When is it time to quit?
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 6
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From: Central IL
When is it time to quit?
I meet a lot of older riders where I live and work, and when I start talking to them about riding, I often get the response that they no longer ride. I'm usually a bit taken aback because these aren't "old" men at all. Like 60 year olds...
I've never been brave enough (or had enough time) to actually ask what made them stop, and I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on when enough is enough. When are you "too old" to ride?
I've never been brave enough (or had enough time) to actually ask what made them stop, and I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on when enough is enough. When are you "too old" to ride?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 432
Likes: 89
From: NewJersey
I'm 63 and still ride with no intention of stopping any time in the near future. I keep myself in good physical shape and do not have any physical ailments or problems when riding. When the time comes when I can no longer handle riding the bike due to either muscle weakness or poor concentration then I will stop riding.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
For The Record!
FIRST of all, let me say that 60 years old IS NOT OLD! Now, that being said, my determining factor about when to "give it up" has always been and should remain that as long as I can remain mentally ahead of the bike and still have the physical wherewithal to handle it, I will continue to ride.
I used to be a fairly active private pilot. Towards the end of my flying time I started to feel that even though I could fly the plane, at certain times the plane would be "ahead" of me. This was directly attributable to the amount of time I was spending in the air. The final time I landed, I walked away knowing that it was the right time to quit. I always held in reserve the possibility of getting back into flying when I would have more time to contribute to it and keep more proficient at it.
The same will apply to my riding. As long as I'm mentally and physically able to ride, I will. I would only hope that towards the end of my riding (everyone gets a turn at it) my mental prowess would still be sharp enough to let me realize that it would be the time to hang it up. If not I might be one of those 90 year olds that the kids take the keys away from!
I used to be a fairly active private pilot. Towards the end of my flying time I started to feel that even though I could fly the plane, at certain times the plane would be "ahead" of me. This was directly attributable to the amount of time I was spending in the air. The final time I landed, I walked away knowing that it was the right time to quit. I always held in reserve the possibility of getting back into flying when I would have more time to contribute to it and keep more proficient at it.
The same will apply to my riding. As long as I'm mentally and physically able to ride, I will. I would only hope that towards the end of my riding (everyone gets a turn at it) my mental prowess would still be sharp enough to let me realize that it would be the time to hang it up. If not I might be one of those 90 year olds that the kids take the keys away from!
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I'll be 67 this summer and I have to say I've slowed down a bit but IMO your body will tell you when it's time..
We used to ride about 8-10K a yr. but last yr due to some of the Wife's health issues we only rode about 5k.
When to give it up is not the same for everyone.. I've had a Broken Back and a shattered knee and as long as I can hold the bike up and I am mostly pain free I'll keep riding...
We used to ride about 8-10K a yr. but last yr due to some of the Wife's health issues we only rode about 5k.
When to give it up is not the same for everyone.. I've had a Broken Back and a shattered knee and as long as I can hold the bike up and I am mostly pain free I'll keep riding...
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 248
From: Milton Mills NH
I am 72, still ride. I feel I am good until 75, then I will have a long talk with the face in the mirror. As of now I am in good shape, slight knee problems but other wise mentally fit and physically well.
Mother nature will let you know when it is time to hang up the leather jacket.
Mother nature will let you know when it is time to hang up the leather jacket.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 615
From: San Antonio, Texas
FIRST of all, let me say that 60 years old IS NOT OLD! Now, that being said, my determining factor about when to "give it up" has always been and should remain that as long as I can remain mentally ahead of the bike and still have the physical wherewithal to handle it, I will continue to ride.
I used to be a fairly active private pilot. Towards the end of my flying time I started to feel that even though I could fly the plane, at certain times the plane would be "ahead" of me. This was directly attributable to the amount of time I was spending in the air. The final time I landed, I walked away knowing that it was the right time to quit. I always held in reserve the possibility of getting back into flying when I would have more time to contribute to it and keep more proficient at it.
The same will apply to my riding. As long as I'm mentally and physically able to ride, I will. I would only hope that towards the end of my riding (everyone gets a turn at it) my mental prowess would still be sharp enough to let me realize that it would be the time to hang it up. If not I might be one of those 90 year olds that the kids take the keys away from!
I used to be a fairly active private pilot. Towards the end of my flying time I started to feel that even though I could fly the plane, at certain times the plane would be "ahead" of me. This was directly attributable to the amount of time I was spending in the air. The final time I landed, I walked away knowing that it was the right time to quit. I always held in reserve the possibility of getting back into flying when I would have more time to contribute to it and keep more proficient at it.
The same will apply to my riding. As long as I'm mentally and physically able to ride, I will. I would only hope that towards the end of my riding (everyone gets a turn at it) my mental prowess would still be sharp enough to let me realize that it would be the time to hang it up. If not I might be one of those 90 year olds that the kids take the keys away from!
I agree as long as I can keep the bike up, be ahead of it sufficiently to ride properly and safely, I'll ride.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 6
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From: Central IL
FIRST of all, let me say that 60 years old IS NOT OLD!
Thanks for the response.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
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From: Oxford, Nc
My instincts, such as seeing 'stupid' coming and other situational awareness seem as strong as ever, but both throwing the leg over her in the morning and then backing her out onto the gravel drive reminds me that I'm not as young as I used to be. (Did somebody take some air out of these tires? 
)
But once I'm rolling I feel the same as I always did so I'm good thus far. (I just rode to Daytona and back and spent 12 plus hours doing it each way so that was a good sign.)
63 years old this June.
)But once I'm rolling I feel the same as I always did so I'm good thus far. (I just rode to Daytona and back and spent 12 plus hours doing it each way so that was a good sign.)
63 years old this June.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
69 next week, still feel comfortable on the bike. I don't do wheelies (not counting an occasional little hop) or powerslides any more, except in snow, and I try to limit that to the sidecar rig. I seldom go over 90, too. I did make some concessions to age, put the most comfortable seat I could find on the 1200, and a windshield for cold and/or rides over an hour; my lower back and shoulders don't take well to forward controls at highway speeds any more. That's not a problem on my Glide, of course. Just found out last month that riding a Russian sidecar rig with decades old suspension technology over rutted and potholed dirt roads could still give the old behind a serious case of butthurt, though. 
Hopefully, my daughter will give me rides if/when I reach a point where I'm still breathing but can't handle a bike. Better yet, my grandson - he's 6 now. I've even done a sort of proof of concept and let her drive with me in the sidecar - that's actually kinda fun. Grandkid can't reach the shift lever yet, till then he's just a mechanic in training; that I don't have to be able to ride to do.
Even if you can't hold a bike up, or handle it anymore, doesn't mean you have to sell everything and forget it. There are still ways to get on the road without a cage around you. He can't reach the shift lever, but he can ride it if you get him started...
I did give up flying, but not for health, just got more expensive than I was willing to pay.
Hopefully, my daughter will give me rides if/when I reach a point where I'm still breathing but can't handle a bike. Better yet, my grandson - he's 6 now. I've even done a sort of proof of concept and let her drive with me in the sidecar - that's actually kinda fun. Grandkid can't reach the shift lever yet, till then he's just a mechanic in training; that I don't have to be able to ride to do.
Even if you can't hold a bike up, or handle it anymore, doesn't mean you have to sell everything and forget it. There are still ways to get on the road without a cage around you. He can't reach the shift lever, but he can ride it if you get him started...
I did give up flying, but not for health, just got more expensive than I was willing to pay.
Last edited by Imold; Mar 19, 2016 at 11:37 AM.
