@Stevie-Wonder I was reading these the other day and was thinking...well at least he's put paragraphs in.
Anyway, for the moment you're therapeutically explaining your traumas and it's good for you to put it in writing, if nothing else then for your own sakes. This isn't Facebook, we're all friends here.
Yeah @SpookDog is a bit of a legend to be fair with his DT I've had my DTR some 14 years and he's done more miles in one year than I have in the time I've had mine. Respect
I must admit though, say what you will about garage queens @Stevie-Wonder....for me it ain't about riding. Don't worry I use my DTR, especially when times are rough it's a great way to lift your spirits. But for me it's more about the modifying/tuning/tinkering. I spend my time alone and I will go weekends without uttering a word but you'll find me in my workshop tinkering.
When I was 17, I saved every single spare penny I earnt. I took full advantage of living at home and the majority of my wages went into my savings. I've never been on holiday, I don't drive a car, I don't drink/smoke/drugs or go out on the razz in town. Every penny goes into my house, for me, the dream was owning my very own garage where my bikes could be cherished.
Sure, I got my full bike/car license, I'm a bike fanatic why wouldn't I, but it was never really about riding. Hunting eBay/Jauce for rare bits, modifying/tinkering, for me that's what this forum is all about. I get just as much enjoyment out of nailing my 125 smokers than I ever have on a big bike. The problem, IMHO, about 4 strokes, is that they're not fast and in order to be fast you need a 750+cc and as you described it's either a death sentence or a license banner. I've worked too hard for the things I've have to throw it all away now. I cycle 20 miles to work every day and I run or cycle most places that I need go within around 40 mile return trip. Annoyingly, my car (Mk1 MX5 Turbo) got crashed into the other week. The joke being someone drove up my private driveway, crashed into it and didn't even leave a note. I don't drive the car often (once a month to keep the thing ticking over) and when I do it's followed up with a wash.
One day I want to be as good as @HOTSHOT-III/@scrimsmustang/@oldman, proper craftsmen and build meticulous works of art