Going the Distance: Golden Years Riding
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,978
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
Once you put on a helmet and sun glasses not many people will be able to tell how old you are so to heck with them.
I'll be 68 before the next riding season arrives and I plan to ride (something) for as long as I'm able.
I have 2 bikes and just got a new trike but I have to admit that due to a knee issue I do have some qualms about riding the CVO Ultra, specifically the issue of repeatedly lifting it off of the kick stand.
My other issue is (at least for now) is that I just had a by-pass (quad) surgery and even driving a vehicle is a no-no until I do my follow-up visit and get the "nod" to start driving again.
I'll ride the Ultra when the wife rides along with me on her Heritage but the fate of the Ultra depends on me getting a fair price for it IF and WHEN I decide to officially put it up for sale. IF, I sell the Ultra my EVO Heritage Softail Springer will be my "Sunday" bike and the trike will be for trips and two-up riding.
I'll be 68 before the next riding season arrives and I plan to ride (something) for as long as I'm able.
I have 2 bikes and just got a new trike but I have to admit that due to a knee issue I do have some qualms about riding the CVO Ultra, specifically the issue of repeatedly lifting it off of the kick stand.
My other issue is (at least for now) is that I just had a by-pass (quad) surgery and even driving a vehicle is a no-no until I do my follow-up visit and get the "nod" to start driving again.
I'll ride the Ultra when the wife rides along with me on her Heritage but the fate of the Ultra depends on me getting a fair price for it IF and WHEN I decide to officially put it up for sale. IF, I sell the Ultra my EVO Heritage Softail Springer will be my "Sunday" bike and the trike will be for trips and two-up riding.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 515
Likes: 198
From: Oklahoma
Here's an old guy still riding:
https://advrider.com/f/threads/my-78...-bike.1348754/
Then an even older guy chimes in:
https://advrider.com/f/threads/my-78...-bike.1348754/
my dad is ready to downsize his motorcycle.
He’s currently on a 2015 HD Road Glide that’s really comfortable but is over 900 lbs!
We just rode around Lake Superior in August and camped for 3 nights so he’s still wanting to be able to take a trip but the big heavy bike is just too much for him.
He’s not interested in a trike or 3 wheeler .
He is thinking maybe BMW or Triumph , needs low seat height, and easy knee angle.
What should I suggest he looks at?
He’s currently on a 2015 HD Road Glide that’s really comfortable but is over 900 lbs!
We just rode around Lake Superior in August and camped for 3 nights so he’s still wanting to be able to take a trip but the big heavy bike is just too much for him.
He’s not interested in a trike or 3 wheeler .
He is thinking maybe BMW or Triumph , needs low seat height, and easy knee angle.
What should I suggest he looks at?
I'm 85 and got a BMW g310gs this year, works fine for me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,284
Likes: 7,765
From: West Central FL
"Going The Distance."
Reminds me of a column by the same name from Scott "Genghis" Wong in Iron Horse Magazine. I miss the days of David Snow, Mabel, Sally the Bitch and the **** Peas. If you're interested Genghis can still be found over at the SEEDY X -Bar and Grill. http://disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/74976.html And if you don't get it, I guess you had to be there.
Reminds me of a column by the same name from Scott "Genghis" Wong in Iron Horse Magazine. I miss the days of David Snow, Mabel, Sally the Bitch and the **** Peas. If you're interested Genghis can still be found over at the SEEDY X -Bar and Grill. http://disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/74976.html And if you don't get it, I guess you had to be there.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,050
Likes: 12,326
From: Arkansas
I lived a rough life and even though Im only in my 60s, Im pretty beat up. Was not that long ago, I wouldnt hesitate to jump on my bike and do consecutive 15 to 20 hour days. Just dont have it in me any more. I can, but why suffer?
I am retired now and make it a point to ride every day. I dont go far but do go far enough to keep my demons in check. Nowadays, thats good enough for me. I shudder to think I might live long enough that Ill have to give it up.
Lord, please make me dead, before you make me too old!
I am retired now and make it a point to ride every day. I dont go far but do go far enough to keep my demons in check. Nowadays, thats good enough for me. I shudder to think I might live long enough that Ill have to give it up.
Lord, please make me dead, before you make me too old!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 809
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
Riding at age 76 nad beyond
I'm 76 and came back to riding just 1 year ago after 40 years off and I hope to be riding for some time to come as long as I'm physically able. In order to accomplish this goal, I have put myself into a exersize program at my local Y, one hour a day-3 time a week, to maintain my leg strength and upper body strength under the guidance of a fitness coach. Doesn't hurt that I'm toneing up my mussles and losing up some of the OLD age skin as well as having better control of my weght.
At this age and the fact that I'm just returning to riding, I'm very satisfied that I can do a few hundred miles a week doing some ocasional 3 to 4 hour rides to no where. Might not be as much as other riders do , but I find I need some off the bike time as well. And, I'm not ashamed to say after a longer ride, I find I need to take a nap
I would love to be riding something larger than my '18 Cherry, but just can't handle the weight. Riding would not be the problem but you gotta be able to get it up off the kick stand and hold it up at stops. Since I'm vertically challanged and small of stature, the Heritage is about as large as I can handle weight wise for now. Not sure what will happen as the years drag on.
PS: Jjust read previous post by IronAss and had to edit this post. I completely agree with his closing statement: "Lord, please make me dead, before you make me too old!". However, I can only hope it is not the bike that puts me down!
At this age and the fact that I'm just returning to riding, I'm very satisfied that I can do a few hundred miles a week doing some ocasional 3 to 4 hour rides to no where. Might not be as much as other riders do , but I find I need some off the bike time as well. And, I'm not ashamed to say after a longer ride, I find I need to take a nap
I would love to be riding something larger than my '18 Cherry, but just can't handle the weight. Riding would not be the problem but you gotta be able to get it up off the kick stand and hold it up at stops. Since I'm vertically challanged and small of stature, the Heritage is about as large as I can handle weight wise for now. Not sure what will happen as the years drag on.
PS: Jjust read previous post by IronAss and had to edit this post. I completely agree with his closing statement: "Lord, please make me dead, before you make me too old!". However, I can only hope it is not the bike that puts me down!
Last edited by FrankEV; Nov 7, 2018 at 07:06 AM. Reason: added text
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