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When Too Old to Ride?

9K views 76 replies 39 participants last post by  Tremor1961 
#1 ·
As I approached a stop sign yesterday I saw bike on its right side and a guy trying to lift it upright. I pulled my bike into a driveway and parked, took off my helmet and walked over to the guy. He was still in his riding pants, jacket and helmet, trying to lift his machine using proper bike righting technique, but not getting anywhere.

Even with his helmet on and visor down I could see that he was an older man (I’m 60, and he was significantly older than I am). “Ah, Triumph guy,” he called out. I was wearing my 20-year old Triumph T-shirt. “Think you can lift this thing?” I said I could with his help, so he lifted from the seat while I lifted from the bars. A car had pulled up behind us and a couple got out and I instructed them to lower the side stand.

We got the bike on its stand and I looked it over. Actually, this thing was not a motorcycle but a large scooter with a 650cc engine, hard saddle bags and a fairing. The right-hand mirror which housed the turn signal was the type that folds in an accident, so I pulled it out into its correct position. Aside from a few scratches it seems OK.

A guy on an XS1100 pulled up next to us and asked if he could help. “Hey, an 1100!” declared the old man. “You really have something there!”

I asked the old man if he would like to take off his helmet and sit for a while. He wanted to get going and straddled the scooter, turned the key and hit the starter. I noticed wires from a dash-mounted I-Pod going to earbuds in his helmet, and the wire was wrapped around the twist-grip. I untangled the wire and asked again if he would like to sit down for a bit. He started the scooter.

I delayed his leaving until all the cars had cleared the 4-way stop intersection (several cars had lined up behind us and I waved them around). Once the way was clear, the old man thanked me and XS1100 guy and took off. The old man left, making a very wide right turn (no on-coming traffic, fortunately) but making it.

I walked over to my bike, put my helmet and gloves on, hit the starter and rode off, taking the same right turn (but not nearly so widely). I rode a couple of blocks up the hill to a traffic light, which was red. I was in the right lane so I was unable to turn left. I looked to my left and saw the old man lying under his scooter in somebody’s lawn. He had evidently turned left and went wide, hopping the curb. He was slowly pulling himself out from under the scooter, helmet off, with neighbors gathering around him. He appeared to be OK, all things considered. Unable to turn left I rode on when the light turned green. A police car, a fire chief and a fire engine all raced by me towards the crash site, so I knew at that point that he would be taken care of. I regretted not insisting more forcefully that he take his helmet off and sit for a while before he rode away, but I can’t get a do-over on that.

As I continued to ride my very large, heavy, powerful motorcycle, it occurred to me that I was doing so with ease. The weight was not unwieldy for me and I was in complete control both physically and mentally. I felt bad for the old man, whose riding days are probably over (if he has any sense or if his kids can convince him). I felt young for the first time in a long time.
 
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#71 · (Edited)
It is not ones age but their condition that makes the difference. I have a good friend who is 82 and purchased a new VFR800 when he turned 80. I also have friends from high school who now use walkers. Me, I am buying a new Triumph for my eightieth next year. I expect to ride as long as it is safe. Probably another ten years.

Oh yeah, I ride a Ninja 650. Have to try and keep up with my younger neighbor (65) and his classic Ducati.

:wink2:

GR
 
#8 ·
Yeah, maybe high on heart meds or something. I really didn't like that he had that I-Pod running up into his helmet. Distracted riding is a bad idea. My wife/passenger wanted me to install a bluetooth intercom thing in our helmets but I don't want that. I need to focus on the operation of the bike--our lives are at stake after all, and the LAST thing I need to have is her voice in my headset as I'm going through a technical turn.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Your're too old to ride when you are no longer able to handle your bike safely and still enjoy riding. Some move to three wheels for that reason. As far as scooters, the BMW 650 scoot weighs the same as their RT. No Vespa. It just takes some sensibility to know when the time has come. There was a Guzzi dealership owner who lived to 103 in Conn. He rode to the end, but switched to a moped when he got "older".
 
