That is changing, there are more 40+yrs old folks going to motorcycle training courses now and the number is growing. I was at 2 different M1 exit courses over the last 2 months to observe, about 40% of each class were older then 40 and about half of them rode before or have a full M license already are taking the course to get back into it. Those numbers are starting to increase from what I have been told. These people were the sensible ones, this doesn't go account for people who already have a license and just go out and buy a bigger bike like you said.
That is changing, there are more 40+yrs old folks going to motorcycle training courses now and the number is growing. I was at 2 different M1 exit courses over the last 2 months to observe, about 40% of each class were older then 40 and about half of them rode before or have a full M license already are taking the course to get back into it. Those numbers are starting to increase from what I have been told. These people were the sensible ones, this doesn't go account for people who already have a license and just go out and buy a bigger bike like you said.
'Not fat, but... being old has its advantages as far as insurance goes.
I NEVER hear anyone in my cohort of riders speaking desperately about bike insurance.
So... Enjoy your little 300cc ninja or whatever whilst I go on vacation on my whatever size/style bike I damn well please...
Mind you... Riding is one of my few joys seeing as I can't stay up too late and half the time I want it to my willie don't work.
So... Enjoy your 300cc bike and your boners.
I'm having a bit of problem accepting that article as it quotes absolute numbers ...an increase in accidents is not done per 1000 riders but as a number.
Since the baby boomer cohort is larger ....then the accidents will be more numerous.
'Not fat, but... being old has its advantages as far as insurance goes.
I NEVER hear anyone in my cohort of riders speaking desperately about bike insurance.
So... Enjoy your little 300cc ninja or whatever whilst I go on vacation on my whatever size/style bike I damn well please...
Mind you... Riding is one of my few joys seeing as I can't stay up too late and half the time I want it to my willie don't work.
So... Enjoy your 300cc bike and your boners.
I can see this. I've lost a couple of older riding friends in the last few years, and seen plenty of greybeard crashes. All were riding heavy cruisers, most had a 20+ year gap from when they had their first ride.
It's too bad that most 50 year olds returning to riding look at heavy cruisers as their first re-bikes. My advice to returning riders: Start over, start with a standard bike that is light and manageable, spend a year reacquainting yourself with a bike, the current road conditions then move up to the chrome 1/2 ton.
It's the new old riders that it points to, not old old riders. New old riders are exactly that...new riders. So not the age of the rider that should be taken account, but the experience level....at current.
It's the new old riders that it points to, not old old riders. New old riders are exactly that...new riders. So not the age of the rider that should be taken account, but the experience level....at current.
It's difficult to label some folks as old.There are lots of exceptions to the rule.Like Helmut Clasen of Dundas.He's 82 and quite capable of making younger riders look foolish.
Old but very experienced and talented (see above) is a whole different situation from an old new rider.
The problem with the old new riders is that they can afford the shiny chrome-laden overweight H-D barge and its insurance, but they don't necessarily have the skill set to ride it properly, and they often don't want the 300cc learner bike that they really should be riding for a year first.
If you want to see old but very experienced riders, come out to SOAR and watch the Old Boys class next year. Last round of this year had 7 rows on the starting grid. It is not a slow class!
Mind you... Riding is one of my few joys seeing as I can't stay up too late and half the time I want it to my willie don't work.
So... Enjoy your 300cc bike and your boners.
Young Experienced rider >> Old inexperienced rider
There are exceptions to this rule, but generally if people do something for longer, experience more things, they get better at things(especially if they make regular efforts to get better, advanced courses, occasional track day)
The whole insurance thing is true for the most part(barring the 75 year old in track leathers riding the zx 14, still complaining about high insurance)
The plus aged returner has a number of possible medical problems.
At 50 YO 50% have some form of arthritis. Shoulder checks are restricted.
Vision issues
Prescription meds such as blood thinners could make a bad crash into a fatal one
Reaction times are slower, the difference between a close call and a crash.
I'm not sure about the psychological factors. Thinking one has to keep up with the young bucks on a ride or the critical mass thinking of invincibility.
With cages old drivers don't have accidents, they just cause them.
The article is based solely on American statistics which reflect the facts that at least 30 states do not require adults to wear helmets when riding motorcycles, the much higher level of alcohol-impaired traffic accident fatalities and the much more rudimentary (and less available) motorcycle rider training programs.
A quick review of Canadian Federal and Ontario motorcycle accident data for the last 5 years does not show an increasing trend in motorcyclist fatality rate per 100,000 registered motorcycles.
The Toronto Star - like some other media outlets in Canada - is relying much more on outsourcing of copy in order to fill the spaces between the ads. And, as in this case, the "foreign" copy is not always checked to see if the situation in Canada is similar. In this case, Canada and Ontario, differ significantly from the USA in regards to motorcycle safety.
AFJ
The plus aged returner has a number of possible medical problems.
At 50 YO 50% have some form of arthritis. Shoulder checks are restricted.
Vision issues
Prescription meds such as blood thinners could make a bad crash into a fatal one
Reaction times are slower, the difference between a close call and a crash.
I'm not sure about the psychological factors. Thinking one has to keep up with the young bucks on a ride or the critical mass thinking of invincibility.
With cages old drivers don't have accidents, they just cause them.
Im 57, my father 87. We both ride and can make shoulder checks. My father also skis at mount washington every winter.
as for vision - you pass the eye test or you dont.
and anyone over 50 has psyc problems?
and old people in cages just cause crashes?
prescription drugs will turn accidents into fatal crashes?
EDIT
I don't know where you get your "thoughts", but you need to learn to speak for yourself rather than gloom and doom 50 + older folks. No different an attitude from those who say all sport bike riders are hooligans....
Im pretty sure there are plenty of 50+ riders who could embarrass you at the race track. My father at 87, has never been involved in a motor vehicle accident ...EVER. car or bike. How about you young guys, have you got 65+ years riding and driving w/o ever being in an accident? and that is 37 years at 50 over. My mother once recalled to me my fathers first car in sudbury....it had a hand crank on the front of the car for starting, my mother would have to ask someone strong enough to crank start the engine for her when alone.....As a youngster myself (pre teens, teens) my father always had a vette in the driveway - I remember the 62 convertible, the 68 with a 3 carbs 400hp 427 4 speed convertible, and a couple 70's vettes. Just in case you think my father has never got in an accident because he rode/drove like a grand pa (pun intended). My mother did spin and hit a telephone pole rear end first (lakeshore in oakville) ...with one of the 70's. My mom was under 50 at the time.
Im 57, my father 87. We both ride and can make shoulder checks. My father also skis at mount washington every winter.
as for vision - you pass the eye test or you dont.
and anyone over 50 has psyc problems?
and old people in cages just cause crashes?
prescription drugs will turn accidents into fatal crashes?
I don't know where you get your "thoughts", but you need to learn to speak for yourself rather than gloom and doom 50 + older folks. No different an attitude from those who say all sport bike riders are hooligans....
Im pretty sure there are plenty of 50+ riders who could embarrass you at the race track.
While you make a valid point, you can't say that you and your father represent the average 57 and 87 y old.
My father is 77, still salsa dances at salsa gatherings, has no problems walking for miles, going to the gym etc.
But i know that he isnt also representative of most 77 y olds in general.
Which is maybe why noobie might've clumsily put 50+ in the same geriatric bracket. So i get what he's saying. Definitely not at your peak at that age from a general "human lifespan" stand point
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