How do I talk my wife into letting me get a motorcycle?

Question

She says it's because we can't afford it but that's not really the case. My payment would only be about $99 a month.

Answer 1

It will cost you more than $99.00 a month. Add insurance, title fees, plates, maintenance and riding gear. She's concerned over your safety, not the cost. Compile a list of both positive and negative items about riding and then discuss them with her and negotiate. Personally I'd have trouble with the negatives, but it will show her you're looking at the whole picture. I had a bike before I was married, so my wife knew I came with the bike. I recently got a new Harley. The price I paid for it was a new car for my wife. See, negotiating works. I'm now poor, but when I ride that Harley, I'm the wealthiest guy I know.

Answer 2

She's fallen for the myth that motorcycles are dangerous, based on what her friends, coworkers and the damn media tell her. Unless she knows FIRSTHAND that motorcycling is an absolute death warrant, then she's basing her decision on ignorance. Too many people that I know have spouses that insist that it's dangerous, but can't give any specific reasons WHY they think that.

If it's a money thing, compare the 40+ miles per gallon that most bikes get to any SUV. I spend about $40/month on gas for my bike instead of $160/month for my Jeep. And since you will be riding, your auto insurance goes down because you drive less.

On the other hand, why do you want a motorcycle? Is it because you saw Super Bikes on TV and think it would be cool to do 60mph wheelies on the freeway while sitting on your tank? Or are you one of the Weekend Warriors caught up in the whole "custom chopper" thing? If your wife doesn't trust you to handle yourself on a motorcycle, ask yourself SERIOUSLY why that is!

If you're serious about being a motorcyclist and not an idiot (there are too many of those already), try looking at good riding gear with your wife in tow. Try on helmets, jackets, gloves, boots, etc. and see how they fit before even looking for a motorcycle. Show that you're serious about surviving your first crash intact, so check for fit, protection, dexterity, comfort, and field of vision.

If that doesn't get you beaten or divorced, sign up for an MSF course. This will teach you HOW to ride, and if you've never had a motorcycle before you WILL need to take this class. They run about $250 ballpark, and can get you a discount on your new bike and/or gear. Motorcycles handle and behave VERY different from cars, and you need a completely different skillset and attitude when riding one.

For example, if you come into a corner too fast in a car, you brake while turning and continue; on a motorcycle, if you brake hard in a corner the bike "stands up" and you crash. In a panic situation, you slam your right foot onto the brake pedal and the ABS takes control; on a bike, slamming your right foot onto the brake will lock up the rear wheel and could catapult you into a guard rail. You need to understand and practice motorcycle riding constantly, and you will NEVER be perfect.

If that's too much money for "something you're never getting!" then buy a book titles "Proficient Motorcycling." It is the BIBLE for how to operate a motorcycle, including what to watch for, how to lean, how bikes turn and brake, etc. Some of it is intuitive, but a lot of it is NOT, and what you don't understand about motorcycling will kill you.

Lastly, perhaps you should rethink the bike you're looking at. If it's a razor-sharp crotch rocket, perhaps that's one of the reasons your wife pooh-poohs the idea. You want your first bike, notyour last, and even a "small" 600cc bike can do 0-60 in under 4 seconds. You don't need that- YET!

I'm lucky enough to have a wife that said "yes" without hesitation when I mentioned getting a motorcycle, but I made sure to do everything I could to learn the right way and reinforce her faith in me. Good luck!

Answer 3

She is probably using money as an excuse to mask her real hang up which is fear for your safety. I would try taking a motorcycle safety foundation class together (http://www.msf-usa.org/) Maybe going through the class with you will help ease her fears and once she rides, she might even like it.

(FYI- payments on the bike are not the only costs, also keep in mind insurance costs, maintenance and gear)

Answer 4

If you are not an experienced rider, maybe tell her you'll take a class in safe motorcycle operation. Sorry I don't have a better suggestion. I would only have a problem with my boyfriend getting a motorcycle if I didn't get to ride on it too.

Answer 5

First do the whole life insurance thing because bikes can be unpredictable most likely you will not need it. Then show her that you'll wear a helmet and be safe. Then tell her she can ride on back and the vibrations from the engine will give her a great orgasm. After she finds that out you'll have to buy her one too.

Answer 6

Just come home with the bike, and say look dear at what I just bought. You will only be in the dog house for 2 or 3 months, at least that is how long I was in for.

Answer 7

Riding a motorcycle is incredibly dangerous, mostly because other drivers are not aware of you. I'm sure Ben Roethlisberger's accident hasn't helped your cause much. I'm sure your wife's objection is purely out of concern for your safety. In my opinion, I would respect her wishes and not get the bike. If we were taking about golf cubs, then I would say that if you want the clubs, then just buy them. But, this would probably put much more strain on your relationship than golf clubs.

Answer 8

Buy her some flowers and tell her I'm getting a bike ,If you don't like it there's the door *****. Why would you want to be with a woman that would deny you the joy of riding.I have always told my women the bikes and the dog are part of the deal if you don't like it hit the road now!

Answer 9

don't forget tags, insurance, and title transfer fees. Do you have your endorsement? Anyways, tell her that 7 out of 8 people in the usa have either ridden a motorcycle or still do. Good luck.

Answer 10

By convincing her that you are going to wear a helmet, go no more than 10 miles an hour, wrap yourself in bubble wrap and only drive on foam. That's what it would take to get the Okay from me :)