I’m 56 and just started riding in 2023. My wife of 26 years, Sylvia, was suffering from a terminal illness and I was her sole caregiver. She could see the stress I was under and suggested I get a motorcycle. I had always wanted one, but life kept getting in the way. I finally got a Royal Enfield Hunter based on your recommendations. I love that little bike. It’s definitely an excellent platform for learning. Sylvia passed in early March of this year. My bike has essentially become my therapist. It’s loads better than any talk therapy or medication. When I’m riding, I actually feel happy and alive although my heart is broken. I’m writing this as I am about to go meet my new “therapist”. A 2023 Triumph Bonneville T100. I think I’ll name her Sylvia. She’s beautiful and worthy of the name.
When we're going to die anyhow and those running our planet are hell-bent on making our lives a misery, we may as well go out reliving our ol' biker days with a grin.
Illegitimi Non Carborundum Yeah - telling The Establishment (!) to eff off is no longer anti-social like when we were kids - it's just leveling the playing field.
I started riding motorcycles at 17 back in the mid 70's gave up riding when I was 31 and returned at 60. My times on the bike when I was young were the best days of my life. I now ride my bike for pure pleasure now even going out for an hour puts a smile on my face, you never lose that feeling of riding a bike now 64 I hope I can ride until my last days .
well done. I’m 82 and been riding since 16. Now a bit of a fair weather biker out in the sunshine on my CB500f. We have a wealth of experience helping us to stay safe. Long May we reign.
I'm 67 years old. I rode in the middle 1970's up to the early 1980's. I hadn't been on a bike since then. A few months ago I got the itch to get back into it & I bought a 2024 Kawasaki W800. I was shocked at just how much skill I had lost (not that I had much to begin with) over the past 40 years. I have put about 650 miles on it now & am having the time of my life. I feel 19 again in many ways. The euphoria of riding a motorcycle never goes away.
Don't ignore 'Maxi Scooters'...after 40 yrs of riding motorcycles, with a bit of a break in the 90's to early 00's, I recently started riding scoots. So much easier to ride and a hella' lot of fun...with tons of utility to boot.
Similar ... started riding in the 70s gave up in the 80s, back on in '23 ... bought a RE Classic last year (my learner bike!) - after 39 years off ... tis is taking a wee while so that riding is second nature - now taking Advanced Riding lessons - picking up some good advice. Bike going in for the 3000 mile service soonish ... and looking ahead to next summer - new Bike!? Tried out a BSA 650 - also going to try a Triumph T120 and a Guzzi 850 Classic. Always missed having a bike. Now where is that sunshine!
I discovered motorcycles in England around 1957. A man across the street had one and I was fascinated by it. My family moved to Australia in 1963 and from about 14 yo and onwards, I always had motorcycles, usually more than one at a time. Motorcycles have been a lifelong joy and I have ridden in a number of countries now. When I started riding, there were no mobile phones, internet or credit cards. You learned to be self sufficient and every ride was an adventure. During my time I have been lucky enough to own some spectactular bikes. Now at 71 yo I ride a HD Softail Heritage Classic, not my first Harley, but certainly the most comfortable. I love the solitude of a motorcycle and can still manage a 700km ride in a day. Of course we are fortunate to have great weather here and huge distances we can cover. Victoria, where I live has many gorgeous little country towns to visit. It is my intention to ride my bike for as long as I possibly can. Love it.
There are definitely differences between every generation. The last two generations would rather have a new iPhone than tour the countryside on a classic motorcycle.
Last year I had a lovely surprise from my wife for our 50th wedding anniversary. A white van pulled up outside our home with a man unloading a brand new AJS 125 Tempest. Now I hadn't ridden for over 30 years although still had an interest in motorcycling. I know it's a small bike but I am enjoying it so much, that when I'm riding it I feel young again. Long may it last. Thank you for the channel. Terry
I am 60 ish and always had a motorbike first me and my wife but now just me her health will not let her I love every time I am out in my bike ...look forward to meeting friends I'll never give up my bike .. not even for the government
Stuart my brother, Todd from California here. REALLY long story short. Grew up in So. California. Grandparents bought the grandkids dirt bikes when we were early teens. When we visited we rode ALL day. Graduated high school. Bought a 1980 Honda 750F. Drove two years. Joined the Navy. never drove again, never thought I would. That was 1982. Fast forward 2023. Had ALWAYS wanted to travel abroad, hence that's why I joined the Navy, never worked out. After decades of still wanting to visit other countries finally made it in 2011/12. Had always wanted to visit Europe but was always too expensive. I also wanted to go for at LEAST 1-2 months. Summer of 2011 saw a show on 5 countries in SE Asia which was never on my radar. Nov. 1st flew from Seattle to Hanoi. Spent the next 6 months backpacking through Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. Wasn't able to make it back until Jan. 2023. Philippines to S. Vietnam to Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Bangkok and finally to Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. After about a month of walking and bicycling everywhere I was like screw this. I'm gonna get a scooter. So I fully intended to get a scooter. Doing on the other side of the road was a bit intimidating which is why I got the bicycle to kinda get used to it. Test drove several 125cc scooters.....then I went to Chiang Mai Kawasaki. They said they didn't sell used bikes.....except for that. They pointed, I said how many cc's. They said 300cc. Perfect size for Asia. And Zendaya and I were to have SO many adventures. I must had made the gods happy because about a week after I bought Zendaya I met a bad ass 24 year old Russian woman who had my same bike except 400cc and it was black. We had MANY adventures all over northern Thailand and Laos. And I'll end it there. Except to say "damn, I missed riding and am SO glad I once again at 62 I'm back in the saddle again. Cheers my friends......safe travels!
Married at 21, regained freedom at 24., then started my BMW lifestyle. Almost 71 now and 17 BMW motos later including 2 RE's, never got remarried with almost 400 K miles logged. I believe motorcycles keep you young. Thank you Judy.!! - lol. Living the dream.
Just bought my 66th motorcycle, five in the garage right now, riding for 56 years. Not born-again biker...never quit riding since I was 18. 73 years young and still riding!
Absolutely nailed it with this one, moped 16 to 17 then a car for a number of years got married, the wife had the car for work so l ended up on small cc bikes for work, later on on to larger cc bikes more for pleasure, got to retirement and purchased my first ever new bikes, both Royal Enfield, happy days.
I agree with your comments. Net zero is the biggest threat to motorcycling, car ownership and our freedom of movement. This year, and I think most of last year, the weather has had the biggest impact. I look out of my window at the rain in July and I have no urge to get togged up and take my bike out for a ride on our congested pot holed roads so I watch UA-cam videos of biking in better times. It’s all a bit sad really especially as time is ticking away.
What are we to do about this blooming net zero?. Labour wanting to push it through by 2030. Is that it then? The end of the road for our beloved motorbikes?
I started riding in 1977. I am officially an old biker. Government made learning to ride a bike ever harder and ever-more costly. Many young people were doubtless put off of learning to ride a bike. Went straight to a car no doubt.
My story is much like those already in the comments. Every time I travelled overseas I would hire a scooter. I loved it. When I turned 52 I bought a scooter back home and rode it for a year or two to determine whether I felt confident and safe on the roads. At the age of 54 I bit the bullet and got my license. My first bike was a 250cc. I have been riding ever since. My bikes ranged from 250cc to 1200cc. I am 70 years old and go riding every day that weather permits. One of the best joys in my life.
I’m a new born biker, at the age of 57 (61 now) having never ridden a bike before, I did a rookie to rider course so full license in 7 days. My only regret is that I didn’t do it 40 years ago. Biking is the most wonderful thing I’ve done and I intend to ride until I can no longer swing a leg over my bike. I got my son in to it and at 27 he too is now fully immersed, it’s up to us to bring on the younger generation.
I found myself nodding my head up and down all the way through this video, I passed my full test last year aged 70 having been absent from motorcycling from the age of 18, an absence of 51 years because of all your comments, car, marriage, mortgage and kids, I get to choose when I go out riding and like to think I have the motoring knowledge to ride safe and enjoy myself, I intend to catch up on my missed motorcycling of earlier years and enjoy biking as long as this old body permits, great video as allways
At 71 and 5'5" I can no longer 'swing a leg over a bike' ! The answer in my case turned out to be a Burgman 400, but there's lots of these big scooters (step thru) to choose from. Take it from me, they are'nt so much different to a 'proper motorcycle' The fact that they have weather protection and useful underseat storage actually makes them easier to live with than a 'proper motorcycle' !
@@ryszardlorenc7047 After nearly 40 years of motorcycles, I got into scoots a few years ago and don't see myself going back. Currently riding a Honda Forza300, but will be going to look a used Burgman 400 tomorrow if the weather holds. I get all of the "Pride"cycle jokes, but at the end of the day, I'm racking up the miles and smiles, while they are washing their bikes.
I'm 76 and just got back into riding after nearly 50 years not owning a bike. What prompted me was a note my deceased friend left me. Mike said, try to enjoy all the time that you're given. Nuff said eh. Cheers!!
I'm an oddity, as I had never climbed on a motorcycle until I was 65, and now 5 years later, I have just bought a RE Super meteor. I love my bike and my 8 classic Lambrettas and Vespas
I've got a mixed bag too. A Ducati Monster 900, Triumph Daytona 955i and a Royal Alloy GP 300. I'm looking at an R1 now but I think my Mrs might push back at number 4😂
I got my first job at 16 and bought a Kawasaki AR50 to get to work. I passed my test a couple of months after my 17th birthday in early 1982 on a Suzuki 250x7. My dad bought both bikes, and I paid him back weekly from my wages. I then bought a Suzuki GSX750 and went to the Isle of Man to watch the TT with some mates. I fell in love with bikes back then, and bar a few years in the late 80's when I went without to buy my first home, I've had bikes ever since. Now I'm nearly 60, I'm more a sunny Sunday rider. My 13 year-old son is starting to show an interest in bikes, but I'm pretty conflicted about it to be honest. I really don't know how I survived some of the close scrapes I had in those early years, and the roads and traffic are so much worse than they were back then. It's no surprise to me that parents buy cars for their kids if they can.
Hi Stuart, Hit the nail on the head with this one. Dad's BSA Bantum at 15, Bridgestone 90 at 17, Suzuki TS250 at 19, Yamaha TY250 at 20 (really into trials but could not afford a Montessa or Bultaco Sherpa) all in the 1970's & 80's. Now taking it easy in my 70's with a RE Classic 500 these days. Really enjoying your wide variety of videos, keep up the good work. Regards GazDownUnder.
