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

[ST Guy]

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.

 

[bikewanker]

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

 

[budman]

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!!

Granted it was the first time in 20 years I tried, but man did it make me feel old.

 

[bikeama]

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

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 . 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 but life is still good,

 

[ThumperX]

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.

 

[CDONA]

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"

 

[ThumperX]

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"

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.

 

[bikeama]

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"

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.