Stubborn hubby

[Ironhorsepilot]

My husband is 66 yrs. old. He has been very active his whole life and still will put in a 12 to 14 hr day doing various activities, such as working on private airplanes, flying our plane, flying charter flights, riding his motorcycle, working on machinery here on the farm and in general helping out his fellow man with anything that needs to be done. But lately, the body is giving him warnings. He spent almost 2 months on the couch this winter with a knee and back strain that came from climbing around under a plane. He has almost dropped his Ultra a couple of times when his knee gave out. Well, today, he wasn't focused and was riding on a side street attached to a school parking lot. There was a chain up at the end of the road, he didn't see it until late and hit the brakes. The bike dumped him like a brick and of course he is now in a lot of pain in his left shoulder/collar bone area. Rescue squad saw him and he did not go to the hospital. My concerns are that he has beaten his body up so much over the years, that I am real fearful of him really getting hurt. He loves my trike, but so far no go on triking his. Is there any way I can help push him in that direction?? Any reverse psychology ideas? How many times will he need to get hurt before he considers it? He thinks what happened today was just one of those things! NOT! He was exhausted from a long charter flight that he flew yesterday and he shouldn't have attempted to ride. Stubborn man.


___________

 

[katfish16]

Sometimes U have to let people buy their own mistakes.....
He will figure it out and do the right thing, he sounds like a very smart but stubborn man.. sometimes when wives express desires, over and over men will do just the opposite just to show the wife they can do it.. "It's a man thing"

It is hard growing older and understanding that U just can't do what U used to do. Even though ur mind says U can the body just can't do it....
Best of luck, he is a lucky man to have such a caring wife.

 

[John Luciano]

Some have the mindset that trikes for invalids and old folk. we have quite a few young health trikers on here. 80% of the people that hesitated to get a trike say they waited 5 years too long to do it and should have done it a lot sooner.

 

[TRIKERBOB69]

Some have the mindset that trikes for invalids and old folk. we have quite a few young health trikers on here. 80% of the people that hesitated to get a trike say they waited 5 years too long to do it and should have done it a lot sooner.

agree John, bad knees and other assorted infirmities but was sold on a trike on performance reasons after my first demo ride, bought the wing last year with the idea to trike it after my trip up to fairbanks, then the sales at CSC hit and with a killer deal I SAID WTH!! may as well ride 10k in style, I can see myself being stuck in mountain construction zone and reaching back to the rear seat for a cold (legal) Beverage (rather than balancing 1200 pounds for 2 wheels) while the pilot truck does a round trip

 

[ThirdWheel]

Withhold food! He will come around after a few days..gees that was an easy problem to solve!

 

[ROAD DOG]

Hope He has no broken bones? But While He is healing this time, take his bike & trade it for a new trike??? That will fix his A$$ END OF STORY

 

[Nauga Mok]

His last spill sounds very familar -- 'cept I was on wet pavement & resulted in a broken ankle. After that one, 'Pest said; "If you're gonna keep ridin' that THING, you're gonna haveta turn it into a trike." At first I didn't like the idea, but as I sat there on the couch healing up & missing all kinds of good riding weather, it started to sound not so bad. With all my excess time, I got on the internet & started researching the different kits as well as stumbling into here & finding ya'll. Well, from my posts, ya know the rest. I still can't believe my -- uh -- OUR big red monster is in the top right corner of the sign in page! From decision to become a triker, to now has only been about 4 1/2 months. That's coming a long way in a short time! Maybe your hubby will "see the light" like I did. I'll guarantee you, I -- uh -- WE have NO regrets!!

NM

 

[Nauga Mok]

It is hard growing older and understanding that U just can't do what U used to do. Even though ur mind says U can the body just can't do it....

I have an older friend who has a unique way of saying that: "The brain starts writing checks the body can't cash!"

NM

 

[Gorilla]

IHP I to am some what like your husband. I'm 63 and still put in long days doing things and really hurt sometimes. I have a hot tub thank goodness because it really helps. I saw the light on my own. I love riding and after the associated weaknesses triking just made for a good idea. I still work hard but now I can ride without the previous concerns. Pass this on to hubby. Build it yourself it makes the transition easier.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

IHP I to am some what like your husband. I'm 63 and still put in long days doing things and really hurt sometimes. I have a hot tub thank goodness because it really helps. I saw the light on my own. I love riding and after the associated weaknesses triking just made for a good idea. I still work hard but now I can ride without the previous concerns. Pass this on to hubby. Build it yourself it makes the transition easier.

Are you going to be in Maggie Valley??? Also, aren't you retired LEO? You and my hubby may have plenty in common!