Hi Stuart, I am 1973 vintage, I am a 3rd generation Motorcyclist, I got my first bike at 16, and was lucky enough not to have to give it up, through my mortgage years, i just had a simple Virago 535, but it was enough to keep me in the life, and get out on weekends, today i am happy to say that i am the proud father of 4 girls, aged 13, 9, 2, and 1, i have a few bikes in the stable, my wife rides a V7, and my 13 year old daughter is already on her second PIT bike a Stomp 120, and with a little luck I intend to have all my girls riding motorcycles, as it is the best freedom in life, there are so many positives once you respect what it is, but as with everything you have to live it to understand it.
...had a spin on my late brothers honda C 90 back in 1975..l was 13 then ..62 now...been on and off bikes since...had many different machines over the years...yam 50 (fizzy), yamaha dt125, dt175, honda cd175 (noddy), francis Barnet 150..Yamaha yb 80, Honda CM200, Honda cg125 x 2, Suzuki gs550, Honda 400 super sport, Suzuki GN250, Gn 125 x3, Honda CB500 x 2..currently 2016 Vstrom 650xt with GN 125 as a run around..l guess l can call myself a biker...so long as the body allows, l hope to be out riding...wish all riders safd journey, and keep riding..
If biking ever becomes "illegal", I'll get myself cardboard cutouts and go through the streets making motorbike noises just to irritate the establishment.
I’m 64, started riding at 14. I worked construction for most of my working life, and still ride both street and dirt bikes. I work through a lot of arthritis and other aches and pains when riding, but I’m planning on riding until I can’t throw a leg over a bike!
Had a slightly different path. For reference, just turned 70. The motorcycle years of my youth were the 70s. Moved to a ski town in 1980, then it was all about skiing and mountain biking along with a career in construction. By my late 60s my body was pretty worn out. New left knee, new right ankle, all incredible but I couldn’t maintain the level of excitement in these endeavors without seriously compromising my replacement parts. Enter the Tiger 900. First bike in 42 years. I can safely putter around and still have a heck of a time.
I've only been without a bike a few years if it was added up. Im 67 and have been riding since around the age of 10 and don't plan on stopping for a good while yet as long as my health holds out. Thank you for your hard work Stuart. Ride safe brother!
"Motorcycling is a selfish pastime." Thank you for saying the quiet part out loud, Stuart. As a would-be returning motorcyclist, it is something that I struggle with but that no-one wants to openly admit or speak of. Of the hundreds of motorcycling UA-cam videos that I have viewed over the last 2-3 years, this is the first one that has admitted reality.
@@daddystu7046 most returning motorcyclists are over 50, meaning that in the majority of cases the offspring have either flown the coop or even if not, they are adults who have no interest in hanging with their parents. Hence kids are irrelevant in this circumstance. What is relevant is the missus. Is she independent? That is to say, does she pursue her own interests with her own friends and does she drive? Individual circumstances vary of course, but I would suggest that whilst it is not necessary for husband and wife to share the same interests, nonetheless if him disappearing for the whole day on his toy leaves her twiddling her thumbs at home waiting for him to come back, that he is taking her for granted to a degree that she may not find acceptable, particularly in the long run. There is a limit to how self-centred you can be if you want the relationship to continue.
I have another POV to consider. We men, most of us, have been the breadwinner and have sacrificed nearly everything in an attempt to house, feed, clothe, educate the kids, and keep the wife and kids well supplied with cash so they get their every heart's desire. Soon, it becomes expected, they don't appreciate it and are mad if a new want crosses their minds and they don't already have it. Another guy says the quiet part out loud. My wife "forbade" me to buy/own/ride a motorcycle for years. I decided life is both too short and too long to not have a motorcycle. I now have 4 in the garage. She asked me why I ride every day there's no ice on the road. I replied it's the only thing I know will bring me joy each and every time I do. End of problem. No more questions.
Men should have room for a little selfishness too. We are not only here to serve everyone else. At least we should strive to serve ourselves in equal measure.
I started riding in the late 60's motocross as a junior high schooler. Rode till I was about 40 cuz I had kids and didn't want to get hurt, I was the only income and had to make sure I could raise them up with my wife. I retired at 55 and got the urge to ride again bought a honda fury absolutely loved it. Im now going on 68 and riding a triumph bobber and a bmw r18 this will definitely keep you young and adventurous. Keep on keeping on!
Life has been playing a cruel joke on me the last few years, I'm 65 and started riding in the 70s. Over the years I started to lose interest in motorcycles, starting in the late 80s because of the styling of the bikes and all the frivolous technology being add to them. Then, Kawasaki came out with the W650. That bike flooded my brain with memories from when I first started riding. When a motorcycle comes along that puts insane thoughts in your head like "who do I have to kill to get one of those" you know it has lit the fire in you're soul again. Then, Royal Enfiel brought out the INT 650, and, more recently the BSA Gold Star, simple, beautiful motorcycles that are better suited for a "clearing your mind" style of riding. Life's cruel joke happened last year. I had a stroke which made my right arm useless thus ending my riding days. I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a RE. Now, all I can do is look at the bikes and enjoy the stories. This channel helps me cope with the loss of being able to ride.
While there are motorcycles out there, there will be motorcyclists. You don't have to wear a cut-off Levi over a biker jacket with Triumph, Norton, Harley or Sabbath patches to be a motorcyclist, you just need to enjoy the thrill and freedom of jumping on the bike and taking off. For me, that means jumping on my ADV 350 and tearing along the banks of the Mekong in North East Thailand with my girl on the back. No patchouli oil or bike mods required....
Cost & over legislation are the biggest headaches for new riders. My youngest daughter (now 30) has just passed her test. Training, kit & caboodle has cost her approx £2,000 to date. She's into cruisers & fancied a Harley 883 or Enfield Super Meteor. Living in Walthamstow with no off street parking, the cheapest insurance quote for either is approx £6000. We're now off to look at an Enfield 350 Meteor as the insurance is approx £1300. Was a similar story for my eldest daughter about seven years ago, but after a couple of years riding the insurance began to reduce. I wouldn't like to guess how much it costs riders under the age of 30. Not good.
Like you Stuart, Ive been riding bikes since I was 16 and now at the age of 72, am still riding and have a garage full of bikes. Given the appalling state of the roads and the even more appalling state of driving today, when a teenager wanting to start biking or a 40 something wanting to return to motorcycling asks for my advice on what to buy … I tell them to get a Volkswagen Golf.
I'm like you mate, never been off bikes for 50 years! My wife and I have both carried on riding and never gave up, the 80's were the toughest times, rat bikes & ujms and the negative comments of my wife taking a kid on the back (we never did get a sidecar) and being turned away from places with "no bikers" signs! Things dramatically changed mid 90's when the "born again biker" came on the scene, thank goodnes! We were no longer seen as scum of the earth lol! It's great to see more women riding today to! My 70+ year old wife still kicks up the 60's Bonnie she rides!
Good morning Stuart, I fully agree with your thoughts! Born in 1952, moped-licence with 16 (Hercules 49 cc), car-licence with 18 (VW 1500 S), started on the job, 15 month army and never went back to motorcycles....until the age of 61 😊 Sold my car and became a motorcyclist again enjoying life! Honda CB 500 (1997) Honda Helix CN-250 (1983) Honda CX 500 (1980) Royal Enfield Classic 350 gun metal grey finally 🏍👍🍀 great bike!!! Meanwhile fully retired with plenty of time for riding, meeting friends, having fun. I do hope, that motorcycle-industry will survive and combustion engines as well! Ride safe 🏍😎
Old and crusty on two wheels. I decided, a long time ago, that I can afford not to have car. It sometimes gets a bit cold and wet but so what. The best way to travel.
It doesn't help that the licence route for young riders is such a pain and expensive. I started late only passed my full test at 50 2 years ago and now have 3 bikes. I only use the car now if I have to carry a passenger 😂
I'm back on a bike (48) due to it being the cheapest mode of transport after my car died. £1200 got me a lovely low mileage looked after XJ600 for commuting. £1200 these days would have only got me a complete shitbox of a car. Allowing £1000 a year for tyres, servicing, clothing etc. I figured its the way forward and in these times and I reckon others might too.
Yamaha fsie in 1975 set me off ..big bikes in the 90s.im 65 now and have a cub c90 a 30 year minter and I have a innova 125 .I've slowed down physically and mechanically
Been reading motorcycles for most of my life on and off. Back in 1998 I bought myself a BMW K100 (because I liked them) and I go riding seriously. The I bought a Honda VFR750 and in 2006 I had 2 heart attacks and had to have a triple heart bypass. I decided my life was going to change as I’d always wanted to go to the road racing in Ireland. From then on I’ve been going 4 times a year up to 2022. A car accident in July 2022 stopped me riding as I had an injured neck, shoulder’s and arms. Last week I did get back on a bike and it all come back to me just loving being back on two wheels. I’m 80 next month and my son told me last week that I was a better rider than he is. Not sure he’s right but reassuring to know I’m riding safely.
Hey Stuart! I'm 72 years old and started riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle last year. I have been retired for some time and was starting to feel like I was wasting away. I have been much happier since I started riding again. I live in rural southern Oregon where there is a lot of beautiful country to ride in. We can sit around in our recliners and slowly die or we can get and have some exciting adventures. Thanks for the videos. Craig
I live in United States in the early 70s I met an old man on a motorcycle. He was over 80 years old. I asked him where he was coming from. He told me San Francisco California I was shocked I live in Alabama I asked him where was he going? He told me Key West FloridaI rode with him to Florida to show him the interstate and say goodbye I checked the distance one-way from San Francisco to Key West. It was 32,087 miles one way I asked him how is he getting back and he said a ride back old motorcyclist don’t seem to die.
I have been riding motorcycles on the road since 1980, starting in North Lincolnshire, I presently live in North Hampshire. I have had gaps when I have not been riding. Presently I have three bikes, but the only one on the road is a 1981 Honda CB 250RS with 16.200 miles on the clock. I hope to never stop riding. Thanks for the great videos you provided for us, it is very much appreciated.
