After reading about Jetmech's new kid being born, it raised a question in my head. Maybe some of the people with kids can answer this for me.

If you have kids, can you still ride as hard as you did when you were single/without kids? Did having kids change your riding style? Did you slow your speed down? More safety gear? Are your kids in the back of your head when you do something stupid on the bike. Etc...

I was pondering this topic the other day because my wife decided to ask if I would continue to to track days/ride hard if I had a family? Thankfully I dont have to answer these questions yet. We all know the damage we can cause to ourselves when we ride, but I rarely think of what the damage may to towards others if I were to get killed or really screwed up. Aside from the financial impact, I'm sure the emotional impact would be horrible.

I've seen many people quit riding when a buddy gets killed on a sportbike, I just wanted to know what impact having a new family has on a rider.

Id really like to comment on this, but, I dont have kids, So I have a feeling some of my opinions may be a bit bias..

Far as losing a friend.. Ive lost lots of friends and family. And at some point we all have, or will. I've lost friends doing what they love. Riding. Skiing. Driving. Swimming. I've also watched a happy alive woman go from 200 pounds to 80 in a matter of 6 months, live off a machine and then only to pass away alone.

I hope to die doing the things I love surrounded by my friends. Instead of sitting in a hospital bed waiting my days out shitting in a bed pan..Kids or not, I will continue to do what I love. The day someone tells me to stop doing what I love, Ill probably tell them to go fuck off.

The day I choose motorcycles over my children however, is the day I should probably get rid of the bike. Like say, going to the track instead of their graduation. Because then you are blinded by what is important. But Ill be damned if I stop riding just because I have a kid.

__________________
7+ year member - and still going.

"Sin City Sportbikes was founded by Las Vegas sport bike enthusiasts in response to a desire to promote a positive and safe image of the sport. Riders and enthusiasts from all over the Las Vegas Valley have joined together in an effort to give back to a community that has helped and nurtured us. "

-Sin City Sportbikes

i just statrted riding after i had kids.....im not sure about changing habits , but i do know along with work i pretty much have to balance it all because after work i got to chill and eat dinner with the kids...get them ready for bed and school the next day...and some days the have activities ...my son does boxing..and im the one that takes him so pretty much that takes monday and thurseday rides after work away......and i still want to chill with the kids on the weekend so i chose either a saturday or sunday to ride.....i might be able to day a quick ride one day and a whole day the next ..but it all depends you know...cant really focus on the bike straight up like i want to but its cool and fun to chillin with the kids and watching them grow.and as for the gear...yeah you really want to make sure you can hopefully live through as many accidents so you wear the right gear all the time.....which people should do anyway. it would be a lil selfish for a dad to ride wreckless

Thats the question. Are you selfish for pushing yourself on the bike knowing you have a family? I wouldn't exactly say track riding or pushing hard through red rock is reckless, but its not exactly playing chess or other less dangerous activities. I guess I would actually say that I am selfish because I'm starting to push myself much harder than I ever have. I know I will keep wrecking bikes trying during my learning process, I just hope I don't kill myself in the process.

I'll comment. I haven't changed anything since having a kid. Partly because my job is dangerous to begin with. Even at a trackday before my kid I never push past 85-90% of what I think I could do. It gives my that "Oh Shit" safety margin.

__________________
"Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."-Hunter S. Thompson

2011 Sgt @ Arms

Thanks. I was hoping you would chime in on this.

Whats the point in living if you dont push yourself?

__________________
7+ year member - and still going.

"Sin City Sportbikes was founded by Las Vegas sport bike enthusiasts in response to a desire to promote a positive and safe image of the sport. Riders and enthusiasts from all over the Las Vegas Valley have joined together in an effort to give back to a community that has helped and nurtured us. "

-Sin City Sportbikes

Because I still owe on my bike?

__________________
"Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."-Hunter S. Thompson

2011 Sgt @ Arms

LMAO, I thought your answer would be something along the lines of "because I don't want my kid to grow up without a father". Never thought you would play the "B/C I dont have the title to my bike yet" Well played sir...

Well, where do I start.....

I would say that my family does have a huge impact on my riding styles. Honestly, I can say that I have chilled out a bit on my bike and in my car since I had my kids. Having my first kid was a real eye opener, and he's going to be 10 in a few weeks!!! It made me realize that riding the way I did before wasn't beneficial to anyone. I parked my bike and sold it.

