| Author | Message | ||
     Pso |
I had midlife crisis last year-Sold my 01 GoldWing and got a Uly. My youngster friends (50's) told me it was a good idea to get rid of the old f*rt bike. I'm 61. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I just bought my first kick start bike at age 40... I think I am headed the wrong direction here... | ||
| Jflaig |
I was 39 when I got back into riding after 20 years of no bike. Enjoyed my Uly for over a year now, and the stress is so much lower. Get the gear, and have fun. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
 Going on 41 and I should get my racing license this Friday... | ||
| Skrobe |
You never get too old to ride... you get too old if you don't ride 52 and fortunate to have a wife that enjoys riding as a passenger again, because of the Ulysses! Never have been a Goldwing or BMW kind of rider (boring) - have a Kawasaki Concours - the Ulysses is far more fun and capable IMO. Yeah the Concours has a bigger fairing, but it would really block the view of my smile when I ride the Ulysses. | ||
| Strokizator |
55 year old here. Besides the Uly (my favorite)I have a Z750S for when I feel the need for speed, a tricked out KX250 for riding in the desert, a DRZ435 for when I need to be street legal and a HD Road King for when the wife wants to go with me (she refuses to ride on the Uly - too tall). Besides that I have a CanAm 800 ATV for ripping around on jeep trails and a Superformance Cobra with a 427 FE that rarely gets used and will eventually be sold because the motorcycles are so much fun. Wish I was 38 again then I'd be on the 1125. I don't expect I'll ever grow up. One of the guys I ride with is 63 and he just leaves me in the dust! | ||
| Ejc |
43 yrs. old here. New to street riding ~4yrs. now, divorced about the same,(no cause and effect). I rode dirt bikes as a kid. Started racing MX in the +40B class 3 yrs. ago. Too much fun! I call it mid-life I can finally afford it and making up for lost time crisis. | ||
| Jim_sb |
I was 42 when I got my first motorcycle. A GS500E. Ended up going through a GS500E, a Sportster and a Buell S2 until I ended up with my current '04 DRZ400S (for trail riding) and my Ulysses (for everything else). Street riding is relatively easy to learn - especially if you take the MSF class and get good habits going from the start. It's even better if you can hook up with some experienced riders - who have good technique - who will take the time to show you how to ride. Ride the Pace, learn to ride good lines (this is very important!), practice your emergency maneuvers as taught by MSF (swerves, hard braking, etc.) and take it easy while you learn and you'll do fine. I was 47 when I started dirt riding (when I got my DRZ) - that has been a much more difficult learning curve - but it has been tremendous fun as well. After 3 years I have come a long way - I can now do a lot of the "expert" rated Forest Service trails. Still not ready for the Rincon though.  Maybe one day. At least the "practice" is great fun. 3 of my regular riding buddies are 58 - 62 years old. All ex-dirt racers. I can't come close to keeping up with them no matter how hard (or easy) the trail. They're great guys - and great fun to ride with though. I have a riding buddy - his step-dad is about 65 or so - just started riding on a CRF 150. Too old? At 38? Hardly... No one can tell you how to live your life - that's up to you. But I have gotten so much enjoyment out of motorcycling - met so many great people - have seen so many places off road that I'd never be able to see on foot - riding motorcycles is one of the best decisions I've made in my life. I try to manage or mitigate the risks. I wear a FF helmet at all times, Roadcrafter on the street with Sidi boots and Held gloves (all top notch gear). For the dirt I currently use a fully armored jacket, FF helmet, goggles, gloves, enduro boots, shin guards and knee pads. I just need to get some riding pants with hip pads and I'll be set... But if you wear good gear, "dress for fall" as Court likes to say, take an MSF course, maybe even buy a book or two on riding techniques and practice what you learn and read, you'll do just fine and probably have a great time along the way. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Richard_c |