Very good narrative on why we ride motorcycles. Had my my first experience riding a motorcycle in my early teens. Never lost the feeling of freedom and riding in the wind. Rode all the way to my college days. Got sidelined due to married life raising a family. Got back to riding when my children graduated university and got jobs. Now am 66 yrs old and still riding strong. Still feeling the freedom and the wind in your face.
Hit it on the head on this one. Rode in my teens and twenties. Married life and babies took front and center. Well I have been following you for a few years. Bought a bike last September .am 69 Yao . I haven't smiled and been so happy doing anything for many years . I believe this crazy net zero is winding down. It's an over reaction to unproven science. Many much Larger issues need addressing first .
Here in the USA there are a number of reasons, First off is the current amount of traffic on the roads and the number of distracted drivers texting, putting on make up and many other things other than paying attention to their driving makes two wheel riding even more dangerous. Also as a retired senior motorcycles in my youth were a cheap form of transportation more easily afforded by a younger person. Today with the price of bikes and escalating insurance cost which for a young rider depending on the bike type and class sometimes can equal half the cost of the new motorcycle for full coverage on a true sport bike sort of kills that affordability. And another big thing is when I was a kid so many of us had mini bikes and Honda mini trails and Yamaha 80"s by the time we were 10 or so that by the time we were old enough to get a road license we had hours upon hours of riding experience on up to about 250cc dirt bikes that the transition to street bikes was pretty common place. Today kids are playing their Playstation or texting on their phones and not getting that valuable riding experience or catching the biking bug at a very young age anymore. I think another thing that contributes to this is many places we had to ride as kids are now a shopping mall or subdivision or now is posted land with no trespassing that there is less of an opportunity for kids to legally pursue the biking even if they wanted to. All of these things contribute to a smaller amount of younger people growing up and becoming bikers.
Think it’s our politicians ( generally ) that have it in for us as far as personal transport goes. The Net zero con, WEF etc. I’m 55 btw and first rode farm bikes at 15. There is no other explanation.
Started riding in my mid teens back in the 70s and then a move to a big city and new job/girlfriend etc focused my mind on other things. After a move back to the country 15 years later in my mid 30s and the passion reappeared. 30 years later and I’m still at it, it’s in the blood and keeps me sane in a bonkers world. Strangely, I’m trying to thin out my bikes, one for space in the workshop but more importantly my sanity as I get older - too many things don’t make you happy, hence going from several bikes to 1 or maybe two at the most. Lastly and most importantly I will only ride comfortable bikes now, just can’t be doing with discomfort at my age!
The problem young riders face is the difficulty in getting a license... I've just got my license at 28 years old and it was stunned how much of a ball ache it was. Even with a full car license you need to do the full day CBT, then regular lessons to pass 3 different exams. The costs involved are massive. Motorbikes are then relatively overpriced compared to the cost of cars.
I’ve been riding bikes since I was 16, I’m 73 now and just bought a BMW GS 1250 after a two year break. I’m enjoying it more now than I ever was before having time to ride it whenever I wish.
Motorbikes are an old man’s game- at 26, the DAS, insurance, and even the smaller-CC bikes are still far too expensive for me despite earning just over the average income. I think soon enough you’re going to see a lot of big bikes disappearing: a luxury only the old can afford.
They aren't too expensive, it's you don't want to spend the money, if you really want to do it you would find a way. I know people who spend £40 plus on coffee a week, that's more than the HP of a bike, £120 on a night out twice a month, it's all relevant, make sacrifices of unnecessary things to get what matters, nights out don't last, the memories or rides last forever.
Absolutely agree with Anthony on this one. Bikes are not expensive. Cheap to run cheap to buy. I am on a fairly average salary and was running 2 125cc bikes along side each other. Best purchase you will ever make.
Don't ignore 'Maxi Scooters'...after 40 yrs of riding motorcycles, with a bit of a break in the 90's to early 00's, I recently started riding scoots. So much easier to ride and a hella' lot of fun...with tons of utility to boot.
The younger generation have so many hoops to jump through as well as the horrendous expense involved in getting a full motorcycle license these days. I am 70 years old, passed my bike test aged 18. Passed my car test aged 21 and went back to a motorcycle the following year. Had to trade my bike in for a car when my wife was expecting baby when I was 27. Got motorcycle again in 1995 and now still riding. I really missed being on a motorbike during those years when I couldn't afford to run a bike as well as a car.
I agree entirely with all that you’ve said. As someone of a similar ‘vintage’ to yourself I have ridden bikes since I was 16 and, despite family responsibilities that you speak of, I have been lucky enough to continue riding throughout my life, (helped by being paid to ride Her Majesty’s Police bikes) and still ride now in my retirement. I’ve just returned from a 2500ml trip around the alpine passes on my BMW R100RS. Motorcycling has changed to being a leisure activity instead of a cheap means of transport but, eco nonsense aside, still has a healthy future I think as means of freedom, excitement and enjoyment in an ever more regulated world.
I got back to motorcycling when my kids were 9 & 11 , basically so on my days off during the week I could avoid spending any time with my soon to be ex wife ! To be honest I was so bloody depressed at the time it literally saved my life and now I ride whenever I can it really is my happy place , every holiday I have involves my bike & tent and I've never been more relaxed !
I remember the period of the 90s BA bikers coming back with powerful bikes that where more powerful than the bikes in their youth. The accident rate went up exponentially. Hence insurance went up. It nearly killed the resurgence.
Never underestimate a grandfather who rides a motorcycle......been riding for 45 years....bit soft now now so much in winter.......my daughter now rides and my grand daughter is her pillion....
Surley, for decades, it has been Government Policy to get motorcycles off the roads. All the stages to gain a full licence were introduced to make motorcycling difficult. There are some young motorcyclists but in the main I meet lots of older men. Why do you think OAPs no longer have reduced price tickets at some events. Go to a BSB meeting and see how many under 25 year olds attend on a bike.
I got my first motorcycle at 18. It was a Bultaco. Since then I've had a dozen bikes. All Japanese. Currently I ride a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 sx. Love it I'm 67 years old.
I got my first bike in 1968 age 16, rode until I was 34. Had a long break then got back on age 62 and still riding now aged 72. Phew, remembering all that was enough of a challenge. 😂
Hi Stuart, I started riding back in 1971 and have ridden bikes all my life as well as working in the motorcycle trade as a mechanic for 48 years. Over the years governments have made it ever more awkward and expensive for younger people to take up riding and it all began with the sixteener 49cc law, at that age I was allowed to ride a 250cc machine on L plates and at the age of 17 having past my test I was riding a 500cc machine. The next land mark down fall was when the engine capacity for learners was reduced to 125cc followed by the bhp restrictions on 125's. Rider training price hikes and two part driving tests followed by age restrictions on full power machines, not to mention huge price hikes on insuring machines. If all these restrictions had been thrust in car driver's laps there would have been hell on, but we all know that over the years governments have protected us from ourselves.......NOT! All these years later the governments plans have worked because as far as youngsters go motorcycles are not even on the map because they are so expensive and restrictive and it's only only those of later years that can afford to take up motorcycling.
I started riding at age 12 on a Honda 50 in 1964. I’ve been riding safely since. 4 weeks ago I was going on a solo ride in the mountains of Wyoming and Montana where I live. Something was in the road when I came around a corner and I swerved to miss it and crashed in the gravel on the side of the road. Some tourists saw me crash and called for help. I was life flighted to a hospital in Montana where I was treated for a broken shoulder, 5 broken ribs, a punctured lung and a concussion. After 1 1/2 weeks in the hospital I was released to home where my wife has been caring for me. I’m expected to make a complete recovery, but I can’t remember the crash. What did I swerve to miss. I’ll never know. My crash traumatized my wife and adult kids. If the tourists hadn’t called so quickly for help, I might not be here. I have 60 years of good biking memories. I’ve decided at age 72 that’s enough for me. Keep the shiny side up Stuart.😎👍
I'm 29 and only started riding 3 odd years ago, and I probably wouldn't have started riding if I didn't have my own house. In your day, the cost of your home was around 4x the average annual salary...now its 12x. I don't know many young millenials or Gen Z who can afford to have an expensive passion AND save for a house.
Rode a PW50 when I was 6 years old and I was hooked. I begged my father for a motorcycle and was denied. Finally at the age of 24 I had enough money to buy a cheap VTR250 and never looked back. That was over 20 years ago. Will never stop riding.
There’s a self-fulfilling prophecy thing at work - most young people, for several decades now, would have grown up not knowing a family member ride a motorcycle, there wouldn’t have been one parked out back somewhere, so they wouldn’t have been seen as the norm, and would be less unlikely to be influenced to go down that route. The licence structure is now very different - the average young motorcyclist needs about a grand to get trained and tested, driving lessons will be seen as more viable gateway to personal transport. Those young people you see taking driving lessons will be in a minority - to most they are prohibitively expensive, even with parents’ support - and that’s before we get to the cost of insurance. Never forget, we were once the ‘youth of today’ - I hate that expression - and were no different, whatever anyone may think. Everything is relative, our grandparents survived the war and rebuilt the country and probably thought we were all feckless with our daft clothes and terrible rock music!
Times have changed also. I started at 17. (Necessity). Never been without a bike despite marriage, divorce. When I was at college mid 70's. The car park full of bikes. Mostly young men on apprenticeships in industry. Those jobs mostly gone offshore. We have à generation now in low paid low skilled jobs, tied in with Draconian rules to get on a bike. There enormous numbers of bikes being stolen by mostly young men. There's still the interest. But riding/driving in the UK becoming ever more less pleasant. Cameras, cameras, cameras. There's little freedom anymore. Any small infringment and you're jumped on like a tine of bricks. Labours net zero mindset will only make it worse. Already locally they're going to reduce speed limits that have been in place forever, along with cameras vans being put in place without warning. We had the best times.
I came “late” to motorcycle at 22 or so. If it had occurred to me to start sooner, I would have. But love at first sight is when it is. Now over 30 years of riding later, it’s still the silver thread upon the hem that is my life. My favorite part, apart from the riding of course, are the wonderful people and places motorcycling has introduced me to over the decades.
When i was younger i wouldn't be allowed or couldn't afford a bike, so when COVID happened and at the age of 42 I decided to give it a go. Not looked back ever since.
