The bike is worth a look. If you go that way, take a safe riding class first. A man of a certain age should avoid the racing crouch style of bike. It will take its toll on your wrists, elbows, and back before you get 2000 miles under the tires.
Your wife reacted badly to the list, so option 2 will likely get you a divorce, and you won’t be able to afford all that swinging.
The lil’ donkeys could be good if you’ve enjoyed keeping livestock before. If you have no experience, spend some days with a person who has a herd of them. See if you enjoy getting them hay and water every morning and mucking out their little stable all through the winter.
Well, I personally would go for a motorcycle if anything (though my midlife crisis, such as it is, involved writing. I’m not sure I’ve had one yet but I mature slowly, and if I have one now it means I’ll live to 130.)
But I voted for donkeys. Just keep them away from Tijuana if you know what I mean and I think you do.
If you’re going to get a herd of something, I’d personally go for something productive - goats (and make your own cheese) or alpaca (and sell the wool).
Really, why would you want donkeys when alpaca exist?
Goats are destructive and alpaca are bad-tempered biters and spitters. Donkeys, on the other hand, are quite personable as long as you treat them well and appeal to their best interests. I’ll take a donkey any day over any other equine or camelid.
The resale value of a midlife-motorcycle is quite reasonable. I’m not sure about donkeys.
But don’t take my word for it: just notice how relieved the guy is you buy the donkeys from.
Donkeys, eh? Say what you want, but I know the newest trends at least a year before anyone else here in the Netherlands, thanks to you guys.
I just wanted one miniature horse. My wife is finally coming around.
The age you’re talking about is too old to really enjoy a motorcycle, that’s something you do when younger, usually about 1 to 2 years after marriage when the shine comes off.
I’m not saying it can’t be enjoyed, but not in the reckless carefree way you can do it when you’re young. Once you hit 50 you know you’re an old guy on a bike, and likely to be like your friend riding a high end status symbol instead of tearing up the streets on something that’s just fast and sleek. And I intend to be one of those guys eventually, I had a bunch of bikes when I was younger so I got that part out of my system, but I guess I do want that high end Harley still.
ETA: But Jeez! You can’t really compare a bike to something as cool as a herd of miniature donkeys. Lots of old guys get bikes, but how many can truthfully brag about all the ass they’re getting?