How will you decide when it's time?

My dad quit driving when he was 90, about the same time he lost his mind. There was no decision to make. He would have been like car, what's a car? Slightly before that point I guess he knew he couldn't do it and quit. And agoraphobia was creeping in besides so he had no inclination to go anywhere. Just before then was an interesting time period. He got a picture of himself when he was young off the wall and gave it to me and said "This is how I want you to remember me."
 
I’m 61 and just back into riding about 4 years ago after 25 years away (kids, mortgage, etc.)) so I guess I’m a new/old rider. I know that I’m not the rider I once was from the standpoints of stamina and to an extent, skills - but I still really enjoy it and I still feel safe. I think that age can (in most people) bring a maturity that places wise limits on us that are not always possessed by younger people. When that maturity begins to be overtaken by dementia or stubborn ego, then tragedy is just around the corner. I pray that I’ll know it when the time comes.

I tell people that riding a motorcycle is more like flying an airplane than driving a car. The aspects of route planning, the physical skills, the attention to detail and the constant vigilance for changing weather, traffic and road conditions plus keeping an eye on how your machine is functioning really bring that flying analogy home to me. This activity is not for careless, sloppy or dozy people - it’s just too complex and the consequences of a mistake are simply too dire.

The big difference is that flying is so much more regulated with check rides and log books etc. while any twit with a few bucks and a key can go ride any bike, anytime. That’s really the problem in a nutshell, we have to regulate ourselves. I don’t have an answer, but it sure is a good question that has been raised.

Pete
 
...do you smoke cigarettes? At my age my friends that smoke are getting very inactive, i not a doctor but to me anyone that smokes needs to quit and then it takes time to get body and lungs happy again...but quitting very hard for most...especially if spouse codependent too...

If this was in reference to my post, no. Had maybe one or two puffs about 60 years ago and when mom figured it out that cured me fast!

Besides I'm too much a tight wad to be burning money like that!
 
...wish you the best , hope you get back to feeling good...
...good to hear you not smoke...
...this could extend "road to life" as yamaha describes...
...so who be the first to make an xs650 like this...
 
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...wish you the best , hope you get back to feeling good...
...good to hear you not smoke...
...this could extend "road to life" as yamaha describes...
...so who be the first to make an xs650 like this...

One of my riding buddies tried a Niken and he said that you can NOT tell it isn’t a conventional bike until you look down. He is an expert dirt and ice racer (2017 or 18 AMA Ice Racing Champion) and he liked it. At one point on the test ride the pack went around a corner that had some gravel on it but he said the Niken tracked with no drama at all.

Expensive and complex, but pretty cool!
 
...wish you the best , hope you get back to feeling good...
...good to hear you not smoke.

Well maybe a little good news today, insurance company did agree to the sleep study test. Never thought I would have to take a test for sleeping, usually had trouble not sleeping through some tests in school!

A week from today I will be heading off to be wired up and spend the night at the sleep center. Have a feeling they are going to be recommend one of those sleep masks with the turbocharger hooked to it. Maybe I can get a bottle of nitrous hooked up too?
 
Indeed, and Ken, the CPAP machine isn’t a big deal to use.

If you get one, try for a model with the detachable humidifier module (makes it smaller for travelling. Also, consider getting a “S-Clean” automatic mask, hose and reservoir cleaner. It is dead easy to use and will help keep you healthy.
 
I have a Bi-pap. WAY easier to use. It's like a c-pap but, instead of pressure all the time, it's just on the inhale only.
 
G/Day All
Some real good comments here. My take on it is once u stop enjoying riding, then its time to re-asses your own particular needs.
Iv'e just turned 65 and yes retired too and always looked forward to this time as a time when i would be riding a lot, but reality is just a little bit different. Lots of considerations come into planning a trip. Where will my rest stops be, no riding at night, which route to miss traffic. Which has the smoothest tar etc. etc.These are all adjustments we make so we can still ride and take pleasure from it.
At my retirement function one clown said " Ah retired now, only death to look forward to" what a thing to say, but i guess if u don't have an interest in life that's the kind of outlook u have, I replied " are u kidding coz iv'ed worked my whole life to get to enjoy my life".
Only fellow motorcyclists understand.
My riding mate is 70 and has had a stroke, lost some some mobility and strength in his left arm but do we give up hell no, his Triumph ST is gone now and He's got a Honda SC750, the one with the automatic clutch, but we still ride to extract quality from life. There will be a time when non of us can anymore, and we will Know but until then you adjust so that u have quality of life.
 
Yeah I'm backing off and slowing down.
5-2019 (2).JPG


You should have seen me BEFORE!
 
Well maybe a little good news today, insurance company did agree to the sleep study test. Never thought I would have to take a test for sleeping, usually had trouble not sleeping through some tests in school!

A week from today I will be heading off to be wired up and spend the night at the sleep center. Have a feeling they are going to be recommend one of those sleep masks with the turbocharger hooked to it. Maybe I can get a bottle of nitrous hooked up too?
Ken, if it turns out you do have sleep apnea, and you get on a cpap-type machine, there is a good chance that it will invigorate your life.
My sleep test revealed severe apnea. Got a C-PAP , automatic type, with a full mask , and humidifier. Took 4 masks to find the one that suited me. I'm no longer sleepy or tired during the day. No longer fall asleep at the wheel. Never take naps any more. And no more nightmares, which I had since a child.
If you insist on getting an automatic, this could give you the option of losing weight and possibly getting off the machine for good.
 
It's NEVER time; if you don't want it to be.
double up bike.jpg


This bike may look odd to some ... the man pictured wearing the helmet designed and built 90% of it himself. The reason this is significant is because this man is 100% blind. Now, with a little help from his brothers, he is able to feel the wind just like them.

The front engine is an empty case. Mostly used to store tools and parts. The bike can be ridden solo, but the throttle, clutch, and shifter are double linked to the rear so he can pull it through the gears on the open road.
 
It's NEVER time; if you don't want it to be.
View attachment 145489

This bike may look odd to some ... the man pictured wearing the helmet designed and built 90% of it himself. The reason this is significant is because this man is 100% blind. Now, with a little help from his brothers, he is able to feel the wind just like them.

The front engine is an empty case. Mostly used to store tools and parts. The bike can be ridden solo, but the throttle, clutch, and shifter are double linked to the rear so he can pull it through the gears on the open road.

That motorcycle reminded me of another one I saw. I was in a Walmart once and while I was shopping , I had noticed this guy in a wheelchair who was shopping. He looked to be in his forties and his wheel chair was this lightweight collapsible model. Later as I was walking to my car, I saw him in the parking lot. He had a Honda VTX1800 with a sidecar. It had been modified so that the front brake lever actuated both, front and rear brakes, and the shifter had been ran up to the handlebars , operated by a cable, and attached to a little stick shift.
I knew all of this because it caught my eye before I went into the store and I went over to check it out.

Anyways, he rolled up to it, and deftly pulled himself up onto the seat, then he reached down and folded the wheelchair and tossed it in the side car. I swear I felt like applauding the guy as he rode off!
 
...This bike may look odd to some ...
... The bike can be ridden solo, but the throttle, clutch, and shifter are double linked to the rear so he can pull it through the gears on the open road.

Ok, trying to picture this.

Imagine you're in front, you get to steer.
The guy in back is blind, and has control of throttle, shifting/clutch, brakes... :yikes:
 
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