and put it in both our names. Fotunately she loves to ride on the back. It worked! It's the pile of 750 parts and 2 parts bikes that's causing a bit of a fuss now though.
Cliff.

[grumburg]

Just tell her that you're helping the enviroment because motorcycles (except for the early Kawasaki H2s) get much better gas mileage. I heard that Honda CB250s get more than 75 mpg! and it's highway legal. Even the big bikes get more than 40 mpg, especially the V-twins.

YEAH!!!!!!!!And the mileage is even better when you bring home the carbs in a bucket!

[8 Track]

TwoTired, you've been watching too much American muscle car!

[MRieck]

You probably don't "need" another bike.

But, you might *want* another one as you perceive it will improve the quality and enjoyment of your life in some way.  Explain to her why it will give you enjoyment.
Ask her why she is unwilling to allow your full enjoyment of life.  >>>Listen to her reasons.<<<
  Marriage is not all about you.  It is about you both, shared happiness is the goal.

This all assumes you can both afford it and neither of you are going to sacrifice anything for your new aquisition.  Unless she is willing to sacrifice for you, ask yourself why she should be made to sacrifice for your enjoyment?  But, remember, if there are going to be sacrifices, it is a two way street.  Would you also sacrifice for her?  And, if her reasons turn out to be valid, are you willing to sacrifice another bike?

Dr. Fill

That's right.....What about my needs!!!

[TwoTired]

TwoTired, you've been watching too much American muscle car!

No, I don't receive that show.  But, I have been married 31 years and have 12 motorcycles on the property (110x60 lot).  All of which she agreed to acquire, and most she helped drag home.  We're both pretty happy.

I never "needed" a $16K motorcycle.  But, she did okay a new PC800 some years ago.  I didn't buy that, though, my decision (it would have been years before I could take it apart).   However, we did buy a $16,000 airplane in 1984.  She doesn't fly, and these days won't even ride in it.  I'd still rather keep her than the airplane.  If it ever came to that.

Life is good.

[JonnyHonda]

I've always said

it's NOT whether your in the #$%* or not, it's how much

I once went into a breakers for a brake disc (rota) and come out with a whole bike. I lived to tell the tale. I lived to tell the tale.

[Vatch]

Buy a bike "for her."  That's what I did   

I agree with the "I'm not in a bar blowing cash and flriting with other women" approach.  Wrenching in the garage, although not cheap, is better for her state of mind in the long run.

[neilbron]

Thanks guys for a pretty interesting and funny discussion!

My Dad collects old tractors (he started with one 3 years ago - now has over 30). Don't know how he negotiates this with my mum, but he worked his guts out farming his whole life and never spent a cent on himself - I'd say Mum reckons he deserves a few interests now. He also travels all around Oz buying parts and meeting people and mum goes with him and enjoys it most of the time - while he's looking at tractors she is often looking at craft or taking in a movie or something.

But I digress - since Dad's had a hobby we actuallly can find things to buy him for xmas or birthdays - tractor books/DVDs etc!  One of these I bought him is "Old Tractors and the Men Who Love Them: How to Keep Your Tractors Happy and Your Family Running" by Roger Welsch - a genuinely funny and entertaining read, and with many parallels to restoring motorcycles. On the topic of buying more tractors he has a whole chapter, the main advice being very similar to what he been posted. Also he advises- don't ever line them up in one area, too easy to count! And - dont numberthem, give them names like Old Faithfull, big yella etc - a numbering system would be fatal!

Now, to get my wife on my bike...and a sidecar for the kids?

Cheers,

Neil.

[skamania19]

You probably don't "need" another bike.

But, you might *want* another one as you perceive it will improve the quality and enjoyment of your life in some way.  Explain to her why it will give you enjoyment.
Ask her why she is unwilling to allow your full enjoyment of life.  >>>Listen to her reasons.<<<
  Marriage is not all about you.  It is about you both, shared happiness is the goal.

Indeed the word word "need" was used with tongue firmly planted in cheek. In reality, I'm right with you, Twotired. Been married almost 17 years. Last month I suggested selling off my woodworking tools and clearing out the shop so we could put in a potters wheel and a kiln and take up pottery together because it's something she's always wanted to try. 

And just for the record, I don't "need" a $16,000 bike either. I "need" a new $6,000 bike! Weren't you listening? 

Neil, thanks for reminding me! I've got a 1928 John Deere I dump money into too. Guess I better just leave well enough alone...After all, it doesn't get better than old Hondas and John Deeres.

skamania19

[Jonesy]

I got my wife riding her own bikes. Currently she has more bikes than I do... (well, they are all in both our names and I'm the in-house mechanic, so it works out well)

[nickjtc]

Sorry, reading through old posts. Another good thread.

