When is it time to call it a day?

[Blackbird]

Well here's a surprise - an actual bike thread

For the ummmm…. more “mature” riders amongst us, the question of when to stop riding and why seems to increasingly crop up. I’m 75 this year and got my first bike 58 years ago. Discussions with some of my mates have run along the lines of whether you stop because it’s unwise to ride any more because of health or similar issues or whether you stop on your own terms whilst still being a competent rider. In my case, it’s the latter decision and I’ll shortly be putting the KTM on the market. For what it’s worth, some of my thinking behind the decision is here: https://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2022...r-beckons.html . The one thing which makes the decision straightforward is that I have other interests to keep mind and body active - it would be a whole lot more problematic otherwise Everyone will have to make that decision one day and a bit of forward planning helps to make it a lot more stress-free than it would otherwise be. No regrets and a whole lot of fantastic memories

I’ve enjoyed KTM ownership immensely and it still makes me smile every time I throw a leg over it. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed being part of this forum, warts and all for 20 years. Made some great friends as a result.

Geoff

[release_the_bees]

I wish you all the best in whatever you do next.

This is kind of a topic close to my heart at present, as my father is 73 now and close to giving up riding. It's sad to think that our time riding together is almost over. But, ultimately it is his decision as to when he hangs up his gloves. (As you mention, there's certainly something in being able to go out on your own terms rather than being forced into it later down the line.)

I hope you still find the time to post on here occasionally. I've certainly enjoyed reading your posts and blogs over the years and we're getting fewer and fewer on here in terms of those looking to actively discuss motorcycling specific topics.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[jim.cox]

> When is it time to call it a day?

Never!

I shall have to stop riding the Ducati when I can longer start it.

Not looking forward to that day - might have to buy a new bike.

I'll be riding something until the day I die (or as close to that as I can manage)

[merv]

It was always a pleasure interacting with you on here about all sorts of things Geoff and I am sure we would still appreciate your words of wisdom on here even when you aren't riding any more.

Cheers

[Navy Boy]

Well here's a surprise - an actual bike thread

For the ummmm…. more “mature” riders amongst us, the question of when to stop riding and why seems to increasingly crop up. I’m 75 this year and got my first bike 58 years ago. Discussions with some of my mates have run along the lines of whether you stop because it’s unwise to ride any more because of health or similar issues or whether you stop on your own terms whilst still being a competent rider. In my case, it’s the latter decision and I’ll shortly be putting the KTM on the market. For what it’s worth, some of my thinking behind the decision is here: https://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2022...r-beckons.html . The one thing which makes the decision straightforward is that I have other interests to keep mind and body active - it would be a whole lot more problematic otherwise Everyone will have to make that decision one day and a bit of forward planning helps to make it a lot more stress-free than it would otherwise be. No regrets and a whole lot of fantastic memories

I’ve enjoyed KTM ownership immensely and it still makes me smile every time I throw a leg over it. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed being part of this forum, warts and all for 20 years. Made some great friends as a result.

Geoff

It's a big question for sure Geoff. Hopefully there's still a spot for me as and when I manage to get back up your way - On two wheels or in the MG. Perhaps we could share a few MG ditties

[Blackbird]

It's a big question for sure Geoff. Hopefully there's still a spot for me as and when I manage to get back up your way - On two wheels or in the MG. Perhaps we could share a few MG ditties

Of course Lee! And there's no urgency to sell the KTM. If someone is interested, it happens. I'll start perusing e-bike specifications in the meantime

[roogazza]

Yes mate,it comes to all of us. 73 is a month and a bit, away.

Got out this morning early , home now with all the usual aches and pains.
Must admit I'm thinking about how long can I keep going... Most mates have flagged it from our racing group. Dave Hissy (in Aussie) and Bill Biber in Martinborough are still getting out but thats it, for about 20 that used to hang out...thru the 70's and 80's .

Hoping to move up Taupo way soon,so that maybe will be a time to decide... (I like by usual roads and knowing what's in front and around the corner. As much as possible).

[george formby]

Of course Lee! And there's no urgency to sell the KTM. If someone is interested, it happens. I'll start perusing e-bike specifications in the meantime

E-bikes... A means of staying on two wheels with less worry?

