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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | Doug, I completely agree with you. A rider is or is not a good rider based solely on his individual ability to ride properly. I am presently 65 going on 66 and am not worth much after about 8 or 9 hours, and I know that. Do not take away my bike license but instead let me use my best judgement and get a room when I have reached my limit. Just like a typical 20 year old, I know when that is. On the flip side, most 20 year olds will never admit it, so if anyone must give up their bike license, I would think it is them, not me.
At least that would leave the fatigue factor in the hands of those experienced enough to actually admit it. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 34
| I will be 65 this year and have a bad back but still able to handle my XCT with wife as a passenger. When unable to ride 2 wheels may convert to a trike. Had one for awhile but was not yet ready for a trike and went back to 2 wheels. Still ride 10-15K a year and have over 300,000 miles on a bike. Back problem may shut me down but with a back rest can still tour. Have a friend who is 76, has over 1,000,000 documented miles on bikes and still rides about 15,000 a year with wife on the back. Have another friend who's father-in-law is 86 and still rides a Harley Dynaglide. Up until a few yeras ago still had his pilot's license. All depends on genetics, your health and luck.
Sunman |
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | Hi there Sunman. I fully sympathize with you. In just a few years, I may find myself where you are now. At that time I hope that I remember that inability to drive right means it is time to give up riding. In the meanwhile, we all have and know our own limits.
Edited by Oldman47 2013-03-21 8:14 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 238
SF Bay Area | For me, if I can't pick up the bike, it is too much bike for me. I imagine that the older I get, the lighter my bike would need to be.
I have driven my trucks on the road for over half a million miles with no at fault accidents. If this changes, I may eventually have to rethink the decision to ride on 2 wheels. I feel a person should ask their family and consider their answer as far as driving goes.
Here's a good one for you... my mother (she's 93) had to take her license renewal test a few years ago, but since here sight is poor in one eye she memorized the eye chart at the DMV. Not finding that funny my sister and I took her keys away from her. |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | My plan is too slide in all used up at age ???. That is when I will quite riding. Very personal to each and every one here. Ride like hell until you can not is my advise. Carry on Brothers and Sisters..... :-) |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 12
| I am 47 and my Vision was my bucket list bike.
I will ride it until I can't ride anymore.
I've recently realized that I must sell some of the other bikes just so my family won't have to deal with getting them ready and then selling them.
I've ridden nearly all my life and will for the rest of my life. When I cannot hold it up any longer, I will trike it.
When I cannot steer the trike, then I know it is time to just pass on. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| You don't stop riding when you get old, You get old when you stop riding. |
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | I love your perspective rickwh. I am now a young 65 but was once an old 55 when I was not riding. |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| I just returned from a ride to the Big Bend area. While stopped for gas an older gentleman was filling his trike up. He was proud to tell me he was a WWII veteran of 87 years old and his wife was 84 . They still road but he had to switch to the trike because he had dropped his bike with the wife on back a couple of times. He also stated he was in good health with no joint problems, but he missed his bike.
I just hope I can still walk at that age let alone ride. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | DrRadar - 2013-03-25 7:38 AM
I am 47 and my Vision was my bucket list bike.
I will ride it until I can't ride anymore.
amen 
Edited by jimtom 2013-03-28 5:29 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 22
| Statistically, more people are killed in auto crashes age 25 and younger than all of those over age 60. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for those 25 and under. Those are NTHSA figures. After nearly 42 years in LE that's what I saw on a daily basis too. With those figures then no one under 25 should have a DL. |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | I'll ride until I have to put tennis balls on the end of my front forks. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | hahaha good one  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Edmonton Alberta, Canada | Two factors to keep in mind while determining how old os too old to ride.
1- Are able to control the bike in an emergency situation!
2- If you are to make a mistake and for example turn in front of another vehicle, you would die, but one must keep in mind the devastation to the person whom would have to live with your bad judgment.
I say this because my Father Just turned 92 and we took his license away from him for the fact we did not want him to cause an accident and injure someone else. About 10 years ago our community lost a Grandfather, Grandmother, Daughter, and 2 grandchildren, leaving one child crippled.
What happened was an older gentleman attempted to make a u-turn on a busy highway! Devastation can affect many people. I too hope when I approach a time when I need to stop riding or driving, I really hope it will be MY decision, and not someone else s.
While riding a couple of years ago, I call the police when a old couple where at a Tims (Dunkin Donuts in Canada) He was unable to start his vehicle as it was in gear! She was blind and no help to him. The police arrived and were unable to remove him from the car, they had an ambulance come and help him out. 5 people wanted to just help him out by showing him to put the car in park! Would he remember to hit the gas or the brake if someone cut him off? All I know is I did not want to be on the same road as them. Call me selfish, but I also had a Daughter and Grandchild on those same streets that same day.
Just sayin! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | if anyone besides me should decide I should stop driving , it should be my family/kids , NOT THE GOVERNMENT. |
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How old is too old to ride?