When I bought my current bike, bigger and better than my last, I didn't really ride it enough to say that I have adapted a different riding style. But looking back,and after my daughter was born 2 years ago, I did notice a change in the fact that I wasn't hot-rodding around between stop lights. I have since been riding with SCS, and realized that I was still pushing it a bit too much and that there are track days so I can get my fix. At the track is when I have gone about 95%. Like KY said, it leaves a safety margin. And now that my third and final kid is here, I can honestly say that I have adapted a completely different lifestyle. I try to involve my kids and my family as much as I can in the world of motorcycling. Those that now me can attest to that. Even my wife is glad that I am around such a safety oriented group. She goes to TWT's the track and supports me the best she can. When my kids get older, I will definitely introduce them to motorcycles. If they don't like it, then we find something else. I will never choose my bike over my kids. I would even give my life if it meant giving my kids chance. I don't know any parent that wouldn't.

So as a final thought, riding has really become a lifestyle for me and my family. More gear has been bought, and more precautions taken, mainly since being introduced to SCS. On my own, I would have discovered the hard way about safety and that's a messed up way to find out. I owe a lot to SCS in the little time that I have ridden with the group. Now, would I call myself selfish just because I pushed my limits at the track? Hell no. Would I call myself selfish pushing it at Red Rock? Maybe.

My bad...my wording probably could have been worded different....lol.if your goin to get into an accident or die at least have the right gear on and not riding like an irresponsible dude. The track is a good place to learn and speed...if I didn't have kids I'd prolly not care about my self as much and not worry bout safety as much.. prolly puch it harder than I have to on the streets and not on the track . Who knows? but I do know I think a little more before I do something now

Lol

Not really what i meant...

But if your concern is being selfish or pushing yourself too much, perhaps a sport bike is not the best hobby to take up. You sure as hell dont see to many sport bike riders lollygagging around a track because they dont want to push it, when they first get out there maybe to learn the track, but for all intended purposes, you go to the track to learn, to go faster, to "push" yourself.

I take my bike to the track so I can learn what I can do, what my bike can do, and Im still learning. How can I learn if I dont push myself or my bike? Where can I go to push myself? The track you say!? Is there no safer place? NOPE. Oh but I have kids...cant help ya there..

Perhaps couch fishing or prank dialing is a better match.

Pushing yourself on any road, street, highway is not selfish, but plain idiotic as many can vow by $1000 tickets and wrecks, but let alone having kids at home waiting for you. Sounds like some have bigger problems then being selfish.

__________________
7+ year member - and still going.

"Sin City Sportbikes was founded by Las Vegas sport bike enthusiasts in response to a desire to promote a positive and safe image of the sport. Riders and enthusiasts from all over the Las Vegas Valley have joined together in an effort to give back to a community that has helped and nurtured us. "

-Sin City Sportbikes

The track is the only place to push. My theory is if I crash at the track, at worst, I'll probably just be horribly disfigured. I think I'm WAY more likely to die in a firey helicopter crash.

__________________
"Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."-Hunter S. Thompson

2011 Sgt @ Arms

My family likes the fact that I'm trying to learn on the track....its cool cuz even when I'm just watching , my kids like walking around the track looking at bike and saying hi to people . Lol

It will impact your family if you don't have life insurance. For those who do have family, especially with kids, make sure you do the right thing and have a nice policy just in case......

The last thing you would want for your love ones to do is worry about finances if you die. Take that out of the equation, bad enough that you're gone.

Riding a motorcycle does not affect the cost of your life insurance premium. Age, Smoking, and flying helicopters will.

__________________
VEGASRIDER................
Team Yamaha Blue '06 FZ6!

KY is this true? It seems like my dreams of flying helicopters is over =( hehehe

__________________
7+ year member - and still going.

"Sin City Sportbikes was founded by Las Vegas sport bike enthusiasts in response to a desire to promote a positive and safe image of the sport. Riders and enthusiasts from all over the Las Vegas Valley have joined together in an effort to give back to a community that has helped and nurtured us. "

-Sin City Sportbikes

I'll chim in didn't slow down much till the grand kids were born but still try to push harder then i should trying to keep up with the faster guy and just get in over my head i just have to remember ride my own ride.

