This starts out about a week ago. My wife was in a minor automobile accident last Tuesday. As she turned into her office parking lot, she clipped the front corner of a car coming out. Both drivers were technically at-fault as they were both turning wide.
She wasn't hurt, nor was the other driver, but the pickup truck took a beating. Again. This is the second crash this year for that truck, the last one was when she was rear-ended on the highway a few weeks ago. Be that as it may, the pickup went back to the body shop. Again. All things considered, it had been having engine and transmission issues already, so we discussed trading it in to get her a reliable mode of transportation.
She brought up trading in my Harley in addition to the pickup.
The "discussion" went back and forth for a few days. My wife was a co-signer on the bike, so technically she could trade it in without my permission if she really wanted to. That was also "discussed"... But I would rather it not come to that, as that would only make things worse later on.
After talking to my soulmate about the subject early Saturday morning, she offered some good, objective advice, for which I am very grateful. She helped to calm me and to look at things more rationally. It didn't make sense for me to be stuck with both my car payments and the Harley. Not to mention the insurance. And it didn't occur to me until after everything that I could open up my apartment searching and remove 'garage' from my requirements (I would not leave the bike out in general parking for someone to steal). So there were a lot of benefits. But it still bothered me. Still bothers me now, even though it is already done...
Saturday was spent at five different dealerships with my wife, test driving different vehicles, measuring for cargo room, crunching numbers, etc. By Saturday night, she'd made a decision about what she wanted to get. But it would definitely require me giving up the Harley so she could afford the payments and maybe even have it free and clear in a short time.
I signed over and traded in my Harley.
As it is, discussions of my leaving have always brought up the matter of my soon-to-be-ex-wife being able to afford the payments on everything. And with the threat of her pickup going kaput looming over us, it has been a major concern. But not anymore. This has significantly lifted that concern and makes things a little easier now.
As much as I miss the bike, I have to admit that I am starting to feel better about this. It's taken me a few days to even write about it because I'll admit, I've been upset. (And I have been really swamped at work and haven't had time, but that's another matter entirely.) But it is slowly starting to settle in.
I love motorcycles. I've been riding since I was fifteen. I had a bike before I had a car of my own. I've gone several years in between owning a motorcycle for most of my adult life, so I'm sure I'll eventuially get another one. Some day...
