Ageing out or The Crossroads

Glad you didn't get hit by that.
Judging from the damage to the car and where he ended up
he was really moving.
Hope the bikes not too badly damaged.
My wife showed some pictures to her security guard at work who was a Chicago police officer for 20 years, and he guessed the truck was going 45-55mph. Which sounds about right based on the speed limit for that road, and what people actually drive on it.
 
TO OLD TO WORK, TO YOUNG TO DIE.

Some of you know I closed my own business in January 2024 after 7 years of struggle through Brexit then COVID.
I then helped out a friend working as a self employed retail consultant, running a store whilst negotiating the sale of the building to the Triumph Motorcycle business next door; my last of work day was 15/03/2025. Many job applications and letters to trade friends resulted in no further work due to the trade I know tanking.

Good news is that on Monday next week I start work as a Sales Executive for Triumph Motorcycles, for the business that took over the building I helped sell to them.

A dream job for me and I cannot wait to get started.

Anyone up to buy a loaded Triumph Rocket 3?

Ads.:smoke:
NEW BOY TRIUMPHS AT NEW JOB!

Two days of induction into my new job at the Triumph dealership.
Day three and my first day on the sales floor.

Capture1.PNG

Sold a brand new Bonneville T120 ICON with extras for £15,500 this morning.

Then this afternoon...
Capture2.PNG

Sold brand new SPEED TRIPLE RS with Akrapovic titanium exhaust and fly screen for £19,300. Yikes!

So the old dog can do new tricks!
:smoke:
 
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I decided to hang it up after next season. Sold most of my bikes this year. Keeping the red ‘77 and my Honda wife hauler. In the process of moving my shop from my sister’s place to my garage. I’m turning 70 next year and except for special occasions like bike shows or parades, maybe a poker run, I’m done. My health issues keep piling up and the bike got harder to muscle around. I got 55 years of riding and a lot of memories, but I always thought 70 would be a good time to finish. Wife won’t let me put the’77 in the living room so it’ll probably go in the basement when I am done for good.
 
Btw, my older cousin turns 70 this year, and still rides his Suzuki GR650 once in a while. At a very gentlemanly pace, I must add 😉. He took the motorcycle licence at 16, in 1971. His first bike was a "Svithun Sprint" (rebadged "Tempo Sprint"), a norwegian built 100 cc bike with a german made Sachs engine. In 1975, he bought an RD350A, which he rode year round for a couple of years until he got his first car. Then very little bike riding, only a few rides on the RD, until he got the GR some 15 years ago. Nowadays he only rides on nice summer days, inbetween salmon fishing, sea fishing and birch firewood production. In fall and winter he is hunting moose, grouse/ptarmigan, hare and fox. And clearing snow around the house and for some neighbours with his tractor. So he manages to stay pretty active, and ride a motorcycle, despite a couple of rather seroius health issues. So he really sets a good example for me.
 
Back in the’70s there was a group called “Retreads” for riders over age 40. There just weren’t many older riders in the pre-Goldwing era. I remember a story in the Milwaukee Journal about a 60 year old BMW rider. They were that scarce. I think the increase in reliability, electric start, and changes in public opinion were the main reasons people continued to ride. Economic factors figured in too I guess. I think the motorcycle population will decrease dramatically in the next ten years. The smart phone babies have no interest, Motorcycles getting pricier and more complicated to work on, and newer bikes being built as disposable (Much like cars) computer on wheels. I have also noticed a drastic decrease in cost of used bikes. Not sure about the rest of the country but there are a lot of unsold $1500.00 XS650s around here. Even collector bikes have dropped significantly. Well, I guess I have depressed myself enough for the day. Got my 50th anniversary HS reunion tonight. Hope they play Glory Days !
 

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As the 63 year old ‘New Boy Junior’ in my new work place, I’m pleased to say I sold 4 bikes last week totalling £47,500.00 worth of new sales; More than the 25 year old veteran who is my mentor. …….😂
Maybe I was lucky, but I’ll take that.
I didn't know that you sold Thairumphs, don't tell Ray. We have an Indian dealership that sells Royal Enfields as well. One of the salesmen is a British guy, when he was showing me the Scout he asked if I had ever checked out the Enfields. I said "Oh, you mean the real Indians?" He just looked down and shook his head. Glad he wasn't too offended, that guy was about 6"5"
 
As the 63 year old ‘New Boy Junior’ in my new work place, I’m pleased to say I sold 4 bikes last week totalling £47,500.00 worth of new sales; More than the 25 year old veteran who is my mentor. …….😂
Maybe I was lucky, but I’ll take that.
Congrats Adamc. I am not at all surprised :):thumbsup:
 
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