Stuart, I'm a classic example. I've been on motorcycles since I was 15, almost 56 now. Had a 15 year hiatus attempting marriage and a long term long distance relationship. Finished with that now, and now there is a Gen2 Hayabusa in my (modified for 2 wheeled vehicles) living room alongside 2 pushbikes and 3 kick arse synthesisers! PLUS a tool kit that can fix a space shuttle, not to mention a 'project' Ford Focus ST340 5 pot Turbo Stage 2 beastie sat outside 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I’m mid 30s and passed the test last year. Loved the learning phase, I like looking after the bike and tinkering/ servicing it…. But don’t really enjoy actually riding it. Roads are a disgrace and there are idiots everywhere, sometimes I come back having had fun but that’s in the minority. I also don’t have any friends who ride so maybe that’s it.
It's not just the well known negatives as outlined in many of these posts that dissuade younger riders from joining the ranks, it's also the fact that they can jump straight into a flash car they will never own on PCP. When it was the days of HP or loans it was more expensive - we are in the days of long term rental. In a way maybe it's the unintended precursor of "you will own nothing & be happy".........
Had a bike on the road continuously since aged 22 in 1992. Been lucky to have a very understanding partner who has tolerated my love of two wheels and selfish two wheel adventures after my motorcycle become my pastime rather than a method to get to work. Net zero will eventually kill or at least change motorcycling. I feel lucky to have lived through what will turn out to be a golden age of personal transport consigned to history
Those in charge don't want newcomers to motorcycling; hence the over complicated way to pass a test - but not the same for car drivers. It's just too much cost, and hassle, so people don't bother. However, surely small capacity motorcycles are the answer to overcrowded roads? But there doesn't seem to be the will to make it happen......
Stuart, Fantastic article. When I was 15 & 16 I rode to school on a bycicle. All weathers, didn't matter. It was my mode of transport. At 16 my mates started to get mopeds. Parental disapproval ment I didn't and eventually got a car. Marriage came along, family. The usual story. Then 3 years ago my wife became seriously ill and we had that bucketlist conversation. My list was short, learn to ride a motorcycle. So after the NO! discussion and "I'm not being a motorcycle widow" I did my CBT and DAS and now I'm riding round on my dream Triumph Bonneville and loving it. New rider at 66! Fortunately the wifes treatment was successful so alls good. Now to retire so I can spend more time on the bike!
No idea why I fell in lov with bike’s. My mum came from a very working class background in London but we lived in an expensive part of town due to my dad. Only reason I can think of is mum used to take us kids back to her family’s place on weekends for Sunday lunch. Outside loo with newspaper loo paper, no bathroom five people including the lodger in a small terraced 2 up 2 down. One summer, playing with the local kids in the street, pea shooters & spud gun wars, while most of the men were in the pub, wives cooking the roast there was this young bloke, shirt off rebuilding the top end of an old British bike in the street. All us kids whooping & charging about he just industrially busy head down working on his bike in the blazing heat. Never forgot that and for some reason the picture has remained with me all my life. Never had a moped I couldn’t afford one when at school but the moment I got work I saved for my 1st bike an old 250 BSA Starfire in the mid 70’s. Never been without a bike since. Can’t imagine not having one on the go. As you say, needed transport for work & play, parents would have laughed if I’d asked to be picked up or dropped off anywhere. So bike or car. Ì chose bike. And never looked back. Must be thousands of hrs commuting, fixing, breakdowns, touring, trouble, strife lol & fun adventure. Or err sitting in a car listening to the radio with the heater on?
Born in -45, fits in with your description. But reason I got on a bike again was that my son and his friends had motorcycles. Then went into classic roadracing, could not afford it in the sixties, only could afford speedway racing. Son did modern roadracing, now classic roadracing as it is cheaper and same fun. Now probably last season racing, slower reaction time. The old Manx will be collecting dust. Will continue as race mechanic and of course ride the classic road bikes. Even bought a classic trials bike last week, just to try something new.
I started riding when I was 35. Yes, a very late starter. I had to undo years of conditioning that motorbikes are bad, dangerous, etc. When my partner’s kids dirtied my car, I decided to ride motorbikes so that I didn’t have to take those kids. 🤣 I’m 53 now. I still ride my Honda Spada. No desire to upgrade because my bike does what I want it to do. Each year I feel financially stretched due to registration and other costs, etc. Yet riding to get my bike checked convinces me to keep my motorbike. It might make no financial sense to own a motorbike but I can’t put a price or value on the feeling of wind hitting my body as I ride my motorbike.
Hi Stuart. I’m now 75. Started road riding in 1966. Have always had a bike and hopefully always will. I was a police motorcyclist in the 70s and was taught by the best and this has never left me. I am concerned with people coming back to biking in their older years and buying super powerful bikes they’re not capable of controlling. I live in the Yorkshire dales and I hear nearly every week that some 50ish biker has been killed or seriously injured. I just hope guys coming back would treat it with caution
My father was a military motorcycle police in world war two, he got me on an old 250 triumph tiger cub when i was ten years old and taught me trial riding on a course he had set up in the woods, from there i started dirt flat track and cross country racing. Ive always ridden a motorcycle have had several over the years. Bought a new electra glide in 2007 still have it. Its been ridden very little over the last few years but here lately at the age of 69 the fever to ride has become overwhelming. Logic tells me to get a lighter bike but over the last 17 years this one has became like an old friend. Took ot to the dealership i bought it at and told them to go through it and restore it . I dont really care how much it cost, im still strong for a man my age, next week ill get it back and start another new chapter in my book of life with an old friend. Enjoyed you content , thank you sir.
Sadly Stuart, the cost of motorcycles, insurance, cost of obtaining a licence, and road VED are the big contributing factor. My car is a 1.2 (2015 )and VED is £20, yet my bike, also 1200cc (2012 ) is over £90. All these costs means it's only the older riders can afford this mode of transport. I am 63, and had bikes since I was 17.
I am 72 and for the past 3 years I have been enjoying riding my Suzuki bandit 1200. My daughter bought it for me as a Father's day present. She also bought me a new helmet, riding jacket and trousers and boots and even paid my insurance. Earler I was a biker for 25 years till I got married, when I sold my BMW K100RT. My Bandit is immaculate and only had 11,000 miles on the clock when I picked it up at the shop. I only ride in summer months now, whereas before I rode all the year round in all kinds of weather. Didn't get a car till I was 44.
June of 1968. My first motorcycle came into my life (Honda 90cc Super Cub) and has never stopped being an integral part of my life. In fact, it’s so ingrained into who and what I am, that I can’t separate the two. Like you, I spent a good part of my adult life in law enforcement. I understood and accepted the risks of riding and policing, as did my wife. Today at 67, I still ride as often as I can. It never grows old, despite some less than stunning moments. I thank you for you insight into our motorcycling lifestyle and look forward to each segment. Cheers, mate.
I am one of those who has returned to motorcycling at an older age, now l have more spare time. I have also returned to cycling and the reasons are very similar. As a youngster me and my mates could go further afield on our bicycles, explore the world and have adventures. Happy memories but good to still have the opportunity to cycle with mates
Some of this is true..but i started riding bikes at 17 and never stopped..what i noticed was different back in the 70.s and 80.s if you were into rock music you usually had a motorcycle...i remember as people got older some started familys sold there bikes got cars and never looked back....some like me have always had bikes and some have got back into bikes in there later years..and some people have never ridden a bike before have decided to get into motorcycling in there 40.s and 50.s..also there seem to be more lady riders now than there ever were but still not enough..and yes the younger generation do use mopeds as a get around transport..with no attention..of getting a larger bike..i think one of the things that might get the youngsters on two wheels rather than four is insurance costs..my great nephew aged 18 just past his test driving a 1.2cc polo..an old one..was charged £4000..for a years insurance ..which he saved up for himself..thats crazy money.
Heyo, watching and listening to your clips is always a soothing thing, especially when bad weather has the rein of the day and my bikes remain in the garage. To a 65 year old biker from the continent, its also amazing to see you all driving and riding on the "wrong side of the road". Good visual training for my next trip to the UK! I've started my motorcycle career at the age of 14 with various mopeds, who then gave me a sense of freedom when riding. At the age of 18 I started with bigger bikes and fortunately never had to stop riding, after I met my wife, bought a house and raised 3 gorgeous kids with her. One of my sons got the virus and now he owns 4 bikes. Anyway, I am convinced, that keeping on riding doesn't let you feel old and tired, as long as you are able to manhandle your bike in any situation. Therefore, as an "unsporty guy, I started to do powerlifting sessions which are really great for my muscles and this enables me to ride my heavy tourer (506kg kerb weight). Ride on, ride safe!
I’m 56 and just started riding in 2023.
My wife of 26 years, Sylvia, was suffering from a terminal illness and I was her sole caregiver. She could see the stress I was under and suggested I get a motorcycle. I had always wanted one, but life kept getting in the way. I finally got a Royal Enfield Hunter based on your recommendations. I love that little bike. It’s definitely an excellent platform for learning.
Sylvia passed in early March of this year. My bike has essentially become my therapist. It’s loads better than any talk therapy or medication. When I’m riding, I actually feel happy and alive although my heart is broken.
I’m writing this as I am about to go meet my new “therapist”. A 2023 Triumph Bonneville T100. I think I’ll name her Sylvia. She’s beautiful and worthy of the name.
My sincerest condolences, sounds like Sylvia was one in a million. May God look after you both.
Excellent and well done !!!!!
Very sorry to hear of your Sylvias passing... What a wonderfull way to honour her memory by naming your steed after her.
That brought a tear to my eye - I'm so glad that you can find solace, indeed, that you're on the brink of finding MORE solace! Go well.
touching story! dont ever sell that bike!
When we're going to die anyhow and those running our planet are hell-bent on making our lives a misery, we may as well go out reliving our ol' biker days with a grin.
Yes !
@@niallwildwoode7373 true
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
Yeah - telling The Establishment (!) to eff off is no longer anti-social like when we were kids - it's just leveling the playing field.
and get with your modern summer bike gloves, the ones with the carbon fibre knuckle pads, and stand up for yourself!
I started riding motorcycles at 17 back in the mid 70's gave up riding when I was 31 and returned at 60. My times on the bike when I was young were the best days of my life. I now ride my bike for pure pleasure now even going out for an hour puts a smile on my face, you never lose that feeling of riding a bike now 64 I hope I can ride until my last days .
Well done 👍 where do the years go? Life is short! Enjoy it and ride safe
well done. I’m 82 and been riding since 16. Now a bit of a fair weather biker out in the sunshine on my CB500f. We have a wealth of experience helping us to stay safe. Long May we reign.
