I dont want the game to end.

Mellow said:
Hogwash!... You're still in control and lots of things you can do to prevent DVT.

Loose some weight - that alone prevents a lot of issues and just takes some commitment with regards to what you eat/drink.

Exercise - make a healthy lifestyle your new hobby and it will pay off quickly.

Sorry about your issues but "Do not go gentle into that good night"
.
Click to expand...
It's probably why I am still alive. I saw the swelling in my leg and it frightened me. I couldn't get my riding boots to close around my ankles! It started going to the gym to walk on the treadmill and ride the exercise bike. (measured distances with increasing goals) I have dropped 20 pounds and continue to both diet and to watch what I eat. The doc says I am on the right track but he wants me on Eliquis to eliminate the clot. My boots fit fine now.
 
By now I feel as if I have aged years in the space of a few months. Weeks even. If you think about it it makes sense, when you are young you grow in leaps and bounds, then years of relative stability. Seems that (by now I have read reports) that we age also in spurts, at around 40 then again at 60.... I think this is what is happening to me right now. An onset of sudden aging.
I spent the last two weeks in pain, not agony, but annoying aches and ouches that made it difficult to relax and even tossing and turning in bed trying to find some comfy position. The doc gave me some tablets to relax the skeletal muscles and they seem to help get a good sleep.
But. you cant stop times teeth from gnawing on you and in the end one day you will be gone and a memory regardless on how much you fight it.
 
Slammer said:
By now I feel as if I have aged years in the space of a few months. Weeks even. If you think about it it makes sense, when you are young you grow in leaps and bounds, then years of relative stability. Seems that (by now I have read reports) that we age also in spurts, at around 40 then again at 60.... I think this is what is happening to me right now. An onset of sudden aging...
Click to expand...
Mellow's words are great. Especially the first word..."Hogwash". Then, "Loose some weight" and "Exercise" You're in control over all that. :)
Mellow said:
Hogwash!... You're still in control and lots of things you can do to prevent DVT.

Loose some weight - that alone prevents a lot of issues and just takes some commitment with regards to what you eat/drink.

Exercise - make a healthy lifestyle your new hobby and it will pay off quickly.

Sorry about your issues but "Do not go gentle into that good night"
.
Click to expand...
I noticed something when I reached my early 60s. Some people seemed to age very fast from that point. Others just kind of idled along, not aging any quicker than when they were younger.

I had a couple in my Life Group (aka Bible study). He was in his early 80s, and looked like that. She was in her late 50s...and looked and acted just as old. On the other hand, there was a man in the seminary class I was teaching who was in his early 70s...and looked and acted like he was still in his late 50s. Why?

I think it is because we decide it is time to sit around and wait to die. I'm ready to die...but not yet. Like Mellow wrote, "Do not go gentle into that good night."

Chris
 
I also think as a hobby motorcycling keeps us young... in that, we enjoy life more being able to see the world in ways many in vehicles can't understand. It also makes us more aware of our surroundings which keeps our brains active and alert...

But, then we sit around the campfire, drink and fart... okay, never mind...
 
Daboo said:
Mellow's words are great. Especially the first word..."Hogwash". Then, "Loose some weight" and "Exercise" You're in control over all that. :)

I noticed something when I reached my early 60s. Some people seemed to age very fast from that point. Others just kind of idled along, not aging any quicker than when they were younger.

I had a couple in my Life Group (aka Bible study). He was in his early 80s, and looked like that. She was in her late 50s...and looked and acted just as old. On the other hand, there was a man in the seminary class I was teaching who was in his early 70s...and looked and acted like he was still in his late 50s. Why?

I think it is because we decide it is time to sit around and wait to die. I'm ready to die...but not yet. Like Mellow wrote, "Do not go gentle into that good night."

Chris
Click to expand...
I think it's a combination of genetics and attitude. My brother is two years younger than I am but has been mistaken for my dad. He is not an old-acting person, unhappy, depressed, etc. He just got more of his genetics from my mom's side of the family than I did. He does stay extremely active and takes his pickleball stuff wherever he goes.

