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[06ULTRASE]

Yes it's sad but true we will all have to give it up one day.

I've been riding since I was 18 and last month my odometer clocked 64. The first time I drop it or start feeling uncomfortable I will put a third wheel on it but until then it's 2 wheels for me. I'm one of the lucky guys that has a wife that loves to ride. Like others have said I don't ride as fast as I once did, my long trips take longer but as long as it's above 40 degrees and dry I still ride to work everyday.

It's like I tell anyone that questions why I'm still riding at 64, "That's what keep me young".

[Steve_G]

This has been an interesting topic.  Many have echoed my sentiments.  
Although I live close to Sturgis, I ride very little during the rally.  My favorite ride is just by myself or with my wife on back.
Like others have mentioned, I don't care for group riding.  In fact I don't ride with my local fellow HD friends at all.
I am trying to be free when I ride- not concentrating on what riders around me are doing.
I have had 26 bikes since I started riding in '66.  16 have been Harleys.  I'm about to get my 17th this week.
I used to love getting amongst them at the Sturgis rally, and lived for poker runs.  My wife and I are two of the charter members of the Sioux Falls HOG.  -Been on fly and rides and several Milwaukee birthday parties.  -Been to several national HOG rallys and many state ones.  Now I have no interest in these things.
-Funny how things change with the passing of years.  
The only thing that hasn't changed is the feel of freedom of hitting a quiet two lane country road on a nice Harley.
Several of my friends have hung it up.  Many have slowed down their seat time to where I know their bikes will be sold
in the next year or so.  
As long as I am able, I plan to ride.  

[brosen101]

Seems every responsible rider has this mortality issue cross their minds at one point or another.  When my first kid was born over 14 years ago I pondered giving it up.  Did the same thing when my second was born 8 years ago.  Was also pressured along the way to give up riding by 1st and 2nd EX wives.  Notice the word "EX" wives!  I've had the occasional close call that would wake me up at night.  There were even a couple scattered years where I did sell the bikes, but always ended up with yet another.  Through all of that, I continue to ride.

IMO, assuming health in tact, it's about the right balance of confidence and cautiousness/awareness.  Too confident = problem.  Too cautious or overly hyper aware with little confidence = problem.  When these are in balance, there's nothing more enjoyable than being cageless, open road, with great friends.  Frickin' love riding, and have so for 40+ years (since I was 4).  Like many others, it would likely be time to hang up the gloves and boots due to health issues.

[Porschestan]

You guys keep impressing me more and more with your stories and history and wisdom.  Such great answers to an emotional subject..really, CVO guys are needed in Congress!  I have read from some other sites that are frequented by HD owners, and some appear to be equally great.  However it's my unscientific opinion that we have right here a great collection of the "Best of the Best" You are all terrific!!

Stan

[brosen101]

You guys keep impressing me more and more with your stories and history and wisdom.  Such great answers to an emotional subject..really, CVO guys are needed in Congress!  I have read from some other sites that are frequented by HD owners, and some appear to be equally great.  However it's my unscientific opinion that we have right here a great collection of the "Best of the Best" You are all terrific!!

Stan

+1

[phato1]

Well we will have to try one day to take one for a test ride (drive).  But if we fall in love, then what? $$$$$
Can't really rationalize having 2 Harley's .. Can I? Well it's too early to worry..right?

I say why be rational? everybody needs at least two.
 I have the Fatboy for those times I can get out by myself for a cruise, the Ducati for when I'm feeling a little rambunctious,  and the Ultra for when the wife wants to go with me - and that is actually most of the time so that one gets the most use.

[phato1]

I've been riding dirt bikes since I was 11 (1971) and street bikes since I was 18 with a little track bike time thrown in there during the 80's.  I've been a year-long, every-day motorcycle commuter since 1999 -- I consider it cheap therapy -- and just made the jump to the Harley's back in 2011 after nearly a lifetime on Honda sportbikes with a few BMWs thrown in at the end.

In the Spring of 2010 I "lost my Moto Mojo" on a ride to work one morning.  Don't know why, but all of a sudden I had the same thoughts as the OP: I'm done.  I've enjoyed it, but riding to and from work on a motorcycle everyday and the occasional weekend trip... is it really worth the risks?

I immediately stopped riding and put my '03 BMW R1100S and '04 R1150RT up for sale and was looking forward, not backward.  Sold the RT in about a month and had a bunch of nibbles on the R1100S, but not firm takers: it was way over-improved with Ohlins, exhaust, tuning, carbon, etc. so it was only a good value for the folks who knew what it was, hence the low levels of interest. However, I finally had a serious buyer and I decided that before I let it go, I'd take one more ride.

Son of a gun, it had been a couple months since I'd ridden and I got my moto mojo back almost as quickly as I'd lost it.  I took the bike off the market and resumed my morning commute.  

