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[Trapperdog]

A few years back we met a man on the side of the road in Utah. He was riding back to his Wyoming home from California on an old Honda 750. He was 73 and had terminal cancer. We kept in touch but he died a year later. Said he would ride to the bitter end as he didn't want to rust away. As long as I'm not a danger to others, I'll probably do the same. But you never really know until you're there

[hogdooz]

I got my first motorcycle license in 1956 (I was 14 in Okla) and I'm still going strong. I ride coast to coast, teach group riding classes and provide one on one rider training to anyone who thinks I can help them (My wife and I are former CMSP/MSF rider instructors). I've taken Keith Code's Streets classes and constantly try to improve my skills. I hope I will know when I need to quit riding, until then, I'll keep having fun riding as much as I can.

[North Georgia Hawg]

I got my first motorcycle license in 1956 (I was 14 in Okla) and I'm still going strong. I ride coast to coast, teach group riding classes and provide one on one rider training to anyone who thinks I can help them (My wife and I are former CMSP/MSF rider instructors). I've taken Keith Code's Streets classes and constantly try to improve my skills. I hope I will know when I need to quit riding, until then, I'll keep having fun riding as much as I can.

You, Sir, are a riding Godhead!

Ken

[hogdooz]

Hey Ken, please don't make that comment to my wife, she thinks she's the riding Goddess!

[Beak Boater]

Call it a natural process, I think everyone goes through it at sometime, to some degree or another. Have done some national events, and as pointed out, you see all kinds of riders. Have done Rolling Thunder in D.C. for one, and although its one of the most moving rides I ever did, the stress of riding with a bunch of strangers takes a toll on you. So our group of friends that I trust and feel comfortable with has shrank to just a couple of riders that seem to enjoy the same type of riding. Most everyone on this thread has said or done the same thing.
Yep....when two up with my wife, who loves to ride as a passenger, the though enters my mind about her safety. Funny when riding by myself, I never really think about it.
As long as I can swing my leg over the seat, and that deep growl when I push the start button brings a smile to my face, I'll still do it. If I become a hazard to those around me, my friends are close enough to me to tell me the truth. I just hope I am man enough to accept it.

[Porschestan]

Call it a natural process, I think everyone goes through it at sometime, to some degree or another. Have done some national events, and as pointed out, you see all kinds of riders. Have done Rolling Thunder in D.C. for one, and although its one of the most moving rides I ever did, the stress of riding with a bunch of strangers takes a toll on you. So our group of friends that I trust and feel comfortable with has shrank to just a couple of riders that seem to enjoy the same type of riding. Most everyone on this thread has said or done the same thing.
Yep....when two up with my wife, who loves to ride as a passenger, the though enters my mind about her safety. Funny when riding by myself, I never really think about it.
As long as I can swing my leg over the seat, and that deep growl when I push the start button brings a smile to my face, I'll still do it. If I become a hazard to those around me, my friends are close enough to me to tell me the truth. I just hope I am man enough to accept it.

That is an important addition to this discussion, "I hope I am a man enough to accept it". This also of course applies to the elderly who have great difficulty giving up their drivers license.  It's hard, hard for the to give up their independence, and in many places like L.A. There for the most part is No Public Transportation.  In my business (Insurance) I have seen this over and over again.  It's really quite interesting how people handle this.  Some extremely educated people (the adult children) in most part live with the knowledge of what needs to be done but cannot..they just "hope for the best". It's really a big problem.  For me, I has told everyone that when it's time I will just stop.
I have seen many bad examples.

[Dr.D]

Great thread full of postings that I could x2. I hope to ride as long as i want to. I have been through several hobbies and most have faded away with out much real reason. I took 15 years off the biking scene mainly because i developed other hobbies like hunting and fishing. There is only so much time to play for some of us still employed. My wife rides her own following me and I have had more concern about her than me but what can you do, except lead well.
 Quick Comments

-I hate that the trike has no lean angle that gives me pleasure
-hdtrader I see the appeal of the radios but sometimes I don't want to hear from the wife and others. Even in a group ride there is solitude.
- I don't even have a radio and am fine with that
-a 6oo hp convertible car is pretty close to a bike ride.

Good riding to all those who choose.

[MadCVORG]

Until a year ago, at the age of 49, I never really considered life without my rides.  Then I had a stroke. That really put things into perspective--the fact that I wasn't going to live forever, and likely was closer to the end than I would have liked.

At the moment, I'm not sure how it'll go.  I've been rebuilding my strength and balance, but I'm nowhere near where I once was. Having the Fat Boy helps; it's lower and lighter than the RG, but now, getting back into the saddle is what keeps me going.  I missed Sturgis, a 'Bridge Too Far', but maybe next year. Perhaps I'll need to stick to shorter trips, but I'll likely ride until I expire.

[Porschestan]

Until a year ago, at the age of 49, I never really considered life without my rides.  Then I had a stroke. That really put things into perspective--the fact that I wasn't going to live forever, and likely was closer to the end than I would have liked.

At the moment, I'm not sure how it'll go.  I've been rebuilding my strength and balance, but I'm nowhere near where I once was. Having the Fat Boy helps; it's lower and lighter than the RG, but now, getting back into the saddle is what keeps me going.  I missed Sturgis, a 'Bridge Too Far', but maybe next year. Perhaps I'll need to stick to shorter trips, but I'll likely ride until I expire.

Thank you very much for sharing..
Stan