an old farmer i used to work for rode till he was 85, been riding since he was 12! he quit because he was afraid if he dropped it, (2000 ultra) he couldnt get it back up.

 

No trikes in my future. When I get to where the EG is too much, I'll go lighter. Right now I'm thinking a 495 lb. wet weight Triumph Bonny would make a good bike for my 80s.

 

Had a good friend that rode dirt bikes in baja until his mid 70s. I couldn't keep up with him until he hit the mid 60s. He could still ride into his late 70s but he had to follow someone or else he'd get lost. My wife and I met two guys in their mid 70s riding sportsters. They said they'd ride until they couldn't get on the bike. They were having a ball. I think as I get older the longer rides get shorter or at least the days do. The 500 to 600 mile days are dropping to 300 to 400 and the painkillers get more frequent. I figure if I start to get alzheimers it'll just mean that the rides will all be new again.

 

1) Can't lift bike off its stand
2) Can't pull the clutch lever
3) I've fallen and I can't get up
4) Vision issues
5) Lack of flexibility
6) Pain experienced when riding
7) Lack of safety to oneself (or others)
Age is a number....

 

Most definately it depends on the person. Age is just a number. My grandfather was 85 and still climbing pecan trees to thrash the pecans out with a cane pole. The man could climb like a monkey. Mind was sharp as a tack. Strong as a bull. He did not ride motorcycles, but if he did, he would have not had any problems.

 

I'm 72 now and went for a short 140 mile hop yesterday with my son and another guy and their wives. They were on Ultras and me on my Low Rider. There's a several mile stretch of really twisty 2 lane road that we like to ride if we're in the area and on the way home we naturally chose that stretch over the straighter main highway. My son is pretty hard to keep up with in twisty stuff and he can push an Ultra pretty close to it's limits. He generally will get a bit ahead of me but I usually can keep him in sight and won't be far behind at the end of the road.

I figure I'll know when it's time to hang up the gloves but I don't expect that to happen for a few more years yet. I also drive a 2007 Nissan 350Z and while the Harley sees more miles in the summer it's still fun to jump in the Z for a bit of adrenalin rush.

I think your body and good sense will tell you when it's time to trade the Harley for a Buick.

 

My grandfather is 73 and just came home with a '10 Super Glide Custom last week. He got his license at 70 and started on a 1200 Custom for his first year. 2nd year riding sold the 1200 and got a '91 lowrider. Now he has his first "New" bike.

I give him a lot of credit, and he really takes good care of himself, Im sure i'll be riding with him for a while to come.

 

You know you are too old to ride when you can walk up (dressed in your riding gear )to a cop who looks so young you wonder if he is old enough to have a drivers license let alone a sidearm and tell him he is a punk and if he bothers you you're gonna kick his *** along with all his other punk friends and he just rolls his eyes and walks away.

 

63 on Tuesday and figure on ridin till just shortly after death...

 

I'm 57 next month and looking at sidecars. I have a back thing going on that will probably have me in a wheel chair within the next couple of years but it ain't gonna stop me from riding. As others have said, if I get to a point that I'm a danger to others (been a danger to myself for as long as I can remember) then it will be time to stop. If my OL is around she will let me know when I reach that point if I can't figure it out on my own. Really hoping I check out prior to that happening.