Tomorrow is my dad's birthday (October 11). Or it would've been. He died almost 2 years ago from cancer. I quit smoking about a year ago. I told myself if I could go 3 months without a cigarette, I would get a 599. The money I was spending on cigarettes each month was more than the cost of insurance on a new 599. I used a picture of the 599 as inspiration. I tacked it up on my wall. Every time I wanted a smoke (at least while I was chilling in my favorite chair in my bedroom), I would look up at that picture and think about how money spent on cigarettes could be put to better use. Plus, I'd think about my dad. Like I said, he died of cancer. I can't believe it. It still seems like yesterday. I was 33 when he died, but it felt like we were just beginning to understand each other. He bought me my first bike when I was only 5 years-old. It was a Honda Mini-Trail 50. He had to yank me off of it the first time I got on it because I was headed towards the street at full throttle. We used to cruise all the time on his Honda CB750 (bought brand new in 1974). He dressed it out like a modern-day Goldwing. He sold it when I was about 11 or 12.
When I turned 18, he rode with me down to Jackson, MS, and helped me check out an old CB750 which was for sale for 400 dollars. I bought it even though he didn't like the idea of me riding.
He saw my Zephyr 550 and my Suzuki 650. He saw me wreck them both. I'm gonna ride my 599 to Batesville, MS, tomorrow and spend some time at his grave. I'm sure he'd hate to know that I got another motorcycle, but I bet he'd secretly think I made a wise choice with the 599. Maybe after I leave Batesville, I'll make the short trip to Oxford and check out some Ole Miss honeys and maybe eat at The Beacon. I bet he'd like that, too.

Thanks for posting that, puts things in perspective.

robkb-

thanks for the inspiration to remember those we've lost.

I was watching Field of Dreams the other day and got kind of choked up when Kevin Kostner's (sp?) character got to play catch with his dad one last time. That's one thing I would really like to do with mine once more before it's too late. I think that it would mean a lot to both of us.

I think I'll call my dad and ask him how he's doing.


Sorry for your loss, robkb.

Thanks robkb. Nice Post.

My dad is by far my favourite riding buddy. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Pop those passenger pegs down for that ride...

Rob,

I will say that is the most touching post I've seen on this forum to date. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm off to call my own dad now...I can't imagine what it would be like if mine were gone.

Condolences on your loss. I have no doubt your father would be proud of you. You seem like one hell of a guy.

+1

I guess our time is short here. We should all let people know that we care for them while we can. That's something I could do better.

Thanks for the post.

Well said. I echo most of the replies here. My pops used to ride waaaaaay back in the day. I caught him sitting on a giant cruiser at the Honda dealership back home when I was looking at jackets. I'd love to get him on two wheels and ride around for a weekend.

I'm sorry about your dad. :(

That was a good message.

Makes me wish my dad and I were closer while I was growing up. If anything it reminds us not to waste the time we have.

I'm trying to find the inspiration/desire to give up smoking right now, a trip to the hospital this morning about my ear infection helped, your post added more ammunition to the cause.
I'm sorry about your loss, but it was cool of you to share the story, it does sound like you do have some great memories at least. :ride

Yeah. Quitting smoking is tough. I still bum one every now and then. At least I'm not hooked like a Mo-Fo like I used to be, and spending 5 bucks a day for a pack or more. My brother still smokes. It's hard, man. I finally got to a point to where I wanted to quit. That was a big milestone. My brother's son just looks up to me so much. I felt so guilty about smoking in front of him because everything I do he thinks is cool. He's 8. I made him promise a few months before I quit that if I quit before he started, he'd never start. But his parents smoke. He'll probably smoke. It's expensive, smells bad, ashes are messy/dirty, and smoking is so unhealthy. I've got older relatives dying, dead, with emphysema, all from smoking. WTF! I don't want to go out like that. Plus, the money, man! My cigarette money pays for my truck and bike insurance each month. I only bring home $1,900/month, so every penny counts here.

Very touching post. I'm sorry for your loss. :cry: At the very least, you have happy memories you can cherish forever.

My dad had his second heart surgery last year at this time, and he had just purchased a used Bandit 1200 beforehand. Actually, the bike had a lot to do with him discovering that he needed surgery again...he pulled some muscles when putting it on the centre stand, and when he still felt pain a few days later he went to get checked out and was told he needed a couple of bypasses re-done, and a "valve job" (as he put it ;)).

Anyway, he wanted to get the surgery done ASAP so he'd be good for spring and we'd be able to go for our first ride together on separate bikes. Well, he almost didn't make it after the surgery, but after a loooooong recovery we went for our first ride together on April 29, 2007. I ended up getting a migraine from being so excited and nervous, but it was such a great feeling to ride behind him.

Dad just turned 60 on Oct. 10. I don't know how I'll be able to cope when his time is up. :cry:

Did I read this wrong? Your brother is 8...and he smokes? :shock:

hee, hee. You read it wrong. My brother's SON is 8. My brother also has a daughter who is 3. They're so much fun to hang out with and watch and listen to and play with. I guess being "Uncle Robert" is my favorite thing to be. Nah... "Uncle Robert on his 599 with a couple of bucks in his pocket" is my favorite thing to be

Oh, ok...sorry about that. :oops:

Sorry to hear about your loss....

It is an encouraging story however. Your father's legacy is that you used that event to formulate your plan to quit smoking.

The three month goal with the 599 as the prize built self-discipline that you'll use elsewhere in life.

Your father would be proud.