Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge How Did You Get the Green Light from Wife/Husband?

Simple its like a trade in you have to buy here something she really wants on the condition you get the bike. Mind you it can work out rather expensive.

In response to your wife wanting to use some funds to save for a rainy day, let me post a column from Neil Cavuto that still sticks with me:


"I don't think I ever met a saver like Al.

In the '80s when everyone was spending, Al wasn't.

When people with his money were buying big homes, Al was staying put in his very small home.

When others in his league bought BMWs and Mercedes, Al bought used Impalas — always Impalas.

When friends traveled the world, Al and family traveled to New York's Catskills.

He was rich by most standards, but frugal by any standard.

"Just in case," he'd tell me. "Just in case. I want to be ready."

And he was — for the downsizing that came and the adjustments that followed.

Al was ready. Al was liquid. Al was rich. Al... was prepared.

For every financial possibility, except the one thing he didn't see coming at all: cancer.

Stage four — non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Bad. Very bad. And fatal, very fatal.

Al is dying. Fast.

The man who feared he might out-live his money will now see his money comfortably out-live him.

All the trips he never took. All the things he never enjoyed. All the treats he never had.

A moot point. A moot life. And Al wonders.

"Maybe I should have splurged a little more." Then he adds, "at least the family's got something."

Which is more than Al can say.

Living testament to the fact it is good to save for a rainy day. It is also good to prepare for the possibility you might never see it."



May everyone here and their families live life to the fullest and in the best of health.
Eric

That's exactly how I live my life Chief. I never want to look back and wonder what it would have been like to do this or that. Life has already given me a few of those experiences that have left me wondering, don't need to make my own unanswered questions. Maybe it is selfish that I don't put all of my spare money into an account or build a big trust fund for my kids, or whatever, but then, nobody ever did that for me, and I had to make my own way to some extent, and I think it made me a little stronger for it. I do wonder about having enough of a nest egg for retirement, but honestly at the way cost of living is increasing, I don't see a cushy retirment ever being a realistic option, and certainly not with the way my 401k has been preforming. Guess maybe I'll have to look into one of those Wal-Mart greeters jobs when I'm ready to "retire", but at least I'll be able to putt there and enjoy getting to work...

You only get one chance at life, enjoy it to the fullest!

John, here's a thought, that might also make it easier for your wife to swallow. Like you've said, she wants to put the money away, and a $8-10000 price tag is a bit hard to swallow for a "luxury" item, even if it does provide some relief from the day to day grind. What about a used America or Speedmaster, which you could probably have for around $4-5000. Then, you get a ticket in the door, while not busting the bank!(Brent and his goodies will take care of that for you!)
Then, take the difference that you WOULD have spent on a new bike, and pour that into an investment, savings account, whatever. Or, if you're doing monthly pmts, just up that amount to whatever it would have been for a new bike, and put that away each month. Then after a while you don't even miss that amount and it becomes "invisible" in your budget, while slowly building a nest egg.(and as mentioned before, you get a little mental therapy!) Yes, it's selfish to want to blow a wad on a toy, but it's also not good for a relationship to deny your partner a "guilty pleasure" or a hobby once in a while (not always of course), cause that just causes hard feelings between partners.

It is easy for me to get the green light on buying bikes. See Jessica and I met at a bike rally years ago ( no she was not one of the "hoochie" girls walking around in a halter top a thong and chaps.. And no matter how hard I try she wont dress like like that for me lol... But our big disagrement came when I purchased the bike shop recently. It took a lot of sweet talk to get the green light.. The bottom line is I had to promise that it will in no way effect our yearley income at home, and I have to take her on a cruse next year.. So pretty much begging and a lot of pouting and i got my way lol

As I'm sure has been said before, it's easier to get forgiveness than permission. If I ask my wife if I can get a bike there is an almost 100% chance she will say no. Then I can either do without or REALLY pi$$ her off by getting it anyhow. If I tell her I’m going to get it we will have an argument about it that will last from the second I tell her until several days after I get it. On the other hand, if I just get it she gets mad at me but is over it in a few days. Since there is no way I want to live with the decisions she would make if given the chance to make them, my best option is to reduce the negative fallout to a minimum. I just bought mine and said “Look what followed me home.” Things were chilly for a few days then returned to normal except that now I have my bike.

