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When should we stop riding? -- perspectives of an older rider

As a British biker who frequently rides in California - I am a member of the IAM (Institue of Advanced Motorists)which is a British association for Advanced riders and drivers and teaches 'safe but progressive riding' aimed at taking experienced riders/drivers beyond the minimum test standard required by legislation. 'Progressive riding' means for example that if you can make a safe and legal overtaking opportunity you are expected to do so in your Advanced test.

Many of the riders that join us are in the 40-60 years age group, some of them returning to biking after bringing up kids etc. and in my experience as one of the trainers, I don't find that older riders are necessarily any better or worse than younger ones. I can think of a rider in his 70s that is extremely good, pretty quick (in appropriate circumstances) and safe as well.

We offer ride checks - surely the MSF or something similar could assess you, which could offer you peace of mind at least that you are still up to it?

The effects of age on the quality of our riding is an individual thing and if you are generally fit and compus mentis (i.e. still mentally on this planet) then in my opinion carry on riding, as long as you still feel comfortable with it. If you don't, then I'd advise either giving up or going for retraining - if a quality trainer thinks you should give it up then no doubt they'll tell you.
 
I started riding in 1963 and still ride every now and then. Of course I would not think of riding a motorcycle on the track, at 65 I'm much too old and infirm to do that.
 
afm199 said:
I started riding in 1963 and still ride every now and then. Of course I would not think of riding a motorcycle on the track, at 65 I'm much too old and infirm to do that.
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Ernie, I hope that you never stop riding and kicking ass upon all the youngsters on the track.:ride You are one of my moto heroes.:thumbup
 
Just wanted to make a correction in what I wrote here some time ago. Instead of saying," I'm the oldest rider in the region", I should have said, "I'm one of the oldest riders in the region" Big difference in the two statements, but other than that this has been one of the most useful threads for me. For those who made posts up to 3-4 years ago they ought to return for a follow up report. It would be interesting to hear if things have changed since, when your older things change quickly in terms of physical and mental skills. Not a gradual one, somethings you can cite or put your finger on. For that you look at your parents and watch them as they got older. At one point I was 61 and both my parents were still alive. Then within a 12 month period they both passed away. I think that brought the reality home and I believe shit happens after you reach 75 to 80 years old, especially the latter.

Us older riders are by and large aware of the realities and have a pretty good handle on how to evaluate oneself in terms of ability to continue riding. It would be easier for me to give up the bike over giving up driving a car, giving up that is like giving up your freedom to escape. However, if I lived in more urban big city environment I don't think it would be bad at all since public transportation is available and you don't have to walk far to get a drink or a pack of smokes, lol. It would be way more secure living in Europe as an old fart. Not only because of free health care, but their transit system is superior to ours. Their culture is also more in tuned with extending a hand to senior citizens as well. I say that because there is a movement here to strip away all of it.

Sorry to go on a little tangent, but to me the decision to give up riding is a life changing event, kind of depressing now that I'm getting closer to that age when it happens. Compared to my first post, I guess you could say my riding is changing. I don't ride as much, but I do have a desire to transition to a more comfortable sport tour machine. I won't give up my 999R because thats a tinker toy and I love getting on it once in a while or just staring at it while parked in the garage. I went into a dealership the other day to look at the DL650 VStrom, a tidy very versatile bike I can take anywhere, but got distracted by the new Ninja 1000. What a bike. I fell for it pretty hard when I was told you could put factory saddle bags and a adjustable windshield on it. It looks like a streetfighter but you can take it to the borders if you want and bring your shit too. But I had to stop thinking about that bike and stick to whats more practical. I have one major strike against me, meaning a bad accident in 05. One more and I'll be in divorce court, so I'm extra careful out there and that is good. I take it month to month and once it doesn't become fun or I recognize I'm two paces behind the 8 ball, I'll hang up the keys. Until then I'll look forward to doing some motorcycle camping and hopefully with a buddy or two.
 
OP here --

I just turned 62 last month, and yes i am still riding. I still enjoy it, and it is still the best alternative for commuting across the Bay Bridge (except in the rain, which I just don't do anymore). My health is still excellent, and I have not noticed any problems that would keep me from riding.

Since I am now single, and my life plan is now wholly my own, I was thinking more about what I want my retirement (still at least a few years off) to be like. I have been thinking about becoming an RV gypsy with a bike loaded on the back for sightseeing and side trips.

Back more to the present, I am also thinking about getting some Hi Viz gear to wear, a headlight modulator, and a brake light flashie-thingie. I know some think that is whistling past the graveyard, but it might just be the little extra margin which saves me. Ya never know...

