Topic: Born to Be Wild, Aging Bikers Settle for Comfy- A Look at Your Future

[CBGhia]

Talk about being in denial!

Everyone knows that trikes are inherently unstable and dangerous.
Why did every major manufacturer and jurisdiction ban the sale of off road (the most common form if trike) three wheeler?
They are only safe if the front has two wheels, like the Spider, but that should only appeal to the snowmobile crowd.
Then you want to throw some sorry a$$ muppet on it and send him/her out into the public highways.
Sorry, but that's just wrong.

The outlawed 3 wheelers because if you do not land right on a jump, you will go over.  They are not as safe for off-road use (though I have ridden several of them and I never got hurt), but trikes are fine for on-road use if built properly.

Again, try riding one before you comment on something you have no idea about.

[markb]

Comparing a 3-wheeled ATV to a trike is like comparing a 4-wheeled ATV to a car.  If I ride a 3-wheeled ATV incorrectly it will be dangerous.  If I ride my trike incorrectly it will also be dangerous.

[754]

 I rode the Spyder, liked it except the not leaning part.. felt a lot powerwise like my tired 836..
 I thnk people should try them out at least. if there was a cheap syder I could afford to cosmetically destroy, I wood have one for winter use..
 I think trikes may be easier to ride than a sidecar..

 I rode the last 3 winters here in Canada, and a car will not replace a bike/trike for me for recreation.. I like the wind. I ride bicycles a lot too..2 or 3 whhels for me..

[FunJimmy]

Comparing a 3-wheeled ATV to a trike is like comparing a 4-wheeled ATV to a car.  If I ride a 3-wheeled ATV incorrectly it will be dangerous.  If I ride my trike incorrectly it will also be dangerous.

The laws of physics remain the same regardless of intended use.
Cornering at high rate of speed exponentially increases the likely hood of rollover.
To avoid, ride like an old fart.   

[markb]

The laws of physics remain the same regardless of intended use.
Cornering at high rate of speed exponentially increases the likely hood of rollover...

...whether it's 2 wheels, 3 wheels or 4 wheels. 

[Markcb750]

 I have ridden trikes, even found a Goldwing derived one I rode in 2010 awkward.  Salesman said his wife out-rode sport bikes on the Dragon, I remained skeptical after a 5 mile ride 

The point I am making is not about the esthetic value of a Trike. Just not my cup of tea. 

[BeSeeingYou]

I have ridden trikes, even found a Goldwing derived one I rode in 2010 awkward.  Salesman said his wife out-rode sport bikes on the Dragon, I remained skeptical after a 5 mile ride 

 

I think the key word in that statement is "salesman".

[BeSeeingYou]

I would not feel in the least bit uncool in one of these.  Definitely something to think about in my later years...or now for that matter.    The great race car driver Stirling Moss who owned one is on record as saying “My Morgan was a great babe magnet”.

Last two photos are of the ACE built in Seattle.

JAY LENO TESTS NEW MORGAN 3-WHEELER IN ENGLAND

[faux fiddy]

Here's another alternative for people with failing health and old age creeping up, that might look a bit silly to the younger, fitter members here, who haven't had their "mortality check" yet. Cheers, Terry.

http://trikealternatives.com/ghostwheels/

When I was four we called those training wheels. When I was 23 training wheels were the pair of wheels for putting in miles, they didn't have sew-up tires.

[Terry in Australia]

Speaking for myself, I have no problem what so ever with trikes or those that ride them. Having suffered a dislocated hip at the age of 12, I went through many years living with painful arthritis before finally having hip replacement surgery at the age of 36. Since then, I have been able to get back into motorcycling. But I know, that due to my weakened joints, it won't last forever. When that time comes, I plan on 'triking' it. If any of you limp-wristed nancy boys have a problem with that, then it must be due to your masculine insecurity. Those that feel I should be driving a Miata instead, can go buy one for themselves and I'll kindly wave as my trike blows past you, the wind ruffling your skirt into your face. 

Ha ha, dead right Schmitty, I think Mark has mistaken "Testosterone" for "Estrogen". Paul's Rocket III trike produces 30% more BHP than one of those girly Miata's, and is only a third of the Miata's weight. I think that'd blow Mark's skirt right off!

[Markcb750]

If you are of sound mind and competent motor control but due to a physical problem cannot stand a bike up, ride a trike, I think it's great, I did not intend to make my short post imply criticism of that or people that just like to ride trikes.   Y'all need to lighten up.


A little background; an experience of mine that helped form my opinion.

