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

[chubby]

Ok, now at the risk of feeling like I am at an alcoholics annon meeting with public pointing and sneering.

Too poor to afford a car when younger so rode AC100 (if anyone possibly knows what that is. Still remember getting the frame welded up because it split due to metal fatigue. Was I really that naive), T250 (could pull a wheelie in 3rd just changing gear, man that bike was death on wheels) and CB350/4 (god I thought I was christmas). Got rid of them due to sporting requirements (its hard to carry this sort of gear on a bike) and a family high on safe, cautious, sensible.

Always liked bikes and admired. Raised on the days when the Ep's were a real force and to see them ride down the road and hear the engines had me run for the gate.

Then I did OE, g/f, mortgage, marrage, kids. Just like the bikes I got rid of the marrage, but kept the kids.

Woke up one morning and said to my partner (she got excited), I'm gunna get a bike. Then i got excited and she lost all interest. Then she said what sort. I told her and she got excited. I was happy she was excited, but I was outta there (the room not her life) to see the bank.

I'm love the freedom and enjoyment of riding. takes me back to my AC100. I smile more, I'm happy.

I understand the sentiment of Mr Kirk (we have chatted over the net) but don't entirely agree with him. I take responsibility for my actions and I'm off to levels on Monday.

Mid life crisis? Yep and when you get to mid life you'll know what I mean, hey I'm honest. Rebellion? Noooo, just for once I'm doing something totally selfish for me (bike riding is selfish eh).

Oh and for those who may think it's image.... I don't wear leather (codura man), I don't have patches, I leave the company car at home most of the time and pay for my own petrol. I thought of all the reasons why i shouldn't and just did.

Now, who was it that mentioned alcohol????

[fLaThEaD FreD]

I used to get a ride to work with a friend on a 3TA triumph when I was 16 and at 18 rode with a mate in "A Club" as he put it then when they first started producing Triumph Tridents and that was the extent of my experience until now at age 52. I met a wonderful girl 2years ago and she and her family have had bikes all their lives, first hubby still a motorcycle cop,sons experienced riders and racer and late husband a well respected KB'r who passed doing what he loved dearly.
In February this year, after seeing the glint returning to her eye every time we saw a couple riding together, we discussed at length and she agreed, to let me get a bike and it's been absolutley fantastic.
Sadley I binned cupla weeks ago(my inattention/no pillion) and am nursing broken bones,but looking forward to getting back on the seat.
Although it brought the past all back to her, she's giving me space to continue and she's letting me continue my learning experience........a strong lady after what she has endured and I love her dearly.

ps. My mid-life crisis was 4 years ago when I bought my Red SS commy..LOL

[BMW Grandad]

Got my bike licence 1955 on a Puch 125cc scooter (!) then rode various things till I went to the UK in 1961. Didn't get back into bikes till 1985 but have been riding virtually every day since then - Honda CBX400, Yammy XJ900, TZR250, FZR1000, Honda VF100R, 2 Triumph Sprints, 2 Triumph Tigers, BMW F650, and now a BMW R850R. Said I would never get a Beamer, but find it more accommodating to stiff joints at my advanced age (69)!

[Jerry74]

I had my learners since 94....

Finally did restricted 2 months ago...

Missed the riding a hell of a lot

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Started riding in schoolboy scrambling (motorcross) at 13yrs old, hit the roads on my 16th birthday on the legendry Yamaha FS1E and have owned a bike every day of my life since. Tis in ma blood

[spacemonkey]

Did you come to bikes late? Always wanted one, couldn't afford one, didn't have the balls to buy one, didn't get around to buying one etc.

This would be me.... With a healthy dose of saving money on petrol costs (bike currently saves me $60-70 per week with gas @ $2.05).

[alanzs]

Been riding something motorized on two wheels for about 40 years. Its a big part of my life and I like it that way!
Even these newfangled internet places where you can talk to other biker mutherfuckers.

[slofox]

First sniff of addiction was when I pillioned on the back of a mate's Triumph "Speedtwin".......there was a certain smell emanated from the engine that spoke to my soul........

Got first bike at university to avoid two hour bus commute across town - a 1953 Ariel 350.......iron everything including suspension.....then followed a series of bikes. Stopped riding for nearly 20 years and then earlier this year bought another bike for a welcome return to two wheels....

[gammaguy]

first bike was a Suzuki GT250M,brought from Lawton Boyle Suzuki,Adelaide Road,Wellington.My old man rode it home for me,as i had never ridden a bike before.Next morning was a saturday,i was up before the sun,as it came up i was on the bike,wobbled off up the road.had a few hiccups but by the end of the day was riding it easily.i was 15.i have never stopped.that was 1976.here i am in 2008 and im still riding two strokes!

[puddy]

Started riding at about 14. First bike at 16. Stopped riding for just under 4 years. Back into it for 10 years now. Finally got an off road bike too!

[Vtwo Fiend]

..Worst two months of my life.You can nail down the lid once I'm too old to get my leg over.

I can identify with your pain, I had a bike since i was 14 only reason i had to go without was some bastard took it and i had to wait for a payout before i could get another, that was the longest three months of my life.

[Hawkeye]

Came into it very late. Had a nifty fifty back when I was 17 but moved into cages. Much more fun in the back seat of a cage in the teenage years. And I needed to transport windsurfers etc.
Then married, family came along and before I knew it, I was coming up to my silver wedding anniversary and my 50th. Thought bugger it, so got my first bike at the tender age of 48.

Why the hell didn't I do it years ago......

[Mr Triple]

Always had a bike in the shed, weather road or dirt. When I used to be away for work a lot the bike sometimes would sit for months at a time, but was always there. In the last four years I've change jobs and don't do the hours any more so I'm always out and about on my bike.
I enjoy it so much now days I sold my trusty Ute about two years ago and my bike is my only means of transport. We do have a car that the wife users for work and we go out together in it. The only time I'm not to happy is when traveling to work about five in the morning after its been raining in the night and then clears up and freezes, hate that.