Getting OLD really Sucks

[Grant Borden]

Been riding bikes for more than 56 years, due to aging problems I've decided to add a third wheel to one of my bikes to keep from falling down when stopping. Sometimes my knee gives way causing the bike to lay down.

I also have found I can no longer fold up enough to ride my sport bike and after thinking my knees would get better for several years I have finally decided they will not, so I am seriously considering selling my 1993 Daytona 1000 that I purchased new with Daytona stand, special tools, other accessories and manuals and possibly the Handy pneumatic lift, Is there any demand for one of these bikes, it is now 24 years old and looks and runs as new?

Grant

[Scud]

Bummer. Sidecar on the BMW?

As for selling that Daytona, it's got to be a hard thing to think about letting it go. But if you do decide to sell it, that's a special machine and I'm sure somebody will want it.

[Arizona Wayne]

Welcome to the Guzzi geezer faction of this group.    You are not alone here.   That is why many here now ride their 750 newer Guzzis.   Sooner or later as we get into our 60-70s we realize we have to change our steeds if we want to keep on riding.   Our strength, need for speed, ain't what it used to be any more. I live in an area with many other aging bikers and many of them now ride trikes.  We're all getting older. 

[azguzzirep]

First and last scooter.😂😂



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[ChuckH]

IMO, the change from two wheels to three wheels in some form (trike, side-car, etc), is a very natural progression for riders who have been in the sport for many years.  We tend to get shorter and lose muscle mass as we age and controlling a two-wheel bike, particularly if riding two-up, gets much more difficult. 

Generally, the first steps are to smaller, lighter bikes, with lower seat heights, that are easier to manage.  From there to three wheels, or, to stop riding altogether.

Something you may want to consider for your various joints, is Yoga exercises.  I've got a few years on you and a couple of years ago my knees were starting to complain after a few hundred miles on the bike.  My wife and I had been regulars at a local exercise facility, doing mostly weights and cardio activities five or six times a week.  The facility is connected with our local hospital and they began to offer a variety of fitness classes led by trained therapists.  We bought some mats and started the Yoga classes two or three times a week. 

Long-story-short, the classes have helped my flexibility a lot.  Our one-hour classes basically stretch and flex every joint and muscle group in the body.  Frankly, they can be a little challenging and somewhat humbling.  By the way, most guys are not nearly as flexible, nor as strong, as many females.  I can now ride all day without my knees causing undue pain and, for me, that's the bottom line.

[Grant Borden]

azguzzirep,

I see that you've been in my garage taking spy photos of my new bike.

Grant

[Grant Borden]

ChuckH,

We will have to look into that YOGA business, all the facilities you mentioned are more than 50 miles across a mountain from my location, will have to look into some videos on the subject.

Thanks,
Grant

[Grant Borden]

Scud,

I ran across a sidecar for a Royal Enfield, installed it on my RE, a lot of fun to drive although I enjoy the two wheel version more.

Grant

[antmanbee]

It's not all bad.

How about a lifetime senior pass to all national parks for $10?  62 and over

https://slickdeals.net/f/10054236-senior-citizens-get-a-lifetime-national-parks-pass-for-10-increasing-to-80-sometime-this-year?v=1

[oldbike54]

Scud,

I ran across a sidecar for a Royal Enfield, installed it on my RE, a lot of fun to drive although I enjoy the two wheel version more.

Grant

 Grant , have you ever watched the English TV show "Death in Paradise"? One of the cops rides exactly that .

 No doubt , getting old can be tough , but remember , it also allows us to enter a second childhood 

 Dusty

[Bill Hagan]

Howdy, Grant.

I feel your pain! 

Hope to ride my present harem for a few more years, but trust I am sufficiently humble and socially responsible enough to know when to hang up those spurs.

Even then, that little Mini S 'vert in the garage is so much fun, that I'll likely not go the three-wheeled route.

In the meantime, and in recognition of the potential realities of riding the roads, just ordered these for Kathi and me. 

http://www.helitemoto.com/helite-turtle-airbag-vest-hi-viz/

We'll be in 'em for the mutton run in May.   

Best,

Bill

[Lannis]

Even then, that little Mini S 'vert in the garage is so much fun, that I'll likely not go the three-wheeled route.

Bill

That's likely me also.   Motorcycling has been an integral part of my life for 48 years now, but when it's time to quit, it's just time, like a lot of other things.   

When two wheels becomes impossible, I'll be back in the Morgan 4/4 or a similar roadster until it's time to quit driving, then will keep a Guzzi hack around as a bribe to my son to ride me on my favorite roads occasionally .... he knows who'll get these bikes when I ain't there no more!

It's all good.

Lannis

[slowmover]

At 62 I am only good for an hour on my V7 before everything starts hurting but I  am grateful for that much.

[azguzzirep]

I used to do yoga, too, when it was offered at the University I was working at, free of cost to employees 😊 I didn't do the chanting, though. I thought it was religious, and I already have a religion.

I felt great afterwards. Might do it again as I found a yoga studio not very far away. I mean I  can walk there.!!

[LowRyter]

.....tell me about it, I turn 63 tomorrow.

After a month of repairs and fabrication, I hope to get the Greenie out of the shop on Monday, so I have a pretty nice birthday gift in the works. 

 

[bjk7689]

Hi Grant. If you are serious about letting your Daytona 1000 go, i would love to know more about it! I have regretfully passed on a couple of these the last few years and kick myself every day. Thanks.

[not-fishing]

Grant, before you let the Daytona go think about "raising the bridge vs lowering the water".  I picked up a Lemans last year and found that though my knees are good they just don't like being folded that much for long periods of time.  The Lemans has dropped pegs.

