How many older guys ride VFR?

Having gotten a bit north of 70 myself, I do have to begin thinking about the day to come when it won't be safe to ride anymore. And, what changes to make to the equipment to extend that time out.
On the other hand, while there are plenty of aches and pains to go with aging (40 years in the trades didn't help much, in some ways), every time I actually am on a bike with the engine running, most of that aging decrepitude seems to fall away.
Better than anything the doc could prescribe.

 

I am 64 next month and couldn't agree more that pressing the start button and feeling the engine come to life makes everything else go away. And kick starting, if you have such a bike is even better! : ) Too bad the baby generation being born now will probably never know what that is like, as the new accepted way to pollute the earth and rape its resources, the electric vehicle, takes it's place in history. It's like they think that producing the electricity and the battery chemical components and the pollution from producing them come from nowhere. Happy, happy green earth and all that.

 

Well, then, how about right-side-shift, up-for first four-speed, as in the avatar over there?
Manual spark retard lever for starting, too... don't forget or you will be limping for a couple of days.
I do not, however, completely miss the old days of rock-hard tires and vibes that would shatter instrument needles to pieces.

 

Youngsters today have no idea of the fun when the motor kicks back swinging the kickstart into your calf muscle, then when you’re trying not to scream you notice it’s coughed up some petrol and set your jeans on fire …again

 

I used to love the challenge of kickstarting my friends 74' CB750. Loved my dirt bike days kickstarting my 86' XR350 and my 92' Husaberg 501, with the left side kickstarter.

 

Just do what I did and buy a KLR, not enough power to get in too much trouble, unless you’re really trying to get into trouble that is.

 

Two nice bikes. I'm maybe partial to the yellow one.....

 

THIS daft a-hole thinks it's OK to advertise cripto spam on our website......what ?

 

You must be getting old.... posting in the wrong thread...... no wait, do not post in a spammer's thread, he loves it. Use the Report button and ignore. I don't want to see it when I hit the "New Posts' button.

 

I traded in my new Norton 850 Commando back to the dealer and got a 900 Kawasaki because about every third time I tried to kick start it (no electric starter) it would throw me off the bike, even though I weighed 230 pounds.

 

I bought mine new in 1986 so.... But to be fair I haven't ridden it in 30 years. Got married, has kids and can't get the #*%#(&) carbs to work. Had them on and off 3 times now. Oh wait, that's not going to help is it? Oh well - senior moment!

 

Interesting


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63 here. Just sold my CBR 1000RR track bike due to my local track closing and the “young guys” I track with feeling they are old. In their 40’s?!!!!!

 

Hope to be able to do it forever, in one way or another. Took up off road a bit over a year ago. I have two 250s I run around on forest service roads...and still do track days too!.

My neighbor just stopped over on his Gold Wing. He's in his 80s and perfectly capable. Another of my oder buds is well into his 70s and tours the world two up.

 

I'm 67 and while new to VFRs, I've had a motorcycle endorsement for 50 years. In 2019 I stopped riding Colorado single track, but I'm still enjoying road riding.

 

I'll be 68 in a short few months. I have slowed down a bit though. a few adventures of late have made me re-think my riding style. Well. Really making me understand better what my skills really are or ever were.

 

Despite too many years and too many beers I still enjoy motorbike riding when the conditions allow. However with this view outside today I will leave the cover on the VFR and be taking the van to the pub.

 

I suppose attached double and triple garages are not as popular over there as they are here. I did have both the VFR and the Africa Twin out under covers in the snow for several weeks this past winter. Can't remember why though. That shows just how old I am.

 

650 BSA Thunderbolt, first bike, crossed up shifting/braking, gotta love it. A friend had same vintage Triumph, vibes would loosen the little valve adjustment covers and toss them off. 850 Norton Interstate, electric start but kick for backup. Mostly kick, the electric start was useless . Ah, the good old days.

 

I'm close to my 61st birthday & am in the process of buying a 97 VFR. I already have 2 HawkGTs & a Superhawk.
As long as you can pick up the bike when it falls over, you're NOT too old to ride.
My 2 cents.
BTW, I have a 66 y/o brother who races motocross about once a month every summer!! He has a SWEET 87 VFR too.