When I was in medical and was calling on ALF's a lot, I noticed that the people who aged the best in general were those who accepted change well. The people who did not accept change well were often bitter and acted much older.

I think motorcycling and similar pursuits keep us young - at least mentally.
 
Mellow said:
I also think as a hobby motorcycling keeps us young...
Click to expand...

I read an article a few years ago, which I frequently cite to my wife when I tell her I'm going for a ride. The article talked about the benefits of motorcycling with regards to maintaining hand/eye coordination and keeping the brain sharp, similar to the potential benefits of video games. On the motorcycle you are constantly processing audio and visual inputs, analyzing those inputs, making millisecond decisions and then coordinating the movement of your hands and feet (which are sometimes doing different movements) to execute on your decisions.

I truly feel like motorcycling helps me stay mentally fit. It's true that at 74 my body gets a little more tired and achy after 8 - 10 hours of riding per day, day after day while on tour, so maybe I spend 6 - 8 hours in the saddle instead. I have trouble visualizing life without motorcycling as a major piece of it.
 
I agree, Charlie, and I've seen many similar articles.
Activities using both hands and feet simultaneously, appear to prolong the onset of brain decline, like playing piano, playing the drums, and flying a helicopter.
While I don't ride specifically to avoid brain drain, it's nice that it appears to have these benefits. And if anyone finds out that this is not the case, don't bother to tell me...
 
Slammer said:
The day I stop riding is the day I die. As always the ST community delivers, there are ways to make it work I see, however I think I am going to try another way. I have my weighlifting gloves, designed to take the strain just where the bar is and I am thinking it will do the same with a handlebar, I am just going to finish breakfast, then go for a ride and try it out.
Click to expand...
how did that work?
 
Slammer said:
I am on the cusp of becoming 64, just another few weeks and then I´ll be singing...:

"When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a Valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine."

Well the getting older has happened and now here I am. Recently over the last few years I have noticed that I hurt after rinding, knees for one, but who needs knees on a bike? More worrying is the thumb saddle on both hands. Arthritis is showing me my limits and when you get off the bike and cant open your hands then I start to wonder how it will be in a few years
I have tried to polster the grips but find it uncomfortable after a few km´s. Best would be a way to have my hands on the bars without gripping but I don´t know how to do that.
Am I really looking at the end of the road if I can´t find a solution?
Click to expand...
These thoughts can creep in but get them out of your head as fast as they come. It is winter and short days... A fly and rent trip to Canaries will fix it. Warm weather is good for the arthritis too.
 
No idea if they would help with your arthritis but another member here found gloves that were a game changer for his hand numbness. Maybe he can offer you his opinion about it.

I'll hit him up to get his attention for you- @MaxPete

Edit: Found the glove brand- ShockTec
 
Last edited:
@Slammer it's a bugger getting old, it's not for cissies. But Ferret raises the issue of bike type.
It's a biggie.
I bought the VSTrom about two and a half years ago, it was very much a suck it and see purchase and I kept the ST to start with anyway. I fully envisaged the VSTrom would be moved on sooner rather than later because it wouldn't quite cut the mustard. In short I was wrong.
The initial process started when Er'Indoors commented I was struggling to move the BeaST around in the garage or when parked up in some places. I obviously chastised er accordingly but it got me thinking.
When I got the B home I put it on the centre stand and almost threw it through the back wall of the garage. It was about 100 kg's lighter than the BeaST.
We rode it, I say we because it nearly always is and we were mightily impressed. It felt just as quick as the ST11 and cornered and handled much better. Once enough adjustments were made to the seating position and luggage etc it became a better tourer than the BeaST ever was. More economical by far, comfier, less tiring and way more relaxed. The only downside was it revved a bit higher, but the gearing has now been changed so that should be addressed too.
A decision was made to move the ST on and before it went I took it out for one last ride. It felt like a dinosaur, slow to turn, slow to accelerate and it felt as small as a sports bike, just like a CBR600 would but with no get up and go. Weird.
I'm not trying to sell you a STrom, you're a big lad you'll work it out. But the problem may not be you.
We've just been to Sicily on The B, other than the oem chain deciding it had been abused enough it was faultless and all day comfortable. I don't know if we were near to you at one point, we rode from Luxembourg down to Freudenstadt through Germany.
Don't be afraid of trying something else and the beauty of newer stuff, like the very popular STrom is custom stuff is readily available unlike ST's.
Good luck.
Upt.
 
