trike it
Need some advice ...TROUBLED!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,225
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From: 3rd Stone From The Sun
I haven't read all the responses so if this was already covered I apologize. The Sporty is a horrible bike for someone that is only 5'-3", female and in her 60s. It is top heavy and will easily fall over at stop signs, parking lots, etc. Get her a bike with a low center of gravity that she can completely flat foot with no problems. The lighter the better.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: WF-Texas!
I haven't figured out multiple quotes yet ;)
I'm female, 60 years old and have been riding for a long time by myself. I have always rode by myself even back from Yellowstone Park one year. If I wanted to go someplace, I just went. I know many women who ride like this, no partners, just them. I have always felt that if I began to drop my bike at a stop sign then its time for me to get off. But I never have dropped the bike, and rode an FXLR for 18 years, then a new Softail Deluxe and now I went for the gold, a new Tri Glide. I didn't need the trike yet, but I wanted comfort, easiability to go anywhere, radio and cruise control. Plus with age, and back surgery, my legs aren't as long as before, so taller boots were needed to get the length. I wanted to trade for a touring but I know that I would only have 2-3 years riding one. Yes, I miss the freedom of pushing a 2 wheeler to the limits, and I could, but I wanna ride until I'm 75. So now I own a new Trike. No more worrying about taller boots, or seats, handlebars and lowering a bike.
I know that you love your mother. But keeping her bike and telling her that she could be hurt is just telling her how old she is. We don't want to be told that. Only a doctor can tell me to stop riding. Not my daughter, my mother or my sister unless I get to the point it is dangerous for me, as in hearing, eyesight, cognitive thinking! Make sure the bike fits your mother, lower it if it needs it, make it comfortable for her. The weight of a sporty is nothing to me compaired to the 700 lb Deluxe but having that center of gravity down helps, you know, you ride a Heritage. Don't tell your mother of your grave concerns, she needs to still feel she can accomplish this. Its in her heart, let her do this until she says, I'm done. But don't remind her of her age, I too feel like I'm in my thirties, and its hard to get up off the floor. But when I'm riding, I feel young free and alive. Allow your mother to feel this too, or you'll have a old mother who will stay home and do nothing, wasting away.
Karen
I know that you love your mother. But keeping her bike and telling her that she could be hurt is just telling her how old she is. We don't want to be told that. Only a doctor can tell me to stop riding. Not my daughter, my mother or my sister unless I get to the point it is dangerous for me, as in hearing, eyesight, cognitive thinking! Make sure the bike fits your mother, lower it if it needs it, make it comfortable for her. The weight of a sporty is nothing to me compaired to the 700 lb Deluxe but having that center of gravity down helps, you know, you ride a Heritage. Don't tell your mother of your grave concerns, she needs to still feel she can accomplish this. Its in her heart, let her do this until she says, I'm done. But don't remind her of her age, I too feel like I'm in my thirties, and its hard to get up off the floor. But when I'm riding, I feel young free and alive. Allow your mother to feel this too, or you'll have a old mother who will stay home and do nothing, wasting away.
Karen
I'm 62 and I hope that it's a long way off but if the desire, ability and finances are there I suspect that there is a trike in my future.
Maybe Mom would benefit if she knew that many of us know and accept that a trike may keep us on the road longer, and that it's not neccesarily a bad thing. Nice that you worry, but as long as mom is still sharp, she needs to be granted the dignity of making her own choices, and taking her own risks.
And the fact that Mom wants to ride, just Freakin' AWESOME!
Lucky you, you are one of the kids with a "cool" mom.
RaSh
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These two said it best-
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm glad a few out there can relate with an issue that I'm sure some of us will have to face with older people in our lives that continue to ride. As I stated in my original post, this was in no way meant to be offensive to anyone 65 or over. I have had the honor of riding with many veterans pushing past 70 and they still get on and go with no problems. In no way was I trying to be sexist because of it being my mother, I have known a few older men that were wise enough to walk away from riding or go out and buy a trike to keep the wind in their hair. I have thought about a lot of the answers I recieved here even before I posted this thread and many more than were even posted. I guess it comes down to whatever works for both people on both ends of the situation.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 5
From: warner robins, ga
I haven't read all the responses so if this was already covered I apologize. The Sporty is a horrible bike for someone that is only 5'-3", female and in her 60s. It is top heavy and will easily fall over at stop signs, parking lots, etc. Get her a bike with a low center of gravity that she can completely flat foot with no problems. The lighter the better.
also, if your mother hasnt ridden in 30 years, it is high time she has a refresher. get her in the MSF course ASAP. the OP did not mention many details about her skill level, but one would have to assume that if you are occasionally picking up the bike after she drops it at stop signs, especially after SIX YEARS of riding, something is not right. i would not go so far as to say that she shouldn't be riding, but her skills are *definitely* not where they need to be. (no offense to your mom intended.)
as a side note: every rider should be able to pick up their own bike with no help. just my opinion. [i'll post a link to a how-to video if i get the chance.]
for what it's worth, i think you are justified in worrying about your mom's safety, and i think that makes you a good person for caring about your family. the best advice i can offer is for you to talk with your mom (NOT Intervention style -- it's a heart-to-heart, not a confrontation) and explain that you want to encourage her to enjoy her hobby safely. and to that end, you could suggest any number of solutions from this thread (trike, sidecar, MSF COURSE!!!, new easier-to-handle bike). but as others have mentioned, it is ultimately up to her to ensure her own safety.
dont beat yourself up over it, man. just have a good sitdown with your mom.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 5
From: warner robins, ga
since i cant get to videos right now, here is a link with a step-by-step of how to right a downed bike. i HIGHLY recommend everyone have this skill.
http://www.womenridersnow.com/pages/...l.aspx?lid=128
(dont let the URL scare you away -- it is useful information for men and women alike.)
http://www.womenridersnow.com/pages/...l.aspx?lid=128
(dont let the URL scare you away -- it is useful information for men and women alike.)
It is commendable that you are worried about your mothers safety as I am sure we all would be.That said,I would casually recommend the trike idea,and leave it at that.If that is not acceptable to her,bring the bike to her and let her do as she pleases.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 536
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
I say you can only give your advice so much and then if someone doesn't follow it, oh well, they'll learn the hard way if you end up being right. Even though you are trying to look out for your mom, she is plenty a grown woman too, and a stubborn one at that.
Give her your advice, then let her have her bike. If something happens, I hope she realizes she's not fit for 2 wheel riding at that age.
I do agree to maybe bring up getting her a trike? or having the Sportster converted to one? cuz that sounds cool and she'd still be able to ride.
but yea, you can only protect someone so much before it's best just to let the situation take it's course.
Give her your advice, then let her have her bike. If something happens, I hope she realizes she's not fit for 2 wheel riding at that age.
I do agree to maybe bring up getting her a trike? or having the Sportster converted to one? cuz that sounds cool and she'd still be able to ride.
but yea, you can only protect someone so much before it's best just to let the situation take it's course.
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