For Those of Us Over 40 Motorcycle Safety Discuss For Those of Us Over 40 in the Other Topics forums; I have been doing several seminars using the MSF's SeasonRider program. It addresses some of the concerns that riders over 40 yrs old should/need to consider. Issue's include; dimenisioning eyesight ...

[GOMO]

I have been doing several seminars using the MSF's SeasonRider program. It addresses some of the concerns that riders over 40 yrs old should/need to consider. Issue's include; dimenisioning eyesight (including night vision), hearing, muscle strength, reaction time, attention span, memory, etc (sure sucks that the list goes on).

So what I'm wondering is what you have notice different with your riding abilities due to age - it's ok if you take some time to finally accept the fact that the calender days have been flipping by........As for me, it's a good thing I don't have to read menus to ride; seems my arms are not long enough to read the small print. Good thing street signs use BIG letters.

[1996Fatboy]

That's a lot of issues!

#1-Eyesight, seems my eyesight hasn't changed at all! Above 50 MPH the tears start rolling and everything becomes just as distorted as it did 20 yrs ago.

#2-Hearing, Though my wife would tell you most certainly I'm deaf, when I'm cruising I can still hear the subtle engine noises as I accelerate or the little clicks and clunks as I shift all while listening to the sweet tone of unbaffled V&H Longshots.

#3-Muscle strength, A couple of weeks ago I repositioned the Fatboy in the carport. Not sure what happened next but the bike fell away from me. Luckily the Wifes 2007 Honda Rebel broke it's fall. Unfortunately she was standing right there so before the bikes settled I had the Boy by the bars and wrestled it to its feet. My muscles may be over forty and not near as firm as they used to be but by golly the Fear Of My Wife sure caused them to over acheive at that moment!

#4-Reaction Time, Did I mention in #3 that the Boy fell away from me. Enough said!

#5-Attention Span, It may seem that we don't dwell on all the events that go on around us but isn't that the point? When I saddle up most of the time my destination is not important and If everything goes as hoped, when I release that clutch I also release and leave behind the days worries.

#6-Memory, There's nothing wrong with the hard drive storage, it's the search engine that lets me down!

#7-ETC., There's a lot of room for additional catagories here but lets face it. Every second we waste worrying about things we can't control are seconds we could spend riding care free and enjoying life. When the time comes and You can't hold it up or balance life on two wheels, GET A TRIKE AND RIDE SAFE!

96

I haven't noticed any physical changes, haven't been riding that long. I was an old goat when I started and I'm still an old goat. Just more experienced.

I believe I have become a better rider. 40,s 50's 60's still young. Depends on your skills.

I know of younger riders that cant see, hear and plain suck. So do some older folks. Some shouldnt even be on bikes.

Its up to each person to know their limitations.

I Know more older riders have never taken a motorcyle saftey course. Most of the young ones do. Can that be part of it? Some never learned how to ride correctly to begin with.

My buddy taught me right into the back of a garage! Yeah it hurt a bit. I have taken a few
saftey courses since.

The only thing I have a problem with is hearing. And it seems to be most affected when my wife is speaking!

All bodies age at their own pace. Not the same.

Major hand Cramping. Doc says its a result of spine injuries from the last left turner. Sucks on long trips. Really takes the fun out of the long runs. Eye sight could use some help too. Damn, this age thing is a real downer. LOL

[Spade5]

I started riding again a couple of months ago at 60 so I don't have enough recent experience to really know anything. My 07 WG isn't exactly known for comfort but it sure is fun to ride.

I have tendonitis in my right arm which tends to have it cramp up on me if I am riding highway where I am holding constant speed and not braking. I got a Throttle Rocker and that helped and now I am thinking about a cruise buddy so I can relax the arm or stretch it out.

I have played with the angle on the bars and it helped some. I am trying to balance my weight between my backside and my feet and not have my arms stretched out too much.

I have been wearing glasses since I was 10 so the vision thing is nothing new for me. I wear a full shield helmet so wind and wet is not an issue and I don't really ride at night. I am thinking of a windsheild but haven't made up my mind yet.

I am going to continue to ride as long as I can ride safely and with reasonable comfort. My guess is the bike will outlast me but we will see.

I know most people can out ride me and that is fine. I have nothing to prove and just like to cruise.

[GOMO]

Originally Posted by Spade5

I started riding again a couple of months ago at 60 so I don't have enough recent experience to really know anything. My 07 WG isn't exactly known for comfort but it sure is fun to ride.

I have tendonitis in my right arm which tends to have it cramp up on me if I am riding highway where I am holding constant speed and not braking. I got a Throttle Rocker and that helped and now I am thinking about a cruise buddy so I can relax the arm or stretch it out.

I have played with the angle on the bars and it helped some. I am trying to balance my weight between my backside and my feet and not have my arms stretched out too much.

I have been wearing glasses since I was 10 so the vision thing is nothing new for me. I wear a full shield helmet so wind and wet is not an issue and I don't really ride at night. I am thinking of a windsheild but haven't made up my mind yet.

I am going to continue to ride as long as I can ride safely and with reasonable comfort. My guess is the bike will outlast me but we will see.

I know most people can out ride me and that is fine. I have nothing to prove and just like to cruise.

Hey Spade5,

As far as your signature line - If you ride, do what you can to keep it safe, and enjoy doing it...........Well that makes you a real biker in my book.

Keep enjoying - GOMO

[BaggerDad]

I am well over 40 and have been riding for years.

So, yes...... what was the question again?

[4cams]

I think 96 covered it for me at 60+. It's just that much more of a rush.

[BlueBob]

I'm still relatively young, but my night vision has already started to worsen. I have to be more careful riding at night.