NZ Herald article - Born agains...

[James Deuce]

Any time.

I still don't have my flying car. It's 2008. They PROMISED.

[DonaldH]

I'm 42. I've broken my back & neck. MY physical stamina and reaction times are estimated at 20 years physically older than I am, and I can tell you that 60+ year olds are definitely slower than 40 years olds as 40 year olds are to 20 year olds. Aging isn't a bad thing, or something to get angry about. You can do nothing about it, apart from decent diet and exercise which can prolong your physical well being and mobility. Shit wears out though, including neurons and ganglia, as well as muscle atrophy, joint wear & tear, skin elasticity, blah blah.

The age appropriate chart they measure your reactions against has different categories to cover a broad range responses for each age group. It's just life. You Baby Boomers AREN'T going to live forever no matter what they said in that 1955 Popular Mechanics.

I'm fifty and I have broken at least two fingernails - Ok the last one was technically a graze...

Did you ever see the BBC program where Jeremy Clarkson matches Michael Schumacher on reaction times... Come on.

P.S. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be...
P.P.S. Probably helps that I work for a gym company....

[Bonez]

I'm fifty and I broken at least two fingernails - Ok the last one was technically a graze...

Did you ever see the BBC program where Jeremy Clarkson matches Michael Schumacher on reaction times... Come on.

It should also be noted that quite a few of those "born again bikers" don't leap straight on to current machinery. Quite a few go through a transition by getting a 10-15yo bike first then upgrade.

[daytona 2]

My last bike before being "born again" was a yamaha dt400 (fast with crap brakes and road trail tyres!)). And I had not riden since 1981, then last year I spent 6 months on a honda magna 250, I thought, better play it safe. Well it was bloody dangerous on that machine (nice built quality though), and I have since bought a suzuki Vx800, more like it, I can now mix it with the 'Caged And Raged' basically this power enables me to be where I want to be on the road, the safest place. My opinion is that, like flying airplanes it is a life-style choice, shit happens, at least I might die having some fun. Let the p.c. brigade think that they can legislate against danger and death. I like to think that an element of risk is a small price to pay for such a wonderful thing as a motorcycle.
"we band of brothers" (and sisters!)
Daytona2's dad.

[DonaldH]

It should also be noted that quite a few of those "born again bikers" don't leap straight on to current machinery. Quite a few go through a transition by getting a 10-15yo bike first then upgrading.

Nope, straight to a 2000 R6 from a 1980 CB900. Who's guessing what handled better and stopped better.

[sels1]

some random comments.....

Used to live across the road from the bloke quoted in the article....didnt find him particulaly endearing....(like Skyriders comment)

I returned to biking after a 20 year gap, what I lost in reaction time I had replaced with road sense/defensive driving skills gained from a job that has me driving all over the country.

And it still all comes down to attitude - whatever the age

[Bonez]

Nope, straight to a 2000 R6 from a 1980 CB900. Who's guessing what handled better and stopped better.

I didn't say all did I? So you last rode in 1980? Or was the CB900 to get you back into biking?
Maybe I should have typed quite a few "born again riders" use an older bike to get back into motorcycling.

[Bonez]

And it still all comes down to attitude - whatever the age

That's it in a nutshell Salwyn.

[Ocean1]

Did you ever see the BBC program where Jeremy Clarkson matches Michael Schumacher on reaction times... Come on.

Reminds me of an article I read about what makes pro racers, test pilots and astronauts different from mere mortals.

Lots of detailed tests showed thet the reason isn't one readily quantifiable skill like reaction time, it's a set that amounts to superior predictive capabilitiy. They can simultaniously manage more data streams than us and they can process it faster.

Sounds easy don't it?

[Katman]

They can simultaniously manage more data streams than us and they can process it faster.

Sounds easy don't it?

I can rub my stomach and pat my head at the same time.

[toycollector10]

From following a 50 plus idiot without any gear on at all except a helmet up the passes here in Christchurch, where he couldn't even stay on his own side of the road, to the 15 year old in jandals and shorts, t-shirt and sweet F/A else, it's no wonder the statistics are blowing out.

And yes, $20,000 dollars across the counter at your local dealer and 200 miles don't make you a motorcyclist. From a Yamaha RD350 to a superbike is a bike step.

[Hitcher]

I can rub my stomach and pat my head at the same time.

Not while you're browsing this web site you can't.

[Ocean1]

I can rub my stomach and pat my head at the same time.

Ah, that's not yer stomach dude...

[DonaldH]

I didn't say all did I? So you last rode in 1980? Or was the CB900 to get you back into biking?
Maybe I should have typed quite a few "born again riders" use an older bike to get back into motorcycling.

Nah just love riding bikes... Check this out my 50th Birthday present last week at Phillip Island

http://www.sdpics.com/cgi-bin/store/...n_MQ0Y6868.jpg

[oldrider]

In my opinion, yes it is, if not officially, definitely from a personal perspective!

Before quiting active employment (OK, retiring) I used to average 80K km per year driving in my works car plus riding my bike whenever I got the chance.

Over the last ten years I have refused to drive our car unless I have to and insist that if we go anywhere the bike is the first choice!

Over that time I have noticed that all of my riding/driving attributes have deteriorated by at least some degree and I have to be very aware of my limitations when out riding or driving. (especially when I am tired or cold)

I do not see this as any kind of weakness as long as I am aware and compensate or make calculated allowances for my loss of physical attributes and mental sharpness I can manage to perform riding/driving activities to a safe and competent standard.

When I am unable to do this I will volunteer to quit and surrender my drivers licence!

The big question is, how will I know when that time actually arrives?

I have trusted peers and relatives that will tell me long before it becomes a problem!

For instance, My wife rides on the pillion more often than not and she is four years younger than me, so I figure she has as close a vested interest in my riding capabilities as anyone and I know she wont stay quiet about it for long!

Personally I take this subject very seriously but I am still deep down just the same silly kid I was 54 years ago and every now and then that kid takes over and does something a bit silly before I can get him under control again!

The trouble is I sort of let him go for a wee bit too long sometimes because I too am enjoying the thrill of being a little reckless along with him!

That problem is a work in progress but we are still on the case!

I intend to continue to ride my bike for as long as I am physically and mentally able to do so but I do acknowledge that being "legally licenced" to do so may not mean the same thing.

After 54 years I can still count the number of significant offs I have had on one hand and by the feel of the last one I think global hardening is much more serious a problem than global warming!

In summary what I am trying to say is yes, in my experience, we do lose the edge off our physical and mental attributes and not to acknowledge this and be aware of our limitations, especially when we are riding/driving is as irresponsible as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in my honest opinion!

I think "The older I get the better I was" is a very dangerous mental attitude for an ageing motorcyclist to harbour inside his head.

If we want to earn and maintain the respect of our peers and juniors we must try to think and act respectfully ourselves!

Especially so when riding/driving. Cheers John.