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How Old/How Long Riding?

9K views 66 replies 48 participants last post by  redhawk4 
#1 ·
Hi T-Bird owners... I saw this question on the Speedmaster thread and it got me curious about those of us riding T-Birds... I'll start: I'm 66, been riding for 32 years total.

I rode from the age of 18-28, then got my first Triumph (T-Bird 900 triple) at 45 years young and have been riding since. Bought my T-bird LT in '14.
 
#29 ·
47 and riding for 12 years. I started with a Suzuki V-Strom 650 and 4 years ago picked up a T-Bird Storm which by the way, I would like to sell so, pop on over to the classified section for the US/Canada and check it out if you are interested.
 
#30 ·
Geez! I may be one of the oldest on this thread. Be 77 this February. My brother had a Little James motorcycle (anyone remember the James Motorcycle Co. in England?). I rode it when I was 14. At 16 got a Lambretta LD 125. Great for a scooter. At age 31 I bought a used Honda trail 90 to putter around Tucson. Wanting more power, at age 33 bought a new 1973 Yamaha DT 250 - a screaming 2 cycle enduro. Really learned to handle bikes on that one. Kept it for 35 years and sold it to a high school friend who used to flat track them. He gave me $2000 - bike cost me $750 new. While I still had the Yamaha, I bought a new 2006 Piaggio BV500 at age 68 which I still have. A wonderful big scooter, great for touring. Am going to sell it soon.
I picked up a new 2010 Aprilia Mana GT 850 at age 70. It was an automatic but lightning fast (75 HP). It never fit me ergonomically so I traded it for a 2013 Triumph Thunderbird 1600. That's my current bike. It's ergonomically perfect for my size, and love everything about it. My wife has a 2011 Triumph Speedmaster which she loves. Sorry for the long winded reply, but it was fun to think back on all the bikes I've had over the years. People who have never ridden a motorcycle think I'm crazy for riding at my age, but I just chuckle inside! They will never know how spiritual it is.
 
#31 ·
I started riding when I was about 12. First bike I rode was a Miele moped. The second was a Francis Barnett 175cc.
These bikes certainly stirred my interest and bought my first bike, a Honda CB350 in the 70s. After that I bought a used 1967 Triumph Saint 650cc which was an ex cop bike. This was modified with oversize pistons and a Bonneville head, custom tank and seat. After that I went for a stretch without a bike and then bought a Honda CB250 in the 90s for commuting to work. In 2010 I bought a new Triumph Bonneville America and replaced that in 2014 with a new Thunderbird LT.
I am 64 now and ride with my wife as pillion mostly on weekend day trips in NZ.


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#32 ·
I feel like this thread would be more fun with everyone's mileage included. Not that any of you care about my feelings.

I'm 40... well, in a few more weeks anyway. I started when I was 25 and any gaps were small.

2001 XL883 Sportster, 19,000 miles
Vespa LX300 Super, 23,000 miles
T120, 1700 miles and counting
 
#33 ·
70 here. Been riding since I was 14. Started on small Hondas, then bought a 1957 Triumph Thunderbird for $600.00, wish I still had it. Purchased a new 1974 Triumph Bonneville 750, wish I still had it too. Paid $1800.00 for it brand new. Then, on to Kawasaki Vulcan (dog), then to Harley. Rode an Ultra Classic until 2014. Finally listened to my heart and bought a 2014 Triumph Thunderbird 1600. I love this bike. So quick and easy to handle. For an old guy, it's the best!
 
#34 ·
58 now. Rode a friend's Yamaha 175 off and on 16 -18 years old. Went to Germany 18 - 21 owned a HD 250 there. Back to the U.S. and bought a Yamaha 400. 23 - 26 back to Germany with no bike. On to L.A., California picked up a Honda 700 Sabre age 26 - 30. I rode 80 to 100 miles each way to work everyday or about 1000 miles per week give or take plus fun miles. My Wife and Mother-In-Law staged and intervention when the kids were young and I stopped riding until 2015 when I bought the Storm. Love that bike.:grin2:
 
#36 ·
awnitsol, we don't jump over fountains like those at Caeser's Palace, but if you want to join us this summer for a TBird Flocking, check out the Thunderbird group link at the bottom of my post, and if interested, send me an email at thunderbirdridersinpugetsound@gmail.com w/ your name and email and I'll add you to our member email list.
 
