We are expecting our first baby in March

Upon relating this news to my friends and co-workers, most of them have said something like, "I guess you're selling your motorcycle then." or "your riding days are almost over."

I have no plans to stop riding, and there has been no pressure from my wife or family to stop (yes, I am lucky). I realize that carting a little one around will require much more cage time. Also, I probably won't be leaning quite as hard into those corners since my tolerance for risk will be decreased. Who knows? Maybe I will stop caring about motorcycling altogether and sell the bike.

How were your motorcycling lives changed by having kids?

I got my bike after we found out we were pregnant. I had my first crash while my wife was pregnant. (no....she wasn't happy) I still have my bike and, if it were running now (), I would be riding the CRAP out of it!

I think you'll be fine! Just "spin" it by saying that riding your bike to work will cost less in gas so your family will be able to afford more diapers!

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You can't fix stupid!

Pain is weakness leaving the body!

only you can decide to keep riding or not
many take a break for a while, I did.
once you have him/her in your arms the first time, you'll feel things you never could have imagined
whatever you decision you make will be the right one for you

All my wife asked me to do, was get life insurance. Got enough to pay off the house if a blue hair takes me out. Fair enough.

She wouldn't ask me to stop riding, but she knows I would for her peace of mind. We've found a nice middle ground.


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Get a sidecar, they make a great bassinet.
Only modern parenting would have a cow about riding with a kid or because of a kid. But then they have a cow about everything and should be clocked on the head and told to go pound it!

I took a break for awhile, but in hindsight some periodic "wind therapy" would have been real nice. The life insurance advice is spot-on, though. Fact is, you never know when your time is up, bike or no bike.


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Escape the cage!

Life insurance, good health insurance in case your injured. You don't have to die to have financial hardship. Even long term care insurance if you can afford it. And even riding a little more careful.
Had a close call when the kids were very young. As my life passed before me all I could see were the faces of my kids. It slowed me down at least for a few years.

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2009 DL650

When I got married the wife ask me when I was going to sell my bike. (1979 Triumph)
I told her that the bike was hear long before her and that it would be hear long after she was gone.
Still have both of them and two kids.

Never much of one for riding on the road or street in the first place, I quit that entirely until my kids were old enough to ride their own -- BUT I continued riding on the dirt and even upped the ante by racing motocross for a couple of years. Unless you are independently wealthy though, you'll find the financial obligation to your growing family and future will limit your investment in bikes and even time spent with them and similar pursuits.

You've had a few critical decision points in your life -- like how much education to acquire, whether to get married, choice of a career direction, whether to use drugs, and now becoming a parent...

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DL1000K6 Red I believe in ... gravity!
"Everyone brings something to the party."
- Snoopy

I have some recent expereince with this:

8/30/11 Found out I was going to be a dad

3/30/12 Bought my first motorcycle (2012 Wee Adventure)

4/13/12 Took my first MSF course

4/14/12 Crashed, bike was spared any damage by SV Racing Sliders, my shin bent a sign post resulting in an ER visit the next morning when we were supposed to be taking a tour of the maternity wars. I was off my feet for 4+ weeks

5/11/12 My son, Coltrane Danger was born

7/19/12 Finished the MSF course and got my license

The accident and the kid have made my much more cautious, which is a good thing!

My wife is totally cool about the motorcycle and was only annoyed that I tried to keep the crash from her (going into shock at diner gave me away).

Finding time to ride has been a little hard but next string I plan on commuting on the bike to gain experience and give my V8 a rest.

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Musician, backpacker, Mt. Biker, learning how to be a motorcyclist.