#5 · (Edited)
I really think that physical condition is more the issue than age. I am still riding at age 71. As long as I do not develop any health issues that make riding dangerous, I will continue. If I start having problems with balance, sight, eye hand coordination, etc. It is time to stop, no matter the age. I will admit, I cannot lift my bike by myself if I were to lay it down. It would be easy for someone to pass a law that after a certain age you cannot ride anymore, but that would be very unfair to those that are fit and healthy. ...J.D.
 
#7 ·
If I ever own a trike, I will never refer to riding it as motorcycling, and I would rather have a sports car than a three wheeler anyway. If I have to ask myself if I should quit, then I should quit. I'm almost 68 and I never ask that question. My wrists and shoulders are shot, and it will get to the point when I can't ride. I'll say " Let's go for a ride " my body will say " NO ".
 
#11 ·
We all at some time have to make hard decisions. I am 70, had my left knee replaced on Dec 1st and was back on the bike Jan 2nd. I had my right knee replaced on April 27th and am not back on the bike yet. The rehab docs say I am doing real good but I still do not have 100% confidence in my new knee. I am riding my bicycle 10 to 15 miles a day and walking 1.5 miles twice a day, my knee flex is 125 degs and I still do not trust myself. I am leaving for the summer and going to my house in Northern NY in 10 days and have decided to leave my bike here for the summer. Just about everywhere I go up north I am parking and traversing non level, rocky, gravel and or sandy ground. I just do not trust myself yet in those conditions. So leave my bike here for the summer and spend the next couple of months getting myself back into a condition that I find acceptable, if not, I will cross that bridge in October when I get back to Florida. But this summer without my bike in the Adirondacks is really going to suck.
 
#36 ·
Good Points Grumpy




The above illustrates my favorite guideline for old guy ridership - its from Inspector Harry Callahan, who famously said "A man has to know his limitations!"
You just need to be a little more judicious with when and where you ride. I never ride when I am pissed off, stressed out, tired, groggy, aggravated with myself, or have been a bad boy otherwise and feeling loopy. I avoid traffic just like the black plague, or Nancy Pelosi, nearly the same thing.
Older you get, the more quality rides are important, its not about racking up thousands of miles. I take a lot of rides of around 20 miles, or less.
Simple answer for when to quit - If you don't enjoy riding and your mind is wandering , then get off! Grumpy made a good decision here.

WEEDIE
 
#12 ·
My Dad's 75 and still riding his T100. He's in real good health so I don't see him stopping soon. He has some issue with his neck where it starts aching after a few hours, so he's not piling on the miles.

He's talking hauling his bike from New Hampshire out here to Wisconsin so we can check valve clearances and replace some shims if need be. I suggested forget the valves, just fly out and he can use wife's bike and we can do some day rides.

Not sure how to delicately say "Dude, you're 75, how many more miles do you think you're going to put on that bike?" At under 1,000 miles a year, let the next owner worry about the valves.

Either way will be fine. I might ride out to the Adirondacks this summer and meet up with him there, and do day rides together that way. And forget the valves
 
#14 ·
As I write this my Dads in the Isle of Man on his 300 ninja the weather was totally rubbish he just puts his waterproofs on and rides . As he told the South African gent who politely asked how old he was " 85 in September " no sign of stopping yet . He also has a big Honda Silverwing scooter which he loves , maybe when he starts falling off we can persuade him to downsize a little . He's on 2 new ankles and a new knee , had to have his leg broken and straightened before they would do the knee .
 
#15 ·
At 72 I had a decision to make, keep riding a 900lb EasyBoy lounger (Victory Vision) for short tripping and taking up lots of garage space or getting something that I started riding with and enjoyed a lot! BSAs were my choice in the sixties and I loved them but eventually decided bigger was better, even after several crotch rockets, and I lost my way. Thank you Triumph for giving me back a machine that allows me to re-live my youth without having to restore an old motorcycle. I intend to keep riding for as long as I can safely handle the Thrux R and feel good.
 
