Pushing 70

[MotoG5]

Well its the end of another riding season here in Nebraska. We have been blessed with exceptionally mild weather for November and I have been able to use the Stelvio for commuting. Having retired this year after forty one years in the same job I am not commuting to work but now its doctors appointments. For me that's about a 120 mile round trip. Lot more pleasant than doing it in the car. I am pushing 70 years old and am fortunate to be able to still ride. But the issues are adding up and there wont be too many more seasons on a bike the size of the NTX. I have started looking at lighter options or options with more than two wheels.
I am glad that the 8V engine equipped NTX has happened to be my last full sized two wheeled bike. It has been one of the most visceral and satisfying Guzzis that I have owned over the years. Easily as much fun as the 850 LeMans and Vll Sport. Both owned for many miles. The NTX has had its issues (flat tappets, funky aux lighting) but all that was addressed and it has really been a very reliable bike. Been on some long trips and a lot of just blasting around. Its kind of fitting that the 8V has been retired like me. I am looking forward to at least one or two more seasons if I can hold up. I am not worried about the 8V these days.       

[oldbike54]

  Of course in this group 70 isn't old .

 Dusty

[Mike Harper]

Are the kids whining again

[oldbike54]

Are the kids whining again

  Yeah , I reminded some of our 65 year old rally goers that to JN we are all a bunch of pups.

 Dusty

[HDGoose]

I remember when they were much younger...

[azguzzirep]

70 is the new 50!!😀

I'll be 60 in a couple years , so that has to be the new 45😂😂(or so I'm hoping !)

[Bazil]

At least you're not dragging 70 ... 

[Kiwi_Roy]

I wonder what's the average age on this forum
65 I'm guessing

[Lannis]

I wonder what's the average age on this forum
65 I'm guessing

Some pretty good stats from a couple years ago here:

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=69894.0

Lannis

[ohiorider]

MotoG5, regarding bike size .... I hear you.  I'll be 74 this coming January, and thoughts of V7 IIIs, and Triumph Street Twins are dancing through my mind!  I dearly love the 1200 Sport I've owned and ridden since March of 2010, but she's just a bit heavy (and top heavy with a load of fuel) for me to move in and out of the garage.  Perhaps a bit too tall, also, making me worry about a misstep coming to a stop. 

However, I've been riding the Sport, as well as the old R100GS, which must have grown an inch or so since I had heart surgery in May, 2016.  This bike was always too tall for me, though I was only 48 when I bought it. 

So, I'm thinking that something just about a 100 pounds lighter, and a few inches lower will do the trick.  Too late in the year to make a move (plus there's a lot of neat new bikes scheduled for spring of 2017 that have my attention.)

Best of luck to you with your continuing saddle time.  When it all comes together, there's nothing like it, as you well know!

[Penderic]

Time flies! Remembering the early years .....





Now, along with a few of my friends, going on a nice ride....


 

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Don't push it too hard, it will get there if you let it.

[neverquit]

I'm a little older than you and planned to buy a new bike for my main ride this past summer.  But everything I liked was heavier than what I am riding now and I also started thinking that it would be better to get something that is lighter.

I've known several riders older than myself and when they quit riding they always said the same thing, the bike was too heavy.  And there was one guy in his late eighties who moved to a scooter (Honda Silver Wing) because his kids insisted that he should not ride his Gold Wing any longer. He rode that scooter everywhere until he was about 90. 

[lost]

Like you I am also pushing 70 and intend to ride as long as I am able to get my leg over the saddle. I will admit that that is becoming harder every year, to the point of being embarrassing at times but so it goes. I still smile once I get on and start riding. At least once I am on the bike I am able to move easily and feel young again with no pains when I move. I have downsized to the Norge from an 88 Yamaha Venture and have considered finding something a little lower and lighter. Problem is I always gravitate to bigger and heavier so I am staying with what I have.  If I do something stupid and fall over it is just a result of age and I am learning to deal with it. With luck there will always be some younger studs standing around laughing that will be willing to help me pick it up again since I no longer appear able to. Again embarrassing but something I can get over. Bourbon does wonders at healing the body and spirit allowing me to laugh as well. Keep riding and smiling.

Jim   

[Arizona Wayne]

I notice a lot of us here are interested in the 750-850 size new bikes now. At 73 I bought a 750 Breva about 8 years ago because my body strength ain't what it used to be any more, especially since I no longer have to mow lawns every week having moved to Arizona where grass is an endangered species.

MP3 scooters aren't especially light but they don't even need a side stand when you stop and when locked upright are soo easy to roll forward or backward even when loaded. 

I acquired a Convert.(600#) 1.5 years ago(my 2nd) and it's so cumbersome now I can barely handle it unless I'm rolling.    Thinking about putting a faux trike kit on it I already have.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Think sidecar.  No kickstand and more cargo or passenger comfort.

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^ Sidecars take a *lot* of upper body strength, though. You should know that, Jim.. but you are sort of a Sasquatch.  I've downsized from the Norge to the V11S, and have the Aero Lario when the Mighty Scura gets to be a bit much. After that, the Monza. Just the same, working out should stave off father time a few more years with any luck at all.   

[Sasquatch Jim]

  While it is true that my legs are nearly dead, my arms and upper body are distinctly simian, especially since my weight loss last year.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Never underestimate old guy strength  I'm pushing 70..... I sold my Guzzi Cali cafe bike a few years ago because it was feeling heavy....Bought a older Buell that's about 50 pounds lighter than the Guzzi but it also began to feel heavy..Now I have a 96 Ducati 900 M that's 40 pounds lighter than the Buell....if the Ducati gets heavy I might just sit on and pretend....

[fubar guzzi]

I am 7o ride an EV,Kirby 1923 said he d get me a set of trainin wheels  :bow:problem solved

[Tom]

This should help.  He's 80.

http://www.yourdailydish.com/80-year-old-model-proves-age-nothing-rocking-runway/

[Muzz]

I'm about to turn 68.

There is a lot to be said for the modern iterations of the smallblock. I still have no trouble piloting the Breva, and my body is not what it used to be.

[Sheepdog]

I'm sixty and feel like a rookie in this crowd...

So far, my only motorcycle related disappointment is that I get really sore knees when I ride with rearsets.

[Arizona Wayne]

I'm sixty and feel like a rookie in this crowd...

So far, my only motorcycle related disappointment is that I get really sore knees when I ride with rearsets.

You know, for years I've had younger guys than me complain about their knees whereas  mine are still good. My back is shot from over using it starting in my 20's.

[oldbike54]

I am 7o ride an EV,Kirby 1923 said he d get me a set of trainin wheels  :bow:problem solved

 Only a month late 

 Dusty

[Chuck in Indiana]

Pfffftt. 70.  Pup. 

[Arizona Wayne]

Only a month late 

 Dusty

Kirby's in his `70's now but is in denial.     My father was that way.