When I shopped for a cruiser in 2009,I was standing in front of a dealer in Asheborro.  A rider came into  the parking lot, hit a crack in the pavement and literately fell over.  I ran over to help, about 100 feet,  and asked him how he was because he was not attempting to get out from under. He said nothing. 

I  lifted his Suzuki Cruiser up, allowed him to stand up, put it on the side stand and again asked how he was. No answer again.  He took off his helmet, my guess he was 80.

By then his friends, a group of old Honda riders that meet there every Saturday morning, showed up.  I could now tell he was extremely embarrassed.  His friends finally got him to talk they thanked me for helping.  One of his friends said  "We told you not to ride anymore Harry, Christ your gonna get f'n killed". 

That won't be me, my cyber-friends.... 

[Nikkisixx]

I just don't get it.  Advocates claim they like the wind in their face, but almost every trike I see has a windscreen.  Then they say it is performance, but the trikes I see are HUGE fat pig of a beast, going 30 mph in a 45 mph zone, and several are dragging a trailer!  Then it must be the feel of riding, but you can't lean the beastly things so it can't feel like a bike at all.


I have never ridden a trike for the same reason I've never been to the gynecologist:
it just isn't for me.  When I get too old and feeble to ride my skateboard I'm not about to start rollerblading.   In my "golden years" when I can't ride I may not get a Miata, but something in the garage will be a drop top go fast machine with 4 wheels.

[Terry in Australia]

If you are of sound mind and competent motor control but due to a physical problem cannot stand a bike up, ride a trike, I think it's great, I did not intend to make my short post imply criticism of that or people that just like to ride trikes.   Y'all need to lighten up.


A little background; an experience of mine that helped form my opinion.

When I shopped for a cruiser in 2009,I was standing in front of a dealer in Asheborro.  A rider came into  the parking lot, hit a crack in the pavement and literately fell over.  I ran over to help, about 100 feet,  and asked him how he was because he was not attempting to get out from under. He said nothing. 

I  lifted his Suzuki Cruiser up, allowed him to stand up, put it on the side stand and again asked how he was. No answer again.  He took off his helmet, my guess he was 80.

By then his friends, a group of old Honda riders that meet there every Saturday morning, showed up.  I could now tell he was extremely embarrassed.  His friends finally got him to talk they thanked me for helping.  One of his friends said  "We told you not to ride anymore Harry, Christ your gonna get f'n killed". 

That won't be me, my cyber-friends.... 

And that's the difference Mark, that's exactly the way I want to go, not sitting in my commode chair in the nursing home waiting to die, like you're going to...............   

[Markcb750]

And that's the difference Mark, that's exactly the way I want to go, not sitting in my commode chair in the nursing home waiting to die, like you're going to...............   

Me too, a fast clean end has merit, but the problem with that wish is the poor bastard that hits you and gets to live the rest of their life wondering how they might have avoided killing your dumb ass. 

Just doesn't seem right to me.  Like I said getting old is not a job for cowards.

I really don't think you would like to have been Harry.  It was not a pleasant experience, I am sure his friends were trying to help him but you should have seen the look on his face.  Maybe they got through that time, I will never know.

Today, I'm like a fighter pilot, I know I can beat em all, but when I get like old Harry the confidence to continue will be gone.   Hopefully my empathy & common sense will not be.

Maybe in a land with more kangaroos than people you can count on a Roo to do the deed for you. In the land of 300,000,000 plus people,  the odds don't favor that kind of out come.


And besides one more good BM at the end would be good thing.  I just hope it's in a commode and not in a diaper  

[Terry in Australia]

Mate, seriously, if you think a testosterone driven alternative to a bike is a Miata, you aint no fighter pilot, you're a limp wristed desk jockey. "Getting old is not for cowards" is a lovely saying, but that's all it is, just another meaningless saying. "Keep on Trucking"................

[Markcb750]

Some thing I know from my adventures in life, Mate, when you hit close to the mark about a persons personal insecurities with self-perception, they project those insecurities onto others.

Many Preachers that rant about gays, like to be buggered.

Many Macho men who rant about  Feminization,  go home and dress in bra & panties. 

Many people that rant about the feminity of a car, personalty fear being perceived as a girl.

When you question someone telling a tall tale, they get mad from fear of being exposed. 

Maybe none of these corollaries apply to you, if they don't, we will know.

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, I think you've been browsing your Miata catalogue too long mate, I think you need to stop your personal naval gazing and go for a ride, that's what I'm doing today!

[Markcb750]

I've already done 50+ miles on a run to Iron Horse to pick up petcock repair parts for my current project,  took the long way home.


