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[AZ Sparky]

As mentioned earlier...a person needs to know their limitations.  I have exceeded mine a few times in life, and hopefully learned a few things in the process.  I guess you could call that "maturity", or the "School of Hard Knocks"...but 99.9% of those things did not put other lives in danger, only my own.  Most, in hindsight, were stupid, and I paid a price for some of them...

I've also SAID some stupid things in my life, but mostly had sense enough to realize they were stupid shortly after leaving my mouth.  It's a shame Hank left, but we all put on our big boy britches every day, and if you say something, you'd better be able to back it up, apologize, or shut the f@#$ up.  Or all three...

Can't agree more.

It's the lack of maturity/sense that causes a person to exceed their limitations.
Or to not even worry about those limitations. 
I'm not talking about "pushing the envelope" a little in order to advance your skills.
Rather the people that don't bother to know/acknowledge their limitations.
You can call it stupdity - I was trying to be nice but aw well...

As far as saying stupid things - yep, right there with you too - heard and said my fair share too.
Might add one other option - clarify - it may have sounded stupid but in the end really was a good idea just presented wrong
Course you may also end up with a deeper hole if you don't know how to tell the difference
Now to REALLY bugger things up another side of the should/shouldn't ride coin - at what point should an aging riding, with deteriorating skills, step off their ride for the last time?

[Eagle Eye]

It's unfortunate he even considered taking that kind of action.  One would think just the fact he rides, he would watch out for other bikers.  I understand why they were doing what they did, not that I would.  It was likely very hot out and sitting in a long line of traffic will overheat the bikes, if not the riders.  Just because a biker is taking a shortcut that might get him a ticket if caught, isn't a reason to possibly take their life or cause serious injury.  He was totally out of line...

[PASN YU]

If you are going to write something on a forum for the world to see there are a couple of things you should be prepared for. Not everyone will agree with what you say. Others reactions may be harsh. You need to have thick skin and be able to back up your thoughts. If you have thin skin and are a little sensitive then you probably should sit in the background and just read.

Now, as far as when a rider should/shouldn't be riding due to a deterioration of skills. Let me preface this statement with IDEALLY this is what should happen. A person should have the personal responsibility enough to say, "Hey, I'm done" and drop the keys off with a family member. But that's not reality. So, let's come back down to reality. There should be a skills test given every five years (or more often?) after reaching a certain age. What that age is I am uncertain but I'll leave that up to everyone here to discuss. For me, you might have to pry my keys from my cold, dead hands. (JK) 

[JCZ]

If you are going to write something on a forum for the world to see there are a couple of things you should be prepared for. Not everyone will agree with what you say. Others reactions may be harsh. You need to have thick skin and be able to back up your thoughts. If you have thin skin and are a little sensitive then you probably should sit in the background and just read.

Now, as far as when a rider should/shouldn't be riding due to a deterioration of skills. Let me preface this statement with IDEALLY this is what should happen. A person should have the personal responsibility enough to say, "Hey, I'm done" and drop the keys off with a family member. But that's not reality. So, let's come back down to reality. There should be a skills test given every five years (or more often?) after reaching a certain age. What that age is I am uncertain but I'll leave that up to everyone here to discuss. For me, you might have to pry my keys from my cold, dead hands. (JK) 

That should apply to those driving cars also.  And in some states it does......just a decade to late.  And then you have certain cultures that don't seem to understand that the right lane is for slow cars and they'll get in the fast lane of a four lane freeway and doing fifteen miles an hour slower than everybody else and seem to be totally oblivious to it.....causing cars to swerve around on the right, slam on their brakes, etc.  Then we have those talking on cell phones, reading, putting make up on, texting, etc. etc. etc. all jeopordizing others lives on a daily basis.  Just a part of life in any major metropolitan area.....and some smaller areas, too.

[MIKEYTEE]

As for when to step off the bike and hang up the helmet and keys for the last time, I think most reasonable riders will know when that day comes. I go to the school down the road regularly on weekends and practice in the parking lot. Sort of a skills test of my own. I think I would know when the skills are not there and will not come back. The watch out, Scooter Store here I come. Maybe a Hover Round!
I can't get it out of my mind. The little old blue hair in south Fla. after the accident saying, I have been driving for 80 years without an accident, don't know what all the fuss is about.
Mike
 

[HUBBARD]

