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/sh...aland-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.

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

**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!

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

**Number One** · 28th January 2010, 20:16

Originally Posted by Stirts

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

Originally Posted by helenoftroy

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!

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

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

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.

I'd still love a GSX-R750 though for fun in short bursts...