Congratulations on your first real enjoyable ride. It happens at a different time for everyone. As far as push starting I believe a EFI bike needs some battery life where a carbed bike you can push start. If I'm wrong on this I'm sure a more experienced rider will let us both know.

 

Confidence comes with saddle time....keep on riding. Relax and enjoy.

 

@DCrider132

Congrats!! And major kudos to you for jumping in the saddle at 63.

I started riding later in life as well and I have to admit, the extra caution that age naturally confers is probably to my advantage. If I had started riding when I was young, I'd probably have killed myself before reaching the 1,000 mile mark.

I think you're right about the 40+ years of driving experience. It has helped me too.

The problem I have is that when I get on my Sporty, I just want to go FAST!!

And yes, you can roll start a carbed bike. I've done it a few times when I was trying to hold on to an old battery for too long.

 

Congrats! I started young, and have tried and stuck with it as much as finances allowed. I hope to still be riding long into my older ages! Keep at it, and soon you will be enjoying every ride!

 

That's outstanding!! It comes at a different rate for everyone. I had taken an extended break from riding (marriage/family/kid), and when I started back up, it took a little while to get comfortable again. I took the HD riding course to work on getting those basic skills again, and then it just takes time in the saddle for the rest.

Hope your ankle heals up quickly, and keep on truckin' brother!!

 

Another great ride today, although the streets were a little wet which made me nervous. I noticed drivers around here will go 50-55 on fairly small roads which always seemed slow to me in a car (I grew up in NYC) but now seems really kind of fast. Makes me think that once I get out on the highways, higher speeds will be easier to deal with since the roads will have more lanes, be wider and with lower sloping curves.


Thanks for the response on push starting. Mine is an 'o7 with fuel injection so I guess its not an option.

 

Glad to hear you're enjoying the ride, take your time. Ride safe.
Bill

 

Great to hear about another fellow gray panther getting his ride on.
I am 63 now and started riding at 60. At 61 I also broke an ankle and rode home the 1100 miles from Iowa on it thinking it was only sprained. I have had some terrifying moments learning to ride but I wouldn't give it up for anything. I have clocked about 20k miles across this great land going through 32 states so far and hope to make all the lower 48.

I love the freedom, and it seems I am most alive when riding. I indeed "Ride To Live, and Live To Ride."

Keeping The Shiny Side Up!

 

I'm right there with you (57)! I've been riding since October and I'm really getting comfortable now. I've been out on highway twice at 65mph and it was a little spooky with cattle trucks flying by you at 75+. I just inched over to the right and kept telling myself I could do it.

Keep riding safe and enjoy! I know I am and I'm glad to hear there are others like me that are just learning to ride in our maintenance years!

 

Started at 51. I'm right there with you guys. It's a lot to get used to. A much bigger learning curve than I expected but I look forward to getting out on it every chance I get.