A year later I found out my wife was a closet biker chic who wanted to ride with me, just not on the BMW's in full gear on 100* days in Georgia.  I asked her if she'd like to do the Harley thing and she said yes!  We bought the Wide Glide and put a few thousand miles in no time at all, did a few bike weeks and trips to the mountains.  After our trip to Key West we began talking seriously about getting a bigger touring bike and a month and 1,000 miles ago we picked up the Road King.

Having more fun NOW than I ever had on bikes before.  I see no reason for the trajectory to change UNLESS I become physically unable to ride.

Oh yeah, and we're also big time cyclists...  Gotta have a little variety.

Much of this rings familiar, starting in the dirt, riding a UJM for years and the part about the wife wanting to go riding - on a Harley - my wife was actually the one who encouraged me to buy my first HD and we have been loving life since.

As far as bicycles go - they have two wheels too you know, and can be modded up with carbon fiber instead of chrome - I enjoy riding them too, only I have to do that by myself - the wife hates 'em. That is what helps keep me in shape so I will be able ride my Harleys for a good long time, the good lord permitting.

[willyB]

Stan,

There are many things that I want in life and based on your user name you're in the right club. If you're getting unsure in your riding abilities plus the safety concern for your beautiful wife then I would suggest a convertible option from your fine German friends.

How can you NOT have a great time with the top down? Heater, Air, Tunes, Handling and a Great Exhaust Note! All with seatbelts and airbags for added safety.

Good Luck on your decision. Be safe and enjoy the ride!

[Bigfoot16]

You Are Right! But I am sufficiently happy with your Pictures!!!!

No kidding.. where do you find those?

[Porschestan]

Stan,

There are many things that I want in life and based on your user name you're in the right club. If you're getting unsure in your riding abilities plus the safety concern for your beautiful wife then I would suggest a convertible option from your fine German friends.

How can you NOT have a great time with the top down? Heater, Air, Tunes, Handling and a Great Exhaust Note! All with seatbelts and airbags for added safety.

Good Luck on your decision. Be safe and enjoy the ride!

Thanks for your wise advise and concerns! Actually I just got a new German Convertible! Very perceptive on your part, but we really enjoy the 2 wheel CVO convertible...(actually we both love that blue bike!) so as a good friend of mine once said, "let the earth spin" befor you make any decisions..it's really great advice.  Thanks So Much for your thoughts!

Stan

[hdtrader]

It's like your job...when it comes time to retire...you will know!  When that time came for me...I retired and looked forward to traveling on the bike more with only a couple of my best friends.  So far I've been doing that.  I got my first motorcycle a brand new 1965 a Honda CB50 and been riding ever since...I am turning 62 next month and when the time comes to hang up the helmet whether it be age, health, or uncomfortable riding...I will know!  

BTW... everytime I get on the motorcycle I view everyone on the road as a threat especially the texting drivers and that troubles me greatly. Even though I rode my entire life I never let my kids ride street bikes...they rode dirt bikes.  When my son got on his own he bought a sportbike...I worried so much while he owned it and was thrilled the day he sold it..  However its a different story for me cause I still ride...strange at how life is and how you look at it!

Randy

[hdtrader]

Been on two wheels since 1965, can't imagine not having a bike.  At 64 I still feel the "need for speed" but I admit my visits to 6000 rpm's are pretty scarce these days.  Crowds? Not my favorite either.  But there is still something about heading out with four or five guys I have been riding with for years, going down the road tandem, switching positions effortlessly as if each guy knows what the other is thinking, coming to stops talking about the ride, destination, or almost anything, is STILL (for me) something I do not want to give up.  Even when I am riding alone, the feeling of the road, the turns, the weather and the smell of the air are all part of the riding experience.  It is why we say, "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand."  There are those who, for one reason or another, will walk away, but you asked the question Stan; my "plans" are to stay on the steel horse for as long as I can.

OWL

 Good post...I think we're on the same sheet of music.  I was on a road trip last month with two of my best riding buddies...we traveled 1850 miles on this particular trip.  Anyway we all purchased Scala 9 Bluetooth Communication Sets and it made a world of difference.  We talked the entire trip, telling stories, poking fun, laughing at things we done over the years and most of all we communicated about the drivers and traffic around us.  It is a great riding tool and like you...we knew exactly what the other rider was thinking, lane changing or needing to make a stop.  I'll never leave on a trip without it.

[owl893]

Those ARE cool, demo'ed a set in Daytona.  Just having trouble getting my "homies" to get out their wallets.

OWL

[hdtrader]

Those ARE cool, demo'ed a set in Daytona.  Just having trouble getting my "homies" to get out their wallets.

OWL

  Yes they are.  However, I was the odd rider without one so I ended up buying a set.   Also check you PM Box...I sent you a PM.

Randy

[willyB]

Hmmm, tough decisions. How do you decide on which set of keys to grab?