OK, FOLKS, here is the real problem..... I AM AFRAID HE IS GOING TO STEAL MY TG!!!! Yes, that was yelling...it was screaming.....I DO NOT WANT TO RIDE ON THE BACK!!!!:no::no::no:

 

[spiritdream]

Joan, if I remember our conversation in Maine correctly, hasn't he had several accidents or "near misses" over the years already? Maybe (gently ) remind him that he's not that young anymore and won't heal as well or quickly as he did those times?

Or, the next time you're both riding and his knee gives out, point out that it wouldn't happen if he was on a trike - with a side comment of "Get your own though! You can't have mine!!" (OR, let him have yours IF he gets you a new one!! )

Just a thought here - see if you can convince him to rent one for TT3 - after a whole weekend on one, he may start thinking of a trike on his own! I know with my hubby, if I want something done I have to "plant a seed" then step back and let him come to the idea himself. Men!

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Are you going to be in Maggie Valley??? Also, aren't you retired LEO? You and my hubby may have plenty in common!

OK, FOLKS, here is the real problem..... I AM AFRAID HE IS GOING TO STEAL MY TG!!!! Yes, that was yelling...it was screaming.....I DO NOT WANT TO RIDE ON THE BACK!!!!:no::no::no:

Oh my... no, let him steal it then go buy yourself another one and trade in his Ultra..

 

[ricle41]

Two minor accidents that resulted in serious hurts within a year, convinced me. At 68, the wrecks don't scare me, but 5 to 6 months of pain and recovery gave me a lot of time to think.

Got the trike this year, and never looked back. Still have the two wheeler (for sale) and love that bike, but no regrets. I love, and am relaxed with the comfort and stability of the trike.

He'll come around, some of us are just hard listeners. He'll realize, like I did, that the trike is going to add years and years to my riding enjoyment.

 

[oldnewby]

I am not out of my 50's yet, but I have severe joint problems (major arthritis issues) and holding up half a ton of bike is not something I can always do, so triking is my best option. My second reason, is my wife wants to go with me, but having had knee replacement, she has a very real fear of falling and damaging the replaced knee.
I had to do some soul searching and figure out what my real goal is, and that is to be out there on the road with the wind in my face, not to hang on to a self image that no longer applies. but that's just me.


Ol newby

 

[trikertroy]

Perhaps he can be convinced that going for a trike would be a big UPGRADE to what he is driving now... A nicer more comfortable ride, better for the longer rides... More storage space for more "stuff"...Better handleing (depending on his choice of trike) Maybe even more horsepower.. More space for a super cool paint job and chrome.. More is better!!! (and they are chick magnets)

Iv been trikeing since 1969 (when I was truly young) and have had trikes and bikes and hot rods all my life.. 3 wheelers arnt just for too old lame dudes anymore.. They kick ass!!!

 

[Gorilla]

IHP I am retired Air Traffic Control (38 yrs). LEO has always been my part-time gig. I currently am the Captain of the Reserve Division for the Sheriff Office here. I am full-certified and certifiable.

Yes we will be at Maggie Valley, the good Lord willing.

 

[Saltywheels]

Been there & done that....like a lot of us on this forum. Lived for track days. Wifey rode with me on week ends for 40 years that we've known each other. Then, as some wise person said,' the brain (read ego) started writing checks that the body couldn't cash!! Multiple crashes (street) & a lotta hospital / cast times later & well after Wifey had stopped riding with me... I stumbled upon a trike in E-Bay. And the rest, as they say, is history. My new problem now, is finding interesting week end destinations 2-up!! A lot less painful then the pins & plates I am lugging around. Yup, why did I wait so long??::blush:

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

IHP I am retired Air Traffic Control (38 yrs). LEO has always been my part-time gig. I currently am the Captain of the Reserve Division for the Sheriff Office here. I am full-certified and certifiable.

Yes we will be at Maggie Valley, the good Lord willing.

I was an auxiliary deputy, certified. Hubby also was Captain of the Auxiliary, plus Human resources when he retired from the Sheriff's Office. He was cop before then, in LA and finally Va. Beach.

 

[Gorilla]

See ya soon then

 

[jim peacock]

Going to have to get tough with him.
Tell him he is either going to a trike our we are done riding.
Better to have a husband that is up set with you then a dead one are permentely disabled.
My late wife use to have to do that with me once in a great great while.
Hate to admit it but once in a while wifes are right.
:blush::blush::blush::blush:

 

[bdn56]

Joan, If my bride of 27 years told me I needed to get a trike, I would have laughed for an hour.
I was the last person thinking of getting a trike. I was only 50.

As I sat for 2 months in a wheel chair looking out into the garage at 2 harleys, it finally made sense.

Do we know when our bones decide to crush or break? Not going to happen right?

The doc says no more riding. The wife says no more riding so what to do?

