Author Topic: (NGC) 85 years old and still cooking on all burners Oldest rider? (Read 9604 times)

jackson · « **on:** November 20, 2015, 08:29:24 AM »

Here's a photo of a long-time riding partner (John Hermann). John is now 85 years old and earlier this year, he purchased a new 2015 R1200R with the red frame. I lived in San Diego for 30 years and rode a lot of miles with John. He's riding lead in this photo that he sent to me, yesterday. John was the finest rider that I've ever ridden with and at 85, I suspect that he can still hold his own with other riders in the twisties. Most people would hang up their riding boots at his age but not him; he bought a new hot rod. Good on him.

John Hermann riding R-1200R by Jackson, on Flickr

oldbike54 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2015, 08:42:13 AM »

These truly older riders are my inspiration . Yeah , good on him

Dusty

56Pan · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2015, 08:45:41 AM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on November 20, 2015, 08:42:13 AM

These truly older riders are my inspiration . Yeah , good on him

Dusty

X2

tonUPRacer · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2015, 09:00:09 AM »

That is fantastic. Most of us don't have the genes that will allow us to ride like that into our later years, I will ride as long as can whenever that time comes to hang up my togs.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2015, 09:17:55 AM »

Guys like Dick Whitehead and my riding buddy Leo Rocca (81 yrs. young) are my "heroes". I want to be just like them when I grow up.

Leo has a bunch of bikes, but his favorite is the Yamaha Super Tenere. He keeps one here and another at his place near San Diego.

jas67 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2015, 09:28:33 AM »

Quote from: 56Pan on November 20, 2015, 08:45:41 AM

X2

X3

I hope I can (safely) ride that late in life!

My parents are 87 and 84 years old. Neither should be behind the wheel of a car anymore, much less ride a motorcycle.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2015, 09:37:05 AM »

So who is the oldest active rider you know ?

Dusty

jas67 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2015, 09:48:58 AM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on November 20, 2015, 09:37:05 AM

So who is the oldest active rider you know ?

Dusty

Warren Wren. I think is is 72 now. He has no problem hanging with the young folk in the curves, in fact, some of the young folk can't keep up with HIM!

oldbike54 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2015, 09:53:40 AM »

I think the oldest active rider I actually know is our own Chuck H . Not exactly sure of his age , early 80's it seems .

Dusty

PeteS · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2015, 09:58:31 AM »

Dick Harris, 78. Rides Vintage Triumphs. Subscribers to TIOC-BIMA probably know him as he writes many tech articles. Thinks nothing of hopping on his 90 degree crank Triumph and taking it to California.

http://www.thebatavian.com/howard-owens/linden-resident-still-riding-easy-after-56-years-triumph-bikes/26344

Pete

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2015, 10:51:36 AM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on November 20, 2015, 09:53:40 AM

I think the oldest active rider I actually know is our own Chuck H . Not exactly sure of his age , early 80's it seems .

Dusty

82, I think. It's the Indiana water..

NCAmother · « **Reply #11 on:** November 20, 2015, 10:54:37 AM »

Quote from: jackson on November 20, 2015, 08:29:24 AM

Here's a photo of a long-time riding partner (John Hermann). John is now 85 years old and earlier this year, he purchased a new 2015 R1200R with the red frame. I lived in San Diego for 30 years and rode a lot of miles with John. He's riding lead in this photo that he sent to me, yesterday. John was the finest rider that I've ever ridden with and at 85, I suspect that he can still hold his own with other riders in the twisties. Most people would hang up their riding boots at his age but not him; he bought a new hot rod. Good on him.
John Hermann riding R-1200R by Jackson, on Flickr

Badass! I love these kinda posts, plus he has great tastes in bikes! Hope to be lucky enough to ride with him/you guys someday!
Nate

Arizona Wayne · « **Reply #12 on:** November 20, 2015, 10:55:30 AM »

I have ridden with Guzzi riders older than this guy, Mark Anthony & Tom Mentink. Cancer finally stopped Mark and Tom finally gave bikes up in his late 80s. Mark up to his demise could still embarrass younger riders in the twisties. When I 1st met him he had a LM III, then finishing his riding on a MilleGT. His cousin rides his GT now and I meet him @ some Guzzi ralies. When Mark was going to college in his youth he rode Indians.

When Mark was @ Guzzi National rallies, even tho he was older, he'd let JN Smyth get Oldest Rider awards. Guess Mark didn't like acknowledging his real age.

JeffOlson · « **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2015, 10:55:36 AM »

That's awesome! I hope I am still riding 10 years before I reach his age.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #14 on:** November 20, 2015, 11:05:31 AM »

Steve Wittman was still flying race planes.. no small trick.. at 90. And winning. (!)

not-fishing · « **Reply #15 on:** November 20, 2015, 11:18:57 AM »

Must be lots of clean living and a lack of Ex's.

45 years in Construction, to many parts busted & torn, ridden hard and put away wet I'll be happy if I make it to 75. I'm already looking at sidecar's --- just to be prepared.

