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

I’m sure I’d still be riding now at 73 if I hadn’t suffered a stroke. Before my stroke I was as sharp as ever. But now, with blind areas in my left eye and numbness on the left side of my body, I gave up any hope of ever riding again.
 
73, my balance is fine over 5 mph, reaction time is not what it once was, ride through Reno more than into and rode to the peninsula once last year, forget why I went into the other room but not to shift up, not much group riding unless Rally! Beginning to think I like Highway 50 and the ET highway because not much traffic ( besides the anal probe of course ).
Have 2 overseas tours planned thinking now’s the time, like to arrive 4 or 5 days ahead cause flying. A couple of my recent bikes suddenly got top heavy so they’ve moved on or will move on https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/threads/triumph-tiger-1050-2018.563055/#post-11133814
 
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I was involved in trying to bump start a bike last weekend. I was fluffing it. First gear.. doh!!! Too late for space allowed...doh!! :facepalm

Granted it was the first time in 20 years I tried, but man did it make me feel old.
 
bikewanker said:
73, my balance is fine over 5 mph, reaction time is not what it once was, ride through Reno more than into and rode to the peninsula once last year, forget why I went into the other room but not to shift up, not much group riding unless Rally! Beginning to think I like Highway 50 and the ET highway because not much traffic ( besides the anal probe of course ).
Have 2 overseas tours planned thinking now’s the time, like to arrive 4 or 5 days ahead cause flying. A couof my recent bikes suddenly got top heavy so they’ve moved on or will move on https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/threads/triumph-tiger-1050-2018.563055/#post-11133814
Click to expand...
About the same spot at 74. Getting my leg over the seat has become an issue, don't want a cruiser but if needed? Got on the S1000XR and had to have a friend help push the XR upright, Tried but my left knee said NO. I bought a cane the other day for longer walks :mad:. TKR May 7th will re evaluate after recovery. Going to have a pair of 7" scars so I know how to do the hard PT and keep my range of movement.

Getting :afm199 but life is still good,
 
I thought I had to give it up. Some lingering injuries, weight gain, depression and ...life. Then had the realization that not riding has contributed to an onset of ADHD that feels like early onset Alzheimers. Riding keeps my brain focused, forces out the mind clutter and giving it up is simply put, bad for the soul.
I have the electric dirtbike for the club, the Beta 430 for the desert, the barf bike for the shop, and just ordered the little Chinese unicorn. Smaller, lighter, and less displacement all go to getting back out there on 2. Nothing like a BARF Rally to energize an old gal.

65 in September.
 
Pulling my Triumph up off the side stand, is a measured grunt, that I do.
This is getting to be "too much"
Relief is when the weight drops back on the side stand, stopped and safe.
The anxiety of getting that side stand down before I biff, "too much"
 
CDONA said:
Pulling my Triumph up off the side stand, is a measured grunt, that I do.
This is getting to be "too much"
Relief is when the weight drops back on the side stand, stopped and safe.
The anxiety of getting that side stand down before I biff, "too much"
Click to expand...
This is what ended me. In January 2008 I was 5’3” in my boots. On August 10th with the help of a rouge deer I became 5’1”
Seat height is meaningless without a significant reduction in weight. Mounting a bike with the kickstand down is doable getting the kickstand up? Nearly impossible.
 
CDONA said:
Pulling my Triumph up off the side stand, is a measured grunt, that I do.
This is getting to be "too much"
Relief is when the weight drops back on the side stand, stopped and safe.
The anxiety of getting that side stand down before I biff, "too much"
Click to expand...
I put a larger pad on my side stand, helped a little. I have a S1000XR with low suspension. Last summer a friend told me I was putting my side stand down wrong. He showed me to put my foot in front of the peg and push on the small rod holding the spring. Side stand now pops right down. Arthritis in the left knee (TKR next May) makes getting the side stand up a challenge. One ride where I was on a small slope my knee said NO when I tried to lift the bike. Had to have a friend help me push the bike upright. Let me know if you find a bike that is good for short people with bad knees.


Link to an automatic side stand on a S1000XR. Note link to a FB page.
 
