Sad Day.....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,630
Likes: 4,102
From: Virginia
100%! At almost 67, being able to ride drives me to workout several times a week so I can keep going into my 80's.
I'm about to turn 77 in December. I'm still riding as much as ever. Here's my dos centavos...
. MOST IMPORTANT!!!! Given your current physical condition and any limitations, you MUST start exercising. Some weight training, some flexibility and mobility exercises. This really doesn't have anything to do with riding, it has everything to do with staying active, staying mobile, staying alive. It has everything to do with being able to lift a bag of groceries out of the trunk without hurting your back. It has everything to so with being able to "catch yourself" when you start to stumble.
Good luck!!
. MOST IMPORTANT!!!! Given your current physical condition and any limitations, you MUST start exercising. Some weight training, some flexibility and mobility exercises. This really doesn't have anything to do with riding, it has everything to do with staying active, staying mobile, staying alive. It has everything to do with being able to lift a bag of groceries out of the trunk without hurting your back. It has everything to so with being able to "catch yourself" when you start to stumble.
Good luck!!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
I'm 66 don't really think of myself as old.
I'm been lucky my whole life health wise, no infirmities.
Never even thought about ever having to quit riding until I read some of these posts.
But another post on another thread on here stopped me from thinking of it again.
The guy had lost his right leg and was wondering if he should size down from a big touring bike to something like a Dyna or Heritage!
Seriously he doesn't ever, can't - put his right foot down and still rides!
I mean I'm trying not to put my right leg down but sometimes you just have to and he does it knowing he cannot wow.
Really impressed and inspired me.
He wasn't even concerned with that his main concern was just getting the rear brake to work with a hand lever.
I don't think I would ever stop riding, accommodations can be made.
I'm been lucky my whole life health wise, no infirmities.
Never even thought about ever having to quit riding until I read some of these posts.
But another post on another thread on here stopped me from thinking of it again.
The guy had lost his right leg and was wondering if he should size down from a big touring bike to something like a Dyna or Heritage!
Seriously he doesn't ever, can't - put his right foot down and still rides!
I mean I'm trying not to put my right leg down but sometimes you just have to and he does it knowing he cannot wow.
Really impressed and inspired me.
He wasn't even concerned with that his main concern was just getting the rear brake to work with a hand lever.
I don't think I would ever stop riding, accommodations can be made.
Last edited by Robertbc3141; Oct 23, 2025 at 10:03 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 980
Likes: 1,368
From: South of Heaven
Last edited by Addicted to Chaos; Oct 23, 2025 at 01:23 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 479
Likes: 491
From: Chicago
No leg and downsizing
Hard core.Always liked having both feet on the ground when I stopped and was impressed by those who couldnt or barely got their toes down. With my TriGlide since age 70, thats no longer a concern.
Last edited by mltdwn; Oct 23, 2025 at 03:24 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 479
Likes: 491
From: Chicago
Going to a smaller lighter 2 wheeler is a good suggestion if you got the balance, can feel safe and arent ready for a trike. My father was a WWII Marine and rode motorcycles for many years. Was a traveling salesman after the service, drove a lot and traded cars a lot despite not having much money (always told my mother hed gotten a great deal 🥴
. We rode together a few times. He died two months short of 100 in 2019 and was vibrant at least to 97. For reasons I dont know he gave up motorcycles at 70. After continuing to see me and my succession of motorcycles through the years he decided in 2007 at age 87 he wanted to ride again. I was 56. He was 6 tall but skinny. He asked me for my advice what to get. He was not going to take long rides and would probably stick to a 25 mile radius. I said get the lightest smallest bike he could get. So he goes out and gets an anniversary edition 2007 Harley that weighed 800 pounds. He never asked for my advice before and I hadnt listened to his advice much so it figured hed get something much too big for him. The bike was gorgeous. I took it for a spin. He went for one ride in the area, scared himself and returned it the next day. No more motorcycles for him. Dont know what it cost him for a day. Also dont know if something light and small would have made a difference at 87 after not riding for 17 years, but I believe he would have loved a trike and could have easily handled it for a time. Unfortunately the thought of a trike never came to either of us.
