Am i too old?

[greenfabiavrs]

Ok, been chatting to the mrs and ive tod her i would like to get a motorbike...a Harley Davidson to be exact, i havent got a bike licence although i used to ride a 125 when i was a lot younger, now, the mrs reckons im too old to start that 'game' as she called it. Im only 44!! Am i too old or (like in my opinion) just the right age for taking and passing my test??

Cheers.

Nick

Edited 18 October, 2015 by greenfabiavrs

[fabiamk2SE]

Welcome

Never too old mate. Follow your dreams.

Ive met bikers out and about that are in their 80's and still loving it. They arent fast n they dont want to be, they just love pootling around.

Biking is great. Most the biking people are lovely, just stop n chat n help eachother out.

Why not book a CBT n see what you think (:

Does sound a little bit midlife crisis though ahaha

[kevberlin]

Never too old.

Invest in proper training and commit to learning how to ride safely ( which does not necessarily mean slowly ).

Biking and bikers................great community.

Good luck

[Defenderben]

At 44 your not too old.

Not keen on your choice of bike but that is why we have so many makes/models/styles

Go for it go book up some lessons with your local motorcycle training centre.

[littleade]

of course not. You should be slightly sensible by now so less liable to do silly things and all the road miles you've got under your belt as a car driver will come in handy. Be warned though.... once you cross the line you'll be hooked. It's a bit like a virus, no known cure.....

 

As for the Harley.... not most bikers choice including mine but each to their own. good luck

[Madrunner]

Do it ! Definitely not too old to get started.

Make sure you get proper training though.

[fabiamk2SE]

of course not. You should be slightly sensible by now so less liable to do silly things and all the road miles you've got under your belt as a car driver will come in handy. Be warned though.... once you cross the line you'll be hooked. It's a bit like a virus, no known cure.....

As for the Harley.... not most bikers choice including mine but each to their own. good luck

I dno. Its the born again bikers that seem to spend most their time crashing on the cat n fiddle near me. 'Drive a mondeo in the week, had a 125 once, ill get a cbr fireblade'

But that doesnt sound like the OP. Being a harley guy (:

Proper training is a must though imo (: v

[greenfabiavrs]

Never driven a mondeo haha

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[seboni121]

Yes !! Chances are you will buy a bike which you will be unable to control, ive lost quite a few biker freinds over the years, hadnt riden for 20 years and straight on a 1000cc bike and hey presto into a wall,telegraph pole or similar ! If you are thinking on getting back on a bike re~learn please and start small please

[fabiamk2SE]

Yes !! Chances are you will buy a bike which you will be unable to control, ive lost quite a few biker freinds over the years, hadnt riden for 20 years and straight on a 1000cc bike and hey presto into a wall,telegraph pole or similar ! If you are thinking on getting back on a bike re~learn please and start small please

But not on a Harley?

Usually the R1 and Fireblade bunch.

Just take it sensibly n theres nothing to worry about. Its when they dont respect the bike that the bike bites back

[Prykey]

Never too old to learn to ride a PTW (Powered two wheeler) start easy and learn your craft, don't go too big too early and don't be put off by those that knock Harley-Davidson's as they normally have never ridden one!

 

Good luck with your next adventure

[littleade]

I dno. Its the born again bikers that seem to spend most their time crashing on the cat n fiddle near me. 'Drive a mondeo in the week, had a 125 once, ill get a cbr fireblade'

But that doesnt sound like the OP. Being a harley guy (:

Proper training is a must though imo (: v

 Yes but no but.....

 

As you say on a Hardley (or something similar, better, but cheaper) the risk is far less... he'll be more likely to fall asleep LOL. The problems  Seb refers to is for high capacity sports bikes which is very different as the performance those bikes have (200 hp , <200kg) is nothing like any car driver will ever experience on 4 wheels, so mix that with 2 and little experience and it ends in tears. as you rightly point out training is a must, Advanced training after he's passed his test will both make him safer and he'll enjoy biking more too.

[littleade]

don't be put off by those that knock Harley-Davidson's as they normally have never ridden one!

 

 

 

Oh yes I have.... I had the displeasure of riding a 1200 and a Dynaglide and they're **** IMO.. but as I said previously each to their own

[fabiamk2SE]

Harleys seem to be like marmite dont they.

Some absolutly love em, n some cant stand em. Doesnt seem to be a middle ground haha.

[littleade]

Harleys seem to be like marmite dont they.

Some absolutly love em, n some cant stand em. Doesnt seem to be a middle ground haha.