#17 ·
After hanging around long enough to slightly amaze myself I can see some significant things about aging and bike/auto operation.

Staying sharp with your vehicle operating skills is enhanced if you stay in good physical condition to include vigorous exercise and so I do. No recent tickets and no my-fault crashes are indicators. Skill to avoid possible crashes caused by others is good.

A more sinister aspect of aging and vehicle operation is that when some people no longer have the judgement to always do it well may also not have the judgement to stop driving when they become a danger to all. I will bite my tongue so as to say nothing like that about driving while young.

People age at different rates.

My insurance guy says that rates for an aging driver continue as is if no tickets and no crashes.
 
#18 ·
While not motorcycle-related, my grandfather is 90 and still drives like a crazed Italian, i.e. 1,000 mph everywhere. Sure he runs into stuff but it's usually inanimate objects. When he upgrades to hitting pedestrians, we'll probably look into taking his license away.

He recently bought a riding mower. He took one lap around the yard and said "how do I make it go faster?" :D
 
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#20 ·
Stratofaster

Back to the original post you did what you could do. You couldn't force the guy to do anything you should have no guilt.

As to the question When to Old?...... maybe a better statement When no longer Able to.

I have a friend who just announced no more. The bikes are for sale personal choice this one used to win high mile awards every year. She is 90. Her husband passed as the result of a motorcycle accident when he was 83 about fourteen years ago. The accident was minor but internal bleeding couldn't be stopped and was the result due to usage of blood thinners. Another guy I know sold his when he turned 81.

These are all part of a Road Riding group the youngest is maybe 60. Most are planning long distance trips to Rally's this year and are in the high '70s.

The choice to stop riding (or driving a car) has to be a personal one. Family/Friends MAY need to intercede but you cannot shove it down a persons throat. Being a motorcyclist/biker (your choice) is a state of mind for some. I sure couldn't tell any of the people I know no more riding.


K
 
#22 ·
I want to be like Lefty's dad when I get old.

Deciding to stop riding is more about your condition (physical and mental) than you number of laps around the sun. I'm young for the crowd on this site at 47 but I am already knowing my body is aging. Mainly my knees. I stretch a lot bc my doc says it keeps my knees happier. I'll likely have to move to a less sport stance bike in less than a decade... or new knees.

Everyone is different. Dad stopped riding any distances in his 50s, but he's got rheumatoid arthritis bad (artificial knees, hips, 5 fused vertebrae in his spine), can barely walk now at 78. Mentally he could ride but his body won't let him and I know it makes him sad. He was visiting recently for my middle daughter's graduation and we spent a lot of time in the garage "working" on the bikes and I had him sit on my 2003 Sprint and started it up for him. He cried happy tears because he misses riding so much. My earliest memories are of sitting on the tank of his CB500T at 4 years old as we rode around Anchorage, AK. He started riding when he was 15, and I started stealing that CB500 when I was 14 :)

Enough nostalgia. I'm going to ride as long as I'm able. For my dad and for me.
 
#23 ·
MileHigh,

After just having gone through knee minescus injury rehab I can suggest you look into active knee muscle strengthening exercises, not just stretching.
There are quite a number of exercises.
An ortho surgeon once told me to avoid all those types of surgeries until impossible not to.
 
#24 ·
I was gonna make a "smart" response by saying when you look up and don't see sky but see grass roots, you're probably too old to ride. But, this is a serious topic and I'm particularly sensitive to it. I'm pushing hard on 75 and thoroughly enjoy running my bikes up and down the 2-lane twisty roads. However, I notice that my 500 lb motorcycles can be a challenge to move around in the shop and are sometimes difficult to manage a very slow speeds on the road and when stopped. I'm not ready to give up riding but I do have new rules for my next bike: No more than 400 lbs wet and a seat height no more than 30.5 inches.