. We rode together a few times. He died two months short of 100 in 2019 and was vibrant at least to 97. For reasons I dont know he gave up motorcycles at 70. After continuing to see me and my succession of motorcycles through the years he decided in 2007 at age 87 he wanted to ride again. I was 56. He was 6 tall but skinny. He asked me for my advice what to get. He was not going to take long rides and would probably stick to a 25 mile radius. I said get the lightest smallest bike he could get. So he goes out and gets an anniversary edition 2007 Harley that weighed 800 pounds. He never asked for my advice before and I hadnt listened to his advice much so it figured hed get something much too big for him. The bike was gorgeous. I took it for a spin. He went for one ride in the area, scared himself and returned it the next day. No more motorcycles for him. Dont know what it cost him for a day. Also dont know if something light and small would have made a difference at 87 after not riding for 17 years, but I believe he would have loved a trike and could have easily handled it for a time. Unfortunately the thought of a trike never came to either of us.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 344
Likes: 36
From: Dayton Ohio
Do not give up and get a trike,I need to upgrade to a bigger bike but trying to think a little further down the road and thinking on a trike and I am 64. I do have a knee that is giving me some problems so holding up a larger bike might get more difficult so I am thinking a trike will be the answer,
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 731
From: Pennsylvania
A man has to know the limitations of his body. I had a tailbone injury a few years ago. Of course, my first concern was my health and how to move forward with rehab & healing. But yeah I had some concerns about riding. Luckily we were approaching the off-season anyway. I looked into some replacement seats which I was going to eventually do anyway. Quite expensive but I ended up having my stock seat re-padded, re-covered and custom stitched by Mean City. They nailed it. I have recovered almost 100% so it was a win-win.
I have had some numbing in my hands ever now and again. Not enough to say my motorcycle safety is at risk, but I do have concerns. A few weeks ago, we got on one extreme twisty mountain road outside of Gatlinburg, thinking it was a short cut around the town. Literally hairpins in first gear and switchbacks in second gear - best. My hands were numb, but you cannot stop. I blew through some stop signs because, well, there was just no way to stop. My heart was racing and the adrenaline made me angry. Honestly, that kind of helped. I powered through, found civilization and pulled over for a minute to regroup.
Currently I have an ongoing shoulder pain. Luckily, for the most part, my bars and are setup in just the right position that I rarely have that pain when riding. When I have the opportunity for using cruise control for a minute, I stretch it out. I take it easy at work and evaluate every lifting situation before I jump in. But again, I do have concerns if things get worse.
At 59, do I take more frequent breaks when doing yardwork? Heck yeah. I cannot just go all day with just a spit of water here & there and a 5-minute lunch. I pace myself.
Will I stop? Big fat no. Will I slow down and listen to my body? Of course.
I have had some numbing in my hands ever now and again. Not enough to say my motorcycle safety is at risk, but I do have concerns. A few weeks ago, we got on one extreme twisty mountain road outside of Gatlinburg, thinking it was a short cut around the town. Literally hairpins in first gear and switchbacks in second gear - best. My hands were numb, but you cannot stop. I blew through some stop signs because, well, there was just no way to stop. My heart was racing and the adrenaline made me angry. Honestly, that kind of helped. I powered through, found civilization and pulled over for a minute to regroup.
Currently I have an ongoing shoulder pain. Luckily, for the most part, my bars and are setup in just the right position that I rarely have that pain when riding. When I have the opportunity for using cruise control for a minute, I stretch it out. I take it easy at work and evaluate every lifting situation before I jump in. But again, I do have concerns if things get worse.
At 59, do I take more frequent breaks when doing yardwork? Heck yeah. I cannot just go all day with just a spit of water here & there and a 5-minute lunch. I pace myself.
Will I stop? Big fat no. Will I slow down and listen to my body? Of course.
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My hands were numb, but you cannot stop. I blew through some stop signs because, well, there was just no way to stop. My heart was racing and the adrenaline made me angry. Honestly, that kind of helped. I powered through,
powered thru WTF
better think this thru you daughter may be crossing the street you cant stop on
powered thru WTF
better think this thru you daughter may be crossing the street you cant stop on
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 731
From: Pennsylvania
My hands were numb, but you cannot stop. I blew through some stop signs because, well, there was just no way to stop. My heart was racing and the adrenaline made me angry. Honestly, that kind of helped. I powered through,
powered thru WTF
better think this thru you daughter may be crossing the street you cant stop on
powered thru WTF
better think this thru you daughter may be crossing the street you cant stop on
And yes, I was very relieved no one pulled out of a driveway or was crossing the street during that entire time.
Last edited by bduds65; Oct 24, 2025 at 11:18 AM.