As for when to step off the bike and hang up the helmet and keys for the last time, I think most reasonable riders will know when that day comes. I go to the school down the road regularly on weekends and practice in the parking lot. Sort of a skills test of my own. I think I would know when the skills are not there and will not come back. The watch out, Scooter Store here I come. Maybe a Hover Round!
I can't get it out of my mind. The little old blue hair in south Fla. after the accident saying, I have been driving for 80 years without an accident, don't know what all the fuss is about.
Mike
 

My sentiments exactly, Mike!  Well, maybe second thoughts on the Hover Round, but whatever it takes at the time, right?  Ride safe, you Ol' Fart!  Wait a minute.....I ain't that far behind you, am I?  Later--HUBBARD

[Ironhorse]

And then there's the modification option. Why stop playing a sport just because you cannot compete at the same high level. So you run slower, hit the ball shorter and play in a seniors league. Same with motorcycling. Cut your distances from 600 mile days to 250 mile days. Ride only in day light. Take back roads and side roads. Stop when you are fatigued. Give yourself LOTS of space and time to react. And most importantly adjust yourself accordingly. When those things are no longer fun, then consider it. I do like the idea of practice!!!

[MIKEYTEE]

And then there's the modification option. Why stop playing a sport just because you cannot compete at the same high level. So you run slower, hit the ball shorter and play in a seniors league. Same with motorcycling. Cut your distances from 600 mile days to 250 mile days. Ride only in day light. Take back roads and side roads. Stop when you are fatigued. Give yourself LOTS of space and time to react. And most importantly adjust yourself accordingly. When those things are no longer fun, then consider it. I do like the idea of practice!!!

I don't plan on getting off anytime soon. After moving to a trike ( down the road ) I will make the leap off. This will most likely be when I'm around 130 years old. ( I'm going to live to 150 and be shot by a jealous husband )
Mike
 

[9 1/2 Beers]

I don't plan on getting off anytime soon. After moving to a trike ( down the road ) I will make the leap off. This will most likely be when I'm around 130 years old. ( I'm going to live to 150 and be shot by a jealous husband )
Mike
 

  With your boots on 

[SBB]

  With your boots on 

Just take care of my truck!

 

SBB

[sawyerghost]

I agree on practice as well. My story is probably typical. We have neighbors that wife and husb both have bikes......hers a limited edition R.K. ..his SEUC 07 model.
They hardly ever ride, but to listen to both of them talk they wrote the book on motorcycle riding. On the rare occasion that we have ridden together, " SHE SCARES THE HOLY CRAP OUT OF US" overrevs the throttle at every take off, swings way out into traffic at most intersections, brakes through curves,  etc.
They may get on their bikes once a year, and always talk about their abundant knowledge and skills.
They talk about getting out of it, but want to keep the bikes I beleave as a garage trophy.
An accident is going to happen, it is just a matter of time. Trying to help, I have invited them to the Abate motorcycle range for practice sessions. But as previously stated they already know more about riding skills than is necessary. So they will make comments of how they are overconfident with their abilities, but never ride.

I am sure that this is more typical than not with many riders.

[Wrongway]

 I work with one that shouldn't even drive, let alone ride. Seen him 3 times come in and forget his kick stand and drop the bike. Granted it's only a Yamaha, but it's never good to see. Our nickname for him is Coconut, there is only milk between the ears!

[Eagle Eye]

Practice, practice, practice...I too do the local Elementary School parking lot.  I use tennis balls cut in half, based on the Lee Parks course patterns.  20' circles for figure eight, slow ride and also panic stopping practice.  I find it keeps me sharp and NOT over confident.  Actually, the practice helps drive home how vulnerable we are out there.  In any altercation with another object, we always loose, right or wrong. 

I too hope I have the nads to call it when the time comes to hand in the bike keys.  The wife and I have decided when it does, that's when we get the Porsche convertable.  Hopefully that will suffice for a while until all driving has to end.

[kraut]

... I have invited them to the Abate motorcycle range for practice sessions. But as previously stated they already know more about riding skills than is necessary...

this sort will always be around - just keep clear of them on the open road 

[Midnight Rider]

Practice, practice, practice...I too do the local Elementary School parking lot.  I use tennis balls cut in half, based on the Lee Parks course patterns.  20' circles for figure eight, slow ride and also panic stopping practice.  I find it keeps me sharp and NOT over confident.  Actually, the practice helps drive home how vulnerable we are out there.  In any altercation with another object, we always loose, right or wrong. 

I too hope I have the nads to call it when the time comes to hand in the bike keys.  The wife and I have decided when it does, that's when we get the Porsche convertable.  Hopefully that will suffice for a while until all driving has to end.

Hopefully, I'll drop dead after having sex before I need the drool bucket...