Gino · « **Reply #16 on:** November 20, 2015, 02:33:37 PM »

Next year we're having a party for one of our guys in Scotland in the Norton club, he'll be 80 and still riding the Atlas he'll have owned for 50 years, still wearing the leathers he bought in the 60's and still drinks whisky for whisky with us ( slightly) younger guys , all these guys are an inspiration and as a former poster said I want to be like them when I grow up!

ohiorider · « **Reply #17 on:** November 20, 2015, 04:06:30 PM »

Congratulations to John Hermann! As a 25 year member (almost) of BMWMOA, I saw John's name come up often in the club magazine, and he sometimes penned an article about traveling thru Europe (often the Alps) by motorcycle.

Bob

wymple · « **Reply #18 on:** November 20, 2015, 05:19:51 PM »

There was a rider at the Illinois rally over 90. I don't know his name, but he pulled a good size trailer and had a 6 gallon tank on the front of said trailer with a pump to push it up to the bike's tank, so he wouldn't have to stop so often for gas.

Bonafide Bob · « **Reply #19 on:** November 20, 2015, 05:32:28 PM »

Congrats to him, it gives hope to this young 72 year old rider.

Bonafide Bob · « **Reply #20 on:** November 20, 2015, 05:34:15 PM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on November 20, 2015, 09:53:40 AM

I think the oldest active rider I actually know is our own Chuck H . Not exactly sure of his age , early 80's it seems .

Dusty

You can add my name to the list...72 and going strong.

jackson · « **Reply #21 on:** November 20, 2015, 05:36:45 PM »

Quote from: ohiorider on November 20, 2015, 04:06:30 PM

Congratulations to John Hermann! As a 25 year (almost) of BMWMOA, I saw John's name come up often in the club magazine, and he sometimes penned an article about traveling thru Europe (often the Alps) by motorcycle.

Bob

Bob, John Hermann actually wrote a book about his experiences of riding the Alps and other great motorcycle roads. He would go to Europe a minimum of once per year but many years, twice or more to ride. He even bought a BMW to keep in Europe and paid for it to be stored between his many visits. He's one of those people that truly enjoys his life to the fullest.
Here's a link to his book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Journeys-Through-Alps-Beyond/dp/1884313388

Dean Rose · « **Reply #22 on:** November 20, 2015, 06:01:50 PM »

72 and hope to for a few more.

Dean

sib · « **Reply #23 on:** November 21, 2015, 07:44:06 AM »

I'd like to know the oldest age at which someone STARTED riding motorcycles. I won't claim the prize, but I started 2 years ago at age 71. Whew, some steep learning curve.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 21, 2015, 07:52:18 AM »

Quote from: sib on November 21, 2015, 07:44:06 AM

I'd like to know the oldest age at which someone STARTED riding motorcycles. I won't claim the prize, but I started 2 years ago at age 71. Whew, some steep learning curve.

No idea . You do deserve an ATTABOY and maybe a couple of these

.

Dusty

Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #25 on:** November 21, 2015, 08:10:32 AM »

I'm 68 and in good shape at this point in my life. However my reaction times are not what they were 10 years ago. A small difference but noticeable to me. I have adjusted my riding style a bit to compensate... If I live to 80 and still in decent health I don't know if riding would be the best idea other than just around town so to speak...
On the other hand my abilities to fabricate and build mechanical junk is at it's peak.....A fair trade off I suppose...

oldbike54 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 21, 2015, 08:19:27 AM »

Len Vale-Onslow was probably the oldest rider/mechanic/inventor .

Dusty

Bonafide Bob · « **Reply #27 on:** November 21, 2015, 08:47:12 AM »

Quote from: sib on November 21, 2015, 07:44:06 AM

I'd like to know the oldest age at which someone STARTED riding motorcycles. I won't claim the prize, but I started 2 years ago at age 71. Whew, some steep learning curve.

Congrats to you, I hope you have many more years to enjoy riding.
Bob

wrbix · « **Reply #28 on:** November 21, 2015, 09:12:31 AM »

Had the pleasure of meeting and riding with John (King of the Alps) Hermann in the Alps a number of years ago. Great rider and super nice guy.
Remember his echewing heated vests, etc as affectations that only distracted from his riding experience.
His books on the Alps and Corsica/Sardinia (I think those are the correct islands) were de rigeur for getting the most out of those rides.
May he continue to ride long!

NWrider · « **Reply #29 on:** November 21, 2015, 09:40:46 AM »

The last ride my father and I had together was when he was on the long side of 94. He died several months later in Arizona while riding his Honda FT500. A young lady pulled out from a stop sign in front of him while he was on a state highway. That was twelve years ago and I still miss the many dirt and street rides we shared.

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Author Topic: (NGC) 85 years old and still cooking on all burners Oldest rider? (Read 9604 times)

oldbike54

56Pan

oldbike54

oldbike54

oldbike54

Rough Edge racing

oldbike54