How old is too old?
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
RE: How old is too old?
My dad was almost 81 when he stopped riding. His health was getting scetchy at that point. He rode Harley's for years
(decades) His last ride was a mildly hopped up Honda CBF900. He liked to go fast. His favorite road was
Hiway 17. Anyone familiar with Northern Cal knows Hwy 17 as the mountain road that goes from San Jose to Santa Cruz.
It's not bad, but it's a little hairy. Mostly the idiots in cars make it scary. He just loved that road. One day he told me
he got over to the straight part in Scotts Valley and wound it up to about 100. He said he was actually scared. He also
said he'd never been scared going fast in his life. He hung it up shortly after that. Prob just knew it was time.
In the 70's he had a hopped up Shovelhead . Hi comp pistons, 468 Sifton Cam, ported and polished heads (very fast for
it's day) He was a wild man on that bike !!!
(decades) His last ride was a mildly hopped up Honda CBF900. He liked to go fast. His favorite road was
Hiway 17. Anyone familiar with Northern Cal knows Hwy 17 as the mountain road that goes from San Jose to Santa Cruz.
It's not bad, but it's a little hairy. Mostly the idiots in cars make it scary. He just loved that road. One day he told me
he got over to the straight part in Scotts Valley and wound it up to about 100. He said he was actually scared. He also
said he'd never been scared going fast in his life. He hung it up shortly after that. Prob just knew it was time.
In the 70's he had a hopped up Shovelhead . Hi comp pistons, 468 Sifton Cam, ported and polished heads (very fast for
it's day) He was a wild man on that bike !!!
Banned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 847
Likes: 1
From:
RE: How old is too old?
One of the loacal dealers dasd rode rom here to caost last year about 225 miles and hes 80 yrs old.So I dont see age as problem as long as health fair ot good.My great uncle cruised timber until he was 89 and smoked most everyday,and would waer my *** out when trailing deer or scouting.So Im going to ride till Im 95,hey got do more to get older women raedy for the just got home and she needs some now sex.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
RE: How old is too old?
ORIGINAL: DKSS07
I guess you are done riding when you can't get on it anymore.[sm=boosign.gif]
[sm=icon_cheers.gif]Make it last as long as you canand ride safe!
true to the bone. ride till i die
I guess you are done riding when you can't get on it anymore.[sm=boosign.gif]
[sm=icon_cheers.gif]Make it last as long as you canand ride safe!
true to the bone. ride till i die
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: MN
RE: How old is too old?
Here's a "you tube video" of John Eiden, in his 80's and the original owner of the '46 Harley he's starting. He goes to Sturgis every year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJZTB0gMOEk
[IMG]local://upfiles/45199/C851273D1226495E86EB67C251043DEE.jpg[/IMG]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJZTB0gMOEk
[IMG]local://upfiles/45199/C851273D1226495E86EB67C251043DEE.jpg[/IMG]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, AZ.
RE: How old is too old?
I'm 63 and have been riding off and on since I was 16 and hope to ride many more years. I'm also a diabetic but that doesn't affect my riding at all and when Idon't feel comfortable holding the bike up anymore then I may have to switch to a trike but I hope that's not for many years. I know someone 84 who rides his Dyna with no problem, although he looks like he's no more than 65 at the most. 
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Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
RE: How old is too old?
Tom Petty put it right;
"If you never slow down, you never grow old"
My dad did great til he quit riding, quit driving his conv Thunderbird, doing yard work, walkingetc etc.
The minute he laid down, his health declined (mental & physical) Made it to 88, but he was
very very sick the last few years.
Keep the rubber on the road, boys (& girls) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"If you never slow down, you never grow old"
My dad did great til he quit riding, quit driving his conv Thunderbird, doing yard work, walkingetc etc.
The minute he laid down, his health declined (mental & physical) Made it to 88, but he was
very very sick the last few years.
Keep the rubber on the road, boys (& girls) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Wilmywood NC
RE: How old is too old?
I ride with a guy from my church who is 83 and just got his bike last year. He said it was something he always wanted to do and now says he is having his 'mid-life' crisis! [sm=insomnia.gif]