A man's got to know his limitations...

[Idaho45guy]

I'm only 53 years old, a bit overweight, with bad knees, but still not in that bad of shape.

When I was a kid, I loved riding dirt bikes in the mountains. Later in life, I owned a couple of street bikes, and a dual sport, and loved riding. But, was married and ended up having to sell them.

Now that I'm divorced and can afford a toy or two, I bought a 1994 Harley Davidson Road King in Arizona in January for cheap and have been wrenching on it ever since to try and get it reliable. When it runs, it is comfortable and a blast to ride.

Then I had knee surgery and the doc advised me to get a lighter bike. I could no longer fit in my Honda Pioneer UTV since my knees have to bend too sharp and I am in constant pain now when driving it.

So I sold it and bought a brand new Kawasaki KLR 650, with the intention of selling the Harley and buying an ATV. I thought the KLR would be a fun bike to ride to work on with it's 50 mpg rating and occasionally use to explore logging roads up in the nearby mountains.

I have about 150 miles on it and it scares me. It is "twitchy" on the highway, is loud, buzzy, and unpleasant above 50 mph. It is extremely tall and top heavy. I am 6'2" and 300 lbs and this bike will tip over if you look at it wrong.

I tipped it over on it's first off-road trip up a muddy road. Getting back on the bike. It was literally on it's kickstand on a slight incline and it tipped over when I tried to get on it. Took me several tries to pick it up and I hurt for days afterwards.

Then today, I was on a group ride with ten other people and pulling out from the side of the road, the front tire hit loose gravel and slid out from under me and the bike and I hit the pavement hard. Bike has at least $500 in damage to it, but I was wearing all the appropriate gear and was uninjured.

I came to the realization that I am just too old, too out of shape, and not skilled enough to handle a motorcycle anymore.

Getting both bikes repaired and will be selling them ASAP and getting a mid-sized ATV for slowly exploring the woods.

[poppy42]

Yep I feel your pain! Both literally and figuratively! You know you’re not doing your body any good when your orthopedic surgeon is number one on speed dial. It’s hell getting old and it ain’t for sissies. You are right, as I have learned many times the hard way, “man’s gotta know his limitation”

[GregLaROCHE]

I know how you feel. I have an old Moto Guzzi that I haven’t ridden in probably ten years. There’s a young guy who has been bugging me to sell it to him for years. Maybe it’s time to part with it, but in a way it will be parting with a part of my life.

[Idaho45guy]

I know how you feel. I have an old Moto Guzzi that I haven’t ridden in probably ten years. There’s a young guy who has been bugging me to sell it to him for years. Maybe it’s time to part with it, but in a way it will be parting with a part of my life.

Yep. It's hard to face reality. My dad is 80, diabetic, can't hardly walk, yet keeps talking about buying a new camper to use for fishing trips and hunting trips. He desperately needs to be in a retirement home with CNA's. Every time I try to bring it up, he says he will never move to town and will commit suicide before doing so. Just sad.

[square butte]

Us "old guys" like to keep on writing checks in our minds that our bodies can no longer cash. You'll live longer on an ATV. Prayers for you dad.

[Land Owner]

...was married and ended up having to sell them..

Remember those days? Jeff Dunham, Ventriloquist, as "Walter", said it best, "You can run to the end of your chain and bark!"

Now, feel those knees, neck, and back? You've been off the chain and wandering around again "unsupervised". GOOD FOR YOU! ENJOY the ATV!

[FISH4BUGS]

It is always a tough realization to come to.....that we are wearing out.
Younger days I rode enduros with Pentons (that long ago, yes) then KTM's.
That was then.......

[pworley1]

Getting old is not for sissys.

[dverna]

I used to split wood with a maul and sledge and wedges. Did that until I was 62 and got a log splitter.

Our minds think we are still in our 20's or 30's but our bodies know better. It does not help that many of us work behind a desk, and eat too much.

You are lucky you did not get hurt and are smart for realizing it is time to "shift gears".

[GhostHawk]

Getting old Sucks. Only thing that sucks worse is the alternative.

Find a hobby for your brain and your hands that leaves you sitting on a comfortable chair is my advice.

[buckwheatpaul]

I agree with square bute and all the other guys...wait till ya get to 70! Was working cows two days ago and about to the point where they will have to go except 4 or 5 and then they will be our meat source. I said all this to advise that ATV's and UTV's are not certified for paved road use. We have one ATV but day to day I have a Kawasaki Mule, 2 seater, and I love it. It hauls wood, calves, barbed wire....and is yet to buck me off of it. Of course it wont go 50 but I'm not into racing....got to the age that old and slow is a good thing! Paul

[Thumbcocker]

You make a good case for proper equipment when riding. Glad you are ok.

[Gator 45/70]

Bought a new Honda 420 in 2007, Still have it, 2nd gear is my friend but when I really want to fly I hit 3rd.
Pretty sure it has more gears but I don't use em!

[georgerkahn]

Yep. It's hard to face reality. My dad is 80, diabetic, can't hardly walk, yet keeps talking about buying a new camper to use for fishing trips and hunting trips. He desperately needs to be in a retirement home with CNA's. Every time I try to bring it up, he says he will never move to town and will commit suicide before doing so. Just sad.

What you/your dad may be -- I so think it in my case -- is what I've referred to as "hopeful immortality". Hey -- a lot of people start selling things off at mid- to later- ages, knowing they're going to die and wish not to burden those left behind with the disposal of their "stuff". Others have the time of upcoming death nowhere on their plate! Through the years I've known several people who were figuratively, but actually killed by their (car) driving privileges being removed! Not that many months after, either...
I am a firm believer that mental state has a most important role in longevity -- and, as long as a person has a want or a vision -- even though any/all else know it is not in any way a real possibility -- they have something to continue living for. Their infirmities from accident and or old age are a passing stage -- they WILL recover and again function as before.
...um... I bought a Stihl chainsaw last year -- to complement more than a dozen others I have -- and can now not "walk" without two canes... hmmm....
geo

[elk hunter]

Time does catch up to us. I rode until age 70 and discovered that I didn't have the upper body strength to pick up my Gold Wing if I needed to. My mind said I could still ride, my body said NO. It was a sad day when I watched the new owner ride it away. I figure I rode for 58 years. Not nearly long enough.

[Froogal]

The gas tank from my Yamaha dirt bike is resting on top of an iron pile. The tank is the only thing left of it. My son drug in a couple of decrepit crotch rockets a few years ago and then abandoned them. Pieces and parts of both are now resting peacefully underneath a cedar tree.

I am more than happy to be driving something with windows that are closed, and the A/C functional.

[Buzz Krumhunger]

I had a KLR 650 too. I got rid of it because it was too tall to kick start without standing on the pegs.
I’m thinking about one of the Yamaha TW200 dual sports. Low seat height and electric start.

[square butte]

What you/your dad may be -- I so think it in my case -- is what I've referred to as "hopeful immortality". Hey -- a lot of people start selling things off at mid- to later- ages, knowing they're going to die and wish not to burden those left behind with the disposal of their "stuff". Others have the time of upcoming death nowhere on their plate! Through the years I've known several people who were figuratively, but actually killed by their (car) driving privileges being removed! Not that many months after, either...
I am a firm believer that mental state has a most important role in longevity -- and, as long as a person has a want or a vision -- even though any/all else know it is not in any way a real possibility -- they have something to continue living for. Their infirmities from accident and or old age are a passing stage -- they WILL recover and again function as before.
...um... I bought a Stihl chainsaw last year -- to complement more than a dozen others I have -- and can now not "walk" without two canes... hmmm....
geo

Yes, And as Paul can tell ya, He dicsovered after his Father passed, that his Moto had been " If one is good, five is better" - Apologies Paul - I just had to tell the story one more time. I bet I use that at least once a week. But I don't know for sure cause I can't remember

[MrWolf]

Us "old guys" like to keep on writing checks in our minds that our bodies can no longer cash. You'll live longer on an ATV. Prayers for you dad.

UTV's are more comfortable on the back. I have a Polaris Ranger 570-4 crew. My back/neck can't do an ATV.

[GregLaROCHE]

“Youth is waisted on the young”