Question for bikers over 30 - Born again? Coming to it late? Never stopped?

**davereid** · 21st April 2008, 18:58

Mum had a scooter, so I was riding it as a kid. Got my licence the day I turned 15 - but it was easy then - you just handed over a fiver and you were legal.

Rode 50cc motorcycles for years, just didn't need anything bigger, and still love my moped reg. bikes. My old A50 took me around the country several times. The open road speed limit was 80km/hr, and my A50 was good for that unless an unforgiving head wind got me.

http://www.eslnz.com/motorcycles.html tells the story.

**BiK3RChiK** · 21st April 2008, 19:11

I rode bikes as a teenager on the farm but when I left the farm I stopped riding, had kids and have just got back into riding and am going through the licence process.

**gismo** · 21st April 2008, 19:14

Rode a 50cc on the country roads when i was about 14ish. Always wanted a bike but never got round to getting one.. or no dollars to get one. Been a pillion on my partners bike for the last year and am now looking at getting my own.

Have to look at getting my L plate too.

**sinfull** · 21st April 2008, 19:21

Originally Posted by davereid

Mum had a scooter, so I was riding it as a kid. Got my licence the day I turned 15 - but it was easy then - you just handed over a fiver and you were legal.

Rode 50cc motorcycles for years, just didn't need anything bigger, and still love my moped reg. bikes. My old A50 took me around the country several times. The open road speed limit was 80km/hr, and my A50 was good for that unless an unforgiving head wind got me.

http://www.eslnz.com/motorcycles.html tells the story.

If only you had kept them all !! Sigh
Did my licence on my old ladies step through and rode it till i killed it ! Trail bikes took pride of place for the next ten years till i hopped on my first cruiser xs750 special !!

**mowgli** · 21st April 2008, 19:29

Rode an XL200 trail bike though my teens. Then went overseas and cash dried up. Got my license and bought my first road bike 16 years later (Dec 07) and can't believe I waited this long. Never look back

**geoffm** · 21st April 2008, 21:04

Been riding since 6 weeks after the start of Uni in 1987. 6 weeks being th etime then than the Bursuary payments came through.
I would like to thnak the NZ taxpayer for finaincing my Suzuki B120. My parents found out when they opened th eletter with the rego papers in it (oops). Words were said, but the bike stayed and they have accepted that they are part of me. The mighty B120 cost $500 out of the T&E, I knew nothing about bikes. Reliable, economical and slow, it was bend from a crash, with a square Cheng Shin rear tyre and Kenda front. I had it for a year or so and then wanted more power. Got a Suzuki GT250X7 for $1000. I wanted a RD250LC but couldn't afford one, and it was problbly a good thing. It was a parts bins special, and another learning exparience. My first ever rebore and piston change...
THe X7 got sold a couple of years later for a RZ350, which I put Ledar expansion chambers, new pistons etc into it. I wish I still had it. I had this for 3-4 years before buying a GSXR750L that I saw advertised as an unwanted tradein at a car dealers - cost $8k at the time Cyclespot had one for $10k. I did lots of miles on it and it is another bike I wish i had kept, I had it until the Other Half pursuaded me to trade it in for the BMW as she couldn't stand the pillion seat, not that she goes on the bike now anyway :-(
The RG500 I got as a kitset around 8 years ago, and it has sucked up money like a sponge since. I lusted after oen when they were new and I used to get PErformance Bikes religiously every month.
The RD350LC was similar - PB used to have hot RDs every month. THis one I got for parts fo rmy race bike, but it was to good to wreck. It is bent (or something) and is on hold untill finances allow me to fix it.
My wife knew that bikes came as part of the package, and has never mentioned selling them, even though they have taken money over the years we haven't always had.

Watta girl!

Geoff

**ynot slow** · 21st April 2008, 21:11

Originally Posted by Sensei

Started at 6ys & still going at 42 life has been good

Wasn't you out riding up Mt Messenger about 12.30-1.00pm yesterday?Heading to Mokau/Awakino way,almost knee down around a righthander?

Not going excessively quick,just smooth,maybe 60 km around 35km bend,didn't cross the line whoever it was.

Started with car license,then got bike license about age 17 or so.Had variety of off road bikes,then had a few $$$ from house sale and got back into the bigger road bike scene.All up maybe 16 yrs between present bike and last one.Also one marriage as well.Midlife is good.

**ynot slow** · 21st April 2008, 21:23

Originally Posted by maha man

If and when this happens, let Ya' Daddy know cos thats sommet weez wanna do tooooooo.

It is a must do item for bikers,the more the merrier,need to do a calender link for a tour in 2009 ish,should have my last trip paid by then hopefully.

**Oakie** · 21st April 2008, 21:25

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Anyone have any thoughts about what age is kinda truly too late to start?

Any time after you die I guess is too late. Prior to death is fine...

**banditrider** · 21st April 2008, 21:45

Had my bike licence for nearly 10 years before I finally had to get a car. Planed to sell road bike & keep dirt bike but couldn't do it - ended up selling dirt bike so I could keep road bike.

Have done just under 18,000km on the 14 in the 8 months I've had her - would take me nearly 3 years to do that in the car. Currently thinking about a 2nd bike - car will stay in the shed even more if I do that....

**McJim** · 21st April 2008, 22:46

WOW! Nearly half of the respondents have had a break from riding for a while. Knew there must be a few in that position but didn't realise it was quite that many. Also interesting to see some of the names of some of the people like me who came to bikes in their thirties and later.

As Oakie said - the only time it's too late to get into bikes is when you're already dead.

**martybabe** · 21st April 2008, 22:52

Yeah, nearly 50% born agains. where ya been fellas,it was great out.

**DougB** · 22nd April 2008, 01:01

Started riding in 1953, have never been without a bike since. That is about 56years riding. Purchased my 12th bike last year.

The oldest fart on this forum.

**Bonez** · 22nd April 2008, 05:56

Always had a m/c or two in the shed since I was 18. Getting married, family, health issues and stuff slowed the riding a bit but never completely stopped.
Having a fab time on the mighty GB. Days seem to be going quicker, must get out more often

**TimeOut** · 22nd April 2008, 07:28

Originally Posted by yungatart

Went out with a guy when I was in my teens, primarily (I am ashamed to admit) because he had a bike..I think it was a CB 175...well, teenage girl, what more can I say?
I got the bug and decided that one day I would get my own two wheels and ride the South Island...dream was duly nurtured in the back of my brain somewhere for 30 odd years. I started riding about 3 years ago and still intend to do the Sth Is..just let me get rid of the last of the kids first...

Hey perhaps you could a mid lifers tour of the South Island, let us know when you came down.