That is sheer blasphemy, Mr. Upt', and for holding that stretched opinion you should be immediately and unceremoniously expunged from... from... well, I don't know what from, but you should be.

And prevented from ever drinking wine again. Ever.

Ok, now that i have released my pent up sarcasm for the moment, let's address your remarks. You actually do make good sense, which is to say there are actually plenty of bikes today that surpass the venerable ST in one or several aspects.

And the fact that I don't necessarily see eye to eye with you on every point, does not diminish the desirability of the Strom. The motor is based on the popular and reliable SV650, and the longevity of this platform, not to mention the vast aftermarket support and accessories, is a testament to its worthiness for a variety of riders and riding styles. Suzuki hit a home run with it. (Has it lasted as long as the 1100 / 1300? I bet it has, or is getting close.)

So rather than arguing the merits of the ST (specifically the 1300, as i never rode its predecessor), the takeaway here is for many of us there comes a time to review the pros and cons of what is in the garage. The machine itself doesn't really change, but some here are discovering our biological skin suits are changing. Strength, flexibility, energy, motivation and mobility come to mind.

If it ever comes down to stop riding or get a more suitable comfortable motorcycle, I know which way I'll go.

And by the way, my 1300 is not "slow". Not in the least. But yes it's heavy, and no I don't want to race you.
 
I haven’t ridden more than a few miles, this entire year. I’ve only attended 3 events and they were all in the truck, but that’s going to change, hopefully.

I turn 74 in a few weeks and to celebrate, I’m getting myself a new hip, or two. My hips have gotten so bad that I can’t throw my leg over a bike. So, on 1/22/25 I’ll get a new left hip and if it goes well, 6 weeks later, I’ll get the right hip replaced, also. I should be riding by FerrySToc. I can probably start riding a little earlier than some, since I’ll first start with the sidecar rig. Then when I build some strength back, I have the Versys 1000 ready to go.

I was almost ready to call it quits on riding because I was reluctant to have surgery, but in recent months I’ve realized that I need the surgery to be able to walk and climb stairs, without falling. I haven’t fallen yet, but I’ve come close a few times, so I made the decision to get the hips replaced before I fall and break one. I guess you could call it preventive maintenance.

John
 
Sadlsor said:
That is sheer blasphemy, Mr. Upt', and for holding that stretched opinion you should be immediately and unceremoniously expunged from... from... well, I don't know what from, but you should be.

And prevented from ever drinking wine again. Ever.

Ok, now that i have released my pent up sarcasm for the moment, let's address your remarks. You actually do make good sense, which is to say there are actually plenty of bikes today that surpass the venerable ST in one or several aspects.

And the fact that I don't necessarily see eye to eye with you on every point, does not diminish the desirability of the Strom. The motor is based on the popular and reliable SV650, and the longevity of this platform, not to mention the vast aftermarket support and accessories, is a testament to its worthiness for a variety of riders and riding styles. Suzuki hit a home run with it. (Has it lasted as long as the 1100 / 1300? I bet it has, or is getting close.)

So rather than arguing the merits of the ST (specifically the 1300, as i never rode its predecessor), the takeaway here is for many of us there comes a time to review the pros and cons of what is in the garage. The machine itself doesn't really change, but some here are discovering our biological skin suits are changing. Strength, flexibility, energy, motivation and mobility come to mind.

If it ever comes down to stop riding or get a more suitable comfortable motorcycle, I know which way I'll go.

And by the way, my 1300 is not "slow". Not in the least. But yes it's heavy, and no I don't want to race you.
Click to expand...
You also make good sense......occasionally.
But the ST just felt so ponderous and heavy and strangely like I said, cramped like a CBR.
Returning to the BeaST as a tourer just wasn't an option.
I know, it's weird.
It's fair to say though the bike has been adjusted a lot to get it right.
Upt.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom