Going the Distance: Golden Years Riding

Calling It Quits?

Riding a motorcycle is both mentally and physically demanding. As one grows older the ability to ride becomes challenging. Depending on individual circumstances, some riders may find themselves calling it quits sooner than others.

More Older Riders

In the last fifteen years, the average age of motorcycle riders has increased from 40 to 50. The number of North American households purchasing motorcycles has gone up by almost 25%, and close to half of the over eight-million motorcycle owners in the United States, are now between 50 and 70 years old.

[Photo: APF | Getty Images]

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Biker Divisions

The older riding demographic can be divided into a few camps. 'First-timers' are riders who fulfill a long-standing desire to be on two or three wheels. 'Born-again bikers' are those who return to riding after a long hiatus. Then, there are those who never stopped riding, and who will continue riding for as long as possible.

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Future Concern

Safe riding depends on good vision, reasonable health, and sharp mental acuity. With an increased number of older riders on the road, the issue of when to stop riding is a growing concern for many.

[Photo: Jeff Allen]

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Just Know

No one wants to be told that they cannot ride anymore, but in some jurisdictions, a mandatory driving and vision test is required after a certain age. Apart from regulations and some obvious physical limitations, the general consensus is that you will just 'know' when it is time to stop riding.

[Photo: HOG-Italy]

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Let's Get Physical

Being able to pick up a fallen bike is a good test of physical ability. Any seasoned rider should be able to right a full-dresser using the proper technique. However, there is a trade-off. With age comes knee and back problems that will trump ability and knowledge any day.

[Photo: Cruisn Canada]

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Good For Business

Financially, an older riding population means more disposable income. Despite the marketing push towards a younger generation, Harley-Davidson has a vested interest in keeping older riders in the saddle, and most importantly, buying new bikes for as long as possible.

[Photo: Rick Wood | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Route 66+

There are only a handful of active riders in their 80s and 90s. While the average age of riders, and interest in motorcycling, has risen sharply in the past decade, 80 years old still appears to be the cut-off point for most riders, with some remarkable exceptions.

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Motoring Maid

Sturgis Hall of Fame and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, and 1946 member of the Motor Maids women's motorcycle club, 93-year-old Gloria Struck has no plans to stop riding her Softail on long-distance runs. Struck stated that her next goal was to “ride across the country on two wheels when I’m 100.”

[Photo: MCN]

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Hit The Road

At 92, Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, WW2 Marine Corps veteran, and former president of the University of Richmond is an accomplished rider with no plans to quit. When asked what kind of Harley-Davidson he “would want to ride in his tenth decade,” Heilman's replied, “The newest, biggest Harley I can get.”

[Photo: Bob Brown | Times-Dispatch]

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Unusual Journey

With decades of riding in front of her, 57-year-old business consultant and author, Linda Crill earned her motorcycle license in her early 50s and immediately set out on a 2,500-mile road trip. The result of that harrowing first trip is chronicled in Crill's book, Blind Curves — One Woman’s Unusual Journey to Reinvent Herself and Answer: What Now?

[Photo: RidersWest]

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Iron Will

Musician, radio broadcaster, and author, 82-year-old Del Lonnquist went out for a ride after his wife of 60 years passed away in 2016. Lonnquist returned home after 26,000 miles and later penned Discovering Life After Alzheimer's: The 26,000 Mile-Ride. Since then, Lonnquist, Iron Butt Challenge Rider, has shared his optimism and banjo music in 50 states, parts of Canada, and the Alaska Highway.

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Super Onslow Special

Len Vale-Onslow, 'Order of the British Empire' recipient, was the owner of Vale-Onslow Motorcycles in Birmingham, England, where he worked with his three children until he passed away in 2003, at 103 years old. Vale-Onslow created the Super Onslow Special (SOS) racing bike in 1926 that boasted the first welded production motorcycle frame. His last ride was at 102 years old.

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

Child’s Play

Age is just a number and there are a lot of road trips left to be taken. Whether you are a ‘first-timer,’ a 'born-again biker,' or a highway veteran, just remember that it is never too late to channel your inner child.

[Photo: jacob hughes]

>>Join the conversation about golden years riding right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

 For help with service and maintenance of your Harley, check out the how to section of HDForums.com