Insane buying a bike at 50?

Insane buying a bike at 50?

Author
Discussion

boxst

Original Poster:

3,699 posts

144 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
Probably due to some mid-life crisis, I have the urge to start and have been looking at various 125cc and the CBT.

I just wonder if starting so late the instinctive riding has passed and as such am much more likely to injure myself? I have noticed that my car driving isn't exactly worse, but not as it was at it's peak.

Bikesalot

1,833 posts

157 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
You'll be fine. crack on.

Sea Demon

1,156 posts

212 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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Never too old - just do it and ignore your mates that say you'll die or kill yourself, they're just under the thumb biggrin

A bike only goes as fast as you want it to go - just pay attention and dont take the p*ss, you'll be fine

Rubin215

3,985 posts

155 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
When I was a bike instructor, my oldest student was 80 and only wanted to do the CBT to validate his moped entitlement.

I also had a student who went from CBT to full test who was in his 70's; he had always wanted a bike but his wife wouldn't let him.
He had his CBT booked before she was even buried!

Dick Seaman

1,075 posts

222 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
Get involved. I started at 46, you will almost certainly love it.
It's the best way to indulge a mid-life crisis.

Patrick Star

181 posts

62 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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Got my full licence last year at 52. Go for it!

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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Dick Seaman said:
Get involved. I started at 46, you will almost certainly love it.
It's the best way to indulge a mid-life crisis.
46 for me too and then straight into a 650 with no issues at all.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
Rubin215 said:
I also had a student who went from CBT to full test who was in his 70's; he had always wanted a bike but his wife wouldn't let him.
He had his CBT booked before she was even buried!
Made me chuckle smile

Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

124 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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When you have the desire to ride, it is insane NOT to buy a bike at 50.


dern

14,055 posts

278 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
50 is the new 49, you'll be fine.

Biker's Nemesis

38,536 posts

207 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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At least you'll not die young if the worst happens.

Biker 1

7,693 posts

118 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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Biker's Nemesis said:
At least you'll not die young if the worst happens.
hehe Absolutely this!!
I'm 50 & passed my test 10 years ago - best waste of money I can possible think of: beats golf, fishing, cycling, etc EVERY time!
Buy the most powerful bike you can afford. The adrenaline rush from giving it the beans out of every roundabout on my local bypass cannot be beaten. Makes you feel young again.

bogie

16,342 posts

271 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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You will be fine, get on with it ... take some post test training to accelerate your learning and hopefully help you avoid newbie mistakes.

Get through the first 2 years with no claims, and >50 year old you will be able to insure a superbike for a few hundred quid, and you will wonder why you didnt do it sooner smile

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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Do it OP! Forget the naysayers, take it easy and enjoy yourself.

You don't have to jump on a litre bike popping wheelies straight away, go as fast as you're happy with. If that means just pottering with traffic then so be it smile

Reg Local

2,676 posts

207 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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Did mine last year at 48 after 31 years of driving.

I did a direct access course mostly just for the sake of doing it, keeping up my principle of continually trying to learn something new & to find out if I might enjoy it as a bit of an extra hobby.

I found I enjoyed motorcycling much more than I thought I would. I now commute on the bike every day & I've done over 12,000 miles in the last 12 months.

Give it a go!

bigdog3

1,823 posts

179 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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I'm an OAP riding a 1000cc bike with 120hp biggrin

But must admit, I passed the bike test on a 250 quickly moving to a 650 when only aged 16. Society has gone soft since those days of freedom rolleyes

axisadman

25 posts

227 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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[quote=bigdog3]I'm an OAP riding a 1000cc bike with 120hp biggrin

Brilliant and ditto except 800cc. Best thing you can do, even the rush hour is fun. biggrin

LFB531

1,233 posts

157 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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Looks like plenty of us out there!

I'm two years in at 55 yrs old. Have been honking around on a GS1150 since I passed (as befits my age smile ), love every minute of it. £130pa fully comp to insure.

Wife horrified at the time but sort of getting used to it.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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LFB531 said:
Looks like plenty of us out there!

I'm two years in at 55 yrs old. Have been honking around on a GS1150 since I passed (as befits my age smile ), love every minute of it. £130pa fully comp to insure.

Wife horrified at the time but sort of getting used to it.
I think it's always the other half that has to be convinced. Luckily Mrs G was very supportive as she likes bikes herself but I can imagine some partners being very against.

tivver500

369 posts

269 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
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I came back into biking at the tender age of 60..... Did a 'BikeSafe' (run by the Police and well worth while.
Passed my RoSPA Gold award in 2016 and am now an Advanced tutor at the age of 69!!!
Age is no deterrent but I would advice taking some advanced riding lessons (with RoSPA or the IAM) after passing your test...
Ride safe.