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[Ironhorse]

It is a difficult decision we all must make at sometime, based on our individual reasons. Speaking only for myself, just for today the pleasure I get from riding a motorcycle still out weighs everything else.

Have I changed? Yes. I am much more cautious. I am less aggressive. I take fewer chances. I do what I can to mitigate the risks. But when the day comes when I no longer enjoy riding, and that day may never come, I will make a similar posting.

Until then I will plan rides, carefully selecting the optimal route, the distance between fuel stops, the lunch stops, the National Parks to visit, and invite those who wish to ride along.

[Dan_Lockwood]

Some of us here know a guy, name not mentioned, that's a member and has been very active with the forum over the last many years.

I'm not sure, but maybe 7 or 8 years ago they were riding 2-up and hit a deer.  She was airlifted out and died from the accident.  He was taken to the hospital and spent many months in recovery and still has back and leg issues.  But he still rides when he can.

So I don't know how much closer to home it could hit, as others have mentioned too.

Riding is a choice and you do the best you can to ride defensively, but there are WAY TOO MANY distracted drivers now that it does scare me a little to ride.  But again, I look at all crossings to see if I get eye contact and start to slow down if not.  We all want to enjoy ourselves riding and I will say that it takes my mind away from work and that stress.

Years ago, in '82, I had an ultralight airplane and when I would come home from work I would go flying.  Boy talk about taking your mind off daily chit, just try flying something that weighs less than 250# a few thousand feet off the ground.  I also had pontoon floats and flew off the water, that was a BIG HOOT and a half.  Beats any bike ride I ever had...

I digress...

It's everyone option to hang up the riding boots whenever they feel so compelled.  I plan on riding a few more years.  With our new to us toy hauler with a 12' garage, I believe the wife and I will be seeing some states on her to visit list.

Oh, I'm down to 32 work days and then I'm retired...   

[kevin_n]

I totally understand your choice to give up riding for your child. A few years ago three friends of ours were in a motorcycle accident. One passed in the air ride to the hospital and the other two do not remember the day but spent months in the hospital and rehab. They are both back on a bike. After the accident my wife mentioned something about selling her bike cause she didn't feel safe, I told her I would support her choice but I wasn't going to give up mine. It's been 4 years and some of our best vacations have been with our bikes and I found this website and met some nice people because of my bike. But maybe look into getting a convertible and take your kid with you for a day with the top down.

[Eqcons]

I've always thought about what would happen in a crash on the bike, and as I ride 99% of the time with my wife, I consider the ramifications for us both.  I ride carefully, and always assume that every car driver out there is out to kill me - makes me a better car driver too.   But following the death (non-accident related, and he didn't ride) of our son five years ago, out of the blue, I've come round to thinking that when your time is up, your time is up, so a "what if" isn't going to stop me riding - age will, of course - I'm almost 68 now - but I'll continue as long as I can. 

A close friend for around 40 years, who also rides a CVO, same age as me, doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, gym 3 times a week, never a day's illness, has just been giver 3-6 months to live from Bowel Cancer that appeared out of the blue, even though he faithfully did the every-2-year tests for it that we get in the UK.   That's going to stop him riding, as death will eventually do to us all. We don't escape this life alive.

You could be lying in bed when the ceiling falls in and kills you, or any other thing out of the blue.   But till the day comes, I want to keep on riding as long as I am able, and nothing is going to make me stop "just in case".

Of course, the choice is yours, and I understand the position with your son, but life is short - 40 years passes in a flash, it seems - you never know how long you have, so for me, I want to live life to the full, doing things I enjoy. And my bike has given me enormous pleasure, taking me to wonderful places I'd never have otherwise been, and making many good friends along the way. I wouldn't change that for the world.

[RivRaptor]

Heard a phrase while back that my apply here..

"We spend our first 40 years trying to kill ourselves and our next 40 years trying to live forever!"

[grc]

When I was a much younger man I had no qualms about riding in heavy traffic and even in major cities.  I was a defensive rider/driver with excellent skills, and managed to survive the two instances of cretins in four wheeled vehicles running over me, with injuries that required a trip to the emergency room but no overnight stays.  Now I'm much older, my skills have deteriorated just like anyone's does after nearly 70 years, and I no longer feel comfortable riding (or driving) in heavy city traffic.  Look around you when you are out on the highways these days and see the same thing I see, a larger and growing percentage of vehicles on the roads with medium to severe crash damage, some with obviously more than one incident, driven by clueless and don't care people.  It takes the fun out of riding when you have to protect yourself from a growing number of lousy drivers.  It also doesn't help that you no longer heal as quickly and completely as when you were a teenager, so even a non-fatal collision can be a permanent life changing thing. 