All kinds of fun. 

I never owned or read a Miata catalog, how do you know they have such things available?

I did have a '97 M Miata,  bought it new. Between my oldest son and I we put 170K on it. Great car.  Loved the engine bay it was clearly a classic sports car.  I don't like the current model, under the hood looks like a the top of my garbage can.

[BobbyR]

You have little time left, and none of it for crap. A fine state. I would say that the best of us always comes out when we are against the wall, when we feel the sword dangling overhead. Personally, I wouldn't have it any other way.”

[754]

.. Cars,, most common excuse/crutch for low mile riders...
 myself I like two wheels or maybe 3, rode the last 3 winters in Canada w/o a windshield, dont anticipate ever needing one...
 You can make any excuse you want but 75 % of bike owners are low milers... take your car over a trike, but I aint gonna if the time comes..

[Retro Rocket]

Some thing I know from my adventures in life, Mate, when you hit close to the mark about a persons personal insecurities with self-perception, they project those insecurities onto others.

Many Preachers that rant about gays, like to be buggered.

Many Macho men who rant about  Feminization,  go home and dress in bra & panties. 

Many people that rant about the feminity of a car, personalty fear being perceived as a girl.

When you question someone telling a tall tale, they get mad from fear of being exposed. 

Maybe none of these corollaries apply to you, if they don't, we will know.

Mark, you seem to know lots about "girly men" and nothing about Aussies mate, if you like driving a Miata in womens underwear and exposing yourself then good luck to you....

[Terry in Australia]

Well, when I'm too old to ride our Goldwing I can always ride one of our 750's, they're smaller, lighter, slower and easier to pick up. Gosh, they must be an old man's bike.  When I'm too old to ride a small bike I guess it's trike time too.     Cliff.

I'm going for a ride tomorrow on my Triumph Rocket III, with a mate who's got a shiney new Goldwing Cliff, it's got all the bells and whistles, and I'm happy to say, it weighs a whopping 933 pounds! I'm gonna kick his ass............

[Markcb750]

Mark, you seem to know lots about "girly men" and nothing about Aussies mate, if you like driving a Miata in womens underwear and exposing yourself then good luck to you....

Now are you not glad that I can tell that you imagine I wear underwear that has been possessed by women and that you simply do not know that women is the plural case of woman?



I've had several Aussies work around me, and for me.  Some were OK some were self aggrandizing blowhards just like every other nationality.   Whats your point?  Do you think it requires special understanding of human behavior to fully appreciate an Aussie?

Please, allow me to  tell you another short tale:

One Aussie I had the pleasure of getting to know claimed to be a Brick Mason, his boss had him do a couple of small jobs for me, ground level veneer stuff.  I got to know Charles a little.  Then the SOB extended a chimney for me on a 2nd floor addition.  Drunken braggart put a 3 inch twist and a 6 inch lean in a 10 foot extension.   His boss tore it down and rebuilt it.  Of course the Aussie disappeared, on "walkabout" we guessed,  leaving Juan & Jose to clean up the mess.  More probably  he left looking for another woman to whom he could tell tall tales and entice her to pay for his trip back to the center of the "manly" universe.  Charles had bragged about getting an American girl to pay for his trip here.   

We laughed for several days discussing if he was Paul Hogan's little brother, or just thought Crocodile Dundee was an instructional  film for making it big in America.   

His boss  worked with me for 5 years after that doing stone and brick work on my contracts.  Good Guy, stood behind his work without excuses.  Damn shame the Wall Street boys had to get so greedy.


I don't judge all Aussies by Charles, nor would I by an entertaining  internet dust about how to age gracefully.   And because I know I never wore women's underwear, and that a Miata is a great car, Y'all can be as entertaining to your peers as you like. 

Me I just like a good interchange. We can discuss the fundamental nature of  the the Universe, or the personal choice of mechanical conveyance when we get old.  It's all good.

[MRieck]

Someday, if you are lucky you may reach an age where you have to make the choice. That little sports injury that bothers you now and them will start bothering you all the time. Wear and tear gentleman, wear and tear.

That is gospel Bobby. Do you want to total "give it up" or compromise? I seen guys with 1 leg, polio victims etc etc riding sidecars, trikes. Ever seen the wheelchair strapped to the back of a VW engined trike? That being said my brother recently did some tree work for a guy 78 years old. He had just sold his CBR929 as he had real trouble getting off and on it.

[BobbyR]

Thanks Mike. Check the B thread I put some thing for you and Andy there.