Can you get too old for a sports bike?

[pete376403]

Should I suggest a DR?


I finally figured out why you ride a KLR Pete....you're 3 years older than me!

You could suggest a DR. I have no experience with them, so can't offer an opinion.

[Swoop]

when you turn 50 you get a letter from the Queen with a certificate for a 10% discount off a new Harley.

With the amount of crusiers on the Boobs on Bikes parade, I think the letter might come from A queen...

[kevfromcoro]

Old..chickens breasts..
iam in my mid 50s and still ride a honda xl 600 r
mind you ,,i did arse off the other day....hooning around on the beach

[dpex]

I think one of the best things Frosty has taught me is to remain aware of any diminution in riding assets. Cold and fatigue have a greater impact on we 'slightly' older specimens. And so it seems the advice from several that comfort is paramount for us. As Dangerous asserts, heated grips and heated jacket, or at least grips and very warm clothes are essential during the cold/wet times. A comfortable seat and seating position are also essential at all times.

As Frosty made it clear to me, the loss of just one external factor (eg: cold protection, or a sore arse) will soon erode more than one internal factor (eg: concentration and 4-quad scanning rates). Personal experience has now had me understand what he was on about.

But, unless a biker of any age has some specific issue which either seriously attenuates or even removes an essential skill set, then no, I don't think age should be considered a barrier.

Perhaps the biker first mentioned has just had enough but is, perhaps, just a bit too embarrassed to hang up his gloves. That's an ego thing, and God knows, I am well acquainted with damage unbridled ego can cause.

[Ocean1]

There's a recognised effect, whereby ongoing health, even into very old age, is adversely and dramatically affected by some mini-crisis.

Often an old timer lives on for years and years at a certain level of activity/ability. One day they fall down, incurring some minor damage. The sequelae of that minor damage prevents them carrying out their normal daily routine, and that causes a dramatic deterioration in their general overall health.

The outcome is seemingly out of proportion to the original problem, but it's the trigger for a number of minor systems degradations that add up to a marked decline in general health.

For old timers "use it or lose it" takes on a different, more sinister meaning. The solution is the same as when you're young: stay fit, but that's increasingly harder to do, and the consequences of a mistake are higher.

Live with it.

Or not.

[Ixion]

Some of that is societal

Young guy is keen on bikes . And a beer or two. So he gets a kick out of riding, few hours at the pub with mates. happy, challenged (knee down, all that shit).

Then one day he has on off. Knocks himself about a bit, nothing critical but some time in the infirmary. When he gets out, what happens ? Well, odds are nothing much. But maybe Mum, partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, goat (as may be) does a bit of a bleat "Oh you should stop riidng those dangerous motorbikes. And stop drinking . And stop and stop and stop" etc. As they do. Our young man will say "Fark off. It's me fulfillment in life". And go buy another bike on the way to the pub. So, he carries on , has a reasonably decent life. All sweet

But now consider an oldish geezer. Not REAL old , but say 60 something. Same deal. Bikes, beer. Has an off. What happens when HE gets out of the infirmary? All hell is what. Invariably all the world plus dog will descend on him, demanding that he give up riding, give up beer , give up anything that makes life vaguely interesting. "Fark off " says he. "Might as well be dead". But does he get left alone to get on with it. No way. Every relly to the 10th generation is swung in, hideous women with cropped haircuts are brought in to lecture him, doctors scare the shit out of him, he's badgered from morning to night, until he finally cracks under the stress. And gives it all away. Result is he's totally miserable, bored as hell, nothing in life to make it worth while. Next thing y'know , he's dead.

No, not autobiographical (one reason why I make bloody sure I don't crash!). But I've seen it happen to a TRUCK load of people. And I'm damn sure that if folk would just let them be, they'd have been fine.

[Big Dave]

Well I'm nearly 50 and my attitude to sports bikes hasn't changed at all.

I've never like them much.

[puddy]

You could suggest a DR. I have no experience with them, so can't offer an opinion.

Am onto my third GSXR1000, and have just got a DR too ........ they go together great!
Yeah, and he needs to MAN UP!

[Forest]

My world changed for the better when I found out about heated grips and heated seats.

Haven't tried a heated jacket though. Sounds pretty tempting at this time of year.

[nadroj]

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!

Not old - just experienced!

[Owl]

I think age plays a part as well as fitness and health. I once allowed my boss (early 50's) to ride my old 750cc sports bike. He pulled over after riding about 30 metres, so I trotted down the road to see what was up. Poor bugger was stuck with his hips locked and in a quite a bit of pain. I held the bike upright while a workmate had to help him get off it. He soon recovered and said "How the fuck can you ride that thing. I couldn't even move".

[Mom]

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

He says his sciatica is much improved too

[Pwalo]

Well I'm almost 50, but I don't have any problems on the SV. As has been said I think general fitness helps. So does being able to touch your toes, and not having a large belly (something that does get really difficult!).

I know the SV's not a full on sportsbike, but it doesn't feel as comfortable as one of the newer GSXRs to sit on. Any way I prefer 'sportier' bikes because they tend to be lighter, and have a closer rider position.

[CookMySock]

bloody hell, what a lot of HTFU bullshit.. Riding trips in the winter without heated gear is just stupid. Its fucking cold and nasty, and all your effort goes into coping with the freezing conditions rather than enjoying the ride. HTFU ? I dont think so.

Last trip was to Wellington and back - 1200km. The return trip I did with one ten minute break, not out of bravado - I stopped coz I though I oughta, and in ten minutes I was bored shitless so I got back on the bike and fucked off. BUT, after that amount of time riding, I was COMPLETELY SICK of my stupid suspension - every lip on a bridge bashed my spine harrrd. I've been told repeatedly the suspension is junk, and I wholeheartedly agree. It's ruining my experience and taking away my joy, and thats not going to fly.

I don't think its about being old. I think its about not tolerating crap. Geez if you're too cold then do something about it after all this time.. If the suspension is nasty on your body, then spend some top-dollar on some Ohlins - end of problem, back to enjoying life.

Steve

[GaZBur]

....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?

A lot of us at that age can take the knocks and are still racing. I suspect he may have damage or a problem he didn't want to discuss and maybe blamed the cold. Getting off his arse for the smallest bump? Something he sits on might be tender!!!