I'm 67. My wife never asks me if I had a good ride. The smile is a give away.
I stopped riding in ‘ 89 . I’m 58 and I’m gonna buy A Royal Enfield classic 500 next week
@@5150show nice 👌 but ride safe!
I'm 67 years old. I rode in the middle 1970's up to the early 1980's. I hadn't been on a bike since then. A few months ago I got the itch to get back into it & I bought a 2024 Kawasaki W800. I was shocked at just how much skill I had lost (not that I had much to begin with) over the past 40 years. I have put about 650 miles on it now & am having the time of my life. I feel 19 again in many ways. The euphoria of riding a motorcycle never goes away.
Don't ignore 'Maxi Scooters'...after 40 yrs of riding motorcycles, with a bit of a break in the 90's to early 00's, I recently started riding scoots. So much easier to ride and a hella' lot of fun...with tons of utility to boot.
What a fantastic motorcycle. I'm in love with my W800.
Similar ... started riding in the 70s gave up in the 80s, back on in '23 ... bought a RE Classic last year (my learner bike!) - after 39 years off ... tis is taking a wee while so that riding is second nature - now taking Advanced Riding lessons - picking up some good advice. Bike going in for the 3000 mile service soonish ... and looking ahead to next summer - new Bike!? Tried out a BSA 650 - also going to try a Triumph T120 and a Guzzi 850 Classic. Always missed having a bike. Now where is that sunshine!
I discovered motorcycles in England around 1957. A man across the street had one and I was fascinated by it. My family moved to Australia in 1963 and from about 14 yo and onwards, I always had motorcycles, usually more than one at a time. Motorcycles have been a lifelong joy and I have ridden in a number of countries now. When I started riding, there were no mobile phones, internet or credit cards. You learned to be self sufficient and every ride was an adventure. During my time I have been lucky enough to own some spectactular bikes. Now at 71 yo I ride a HD Softail Heritage Classic, not my first Harley, but certainly the most comfortable. I love the solitude of a motorcycle and can still manage a 700km ride in a day. Of course we are fortunate to have great weather here and huge distances we can cover. Victoria, where I live has many gorgeous little country towns to visit. It is my intention to ride my bike for as long as I possibly can. Love it.
There are definitely differences between every generation. The last two generations would rather have a new iPhone than tour the countryside on a classic motorcycle.
Started riding bikes at 16 been lucky enough to have a bikes in my life ever since now 78 still riding
Last year I had a lovely surprise from my wife for our 50th wedding anniversary. A white van pulled up outside our home with a man unloading a brand new AJS 125 Tempest. Now I hadn't ridden for over 30 years although still had an interest in motorcycling. I know it's a small bike but I am enjoying it so much, that when I'm riding it I feel young again. Long may it last. Thank you for the channel. Terry
Wonderful wife! Don’t we love them!
I am 60 ish and always had a motorbike first me and my wife but now just me her health will not let her
I love every time I am out in my bike ...look forward to meeting friends
I'll never give up my bike .. not even for the government
Yep f@@K the government
Especially not for the blooming government.
Stuart my brother, Todd from California here. REALLY long story short. Grew up in So. California. Grandparents bought the grandkids dirt bikes when we were early teens. When we visited we rode ALL day. Graduated high school. Bought a 1980 Honda 750F. Drove two years. Joined the Navy. never drove again, never thought I would. That was 1982. Fast forward 2023. Had ALWAYS wanted to travel abroad, hence that's why I joined the Navy, never worked out. After decades of still wanting to visit other countries finally made it in 2011/12. Had always wanted to visit Europe but was always too expensive. I also wanted to go for at LEAST 1-2 months. Summer of 2011 saw a show on 5 countries in SE Asia which was never on my radar. Nov. 1st flew from Seattle to Hanoi. Spent the next 6 months backpacking through Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. Wasn't able to make it back until Jan. 2023. Philippines to S. Vietnam to Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Bangkok and finally to Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. After about a month of walking and bicycling everywhere I was like screw this. I'm gonna get a scooter. So I fully intended to get a scooter. Doing on the other side of the road was a bit intimidating which is why I got the bicycle to kinda get used to it. Test drove several 125cc scooters.....then I went to Chiang Mai Kawasaki. They said they didn't sell used bikes.....except for that. They pointed, I said how many cc's. They said 300cc. Perfect size for Asia. And Zendaya and I were to have SO many adventures. I must had made the gods happy because about a week after I bought Zendaya I met a bad ass 24 year old Russian woman who had my same bike except 400cc and it was black. We had MANY adventures all over northern Thailand and Laos. And I'll end it there. Except to say "damn, I missed riding and am SO glad I once again at 62 I'm back in the saddle again. Cheers my friends......safe travels!
Married at 21, regained freedom at 24., then started my BMW lifestyle. Almost 71 now and 17 BMW motos later including 2 RE's, never got remarried with almost 400 K miles logged. I believe motorcycles keep you young. Thank you Judy.!! - lol. Living the dream.
Just bought my 66th motorcycle, five in the garage right now, riding for 56 years. Not born-again biker...never quit riding since I was 18. 73 years young and still riding!
Absolutely nailed it with this one, moped 16 to 17 then a car for a number of years got married, the wife had the car for work so l ended up on small cc bikes for work, later on on to larger cc bikes more for pleasure, got to retirement and purchased my first ever new bikes, both Royal Enfield, happy days.
Pure and simple. I need a car for work and I simply can’t afford to keep a bike on the road too. Rip off Britain.
I agree with your comments. Net zero is the biggest threat to motorcycling, car ownership and our freedom of movement. This year, and I think most of last year, the weather has had the biggest impact. I look out of my window at the rain in July and I have no urge to get togged up and take my bike out for a ride on our congested pot holed roads so I watch UA-cam videos of biking in better times. It’s all a bit sad really especially as time is ticking away.
You just accurately described my life!!
Check out geo-engineering and Dane Wiginton
What are we to do about this blooming net zero?. Labour wanting to push it through by 2030. Is that it then? The end of the road for our beloved motorbikes?
Get out of your comfort zone , I ride all year..get on your bike 😉
Hi I'm 73 and still on the road with a trike due to medical reasons and still enjoy it
My autistic mind imagines you needing a trike to carry a big bail ofmedical marijuana
I started riding in 1977. I am officially an old biker. Government made learning to ride a bike ever harder and ever-more costly. Many young people were doubtless put off of learning to ride a bike. Went straight to a car no doubt.
Very cost prohibitive for young guys to get into ...many are simply opting for e-bikes instead.
My story is much like those already in the comments. Every time I travelled overseas I would hire a scooter. I loved it. When I turned 52 I bought a scooter back home and rode it for a year or two to determine whether I felt confident and safe on the roads. At the age of 54 I bit the bullet and got my license. My first bike was a 250cc. I have been riding ever since. My bikes ranged from 250cc to 1200cc. I am 70 years old and go riding every day that weather permits. One of the best joys in my life.
Had 9yrs on bikes before I got 4 wheels and you're right it gets into your blood and never leaves. Cheers Stuart.
I’m a new born biker, at the age of 57 (61 now) having never ridden a bike before, I did a rookie to rider course so full license in 7 days. My only regret is that I didn’t do it 40 years ago. Biking is the most wonderful thing I’ve done and I intend to ride until I can no longer swing a leg over my bike.
I got my son in to it and at 27 he too is now fully immersed, it’s up to us to bring on the younger generation.
I found myself nodding my head up and down all the way through this video, I passed my full test last year aged 70 having been absent from motorcycling from the age of 18, an absence of 51 years because of all your comments, car, marriage, mortgage and kids, I get to choose when I go out riding and like to think I have the motoring knowledge to ride safe and enjoy myself, I intend to catch up on my missed motorcycling
of earlier years and enjoy biking as long as this old body permits, great video as allways
At 71 and 5'5" I can no longer 'swing a leg over a bike' ! The answer in my case turned out to be a Burgman 400, but there's lots of these big scooters (step thru) to choose from. Take it from me, they are'nt so much different to a 'proper motorcycle' The fact that they have weather protection and useful underseat storage actually makes them easier to live with than a 'proper motorcycle' !
@@ryszardlorenc7047 After nearly 40 years of motorcycles, I got into scoots a few years ago and don't see myself going back. Currently riding a Honda Forza300, but will be going to look a used Burgman 400 tomorrow if the weather holds. I get all of the "Pride"cycle jokes, but at the end of the day, I'm racking up the miles and smiles, while they are washing their bikes.
57 now. Didn’t start until 40. I hear you, 100%.
I'm 76 and just got back into riding after nearly 50 years not owning a bike. What prompted me was a note my deceased friend left me. Mike said, try to enjoy all the time that you're given. Nuff said eh. Cheers!!
I'm an oddity, as I had never climbed on a motorcycle until I was 65, and now 5 years later, I have just bought a RE Super meteor. I love my bike and my 8 classic Lambrettas and Vespas
I've got a mixed bag too. A Ducati Monster 900, Triumph Daytona 955i and a Royal Alloy GP 300. I'm looking at an R1 now but I think my Mrs might push back at number 4😂
Very wise comments Stuart; we don't stop riding-or doing anything else "fun"-because we get old; we get old because we stop riding.
I apologize for the mileage mistake, but he will never die because I remember him and if you remember him
I got my first job at 16 and bought a Kawasaki AR50 to get to work. I passed my test a couple of months after my 17th birthday in early 1982 on a Suzuki 250x7. My dad bought both bikes, and I paid him back weekly from my wages. I then bought a Suzuki GSX750 and went to the Isle of Man to watch the TT with some mates. I fell in love with bikes back then, and bar a few years in the late 80's when I went without to buy my first home, I've had bikes ever since. Now I'm nearly 60, I'm more a sunny Sunday rider. My 13 year-old son is starting to show an interest in bikes, but I'm pretty conflicted about it to be honest. I really don't know how I survived some of the close scrapes I had in those early years, and the roads and traffic are so much worse than they were back then. It's no surprise to me that parents buy cars for their kids if they can.
Hi Stuart, Hit the nail on the head with this one. Dad's BSA Bantum at 15, Bridgestone 90 at 17, Suzuki TS250 at 19, Yamaha TY250 at 20 (really into trials but could not afford a Montessa or Bultaco Sherpa) all in the 1970's & 80's. Now taking it easy in my 70's with a RE Classic 500 these days. Really enjoying your wide variety of videos, keep up the good work. Regards GazDownUnder.
