Topic: 500/550/650's that followed me home

[Mark1976]

  Thank you .
  I had some progress pics of this 750 project in my phone that I was planning on using the next time this friend and I went out riding. I again was flabbergasted at the news of yet another rider that I've known for 3 decades, my age with a long history of years on a bike ... that had a scare, that has just stopped riding and gave away his machine. This is the second person I know that has been frightened off a machine that I won't be able to ride with in three years.
  Does anyone know if this normal to do at a certain age ?
Has it always been like that or is today's drivers responsible for today' s unshakable fear of riding?
 I didn't see it coming with my last riding buddy either , is this the way of the world that that I just didn't know exists until recently?  Let's say it could happen to any of us...what do we do then?
  That's what scares me.

   I don't believe what your experiencing is uncommon, everybody's different, so many variables to consider. I still ride but not big rides anymore, and the 2nd half of my season was severely curtailed by illness this year. I plan on riding more next season, but ya never know what might happen to change that. If your lucky you get to choose, if not, it gets decided for ya. I can't imagine not being able to ride, bike or motorcycle, (yet either of these activities is getting to be dangerous regardless of your age) but that days coming.

[grcamna2]

  Thank you .
  I had some progress pics of this 750 project in my phone that I was planning on using the next time this friend and I went out riding. I again was flabbergasted at the news of yet another rider that I've known for 3 decades, my age with a long history of years on a bike ... that had a scare, that has just stopped riding and gave away his machine. This is the second person I know that has been frightened off a machine that I won't be able to ride with in three years.
  Does anyone know if this normal to do at a certain age ?
Has it always been like that or is today's drivers responsible for today' s unshakable fear of riding?
 I didn't see it coming with my last riding buddy either , is this the way of the world that that I just didn't know exists until recently?  Let's say it could happen to any of us...what do we do then?
  That's what scares me.

Driving Motorcycles has always(I've loved riding for 51 years now)been great Fun for  me,although lately,it takes a bit more VIGILANCE. 
I think many people behind the wheels of their cars.. Need to let their 17 year old Son or daughter take over 'at the wheel',while the adult multi-tasks-Whatever;they can teach their adults 'how it's done',because those kids ENJOY driving. 

I cinch my helmet on,and put on my 'Game Face' and Then.. I turn on my inner attitude of defensive radar. Then, I'm ready to get on the road:all business.
I run rolling scenarios in my mind every time I see an automobile Anywhere on the road;I ask myself(for each one !  ) "What's the most stupid thing this driverless-car w/ a person inside can do Right Now?"  as I Expect these turds to FU&K -UP !
I get mentally ready to 'run the game' so I WIN.  Keep the radar on High the whole time ! Stay Pumped !  I love riding and don't plan to stop because of their SH*T ! 

[rb550four]

  Constantly changing conditions in traffic, in wildlife infested areas, on fast moving highways, and not to mention surprise  changes   in road conditions... always looking for the safe way out of every possible scenario, constantly.
 But we learned this young and continued to hone these skills so that we are fixated on the road and still enjoy the ride riding smart. I'd never want to give that up.
  I'll bet that I have met a dozen of riders locally that are 70,  some may be 80 or more, that have upgraded their Harleys to 3 wheels and some have swapped over to a Can am . They have a routine where they ride daily in any direction  and have lunch , they meet new friends while riding with old friends and may all ride together sometimes. They don't worry about falling over at the light, and some have their best girl on the back , with 3 wheels, they have no worry if their legs aren't what they used to be. They are still out there riding , enjoying life. Now I'm not saying that I expect to see 80 or more, but if I do, I'd like to do it the way they do.
 I want to know that if wake up in the morning, I can ride if I like.  And if I don't wake up , well then I don't have to worry about it.
   

[grcamna2]

  Constantly changing conditions in traffic, in wildlife infested areas, on fast moving highways, and not to mention surprise  changes   in road conditions... always looking for the safe way out of every possible scenario, constantly.
 But we learned this young and continued to hone these skills so that we are fixated on the road and still enjoy the ride riding smart. I'd never want to give that up.
  I'll bet that I have met a dozen of riders locally that are 70,  some may be 80 or more, that have upgraded their Harleys to 3 wheels and some have swapped over to a Can am . They have a routine where they ride daily in any direction  and have lunch , they meet new friends while riding with old friends and may all ride together sometimes. They don't worry about falling over at the light, and some have their best girl on the back , with 3 wheels, they have no worry if their legs aren't what they used to be. They are still out there riding , enjoying life. Now I'm not saying that I expect to see 80 or more, but if I do, I'd like to do it the way they do.
 I want to know that if wake up in the morning, I can ride if I like.  And if I don't wake up , well then I don't have to worry about it.
 

I understand.
I so glad bikes are still enjoyable,no matter what the conditions are.
The most important part of the motorcycle is You 

[BenelliSEI]

I often think in these terms, about my racing. My favourite place in the world is in my race suit, all the gear, strapped in with a six belts, window net down, ear plugs in. I went to a CASC a race school when I was sixteen and haven’t missed a season since (56 years). As a result of this focus (and family) my wife and I didn’t ride again until about 25 years ago…….

I’ve decided that when my lap times don’t measure up, I’ll stop and walk away. Pretty obvious metrics. Or, when I stop having fun (unlikely).

The bikes will be harder. Last year my wife decided she was done and I miss the partnership. She always rode her own machine and has no interest in “riding on the back”. I guess I’ll know when I get there?

[rb550four]

  Mark 1976  Sorry to hear that you haven't been well. I am familiar with health issues canceling part of the season, most of the season, and even all of the season, sure don't sound fair to me either. That's time ya can't get back, the only way to get even is to ride as much as you can when you are able.  Well that's what I did this time before the 2nd  replacement knee, I still felt like I was missing out on the good days but had enough rides in to cover some rainy days too. Can't complain, but sometimes I still do.
  BennelliSEI Who hasn't dreamed of racing all their lives, I know I have ,but never had an opportunity. But those who have and still do are the lucky ones. I know that you musta heard the phrase, A man gotta know his limits, sounds like you'll know when it's time. doesn't mean that you won't miss it  or leave a forever void.  But you were in a class of drivers that most drivers can only dream about.
 I'm sorry to hear that you have lost riding buddy too. One of my riding buds explained it to me when it happened to him but  I'm still having a hard time getting my head around it fully, just the thought of it frightens me.

[rb550four]

  Stuck in the house  with nothing to do . Ran through this thread and filled in some pics, it seems that I learned how to do it once after photo bucket, but then forgot how...the kids wouldn't help, but some how it came to me today so I filled in what I could in case I forget how again. Somethings about aging just suck and..., yeah...like whatever it was that I was just  thinking about.