And thank goodness they do!! From previous posts some of you will know that I have retuned to motorcycling after 40 years. My first toe dip was in November 2024 when I bought a 1972 Honda 350 four to satisfy the return to biking and to meet the nostalgia desire. During last summer as much as the 350 was great fun I quickly found that I wanted to be able to actually go places and needed more. I purchased my ST2 from a private collection in September 2025 and after having it thoroughly serviced and prepared in December I was itching to ride it. In the last two weeks I have ridden it 4 times and covered about 500 tentative miles going through the stages of being shit scared to feeling reasonably confident. Today was also a beautiful day and feeling happy enough with life I jumped on the bike in my jeans and trainers and headed off around some of the private roads that surround me. I have to say that there were moments when I could have "given it some" but now, being a senior citizen survival plays a big part in my life and I was able to rein it in, albeit with some serious control. The point I think I am trying to make is that when we are in our twenties we get away with being gung ho 90% of the time but as we get older, being gung ho 10% of the time is a recipe for disaster. Maybe I'm just being a pussy but it was how I felt today when I had the chance to "give it some" Have any others felt the same?
I still "give it some" when conditions allow............but I always try to look for an escape route just in case
Jeans and trainers on a motorcycle is an absolute « NO GO » in my world, no matter one’s age or riding style. A simple 20 mph skid and one may regret it for the rest (or remainder) of their life…
I actually couldn't agree more but that is precisely my point. I did it because I suddenly felt comfortable and confident but also knew it was stupid.
After not riding for 40 years, it’s hardly surprising you feel vulnerable, even on what is by modern standards, a fairly staid bike. I can highly recommend doing some additional training, there’s plenty out there. Your local affiliated IAM Roadsmart or ROSPA groups should offer a taster rider to demonstrate their offerings as well as other small commercial enterprises offering post test training. Plenty of 70 something year olds still enjoying their riding on this forum Andy
And I perfectly understand as I sense the same inclination at times. I guess it comes down to self discipline? Like drinking only one beer at the weekend instead of every day?
What ever you do don't visit Japan you may combust, it's a common look. I've subscribed to this channel after @Chris shared a clip last year.
I lived 3 years in Florida where, believe it or not, half the motorcycle riders don’t even wear a helmet. State law says it’s not mandatory… I guess that’s what you get in a system where each individual is held responsible for their own medical costs. « Your shit, not ours ». As opposed to a system where the many take financial responsibility for the mistakes of a few…
As another older rider; I was riding before so much emphasis was put on safe clothing and rode in overalls wellingtons and a donkey jacket. I wear all the gear now but each to his own.
That's a very interesting and mind recollecting point. Back in 1993 my wife and I went skiing in Lake Louise, Canada. We said to the instructor one day that we had noticed that the lift pylons did not have any protection around them and it would be easy to get hurt if one hit them. The simple and logical answer came back; "if we protect them then we assume responsibility for them", if they are not protected then "it is your responsibility for being careful around them. So sensible and so logical that its very difficult to find a counter argument unless you believe in Starmer?
I’m “only” 63 and just bought a BMW m1000r to go alongside my 1200r monster. Bugger me I never thought about reining it in but too late now ffs
Im 71 and my days of touring Europe on a 1098 have come to an end. I extended the pleasure by fitting Gilles variobars and ducabike plates to lower the footrests. Ive just part exchanged for a BMW K1600Gt. Still got a 748sps and MV 750 for the sports bike blast. (They too have been made less cramped with adjustable bars and footrests)
I started out riding bikes in late 70s Italy (so another old git). Helmets weren't compulsory and most, including me, didn't wear them around town etc. at least not in the summer. Jeans, t-shirt & shades was the standard summertime gear and at the beach many would just be in just swimwear and flip-flops. I mostly wear all the gear nowadays but I'm definitely not an ATGATT nazi, it's nice on a warm day to be less covered. My eldest Son is living in Bali with a bike as daily transport and, much as I'd prefer he didn't, I know he is riding around in the same 'Italian 1970s' gear. As for maturity/exuberance, I've definitely mellowed with age but still feel the 'need for speed', just not all the time.
Thankfully we have a far more sensible approach in the U.K. By the same process you could argue that companies digging up the roads don’t need to put warning signs up - your responsibility to watch for big holes in the roads. Or power cables? Why have them so high up? Have them head height, watch out if you are tall! Also that doesn’t fit with my experience of chemical industry sites in Canada. They are some of the most safety conscious in the world and have incredibly high standards.
The helmet law in FL was repealed following public demand in 2000. Wearing a helmet is optional for all riders over the age of 21, who hold a full motorcycle licence and have a minimum of $10,000 medical care. Its very hard to see why anyone would deem that this law is not perfectly reasonable. The actual results (of the study taken) on motorcycle deaths following the change in laws can be found here. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1448295/
I cringe any time I see anyone on a bike with these, sandals or without gloves; even more so since I buggered up my left hand. The damage coming off a bike will do to those does not bear thinking about.
I'm non fussed by Florida giving the rider the choice to decide what safety items they wear. However it wouldn't be something I'd choose not to wear should the helmet law be repelled in the UK. I don't often wear a helmet when road cycling but I do if I cycle off road. Took a nasty off about 15 years ago which totally destroyed my helmet while I was mountain biking.
In my humble opinion the UK swung the pendulum far too far and is truly a nanny state. Nobody wants to take any responsibility for their own actions anymore and it's now all about being able to blame someone else in the hope of compensation. A recent Wickes delivery driver told me he was caught on his trucks cctv changing a bulb in his side light and was given a written warning; it took him two minutes to do. The next time he had a bulb blow his truck was off the road for 4hrs and the callout charge was £200. My neighbours daughter is a police pursuit driver and even though there is always two of them they are not allowed to change a wheel if they get a puncture. H&S has evolved to an insane degree.
Precisely. Adults do all kinds of things by choice which can cause themselves harm and sometimes death, mostly with zero mandatory insurance. I do not support any restriction by law on adult choices -unless they directly harm or are likely to harm others.
