Bikeless after 48 years
Discussion
I got my first bike - a Honda SS50 when I was 16 and have had a motorbike constantly since that time. For the first 20 odd years I never owned a car and was a London despatch rider for most of that time. Regular trips to Le Mans & the Bol d'or were highlights. Although I continued biking over the years I've ridden less and less and after selling my K1100LT today I don't see me getting another one. I never thought I'd be without a bike as it's the best way to get around but circumstances have conspired against me 
I'm sure I'm gonna miss having the bike option just sitting there even though I'd used it less and less over the last few years, and although I never had a big accident I think not riding regularly the odds of a prang become more likely so I'll have to use that to convince me I've made the right decision.
Kudos to all those older people still biking into their 60s and beyond.
I'm sure I'm gonna miss having the bike option just sitting there even though I'd used it less and less over the last few years, and although I never had a big accident I think not riding regularly the odds of a prang become more likely so I'll have to use that to convince me I've made the right decision.
Kudos to all those older people still biking into their 60s and beyond.
Bazsm said:
after selling my K1100LT today I don't see me getting another one.
Focus, dear boy, focus.Any room in your life for a Caterham or Elise? Yes, the older gentleman may struggle to duck his head under the roof but if you have a garage or can arrange a car port you can keep it as a fair weather car.
Obison said:
That's a shame to read that, have you maybe thought about something smaller and lighter? I may help you use it more?
This is the thing to try.Two friends have changed to something smaller and lighter.
One is 72, and has gone from an NT1100 to a CL500, the other is 81 and has swapped his Royal Enfield 650 for a 250cc scooter, both are happy with their decision.
It’s comming to me soon , no motorbike , retirement financially dictates we will have to go from 2 cars / 1 motorbike to 1 car , I’m gutted , but a roof over our heads / food on the table is more important however much I love motorbikes .
I’m just going to remember the great times I’ve had on motorbikes , watch loads of bike racing , have a wander around bike showrooms , maybe nab a pillion on a mates bike
Life chucks these things up , as I say remember the no doubt great times you’ve had owning / riding motorbikes , all the best
I’m just going to remember the great times I’ve had on motorbikes , watch loads of bike racing , have a wander around bike showrooms , maybe nab a pillion on a mates bike
Life chucks these things up , as I say remember the no doubt great times you’ve had owning / riding motorbikes , all the best
I got my bike licence in 1977 at the age of 17 and only rode bikes until I was 21 when I bought a cheap car and passed my car test. I had bikes still up until my second son was born and financial situatiopn didin't allow me to have a bike as well as a car.
Go forward to 2001 when I was in a better position and got back into bikes, then trackdays, then more than one bike at a time, then divorce but kept one bike but had to give up trackdays due to cost.
In 2015 I buggered my left knee, snapped ACL and median ligaments meaning 6 moths in a leg brace but I did get away with not needing surgery so got back on the bike.
Last year 2025 I did very little riding as I needed my left hip replacing which was done at the end of last July. I got back on the bike 27/02/2026 to take it for an MOT (it's the only time I've ever SORNed a bike) ande have just come back from 4 days away in Scotland with a group of mates, 800 miles in the 4 days, no problem.
I will be 66 in less than 3 weeks but intend to continue to ride my Ninja1000SX, in fact I have a 3 day trip planned for next month and a 10 days trip to Austria and surroundings at the end of July.
I hope to keep riding for a good few more years.
Go forward to 2001 when I was in a better position and got back into bikes, then trackdays, then more than one bike at a time, then divorce but kept one bike but had to give up trackdays due to cost.
In 2015 I buggered my left knee, snapped ACL and median ligaments meaning 6 moths in a leg brace but I did get away with not needing surgery so got back on the bike.
Last year 2025 I did very little riding as I needed my left hip replacing which was done at the end of last July. I got back on the bike 27/02/2026 to take it for an MOT (it's the only time I've ever SORNed a bike) ande have just come back from 4 days away in Scotland with a group of mates, 800 miles in the 4 days, no problem.
I will be 66 in less than 3 weeks but intend to continue to ride my Ninja1000SX, in fact I have a 3 day trip planned for next month and a 10 days trip to Austria and surroundings at the end of July.
I hope to keep riding for a good few more years.
I had this discussion a week or so ago with a pall of mine .
He is 66 and I am 61 . Both had bikes at 16. We both decided that our bikes would no doubt get smaller and lighter but we would always have one whilst we could sit on the thing.
I can go weeks without riding the bike but I feel I need to have one in the garage, it's part of who I am.
I have actually not enjoyed the last two or three rides I have done so I just leave it for a few weeks and then go back fresh.
He is 66 and I am 61 . Both had bikes at 16. We both decided that our bikes would no doubt get smaller and lighter but we would always have one whilst we could sit on the thing.
I can go weeks without riding the bike but I feel I need to have one in the garage, it's part of who I am.
I have actually not enjoyed the last two or three rides I have done so I just leave it for a few weeks and then go back fresh.