These days I only ride out in the country, and I ride much less often and for shorter distances.  The time is rapidly approaching when I will get rid of the bike and call it quits.  I started riding at age 15, and have loved it for all these years, but there comes a time when it just isn't fun any more.

Jerry

[Eqcons]

The time is rapidly approaching when I will get rid of the bike and call it quits.  I started riding at age 15, and have loved it for all these years, but there comes a time when it just isn't fun any more.

Jerry

How old are you now, if I might ask, Jerry?

Jim

[Threephase]

Hopefully that is a long time away Jerry. I started riding when I was 5. A Honda QA-50. Rode various bikes until I out grew them and were handed over to my sister. Had my license since age 15. I hate to think what it will be like without a bike.

Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

[Mofo67]

LAzine, I completely understand where you and your husband are coming from and think you are making the right decision at this point in your life.
When I met my wife in 2010 she had never been on a motorcycle and really didn’t care to ride with me but did some just to be supportive. We returned from Daytona March 2012 and decided to buy a Ultra Classic Limited so she would be more comfortable. Over the next several months we rode about 3,000 miles together and in late June 2012 my best friend got hit. He was in the hospital for 13 weeks and then rehab. I sold the bike, jackets, shirts everything except my helmet and a couple pairs of gloves, I was done. After seeing my friend like that everyday for those 13 weeks I couldn’t think about riding again. I bought a couple of Corvettes over the next year but never could shake the need to ride. About a year later I bought a used bike and to my surprise my friend that had been in the accident ask could he take it around the neighborhood. Next thing I hear are the pipes as he is hard on the throttle and gone out of the neighborhood. He came back with a big smile and said its time brother. He rented a bike and we took a trip and the next summer he bought another bike. Since them we have had 3 friends in accidents, luckily nothing serious. We try to be cautious but it seems to be the other person most of the time. My wife rarely rides anymore but I’ve continued to do so.
I know this is a long story but my point is only you and your husband know if the time is right to give up riding and only you two will know if the time is right to start riding again.
Best wishes in your decision.
 

[grc]

How old are you now, if I might ask, Jerry?

Jim

I'll be 70 in April Jim.  I know there are more than a few people still riding in their 70's, many still doing long distance touring, but for me the magic is gone.  I hate to say it, but it does no good trying to con myself.

Jerry

[Eqcons]

I'll be 70 in April Jim.  I know there are more than a few people still riding in their 70's, many still doing long distance touring, but for me the magic is gone.  I hate to say it, but it does no good trying to con myself.

Jerry

Just a little in front of me, Jerry.  I know the time will come for me to stop too, but though I'm 68 (in ten days) on the outside, I'm still 20 on the inside, and am blessed to be fit and healthy so far, so I hope to keep riding for some years yet.  My big problem will be strength I think.  I'm 5'5" (used to be 5'6"!) and 146lbs, so lifting a bike of the stand is getting harder, especially if there's even a slight camber.  When the time comes, I'll know though, just as you do.

Jim

[Smoketown]

68 here also ...

But, when the time comes that "I can't get it up", I'm going to do the three-wheeler conversion and have it painted to match.   

Of course, they DO make an air operated center stand.   



.

[Ironhorse]

,..for me the magic is gone.  I hate to say it, but it does no good trying to con myself.

Sounds like you know, but don't lock it in. That may change and you may find yourself out enjoying the ride again. It might be a matter of small adjustments like doing 350 miles a day instead of 450. Having more "off the bike days" during the tour. At least these are things I have learned about myself.

[Indenial]

LAZine, like so many things in life:  You'll know when you know--and that will be the right decision for you.

[CVODON]

I retired in 15 and thought I would ride alot more. Bike was new and I was 62.5, then I started feeling bad, took two years and many, many tests to figure out the cause. Then another year of treatment and regaining strength. We rode to Bikeweek this year and both enjoyed it but soon summer popped up and it was just not fun in the Florida heat. The last month we have ridden about a 1000 miles but I Have to admit, it's about over. I find that I am so worried about all the traffic and road construction that I don't enjoy it much. So it may be awhile yet, but end is very near.