What does your bike mean to you?

Just wondering what peoples bikes mean to them, as I currently feel completely lost without one.

I've been bikeless for almost a year now. Me and the bike were really not getting on when I decided to get rid of it (just before I ended up crashing). I was failing to enjoy it and found myself pushing it constantly faster and faster with no pleasure and rather than enjoying it as I had previously. I think part of the reason for this was it was my only method of transport and I was getting sick of the weather and having to use the bike everyday to get to work and uni. So was more of a tool than a toy.

There was times before this where my bike was great, whenever I was feeling down, stressed or whatever I could go out on a blast, cool my head down and clear my mind. In the situaion I'm in now I can't afford a bike, nor can I put my family through me getting one at the present time as they went through so much last year.

I now feel lost without this and can't find any sustitute. What to do?

Track bike

Less risky (IMO). You will only be able to use it for fun so it will help bring it back. Commuting does put a dampener on things somewhat, although I have managed to keep at it for 2 years now. However I find that whilst I enjoy my blats to and from work, I have a lot less desire to then go out riding on my "weekend" bike...so I understand where you're coming from! Oh, and it wasn't my only form of transport, but it was my commute choice.

[Shellywoozle]

It means I can get from A to B quicker than in my cage and use less petrol !!

Emotionally at the mo my bike means diddly ..... may do again soon if not it means I sell her and get some cash to buy a new toy.

I can't bear being bikeless, even if its only for a day while its in the garage or something. And not that I'd necessarily go out on it that day, but I gotta have the option to do so.

Agreed on the 'less desire to go for a ride' after commuting on the bike as well, but the commute satisfies some of the blood lust I think.

As far as putting your family through it etc, obviously I don't know the details, but ultimately its your bike, your life, your choice right?

And there is no substitute, or not one that I've found anyway...

[northwind]

An awful lot. More than I'm probably comfortable admitting Sure, it's transport and independance and entertainment, all of which is good, but it goes way beyond that. Doesn't have to be this bike, though I love it, I could be rattling about on a CB500 or a daft wee 250 or something and still love it I think. I loved my 125 and it was dreadful. It's also the only reason I've met a lot of my friends... And I think I can probably thank the bike for making me make a decent recovery when I broke my hip then mangled my knee, since it was only the idea of biking that drove me to really work at the physio etc and shoot for a good recovery instead of just a half-decent one.

[mister c]

As I've said in previous threads, if it wasn't for my bikes then I wouldn't have anything.
I dont really drink and I packed up smoking in January, so doesn't leave a lot.

The only time I was thinking of giving up riding was for 1 week when I was in the High Dependency unit in Hospital after my bike spat me off & tried to kill me. The only thing that pushed me to walk & get about quicker was the urge to ride a bike again after my mate said it was an accident & that I could have died walking across the road (plus the help from my family & friends).
I bought a bike whilst I was still on crutches & rode it 90 miles home (pillock).

I ride mine every day of the week & I openly admit that riding to work & riding home is the best part of the day, the bit in between is cr@p. I still cant ride any great distances because of the pain, but every day is different & I will keep working on distance until I'm 100%

Some very honest replies on here, I started riding when I was 17, (34 years ago! wow) and had a break when I was 40 due to crashing the CX500 & being unemployed and unable to afford to repair/replace it. I went without a bike about 5 years but kept going to the BMF rally and feeling honestly, quite tearful when I saw the gorgeous bikes I couldnt ride. I thought being married with a son, my biking days were over. I changed jobs and this involved a longer a longer commute. We had a car, but the wife really needed it for nursery runs, she suggested me getting a CB250RS she'd seen in the paper. I thought it would be a dog, but it was a litte gem! I had it until it was 29 years old when she also persuaded me to get my gorgeous SV. It certainly keeps me feeling younger than my years, and I make any excuse to go out for a ride! I dont know what Id do without my bike, its a great stress reliever and joybringer.

Steve

Mine mans the world to me, I bought it because i loved it looks and everytime i open the garage door to ride it it makes me smile. To me my 6R is the best bike in the world. The day i dont feel like that geting on it i might as well give up riding.

I have just secured a CG125 for my winter commute as well (saves money over using a car) and cant wait to start riding it. It will keep my eye in over winter and make me appriciate the 6R even more as it will now become just a toy to play on!!

I love bikes and biking!

Mine means to me a big fat grin on my face everytime i go out on it since ive fitted my street extreme - me n my SV have gone through many things together and lately it was beggining to bore me but last week we have reignited are love for each other after going through some tough boring times together when i replaced a normal scorpion can for the street extreme and its now a bag of joy to go out on!

To me, my GSR is beyond compare. It's freedom. Freedom to ride for days, hours or even just minutes. The social side is bloody good too!