Hi Stuart, I am 1973 vintage, I am a 3rd generation Motorcyclist, I got my first bike at 16, and was lucky enough not to have to give it up, through my mortgage years, i just had a simple Virago 535, but it was enough to keep me in the life, and get out on weekends, today i am happy to say that i am the proud father of 4 girls, aged 13, 9, 2, and 1, i have a few bikes in the stable, my wife rides a V7, and my 13 year old daughter is already on her second PIT bike a Stomp 120, and with a little luck I intend to have all my girls riding motorcycles, as it is the best freedom in life, there are so many positives once you respect what it is, but as with everything you have to live it to understand it.
...had a spin on my late brothers honda C 90 back in 1975..l was 13 then ..62 now...been on and off bikes since...had many different machines over the years...yam 50 (fizzy), yamaha dt125, dt175, honda cd175 (noddy), francis Barnet 150..Yamaha yb 80, Honda CM200, Honda cg125 x 2, Suzuki gs550, Honda 400 super sport, Suzuki GN250, Gn 125 x3, Honda CB500 x 2..currently 2016 Vstrom 650xt with GN 125 as a run around..l guess l can call myself a biker...so long as the body allows, l hope to be out riding...wish all riders safd journey, and keep riding..
If biking ever becomes "illegal", I'll get myself cardboard cutouts and go through the streets making motorbike noises just to irritate the establishment.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I’m 64, started riding at 14. I worked construction for most of my working life, and still ride both street and dirt bikes. I work through a lot of arthritis and other aches and pains when riding, but I’m planning on riding until I can’t throw a leg over a bike!
Center stand and a kitchen ladder.
Loved coming along for the talk and the ride. I'm 71 and still ride my original 1974 XLCH , have a blessed week my friend
Had a slightly different path. For reference, just turned 70. The motorcycle years of my youth were the 70s. Moved to a ski town in 1980, then it was all about skiing and mountain biking along with a career in construction. By my late 60s my body was pretty worn out. New left knee, new right ankle, all incredible but I couldn’t maintain the level of excitement in these endeavors without seriously compromising my replacement parts. Enter the Tiger 900. First bike in 42 years. I can safely putter around and still have a heck of a time.
I've only been without a bike a few years if it was added up. Im 67 and have been riding since around the age of 10 and don't plan on stopping for a good while yet as long as my health holds out. Thank you for your hard work Stuart. Ride safe brother!
"Motorcycling is a selfish pastime." Thank you for saying the quiet part out loud, Stuart. As a would-be returning motorcyclist, it is something that I struggle with but that no-one wants to openly admit or speak of. Of the hundreds of motorcycling UA-cam videos that I have viewed over the last 2-3 years, this is the first one that has admitted reality.
True. I think you have to be selfish to enjoy many hobbies, certainly if married w/ kids.
@@daddystu7046 most returning motorcyclists are over 50, meaning that in the majority of cases the offspring have either flown the coop or even if not, they are adults who have no interest in hanging with their parents. Hence kids are irrelevant in this circumstance.
What is relevant is the missus. Is she independent? That is to say, does she pursue her own interests with her own friends and does she drive? Individual circumstances vary of course, but I would suggest that whilst it is not necessary for husband and wife to share the same interests, nonetheless if him disappearing for the whole day on his toy leaves her twiddling her thumbs at home waiting for him to come back, that he is taking her for granted to a degree that she may not find acceptable, particularly in the long run. There is a limit to how self-centred you can be if you want the relationship to continue.
I have another POV to consider. We men, most of us, have been the breadwinner and have sacrificed nearly everything in an attempt to house, feed, clothe, educate the kids, and keep the wife and kids well supplied with cash so they get their every heart's desire. Soon, it becomes expected, they don't appreciate it and are mad if a new want crosses their minds and they don't already have it. Another guy says the quiet part out loud. My wife "forbade" me to buy/own/ride a motorcycle for years.
I decided life is both too short and too long to not have a motorcycle. I now have 4 in the garage. She asked me why I ride every day there's no ice on the road. I replied it's the only thing I know will bring me joy each and every time I do. End of problem. No more questions.
Men should have room for a little selfishness too. We are not only here to serve everyone else. At least we should strive to serve ourselves in equal measure.
I started riding in the late 60's motocross as a junior high schooler. Rode till I was about 40 cuz I had kids and didn't want to get hurt, I was the only income and had to make sure I could raise them up with my wife. I retired at 55 and got the urge to ride again bought a honda fury absolutely loved it. Im now going on 68 and riding a triumph bobber and a bmw r18 this will definitely keep you young and adventurous. Keep on keeping on!
Life has been playing a cruel joke on me the last few years, I'm 65 and started riding in the 70s. Over the years I started to lose interest in motorcycles, starting in the late 80s because of the styling of the bikes and all the frivolous technology being add to them. Then, Kawasaki came out with the W650. That bike flooded my brain with memories from when I first started riding.
When a motorcycle comes along that puts insane thoughts in your head like "who do I have to kill to get one of those" you know it has lit the fire in you're soul again. Then, Royal Enfiel brought out the INT 650, and, more recently the BSA Gold Star, simple, beautiful motorcycles that are better suited for a "clearing your mind" style of riding.
Life's cruel joke happened last year. I had a stroke which made my right arm useless thus ending my riding days. I was just about ready to pull the trigger on a RE. Now, all I can do is look at the bikes and enjoy the stories. This channel helps me cope with the loss of being able to ride.
While there are motorcycles out there, there will be motorcyclists. You don't have to wear a cut-off Levi over a biker jacket with Triumph, Norton, Harley or Sabbath patches to be a motorcyclist, you just need to enjoy the thrill and freedom of jumping on the bike and taking off. For me, that means jumping on my ADV 350 and tearing along the banks of the Mekong in North East Thailand with my girl on the back. No patchouli oil or bike mods required....
Cost & over legislation are the biggest headaches for new riders. My youngest daughter (now 30) has just passed her test. Training, kit & caboodle has cost her approx £2,000 to date. She's into cruisers & fancied a Harley 883 or Enfield Super Meteor. Living in Walthamstow with no off street parking, the cheapest insurance quote for either is approx £6000. We're now off to look at an Enfield 350 Meteor as the insurance is approx £1300. Was a similar story for my eldest daughter about seven years ago, but after a couple of years riding the insurance began to reduce. I wouldn't like to guess how much it costs riders under the age of 30. Not good.
I can see how that would be prohibitive, where I live in the us, insurance isn’t even required.
Like you Stuart, Ive been riding bikes since I was 16 and now at the age of 72, am still riding and have a garage full of bikes. Given the appalling state of the roads and the even more appalling state of driving today, when a teenager wanting to start biking or a 40 something wanting to return to motorcycling asks for my advice on what to buy … I tell them to get a Volkswagen Golf.
I'm like you mate, never been off bikes for 50 years! My wife and I have both carried on riding and never gave up, the 80's were the toughest times, rat bikes & ujms and the negative comments of my wife taking a kid on the back (we never did get a sidecar) and being turned away from places with "no bikers" signs! Things dramatically changed mid 90's when the "born again biker" came on the scene, thank goodnes! We were no longer seen as scum of the earth lol! It's great to see more women riding today to! My 70+ year old wife still kicks up the 60's Bonnie she rides!
ah yeah the 80s! motorcycle wilderness years!
Good morning Stuart,
I fully agree with your thoughts! Born in 1952, moped-licence with 16 (Hercules 49 cc), car-licence with 18 (VW 1500 S), started on the job, 15 month army and never went back to motorcycles....until the age of 61 😊
Sold my car and became a motorcyclist again enjoying life!
Honda CB 500 (1997)
Honda Helix CN-250 (1983)
Honda CX 500 (1980)
Royal Enfield Classic 350 gun metal grey finally 🏍👍🍀 great bike!!!
Meanwhile fully retired with plenty of time for riding, meeting friends, having fun.
I do hope, that motorcycle-industry will survive and combustion engines as well!
Ride safe 🏍😎
Old and crusty on two wheels.
I decided, a long time ago, that I can afford not to have car.
It sometimes gets a bit cold and wet but so what. The best way to travel.
Eventually you reach an age where you need to ride to suppress the realisation that life wasn’t really worth living.
It doesn't help that the licence route for young riders is such a pain and expensive.
I started late only passed my full test at 50 2 years ago and now have 3 bikes. I only use the car now if I have to carry a passenger 😂
I'm back on a bike (48) due to it being the cheapest mode of transport after my car died. £1200 got me a lovely low mileage looked after XJ600 for commuting. £1200 these days would have only got me a complete shitbox of a car. Allowing £1000 a year for tyres, servicing, clothing etc. I figured its the way forward and in these times and I reckon others might too.
Yamaha fsie in 1975 set me off ..big bikes in the 90s.im 65 now and have a cub c90 a 30 year minter and I have a innova 125 .I've slowed down physically and mechanically
Been reading motorcycles for most of my life on and off. Back in 1998 I bought myself a BMW K100 (because I liked them) and I go riding seriously. The I bought a Honda VFR750 and in 2006 I had 2 heart attacks and had to have a triple heart bypass. I decided my life was going to change as I’d always wanted to go to the road racing in Ireland. From then on I’ve been going 4 times a year up to 2022. A car accident in July 2022 stopped me riding as I had an injured neck, shoulder’s and arms. Last week I did get back on a bike and it all come back to me just loving being back on two wheels. I’m 80 next month and my son told me last week that I was a better rider than he is. Not sure he’s right but reassuring to know I’m riding safely.
Hey Stuart!
I'm 72 years old and started riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle last year. I have been retired for some time and was starting to feel like I was wasting away. I have been much happier since I started riding again. I live in rural southern Oregon where there is a lot of beautiful country to ride in. We can sit around in our recliners and slowly die or we can get and have some exciting adventures. Thanks for the videos.
Craig
I live in United States in the early 70s I met an old man on a motorcycle. He was over 80 years old. I asked him where he was coming from. He told me San Francisco California I was shocked I live in Alabama I asked him where was he going? He told me Key West FloridaI rode with him to Florida to show him the interstate and say goodbye I checked the distance one-way from San Francisco to Key West. It was 32,087 miles one way I asked him how is he getting back and he said a ride back old motorcyclist don’t seem to die.
