Sport-Touring.Net

....replaced by cage road trip with wife.    :facepalm:  

I had originally planned a Central Coast trip in May on my VFR.  But when the wife got wind of my "other" plan to ride in September, the bitching started.  So I had to compromise.  So my plans for a romp across the Central Coast in my my other mistress, my lovely VFR800, had to be sacrificed so the wife and I can DRIVE to the North Coast of California.  We are renting a car next week, driving to the Bay Area, and continuing along Hwy 1 to visit Salt Creek State Park and Fort Ross and other points north.  We are renting a Chevrolet Malibu.  I want to cry.  

No.  She has no interest in riding the VFR.  No.  I have NO interest in taking her on the VFR!  Hell no!  I don't want to be responsible for another person in that capacity and I know she will hate every moment she is on that bike.  

So I'll have to settle for waiting until September when I do get to ride the VFR800 to the Central Coast.  

[Rant off]

PS:  I'm still happy to go.  The wife is great to be with on road trips and is very enthusiastic about it.  Just as long as she's comfortable and safe in a car.  At least I'm going on vacation doing what I love and spending time with my honey.  It's all good.   ;)   :D

Whipped? What do the rest of you think?

I feel your pain , but since you are doing that in a rental anyway can`t you get something like Miata instead ?

More like Grown Up.

How about rent a Miata Porsche for the wife so both have fun? Gets you out of carrying all the accouterments necessary for extended travel.  :bigok: This way you can share those experiences that you wish to share and each have space to do a bit of individual exploring along the way.

Why the Malibu? Don't you have one of those sweet late model Mustangs* rogue?











*Yes I'm jealous of late model Mustang owners.  :D

It's called compromise.  It's what makes good relationships.

Yup.

It is far harder to find a good woman than a good bike. If you have one of the former, be thankful.

I "sold" the 'Stang to my daughter (she just makes payments).  She LOVES that thing.  Since I love my daughter more than the Mustang I gave it to her.  When she enjoys it it's as if I'm enjoying it too.  I could take my Buick Regal but I want to be totally relaxed and not worry about my car parked in the city or getting hit by a rock or a deer or a whatever.  AAA & Hertz has a special on the Malibu for 7 days, $150.  The Malibu will allow me to behave and not do stupid, immature, Ricky-Racer antics while on Highway 1.    

 :lol:

Only when I let her.  She's very good to me so I'm good with keeping her happy.  Besides, I have the coastal tour in September.  I can wait and so can the VFR800.

Most rental car companies that rent "specialty cars" will rent rent out Camaro and Mustang convertibles.  Plus, you can't beat $150 for 7 day rental of a Mid-size car like the Malibu.  I'm cheap when it comes to these things.  

Now I'm jealous of you for being a good Dad.  :thumbsup:

She was standing over you when you typed that bit, right?

It's ok, you can tell us, she's left the room to go watch Oprah.

LOL!  She's a very good daughter and a good person.  Never gave us any trouble, doesn't abuse any substances, financially responsible (owns her own little internet business), healthy, frugal (most of the time) and she's all we got.  Did I mention she's beautiful too?  Oh yeah.   ;) Her boyfriend is one lucky SOB.  He'd better take good care of her like I did.   :mad2:

 :lol:

She would if she could but we don't have TV (we stream Netflix exclusively).  So no Oprah for her.  I've seen your SO.  I'll bet she has you dancing in the palm of her hand!  You think it's the other way around but that's only because that's what she wants you to believe.   ;)

Yep!  Also +1 on the porshe rental. Its another "compromise" that UFO mentioned.  :D

Not to worry,  i will ride it for you and let tou know how it is.  I took the cage last yeat thorough Colorado and the Dakotas.   Still fun.  Me,  it is all about the travel not so much the mode.  Just so long as I get to go.

If I may put this in perspective; my wife has graduated with her doctorate degree, but is still finishing her dissertation.  It has been good but a ton of work without much time away.  This will change as she has accepted a position as a prof for next fall, but right now I'd love to get away for a few days with her, but we just don't have the time right now.

I *wish* I had a cancelled trip - that would indicate I'd even be able to really plan one in the first place.  Lots of life changes recently (all good) don't leave time for trips that I can even consider on my own.

So now you have to do one bike trip instead of two?  You'll get over it.   :)

At least get something a little more interesting than a Malibu..  I think the only reason cars like that are made is to satisfy the need for rental cars in the first place.   :lol:

A late model Mustang w/ the V6 has 305hp and gets  30mpg on the hwy... best of both worlds!  I'd go for a ragtop myself.  Next best thing to the bike if you have to use 4 wheels.

That's my first thought too.

I'm seriously thinking a Miata will be "My third bike".

I'm with you.  However, there are a few other factors for my choice of car.

My decision to get the Malibu was size, fuel efficiency, and price.  I've taken my Mustang on road trips before and trust me when I say it doesn't have a lot of room, especially the trunk.  My wife's diabetic too so we need to bring a cooler for her insulin.  Also, where we are going we need to bring some of our meals so a big cooler is necessary.  The Mustang can carry a cooler sure.  But it sure is much easier when you have a big trunk with a big opening and folding rear seats with doors to access it.  Then there's the price of a 7-day rental.  $150!  Try that with a Mustang Convertible or Camaro!   :lol:  Anyway, sports cars are great fun and they are the next best thing to motorcycles.  However, when you have to carry stuff, they pale in comparison to even a 4-door compact car.  I figure the Malibu is modern, roomy mid-size with a quiet V6 engine that will carry is in safety and comfort for this 1500 mile trek.

And there you go throwing logic into the equation...   :lol:

Yeah - I hear ya on the rental rates.. they can get plain crazy expensive if you want something fun.  For a few days it's doable but for a week it just isn't worth it.

I pondered the thought of doing a Mustang convertible while at Disney last fall with my one daughter, but the trunk on the convertible is rediculously small... and we all know how much stuff the wife "needs" while on vacation.   :rolleyes: