Aging and motorcycling

[Ed dirt]

Here's an article on aging and motorcycling



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49032356...utmk=181645735

[tshelfer]

I'm 61 and sometimes it's hard to lift a tour-loaded VStrom off the kickstand. It's occurred to me that I'll hit a point where I won't trust myself in all situations on two wheels. When that happens, it'll more likely be a Can-Am rather than a trike, for me.

Then again, that might be a great time to look for a well used 911......

[YoDoc]

Turn the handlebars all the way right?

[tshelfer]

Certainly easier than turning back the clock.

[SilverBullet]

I don't even want to think about ever being too old to ride on two wheels. I guess if I got permanently crippled it could happen but for myself I'd probably prefer to drive a nice handling fast convertible sports car than a trike though.

_

[wanabeguru]

Originally Posted by Ed dirt

Here's an article on aging and motorcycling



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49032356...utmk=181645735

Yep, by cracky! them trikes is for wanabes! Wait! Thats my handle---dratt the bad luck. Truth be told, the knees are not what they used to be. For that matter the upper body strength aint either but that has something to do with major abdominal surgery. But, God willing I'll still ride for lots of years yet. 'bout the time the Bandit wears out i may have to call 2 wheels quits. until then

[KenH]

Older riders have three choices: stop riding, smaller bike, or trike. I think the smaller bike option is significantly overlooked. If unwilling to give up the cushy ride of the big touring bikes, a trike makes a lot of sense. If a pillion is part of the package, a trike makes a lot more sense than a smaller bike.

One other option I've considered for myself is a different style of motorcycle than any that currently are available. I'd settle for a small UJM style with modern technologies rather than price points. 350 pounds wet and 30 foot-pounds under a wide curve, well-programmed EFI, modern sport touring tires in a rather large size, modern suspension, ABS, and illumination. Nothing fancy or groundbreaking, just simple modern functionality in a standard format.

[ST/SV]

I'm 60 and now the only thing that really bothers me is when I have my favorite passenger on back. I keep telling her when I pull up to a red light or stop sign I'm not as steady as I use to be but she doesn't seem to care. We have put many a mile on bikes for years, but the day I drop it with her on the back is the day I tell her no more riding with me. As for a trike the verdict is still out on that, It would have to be a Goldwing but really don't know if I could afford one.

[Meriden]

Reminds me of coming home from middle school to find my grandfather had borrowed my dirt bike...

Me, I'll never, ever ride a trike, no way, no how. Of course I said I would never wuss out and buy a motorcycle with a windshield either.

[fclay]

as a man thinketh so is he. I'm 62 just got back on less than two years ago, I try not to think too much. I like it, especially on cool fall mornings, it makes me feel young

[pub610]

Don't point that thing at me, Ed!

[Gravel Guy]

Originally Posted by Meriden

Reminds me of coming home from middle school to find my grandfather had borrowed my dirt bike...

Me, I'll never, ever ride a trike, no way, no how. Of course I said I would never wuss out and buy a motorcycle with a windshield either.

+1 Feeling the wind is why I ride....

[Valker]

Piaggio MP3. Holds itself up at stops but leans in curves!

[Ed dirt]

I'm just 39 (55) but my wife gave up on me giving up riding years ago. I told her that bikes came along before she did.- no giving up on my 1st love.

[bronco78]

When I was 9, I was told / taught / required.. You can ride it, when you can pick it up, and kick start it your self.

That will be much the same test I use to stop riding.

If that day comes while Im still able to drive, I'll be just fine in my Mustangs...I will not even buy into a Canam or Trike as a like option to riding... Thats not a flame on others, just me.

[The Bruce]

When I start worrying about picking up the bike, I'm getting a Corvette convertible.

[one Wolf]

At a couple of months from 61, I'm starting to get to where have to think about lifting things. Including big bikes.

I eased the the V-Strom to the ground while pushing it in the garage the other day because the side stand folded back a little. Didn't realize it wasn't down until it was just too late.

Anyway just could bring myself to hoss the thing back on it's feet. Maybe if it wasn't full of gas??

As the bike kind of rested lightly on the left peg, shifter and the left hand guard, I honked the Strom's horn thinking the wife might hear in the house. No such luck!



So I leave it quietly resting and go in and find the wife who suggests we get the neighbors. "the shame" Finally convinced her that if she would just help me by holding bars straight I could get it back on the rubber. After a few tense moments everything was OK and no damage to the bike, me or the 35 year marriage.

No moral to this story. I won't quit until I really scare myself or become a danger to others. I'd rather go out on the bike than go out bedridden or unconscious. I am happy that after lots of crappy bikes and years of going to work every day, I can afford to have folks fix stuff for me and ride cool bikes.

No trike for me. It's not a motorcycle.

[hizzo3]

Looks like its time to hit the gym. I know I need to. 28, out of shape and I tossed a disc in my lower back swerving from a SUV cager. Motorcycling isn't for the faint of heart or weak either. My step moms family grew up with bikes and the house rule was that you can ride any bike you want, so long as you can pick it up when it falls.

I've seen movers use lifting straps to lift heavy things and give a mechanical advantage. I wonder if a small 1/2" tow strap could be somehow arraigned to achieve the same thing. I am very much like you and hope to ride until my last days.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Don't laugh dudes...your mortality will catch up to you, as your ears and nose grow, the family jewels will shrink, prostate gland swells, erectile dysfunction and the osteopath related problems get progressively worse - herniation of discs, knee joint problems, acid reflux, and osteoporosis, arteries harden to name a few issues. It makes it tough to really enjoy motorcycles, naaa...one day a trike may be the ticket or better yet something like a Can Am Spyder sounds more appealing.



As the song goes "you're time is gonna come"...until then "rage against the dying of the light"...

RB

[BeemerlessBob]

Originally Posted by Red Brown

Don't laugh dudes...your mortality will catch up to you, as your ears and nose grow, the family jewels will shrink, prostate gland swells, erectile dysfunction and the osteopath related problems get progressively worse - herniation of discs, knee joint problems, acid reflux, and osteoporosis, arteries harden to name a few issues. It makes it tough to really enjoy motorcycles, naaa...one day a trike may be the ticket or better yet something like a Can Am Spyder sounds more appealing.



As the song goes "you're time is gonna come"...until then "rage against the dying of the light"...

RB

Or get a Ural. Half the time it doesn't run anyway and you get to spend your remaining days working on it. Not much danger there in the garage.