The Earth's just under 25,000 miles circumference.....was he going to pull in a full loop of the planet too? 😮
He used the back lanes all the way, lol.
WOW ! My 20 yo Honda only has 18k on the odo.
I met an old man on a space bike in 1934. He traveled 4 light-years to the next closest star system, and it was our system!
I have been riding motorcycles on the road since 1980, starting in North Lincolnshire, I presently live in North Hampshire. I have had gaps when I have not been riding. Presently I have three bikes, but the only one on the road is a 1981 Honda CB 250RS with 16.200 miles on the clock. I hope to never stop riding. Thanks for the great videos you provided for us, it is very much appreciated.
Very good narrative on why we ride motorcycles. Had my my first experience riding a motorcycle in my early teens. Never lost the feeling of freedom and riding in the wind. Rode all the way to my college days. Got sidelined due to married life raising a family. Got back to riding when my children graduated university and got jobs. Now am 66 yrs old and still riding strong. Still feeling the freedom and the wind in your face.
Hit it on the head on this one. Rode in my teens and twenties. Married life and babies took front and center. Well I have been following you for a few years. Bought a bike last September .am 69 Yao . I haven't smiled and been so happy doing anything for many years . I believe this crazy net zero is winding down. It's an over reaction to unproven science. Many much Larger issues need addressing first .
Here in the USA there are a number of reasons, First off is the current amount of traffic on the roads and the number of distracted drivers texting, putting on make up and many other things other than paying attention to their driving makes two wheel riding even more dangerous.
Also as a retired senior motorcycles in my youth were a cheap form of transportation more easily afforded by a younger person.
Today with the price of bikes and escalating insurance cost which for a young rider depending on the bike type and class sometimes can equal half the cost of the new motorcycle for full coverage on a true sport bike sort of kills that affordability.
And another big thing is when I was a kid so many of us had mini bikes and Honda mini trails and Yamaha 80"s by the time we were 10 or so that by the time we were old enough to get a road license we had hours upon hours of riding experience on up to about 250cc dirt bikes that the transition to street bikes was pretty common place.
Today kids are playing their Playstation or texting on their phones and not getting that valuable riding experience or catching the biking bug at a very young age anymore.
I think another thing that contributes to this is many places we had to ride as kids are now a shopping mall or subdivision or now is posted land with no trespassing that there is less of an opportunity for kids to legally pursue the biking even if they wanted to.
All of these things contribute to a smaller amount of younger people growing up and becoming bikers.
Think it’s our politicians ( generally ) that have it in for us as far as personal transport goes. The Net zero con, WEF etc. I’m 55 btw and first rode farm bikes at 15. There is no other explanation.
After 20 years back on the bike.Super.Im 55years old, what thats What is all about.
zdravim Czech republik
"There is a cycle that most young men go through" -S. Fillingham
Started riding at 38, I'm 43 now and consider it to be the greatest addiction I've ever had.
Started riding in my mid teens back in the 70s and then a move to a big city and new job/girlfriend etc focused my mind on other things. After a move back to the country 15 years later in my mid 30s and the passion reappeared. 30 years later and I’m still at it, it’s in the blood and keeps me sane in a bonkers world. Strangely, I’m trying to thin out my bikes, one for space in the workshop but more importantly my sanity as I get older - too many things don’t make you happy, hence going from several bikes to 1 or maybe two at the most. Lastly and most importantly I will only ride comfortable bikes now, just can’t be doing with discomfort at my age!
The problem young riders face is the difficulty in getting a license... I've just got my license at 28 years old and it was stunned how much of a ball ache it was. Even with a full car license you need to do the full day CBT, then regular lessons to pass 3 different exams. The costs involved are massive. Motorbikes are then relatively overpriced compared to the cost of cars.
I’ve been riding bikes since I was 16, I’m 73 now and just bought a BMW GS 1250 after a two year break. I’m enjoying it more now than I ever was before having time to ride it whenever I wish.
I got my learner license here in Ireland age 43 now 44 and absolutely love biking, wish I had done it years ago!
Motorbikes are an old man’s game- at 26, the DAS, insurance, and even the smaller-CC bikes are still far too expensive for me despite earning just over the average income.
I think soon enough you’re going to see a lot of big bikes disappearing: a luxury only the old can afford.
They aren't too expensive, it's you don't want to spend the money, if you really want to do it you would find a way. I know people who spend £40 plus on coffee a week, that's more than the HP of a bike, £120 on a night out twice a month, it's all relevant, make sacrifices of unnecessary things to get what matters, nights out don't last, the memories or rides last forever.
Absolutely agree with Anthony on this one. Bikes are not expensive. Cheap to run cheap to buy. I am on a fairly average salary and was running 2 125cc bikes along side each other. Best purchase you will ever make.
started riding in 1975 on a rupp mini bike now 59 still riding never stopped never will
Don't ignore 'Maxi Scooters'...after 40 yrs of riding motorcycles, with a bit of a break in the 90's to early 00's, I recently started riding scoots. So much easier to ride and a hella' lot of fun...with tons of utility to boot.
The younger generation have so many hoops to jump through as well as the horrendous expense involved in getting a full motorcycle license these days. I am 70 years old, passed my bike test aged 18. Passed my car test aged 21 and went back to a motorcycle the following year. Had to trade my bike in for a car when my wife was expecting baby when I was 27. Got motorcycle again in 1995 and now still riding. I really missed being on a motorbike during those years when I couldn't afford to run a bike as well as a car.
I agree entirely with all that you’ve said. As someone of a similar ‘vintage’ to yourself I have ridden bikes since I was 16 and, despite family responsibilities that you speak of, I have been lucky enough to continue riding throughout my life, (helped by being paid to ride Her Majesty’s Police bikes) and still ride now in my retirement. I’ve just returned from a 2500ml trip around the alpine passes on my BMW R100RS. Motorcycling has changed to being a leisure activity instead of a cheap means of transport but, eco nonsense aside, still has a healthy future I think as means of freedom, excitement and enjoyment in an ever more regulated world.
I got back to motorcycling when my kids were 9 & 11 , basically so on my days off during the week I could avoid spending any time with my soon to be ex wife !
To be honest I was so bloody depressed at the time it literally saved my life and now I ride whenever I can it really is my happy place , every holiday I have involves my bike & tent and I've never been more relaxed !
I remember the period of the 90s BA bikers coming back with powerful bikes that where more powerful than the bikes in their youth. The accident rate went up exponentially. Hence insurance went up. It nearly killed the resurgence.
Never underestimate a grandfather who rides a motorcycle......been riding for 45 years....bit soft now now so much in winter.......my daughter now rides and my grand daughter is her pillion....
Started riding aged 17. Now 68. Still riding and its been a great part of my joy of life.
Surley, for decades, it has been Government Policy to get motorcycles off the roads. All the stages to gain a full licence were introduced to make motorcycling difficult. There are some young motorcyclists but in the main I meet lots of older men. Why do you think OAPs no longer have reduced price tickets at some events. Go to a BSB meeting and see how many under 25 year olds attend on a bike.
I got my first motorcycle at 18. It was a Bultaco. Since then I've had a dozen bikes. All Japanese. Currently I ride a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 sx. Love it I'm 67 years old.
Just think, when we've all dropped dead ,there'll be loads of cheap bikes out there that no one wants. BUGGER!
I got my first bike in 1968 age 16, rode until I was 34. Had a long break then got back on age 62 and still riding now aged 72. Phew, remembering all that was enough of a challenge. 😂
Hi Stuart, I started riding back in 1971 and have ridden bikes all my life as well as working in the motorcycle trade as a mechanic for 48 years. Over the years governments have made it ever more awkward and expensive for younger people to take up riding and it all began with the sixteener 49cc law, at that age I was allowed to ride a 250cc machine on L plates and at the age of 17 having past my test I was riding a 500cc machine. The next land mark down fall was when the engine capacity for learners was reduced to 125cc followed by the bhp restrictions on 125's. Rider training price hikes and two part driving tests followed by age restrictions on full power machines, not to mention huge price hikes on insuring machines. If all these restrictions had been thrust in car driver's laps there would have been hell on, but we all know that over the years governments have protected us from ourselves.......NOT! All these years later the governments plans have worked because as far as youngsters go motorcycles are not even on the map because they are so expensive and restrictive and it's only only those of later years that can afford to take up motorcycling.
I started riding at age 12 on a Honda 50 in 1964. I’ve been riding safely since. 4 weeks ago I was going on a solo ride in the mountains of Wyoming and Montana where I live. Something was in the road when I came around a corner and I swerved to miss it and crashed in the gravel on the side of the road. Some tourists saw me crash and called for help. I was life flighted to a hospital in Montana where I was treated for a broken shoulder, 5 broken ribs, a punctured lung and a concussion. After 1 1/2 weeks in the hospital I was released to home where my wife has been caring for me. I’m expected to make a complete recovery, but I can’t remember the crash. What did I swerve to miss. I’ll never know. My crash traumatized my wife and adult kids. If the tourists hadn’t called so quickly for help, I might not be here. I have 60 years of good biking memories. I’ve decided at age 72 that’s enough for me. Keep the shiny side up Stuart.😎👍
You gotta know when to fold 'em ...
I'm 29 and only started riding 3 odd years ago, and I probably wouldn't have started riding if I didn't have my own house. In your day, the cost of your home was around 4x the average annual salary...now its 12x. I don't know many young millenials or Gen Z who can afford to have an expensive passion AND save for a house.
Rode a PW50 when I was 6 years old and I was hooked.
I begged my father for a motorcycle and was denied.
Finally at the age of 24 I had enough money to buy a cheap VTR250 and never looked back.
That was over 20 years ago. Will never stop riding.
There’s a self-fulfilling prophecy thing at work - most young people, for several decades now, would have grown up not knowing a family member ride a motorcycle, there wouldn’t have been one parked out back somewhere, so they wouldn’t have been seen as the norm, and would be less unlikely to be influenced to go down that route. The licence structure is now very different - the average young motorcyclist needs about a grand to get trained and tested, driving lessons will be seen as more viable gateway to personal transport. Those young people you see taking driving lessons will be in a minority - to most they are prohibitively expensive, even with parents’ support - and that’s before we get to the cost of insurance. Never forget, we were once the ‘youth of today’ - I hate that expression - and were no different, whatever anyone may think. Everything is relative, our grandparents survived the war and rebuilt the country and probably thought we were all feckless with our daft clothes and terrible rock music!
