docw1
Bill Rankin
As many of us are getting to a certain age, I cam across this video which I thought apropos.
older riders
- Thread starter docw1
- Start date
At this age (approaching 73), when people hear I ride a motorcycle (and not a little one), the first thing they have to tell me is about someone they knew, that got into an accident and either got hurt real bad or killed. Then you should see the faces when I tell them I have over 400,000 miles on the bikes I ride! They are in so much shock, they don't say much else! 
And even though Chris no longer rides with me (last time was at WeSTOC 23, 2018), I have three of my sons that do, and they each have a ST1300, thanks to their dad.
This August, the four of us, are planning a week long ride, in Montana!
And even though Chris no longer rides with me (last time was at WeSTOC 23, 2018), I have three of my sons that do, and they each have a ST1300, thanks to their dad.
This August, the four of us, are planning a week long ride, in Montana!
the Ferret
Daily rider since May 1965
We older riders (I'll be 75 in a few weeks) seem to make up the majority of the forum participants these days. Not sure if younger people aren't riding or just not participating in this form of social media, or a combo of both.
We are told that Harley is always on the verge off death because their riders are ageing out. Could be. Could be too that the motorcycle industry as a whole is ageing out.
I can tell by motorcycle designs, they are not designing bikes for us seniors anymore.
We are told that Harley is always on the verge off death because their riders are ageing out. Could be. Could be too that the motorcycle industry as a whole is ageing out.
I can tell by motorcycle designs, they are not designing bikes for us seniors anymore.
You got that one right! I haven't seen any new bikes I would even consider!
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
Hell, I've heard that all my life. (OK, at least since I was 13 and started riding.)
Family (not most of them), friends, and even people I didn't know and didn't ask, have "shared" these tales.
Oh, and I've also known people that either got hurt or killed.
Hey there Spring chicken! I'm 80 years old and still love to ride, must admit my ST 1100 is a bit too heavy for me now though . If you have the love for riding motorcycles it never leaves you I guess. Enjoy it while you can.At this age (approaching 73), when people hear I ride a motorcycle (and not a little one), the first thing they have to tell me is about someone they knew, that got into an accident and either got hurt real bad or killed. Then you should see the faces when I tell them I have over 400,000 miles on the bikes I ride! They are in so much shock, they don't say much else!
And even though Chris no longer rides with me (last time was at WeSTOC 23, 2018), I have three of my sons that do, and they each have a ST1300, thanks to their dad.
This August, the four of us, are planning a week long ride, in Montana!
Bmacleod
Site Supporter
+1
Exactly!
My brother is 3 years older than I am, but unfortunately, he's having shoulder and leg issues and is unable to ride any longer.
I hope to still be riding, well into my 80s!
I guess I'm a spring chicken at 70 compared to some here. Nothing wrong with old riders. The pace is a little slower and we have to stop and pee a little more but its a small price to pay to keep our wheels in motion. I'm having more fun at any other time in my life being an old codger rider. I can be in no hurry or speed it up. Ride anywhere I want be gone as long as I want.......no these are the days we worked all our lives for. Take your rewards
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
As the old saying goes about age -
"It's mind over matter and you don't mind, it don't matter!"
"It's mind over matter and you don't mind, it don't matter!"
Well, one video led to another and then another. He's got an easy way of sharing his thoughts and many struck home for me.
I thought it funny when he said he was in his 60s. He sounds like he's older than I am. My docs say I'm a young 72. Might be, since I look around and people younger than me are leaving.
What I do know, is there will be an end to riding. It doesn't seem yet, but I consider each day I can ride a blessing.
I thought it funny when he said he was in his 60s. He sounds like he's older than I am. My docs say I'm a young 72. Might be, since I look around and people younger than me are leaving.
What I do know, is there will be an end to riding. It doesn't seem yet, but I consider each day I can ride a blessing.
yeah, same here.
I used to live nextdoor to a nurse, who refers to motorcyclists as "organ donors". I've mellowed over the years, but in my younger days when I lived nextdoor to her I crashed a few times, walked away unhurt every time, and she could never believe it was actually possible to do so. Given her profession, I'm sure she saw a lot of crashers, so I understand her perspective.
At age 67 I'm hoping that my crashing days are behind me, but realize its always possible every time we strap the helmet on. Fortunately, I've never known anyone personally who was killed in a m/c crash, and I hope to keep that streak going forever.
I'll be 70 next month, with both hips and right knee replacements.
None of my STs feel heavy to me, and I'm not slowing down yet.
I have absolutely no plans to stop riding in the foreseeable future.
None of my STs feel heavy to me, and I'm not slowing down yet.
I have absolutely no plans to stop riding in the foreseeable future.
I'm still active. Trips in four wheels and on two, keep up a fourth acre wooded, weedy yard, and keep up with the house. There's always something new to see, visit and do.
I know people who have been injured and killed doing all that.
Think that if I stop being 'active for my age' based on the assumptions of others rather than physical reality, I'll crawl into the hole and cover myself up with the cool, soft dirt.
I know people who have been injured and killed doing all that.
Think that if I stop being 'active for my age' based on the assumptions of others rather than physical reality, I'll crawl into the hole and cover myself up with the cool, soft dirt.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
I hope for you that streak continues also.
Unfortunately, I've attended some funerals (a couple within weeks of each other) of riders who died on the road.
In both of those cases, I doubt that anything they could have done would have changed the outcome (deer strike, speeding motorist out of nowhere).
But you prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
I learned from guys coming back from Nam when I was in the Corp -
"If it's your day, it's your day".
I'm not a fatalist but simply a realist.
If there is a new, useful piece of safety gear, I'm going to check into it.
That's why I ride with an air vest now - it was pricey but it made good sense from a safety perspective and did not 'harm the ride'.
I'll be 70 this June and have no intention to quit riding in the near future. I also consider myself to be a young 70 as I have all my original parts and everything is working within spec. I've had one or two minor incidents over my 50+ years of riding, but nothing that actually caused any injuries. I'm probably more likely to hurt myself doing the other sport I love, downhill skiing. This past winter I set a new speed record for myself, 78.4 kph. I should really try to ski slower but the rush of carving down the mountain is just like hitting the apex of a turn on my ST.
STFlips
Site Supporter
I was 73 last month and I think I will celebrate by going out and buying another bike. 
Pop-Pop
Site Supporter
It seems like there r deer and elk strikes every day here. Speed kills! Im 69 now and am very happy with the lower speed. I must b getting old as i rode the million dollar highway last fall and didnt like it at all. I love guard rails, pavement and long slow corners now.
My sons, brother and I rode that back in 2014. I agree, I didn't like it either.
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