I'm right with you Stokizator! I love riding the Uly, but also have a HD Deluxe, a Big Dog Bulldog, a KX250, a pro street 57 Chevy with 454, a big block flat bottom, etc.. I guess I'm still a little young at 43 though. Still can't figure out what I want to do when I grow up! | ||
| Chrisgrant |
I started this post to vent my frustrations a little. Now, 69 posts in 17 1/2 hrs. later, holy crap, this is awsome. I can't believe the support from you guys. I am really enjoying your stories and opinions. | ||
| Tel |
47 this year. A Harley-Davidson Street Rod, the Uly, a Kawasaki Sherpa and a Yamaha Waverunner | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I can't believe the support from you guys. I am really enjoying your stories and opinions. What until you go to March Badness, WVsc Rally or Homecoming.... (Message edited by wolfridgerider on August 28, 2007) | ||
| Technomad |
I'm 56 and currently ride a Honda VFR800. I'm considering the Uly for it's more relaxed ergos and better dirt road capability. Age does take it's toll, but motorcycling is one of the things that can help keep you young. | ||
| Geopatr |
 52 years young | ||
| Bienhoabob |
I'm an 18 year old with 40 years of experience. Or would like to think so. | ||
| Cccpull |
"I'm an 18 year old with 40 years of experience. Or would like to think so."  | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
Going on age 55. Ride the Uly when I feel like it. No crisis here! Been riding bikes off and on for the last 32 years. Friend of mine rides a Wing all over the place. He is 60 years old. | ||
| Irelage |
50 here and a newbie. Bought a KLR650 last year with the thought of going GS Adventure once I learned. The Uly is the bastard child of the two. The Uly is all silky attitude.... Gas and go pleasure with testosterone injection..... The Beamer didn't stand a chance. Why did I wait so long to ride. I'm born again. (Message edited by irelage on August 28, 2007) | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I like to ride very much. age 50. | ||
| Firemanjim |
38,wow would I like to be there. 54 here, and have had bikes since I was 15.Presently have 8 bikes,though some are projects. No plans to quit now,have a friend riding a Fatboy at 78. I plan on going faster the older I get. P.S. riding motorcycles is safer than my day job--- | ||
| Sanjuro |
34, turning 35 in a couple days. I was feeling old till I read this post.  | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>P.S. riding motorcycles is safer than my day job---<< Riding motorcycles IS my day job.  | ||
| Tdiddy |
Reading about motorcycles is what I do at my job. I'm an old 32. (14 broken bones) I ride motorcycles cuz' I can't turn the pedals on my bmx race bikes. | ||
| Danger_dave |
When appraised of the question and thread, the Co-pilot said: 'If he's crashed heaps - she might have a point, but if it's less than 5 times in the last 4 months - get a new wife'. Takes no prisoners, my girl. | ||
| Horridus |
Well I had a min at work to do a little math. I am 32. I pulled all the ages out of this thread and the average was 46.7. That includes the guys that own and those that are thinking of getting a Uly. There was only 8 of us that are YOUNGER then you at 38, we are really acting as outliers to the average. Have fun on it. | ||
| Gotj |
Horridus, Put me down for 64. I told him early on that this is an old bunch and he should go for the 1125R. BTW, how many in the sample and what's the median? | ||
| Michael1 |
I love riding an old man's bike...  KIDDING!!!! I'm 29 and got mine when I was 28. Not many are sold to people my age. But I also have my track tool in the garage, so this is just fine for the riding I do. Long distances and going places I shouldn't on a 500+ pound street bike. | ||
| Buellerandy |
25, working on selling my firebolt and picking up a Uly... | ||
| Horridus |
BTW, how many in the sample and what's the median? Total with the 2 young guys above is 59. Median is 47,48. Horr | ||
| Runamuck |
As far as I'm concerned, age is a non-issue as long as you're physically and mentally able. I'm only 38. My dad is 58 and we're riding to Sturgis next year. I've seen guys still riding beyond 70. God willing, I'll be riding many, many more years! |