This thread started out as a way for me to get ideas on how to become more cunning, so that I can con the wife into a purchase of a Triumph. After 13 pages, it has turned into a thread about personal stories, philosophies and values.

Chiefchicken67, I will cut-and-paste your post onto Word and print it for my wife to read (I still don't want her to read this thread, just yet, because I feel that in some sense it will "blow" my intention).

Bayern710, I haven't given much thought to buying a used cycle. I would like to explore this option. It sounds like a great idea. What is a reasonable mileage on the odometer of a used Triumph, where it can still return lots of life?

Also, it seems that there are mostly mentions of the America or Speed, but none of the T-100, which is the one I really like. Is there a reason why the T-100 doesn't get mentioned here?

John

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Ditto what Roundy says, it's all in the maintenance, although I have over 23000 on my 4 year old. Look around, maybe even the classifieds here, but insist on proof of maintenance (at LEAST oil changes, since these engines are all aluminium and the crank/cams ride on machined surfaces in the crankcase and head (no replaceable journals!). But as of yet, these engines and bikes seem to be destined to be around for a while. I for one plan on seeing just how many miles I can get out my bike. My eye is occasionally wooed by the latest Thruxton, or T100, but always come back to my blue. But, simply from the fact that these bikes have only been around since '02, it shouldn't be really hard to find one in the 5-15000 mile range for a decent price. And, whatever you can say about the reliability of the America/Speedy, you should also be able to say about the T100/Bonnie, since other than crank angle, cams, and maybe carbs, the engines are machined/built the same in the same place. And, you of course, would still be welcomed here, as you will see. We've got people here (or did) with SpeedTriples, and standard Bonnies/Bonnie derivatives, all one big happy family!

Oh, and yeah, very wise idea not to show your wife this thread until AFTER the said purchase!! Be kind of like Ike mailing Rommel the invasion plans a couple weeks before June 6th! Bad form old boy...

John, where are you at? See the classifieds, as there's a red BA for $5500 there (and maybe more)

Johns Bike-Maybe?

Bayern710,

Exremely nice cycle. I'm in Northern California and, boy, wouldn't it be a nice ride back from Florida on that BA!

I have started to look into some used Bonnevilles in the past hour. One might come with a price that settles better for the wife (and for me).

Thank you!

John

Yes indeed it would, and depending on your stamina, could even get you into the Iron Butt category... Should something work out for me job-wise in CO, I would love to ride out there on the bike (but am sure it'll be in a car when the time comes) OH well, a man can dream...
Good luck!

Now that you mention it, I don't have a car. My wife has an Element, I have the Speedmaster. Would you give up your car or truck for a bike?

I agreed to have a baby if I could have a Trump. Simple as that. Two kids later, we are talking about a second sickle.

At the advice of many kind folks on this forum, I finally convined my wife to stop by the Triumph dealership. We looked at many models and I quietly observed her movement, from the movement of her eyes to what her hands touch, and to which bike she circles more than once. I fully expected her to pay attention to the less expensive models, but was amazed that her eyes spent the most time on the Rocket III, her hands tracing the seat and gas tank several times, making endless circles around it. It was the one I would sell her on, and the one that was my "dream" bike that would come true only when h3ll freezes over.

Then I felt an ice flake drop on my shoulder and knew that I'd have to hit her with everything I remembered reading about this model: One of the most comfortable cruisers out there, handles extemely well, and fast enough to get out of the way of danger. An engine whose liter is bigger than the one in my car and a seating position so low that even a child can reach the ground. This, in her mind, was safer for no-velocity maneuverbility and for ride control. Long trip would be very comfortable and the backseat will be inviting on long rides down the coast.

