my Dad (old) wants a bike!

[Itchy]

Er what do you say when your dad asks you so what do I need to do to get a bike like yours son? , which sent alarm bells ringing in me head.

I think I convinced him when he urgently needed to get out into Manchester city centre and my faster (and fatal) filtering technique cut the journey time to 1/3 what it is by car.

Originally a bloke in 1980 scared him off bikes by taking him wayy past the ton on the back of a CB1000 (I think) and hes never dared go on a bike since until this urgent situation occured (his car was blocked in by a broken down car which he couldn't find the owner or get out via the kerb).

Thing is though hes pushing 60 and has driven cars for 41 years , I'm younger and feel concerned for meself.I'd worry an awful lot.

Any suggestions?.

Would be it be awfully embarrassing for me dad to follow me on ride outs on a VFR800 (he went to ESB and spent ages oggling one apparently).Since hes been jokingly making comments like these which I'm not sure how serious he is aboutit.

Thanks
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Bendy]

He might ride faster than you do.

I'd encourage him, too many people seem to think that pushing 60 your life is over, taking up something as cool as biking at that age is

[Steve H]

I posted this in a topic bloody ages ago...

My Dad had BSA's and Vincent's when he was a kid and regularly used to go scrambling (we're talking 1950's here!). I can regularly remember going pillion with him on something like this...

https://dutchman.org.uk/Honda_CB250N_Superdream.jpg

Honda 250N Superdream I can recall thinking it was bloody quick when I was 10 years old and wrapping my hands around his waist in a desperate attempt to hang on although it was probably 40mph max

The years have gone by and he's now gone old skool and potters about on one of these when the weather's nice...

https://www.royal-enfield.com/images/bullet65_red.JPG

Royal Enfield Bullet sixty - 5

Got so much respect for the bloke - I'd love to think that I was still riding as well as he is when I reach retirement age and beyond

I'd echo Bendy's sentiments (and add a couple of thoughts of my own).

Just 'cos he's...

A Your Dad
and
B Getting on in years

...it shouldn't mean that his life is over.

I'd encourage him to take biking up, he doesn't necassarily have to get the lates 0-140mph touring machine. In fact, when the years go by and you can look back on memories of times you both spent riding together you'll be glad that you helped him realise what might be a long standing ambition.
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The BCF Top TEN - 2010, 2009, 2008, The Original.

[phantomtek]

[queen of string]

Treat this just the same as a younger person starting out. Support, advise and encourage. 60 isnt old anymore and the longer you stay vital and interested the longer you live an interesting life.
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[Itchy]

thanks for the advice , I just keep half expecting to come home to find a shiny new VFR800 where his car is normally parked.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[colin1]

vfr750/vfr800 is a really easy bike to ride so I think he'd be fine, but for commuting I think an er5 or cb500 will do the job nicely

getting a historic bike for him just because he is old is not a good idea in my opinion.

my uncle has a bsa historic thingy because he is fond of them, but he has a cb500 for commuting
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[MalcolmT]

ther's been some good advise handed out...

His reactions will be slower than yours plus he won't be as keen to take chances coz he knows any injury from a prang will take longer to heal.

I'm talking from experience here.

[JonB]

So what?

My Dad got back into biking when I got a bike, he started off on a Hornet 600 and now rides a CB1300. The insurance is dead cheap seeing as he is 50 is July (I'm sure he minds me saying that)

It's brilliant, yes I am a faster rider than him, yet he is older and wiser.

He can show off too when he pulls the throttle of the CB1300 as well.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[bazza]

Don't see why age is an issue. So long as he can sling his leg over the bike, let him have his fun.

Old farts are people too, y'know...
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[Itchy]

I get the impression from some posts that you think he is a born again biker he isn't and has only ever been on the back of a bike twice once with a mad nut on a CB1000 and the other time on me NTV.

Ie he doesn;'t want to dust off his licence and his old helmet (though I found a very old one) and get back he wants to learn to ride from scratch
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[colin1]

yeah i had got that impression

he shd do his DAS and get a bike then

deauville is another which might be good for him (nice high screen, good for distance)

or maybe a gsxf600 like old timer bazza (not great bikes tho)
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[bazza]

[hellkat]

[mr.z]

My dad rode bikes from 14 right up to 50, where he stopped and never rode a bike since he just gave it up.. which is a real shame cause we dont have a tremendous ammount in common :/

If he has money to throw about something like a transalp, big trillie maybe, there reiculously easy to ride/pootle or hoon about on, exceptionally easy to get on with..

If hes going to be doing it on the cheap a cx500/(or maybe gt550) would be a great choice, quite forgiveing, cheap to buy and maintain and rewarding to ride (if you stick within its limmits) think of it as a halfsize goldwing and your getting there..
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[Courageous T]

just because hes old doesnt mean he has to have an old bike!

[yzf750r]

my dad is 62 and has a Harley FLSTN!

It'll keep him young, let your dad have has he likes!
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