Insane buying a bike at 50?
Discussion
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.
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.
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!
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!
Biker's Nemesis said:
At least you'll not die young if the worst happens.
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.
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
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
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!
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!
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 ), 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.I'm two years in at 55 yrs old. Have been honking around on a GS1150 since I passed (as befits my age ), love every minute of it. £130pa fully comp to insure.
Wife horrified at the time but sort of getting used to it.
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.
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.
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