Ageing motorcyclists - what's your plan?

**MSTRS:Me** · 9th February 2011, 10:33

Originally Posted by Blackbird

The Kiwi Biker NZ comments were perhaps the more mentally mature--

Well aint that a turn up for the books?

**Blackbird** · 9th February 2011, 10:48

Originally Posted by Redmoggy

Im 33 and i had trouble reading Davids post written in blue against the black!

Sincere apologies - I'm a Light Universe user

Tend to forget about the Dark Side

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Well aint that a turn up for the books?

Errr... yes! Maybe it's because the squids on the forum didn't post because they hadn't an effing clue what it it was all about. Still, it hasn't stopped them before

**MSTRS:Me** · 9th February 2011, 10:59

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Errr... yes! Maybe it's because the squids on the forum didn't post because they hadn't an effing clue what it it was all about. Still, it hasn't stopped them before

Maybe they just saw the thread title and thought 'Nothing to see here...only for old farts' ?

**superman** · 9th February 2011, 11:44

Originally Posted by Redmoggy

Im 33 and i had trouble reading Davids post written in blue against the black!

You highlight the writing to read it as highlighting always produces contrasting background to font. Can even read white font on white pages for when people are sneaking in some fine print that seems to be invisible...

**Daffyd** · 9th February 2011, 12:25

As one due to enter my 70th year in 10 days I should ad my 2c worth.

My circumstances are somewhat different to most of the other posters, in that I have been riding for a relatively short time. Ok, I had a Yamha YB100 20 years ago purely for going to work, but that doesn't really count. I started riding seriously, (for fun), at the end of 2006. Since then I have acquired 46 badges, mostly rallies but the odd Easter egg run/Toy run etc.

I decided from the outset that I would not buy a bike that was too big, heavy, fast, or whatever. I began with a Yamaha SRX 400, then a Yamaha XV535, and now a BMW 650 CS. Who knows what next?

I think the Scarver will do quite nicely for my needs, but my thoughts constantly stray to a possible replacement. What if I can no longer hold a bike up easily? My thoughts are, Spyder, (prolly couldn't afford one), MP3, (possibly also too expensive), or maybe chuck it all in and go for an MX5.

I dunno, guess we'll just have to wait and see.

**Blackbird** · 9th February 2011, 13:17

Originally Posted by Daffyd

As one due to enter my 70th year in 10 days I should ad my 2c worth.

..... or maybe chuck it all in and go for an MX5.

Well congrats in 10 days time Daffyd! You make me feel positively youthful

You've clearly thought hard (and well) about your choices and that's great, thanks so much for the insights.

My wife bought her first MX5 (a Mk1) by way of celebration when the last of our kids left home. For her 60th birthday, I bought her a flawless Mk2 which we imported directly from Japan. It was the metallic Merlot colour and cream leather seats that attracted her, but it was all the MazdaSpeed extras that floated my boat

. You don't need to go fast to have a lot of fun, especially in the twisty Coromandel where we live!

**Daffyd** · 9th February 2011, 13:24

Sweet! And as I live on the Southern Scenic Route in The Catlins it would be the ideal mount!
If your wife ever wants to sell it...

**Blackbird** · 9th February 2011, 13:44

Originally Posted by Daffyd

Sweet! And as I live on the Southern Scenic Route in The Catlins it would be the ideal mount!
If your wife ever wants to sell it...

She'd sell me first....

**raftn** · 9th February 2011, 17:07

Originally Posted by Blackbird

She'd sell me first....

She would probably get more for the MX5.........hahah!!! ( Love a good wind up)

**Rosso** · 9th February 2011, 19:22

Hi Geoff , sorry I've missed you on the last few trips to Coro, .
I really enjoyed this thread better than the usual guff on the site ,
wonderful to hear from all those like minded "older riders " still hanging onto the fun and freedom the bike gives you. Haa I'm 68 this year and had to drop back to my old favourite C50T , Done the Triumph Thunderbird and the Heritage harley bit and I think i found the bike that will see me threw ??? Maybeee!
Off too Cape Reinga this weekend ...
Keep the Shiny side up on that speed machine of yours

**Blackbird** · 9th February 2011, 21:58

Originally Posted by raftn

She would probably get more for the MX5.........hahah!!! ( Love a good wind up)

Ain't that the truth Roger

Originally Posted by Rosso

Hi Geoff , sorry I've missed you on the last few trips to Coro, .
I really enjoyed this thread better than the usual guff on the site ,
wonderful to hear from all those like minded "older riders " still hanging onto the fun and freedom the bike gives you. Haa I'm 68 this year and had to drop back to my old favourite C50T , Done the Triumph Thunderbird and the Heritage harley bit and I think i found the bike that will see me threw ??? Maybeee!
Off too Cape Reinga this weekend ...
Keep the Shiny side up on that speed machine of yours

Hi Rosso

Good to see that you're still trucking on mate! Have a fantastic run to the Cape now it's all sealed and say hi to Don and Nick if you're riding with them! Safe riding pal.

**vifferman** · 10th February 2011, 20:07

Originally Posted by pritch

I have arthritis in the shoulders which sometimes becomes painful after only a few minutes. It isn't actually continual, rather more like frequent. Since I'm about to depart on a ten day tour of the South Island I have obtained a prescription for anti-inflammatories (sp?) and will also carry a common pain killer.

Sucks, eh?

I'm 52, and have had arthritis for about 9 years, I guess. It affects all my joints, and it's not too bad, but does mean that riding for more'n about an hour is literally a pain. I usually take some ibuprofen before a ride just to take the edge off.
The vifferbabe just recently started riding with me again, and she hates long uninterrupted spells on the pillion anyway, so all things considered, it should actually work out OK.

On the up side, having my shoulder wrecked as a side-effect of open-heart surgery last year means I'm currently fitter than I have been for a long time, courtesy of nearly 8 months of physio (ends next week). The last few weeks have been gym-based, and I've been pushed (and am pushing myself) quite hard to get my left arm's strength back. As of the last session, I've had to start giving my right arm some serious work too, as it was slightly weaker on some exercises!

**Okey Dokey** · 10th February 2011, 20:34

Interesting hearing the comments about the spyder's rideability. I thought they would handle better than the average trike? Anyway, I hope it is a long way down the track before I have to put it to the test... Still, I would feel like I was still biking as opposed to driving on one of those.

I think the "mental" side of aging for me, as a female, is somewhat easier as I've never felt driven by testosterone to be fast. Nothing to prove, and I don't mind if I am the slowest. My bike probably hates it, however!

**Ocean1** · 10th February 2011, 22:05

Originally Posted by Okey Dokey

Interesting hearing the comments about the spyder's rideability. I thought they would handle better than the average trike?

Different planet. The average trike is slightly more stable than a unicycle, a spyder is almost impossible to upset. What I meant is they're hard work in the tight stuff, as in physically demanding. Not only does it take a bit of upper body grunt to steer but you have to lean into the corners too. No you don't do that on a motorcycle.

For commuting they'd be a waste of time, I don't think they're a good substitute for a sprotsbike, for the reasons above, but they're hard to beat as a tourier. And they're half the price they were introduced at.