No question where you are in your life can make a big difference. On top of that, much depends on how much passion you have for it. I'm at the point in my life where my kids are grown up and other than sending them money they don't really need much from me. I started back into riding in the summer of 2006 by buying a new DL650 V-Strom. I still have that bike and it has over 202,000 km on it (but I got a new one March 12 and it now has about 2,800 km on it.) My then-wife didn't like it and the result was we got separated and are now divorced. For me this was a great thing to happen as it freed me to enjoy my life and ultimately find a partner that shares the same interests. I also get four weeks of vacation so that give me some time.
Last year, with commuting, day rides, weekend rides and trips, I rode my bike over 57,000 km and also did about 2,000 km on a Gold Wing in the mountains of Alberta and BC riding with a friend on Canada Day weekend 2011. I have been fortunate enough to be able to take time from my work to enjoy some trips. Last year I did three weeks of riding comprised of a week trip to the East Coast (5,300 km to Bar Harbor Maine, Cabot Trail, Gaspe') and a two week, 10,300 km trip to the Grand Canyon, Death Valley and area. In both cases people were supposed to come but the first (east coast) partner didn’t work out, and my good friend that was to head west with me had a serious injury (from Go-Carting) and was not able to id. I went alone in both cases which was a new experience for me. I did get get-home-itis near the end of my trips and both cases I bee-lined home near the end (1,200 km from Gaspe in a day, and 3,500 or so KM from Utah in three days.) I most likely won’t do long solo trips in the future but I did like them for the most part.
In both cases I brought a tent and sleeping gear. One day on the east I spent on a couch at a friend's and did one motel night and when I started seeing $35 motels in the western USA I stopped sleeping in the tent out there. I don't find cost really a big factor. You can eat pretty inexpensively, especially in the USA and gas on a bike isn't a big deal so much depends on how fancy you want to eat and where you sleep.
Riding is my passion and I might not do many major rides this year due to some personal things, but I did a week vacation in California with my GF and we rode about 3,000 km out there. I am sure we will do some week rides this year but they might not be mega milers.
Ultimately it comes down to how important riding is to you and your priorities.
..Tom
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......"Nowhere is one as free as on the road with no destination in mind"
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