Time to Quit Riding?
Banned
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 21,413
Likes: 18,030
Don't rush your decision. Listen to your doctor. You may heal better than ever.
Age should not be the deciding factor. I'm nearly 72 with 3 great grandchildren. I ride my sportster every week. I also ride my Husqvarna in the desert.
i wouldn't even think of giving either up unless absolutely necessary. You'll know when you are ready
Age should not be the deciding factor. I'm nearly 72 with 3 great grandchildren. I ride my sportster every week. I also ride my Husqvarna in the desert.
i wouldn't even think of giving either up unless absolutely necessary. You'll know when you are ready
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 3,066
From: USA
Whatever you decide, good luck to you and a speedy recovery.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 16
From: Blaine, WA
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I also think it's too soon to make a decision like that. You only live once, make the most of what time you have on this Earth. If you still have the desire to ride, wait and see what the outcome of the surgery is. The Doc may be right. Give it some time.
Or.....
Maybe since you're asking this question, you want to follow what your brain is saying and just want reinforcement from us.
In the end, only you can decide how you want to spend the rest of your time here.
Or.....
Maybe since you're asking this question, you want to follow what your brain is saying and just want reinforcement from us.
In the end, only you can decide how you want to spend the rest of your time here.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 6,009
From: Boston suburbs
I'm not a Sr. and my health is good, so I can't relate to your current situation. What I can relate to however, is knowing if it's time to quit. I tried twice, both times for different reasons. Each time lasted less than a month.
Riding is a part of me. I suspect it's probably a part of you too or you wouldn't be questioning what your head is telling you.
While I have no plan, or desire to die any time soon, I rather go out doing something I love than live the rest of my life in a bubble
Riding is a part of me. I suspect it's probably a part of you too or you wouldn't be questioning what your head is telling you.
While I have no plan, or desire to die any time soon, I rather go out doing something I love than live the rest of my life in a bubble
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 652
Likes: 7
From: Maui, Hawaii
Greetings.
I've posted in the past that it was time to "hang 'em up" and stop riding. My reasons at the time were health related. Since then, a few years back, I did sell my Heritage and stopped riding. But something kept nagging at me, I enjoyed riding and thought I could still ride.
So late last year I bought a Lowrider, a light lighter and easier to handle. And as hard as it is to believe less than a month after buying the new mount I had more problems with my shoulder and am now recovering from my 4th shoulder surgery in 8 years.
This one was the least expected and hardest to take. Doctor says I'll probably be "OK" and may even have better use of my arms than before. But, I'm a senior citizen with 2 grandchildren and I wonder if my desire to ride is the right decision.
My bike has under 1400 miles on it, and since it's in my garage I see it every day (two tone amber whiskey - great color). I've added the LED headlight (highly recommended) and some other small mods. Financially I'll likely lose $3,000 - $4,000 from what I paid (dealer offered to buy it back for a $6,000 loss to me).
The question isn't the money, or the bike itself. It's not knowing if I'll be able to handle the bike in an emergency situation. And that's the issue that bothers me. If something happens to me while riding I'm sure I'd regret it.
So the question is: "Time to quit?" What would you do? My heart wants to keep on riding, but my head tells me to enjoy the memories and move on.
I've posted in the past that it was time to "hang 'em up" and stop riding. My reasons at the time were health related. Since then, a few years back, I did sell my Heritage and stopped riding. But something kept nagging at me, I enjoyed riding and thought I could still ride.
So late last year I bought a Lowrider, a light lighter and easier to handle. And as hard as it is to believe less than a month after buying the new mount I had more problems with my shoulder and am now recovering from my 4th shoulder surgery in 8 years.
This one was the least expected and hardest to take. Doctor says I'll probably be "OK" and may even have better use of my arms than before. But, I'm a senior citizen with 2 grandchildren and I wonder if my desire to ride is the right decision.
My bike has under 1400 miles on it, and since it's in my garage I see it every day (two tone amber whiskey - great color). I've added the LED headlight (highly recommended) and some other small mods. Financially I'll likely lose $3,000 - $4,000 from what I paid (dealer offered to buy it back for a $6,000 loss to me).
The question isn't the money, or the bike itself. It's not knowing if I'll be able to handle the bike in an emergency situation. And that's the issue that bothers me. If something happens to me while riding I'm sure I'd regret it.
So the question is: "Time to quit?" What would you do? My heart wants to keep on riding, but my head tells me to enjoy the memories and move on.
If you decide to sell your bike, do you have friends with a trike or sidecar rig that you trust and that would offer you a ride as co-pilot? If so, that could be a way to stay in the wind. My other suggestion would be to trade down to a Sportster and enjoy a lighter weight, more maneuverable and easier to handle bike that you might feel more comfortable on. I am a 71 year old male, weigh 132 lbs, am 5'6" tall with a 29" inseam and I love my 2009 XL883L. The other factor is that I never ride two up. If I have a problem, it would be bad enough if I was injured in a crash... to think that a passenger or worse yet a loved one on my bike could be injured is a potential issue that I do not want to contemplate.
I also have set up my 09 XL to make it as safe as possible with Highway Bars, modulating head light and brake light to be more easier seen by other traffic. I also have an Ear Cannon Air Horn that puts out 139dB of sound, more than enough to get the attention of the most distracted, out of touch cager. I hit the switch on what I call my 139dB Voice of G-d Airhorn and the cager wakes up looking for an 18 Wheeler, Ocean Liner or Locomotive. Lastly, I am ATGATT including Kevlar lined Draggin Jeans, a Joe Rocket Armored Jacket, Riding Gloves that will actually protect my hands, the Bohn Body Armor System and a Scorpion EXO 900 Modular Full Face Helmet.
Ride Safe - Ride Smart
"He Who Lives In Joy Does His Creator's Will",
THe Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca. 1750's
Last edited by Str8chuter; Mar 27, 2015 at 10:01 PM.