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View Full Version : How old is too old to ride a sports bike?



Firebladegirl
28th January 2010, 14:42
This all started when a friend and I caught up with motoGrapher in Frankton during his NZ tour. It was really interesting to hear his story and see his book. He's a really talented photographer with a passion for bikes. Check out his thread and you'll see what I mean. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/115764-Hello-NZ!-The-Grand-New-Zealand-Roadtrip

The bike scene is very different in India with the average age of riders being much younger and mostly confined to guys, very few woman ride and generally bikes that are less than 200cc. I decided not to take offence when Sunny mentioned how surprised he was to see someone my age riding a sports bike. Gotta say that this was wearing thin when he mentioned it the third time..... Any bloke knows he's on dangerous ground when he talks about a womans age. My friend was killing herself laughing and couldn't wait to tell everyone that I was too old for my bike!

I'd managed to forget about it until he did his blog for the day and there it was again! http://www.xbhp.com/gnz2/travelogue/?p=74 I shared it with some friends and had a bit of a laugh but it got me thinking...... I know at least 6 woman arround my age who ride sports bikes and I don't see any issue with that? What does everyone else think? I bet this will get some interesting responses!

I've decided that I'm going to change my name to Firebladegranny and live by the motto:-
" Growing older is inevitable but growing up is optional."

PS. Sunny if you read this, I know you didn't mean your comments in an offensive way!

BMWST?
28th January 2010, 14:46
keep riding it until your knees start to complain about the bend of the legs is what i say...

Bikemad
28th January 2010, 14:51
Howdy FBG............not sure of your age but im pushin 50 and will always ride a sport bike...........get a sore lower back very quickly on anything with an upright riding position............and just goes better with the hoon in me....heheh

slofox
28th January 2010, 14:56
Beyond 60 and still like the forward seat...feels "right" to me. I really can't be havin' with this armchair position riding...how the hell would I leap off as the bike heads over the cliff?

Stirts
28th January 2010, 14:58
Hey Granny ;) , you are too old to ride a sports bike when you shit in your leathers trying to get on it!! .....Nah maybe not even then!! As long as you love what you ride, who gives a shit what people think!!!

Pussy
28th January 2010, 16:02
My Mum is 79, and while I was staying with her at Christmas time, I offered her a ride on the sem fiddy. She declined.
So in Mum's case.... 79

PrincessBandit
28th January 2010, 16:25
There probably is a big difference between what age to "still be riding at" and what age to "start riding at". The old confidence can drop somewhat with age which is why I decided to get into it at the tender age of 44 - before commonsense and senility set it and I wouldn't recognise one end of a bike from the other....

I most certainly hope to still be riding (although maybe not my trusty 650) well into my doddery old days. Yeeeeehhhaaaaaaa! show 'em how it's done grandma!!!!!

p.s. Pussy, my 73 year old mum declined to ride with me (although she has ridden only a few years ago on the back of Katman's bike). Her reason was nothing to do with my skill (so she said!) but my lack of muscles (and hers, to help) if i got into difficulty. Her loss!

wynw
28th January 2010, 16:33
....when you cant get your leg over it anymore?...My father is keen as to jump on the back of my gixxer but at 75 and after several strokes im not to keen on the idea. Would have to install him like a knight on the back of a horse back in the middle ages i reckon

Sis
28th January 2010, 16:34
Well over 50 now, and with number 6 grandchild on the way.
No intention of changing my bike. My husband has. He had a Kawasaki ZX12R and then we went to the USA for a month riding around on a Harley and brought it back home. He is starting to lean towards the cruiser and I sometimes will become pillion, as I can have a drink then. But he hasn't totally swung the other way yet. The trouble for him is that his hands loose circulation on the ZX (yes, 'we haven't sold it - he can't quite part with it yet)
I tried a Rocker and thought maybe. Told our children and they thought I said rocking chair.:mad: I said cut that shit out. Then they (3 daughters) said that I suited the CBR and looked cool on that. So I just do as I am told :Punk:

MIXONE
28th January 2010, 16:39
I think you suit the bike and the leathers but what would I know because I'm an old fart.

varminter
28th January 2010, 18:42
Last weekend, waiting outside the supermarket for the rain to ease so I could get the rest of my gear out of the bike's top box. Old dear next to me, propping up the trolley, looked like gods mother, says "what you riding?", "a thou' v strom" I said. She said, "I've got a 900 Triumph", "do you still ride" I said, "of course" she said sounding slightly miffed....

helenoftroy
28th January 2010, 19:00
Lmao!

Im the perfect person to comment here!!

