Hi everyone,

My dad is 87 and is dying from prostate cancer that has gone into his bones. His bones are starting to get frail from the cancer. His 12 pound Shih Tzu jumped hard on his chest last month and caused hairline rib fractures. The cancer is in his ribs, hip, and upper thigh bone.

I took care of my mom for 5 years as she had Alzheimer's, and this awful disease finally took her 3 months ago. I sold their house and dad lives with me now and I take care of him as his cancer progresses. He is very depressed at the loss of mom whom he was with for 70 years.

He rode an Indian motorcycle in his 20s and he has never forgotten the feeling on being on a motorcycle. He would look longingly at my Deluxe (while I still owned it) and always want a ride, but I could never give him one as I could not trust he would be strong enough to hang on properly.

I have been trying to find a way to give him a ride before he passes, and so I rented a Tri Glide for the 4th of July week. I posted it on Facebook, and dad is a vet (Korea). Word got out, and now Patriot Guard Riders and Forged Alliance want to come along on the ride and salute dad and thank him for his service. They want to arrange for a police escort and the media. This is so cool for dad!!

Dad walks with a walker and can get around fairly well, although he is slow. He can get in and out of a car fine. He will have people helping him into the Tri Glide.

What I am asking here is this: I know no one but a doctor could say for sure, but I think your opinion can help me make a decision. I want to make sure the ride on a Tri Glide would be smooth enough that it wouldn't hurt dad's bones. I plan to take him on a 45 minute ride and have scouted out a route with good roads.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks!
Peggy

 

As you said, I am no doctor BUT I can attest that even with the air shocks set to what you believe is optimal the ride on the passenger seat of a Triglide can be pretty harsh. I don't know what your roads are like but I thing I would advise at a minimum adding some additional shock absorbing devices (pillow, air pillow, etc) before putting him on the back seat. Please give your father my prayers and best wishes.

 

I hate to sound harsh or uncaring....But do it, How long do you expect him to live... Just do it....

 

Let Dad decide. I say heck yeah. It may be a short ride but it's a ride. If you're in So Cal by chance - I might join too. Bring it. Also - as the father of a daughter, I can't describe how proud I would be of my daughter doing the same.

 

If that's what Dad wants, Dad should get it.

 

put rear tire pressure's down to 22# Dealers usually have them 26 & higher. Also lower the shocks pressure. Both will help smooth the ride a bit. If you see a pot hole. take it with front wheel if you cant avoid hitting it. That way you will not take it with the rear wheels . when we still had air shocks, I put the pressure down to 15# riding 2 up. The valve for the shocks is behind the right side panel. Take the ride & enjoy him. I can already see the smile on his face. Good for you.

 

Follow the tips posted above and enjoy the ride. I'm sure that some of the riders that will be coming along will be able to provide some tips and help. Wish I could be there also. Enjoy the moment.

 

DO IT ---- even if all you might do is let him set on the bike and or stroll around a parking lot -- you could go real slow and let some others walk beside him . ask a local EMT to be handy

My father used to ride also , he would get on my bike and just set on it at 91 , my mother would not allow him to ride with me and I knew all along he wanted to

You know he wants to

 

Ditto all the above, and maybe use an airhawk seat cushion too. I'd also get the rear tires down to around 20 psi...that will help soften the bumps.

 

I think this is a wonderful idea and I pray that one day someone will do this for me. BTW if you are in Florida I would to join this ride.