The last couple of years I've been weighing up my riding and how it will pan out as time goes by. Hopefully got another couple of decades ahead of me if I avoid vegetating and becoming to leisurely in my riding.

As a measure to keep mind and body agile enough to ride I spend a bit of time on a trials bike. Taxing to ride but slow, light and brilliant for keeping my instincts and reactions sharp(ish).

All the best to you.

[Blackbird]

E-bikes... A means of staying on two wheels with less worry?

All the best to you.

Not quite! Very little flat land where I live and struggle up some of the steeper hills with my 30 year old mountain bike. Battery assist will extend my range without totally stuffing my knees

Thank you and same to you.

[pritch]

In my case there was a miscalculation. When I got my first knee replacement the last piece of the puzzle was being able move the toes up and down to change gear. In less than a month though I was back on the bike.

This time I thought it would be easier because it was the other knee, all it had to do was operate the brake. I forgot about getting it over the seat. Last time I tried it was still a struggle but I got there. It would be embarrassing to have difficulty in public. i briefly considered buying a twin but nah. This bike is set up for me and any Triumph twin would be a huge step down.

I'm only 78 but I think my motorcycling career is approaching its end. I wouldn't mind a scooter though for quick trips into town or whatever. After all there's all that riding gear and those helmets.

[Stylo]

In my case there was a miscalculation. When I got my first knee replacement the last piece of the puzzle was being able move the toes up and down to change gear. In less than a month though I was back on the bike.

This time I thought it would be easier because it was the other knee, all it had to do was operate the brake. I forgot about getting it over the seat. Last time I tried it was still a struggle but I got there. It would be embarrassing to have difficulty in public. i briefly considered buying a twin but nah. This bike is set up for me and any Triumph twin would be a huge step down.

I'm only 78 but I think my motorcycling career is approaching its end. I wouldn't mind a scooter though for quick trips into town or whatever. After all there's all that riding gear and those helmets.

Full credit to you guys in your '70s. Far out.

I've just walked through the gates into my 60's and, like you, a Triumph twin looks to me ( only my opinion ) as an old man's bike. Horses for courses.

I've got an E-Mountain bike too. They're magic as I've had some injuries in the past from the 2 stroke 500cc MX bikes I used to ride.

It sits next to my Suzuki Hayabusa. Go well and, keep riding.

[wetanz]

have a mate, aged 79 was taken out, menstruating cager with cell phone, lost his leg mid thigh down, his wife happened to be a prosthetic technician and built him a high tech hopper, unfortunately dented confidence couldnt quite get the balance bit right til he was lent a sidecar ... new style of riding but just as exhilarating ... 1.5 years later a newly commissioned combo sat in his garage ... 5 years later all still going strong

[pritch]

have a mate, aged 79 was taken out, menstruating cager with cell phone, lost his leg mid thigh down, his wife happened to be a prosthetic technician and built him a high tech hopper, unfortunately dented confidence couldnt quite get the balance bit right til he was lent a sidecar ... new style of riding but just as exhilarating ... 1.5 years later a newly commissioned combo sat in his garage ... 5 years later all still going strong

That's cool. I saw a tidy sidecar outfit outside Mitre 10 recently. First I'd seen in years.

[pritch]

On the subject of riding past your time... There was a local guy, must've been clocking 90, he rode a Kawasaki 650 single. Can't remember which model but it was one of those that you need a ladder to mount.

At the Ulysses Christmas party some years back he arrived just after I did, but he got stuck somehow trying to park his bike and needed a hand. One thing led to another and he joined our group. Once seated inside, beer in hand, he was telling us how riding was getting more difficult.

He'd been riding to Wellington, he had all his luggage on his back in a big tramping pack, and he had to stop at the lights at Waikanae. He couldn't get the bike into first gear so he reached down to do it by hand but the weight of the pack meant he couldn't stop the downward motion. He wound up in a heap with his bike on top of him in the middle of SH1.

I think about that often and I really don't want it to be me.

[george formby]

Scooters and sidecars?

My dad is in his 70's and his fav mode of transport is a Silverwing. Admittedly it's parked up next to a couple of CBR 600's and a street legal KDX.
He had a Piaggio MP3 which he loved hooning around roundabouts on in the rain. Pretty sure he is looking out for a Burgman as well.

Speaking of sidecars. I have a Ural on the list of fun vehicles to own in the future.