How old are you? Are you still riding?(Poll)

If you are still riding:

  • Less than 40 years old

    Votes: 16 4.8%

  • 40-49 years old

    Votes: 14 4.2%

  • 50-59 years old

    Votes: 41 12.3%

  • 60-69 years old

    Votes: 178 53.5%

  • 70-80 years old

    Votes: 80 24.0%

  • Over 80 years old

    Votes: 4 1.2%
  • Total voters
    333
My plans are changing. I'll be 75 next Spring and The Triumph Rocket III might have to go. My right hip has seen better days so I've been working on a MK III which is running nice and smoothly now so it will replace my '73 850 which I've owned since 1978. I hope to keep the Atlas for one more year too. I have no comment on ex-wives or houses but my '73 has been with me through a lot! ;)
 
72 and still going, mostly ride my 08 T100 or 08 Thruxton. The more I ride the Norton ( 72 Commando ) the more my rt knee hurts. After I finish with the new steel gas tank project may get an E start kit.
 
rweb said:
72 and still going, mostly ride my 08 T100 or 08 Thruxton. The more I ride the Norton ( 72 Commando ) the more my rt knee hurts. After I finish with the new steel gas tank project may get an E start kit.
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I've had both knees replaced. One of the best things I ever did.
 
Dan1950 said:
I've had both knees replaced. One of the best things I ever did.
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At this point I don't think my knee is bad enough for surgery, not much of a problem unless I aggravate it, kick starting the Norton. Have no problem kick starting my 125 NSU with right or left foot, kicker is on the left. Anyway I would probably enjoy an E- start more than knee surgery. :)
 
montelatici said:
Can't ride until I have my right hip replaced, last time I rode was Oct. 2020 and it was hell.
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Before I had my hip replaced, I couldn't lift my foot onto the foot peg. I would reach down and put it in gear with my hand. After I got it rolling fast enough to be stable I would stand up with my good leg to where I could get my bad one on the peg then sit down. Having to repeat this at every stop is not exactly the safest riding style. I hope you get that replaced soon as it will enhance your whole life, not just motorbiking. By the way, I'm 71.
 
brokeneagle said:
Before I had my hip replaced, I couldn't lift my foot onto the foot peg. I would reach down and put it in gear with my hand. After I got it rolling fast enough to be stable I would stand up with my good leg to where I could get my bad one on the peg then sit down. Having to repeat this at every stop is not exactly the safest riding style. I hope you get that replaced soon as it will enhance your whole life, not just motorbiking. By the way, I'm 71.
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Thanks, that is encouraging. I just turned 70 in August.
 
Reading of the medical issues of many others, I cannot help but express my gratitude to the Good Lord above, that at 81, I am blessed to be sound in mind and members.

Slick

UPDATE April 17, 2023

Now 83, still riding. By the Grace of God, i've no knee or hip issues, but the legs are getting weak. It is becoming problematical to kick over the Atlas. The Lucas K2FC requires about 400 kick- over RPM to generate a decent spark. I am contemplating replacing the Lucas with a Joe Hunt, hoping the super magnets will produce a hot spark with a push rather than a brisk kick.
 
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"A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes."

7.2 today and another test in a month, that's genetics for you.
 
Tornado said:
Hmmm, think I will have to try feeling a young lady just to see if your statement is true...
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If you really want to feel old, have your hip replaced and go to a rehab hospital where a 26-year old pretty young thing must be involved with every aspect of you taking a shower. Trust me, it's not as much fun having one watch you as it was the last time you "showered" with a 26-year old!
 
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marshg246 said:
If you really want to feel old, have your hip replaced and go to a rehab hospital where a 26-year old pretty young thing must be involved with every aspect of you taking a shower. Trust me, it's not as much fun having one watch you as it was the last time you "showered" with a 26-year old!
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Are you allowed to try that if you haven’t had a hip replacement 😏
 
TBW said:
Are you allowed to try that if you haven’t had a hip replacement 😏
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Don't know, but I don't find it pleasurable. Even less pleasurable, when you check in, three women help you strip naked and they take pictures of everything so they have a record of any new problems while here. Talk about shame, old, fat, and swollen - certainly not representing!
 