In their own environment in the USA they are hard to beat (straight roads, low speed limits) but this side of the pond it's more a 'lifestyle' thing. I actually wanted one until the test rides. Didn't go, didn't stop and didn't handle, but looked nice parked up. Just my opinion but a Triumph would be a better option.

[VAGCF]

I'm nearly 62 and was lucky enough to have taken my test when I was young.

 

Had a spell off bikes but got one again when I was 40. Not born again (hate that phrase) as I rode my mates on and off before I got one again.

 

Getting another bike (got 6 now!) was the best thing I did as it opened up a whole new world. Lots of new friends and toured extensively in UK and Europe. Wife came with me once the lads had grown up. Absolutely brilliant.

 

I know folks who have only passed their tests a year or so ago and they are really good riders.

 

As said, be wary of sports bikes (though I know you fancy a Harley, be careful and don't ride in groups with riders who are faster than you. Ride at a pace you are happy with.

[Chriswright03]

First of all.  No you are not too old.  Some years ago I had a neighbour who took and passed his test when he was 72!  He bought a Yamaha 600 Diversion which he rode sensibly if a little too slowly for my liking but he was safe.

 

I would ask you why you want to start biking and more in particular why a Harley?  OK as said they are not everyone's choice and certainly not mine but what do you plan to do on it?  Have you friends who ride them?  If you just like the look of them then that is fine but you will spend more time cleaning one than riding one and for me that is not what biking is about.  (We have someone here who will disagree if he pops his head up again).

 

Obviously we do not know, nor want to know your financial situation but any bike will cost a fair bit to own and a Harley won't be cheap even if you go second hand.  To do the job properly you will need to spend a fair bit on training then a lot more on equipment before you even think about how much you want to lash out on the steed of your dreams.

 

Think about it long and hard and if it is a fad forget it but if it is something you really want to do in life and you have the means then go for it.  Do it properly with all the training and right equipment and enjoy it for all it is worth.   This is not a rehearsal! 

 

Last but by no means least as has already been said ride at your own speed not those around you.

[greenfabiavrs]

I live in matlock in derbyshire and theres a huge following of harleys that regularly visit the area. Im not daft when it comes to bikes i know and understand how dangerous they can be. Theres a company in chesterfiled that does bike training and they also have a harley for you to train on. Im a plodder not a racer Was never into the high powered racers.

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[fabiamk2SE]

I live in matlock in derbyshire and theres a huge following of harleys that regularly visit the area. Im not daft when it comes to bikes i know and understand how dangerous they can be. Theres a company in chesterfiled that does bike training and they also have a harley for you to train on. Im a plodder not a racer Was never into the high powered racers.

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Just over the hill from me then. Im in Buxton (:

Im often down your way on the VFR. Infact, i had a ride through on Saturday (:

I assume youre reffering to the one next to CMC claycross? (:

[greenfabiavrs]

Yeah think its called triskellion or something like that. They actually have a harley for training on

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[littleade]

I'm guessing that would be some sort of direct access course? If it is that could be worth exploring to see what they charge both for the course and the hire of the bike. That could be a way of trying both the Harley and maybe some other bikes in their fleet before you decide if biking is for you and if so what type of bike you want. As Chris says you'll need some decent kit though they might hire that out too. You probably won't be able to get any test rides at dealers so this could be a way of trying a few to see what sort you like. Goos luck.

[fabiamk2SE]

Part of me thinks starting on something like a cb500 or similar is a good idea before jumping on a Harley.

Harleys arent light, dont stop (okay they dont really go either) and dont go round corners too well.. Added to that its gonna be expensive if you drop it.. Maybe getting a year or so in on a CB500 or something would be better for getting experience and not crying so much if you do drop it?

Just a thought.

[FUBAR]

Arriving late to the party here, but have to enforce the never too old. 
 

[Prykey]

Oh yes I have.... I had the displeasure of riding a 1200 and a Dynaglide and they're **** IMO.. but as I said previously each to their own

 

I did use the word normally................

 

If you don't think they go or stop take a V-Rod for a test ride, but don't expect it to handle like a sports bike because of its length and 240 rear tyre it has a lot in common with a super tanker.

[fabiamk2SE]

I did use the word normally................

If you don't think they go or stop take a V-Rod for a test ride, but don't expect it to handle like a sports bike because of its length and 240 rear tyre it has a lot in common with a super tanker.

Why though?

Might aswel just take a bike out that goes round corners if im gonna do that lol