I imagine the “left unsupervised” defense would get little traction in a proper court of law, but in most motorcycle households I expect it is frequently utilized, with varying degrees of success.
Exhibit A, yer honor.
And this is where having a loving and understanding spouse/partner comes in, or at least an iron-clad pre-nuptial agreement that recognizes one party’s two-wheeled compulsion as being paramount, not to be superseded by any amount of eye-rolling, teeth-sucking, yelling, or tears. This understanding is important because we can’t be supervised 7/24, the internet is always on, and the temptations are just too many.
Now just to be clear, I am not speaking from personal experience here, having both a loving and understanding (usually) spouse and a pretty solid, if verbal, pre-nup agreement. But even with all that there is still an understanding gap when it comes to all things motorcycle. For example, if I had $10K burning a hole in my pocket I’d be at the dealership seeing what I could get for it. The spousal unit? She’d be booking a vacation trip to some far-off land with lots of historical sites (or rubble piles as I prefer to call them). See what I mean? A gap.
But, on occasion, the gap gets closed and we both get what we want. In an unsupervised moment a few weeks ago I was browsing the interwebz and came across a pristine 2014 Road King. After several emails and photos were exchanged (the dealership is 5 hours away) I was convinced. A brief family discussion later (See? Understanding!) and a deposit check was on its way.
And that’s how I ended up with my new-to-me Road King last week… while the missus plans our trip to Europe in May.
Pretty sweet looking ride! Congratulations on the new addition.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Looking forward to getting rid of the last of the snow and ice so I can actually ride instead of just admiring her.
DeleteNice looking bike. Too bad you couldn't have talked her into a two-up motorcycle vacation!
ReplyDeleteScott - Expect that may be in the cards for later this summer. Been talking about doing the Cabot Trail for a couple of years now, so perhaps.
DeleteThe Cabot Trail is magnificent, but if you go down that way, extend the trip and do Newfoundland too. I can't comment on Labrador, but Newfoundland is just much too good to miss.
DeletePat - Agreed. We visited Nfld a few years ago and had a great time. It's on our list of must-return-to-one-day places.
DeleteNice bike! I am headed to Europe for my first time in June. Will you get to ride a motorcycle while there?
ReplyDeleteThomas - Sadly, no. But I'm thinking about a trip over to rent one and follow some of the routes Gary France (Tour1) covers. The roads look amazing.
DeleteCongrats! To the new addition to the stable as well as to the understanding spouse. Curious, what are your (her) travel plans for Europe?
ReplyDeleteThanks Sonja. We're flying into Frankfurt and then spending about 10 days driving up the Rhine Valley (and back, of course). It's a part of Germany I haven't seen before, except Frankfurt Airport as a hub.
DeleteHow about you let us know your itinerary, and we see if we can bump into each other ;-)
DeleteGreat idea. Sent you an email.
DeleteYou get a new bike, she plans the trip to Europe....... sounds like a win win.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new bike. She looks petty.
Brandy: I guess that's what partnerships are all about, finding the win-wins. And I assume you meant "pretty", which she is. Thank you.
DeleteNice looking machine, riding days will be here/there before you know it. A +1 for Newfoundland as well.
ReplyDeleteCoop - Thanks. As for riding days, we have 2 inches of fresh snow on the ground this morning and it's still coming down. Mother Nature is not being helpful this year.
Delete