Once a Biker, always a Biker

[trumpy]

So what does he (old bugger) ride now ?

Good point. I suspect there are a goodly number of men and women in their senior years that would like to (and should) ride again but are put off by spouses, other family members, friends and living to a social expectation rather than their own passion.

There are a few that have escaped; I met a gentleman at a cafe who at 84 years old was still riding regularly. He loves big bikes but felt he was not strong enough to handle them anymore so to keep riding he bought himself a Gold Wing trike. Heard of another whose family bought him a bike for his 80th birthday, he now rides regularly with his sons........what a great family.

Continue to meet similar people almost every weekend. Great to see.

[toycollector10]

The attached picture is of Dave Dixon who is a member of the Classic Japanese Motorcycle Group here in Christchurch. Dave is 83 years old and a regular rider and attends every pub night. Rock on Dave!

[MotoKuzzi]

[QUOTE] .....and then they shuffle and mumble ( bear in mind these people are often younger than I am ) . often " oh my wife would never agree" is brought out.[QUOTE]

People have fond memories of there motorcycling days but time away from it makes them soft and less inclined to go through the routines of getting gear on and off and the discomfort and danger that goes with learning to ride again.

[ukusa]

Triumph is unique in that it is an old name that has endured and is recognised even though ownership and technology are different. I had some interesting interactions with some real old guys (ie older than my 60+) when I had the Speed Triple.

I notice this alot too. The other day while outside a pub having a feed an old guy left his table and started yakking & was commenting on my Tbird, he was telling me about his he bought new in '63. There are also alot of former Bonnie owners out there who are impressed with the look of the new ones.

[nudemetalz]

This is a great thread and really interesting.
I get a lot of comments from fullah's older than myself (not saying old-guys here as age is a state of mind) regarding my Guzzi.
They like the style and aircooled v-twin look.

[EgliHonda]

Try taking out an old bike. The combination of noise, chrome tank, convoluted start-up procedure and hand change always generates comments. From small kids giving the thumbs-up as you chuff down the street, to old blokes having a prolonged chat about bikes and life in general. Love it...

Actually I remember my grandmother telling me about a scar on her knee, turned out she had fallen off the back on an Indian in the old days, and was too scared to tell her mother. She still loved bikes into her 80's, shame I never gave her another spin but owned a GSXR at the time and prob not the best bike for the job...

[peasea]

So sad when people want to do something and let themselves be put off because of what they think they ought to think about it.

Yes, very sad. I would have to say that if you buy/ride a bike (or don't) because of what other people might think or say (wife included) you probably need to do some serious soul searching. All the things my ex didn't want to do for whatever reason resulted in a broken marriage. (Yes, me getting another bike was one thing that wasn't going to happen.) She now has a couple of houses and I have only one, but I have a life.

It would take something way more important than someone else's opinion for me to give up my bike these days.

[Toaster]

Agreed. Its a great way to get away from the stressess of day to day humdrum life and enjoy LIVING. Its not for everyone, and budgets can halt riding for a time, but its a great thing to do, very social and COMPLETELY misunderstood by those that critize because they have never ridden a motorcycle and simply dont get it.

[peasea]

Agreed. Its a great way to get away from the stressess of day to day humdrum life and enjoy LIVING. Its not for everyone, and budgets can halt riding for a time, but its a great thing to do, very social and COMPLETELY misunderstood by those that critize because they have never ridden a motorcycle and simply dont get it.

Yes, the old adage; "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand."

[Toaster]

I usually say, go ride a bike or come pillion - best way to explain it I think.

Yes, the old adage; "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand."

[fliplid]

Agreed. Its a great way to get away from the stressess of day to day humdrum life and enjoy LIVING. Its not for everyone, and budgets can halt riding for a time, but its a great thing to do, very social and COMPLETELY misunderstood by those that critize because they have never ridden a motorcycle and simply dont get it.

This is very probably why the lot at work don't get it when I tell them it takes me 10 mins to get there, and sometimes several hours to get home