Sell the superglide and trike out the ultra. Now everyone is happy

 

[Gorilla]

bdn56 and never look back. I'm in Leesburg Fl. Attending the bike rally. I have never seen as many trikes. They are becoming very popular. From what I can tell from looking not all are on them for the reasons we are on ours. I think there are some that are triking because they like it. Either way we need to be out there for our own reasons. Sure bets not riding.

 

[5thwheel]

IHP, sorry that I'm coming across this a little late but thought I'd add my 2 cents. I have noticed that some guys seem to think trikes are ok if you're old. Strangely enough hubby's sidecar seems to fall into the kind of cool and not just for old guys image. We put it on for our youngest son to ride in (ok and the dog too). It gives you increased stability and loads of cargo space. I think because they have a reputation for being tricky to ride some of the guys find them more acceptable. Some can be put on and fairly easily detached - so I'm told. That might be something he would find more interesting and it has the added bonus of being something new to learn.

 

[jlb]

Joan how's your guy doing?

Ok....how hard can it be to talk the man into a trike? You convinced me & it wasn't even that hard :yes: But I will admit that it also took finding the right (for me) trike. So my thought is to just keep showing him different kinds of 3 wheelers & eventually he'll find the one that is meant for him. Oh & tell him to get over the whole trikes are for older folks thing. At 44 I find myself in great company. And when I talked to my credit union last year, they called it the year of the trike, because almost all the m/c loans they were making were for trikes or trike kits.

janetb

 

[spiritdream]

Joan, what about the Spyder? Maybe he'd be more inclined to think trike if he tried one of those - didn't you say your friend just bought one? It's sportier and different, so it doesn't have that "old man" stigma that traditional trikes seem to have in some places.

Or a vw-based trike maybe?

Just looking at different options here!! Might be a hard sell for a Harley guy, but worth a shot if it keeps him healthy, in the wind, and on the road with you! :yes:

 

[Charlie D]

Here's the answer, " My doctor said If Not Now When ?" , we don't heal like we use to.. much longer, more pain ,longer down time and you do not want to think about the next time!. Went to Daytona last year, looked at trikes, test rode and said no just not me ,went on to the Keyes and headed home to Chicago got a call from my best friend , still at Daytona to check out a trike with a steering wheel. I said YEA RIGHT. Within five minutes of test riding we made a choice . found a dealer L&L Motorsports in Great Bend Kansas great guys. took my 09 ultra and sold us a 09 Black Cherry Stallion for a great trade price. Never looked back. LOVE our Stallion Trike. Marietta now has her license and if I have a problem she can get us home.. "IF trikes are not in our future WHY would Harley Davidson invest the time & money for the TRI GLIDES.. Simple economic decision Haven't seen any HD Dealer discounting Trike and some are getting over MSRP.. Nuff said.. Charlie D.

 

[Big_Steve]

This is an old thread, but I thought I'd chime in.

Go to the library and get Chuck Yeager's autobiography. INSIST your hubby read it cover to cover. If he still doesn't think a trike is a good compromise, he never will.

Hint.....
Chuck Yeager is a full blown American hero. After reading about his incredible life, he ends the book talking about growing old. He'll never stop flying until he can't get out of bed in the morning. When Jets are too much, he'll fly Pipers. When Pipers are too much, he'll fly ultralights. He'd never give up, but will adjust whatever he needs to. If he were a biker, he'd be on a trike the moment a 2 wheeler starting causing him issues. He'd want to ride, but not have an accident.

 

[Saltywheels]

IHP, Big Steve is right. I have met Chuck Yeager & was never so impressed by anyone...alive or otherwise. Adapt your dreams to suit the hour...is what he left me with!! I never knew it at the time, but years later (read early this month) that piece of wisdom came home to roost! I've had my GL trike since last Thanksgiving, but just sold my beloved Yamaha FJR early this month. Life goes on, even though it seemed like it could not. Certain bikes still spin my head, but that's OK. I enjoy the trike even more now...especially since wifey is on every week-end ride with me!! Sweet!!

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Not sure why I missed all these comments on my post???? Anyway, hubby and I took a trip a few weeks ago and he is doing fine (right now)!

I have dropped the subject and he will have to decide in his own time. Chuck Yeager may not be the best example for dear hubby. Now, I don't know how many of you guys will be coming to the rally (I am soooo excited) but George is a bird of a different feather. His Dad used to drag George, when he was just a youngster, to Chuck Yeager's office and he would have to sit and sit while Daddy and Chuck talked for hours. For some reason, George has bad tastes in his mouth from those days.

Cheri, you met George!!! Would he ride anything but a Harley???? Although, he thinks the cam-ams are neat and if that is the way I wanted to go, he would have given the thumbs up. But not for him. It's the same thing with a trike....he'll ride mine, but wouldn't buy it for himself.

Oh! By the way, since the bike fiasco, he landed his plane wheels up!!!! Now, that bothers me......... But don't tell him I told ya!