How old is too old to start riding a motorcycle? This week on MCrider we will discuss it and look at some different ways people learn and some challenges they may have.
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Thanks for watching,
Kevin
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Just like doctors practice medicine, motorcyclist practice riding, always!
The motorcycle test in England requires you take the test on the motorcycle you will be riding. The test includes the tester laying your bike down on patch of grass and you have to right the bike yourself without help. They also have an emergency stop – while driving a set course on the street, you know that somewhere on this route someone will walk right out in front of you without warning. Most elderly riders, who do not have the physical strength and dexterity required for safely operating a motor vehicle, will not be able to do one of these things.
My sister stopped driving when she turned sixty-five. She rear ended someone, not badly, she was only doing about 10 mph, but she didn't know how she did it. This convinced her that she should not operate a motor vehicle. More people should decide this sooner than they do.
I rode from age 13 (in 1969) to age 32 (in 1988). I just got back into it at age 63. The muscle memory came back quickly. The physical manipulation of the bike is back to being automatic. However, at my age, I am a lot more careful. I watch these videos to try and identify those bad habits I used to have, and not to start repeating them. I do training in parking lots and empty streets as you recommend. One of the big things is being cognizant of the gear that I use. No riding barefoot in cut-offs and a t-shirt! The most important habit I have is that I have ALWAYS ridden with a helmet – one saved my life in a bad wreck in 1981. There is no trip too short that I don't wear one.
Physical ability is the critical factor here. How's your vision? your leg, arm and back muscles? your reaction time?
I rode for years without a license in S. Africa. I started with a 150cc Chinese scooter at 44 years old, drove it until it spent too much time in the repair shop, switched to a 300cc Chinese scooter and drove that until it too spent too much time in the repair shop. While it was at the repair shop, I would be lent a 30 year old 125cc Japanese manual bike so that I could still get to work and back without having to travel on the dangerous trains. I discovered it was much more fun to drive. So I decided it was time to switch to a manual. I bought a manual 500cc Kawasaki. Before I used it to get to work and back (50km there, 50km back), I watched lots of youtube videos to learn how to do a smooth gear change. Then I got myself a learners license. After 100s of thousands of km riding bikes, I eventually had a learners license. My next step up was going to be a 750cc or a 1000cc but the country was becoming too dangerous to live in and it was time to leave and go back home. I'm now 57 years old, really miss riding a motorcycle but not too keen to have to start at the beginning on a 125cc. I never felt too safe on a 150cc. I felt safer on a 300cc but I felt a far safer on a 500cc.
I got my 1st motorcycle endorsement in my early 30's after taking the MSF course. I even got some track time a couple of years after that. And of course life happened. The riding got pushed out. It's been about 23 years now and I'm going back to MSF training and do it again before I decide what bike to get.
After a brief time of riding back in the late 80s, I have not been on a bike since. Having friends in my age group who have many years of riding, they are not ready to give it up. So, after careful thought, I decided that the M on my license needs to mean something more than a letter & went to purchase a Maxi-Scooter. Why? Because I am not a part of any stigma, that I need to ride a huge Harley or the like.
This is fully automatic & quite easy to control, so my re-learning process will be more manageable & enjoyable.
I'm now pushing 69 & feel that my investment will last a lot longer than my age would suggest.
God Bless all you who have given yourselves something to look forward to & do with your lives that is enjoyable & satisfying.
There are some great responses here & I am encouraged by them.
MCrider, yiu and ya'll in the comment section, have no idea of how big a smile you guys put on my face… There are literally tears in my eyes. I just signed up for the MSF at 56. Check one off my bucket list
If you were born in 1928 and you wanna ride, they should give a free Indian Roadmaster or equivalent when you pass the course. At that age, do what the hell you want to do your days are certainly numbered so have a blast.
If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us 😉 ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to https://www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide.
– The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you.
– The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills.
In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more.
By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills.
https://www.MCrider.com/Member