We came into the dealership with me *hoping* to simply get the green light for the most basic model, the Bonneville Black, but left with an order for the Rocket III, an ownership of which was akin to being married to Jessica Alba... it just doesn't happen to a regular Joe.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with the Bonneville Black or any other model on the floor, and I will most likely continue to lust them. But, man, a freaking Rocket III.

I want to thank all you positive folks with advice and suggestions. I followed most of them, and the OL has given me the green light, with the agreement that I'd complete the motorcycle safety course. (I am trying to talk her into doing the course with me.)

John

By the way, til this day she has not read this post.

John

Well, congratufreakinlations! I'm jealous (about the bike, not the wife).

When we met, our "first date" was, in fact, on a Honda CB750, a jaunt down to the local burger hangout, where she hardly took a bite from her burger due to the sheer excitement of being wind-swept on the backseat.
***********

Congrats! Not really any doubt that she remembers, is there?

Wow, congratulations John. My husband, Habuba, and I both love our bonnies, but I have to tell you, our son, Matt, has had his RocketIII for almost 2 months and just loves it. His is the blue with lighter blue tribal graphics. I hope she takes the course with you too. It will make her feel more confident while riding with you, and maybe, someday, she will want to ride her own.

Okay John, I had my suspicions earlier, but NOW I KNOW that this whole thing was just one big put-on all along, wasn't it?!

Yeah RIGHT!!! "Whaaaa! How can I talk the little lady into lettin' me have a motorcycle? Whaaaa!"

And just look what this dude ends up with, people. The monster of all motorcycles! A friggin' ROCKET III, no less!

Let me guess. And you're really married to that Alba chick too, RIGHT?!


(actually...WAY TO GO, young man....Enjoy that Rocket III, and do your wife proud by not getting too crazy with all that horsepower and torque at your disposal)

Dwight,

It will be a nice ride on the Rocket to El Camino Village to show you. And if I can get any luckier, I'll have Jessica Alba on the back seat waiting for you.

This is, as you'd probably say, one of life's absurdities.

John

Okay John. Sounds good. I'll be waiting for you and "Jessica" to arrive soon.

Just ride south down the 101 until you get to the fork in the road....and then take it! (thanks Yogi)

I so love a happy ending!
Smiling for you and your Beloved, John!

Make sure to tell your wife an absurd number of times what a great catch she is...

Congrats!

I think there are tears in my eye! This has to be one of the top threads since I've been on this board. My wife and I had our first date on my 750 Honda about 30 years ago, and we're both still riding! I went without a bike for a few years when the kids were very young, but still wanted a bike. I started being resposible, and wanted to buy some property in Tehachipi, Ca. When it looked like I was about to make an offer, my wife said to me, "Don't buy this property, go down to Lancaster and buy a Harley!" Since I didn't want to argue with her, the rest(22 years) is history.

Congratulations John...take that lovely wife of yours out for a ride --- Right after you take that Motorcycle Safety Course!!!

later, Tom.

John,

Good show, I was going to drop you a line and ask you how things were going.

Nothing like asking for a Yugo and ending up with and Caddy.

I rode one at the Triumph Demo here in CT. your going to love it nice bike.

Good luck and welcome to the site as an offical triumph owner.

John

Way to go John ..livin the dream

Hey John, The reason you don't see Matt's color of Rocket IIII is because his is a new '06', they didn't make one with that color and graphics for '07'. Be sure to post a pic when you get the new bike home.

AmyLee

I had known Margaret(M) from being at school and she used to ride on the back of a Honda 4/400 in them days. I used to ride on the back of my brothers Triumph Tiger.

We both met up around 7 years ago and I said why don't I bike a bike, she just agreed.

7 years later I own two bikes and get the odd moan off her when something needs replacing or I buy something and the money has been taken out of the account. All in all she likes the bikes. It is necessary to have two in the UK one for winter (salt on roads) and the America for summer riding.

There is so many crashes usually not the bikers fault that puts wifes/girlfriends off riding, I think I just maybe, one of the lucky ones who has a wife that agrees it's in my blood

It amazes me how some of these threads get resurrected from time to time.

The Classics live on.