At 72, I'm still riding as usual and loving it! After my horrendous rear-end incident, while it did make me re-think riding, I decided to continue. I do have a death wish and that's to die at 120 after a hell of a party and maybe doing wheelies thru downtown...somewhere, maybe getting arrested put in jail, released to go home, make love and.....die. ;-)

Keeping the body in shape and keeping it functioning well requires maintenance, not unlike keeping a vintage bike in good shape. Mental/spiritual attitude, physical conditioning, keeping active and doing physically challenging activities to keep sharp is super important for me. And it's paying off. The chiropractic are i'm now doing is keeping my body limber and pain-free. To challenge my balance and judgement skills, I also do Trap shooting which is a lot of hand-eye coordination, scuba diving, midnight mountain bike riding thru the hills along with motorcycling trials, dirt and dual sport riding.

I've always done things at 80% and keeping within my skill levels and avoiding major injuries. And in riding, I've found out that when you're being good and chill, be extra aware. Had I been going my usual 90-100 on Skyline that day, the guy that tagged me while he was going over 130+ may have turned out better for the both of us. So basically no matter what we're doing we have to take full responsibility for what happens.
 
I'd say when you see the blue and red lights and hear the *whoop whoop*, yeah that's probably a good time to stop 😄
 
bagofdowners said:
I'm 52, and have been given a new lease on life (cancer surviver). For me, just being able to ride is a great gift. I am well away of the dangers involved, but don't dwell on it. Just make the most of each day. I enjoy work, family and friends a whole lot more now, and try not to take any of these treasures for granted. I will ride till i am not physically unable to do so, or stop enjoying it. Now if i could just do something about the fading eye sight and reflexes.
Click to expand...
Most of us (over 50) need cataract surgery but not badly enough that it interferes with normal life. But it does effect our riding. The constant refrain from people who get it done is "... I why did I wait so long." Often the answer is the cost. Also, folks gradually forget what young-eyes feel like. I had mine done, 2 years ago, and it was the best motorcycling upgrade I've done. Better depth perception and clear vision equals more time for reflex. Lastly, it is never too soon to start doing balance exercises. Balance can be improved and maintained (think roadside sobriety tests).
 
The back side of that blade is mine: 'When do I take up moto-riding again?'

Had to stop in my sixties, being my wife's sole caregiver. Now in my mid-seventies do I have the ability to regain R/T's and muscle memory? My pedal Cannondale says "not yet". In a five mile morning I experienced three -oh shit- moments.

I count on the correct moto being presented when the -oh shit- count gets down to about two a week (mine alone, no outside elements) instead of three a day. And those two would my own 'fails', stuff that no one else would notice.

I hate being all grown up and fragile while still surfing interior lust.
 
I stopped riding or better yet, I sold my last bike @ 2 years ago.
I was starting to ride with fear. Maybe it had to do with the crazy drivers out here yet the feeling of uncertainty ultimately got me to sell the bike.
I am sure I'd hop on something smaller than my last 2 bikes but not on the highways out here.
 
I’m reminded of being uncomfortable doing the paratrooper thing because quarterly wasn’t often enough to feel good about it. I was in my early 20’s then and thought $90 a month ain’t worth it.
Grateful motorcycles are still worthy of my efforts!
 
I haven't experience this but I think will experience sooner or latter.
I think Age is just a number if you stay proactive, we can try to change something to extend the safe riding peroid. And you have more experiences and skills than the younger people.
1. Ride Smarter: Shift to lighter bikes like the Honda Rebel 500 or trikes for stability.
2. Train Strategically: Focus on core strength (yoga for balance) and reaction drills (simulators help!).
3. Tech Upgrades: Add rider aids – ABS, traction control, and lower seat heights (check Harley’s Street Glide).
4. Listen to Your Body: Schedule shorter rides during optimal hours (avoid night/rain) and use health wearables to monitor fatigue.

‘Ride with aging, not against it.’ Keep the passion alive by evolving your approach – it’s about freedom, not speed.

Finally, when we are too old to ride a motorcycle, we will switch to do something else without any regrets.


Safe riding everyone.
 
As long as I'm physically and mentally capable, I'll be riding! I'm going for the long game and hopefully ride past 100!

BTW, if you're not watching for cops, you're going too slow. ;-) Hmmm...I'm not saying speeding is safe, but behaving yourself and being "good" doesn't necessarily mean you're any safer.

Ride wisely, ride assertively and don't be surprised at the silly incompetences of other drivers. ;-)

Doc Wong
72 and going strong.
 
I should get off my 69 year old ass and change the oil and filter in my F800ST.
 
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