I've also undergone 3 months of physical therapy because of my bad back and my treatment has been aimed at increased flexibility and improved core strength. I can tell the difference in my riding and figure that I'll be doing my hour every day so long as I wish to continue to ride.
 
#27 ·
I'm not ready to give up riding but I do have new rules for my next bike: No more than 400 lbs wet and a seat height no more than 30.5 inches.

I've also undergone 3 months of physical therapy because of my bad back and my treatment has been aimed at increased flexibility and improved core strength.
I sold my wife's 250 Nighthawk to a fellow with going in that direction. He said he was going from Gold Wing to Nighthawk and all his friends had done similarly and are having a blast. Personally, I found it a bit too light because it didn't absorb bumps but rather bounced off them. Probably 400 pounds would be good because the 750 Bonne doesn't act like the Nighthawk did on bumps.

For your back, I've always found that about a half hour on the mountain bike loosens mine right up.
 
#26 ·
I have to say that a lot of you guys are inspiring. I stated in my OP that I felt young at 60 for the first time because I can still do many of the things that a young man can do, such as competently operate a big, heavy motorcycle. There are a lot of you in your 70's still at it and I hope to be among that group in about 10 years.
 
#30 ·
I'm with most of the posters above... no such thing as too old, only your condition and attitude. I don't come from a family of bikers, but we've got a few highly independent old folks around. For any of these folks I'd suggest not ever, ever, trying to separate them from their driving licenses. My 88 year old father drove up until the end of his life, and would even do things that I would find challenging. One evening he drove himself and my mother to a concert in a local city (140 kms round trip) at night, returning home in the wee hours of the morning. He also consistently ignored speeding signs, not dangerously fast, but few people ever had to pass him. My mother, now also into her late 80's, still drives and is still accident free, despite being blind in one eye. She doesn't go far, but she is in her car every day.

On the other hand, my wife's grandfather drove into his 90's. But those last few years were really slow, and oblivious to other cars. Miracle he didn't get into an accident. But he did marry a woman 30 years his junior, also when he was well into his 90's... so maybe he was too tired to drive fast! That man was my hero!
 
#31 ·
Hmmm, based on the input here I might be considered one of the really old timers. Yep, at 77 time has taken its toll. I've been riding for over 60 years beginning with a 1953 Harley, and then realizing the ways of my sins, moving on to a 650 Bonneville for a long while.

I've pretty much stopped riding my Yamaha Warrior 1700, a really great bike, but definitely still feel comfortable with my current 'half the size' 865 Bonneville with its electric starter --- YEAH ! Sometimes we need to forget the good ol' days, thank heaven's.

Not sure when, but I expect the next downsize will be to the RZ350, and who knows, maybe a scooter after that. Been doing a lot more bicycle riding for the exercise, including having ridden the bicycle 103 miles on a nice weather day about a week ago.

Hard to imagine giving up riding motorcycles entirely having owned about 60 bikes and ridden all over the Western US including many many thousands of miles of single track trails and dirt roads. As we motorcyclists smugly know better than anyone else, there just ain't a much better way to enjoy the more scenic byways of the countryside than on a motorcycle.

Given all that Triumph love, the Harley company and their riders did get this part right, Live to Ride, Ride to Live.
.
 
#37 · (Edited)
Not sure when, but I expect the next downsize will be to the RZ350, and who knows, maybe a scooter after that. Been doing a lot more bicycle riding for the exercise, including having ridden the bicycle 103 miles on a nice weather day about a week ago.

Given all that Triumph love, the Harley company and their riders did get this part right, Live to Ride, Ride to Live.
.
103 miles in a day is a very solid ride and at 77 years young that most likely puts 99.9 % of us to shame. My goal is to be able to ride 100 miles on my next birthday in November, I'll be 71. Two wheels are two wheels. No matter what name or size they come with, they still count as riding. I imagine that someday I will end up on one of my grandchildren's push bikes and still have a grin on my face.
 
#33 ·
When you have to tape you name, phone number, and home address to the tank before you leave the house, it is time............
You made my day haha
 
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