#37 ·
Started riding in 1977, on a Demm Smiley Moped, which was stolen from me late that year. I didn't get on another bike until 1986, after trying, and being turned down, for a Harley Softail. I rode a Yamaha 850 triple for 4 months out in Cali, then, gave the bike back when I couldn't afford to pay it off.

Started riding Harleys in 1999. Had a
1998 Sportster Custom
1993 FXDL Low Rider
2001 T-Sport - ( regret trading that one )
2001 FLHR Road King
2003 FLHRC Road King
2008 FXSTC Softail Custom
2012 FLHR Road King
2016 FLHR Road King

Along the way I also had a 2005 XB12s Buell Lightning
and an XB12SS Lightning Long, both of which are gone.

Last January, I test rode a TBird 1600 abs with 3400 miles on the clock, for 6900.00
Took it home that same day. I now have over 9000 miles as of tonight.

I still have the 2016 FLHR too, and ride that as well. In case you're wondering, I am 55.
 
#39 ·
started 1977 at 17
Yamaha Yg1f
Yamaha RD200
BSA 650 Lightening
Honda 400 4
Fantic 249 (went rogue off road)
Suzuki GSXR 750
Honda Fireblade
Honda VTR
Triumph Bonneville
Triumph Rocket 111

Currently
Triumph LT Thunderbird
Norton Dominator 99 600 slim line.
Honda 400 4 85% restored.

8 Bikes in 33 years and then 3 Bikes in 4 years. Doh!!
Apart from the last 3 years I tend to keep my bikes for a long time.
 
#41 ·
started on my first bike in 1968,was a kerry capitano,was too tall for me being 8 so my dad took the seat off so i could touch the ground.haha.started on the road in 1976,had a puch m2.since then ive had 58 bikes over the years,present ones are vtr1000,xv700 and XL600R.hopefully will have a 1600 bird soon too.a pic here of me in 1976 on my puch,great fun unleashing 1.8hp.:grin2:
 

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#44 ·
I had a Demm Smiley that was blue and white. It got stolen :crying: from in front of the townhouse in the summer of 77.

I didn't get another bike until 1999. I had oine I was riding and trying to buy in 1986, but I ended up getting an early discharge and gave it back to the guy without being able to pay it off.
 
#42 ·
Im 67 and started riding motorcycles in 1964. First bike was a 1938 Speed Twin, dirt hack, then a 52 Thunderbird dirt bike, then a 55 TR5 dirt bike.
First road bike was a 1962 TR6 in 1967 then bought a new Bonneville in 1968.
After that I had a K2 Honda 750, then a 78 Bonnie.
Got married and no bikes for a few years, then a new 2000 model Soft Tail. Also built a really nice 40 Ford Coupe hotrod and a 33 Ford pickup, in the meantime.
Then bought a 2011 Holden HSV, 6.2 litre 325 kw, sits in the garage and does not move often.
Now have a Thunderbird Storm, a really nice 70 model TR6C, a complete and unmolested 61 T110 and restoring a 61 Comp Matchless 500.
Just been diagnosed with the dreaded prostate c so fluck it, now I need to stop working, worrying, and enjoy my bikes and hotrods for the time remaining
 
#45 ·
Ok, I'll bite. First bike 1971 Yamaha ct-1 175, everybody had dirt bikes! Traded up to 1972 DT-250 rode the crap out of it. (still have it). Got the first street bike 1972 RD-350, where I learned to love curves. Also You could beat the crap out of the dozens of honda 350's running around. Got a real job and decided I needed the baddest mother out there, 1975 Z1-900 Kawa. Must of liked it, had it 23 years while we raised family, etc. In 99 went to the Triump camp and got my 1998 thunderbird. It's got about 45K on it. Tried Kawa Concours about one year, almost ruined my back, poor judgement on me. Hell I didn't need 150 horse anyway. Came back and just switched to the 2010 thunderbird. Oh and I guess I should admit to being 64.

ride often and safe

Dan
 
#48 ·
61 years of age, been riding since I was 18 (16, if you are willing to take a Kreidler moped into account). Then Zündapp 125, BMW R 50, Yamaha SR500. Took a break from riding after 1984 due to having a family. Started again in 2014 with a Yamaha TMax, great scooter and IMO an excellent way to get back into riding after a 30-year break. It reminded me of how much fun riding is, without being too challenging.
Just upgraded to a 2011 Thunderbird 1600 which was delivered two days ago. I know this is a huge step but I am taking it slow, getting to know the bike and improving my skills. But I always wanted a big cruiser and I guess I can always downsize later when age makes it difficult to handle a 330kg bike.
 