I am somewhat amazed at the longevity of this thread I started. I guess it hits some soft spots for a significant number of us.

HEY MODS: Could someone please correct my spelling in the original title? It has been bugging me since I first posted it.
 
Thanks for posting this OldApeMan, your right, it did hit a soft spot and thoughts of mortality. You mentioned commuting on the Bay Bridge, well, 60 or so years ago my Mom used to do the same thing, on a motorcycle too. At the time she was a chorus girl at the Chinese Sky Room in Chinatown. Her only means of transportation back then was a Triumph motorcycle. She would go to work in the early evening and get off after 2:00am, riding the bike back and forth to Oakland over the bridge. She told me she used to wear a longish pink scarf and very often the Highway Patrol would see that and provide escort for her over the bridge.
 
island4bobo said:
Please, everyone, be gentle on me when I say this --- if you are thinking about giving up on two wheels --

have you considered a trike?

You're still in the wind, you're still by yourself, you still have the motor between your legs. I understand its limitations, and certain safety issues, but it seems reasonable to me.

Or, and again, be gentle folks...... a 3-wheeled scooter like the Piaggio MP3?

Sure, perhaps some of the ego and testosterone is missing, but I'm told they can be a bundle of pure fun to ride.
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Not just any trike, a reverse trike! The way they're suppose to be.

http://reversetrike.com/home.html

Cheers!
 
I just caught this thread due to some idle wandering which I almost never have any time to do. I started riding in 1975 and have never been without a bike since. I don't ride very much at all these days other than to instruct on the track occasionally and stay at the back of a street ride with Montgomery Street or other group and then do a little bike commuting every once in a while. I like to 'cruise' on the street, I always have done at a pace that suits me that day, that moment. Sure, I have had some very spirited riding on Hwy 9, 25, 58, 33 and a host of other roads in Oregon and Washington and loved every second of it, but I felt it was right to do that on those occasions.

Today I ride the same way I did then when I was in my teens. I feel my way through a ride. Not comfortable - nice and slow, enjoy the scenery, feel the road beneath me and work with the bike to become one. Sometimes it feels right to pick it up a little on roads I know very well, so I go with the flow on that call.

I lane split all the time when I commute on the bike. I have no fear of the consequences and ride with a balance of defensiveness and decisiveness.

I feel I am completely in control of any bike I ride at any time irrespective of pace. I know I am not trying to manage the bike and for me that's the key. I don't think it will come down to fun or "like", it will come down to my skills in controlling the bike. Like Ernie and a host of others, I will still be riding briskly as long as I can control the bike and we can work together.

My time will end on my unknown due date. Until then I will ride, meet more of our eclectic community, teach and work, experience the sanctuary a motorcycle provides, and be humble enough to admit when can no longer work as one wit the bike and manage it appropriately.

Thanks for starting the thread - this has been an interesting 30 minute reflection/distraction/philosophical and very welcome distraction from my day!

Dave Moss
Catalyst Reaction
 
For what it's worth the recent age poll here shows 4% of respondents over 60, and 1% over 70.
 
I will turn 71 on Feb16 & have been riding for 51 years including aprox 14 years racing. (scrambles,short track,1/2 mile,speedway,road racing,etc.) I was a distict 37 (So Cal) expert, had my AMA class C pro license & AFM pro License. I now ride a Super Motard & can still keep up with the fast guys !DRZ400 Suzuki & Husqvarna 510 SMR. I still ride a race once in a while although I do it just for fun & don't care where I finish. As long as you are mentally sharp & in 1/2 way decent shape keep on riding. The older I get the more fun I have!!!!!! Riding keeps me alert & young at heart!!!!!!!!!
 
mikedbike2002 said:
I will turn 71 on Feb16 & have been riding for 51 years including aprox 14 years racing. (scrambles,short track,1/2 mile,speedway,road racing,etc.) I was a distict 37 (So Cal) expert, had my AMA class C pro license & AFM pro License. I now ride a Super Motard & can still keep up with the fast guys !DRZ400 Suzuki & Husqvarna 510 SMR. I still ride a race once in a while although I do it just for fun & don't care where I finish. As long as you are mentally sharp & in 1/2 way decent shape keep on riding. The older I get the more fun I have!!!!!! Riding keeps me alert & young at heart!!!!!!!!!
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:thumbup.

Inspiring!

Age is an attitude!