Family, maturity (ok AGE) and some old injuries all effect my riding. I have lost many friends over the years to various types of accidents. And my Dad was killed in an airplane crash in Alaska when I was 11. I have seen and experienced the losses. YOU cannot be replaced if you are killed, YOU cannot turn back time. Nor can YOU live life in fear. YOU can experience adventure/extreme sports and MANAGE the risks to the best of your ability and enjoy every moment that YOU are blessed to enjoy. There have been many times when I have "hung up the keys" for a bit because of a crash of a fellow rider. I think we all get "the drizzles" sometimes because of a crash whether we knew the other rider in the crash or not. I ride when I want and I ride as safely as I can. I dont care about being the fastest anymore. I care more about being the safest and setting an example. I care about getting the bike and myself back in my garage in one piece after every ride.

__________________
"when deceit becomes universal, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act"

Almost impossible for me to get life insurance. Good companies usually provide life insurance from a place that provides it for pilots.

__________________
"Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."-Hunter S. Thompson

2011 Sgt @ Arms

I can definitely identify with this response. Maturity allows us to reflect on our experiences and to ride accordingly.

__________________
2005 Suzuki Hayabusa Limited Edition - lots of mods
2007 Suzuki GSXR600 - wifebeater and flip-flops optional
2000 Honda CBR600F4 - outfitted with the NRC case cover of invincibility
http://www.gleno.net

As someone that's been away from the biking sean for 20 years and have two kids I have to agree with jetmech. I find myself riding my own ride, and take a more cautious approach to riding. I used to be that "fast guy" and wonder now how I lived this long! Family most definitely impacts my judgment, meaning I think about my actions before I act. I still want to go fast just maybe not as fast as I did. I'm still learning about the bike I own and about my capabilities. I have enjoyed riding with scs and find I don't have to push beyond my limits just to fit in.

i feel the same way, i love my kids and family more than anything but i would rather take the chance of something happening (god forbid) then not, id much rather suffer from the pain of old injuries as an old man and be able to say i did it than be there and wish i did and resent myself. i teach my kids to be the same way, that you never know unless you try something, and to go all into something otherwise its a waste of time. theres allways a chance of something bad happening but again its better to try than not to try.

No kids yet, but chilled out a while back after my own accidents and seeing friends get killed.

__________________
SCS Founding Member (In from before day 1)

"Racing makes Heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty." -- Peter Egan

Its a dangerous world out there and none of us are going to make it out alive. I think riding can impact your family in many ways, both positive and negative. Its a balancing act between acceptiable risks and living life to the fullest. Now with that being said there is a right place and a right time for everything. And if you ride like an ass, eventually your luck will run out. That's a no-brainer. But just because you ride motorcycles, doesn't mean you're going to die in a firey motorcycle accidently...leading to an early grave...leaving your family behind lost without you.

I come from a long line of motorcycle riders, Father, Uncles, Brothers, Cousins, and friends so close (like minded) that we had to brothers from another life. I was Born to be a gear and sprocket guy. It's a part of who I am and how we do it around here. Life is precious, but you can't live in fear. I've learned alot of good life lessons from riding and from other riders.

For me the real questions is does "family impact your riding?"

Wife- NO. Well today she's my girlfriend, but we are getting married in two weeks. She rides a 636 and totally understands the thrills and the dangers that comes with riding.

Kids- Yes. As I mentioned before, kids are game changers. Not just in riding, but in all aspects of life. I got a lot to live for and kids that look up to me. And I try to lead by example. My daughters keep me ground, centered and focused. Every time I'm in the seat, I try to be on my A Game. Because Im not just riding for myself, Im riding for all of us.

__________________
I've never claimed to be Smart...just Lucky.

Great Question

I think when its your time to go its your time. Whether it be on your bike pushing the pace or stopped at a red light.


When I had kids I wasnt as an experienced rider as I am today.

I was no were near the level back then that I am today

I would consider riding more dangerous now. The fact that I have 20+ years experience riding and several trackdays, I believe allows me to ride faster and take a little more risk.

Is it selfish for me to say that when I am on my bike and pushing the pace I am not thinking of anything but what is in front of me and around me. Probably. But what should I be thinking about? Rainbows

I am a firm believer in "there is a time and a place for everything"

Most of the time I do just cruise because I dont want to get hurt or die
and sometimes I gear up and ride.

99% of the time things go great.

But its going to be that 1% that will get you

So yeah I have slowed down a considerable amount all around because of my wife and kids and family in general. I guess it comes with age.

