Can you get too old for a sports bike?

**Evo1132** · 25th August 2008, 16:33

Went riding with a friend of mine yesterday.
He was really feeling the cold, kept getting up off his arse when going ova the smallest bump, and then he wanted to cut the ride short. He is over 50 now on a TL, is he gunna have to lean more towards a tourer or will his off days just become more frequent? Anyone have any experience with this?

**NZsarge** · 25th August 2008, 16:47

I traded my '02 Thunderace in on the 06 FZ1 i'm currently riding, loved the Ace as it was a great machine to ride out on country roads when I was in the mood for a play but more and more I found it painful to ride at legal speed particularly on long straights ofcourse.
The the FZ1 is a great bike as it has a faster motor than the Ace and about 90-95% of the sportyness without the prone riding position meaning I enjoy my rides more and don't suffer the next day when I go on longer rides.
It's a comfortable sportsbike really.
Sooo, yes I feel I can't deal with sport bike prone riding positions anymore, at least not for long periods of time and i'm not 50, no for a few years yet.

**James Deuce** · 25th August 2008, 16:47

We all get older and we all conciously and unconciously adapt. I don't get on with Sportsbikes because of all the bits I've broken.

It's not the end of the world as you seem to be intimating.

**98tls** · 25th August 2008, 16:49

Im an oldish bugger and have a TL,dont ride as much as i did when young but still like packing it up and heading off for big trips.no problem riding 7 or so hours a day with the odd smoke stop.For me anyway its the short rides i cant be bothered with anymore.Theres ways to make his TL more comfortable ie higher bars and different pegs,maybe a Corbin or Gel seat.

**Ixion** · 25th August 2008, 16:50

Tell him to switch to the SV1000S. Quite similar to the TL, but acknowledged as an old man's bike. And certainly it gives me no problems and I'm some few years older than your friend.

**Badjelly** · 25th August 2008, 16:54

Originally Posted by Evo1132

Went riding with a friend of mine yesterday.
He was really feeling the cold, kept getting up off his arse when going ova the smallest bump, and then he wanted to cut the ride short. He is over 50 now on a TL, is he gunna have to lean more towards a tourer or will his off days just become more frequent? Anyone have any experience with this?

Why you whippersnapper! You need to respect your elders and betters. "Will his off days become more frequent?" indeed. Harrumph. Why, if I were 30 years younger I'd put you over my knee and spank you!

**MIXONE** · 25th August 2008, 16:55

I think it's a bit like sex.When you are young you just want to rush at it and score as high a number as possible but when you mature more you want comfort and to be able to relax and enjoy the ride.

**Motu** · 25th August 2008, 16:56

Had my one and only head down arse up bike in 1973.I've thought about it a few times,but they are just too narrow focused for me,I expect a bike to do a lot more for me than go around a few select corners fast.

**slowpoke** · 25th August 2008, 16:58

Originally Posted by Evo1132

Went riding with a friend of mine yesterday.
He was really feeling the cold, kept getting up off his arse when going ova the smallest bump, and then he wanted to cut the ride short. He is over 50 now on a TL, is he gunna have to lean more towards a tourer or will his off days just become more frequent? Anyone have any experience with this?

Not that I'm over 50, but none of the symptoms you mention seem to be bike specific. Off the seat over the smallest bump? Suspension is adjustable. Feeling the cold? Buy the appropriate gear or ride in the appropriate weather.

**homer** · 25th August 2008, 17:03

you seem to get a change of mind about the type of bike you get in to later .
i went from a more sports bike to a bandit as its a lot easier ride position.
I also tryed riding a gsxr1000 only a couple years old and i definately couldnt go back to a true sports bike .

**Mr Merde** · 25th August 2008, 17:05

Ask Korumba,

I know for a fact that his current ride is a Honda Goldwing and 3 months ago he was on an R1

p/t

**pritch** · 25th August 2008, 17:06

It's not a function of age so much as health. One person might be fine at fifity someone else may be suffering from arthritis and be in pain.

Not to ride at all is not the only option, there is also the option to choose a more comfortable ride. There is a whole range of bikes to suit people with health problems, and if all else fails there's some damn decent maxi scooters around now

**CookMySock** · 25th August 2008, 17:07

Originally Posted by Evo1132

He was really feeling the cold

Heated jacket, heated grips.

Originally Posted by Evo1132

kept getting up off his arse when going ova the smallest bump

Ohlins it.

Nah the cruiser wont be much better. Then he will get a sore ass as well.

Steve

**yungatart** · 25th August 2008, 17:21

Originally Posted by Evo1132

Went riding with a friend of mine yesterday.
He was really feeling the cold, kept getting up off his arse when going ova the smallest bump, and then he wanted to cut the ride short. He is over 50 now on a TL, is he gunna have to lean more towards a tourer or will his off days just become more frequent? Anyone have any experience with this?

Are you suggesting that 50 is old...cheeky whippersnapper.

I am not old, even though I am "that age"
Just go and wash your dirty little mouth out, and stay in your room until you can behave!