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. ATM there's no real opportunity to get another bike as our family life doesn't really work for one but I guess never say never - its just a sad feeling not having one sitting there after so long.
I did buy an Alpina when my wife could no longer pillion and that's become a big reason for letting the bike go but great as the B10 is it doesn't give the same kind of freedom a motorbike does.
I did buy an Alpina when my wife could no longer pillion and that's become a big reason for letting the bike go but great as the B10 is it doesn't give the same kind of freedom a motorbike does.
Honestly mate - try a classic scooter.
I’ve have a lot of bikes of all types but I keep going back to my tuned 1999 Vespa px 200. It has a 210 tuning kit in it and goes like stink. Easy to use , electric start and great fun. It has outlived a lot of bigger bikes. You need to avoid potholes so this makes the ride even more engaging !
I’ve have a lot of bikes of all types but I keep going back to my tuned 1999 Vespa px 200. It has a 210 tuning kit in it and goes like stink. Easy to use , electric start and great fun. It has outlived a lot of bigger bikes. You need to avoid potholes so this makes the ride even more engaging !
swanseaboydan said:
Honestly mate - try a classic scooter.
I ve have a lot of bikes of all types but I keep going back to my tuned 1999 Vespa px 200. It has a 210 tuning kit in it and goes like stink. Easy to use , electric start and great fun. It has outlived a lot of bigger bikes. You need to avoid potholes so this makes the ride even more engaging !
A modern scooter is even easier to use, and more practical. I ve have a lot of bikes of all types but I keep going back to my tuned 1999 Vespa px 200. It has a 210 tuning kit in it and goes like stink. Easy to use , electric start and great fun. It has outlived a lot of bigger bikes. You need to avoid potholes so this makes the ride even more engaging !
I expect my last two wheel transport will be a Vespa 125
In June, the Old Gits - there are 24 of us - are off for a week in the Dolomites. The majority are over 60 and a fair few are over 70.
In September, the Old Gits Extra Trip is going to the South East of France to ride the Route des Grande Alpes. Again, the majority are over 60.
I would suggest your lack of enthusiasm for biking could easily be the result of a lack of focus for your riding. If you really don't want to ride any more then that's fine, but if you're giving up because you "think you ought to" then it's pretty easy to find a focus for your riding which will give you all the justification you need to continue riding.
In September, the Old Gits Extra Trip is going to the South East of France to ride the Route des Grande Alpes. Again, the majority are over 60.
I would suggest your lack of enthusiasm for biking could easily be the result of a lack of focus for your riding. If you really don't want to ride any more then that's fine, but if you're giving up because you "think you ought to" then it's pretty easy to find a focus for your riding which will give you all the justification you need to continue riding.
As has been said, I can fully understand why you've got rid of a K series BMW.
Try something smaller, there's some cracking 400'ish CC bikes out there, or get a Royal Enfield, they're cheap and proving very popular. Or a scooter, I've run a 300 and 400cc scooter for a few years and it was brilliant. Currently have a Honda XADV 750 scooter/ bike hybrid and i can't see me shifting it on for a fair while.
I thought i was quitting biking before covid, within 2 months, I had two wheels back in the garage.
Try something smaller, there's some cracking 400'ish CC bikes out there, or get a Royal Enfield, they're cheap and proving very popular. Or a scooter, I've run a 300 and 400cc scooter for a few years and it was brilliant. Currently have a Honda XADV 750 scooter/ bike hybrid and i can't see me shifting it on for a fair while.
I thought i was quitting biking before covid, within 2 months, I had two wheels back in the garage.
Bazsm said:
I got my first bike - a Honda SS50 when I was 16 and have had a motorbike constantly since that time. For the first 20 odd years I never owned a car and was a London despatch rider for most of that time. Regular trips to Le Mans & the Bol d'or were highlights. Although I continued biking over the years I've ridden less and less and after selling my K1100LT today I don't see me getting another one. I never thought I'd be without a bike as it's the best way to get around but circumstances have conspired against me
I'm sure I'm gonna miss having the bike option just sitting there even though I'd used it less and less over the last few years, and although I never had a big accident I think not riding regularly the odds of a prang become more likely so I'll have to use that to convince me I've made the right decision.
Kudos to all those older people still biking into their 60s and beyond.
Get soemthing smaller, lighter and more fun! I ve got lots of bikes, about 18 or so, and some of my faves have 10 to 50 hp. I'm sure I'm gonna miss having the bike option just sitting there even though I'd used it less and less over the last few years, and although I never had a big accident I think not riding regularly the odds of a prang become more likely so I'll have to use that to convince me I've made the right decision.
Kudos to all those older people still biking into their 60s and beyond.
Even soemthing like an a2 or similar bike, (but watch the insurance cost as attract new riders). I had a cbr300 Honda for my camper van, light, looked cool in Repsol,colours, and was like a super 125 . Would do 80 easy, light round town, rack and top box to carry s
t. And a great laugh on roundabouts, proper knee down laugh if you want to. Cost me 1300 quid and I got 1450 for it 3 years later!
Btw, I am only 56 but have ridden for 53 of them and raced for 52!
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