Buy flowers...works every time. Let's face it once you've dragged the bike home what is she going to do about it? No sex for a while..? At my age I can wait.

Just put a bid in on that brand new 650 motor, but am thinking I might just try and win it. She won't mind........ really.

[cmorgan47]

i usually try pointing out that her car cost about 20k, whereas mine was about 12k.  that gives me about 8k to play with.  never works.

recently, though, i bought her a scooter that she loves.  not so much to get a new bike for me--that'll be another year or two--but so we can ride around together.

[nickjtc]

i bought her a scooter that she loves.  not so much to get a new bike for me--that'll be another year or two--but so we can ride around together.

As long as there is a perception of 'even stevens' things usually work out ok. But I'll say it again, it's incredible how many brownie points you can bank for $50 worth of flowers. Maybe I'm really the lucky sod I know I am.

[Vatch]

And just for the record, I don't "need" a $16,000 bike either. I "need" a new $6,000 bike! Weren't you listening? 

That's just genius!

I'm looking to dump my other bike, '99 Kawi 1500 Drifter.  It's worth about $6k. It doesn't have enough soul.  There is a verbal agreement that if I do the money will remain in a seperate bike fund.  I plan to use some to buy her a small (modern) bike and figure I'll have $4k left.  An old house and a baby, am I just being dumb here?  Is the best place for that bike money in the Kawi until I want to do a rapid transition?  Oh, old dudes that have been married longer than me, share your wisdom.

[nickjtc]

Is the best place for that bike money in the Kawi until I want to do a rapid transition?  Oh, old dudes that have been married longer than me, share your wisdom.

Of course, the 'best' place for the cash is to be put against the principal on your mortgage. But that would be far too sensible, and above all, boring.

In my experience the problem with 'special accounts' is that they tend to get tapped into on a regular basis......."Oh, let's go to Disneyland, Honey. We've got the money right there." Don't ask.

Get the bike for the missis and then HIDE the rest of the money.

[mennedy]

My lady is from the Isle of Man and very used to bikes. Unbelievable as it may be, she is too afraid to ride even as a passenger.

When I was looking for a bike 4 years ago, I kept telling her I was just looking - no I'm not going buy. When I bought the 550, I chickened out - I just couldn't owe up. All I could do was ride it home, park it out front and point to it and say "Look what I bought!" I then closed my eyes, braced myself and just let her go. It lasted about 5 or 6 minutes, swung a lot but never actually connected, and she stormed into the kitchen and started banging things around.

I escaped out to the bike and "went for a ride" around the block, just to get used to the controls. It took about two hours to master them, if I remember correctly. I parked the bike, put all my kit away and arranged my tool box a bit. Pretty soon I was called to dinner, a clear indication that the wind was dropping and as I sat down to dinner she commented, "Actually, you look pretty good on that." Yesss!!!!!

It worked so good the first time, when I bought the 750 and my friend dropped it off in his truck, I did the "What do you mean? I told you I wanted a bigger bike for long highway trips! "That generated a deep frown and so far all I get is the count. Ya know, "You have two bikes now. Why do you need more!"

I found a 72 BSA Lightning coming up at an farm auction in the middle of nowhere and on Saturday I invited her away for the Sept 30 weekend. "What do you need another bike for?" "Ah, come on. It'll be a nice weekend away for us and, who knows, you like auctions and you may find something you like! Besides, it's a classic from my youth that I always wanted, it could be worth a lot someday and it never hurts to look." We have a date!

This thread could last as long as my 33 year marriage. I mean, it is about the battle of the sexes and when does that end? Neverrrrrr! It's serial skirmishing.

My advice is to buy it if you can responsibly afford it, close your eyes, brace yourself and take it like a man. It only lasts for a while and when it is over the air is cleared and you have the bike and the lady too. Life is good!

Oh, by the way, my son got married Aug 6 and I have since taught him this method. In a little over 6 weeks he has acquired a amazing Ipod set up like you've never seen and a 42" plasma. He swears by this method too.

[grumburg]

Coming up on 25th anniversary on Oct 10. Your method has been proven many times over. Last Saturday I put the striping and decals on the 550 getting ready for the AMA Homecoming concours. She came out to look  and said "What are you going to do now that it's done?"  Yesssssssss! "Well, Bob found me a 74 750 for $200". Reply: "I had to ask".  My uncle was asked on their 50th anniversary what is the secret to a happy marrage. Reply: "A warm shop". 

[nickjtc]

and she stormed into the kitchen and started banging things around.

Pretty soon I was called to dinner, a clear indication that the wind was dropping

You get dinner made for you, and you get the bikes. We kneel before you, oh mighty one!