Im 52 & last year I brought a FXR for racing,am totally in love with my Ducati & regularly ride my sons CBR250R....oh & my 1st passion is trail bike riding

I cant imagine not having a roadbike at this stage.......lifes for living,bring it on!:woohoo::woohoo:

Just have to keep flexible & keep up the yoga,bellydancing & .....:innocent:

Number One
28th January 2010, 20:16
Hey Granny ;) , you are too old to ride a sports bike when you shit in your leathers trying to get on it!! .....Nah maybe not even then!! As long as you love what you ride, who gives a shit

+100 you said it so well too ;)

oldguy
28th January 2010, 20:36
can you tell how old I am from this pic, ride what ever, till you don't enjoy it anymore, not because someone says, aren't you too old for that bike.
I'm going to stop riding MX / trail bikes as well Yeah Right

Edbear
29th January 2010, 05:48
Lmao!

Im the perfect person to comment here!!

Im 52 & last year I brought a FXR for racing,am totally in love with my Ducati & regularly ride my sons CBR250R....oh & my 1st passion is trail bike riding

I cant imagine not having a roadbike at this stage.......lifes for living,bring it on!:woohoo::woohoo:

Just have to keep flexible & keep up the yoga,bellydancing & .....:innocent:

Well I've got the belly, now I just need to learn how to dance... :shifty:

I've quit the sportier bikes as my old bod has been in a few wars and can't handle the position for too long these days and I find the C50T great for any type of riding I want to do including giving mates with GSX1400's and 1200S Bandits a surprise. :innocent: I'd still love a GSX-R750 though for fun in short bursts...

Firebladegirl
29th January 2010, 07:37
Pretty much as I thought! As long as you're comfortable with it, why not! I'll be 50 in April and have had my license for over 30 years. Had a 20 year break and got back into it about eight years ago and now I just can't imagine how I stopped for so long! Life's not worth living if you can't get out on the bike at least once a week.
Bought the Fireblade new almost four years ago and have 63500 ks on it and I've enjoyed every single one of them! I find the riding position fine but the seat can get a bit hard after 400 k or so..... Did a round trip to Fox for lunch one day and the rear end was pretty sore by the time we got home, 1060k.
My biggest concern is controlling the right hand, I'd started to get over confidant and lived in fear of losing my license, or worse, coming to a sudden stop! The radar detector gives some security but can't be relied on totally. The bike is way beyond my ability and the roads we have to ride on but also very forgiving of any mistakes I've made along the way. Bought the Brutale to slow me down and it's a great bike, happy to toodle along arround the speed limit just listening to the awesome sound. Will keep the Blade for long trips and use the Brutale for the short weekend rides.
So good to see so many other like minded ladies doing the same sort of thing, long may it continue and I look forward to meeting you all on the road.

crazyhorse
29th January 2010, 08:08
I couldn't imagine not being on one - love them to bits..... so for me, it will the day I can no longer ride for any reason............... illness probably :( but until then, :scooter: :scooter: :scooter: with a big smile on my dial

Pwalo
29th January 2010, 11:54
It's not an age problem. I'm afraid that I won't see 50 again, but I still find sportsbikes the most comfortable (well the more'upright' ones anyway).

I'm too short for adventure bikes, and find crusiers awkward at best.

sondela
29th January 2010, 12:19
I learned to scuba dive last year! (loved it!!) I think base jumping is my next goal.. I ride my Ducati on the road and the track with my boys and hopefully one day with my grandsons.., and I'm looking to upgrade to an MV 312 next :D It's onwards and upwards till I fall over ...

kit
2nd February 2010, 12:17
pfft! your never to old! I'd hate to have to live without a bike now! And I'll keep riding for as long as I can, regardless of age!

Guzzi-chick
2nd February 2010, 13:21
Totally agree... I personally hope I will never be to old to ride my Guzzi's, I think I will be riding my bike far longer than my other passion my horses.... See no future stopping at this stage. :rockon:

Her_C4
2nd February 2010, 13:42
Last weekend, waiting outside the supermarket for the rain to ease so I could get the rest of my gear out of the bike's top box. Old dear next to me, propping up the trolley, looked like gods mother, says "what you riding?", "a thou' v strom" I said. She said, "I've got a 900 Triumph", "do you still ride" I said, "of course" she said sounding slightly miffed....

Bwwwwhahahaha - Brilliant!

Richard Mc F
2nd February 2010, 21:52
Well I dunno, 52................cannot imagine riding a cruiser.............love all cafe style and sprot bikes....I hope I never grow up

Leviticus
3rd February 2010, 07:31
As long as the person has fun, is safe, and can give the cops the finger whilst on the back wheel, then all good ;-p

shafty
3rd February 2010, 08:22
Judging from the photo's Firebladegirl, you're not too old for ANYTHING! Love the Repsol - very Sexy ! - suits Ya. :niceone:

sosman
4th February 2010, 00:11
How old is too old to ride a sports bike?

When ya fuggin can't stand up wheelie anymore! :lol:

Firebladegirl
4th February 2010, 06:50
Judging from the photo's Firebladegirl, you're not too old for ANYTHING! Love the Repsol - very Sexy ! - suits Ya. :niceone:

Shafty
Thanks for the unexpected compliment! The Liquorice Allsort will be chuffed.