How do I tell him ?
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 685
Likes: 3
From: South central, Pa.
How do I tell him ?
My wife's uncle is 74 and still rides. Last year, I noticed him shuffling his feet a lot when he was coming to a stop or just moving the bike around. On the road, he's been falling back more and more and making turns without good control. He rode over to see us yesterday and had trouble leaning the bike over to get off. When I asked what was wrong, he said the kickstand was too short and it was trying to fall over. After his visit, he struggled backing his bike up so I asked if he needed some help. His pride wouldn't allow that and eventually got the bike pointed down the driveway. I figured he was good to go, said goodbye and turned back toward the house. That's when I heard the bike stall. I turned around to see him falling over with the bike going right on top of him. I gathered him up, made sure he was ok and then got the bike picked up for him. He brushed himself off and climbed right back on. I offered to park the bike in the garage and drive him home but he refused to let me do this. Down the road he went with the bike sputtering from being flooded.
I'm real worried about him getting hurt but don't know how to tell him without insulting his pride. How do you tell someone that they need to sell their bike and quit riding ?
I'm real worried about him getting hurt but don't know how to tell him without insulting his pride. How do you tell someone that they need to sell their bike and quit riding ?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 9
From: catasauqua pa.
RE: How do I tell him ?
Point out everything you said here , Better off with his pride bruised , Than some broken bones or worse. Plus chances are , he already is coming to terms with the truth on his own , and will give it up soon.
Through pride we are ever deceiving ourselves. But deep down below the surface of the average conscience a still, small voice says to us, something is out of tune.
Through pride we are ever deceiving ourselves. But deep down below the surface of the average conscience a still, small voice says to us, something is out of tune.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 0
From: Olympia. WA
RE: How do I tell him ?
Well, at 74 odds are good that he has had more difficult discussions than this one. A sidecar sounds like a viable option (good call from the guys here). If it were me, I would shoot straight with him. Your call...
Good luck.
Good luck.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: How do I tell him ?
You don't have to tell him anything. He already knows. I'll be 74 this coming July and can speak from experience. My age which equates to strength, dexterity, coordination, et. al. is the main reason I no longer ride "big" bikes and find myself lovingthe Sportster 1200 C that I have. Even though the Sportster is claimed to be more difficult to ride than some of the big twins it is working well for me. I don't know how much longer I will be able to enjoy my present state. I hate to say it butthis past year is the first time I have had to admit I'm starting to feel my age. Baring any unseen surprises I see myself with a trike somewhere down the road. In the meantime I sure am enjoying my little hot rod. 
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: How do I tell him ?
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 14,865
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From: Mn.on a lake,well nxt to a lake.
RE: How do I tell him ?
ORIGINAL: zukeeper
quit riding ?? wow , thats being supportive .
what about a hack , or trike conversion , or physical . lots of older folks riding with no problems
quit riding ?? wow , thats being supportive .
what about a hack , or trike conversion , or physical . lots of older folks riding with no problems
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,053
Likes: 5
From: Southern IL
RE: How do I tell him ?
ORIGINAL: whaap
You don't have to tell him anything. He already knows. I'll be 74 this coming July and can speak from experience. My age which equates to strength, dexterity, coordination, et. al. is the main reason I no longer ride "big" bikes and find myself lovingthe Sportster 1200 C that I have. Even though the Sportster is claimed to be more difficult to ride than some of the big twins it is working well for me. I don't know how much longer I will be able to enjoy my present state. I hate to say it butthis past year is the first time I have had to admit I'm starting to feel my age. Baring any unseen surprises I see myself with a trike somewhere down the road. In the meantime I sure am enjoying my little hot rod.
You don't have to tell him anything. He already knows. I'll be 74 this coming July and can speak from experience. My age which equates to strength, dexterity, coordination, et. al. is the main reason I no longer ride "big" bikes and find myself lovingthe Sportster 1200 C that I have. Even though the Sportster is claimed to be more difficult to ride than some of the big twins it is working well for me. I don't know how much longer I will be able to enjoy my present state. I hate to say it butthis past year is the first time I have had to admit I'm starting to feel my age. Baring any unseen surprises I see myself with a trike somewhere down the road. In the meantime I sure am enjoying my little hot rod.