But sometimes I still rock it

__________________
**We should have ShotGuns for this**
**It's 30 min away. I'll be there in 10**
07 GSXR 750 Power Pures, K&N, R1 throttle, PC3, Micron slip-on, Dyno Jet custom tuning @ 135hp
06 Dodge Ram CTD 4x4 QC, Hot Juiced w/attitude, BD VB, K&N, TCI converter 450+hp
08 Altima Coupe, Injen CAI, Ruff Racing 825C 18x8.5 245/45/18 Azenis, Eibach Pro

I would say with as much as I work lately my wife gets upset if I want to go for a ride by myself on the only day off that I have. She usually gets over it pretty quick though.

Fact. A few of us on this board, are, over time, going to die riding these machines. If you ride, you (and your family) MUST accept that risk. And a large part of accepting that risk, comes with the RESPONSIBILITY to mitigate the financial impact your death will have on your family.

Thus, if a person has a wife and/or children that are financially dependent upon the rider's income, it is wrong and immoral to not carry sufficient life insurance to account for their long-term financial needs should you meet an early demise; frankly, regardless of whether one is a rider or not, this reality should be faced by all responsible family "bread winners". To not carry such protection is both selfish and irresponsible considering ones duties as a husband and father.

The thought of my wife and kid being financially destitute pains me more than probably any other thought.

/Ride safe, and keep the rubber on the road.

PS No, I don't make a living selling life insurance, nor have I ever made a single penny recovering money from life insurance policies. It's just the right thing to do in order protect one's family. Period.

__________________
Neeman & Mills, Attorneys-at-law: Auto, Motorcycle & Work Accidents

Neeman & Mills fix your tickets. Free of charge.

Useful Motorcycle Books and Links

Motorcycle Insurance, and you!

Great post. I've never really looked into my life insurance policy with any interest. I guess I'll put that on my list of things to do. Does anybody who rides have any advice on that, or personal experience? Do you make sure your policy covers motorcycle riding or racing?

LOL love the "Oh Shit" safety margin... that's a good rule to go by! I've got 5 daughters and just got back into riding after 20 years off... look forward to finding my new margins! The kids are always somewhere on my mind, which is why Daddy got his new toy to unwind and enjoy life with. I get to ride almost every day to work and hope to hook up with SCS to ride a bit on my days off...

You sound just like my Dad, and just like me while mentoring my airmen at work.

If something happens to me, my wife and kid (being born in Dec) are set. I even had similer policy's prior to being married, basically an extra cell bill, but my niece and nephews would have had well padded college accounts if something happened.

__________________
SCS Founding Member (In from before day 1)

"Racing makes Heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty." -- Peter Egan

hmmm... there's not been one female that's commented on this thread...

Well, then again, I don't know which username is an actual female... *shrugs*

As for myself, I don't have any children... Although I have a godson, but if something was to happen to me, he'd still have his parents. I don't/wouldn't push myself to my own death though that's for sure. Knowing YOUR LIMIT is key. If you don't have kids and haven't pushed yourself to find out where your limits are, and now you do have kids, I would suggest you don't try... Because if pushing your limits did really mean something to you, then you would have done so before you had children... If I was a mother, I can honestly say that I will NOT stop riding. Maybe for the amount of time I need to tend to my pregnancy, newborn, infant, etc. But once stable again, I will be back on that bike.

Of course I'll be a bit more cautious as to my riding style now (not that it's inconsiderate or out of my limits)... But I've come to accept the saying "When it's your time to go, it's your time to go." However; that does not mean I'm going to go out there and purposely or intentionally try to get a broken leg or arm, or get in an accident, find confrontation, etc...

All in all, PRIORITIZE and weigh out your pros and cons. Riding is the same thing as taking a drive to work... Anything can happen at any moment. As long as you are aware and cautious about what you're doing, whatever happens next is in God's hands. Know your limits but don't push your luck. Life and its twisted ways... Hope I made sense... lol

the simple answer is yes haveing a family of your own changes ever aspect of your life.when i was 19 no kids no wife just me i got my first bike a 929rr i pushed myself way pass my limits. i worked 2 jobs just to buy the bike cus i couldn't affoard full coverage insurance. within 7 month i thought i was the shit rideing at lake mead i crash at 70mph i crashed wreck the bike . now at 32 safe is my first prioty not because i want to live for liveing sake but live fod my kids . with kids came the matuerity to be safe first an cool second. be cool is useally what get use in trouble

sorry for the mess up grammer typing from my phone

I think if you ride all the time very little is going to change the way you do it. I ride in all weather, rain, wind, shine, and even light snow. I have my lady and 3 tots nothing is going to change how I ride. If something is going to happen it will be fate. I could fall, get hit, be at the wrong place at the wrong time but, when its time I hope that I enjoyed life to the fullest.