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Too old to ride?
- Thread starter Prospect
- Start date
I'm on my 3rd GSXR1000, and I won't see 59 again. What strain is there in riding a sport bike if you modify it? I have Heli bars and slightly lowered pegs. When I was 52 I rode 1500 k in one day on a stock GSXR1000 and have routinely ridden 500 k days without a problem. Tell me, do you think a 35 year old guy who never works out and is 30 lbs. overweight finds it less strain to ride a sportbike, than a 59 year plus guy who works out and stays in shape?
Sure, when you're 40 make sure you get a nice ill handling cruiser, but make sure you work out so that the 800 lb. boat doesn't wear your old body out.
I think if it came to betting on Kenny Roberts, well into his 50's and you, well I am sure you know who I'd bet on.
Zerbz
Active member
You seem fairly upset with what I said, you shouldn't be.
I'm sure you're in fantastic shape pal, so I'm not even going to bother challenging your alpha maleness. Keeping trying to hold onto your youth bud!!
Griffin
Well-known member
If you become out of shape when you turn 40, your choice or ride is the least of your problems.
If you find riding a sport bike hard on your body, you're doing it wrong. I can ride all day on a sport bike but a cruiser would kill me within an hour.
Griffin
Well-known member
Who wants to hold onto youth? Youth sucks. I just want to stay healthy. And riding a sport bike has nothing to do with youth, IMO.
Thought I was being assertive, but I guess from rereading my post it could be interpreted as ****** off. Just trying to make a point. Come the day I "know" that I shouldn't be riding a full out sports bike because I no longer have what it takes to do so, then I'll quit riding them. Not because I can't ride a bike anymore, but because I won't be able to ride it anywhere like what it was intended for.
I would never buy a cruiser. I tried a few over the years, and quite honestly I think they are downright dangerous, expecially with those stupid cowhorn bars. I never felt 100% in control. They are too heavy, you can't lean them over, and they handle like crap. No wonder guys of my generation that haven't ridden a bike for years are crashing. I go down to the Gap on a regular basis, and the last 3 years running the only bikes I have seen crashing, are cruisers.
Take care, and get yourself into shape by the time you hit 40 young fella.
"intended for"? you kids and your speed bikes
If you're riding that to 1/3 of its' capability on the street......I stopped counting hp at 103 in 1983. Even that was stupid fast. Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't 160hp used moderately legally be like cruising down pit lane?
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At 48 years old I'm enjoying superbike(ish) performance with ride all day ergos on my Multistrada. Hitting the gym a few times a week for cardio and weights also helps make riding more enjoyable as the years pass. You have to put in a bit of effort to continue to do the things you enjoy doing. I play hockey in a 45 and over league and there are guys pushing 70 that are still out there battling for pucks in the corners. That's what I want to do as well.
Y'know it's not just a choice between cruisers and SS.
There are dozens of varieties in between with a ton of different levels of aggressive seating to upright.
I'm riding 3 versions of seating position - sport touring, upright dual sport and the Burgman 650.
I found my son's 650 sv cramped - I'm sure I would find my old RD400 cramped as well. Getting seating and handlebar height and windscreen correct is an ongoing issue with many models.
Certainly if you are tall enough and strong enough the big twin dual sports are awfully comfy, handle well and can do some limited dirt road duty with upright seating which I like for photo shoot rides.
But it's not a black and white choice - there are many many varieties out there.
I do agree with the fitness bit.....I'm certainly feeling my lack there of tho still handled 13 hours and bout half of that dirt and track yesterday and felt okay.
I was cautious with my knee - that's one thing i notice...you simply don't recover as quickly.
But sometimes age brings a different kind of endurance just based on experience.
For instance I'm in a love hate with the ST1100 just now.
So I might flip that out for something smaller but will do the Aussie tour first but I won't quit riding.
My riding partner is an example of toughness.
Riding to the Mitchell/Mount Mulligan tomorrow ( weather permitting ) ....taking it easy as this is what can happen even at 60 kph on those tracks with a slight judgement error. Ken is a very experienced off road rider in his 50s
Tough bastard .....ride 170km through the bush with a split kidney amongst other bangs and bruises.
BUT he's still recovering 6 months later.....20 years ago he'd be back in form.
Ride what you like - and keep riding until you don't want to anymore ....that's the only guide for each person.
There are dozens of varieties in between with a ton of different levels of aggressive seating to upright.
I'm riding 3 versions of seating position - sport touring, upright dual sport and the Burgman 650.
I found my son's 650 sv cramped - I'm sure I would find my old RD400 cramped as well. Getting seating and handlebar height and windscreen correct is an ongoing issue with many models.
