bucket list and motorcycles...philosophy of being 60

[lucydad]

All,

It was 4 years ago I finally took the basic riders course here in Houston, got the M license, went and bought my Kawa EX 500, had her delivered, and started riding again.  That was after a gap since around 1975 of not riding.  Getting on a motorcycle checked a bucket list item, and wow am I glad I had the mentoring, drive, courage and patience to make it happen.  And Ms LD finally said ok. 

Sixty years old happened last May.  Context are three close family members with very limiting age, or other conditions that they struggle to enjoy life.  Context also is two close friends passed last year from cancer and other issues.  Life is short.  Context also is I am very, very fortunate to be healthy, winding up a career, and just plain a survivor.

Bucket list comes to mind.  Roots are where they spawn for me:  growing up in Durango, CO in the sixties and seventies.  Two bikes twisted my heart, both Triumphs:  the Bonnieville and  the Kawasaki triple 500.  These roared up from Farmington, NM.  We had a lone Honda/Yamaha dealer and I rode my brother's S90, and my MT50, and my Scrambler 175. 

Triple fever has never gone away.  I have always, always wanted a triple after lusting after those two-stroke Mach IIIs roaring away in a cloud of blue smoke.  Nobody had a cooler or faster bike, and that sound?  Heaven.
Then there were the free-air, triple Ski-Doo Blizzard racing machine with expansion chambers, three carbs and hell on snow.  Got to race a few of those in my late teenage years.

Hence the Triumph STR-X.  Bucket list item checked.  First twist of that throttle on the SW freeway and she leaped to life:  I knew I had to have her.  Last time I felt that surge was on a Ski-Doo Blizzard 797 tuned up and running a methanol blend.  And that scream of a triple.  Yep, Triumph gets that.  That Blizzard in Chama, NM on their drag strip could make 110 mph on snow.  Damn fast for 1972.  And no brakes to speak of.

Wow do I feel grateful. 

Other bucket list items are going to get checked in the upcoming years.  Retirement sometime later this year, just maybe next, but the oil crash should make the decision for me.  Off to more adventures. 

There it is.  That is the why. 

[Stormtruck2]

Congratulations on the new scooter! :bike

[oldbike54]

                                                       Poodle approved

   Dusty

[Bill Hagan]

Congratulations!

These guys say "hi," too.   ;D






Bill

P.S. All those "big birthdays" loom larger than they really are.  You have lots of life ahead. 

[azguzzirep]

I don't have a bucket list. I don't have anything against them, I just don't have one.

I do things I find fun or interesting. Last year I parachuted, tandem, from 12K feet. WOW!
I've sailed in a glider, rode in a hot air balloon, traveled in Europe. (easier now that I live here)

This year, going to OZ and NZ.

Next year, ????

I'm 55, 56 next month, and hope to have a mc for many more years!  Good on ya for the mc rider course! I did it, and would like to take an advanced rider course, too.

Here's hoping you have many good adventures!!!

Tom

[Gliderjohn]

Retiring at the end if May and will be 60 in August. May do some offs and on contract work. Health and motion good yet. As azguzzirep said my retirement at this age has been prompted by the loss of others, my first wife at 45, several close friends and relatives in the 55-65 range. Life is to short.
I want to get back current on the glider flying, increase riding time, some travel, improve my mechanical confidence to better be able to work on my own Guzzis since there no longer is close dealer support, catch a ride in a WWII bomber. I also just upgraded from a point and shoot camera to a DSLR with additional 55-300 lens. Want to do more photography as I have much opportunity where I live for nature shots.
Although we have always gardened I want to increase my use of fishing and hunting for food as where I live I have both available on our property. Will also increase volunteerism. Think I will stay occupied. ;-T
GliderJohn

[Sheepdog]

I retired in '08, built a house, did some hunting/fishing, undertook several extended motorcycle tours, and after five years I went back to work. The job allowed me to extend my good fortune to a few others and to undertake some infrastructure improvements here on the farm. I'm continuing the ongoing theme of my life: doing my best and hoping for good luck!

[youcanrunnaked]

Congratulations and safe travels on your new ride.  That Rx looks like just the right prescription for you.

[jas67]

I hope that I don't have to work to my official gov't recommended 67 1/2 years old.
I've lost many friends and a brother over the last 15 years, ages 38-55.

Most recently, I watched a good friend, who had led a very active athletic life die of ALS at age 55.
Now, less than a year later, another friend, who turns 50 in 2 weeks is dying of ALS.     His disease is particularly fast move.
He again had led an active life.  He was an avid mountain biker.    He'll never ride a bike again.
He also wanted to return to motorcycle riding after a long hiatus.    He never did, and never will.

Life is short.    Carpe Diem!

[Guzzistajohn]

Congrats on the new bike, you'll love it. My Tiger's been a great machine.