Times have changed also. I started at 17. (Necessity). Never been without a bike despite marriage, divorce. When I was at college mid 70's. The car park full of bikes. Mostly young men on apprenticeships in industry. Those jobs mostly gone offshore. We have à generation now in low paid low skilled jobs, tied in with Draconian rules to get on a bike. There enormous numbers of bikes being stolen by mostly young men. There's still the interest. But riding/driving in the UK becoming ever more less pleasant. Cameras, cameras, cameras. There's little freedom anymore. Any small infringment and you're jumped on like a tine of bricks. Labours net zero mindset will only make it worse. Already locally they're going to reduce speed limits that have been in place forever, along with cameras vans being put in place without warning. We had the best times.
Totalement d’accord avec votre analyse. J’ai maintenant 44 ans et je me suis remis à la moto ( RE Continental GT) et c’est un véritable bonheur !
I came “late” to motorcycle at 22 or so. If it had occurred to me to start sooner, I would have. But love at first sight is when it is.
Now over 30 years of riding later, it’s still the silver thread upon the hem that is my life.
My favorite part, apart from the riding of course, are the wonderful people and places motorcycling has introduced me to over the decades.
When i was younger i wouldn't be allowed or couldn't afford a bike, so when COVID happened and at the age of 42 I decided to give it a go. Not looked back ever since.
Stuart, I'm a classic example. I've been on motorcycles since I was 15, almost 56 now. Had a 15 year hiatus attempting marriage and a long term long distance relationship. Finished with that now, and now there is a Gen2 Hayabusa in my (modified for 2 wheeled vehicles) living room alongside 2 pushbikes and 3 kick arse synthesisers! PLUS a tool kit that can fix a space shuttle, not to mention a 'project' Ford Focus ST340 5 pot Turbo Stage 2 beastie sat outside 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I’m mid 30s and passed the test last year. Loved the learning phase, I like looking after the bike and tinkering/ servicing it…. But don’t really enjoy actually riding it. Roads are a disgrace and there are idiots everywhere, sometimes I come back having had fun but that’s in the minority. I also don’t have any friends who ride so maybe that’s it.
It's not just the well known negatives as outlined in many of these posts that dissuade younger riders from joining the ranks, it's also the fact that they can jump straight into a flash car they will never own on PCP. When it was the days of HP or loans it was more expensive - we are in the days of long term rental. In a way maybe it's the unintended precursor of "you will own nothing & be happy".........
Had a bike on the road continuously since aged 22 in 1992. Been lucky to have a very understanding partner who has tolerated my love of two wheels and selfish two wheel adventures after my motorcycle become my pastime rather than a method to get to work.
Net zero will eventually kill or at least change motorcycling. I feel lucky to have lived through what will turn out to be a golden age of personal transport consigned to history
Those in charge don't want newcomers to motorcycling; hence the over complicated way to pass a test - but not the same for car drivers. It's just too much cost, and hassle, so people don't bother.
However, surely small capacity motorcycles are the answer to overcrowded roads? But there doesn't seem to be the will to make it happen......
Stuart,
Fantastic article.
When I was 15 & 16 I rode to school on a bycicle. All weathers, didn't matter. It was my mode of transport. At 16 my mates started to get mopeds. Parental disapproval ment I didn't and eventually got a car. Marriage came along, family. The usual story. Then 3 years ago my wife became seriously ill and we had that bucketlist conversation. My list was short, learn to ride a motorcycle. So after the NO! discussion and "I'm not being a motorcycle widow" I did my CBT and DAS and now
I'm riding round on my dream Triumph Bonneville and loving it. New rider at 66!
Fortunately the wifes treatment was successful so alls good. Now to retire so I can spend more time on the bike!
No idea why I fell in lov with bike’s. My mum came from a very working class background in London but we lived in an expensive part of town due to my dad. Only reason I can think of is mum used to take us kids back to her family’s place on weekends for Sunday lunch. Outside loo with newspaper loo paper, no bathroom five people including the lodger in a small terraced 2 up 2 down. One summer, playing with the local kids in the street, pea shooters & spud gun wars, while most of the men were in the pub, wives cooking the roast there was this young bloke, shirt off rebuilding the top end of an old British bike in the street. All us kids whooping & charging about he just industrially busy head down working on his bike in the blazing heat. Never forgot that and for some reason the picture has remained with me all my life. Never had a moped I couldn’t afford one when at school but the moment I got work I saved for my 1st bike an old 250 BSA Starfire in the mid 70’s. Never been without a bike since. Can’t imagine not having one on the go. As you say, needed transport for work & play, parents would have laughed if I’d asked to be picked up or dropped off anywhere. So bike or car. Ì chose bike. And never looked back. Must be thousands of hrs commuting, fixing, breakdowns, touring, trouble, strife lol & fun adventure. Or err sitting in a car listening to the radio with the heater on?
Born in -45, fits in with your description. But reason I got on a bike again was that my son and his friends had motorcycles. Then went into classic roadracing, could not afford it in the sixties, only could afford speedway racing. Son did modern roadracing, now classic roadracing as it is cheaper and same fun. Now probably last season racing, slower reaction time. The old Manx will be collecting dust. Will continue as race mechanic and of course ride the classic road bikes. Even bought a classic trials bike last week, just to try something new.
I started riding when I was 35. Yes, a very late starter. I had to undo years of conditioning that motorbikes are bad, dangerous, etc. When my partner’s kids dirtied my car, I decided to ride motorbikes so that I didn’t have to take those kids. 🤣
I’m 53 now. I still ride my Honda Spada. No desire to upgrade because my bike does what I want it to do. Each year I feel financially stretched due to registration and other costs, etc. Yet riding to get my bike checked convinces me to keep my motorbike. It might make no financial sense to own a motorbike but I can’t put a price or value on the feeling of wind hitting my body as I ride my motorbike.
Hi Stuart. I’m now 75. Started road riding in 1966. Have always had a bike and hopefully always will. I was a police motorcyclist in the 70s and was taught by the best and this has never left me. I am concerned with people coming back to biking in their older years and buying super powerful bikes they’re not capable of controlling. I live in the Yorkshire dales and I hear nearly every week that some 50ish biker has been killed or seriously injured. I just hope guys coming back would treat it with caution
Very true modern bikes have such power overload to weight and that you were pretty good on a Honda CB500 in 1976 doesn't mean you can handle a H2 ....
44 yrs old. Riding since 16. Influencing and Inspiring the world around doing 1000+ kms cross countries
My father was a military motorcycle police in world war two, he got me on an old 250 triumph tiger cub when i was ten years old and taught me trial riding on a course he had set up in the woods, from there i started dirt flat track and cross country racing. Ive always ridden a motorcycle have had several over the years. Bought a new electra glide in 2007 still have it. Its been ridden very little over the last few years but here lately at the age of 69 the fever to ride has become overwhelming. Logic tells me to get a lighter bike but over the last 17 years this one has became like an old friend. Took ot to the dealership i bought it at and told them to go through it and restore it . I dont really care how much it cost, im still strong for a man my age, next week ill get it back and start another new chapter in my book of life with an old friend. Enjoyed you content , thank you sir.
Sadly Stuart, the cost of motorcycles, insurance, cost of obtaining a licence, and road VED are the big contributing factor. My car is a 1.2 (2015 )and VED is £20, yet my bike, also 1200cc (2012 ) is over £90. All these costs means it's only the older riders can afford this mode of transport. I am 63, and had bikes since I was 17.
I wasn't always old though, it just seems to have happened over time...
As I was born middle-aged I really should be much older than I am now.
I am 72 and for the past 3 years I have been enjoying riding my Suzuki bandit 1200. My daughter bought it for me as a Father's day present. She also bought me a new helmet, riding jacket and trousers and boots and even paid my insurance. Earler I was a biker for 25 years till I got married, when I sold my BMW K100RT. My Bandit is immaculate and only had 11,000 miles on the clock when I picked it up at the shop. I only ride in summer months now, whereas before I rode all the year round in all kinds of weather. Didn't get a car till I was 44.
June of 1968. My first motorcycle came into my life (Honda 90cc Super Cub) and has never stopped being an integral part of my life. In fact, it’s so ingrained into who and what I am, that I can’t separate the two.
Like you, I spent a good part of my adult life in law enforcement. I understood and accepted the risks of riding and policing, as did my wife.
Today at 67, I still ride as often as I can. It never grows old, despite some less than stunning moments.
I thank you for you insight into our motorcycling lifestyle and look forward to each segment.
Cheers, mate.
I am one of those who has returned to motorcycling at an older age, now l have more spare time. I have also returned to cycling and the reasons are very similar. As a youngster me and my mates could go further afield on our bicycles, explore the world and have adventures. Happy memories but good to still have the opportunity to cycle with mates
Some of this is true..but i started riding bikes at 17 and never stopped..what i noticed was different back in the 70.s and 80.s if you were into rock music you usually had a motorcycle...i remember as people got older some started familys sold there bikes got cars and never looked back....some like me have always had bikes and some have got back into bikes in there later years..and some people have never ridden a bike before have decided to get into motorcycling in there 40.s and 50.s..also there seem to be more lady riders now than there ever were but still not enough..and yes the younger generation do use mopeds as a get around transport..with no attention..of getting a larger bike..i think one of the things that might get the youngsters on two wheels rather than four is insurance costs..my great nephew aged 18 just past his test driving a 1.2cc polo..an old one..was charged £4000..for a years insurance ..which he saved up for himself..thats crazy money.
Heyo, watching and listening to your clips is always a soothing thing, especially when bad weather has the rein of the day and my bikes remain in the garage. To a 65 year old biker from the continent, its also amazing to see you all driving and riding on the "wrong side of the road". Good visual training for my next trip to the UK! I've started my motorcycle career at the age of 14 with various mopeds, who then gave me a sense of freedom when riding. At the age of 18 I started with bigger bikes and fortunately never had to stop riding, after I met my wife, bought a house and raised 3 gorgeous kids with her. One of my sons got the virus and now he owns 4 bikes. Anyway, I am convinced, that keeping on riding doesn't let you feel old and tired, as long as you are able to manhandle your bike in any situation. Therefore, as an "unsporty guy, I started to do powerlifting sessions which are really great for my muscles and this enables me to ride my heavy tourer (506kg kerb weight). Ride on, ride safe!