I added a shag sheepskin seatcover.  It's a 70's that that I used on my little Italian cars that didn't have air conditioning  It's raised my seat enough so that I can be good for another 5+ years  I figure.... maybe I'll add another inch of padding later on

I know eventually the time will come that I'm on a Scooter because it's step through, lower and I don't have to remember what gear I'm in

After that there's always old Alfa's for me to work on..

Mark

[Tkelly]

my grandpa used to say it beats the alternative.

[oldbike54]

.....tell me about it, I turn 63 tomorrow.

After a month of repairs and fabrication, I hope to get the Greenie out of the shop on Monday, so I have a pretty nice birthday gift in the works. 

 

 I keep forgetting how much older you are than me 

 Happy birthday John , heck , someone started a camp out just so we could celebrate our Bdays  Unfortunately Marcia isn't coming this year , so we probably won't get a cake 

 Dusty

[dxhall]

If you're serious about selling, I'd be interested.  I'm thinking, though, that the Daytona may be to you like my '37 Packard is to me.  Even though I don't drive it much, it's my all time favorite car and I just like seeing it parked in my garage.

[ChuckH]

... I didn't do the chanting, though....I felt great afterwards. Might do it again as I found a yoga studio not very far away. I mean I  can walk there.!! 

I haven't heard any chanting in our classes.  The exercise facility is in the local Senior Center.  Most of the people have a bit of age on them so maybe a bit of groaning or gasping, but that is from the effort only.

[oldbike54]

I haven't heard any chanting in our classes.  The exercise facility is in the local Senior Center.  Most of the people have a bit of age on them so maybe a bit of groaning or gasping, but that is from the effort only.

 Yep , along with the occasional unintended release of some toxic gas 

 Dusty

[twowings]

I do yoga and TM and walk 2-3 miles daily with the dogs...as long as I can get this thing on the centerstand, I will be happy...if not, then I'll move to a RE Himalayan which is about 125 lbs lighter...and after that, I guess it's Hoverround time...

[britman]

For me it's loss of eyesight more than the aches and pains.  I haven't been able to see anything up close for years now without my drug store glasses.  I have gone from 125 to 250 in what seems like a drop of a hat and I have sets all over the house, garage, cars, and extra's even in my saddlebags and back pack.  Within the last year or so I can also see the distance vision going down hill so I know the time is near is for a full time pair that costs more than nine bucks. 

The only drawback to this whole malady is sunglasses.  I have been wearing Ray Ban's since being in Viet Nam when you could them out of the PX for next to nothing.  It is the only brand I can wear and if I don't have a pair on in bright sunlight I will sneeze my damn head off.  I know the appointment with the peeper Doc in the near future, hopefully he will have the answer.........

[oldbike54]

 Britman , prescription sunglasses are a simple proposition .

 Oh , and why are you paying so much for readers , Dollar tree has them for a buck , I buy them by the hand full 

 Dusty

[Arizona Wayne]

Well, I'm 73.7 yo and some of you guys are making me feel younger since y'all have issues I don't.  My knees aren't great but I can still bend them for MC rides.   My eyes make me officially blind w/o lenses but my nearsightedness comes in handy for seeing things up close.  The 1 thing I can't do much any more is walk very far due to a pinched nerve.  But if you want to still be able to ride and lean in corners get a 3 wheeled  Piaggio MP3.    Just don't buy a 500 as they are not reliable(motor).  Get a left over 400 instead like I have. 

[Bill N]

It sucks for sure. For me at 69, motorcycle camping has become a pain. I've enjoyed it for years but the tent set up and breakdown kills my writs and lower back. So my camping trip days are numbered. However I'm still good for 10 hour rides with my wrists being my weakest link. Hope to do a 3000 mile trip in May but will stay in Motels and/or cabins. So I'm not done yet and will down size my bikes as I get older.
Bill

[malik]

Flexibility is a key factor. We do tend to tighten up as we age - we get "efficient", so loose tone. Depending where you are are starting from, it may be daily practice for some 6 months, say, before once or twice a week is sufficient. Women tend to have an easier time of it, as, one, they are better built that way, and, two, they seem to spend less time sitting on the couch & more time moving.

At only 70, I'm still camping, and have other 70 year old mates, some superbly unfit, who are still camping too. It's great out there. Don't settle for less - there is all this great gear out there these days, it can be done in ease and comfort, and with less weight.

A lighter bike is an advantage. We are better off than another mate who has lost all feeling in his feet - couldn't tell when his feet were on the ground - so he now rides the trike, wife on the back.

It's all doable, although adjustments may have to be made - to yourself, your gear, and/or your preconceptions.

Mal

[Lannis]

At only 70, I'm still camping, and have other 70 year old mates, some superbly unfit, who are still camping too. It's great out there. Don't settle for less - there is all this great gear out there these days, it can be done in ease and comfort, and with less weight.

Mal

I think, though, that it's OK to have a preconception that at some point in your life, you've slept on the ground ENOUGH!

For my family members and some friends who were in the Army or Marine Corps, they had enough of camping the day they got out of the service, and have never done it again.   I've never really been enthusiastic about it, but have done it because it can be cheaper than a motel, or out of other necessity.

Today I do it only at rallies where camping is sort of part of the deal, and you miss out on a lot if you don't camp with the rest.   Even then, a lot of people opt for a motel, and it's hard to blame them .... rolling around in a tent trying to put on your pants, and crawling out the doorway, tripping on the threshold and guy ropes, into the soaking-wet grass, desperate to take a leak ... and having to spend half your morning packing up your wet gear ... I don't blame anyone for getting tired of it by the time they're 70 ... or 60 ... or 50 .... or .....

Lannis

[Arizona Wayne]

The only part of camping I don't like is when it's time to repack everything.    Then it's no fun.