[GearheadGrrrl]

Despite being 64, I'm having trouble getting over my "poverty rider" roots. House and everything is paid for, steady pension, and I haven't touched Social Security yet (make note to sign up for Medicare), got enough in investments that I could buy any bike I want, cash. But can't give up my old cheapskate ways- Was thinking I should get a newer sidecar tug than the Quota and the BMW Airheads, and found a new '13 Yamaha Super Tenere for $10,200 OTD... But can't bring myself to spend the money. Also need a small tractor to mow and clear the snow at my one acre "estate", but too cheap to do that deal too!

[Lannis]

Despite being 64, I'm having trouble getting over my "poverty rider" roots. House and everything is paid for, steady pension, and I haven't touched Social Security yet (make note to sign up for Medicare), got enough in investments that I could buy any bike I want, cash. But can't give up my old cheapskate ways- Was thinking I should get a newer sidecar tug than the Quota and the BMW Airheads, and found a new '13 Yamaha Super Tenere for $10,200 OTD... But can't bring myself to spend the money. Also need a small tractor to mow and clear the snow at my one acre "estate", but too cheap to do that deal too!

I'm the same way.   I guess things should change now that I'm getting older, but it's hard to give up a lifetime of spending habits.   It's a big deal for me to turn loose money for "stuff".

We bought new cars in 1984 and in 2012.   I bought new motorcycles in 1972, 1981, 1984, and 2010.   No payments, of course.

Always have been satisfied with my income and the "stuff" that I have ... I always geared spending to income, and never have felt like I've "stinted" myself.    Right now, I REALLY want a Seco Goliath 4WD bush-hog.   $9,000 really isn't a problem, but .... do I REALLY need that ... ?   :D

Lannis

[Bill Hagan]

I'm the same way.   I guess things should change now that I'm getting older, but it's hard to give up a lifetime of spending habits.   It's a big deal for me to turn loose money for "stuff".

We bought new cars in 1984 and in 2012.   ****

Always have been satisfied with ... the "stuff" that I have.    ****

Lannis

Lannis,

Forget the bush hog.  It's time for you to get another car ...  ;D





Bill

[oldbike54]

Lannis,

Forget the bush hog.  It's time for you to get another car ...  ;D





Bill

 Yugo , right ?

  Dusty

[huub]

nice bucket list ,
i have been wanting a kawa 750 H2 since i test rode one ,
i couldn't stop giggling after the ride.
these things are silly , still i want one.
not sure it is going to happen , the prices of kawa triples  went through the roof over here 
a nice kawa triple fetches more than a similar V7sport...   

[MotoGoosy]

Wow!!  You actually have a license???  I am not worthy, I am not worthy!!

Same as you, retired but couldn't stop working, just stopped working full time.  Now I cherry-pick the gigs to suit my location, take a lot of manual labor jobs to stay in shape, but got the bike bug a few years back, been through 7 bikes, 4 of which I still have and ride every day.  68 doesn't mean squat to me.  Got the vital signs of a teenager and two dogs and want for nothing.  Look back at those young corporate ladder-climbers now and can't believe I ever did that.

[Lannis]

Yugo , right ?

  Dusty

Nay lad, a genuine, rare Ford Festiva "L PLUS" (the Plus means it has a tach, side door pockets, and a rear defroster!) from 1990.   Designed by Mazda, built by Kia, badged by Ford.  1.3L, five speed, 12" tires.

Sold as the "Mazda 121" in the parts of the world where they care about fuel mileage and being good stewards of our resources, 43 MPG overall, cruises at 70 all day long (and it did on the way to Denver and back to Virginia!), you can get parts at Mazda, Kia, or Ford places, and on the Ford Festiva Forum On-Line, I'm the oldest guy on it by 30 years.

If everyone drove one of these we could tell the oil sheikhs to "Bugger Off", and then it would be easier to get tires for .... !

Lannis 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I "retired" in 92. At least I quit punching the time clock. Still do stuff, though.. when I want to, mostly.
Two or three years ago, Dorcia and I had a talk. I mentioned that all our married life we had scrimped and saved for our old age. "It's here, baby, let's spend it."  ;D
So, we've been doing bucket list stuff, too. That's why I bought the commie thumper project. I've always wanted to ride the entire west coast. If I *like* this sucker, we'll put it in the van, and head out to the Oregon nationals next year, stopping to ride a few more bucket list roads. Missed the Spiral highway. Gotta do Beartooth at least one more time. Ride the left coast and leave it in SoCal to ride the canyons, and bring the Mighty Scura home, doing some more bucket list stuff. Zion, etc.
You are absolutely right. Life is short, and tomorrow is *not* guaranteed. Go for it..

[Kev m]

I hope that I don't have to work to my official gov't recommended 67 1/2 years old.
I've lost many friends and a brother over the last 15 years, ages 38-55.

