I can't do a lot of stuff I used to be able to do which gets you down sometimes, I try to use the bike to pull me out of these times and if I'm not riding it I'm cleaning it or fiddling with it. Without the bike I would be in a lot worse state. Hopefully you could use the bike in the same way or if you do decide to sell try to find something else to keep you positive. What I'm trying to say is try not to let the MS take over your life sooner than it needs too, as soon as you give into it you will get yourself down
Blimey! I never realised that Marks and Spencers were so evil mate...fuck em and shop at Aldi that'll show em! Sorry I couldn't resist, just do what ever you feel is right for you. The throttle is your choice mate, as long as your smiling mate its all good.
Stick with it, don't laugh at this idea but I know an S1000rr rider with a bad back condition who fitted lower pegs and bar risers (can find out the exact make and model if you are interested) and it has transformed the bike, loads easier to ride and looks almost identical. I can only imagine MS gets you down but surely at times with the bike getting kitted up, pulling your lid on and just getting out on the road must lift the stress of a bad day / week. Who cares if your rides get a bit shorter / less frantic, just enjoy your bike time and don't give a stuff what anyone thinks, 99% of it will be envy. One thought is play 'travel scrabble' some Adventure bike clubs do it where you have to head to places starting with each letter of the alphabet and get a photo of your bike (and / or you) with said place name. May take your mind of blatting about if you have a purpose for the trip. You live in a lovely part of the world, get posting up some pics of the bike with some amazing backdrops
Gray...... Hang on in there buddy and as others have said, only you can decide. As long as you feel safe, then your fine, it doesn't matter that your not getting your knee down, as long as your enjoying the ride and your proud of your bike (Which I certainly would be with a HP4) I too ride with a medical condition (Heart), but I know how to avoid situations that would cause me a problem. My chicken strips are wider than they were when I was younger, but I enjoy the ride and stick to my limits. I've always ridden sports bikes, and wouldn't feel right on anything else. But if the time comes, then so be it, I'll still be riding something, even if it's a scooter.... .LOL.
Sorry to hear about the MS mate but don't give up the sports bikes unless you want to do so. I know loads of people who don't ride quick and no one looks down at them each to there own is what I say. There's more to riding sports bikes than the speed imo, keep it and enjoy it mate
Agree with the posts so far. Who cares what anyone thinks, to ride a super bike the only thing you need is the bike and the ability not to kill yourself or anyone else in the process. (and of course license, insurance tax and all that kinda stuff.) None or at least very few of us will ever see the full potential of these bikes, some will see more than others. I ride really slowly compared to most and my wife rides her cbr600 at and under the speed limits, and I ride with her and I still enjoy the ride out. I have large pussy strips and nice clean new sliders, and I don't care one little bit. I am safe and that is way more importanter than what anyone thinks Just go out and enjoy it
Great Guy raises a good point. We're all pulling the tiger's tail on these monsters. Our skills and talents very rarely come up to the capabilities nestling under our right hand. What keeps us safe isn't just knowing our limit, but having the intestinal fortitude not to be lured past it. You concern in your abilities since your illness is testament to that. You, because I know you, won't allow these limitations to make you a danger to yourself and others. The time to give up is when your anxiety turns each ride into a chore. Then, if the thrill is gone, it's no longer worth putting yourself in harms way. Just my take on it.
My view is same as the others, sod it... if you like the bike, enjoy riding it who cares what others think mate. On the flip side, I was losing interest in road riding tbh, bought a speed triple and it's more fun than a sportbike had been in last couple of years.... can go pretty much just as quick (up to really daft speeds) and in some environments i'd say quicker - when you want to that is. puts a smile on my face anytime I ride it and i'm also happy to just cruise around on it at times... something I lack the self control on a sportbike on the road. it's also dead comfy and looks the biz with a few goodies on it. Keep the sportbike if that's what you want, but there certainly is fun to be had on other bikes imo
Keep going Gray.....if you can still ride and enjoy it then what the hell what anyone thinks.....it's a therapy in a funny sort of way and if it makes you grin even for a short while then it's worth it matey.....all the best
Keep going bud. i jokingly say to peeps that I am probably the slowest blade rider around. I don't care. As long as i enjoy the bike, the experience, the people I ride with I will continue. Once a biker always a biker. As long as you can ride, do it!
I think the consensus is keeping going bud,terrible to here you've got this debilitating illness,my mother in law has has MS for over 30yrs and in the 12 or so years I've known her I've seen what the illness takes from you,so if your still enjoying it keep going as long as your body lets you.. all the best luck on making your decision..
My 2 pence on this If your happy riding no matter how little you get on a bike and finance is not a issue. Plus your still able to ride then keep the bike I'm waiting for the pain to become to much before I get a full hip replacement. Not because of injury or misuse. Just because it's happened to be. Having had 2 major hip op's already and 1 minor Key hole hope. it's taken it's toll on my hips and health. But I would not give up biking. If I become unable to ride a sports bike in the future I will get something like a Ducati Multistrada or similar Having hit 30 and finding out about my fecked hips and going through a lot of pain in the past 8 years since I would still not be without a bike. I love riding and the people I meet through riding Just my view
Gray, everyone on this forum thinks the same way. If you can ride it then ride it, if you love it then keep loving it. I have had two bad spills breaking my back twice, thankfully/luckily I can stil run, skip and jump. I gave up bikeing for a year but it depressed me so badly that I had to get another bike. I have just sold my blade for an MV for a better riding position as the back is obviously not what it used to be. It's not as quick or powerful as the blade but it makes me smile from the minute I get on it. Keep riding fella to whatever speed/style suits you, it's the only time us bikers get that sense of peace and freedom from all the worries in life.
I can only echo the previous sentiments. If you want to do it and are capable then do it. I'm in my 50's and my eyesight and my brain certainly aren't as sharp as they were 30 years ago but I know this and ride accordingly. That said I'm enjoying bikes even more these days than I did when I was a teenager. Who cares what anyone else thinks - we only get one crack at this life thing and I do appreciate how bad MS can be but live your life how YOU want to.
Well I've decided, I'm keeping it , I love it , just looking in the garage makes me smile. Gonna keep going untill I can't whenever that may be, always loved the sports bike and that's where I'm happiest. So THANK YOU so much guys for your support, it means a lot , and if you ever pass a HP4 pootling along a Cornish, devon road, give us a wave ...and the teas are on me Ride safe Graham
If you lived closer we could of had a race to see who is slowest I think you made the right decision mate. Just enjoy yourself