Certainly if you are tall enough and strong enough the big twin dual sports are awfully comfy, handle well and can do some limited dirt road duty with upright seating which I like for photo shoot rides.
But it's not a black and white choice - there are many many varieties out there.
I do agree with the fitness bit.....I'm certainly feeling my lack there of tho still handled 13 hours and bout half of that dirt and track yesterday and felt okay.
I was cautious with my knee - that's one thing i notice...you simply don't recover as quickly.
But sometimes age brings a different kind of endurance just based on experience.
For instance I'm in a love hate with the ST1100 just now.
So I might flip that out for something smaller but will do the Aussie tour first but I won't quit riding.
My riding partner is an example of toughness.
Riding to the Mitchell/Mount Mulligan tomorrow ( weather permitting ) ....taking it easy as this is what can happen even at 60 kph on those tracks with a slight judgement error. Ken is a very experienced off road rider in his 50s
Tough bastard .....ride 170km through the bush with a split kidney amongst other bangs and bruises.
BUT he's still recovering 6 months later.....20 years ago he'd be back in form.
Ride what you like - and keep riding until you don't want to anymore ....that's the only guide for each person.
Being young does generally suck, except for that pretty healthy thing that most youth do have. The experience of youth is truly wasted upon the young who don't fully appreciate their relative invincibility on the health front, IMHO.
Age is NOT a barrier to riding, condition of health, either mental awareness or physical condition, is.
Never assume that you are going to be able ride into a ripe old age - the Fickle Finger of Fate might well flip you the Bird before you get there, in terms of your overall health. The idea of "lifestyle habits" has very little to do with maximizing your likelihood of getting there. In the case of riding, as far as health and ability goes, i would very much recommend to live for the riding moment, with a hopeful eye on the future - nothing more. You might well be disappointed otherwise.
I'm there now, at a relatively young 45 years of age, riding since i was 17. My bikes have been parked since 2010.. even the light-weight scooters, due to two somewhat less than successful hip replacement procedures within the past 2 years. I've got a sidecar rig, but even that is out of reach until i can rework it with a reverse gear to compensate for lack of power in the legs for rolling it back. That may happen this year.. or not. The Fickle Finger of Fate has yet to decide that.
Enjoy riding for the moment.. you know not when life/circumstances/situation throws a spanner into the works - whether you be young, old, older, or ancient.
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Age is one factor - injury another.
In my case I switched to the Burgman to save my hands and the last couple of days off road confirmed how bad they could get with all the clutching.
Repetitive strain injuries like that tend to a accumulate.
You just have to look as yhe search for decent seats for various models - hell my kid is 21 and after a Sargant and some risers on an SV650.
Sure - you can tough it out but better to deal with it both for immediate relief and avoid long term damage.
As you get older....you recover more slowly and sometimes the damage becomes permanent so it affects the ride choice.
Celebrex helps
I try and get out a lot within physical limits ( tho I pushed it this week with two long days out of three ) as you never know as the rider above you commented.
Tips - use a cruise control, limit vibration - over time it adds up to nerver damage in your hands if you don't....and yeah ear plugs too - it's nicer when it's quiet anyways.
In my case I switched to the Burgman to save my hands and the last couple of days off road confirmed how bad they could get with all the clutching.
Repetitive strain injuries like that tend to a accumulate.
You just have to look as yhe search for decent seats for various models - hell my kid is 21 and after a Sargant and some risers on an SV650.
Sure - you can tough it out but better to deal with it both for immediate relief and avoid long term damage.
As you get older....you recover more slowly and sometimes the damage becomes permanent so it affects the ride choice.
Celebrex helps
I try and get out a lot within physical limits ( tho I pushed it this week with two long days out of three ) as you never know as the rider above you commented.
Tips - use a cruise control, limit vibration - over time it adds up to nerver damage in your hands if you don't....and yeah ear plugs too - it's nicer when it's quiet anyways.
I turn 41 this summer and after having done the cruiser thing since circa 2000 (SS before that), then dirt for the last 4, I'm nothing but focused at getting back on a SS. I blame my buddy for making me test his 'Busa after a sprocket change, lol.
Or I'm going Enduro so I can keep the dirt roads and option, don't know yet........we'll see what deals pop up over the next month or so.
Tripletrouble
Well-known member
I just picked up a set of footboards yesterday as I found my feet get cramped on 700 mile days on my Rocket with pegs. Glad I can still ride as I was very sick a few years ago and almost died. Now I take nothing for granted and enjoy every day. I'll be 66 in a few weeks and have a few miles left in me still. 49 years of riding and not ready to give it up yet. Also still able to kick over my old Brit iron too