Most recently, I watched a good friend, who had led a very active athletic life die of ALS at age 55.
Now, less than a year later, another friend, who turns 50 in 2 weeks is dying of ALS.     His disease is particularly fast move.
He again had led an active life.  He was an avid mountain biker.    He'll never ride a bike again.
He also wanted to return to motorcycle riding after a long hiatus.    He never did, and never will.

Life is short.    Carpe Diem!

Speaking of ALS. I dunno if you ever met my buddy Rob from Chilton. The one who I bought the VT500 off in the 90's, and who bought the 94 R1100rs and 96 FXDC (Dyna Convertible).

We pretty much rode every weekend and vacation together for a couple of years back in my Chilton days, he was one of those 20-30k miles/year guy back then.

Gas station attendants four hours from here near the NY border would know him by name when we stopped in.

Anyway, he died last week from ALS. I got the call from his partner while we were skiing earlier this week.


:(

[dlapierre]

I retired at 44 because I could. And I wanted to raise my children in a rural environment. So, I bought a farm.
I had been a cop for 26 years. I'm glad I took the early pension that was available at that time. Most of my peers are now dead. That occupation wears one down.
Raising kids at that age doesn't.
I'm now 68 and have pretty much gone through my bucket list. The last thing is a few decent bike tours. I'll do one of those those this year. I have to give up raising and selling pasture-raised chickens to do it, but I think it's worth it. Farm labour is rewarding in many respects, but I need to remember why I accumulated a stable of bikes.
Time to bring the dreams down/up to some kind of reality.

[Kev m]

I don't honestly know if I'll every retire.

At 31 I started dating a coed who was bent on medical school.

Now MANY years later we're married with 2 more kids (3 total, 10m, 3y & 16y) and she's practicing the type of critical care medicine she always wanted.

So she's just starting her career and I'm two decades into mine. Since she'll be working the rest of my life, I probably will too.

I'm a partner in a small publishing co. After years of ridiculous hours in the office I started working at home (when she started residency, we did it so we could work similar hours and be off together too).

Now, instead of managing a large group of editors, techs, and photographers I'm instead writing a repair manual each year. I work at home, set my schedule.... It's hard to complain. Especially since her work is binge and purge on hours so I can c largely match them still.

If we ever sell the company, I may still work for the new owner, or I may have to find something else to do.

My partners have a line on a awesome related motorcycle business, but I don't know if the numbers are, or the desire to tackle it is, there.

Or maybe I'd do something different.... Not sure if I could bring myself to turn wrenches again... Not sure if I could bring myself to get out of bed at the same time every day again lol.

But who knows, life's an adventure and I hope there's a long road left...

[lucydad]

Bill, all:

Thanks for your comments.  One thing I love about this Guzzi forum are the mature guys.  We have done many miles and years.

Bill, first of all:  point well taken on TEXAS law enforcement.  They can't tell if I am 60 or 20.  I have to be careful on the Trumpet, no doubt.
Last speeding ticket I got was in 1973 on my Honda Scrambler 175.  55 in a 20 on the street where we lived.  Cop pulled right in behind me just as I was doing a "run".  Flashed me down, ticketed me, gave me a lecture. Told him "no excuses sir".  Learned that in Army ROTC as a freshman.  And that was the truth.  Slowed me down, lost most of the points on my license, paid the fine, and my dad laughed silly at me.  Tickets now are a lot more expensive.

Six month insurance on the Trumpet due to my age and clean record:  $159.  For six months.  Can imagine what that would go to with even one violation.
Yowzir.

On spending money.  Yep I am the ant of the grasshopper fable.  Raised by depression and WW II generation.  And a nearly 40 year survivor of the oil boom/crash/boom/crash cycles.  Raised a family and have almost put two daughters thru private college.  I am a saver.  Spending money gives me a guilt cycle without exception.  But I am learning to enjoy some of the fruit of my labors.  I believe it is important to keep money in circulation, and I give a lot away to various charities, causes and even individuals as needed.  I hear my parents saying:  "Gregory LEE, do you REALLY NEED that?". 

Well, yes I do and go away.  Carpe diem.

[oldbike54]

 " I'm not aware of too many things
   I know what I know if you know what I mean"


 Seriously , yes life is short , and tomorrow it might rain , or much worse. Right here right now is all that we are guaranteed , and even that reality might be nothing more than the dreams of a dog . The moral is , well , something, now I am confused  ???

  Dusty

[Penderic]

Life is like ........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NCBgxlUVuE

[jas67]

Speaking of ALS. I dunno if you ever met my buddy Rob from Chilton. .....
Anyway, he died last week from ALS. I got the call from his partner while we were skiing earlier this week.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Rob.   You did tell me about him when I told you that Donna had been diagnosed the year before last.

May Rob rest in peace.     Condolences to his partner and family.