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Recently turned sixty eight so perhaps a bit younger than others posting but a subject I often think about. Also recently made aware that the old body doesn’t take too kindly to extended periods of muscle tension and vibrations not quite as intense when riding a modern four cylinder touring bike or a small sixties single.
The idea of not riding is not on the agenda, as is any thought of not keeping active if I can possibly help it and to this end, regular work outs and hopefully a sensible diet are part of life with moi.
Of course age brings issues with knees and rotator cuffs so these have to be accommodated, but thankfully kick starting Commandos’ is still doable so we just rock on.
Hope others can still enjoy their riding pleasures as long as possible, more power to you guys, and gals.
 
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Stevo said:
Recently turned sixty eight so perhaps a bit younger than others posting but a subject I often think about. Also recently made aware that the old body doesn’t take too kindly to extended periods of muscle tension and vibrations not quite as intense when riding a modern four cylinder touring bike or a small sixties single.
The idea of not riding is not on the agenda, as is any thought of not keeping active if I can possibly help it and to this end, regular work outs and hopefully a sensible diet are part of life with moi.
Of course age brings issues with knees and rotator cuffs so these have to be accommodated, but thankfully kick starting Commandos’ is still doable so we just rock on.
Hope others can still enjoy their riding pleasures as long as possible, more power to you guys, and gals.
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The other day, I was 68. Now 73. Starting in 2016 when I was 66 my goal each year was no ER, no surgery, no hospital stay. I made the goal in 2020 and 2022 and have failed every other year. Earlier this year I was bragging about kickstarting my bikes - that ended about two months ago. Not sure I'll ever kickstart another and I won't be able to get my leg over one for at least 6 months, if ever. Be happy you don't have anything that stops you - being slowed down is fine, stopping sucks!

Absolutely, activity and diet matter. However, so does genetics and the heaviness of work you did at one time. Own a band in the 60s, don't hear so well now. Carry 300 pounds on your shoulders for about 100 yards many times a day can make you a lot of extra money - not great for already bad hips (steel mill, 1971).
 
I went for my annual checkup in July 2020 and was told by my doctor that my blood pressure was getting up to the stage that I would need to start taking medication. He looked at me a said "you don't want to take medication do you"'. I said "yes of course". "Ok, he said , this is what you need to do"' "You need to get out three times a week for 45 minutes doing strenuous exercise so that you are sweating and can barely talk when you finish". "You need to come back and seem me after 3 months, but in the mean time , get your blood pressure checked every month by the nurse."
I was already running with the HHH on Mondays, and one of the runners suggested I join the striders on Saturday mornings for the 8 km run up the Waipekakoura river and back.
It wasn't exactly 3 times a week but it was something similar. after 1 month i got my BP checked. After 2 months I got my BP checked and the nurse said I don't need to see the doctor next month. your ok..

In recent times I have learned not to put anything above the sissy bar on my 850 as I have trouble getting my leg over when getting off the bike after a long run. I started using my side stand as a backup when getting off after that. On my way back from the last rally, I got to the motel in Turangi, put my side stand out then went to get off and the side stand bolt broke. Over I went. FUCK. Didn't get hurt and one of the guests came to my aid. Not a problem as I got the bike up ok, and secured the side stand to my load.

I turn 72 in July. When I get up in the mornings now it takes a little while to get moving. I can still kick the bike over so long as it starts first time. It usually does, but when it needs morn than 3 kicks, its time to change the plugs. A wee bit of oil burning, like 700 mls every 1500 miles or so.. I have a good supply of cleaned plugs.

With the price of fuel in NZ, I need to ride the bike more often as the Landcruiser at 13l per 100 km is pricey to drive, but bloody useful.
 
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