Am I too old ?

[Harry H]

I've got that new toy feeling eating away inside.

I really like the idea of adding one of those new Ducati Desert Sled things to the bike stable. Reminds me of an XT500 from my youth. What puts me off though is that at 56 am I too old to get involved in this new retro, hipster, scrambler type market. I don't have a beard for starters and whilst I keep thinking the bikes look pretty cool the whole scene is getting a bit naff and just for the kids really.

I see myself using it for the daily commute. Nipping in and out of traffic, flying up kerbs, popping the odd wheelie to impress the girlies. Complete with Belstaff jacket, the full Steve McQueen look, apart from a full face to hide my age. I could even ride it across the front lawn when I get home to keep it covered in mud.

Would my biker mates just think

A. I'm a sad tt trying to relive my youth
B. Good for you, life in the old dog yet?

Or should I go for

C. Who gives a st what anyone else thinks.
D. A nice second hand RT is far more practical.

[Biker's Nemesis]

C

Who cares what anyone thinks.

We're all here for a certain amount of time so just do what the fk makes you happy.

[trickywoo]

If you have to how about a Triumph Street Scrambler? I think McQueen would be one one of those over a Ducati.

[Gusto]

C

There was some old dog in the pub last night, dressed to the nines, with a girl young enough to be his grand daughter.

After my initial snigger, I said to the wife "xxxx it, who cares, look how damned happy that old boy is."

[EvoBarry]

Biker's Nemesis said:

C

Who cares what anyone thinks.

We're all here for a certain amount of time so just do what the fk makes you happy.

+1

Do what makes you happy, if others don't get it then that's their issue. My first thought when I saw the shots of the Sled were "XT500" Looks cool.

[Harry H]

trickywoo said:

If you have to how about a Triumph Street Scrambler? I think McQueen would be one one of those over a Ducati.

Quite agree on the badge front. I've never been a Ducati fan. But I just don't like theTrumpet. The exhaust looks crap for starters and theres far to much switch gear and stuff going on. It's trying too hard to look old and doesn't make it where as the Desert Sled looks like a modern take on an old theme and really works in my book .The XT 500 was one of the coolest bikes ever made in my book.

On the triumph I'd have to spend a fortune getting it to look minimal and I really can't be arsed.

Edited by Harry H on Wednesday 15th February 16:38

[Ilovejapcrap]

Gusto said:

C

There was some old dog in the pub last night, dressed to the nines, with a girl young enough to be his grand daughter.

After my initial snigger, I said to the wife "xxxx it, who cares, look how damned happy that old boy is."

What she look like ?

[Farlig]

E

Get an old XT500

[podman]

Why dont you just go the whole hog and just buy an XT or similar classic?

Way cooler than any of those options and an appreciating classic ..

[Harry H]

podman said:

Why dont you just go the whole hog and just buy an XT or similar classic?

Way cooler than any of those options and an appreciating classic ..

Totally agree but it's also for the daily commute so a modern bike with modern electronics with ABS and enough power etc etc. Not to mention brakes that actually work. Oh and don't forget an electric boot. The stories of being thrown over the handle bars when the XT500 kicked back whilst starting are true you know.

And they're banning old bikes from the City soon.

Edited by Harry H on Wednesday 15th February 17:09

[Gusto]

Ilovejapcrap said:

What she look like ?

40.


Maybe 50 pound an hour - I'm not up to speed on that market.

[black-k1]

Are you too old?

Our oldest member is in his late 70s and our youngest is rapidly approaching 40.

www.old-gits.org

Now tell me you're too old!

[LuS1fer]

I'm 57 and ride an SV650S. The riding position is not particularly favourable to older hips.
A comfy bike is not a toy, it is a necessity.
The only exception is people who dress as very clean Hells Angels, with very clean jackets, shiny chains and spotlessly clean badges and stickers and go to the pub in them, despite clearly not having arrived on their bike. It's a bit of an embarrassing look.
Retro bike, open face lid, some semblance of classic decorum like jeans and boots and bingo...

[Fleegle]

To some, age is just a number.

If at 56 you are asking if you are too old, then maybe you are

[klootzak]

C, definitely.

I have a Scrambler (just the Icon though) and I'm 53. No one can see how old you are when you're wearing a helmet anyway.

It's not perfect, sure, but the flaws just add character (true for both bike and rider, I hope).

k

[nobby c]

podman said:

Why dont you just go the whole hog and just buy an XT or similar classic?

Way cooler than any of those options and an appreciating classic ..

+1

[Biker's Nemesis]

This thread is bringing all the old farts out of the woodwork.

[dirkgently]

He once owned a Harley Davidson and a Triumph Bonneville.
Counted his friends in burned-out spark plugs
And prays that he always will.

[Stone Cold]

Biker's Nemesis said:

This thread is bringing all the old farts out of the woodwork.

Yep even me I vote C

I tried to be sensible(ish) last year and chopped the S1000RR for a ZZR1400 and it was duller than a dull thing so chopped that at some financial pain for a GSXR1000 MotoGP rep (not the new all singing one) and couldn't be happier, oh and I'm 55 this year and will be on Sportsbikes until I really can't bend myself on one without pain.

[kurt535]

Buy buy buy. Not to buy would be not to live.