Are you still fit to ride?

I haven't done any of the exercises/tests he listed, but I certainly will. I'm nearly certain the balance test will be good for a laugh and the 5xSTS is gonna be a pisser. Not certain I can do it at all, much less in under 10 seconds.

Balance and concentration were the two signs that convinced me it was time to hang up the helmet.
 
Well I'm good enough to putter around on this :sneaky:
Butterscotch July 26.jpg
 
Two of my bike rules are: When you think its getting close to time to replace tires, Its time to replace tires.
And, when its getting close to time to replace the battery, its time to replace the battery.
Maybe a 3rd rule should be: when your thinking its time to give up riding, ......
 
Good thing I love wrenchin' as much as riding....

I ruptured my inner ear (left) back in my late 20's... early 30's which gave me severe vertigo issues. A good doc taught me some exercises to mitigate it. That's worked until about 2 yrs ago when I almost dropped my bike 3 times in the span of 30 min. When I come to a stop and look left and right, the world starts spinning. The exercises no longer work... old age has caught up. :cautious:

Not the end of the world. I've got a side hack for the SG. Won't be able to drag a knee anymore, but hey... at least I'll be back out in the wind. :smoke:
 
Good stuff Gary
Yes. I'll be trying all of theese tests.
I suppose it makes sense but one thing I notice more is how my concentration, balance and vision are markedly better in the morning. I don't ride much at night.
Side note, I saw a version of the stand from the floor test where you lost points for involuntary vocalization .
 
Aww, you guys are breaking my heart.

I hope I’m still fit to ride for a long while(physically) and mentally even longer.

Then again, when I took the rider’s safety course and they asked us to rate ourselves on a scale of 1-10 on various self assessment parameters, I was the only one in the class who put myself at a 10 on “likely to crash”

Although I hope it never happens, and I’ll try my best to avoid it, experience tells me its almost inevitable when getting on two wheels 🏍️😎

These are some good tests and a very interesting way of considering acuity and responsiveness as it relates to riding and general health. None of us are getting younger so it’s all good to keep in consideration.
 
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I saw a version of the stand from the floor test where you lost points for involuntary vocalization .
Yeah the grunting is the ONLY thing I'd get out that one!
@DogBunny demonstrated that at the Ozarks rally. Showoff!
I guess one sure fire test is kick starting the Norton, taking it to meet the baby beemer buyer for lunch, I had a couple things he didn't get.
 
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I'm still fit although test #4 I failed..I could get about 6 secs on each leg at best...been like this for years..low back and hips were complaining...
does that mean I should give up riding? Maybe but I'm stubborn....so nope..
Take up exercise. Until you’re in a wheelchair, you can improve. It worked for me.
 
I guess one sure fire test is kick starting the Norton
Hah couple prime kicks and it fired up and ran on the first cylinder!
Yeah I can kick it through ONE TDC, NOT the second one.
and a nice little 30 smiles Norton ride to lunch. :bike: Was well behaved but seriously, Madness handles better.......... :sneaky:

Norton RH (2).JPG :boxing: KIMG0346.JPG
 
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Take up exercise. Until you’re in a wheelchair, you can improve. It worked for me.
Yes to that .. And besides that ---Riding and Wrenching is an exercise in itself.
Lifting ..Pushing
Hands gets stronger Neck and Arms if one drives fast.
If muscles gets a bit exercise the joints and bones are better protected.
I have noticed that some days 1 or 2 in a season -- on a Sports bike it is not working when speed increases
The processing of information gets to large Getting the wrong line ...wrong brake point.
wrong gear .and then again other days it is better.
Some day it is over .But I feel he in the video overthinks it . Crossed knees and rise up I would hurt the knees.And have been so for many years.
Small back roads on a 50 Hp Yamaha using common sense ...Keeping the speed legal. I wont stop riding .. That easy.
Tests or no Tests.
Motorcycling never was safe. So these tests or protective gear can help but not much I think .
 
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