:ride
 
I might have asked this earlier but don't remember. Due to long-term diabetes issues I can't really feel my feet anymore. At times it's hard to tell if my feet are even on the pegs. I also can't feel the shifter or rear brake (don't care don't use rear brake anyways.)

Biggest problem I have is sometimes I can't tell if I'm making a "proper" shift or not. It's produced some embarrassing moments on group rides. I'm starting to think this is getting borderline dangerous & maybe I should just quit? I find the though horrifying after riding almost half a century.

I don't ride much anymore; maybe 6-10 times a year (last season.) I generally don't ride unless conditions are perfect otherwise I just don't ride. Maybe it's time to hang up the leathers?

What about one of them newfangled electronic thumb shifters for the handlebar. Do they go BOTH directions? I'm really worried of doing a uncalled-for downshift & not knowing it & getting tossed. :wow
 
Didn't start riding until I was near 50. No, not a mid-life crisis thing, and no, I didn't start with a Harley! :laughing But I was a really aggressive driver in a car, and figured I'd kill myself on a bike. But as I got closer to 50, I mellowed out and decided to finally give riding a try.

Commuting for a couple of years just about took all the joy out of riding for me. And as the years passed, and maybe as I began to feel myself slowing down, I started to ride less and less. I won't commute anymore. And the twisties I used to love now seem like too much work, and I search for the gentle sweepers. Many times I feel the urge to ride the bike to a job site, and then decide at the last minute it isn't worth the risk or the hassle.

Am I thinking of giving it up? Not at all. But after 7 years of riding, now I look at it just as recreation. If it is too cold or too wet or too much of a hassle, I don't go. I ride for fun, pleasure, and relaxation now, and that's all.
 
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LeMec said:
Since you feel the need to ask the question, it is probably time to stop.
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Search this thread for updates from the OP over the past 3.5 years. There's one from December just 10 posts above yours. The thoughts of a rider who has survived 40 years of street riding crash-free and still commutes daily on the Bay Bridge may introduce you to a new perspective on motorcycling.
 
This thread is welcome to return every two years. Here's one of the last posts from its first incarnation, and should also reappear at least every two years.

I'm pretty sure I already spoke out somewhere in this thread.
If anyone's been able to dig through my often long, drawn-out posts, they may have inferred from the several times I've stated what year I started riding, etc. that I'm now in the neighborhood of 60 years old.
I'm still a way better rider than I was at 19 years old when I started riding.
I'm also a better rider than I was at 29 years old, although, I probably couldn't keep up with myself if I went back in time and had a race on equally capable motorcycles. I was young, foolish and indestructible. And also lucky to have survived that part of my training.
If I was to meet my younger self on a track, I'm pretty sure it would be a different story. I also subscribe to the risk management concept that DataDan discusses in his post.

DataDan said:
My history is similar to yours, apeman. In fact, if you were in Berkeley 35 years ago, we may even have crossed paths on Grizzly Peak.

I think degradation with age is exaggerated. No, I'll never run a 2:50 marathon again, but I don't think physical fitness beyond a basic level even matters for street riding. If you can sit on the motorcycle comfortably and you have a full range of motion, you're fully capable of riding.

Here's something to consider: The rate at which you can improve your riding is much greater than the slow, almost imperceptible rate at which you lose faculties with age. So, if you spend time developing new skills and learning from mistakes (both your own and others'), you'll be a more capable rider at this time next year, not a less capable one.

What you're describing here is a decreasing tolerance for risk, and that--not concern for waning ability--is what I think is at the heart of the feelings you so eloquently expressed.

I've yammered endlessly about managing riding risk over the years, and I don't want to repeat it all over again, but I will leave you with this:
Even a more risk-tolerant rider will see his tolerance decrease as he takes on new responsibilities, and as tolerance wanes, his throttle hand will become less aggressive. After landing a plum job, getting married, or having a child, you may find yourself looking for different roads, different riding partners, or even a different kind of motorcycle. Awareness of your changing tolerance for risk can keep you out of situations in which you learn, too late, that you're in over your head.

Know thyself.​
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When should you stop riding?

If your asking yourself the question then you have a few reasons to answer for yourself.

Everyone has asked themselves or others that same question. For me, I always felt that if I am not enjoying it anymore or to the point that my entire conscious thought while riding is not on riding but in a different world while riding it is time to hang it up.

I will stop when I am no longer able to pull a leg over a two wheel bike, then its time for a 3 wheel. My goal is 93 on my 93rd birthday and that is for a few reasons. The year will be 2050, the month will be March the # 3 the Date will be 29th I have no idea what the numbers mean but I figure it was cool just putting them down :)
 
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