Too old to ride??
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 67
My transition to a Heritage 114 from five previous touring models has been smooth. I generally take one week-long trip each year, but did not this year due to Covid - so I have not done an extended tour on the Heritage. However I have ridden some 300 mile days without any issue. Low speed handling is a pleasure with the weight reduction. The suspension is great and the windscreen actually does a good job. I initially missed the linked brakes of the touring frame, but I now remember to apply both brakes. At this stage of life the Heritage suits me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 1,993
From: CA
I'm 72, been through a few health issues, including a broken leg that is now held together with screws and plates. Makes it hard to control a 900 # bike at slow speeds and no way I could pick it up if it fell over. Added a sidecar to my bike a few years ago, Plan on riding it as long as I can do it without being a danger to myself and others.
Tourer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 462
Likes: 226
From: Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Californy
I'm 65, Been riding Harley's since 1973-74 Can't remember which year, but I'm still riding.
I Just sold my Heritage cause the The Ride just beat me up too much on the Interstates, It was really nice on the Secondary Hwy's and around town.
So early this year I sold the Heritage and bought an Electra Glide Ultra for the comfort and for long road trips.
The Ultra is so smooth and comfy could fall a sleep on the hwy's and It handles better in the windy roads.
I'll ride till I can not roll her out of the driveway any more!!!
I Just sold my Heritage cause the The Ride just beat me up too much on the Interstates, It was really nice on the Secondary Hwy's and around town.
So early this year I sold the Heritage and bought an Electra Glide Ultra for the comfort and for long road trips.
The Ultra is so smooth and comfy could fall a sleep on the hwy's and It handles better in the windy roads.
I'll ride till I can not roll her out of the driveway any more!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 8,196
Likes: 2,433
From: San Francisco
I've been wondering how much longer I will be able to ride, too. I'm 75 and still in pretty good shape. I feel bad that I had to cancel all my long rides this past summer due to covid. I don't know how many good summers I still have but I want to take advantage of every one of them. Next year, assuming an effective vaccine for covid I'll do three long distance rides. One is probably a four or five day ride to the deserts of southern California. Then in July my buddies and I will head first to the Pacific Northwest, then heading east through Hells Canyon, Glacier, Yellowstone and heading as far east as Sturgis. I want to be there when it is less crowded this time. All my other rides to Sturgis were during rally week. And heading back to California possibly through southern Utah, depending on how hot it is that week in southern Utah. Then in the fall I'll do my usual three day, 1,000 mile ride to Death Valley and back.
The only thing that has changed for me is I get tired more easily and don't want to put on as many miles in a day. I use to like to get on the road by 9AM and ride till about 5 PM. Now I want to stop about 4 PM.
The only thing that has changed for me is I get tired more easily and don't want to put on as many miles in a day. I use to like to get on the road by 9AM and ride till about 5 PM. Now I want to stop about 4 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,896
From: Oklahoma
Will be 76 in January, ride a Road King. It is just a few hundred miles shy of 100,000 and that seems like a good excuse for a replacement. I am confident now that if i drop the King I won't be able to get it back up by myself. That and the favorable reports about the Heritage are making my think about trying one on the next demo opportunity. Don't like the blacked out Heritage compared to the chromy previous version. Health and alertness allow continued riding for the foreseeable future so plan to go as long as I can. Been on 2 wheels since I was 14 and since I retired, sort of feel that I ride to live. The winters are long and boring..This was the first summer I trailered the bike from Oklahoma City to Denver to visit a buddy, didn't like it. Have always ridden before and plan to ride the distance next year. Will see what life brings by then.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 138
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Hearing from so many just like me make me resolve to put away feelings of doubt. I traded in my trike and bought a road king with 1 mile on it. I was questioning whether that was a good decision, not anymore. I got to divide my time between my heritage classic and the road king. I’m going to do it with a smile.
I'm about to turn 70 in about a month . Do I ride as much as I used to ? Nope .
Life keeps me just too busy . I've thought about a trike , but my wife says she
knows I probably won't like it . i was supposed to take a 2 week trip west this
past June but COVID concerns by most of the group canceled it . So a friend
and I took a 4 day 1450 mile ride around GA , TN , FL & NC . Had a great ride
without overdoing it . I can't imagine not being able to ride if I want to . I'm
afraid if I quit riding I really will get old .
Life keeps me just too busy . I've thought about a trike , but my wife says she
knows I probably won't like it . i was supposed to take a 2 week trip west this
past June but COVID concerns by most of the group canceled it . So a friend
and I took a 4 day 1450 mile ride around GA , TN , FL & NC . Had a great ride
without overdoing it . I can't imagine not being able to ride if I want to . I'm
afraid if I quit riding I really will get old .
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 484
Likes: 38
From: DE
I am 73 and ride an Ultra without the tour pack and a 52 Hydro Hlide and a 62 Duoglide. Both kick start
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 165
Likes: 70
From: Northhern Mississippi
The group I ride with at least twice a week are all seasoned riders. The oldest is 80, then 79,77,74,73 (me) 70, and a couple of 68-69 year olds. All are on two wheels except 2 of the younger guys. Assuming that your physiscal abilty is still good ride till you can't. Not riding makes you old. My 14 Limited bought new has 113,000 miles, all our bikes are newer that mine and some have 100K or fast approaching it. I only mention to show we ride alot.
Last edited by mjmanna; Nov 14, 2020 at 09:04 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,081
Likes: 6,044
From: upstate NY
74 in February I do sometimes "wonder" and truth be told I am a lot more diligent about paying attention in general when riding - no multitasking or distracting myself- but so far so good...love my heritage, as well as the other three bikes I have.Thanks for the thread- I need to hear of older riders than I!