#49 ·
I´m 47. Been riding for 4 years. First on Triumph T100, then on a Triumph Street Triple 675RX, and now I ride a Thunderbird LT 1700. Ease things down some notches after several speeding tickets, I now enjoy the cruising.
 
#50 ·
I'm 63.

Got my first bike at 17 -- a Honda 90. Rode that thing everywhere -- road, dirt, even for short stretches on a freeway, which was scary as hell. Went off to college and sold it.

Fast forward 25 years; met a friend who rode and got the itch again. Bought an old bike off him -- a POS Honda CB 650, with a shredded seat patched with electrical tape, and it leaked oil and burned oil. Rode it for a few years, but got tired of spattering oil on my work pants, and got rid of it.

Fast forward another 15 years. I'm 56 years old, recently widowed, and said ******mit I want a bike. And a good one, this time. So I bought myself a Speedmaster; 3 years later, traded it in for a Thunderbird.
 
#51 ·
I'm 63.

I'm 56 years old, recently widowed, and said ******mit I want a bike. And a good one, this time. So I . . . traded it in for a Thunderbird.
You accomplished your goal; I think you'll be very pleased with the TBird.
 
#52 ·
I'm 58 and I've been riding for 25 days. (Bought my T-bird on March 2nd).

I got my license last fall, anticipating that my truck would be all paid off in January. With all those trucking dollars to spend I made a spreadsheet to decide what's the best bike-for-the-buck in my price range. I picked the 2010 ABS over an America, a Suzuki Blvd C90, a Kawasaki Vulcan and Victory Vegas. Harley isn't a consideration. Now I find myself watching the weather reports like never before.

I had some experience on a Kawasaki 90CC 2-stroke street bike (no, not a dirt bike - not even an enduro) back around 1976-77. It wasn't my bike and I passed it on pretty quick. But this Triumph is the motorcycle I wrote about in my freshman English placement essay. It got me out of having to take EnglComp-101. 40 years and 5 kids later, here I am.
 
#55 ·
Wow we can start our own rocker club, 'the geriatrics' or medicare
pack
clyde at least has a few years before he's farting dust. The rest of us are just a pit stop away from electric wheelchairs. Wouldn't have it any other way tho'
 
#56 ·
I am a biker newb compared to you guys...

Started in 2003 (age 36) on a 1979 Yamaha XS750 Special, an air cooled shaft drive triple that was a b*tch to start but pulled like a mule all day once it was warmed up. Graduated to an '87 Yamaha FZ700 and rode that across a couple of states, plus commuting and lots of weekend rides with friends.

When I moved to Texas, I sold the bikes, but... managed to only make it 6 months before picking up ANOTHER Yamaha FZ, this was an '85 750 model. Unfortunately, it had sitting disease pretty bad, and so I sold it off soon after.

Procured a 1993 BMW K75/RT (another triple!) in 2011, and rode that for a couple of years, both commuting and long trips (Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado). Fried the clutch coming back from the last one, and even after getting it rebuilt, just didn't have the cojones I was looking for in a bike.

So I got a Sprint. 2008, 1050 cc's... and blew a crankshaft bearing within the first year. Bought a salvage motor, had it put in. Ran it around gathering miles (and a few tickets), until just last week, I traded Sapphire Strumpet in for a 2014 Storm that had been taking up floor space at the dealer for Far Too Long.

So, been riding for 13 years, 6 bikes, and just turned 50.
 
#58 ·
The good news is, I just saw an article about Rocket III's soon to be offered as trike builds, alongside Gold Wings and Hardley-Ableson tourers.

Something to look forward to when my back and hips start to complain, I suppose.
 
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