Am I too old to ride a motorbike.
Discussion
Never too late to try something new! It's a long time since I saw 60 and I'm still an active motorcyclist.
Three years ago we were on the Chunnel with the bike and got talking to a middle-aged chap with a Honda Goldwing.
"Nice bike - had it long?"
"Got it Friday as soon as I passed my Direct Access Test"
"Bloody hell - fair play to ya - where are you going?"
"Thought I'd try Greece first..."
So this chap had passed his test Friday morning, collected the bike Friday afternoon and was headed to Greece for his maiden voyage on the Saturday!
Three years ago we were on the Chunnel with the bike and got talking to a middle-aged chap with a Honda Goldwing.
"Nice bike - had it long?"
"Got it Friday as soon as I passed my Direct Access Test"
"Bloody hell - fair play to ya - where are you going?"
"Thought I'd try Greece first..."
So this chap had passed his test Friday morning, collected the bike Friday afternoon and was headed to Greece for his maiden voyage on the Saturday!
If you are physically fit enough, no problems. In fact, training at that age you will probably be a safer rider than those who climb back on after a twenty or more years hiatus.
This is the perfect time of year too!
Get a bike that fits you properly once you have your CBT, if you reckon you’ll stick with it.
This is the perfect time of year too!
Get a bike that fits you properly once you have your CBT, if you reckon you’ll stick with it.
Edited by SnowStar on Saturday 1st June 16:43
I see plenty of bikes sold by folks who decided it wasn’t for them after trying it. Not familiar with the modern training route but I would do the theory then CBT first stand alone rather than tied in to any intensive course. Only then would I consider booking a full course, and it would be best to have something to practise on meanwhile.
Never too old to learn, a mate who is nearly 50 is doing his CBT next week, just get on with it.
Your weight isnt an issue, although much depends on physical fitness, obviously you may not wish to be scrunching yourself up onto a tiny modern sportsbike right away, but there is a huge choice of great performing bikes available new and used. Just find something you are comfortable on that you like the look of
Your weight isnt an issue, although much depends on physical fitness, obviously you may not wish to be scrunching yourself up onto a tiny modern sportsbike right away, but there is a huge choice of great performing bikes available new and used. Just find something you are comfortable on that you like the look of
Go for it! I did my CBT at 44, then my full licence at 46.
As others have pointed out, you may decide this isn't for you in the long run - I've dealt with that by renting bikes for the odd weekend or road trip. In the UK I've used Road Trip in Woking and West Sussex Hire in Chichester. In the US I've used Ride2RideAgain and Motoquest in LA. By carefully picking the right deals, I'm renting for US$100/day over here, and I'd say I can rent ~20 days/year for less than the running costs of owning a bike.
As others have pointed out, you may decide this isn't for you in the long run - I've dealt with that by renting bikes for the odd weekend or road trip. In the UK I've used Road Trip in Woking and West Sussex Hire in Chichester. In the US I've used Ride2RideAgain and Motoquest in LA. By carefully picking the right deals, I'm renting for US$100/day over here, and I'd say I can rent ~20 days/year for less than the running costs of owning a bike.
I went on a 1 week course to get a full bike licence in 2002 when I was 58 and passed first time. Bought a Moto Guzzi California 1100 after the instructors talked me out of getting a Harley as intended initially. Sold it now, Cancer has taken over unfortunately.
Edited by Robin Hood on Saturday 1st June 23:28
Matt-y5sy7 said:
Ok - I'm 46, 18 1/2 stone so not slim and have never ridden a motor bike.
Why not start to learn, but promise yourself you'll only buy yourself one when you get to 13.5 stone? Kill 2 birds with one stone. Of course you can ride a bike at 18.5 stone, but given bike makers put so much effort into minimising the weight of the machine, seems only fair you should do your bit.
Matt-y5sy7 said:
so cbt first (with zero experience?) then buy a bike, then practice on the road? then a test? then buy a proper bike? is that the plan?
As others have said don't bother with a learner legal bike. Direct Access is the way to go. Pass test, buy bike. Easy.And you're never too old.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff