Old new biker!

[Never2late]

Hi,
Passed my bike test Nov '13 and happily rode a Kawasaki 250 Twin Scorpion until a mate offered me his ’98 Suzuki GSX600F with 30k miles on clock for £450!! Couldn't resist it even tho' I'm only 5' 5", 70 years old and could only reach the ground on tiptoes! I got lowering links fitted, but can still only touch with balls of feet, so have to be very wary of stopping and paddling, etc.
The instructor on the test course insisted we only use our left foot when stopping, but I've had to learn to stop and plant my right foot as well, as cambers and potholes could be my downfall, literally!!
Regarding a post I've just read asking about advanced courses, I can thoroughly recommend the Police motorcyclists' One-day Bike Safe course as a first step! Well worth the £30-odd pound cost, in my opinion. (All police bikers use right foot when stopping, they told us!!)

Love the bike, love riding at the slightest excuse, and agree totally with comments that recommend getting out as often as possible to gain expertise.

[Fisty]

Welcome to the mad house! I *think* you could be our oldest member.
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[grr666]

You may be able to have the seat reduced in thickness by an inch or so
to reduce the height a little more.

Good on you for not letting old age slow you down.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[nelmo]

My first bike was a GSX600F which I bought new in '98 - it's not a yellowy, green colour, is it?

Are you sure you've spent enough time thinking about taking up biking? Don't want to rush into things...
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Bike history: Suzuki GSXF600, BMW F650, Honda Varadero, Suzuki V-Strom, Kawasaki Versys
Current: Honda NC700X

[Never2late]

Wow! Three replies in ten minutes! This is better than POF!!

Thanks Fisty, for the welcome. Hope I live to stay the oldest member!!

Did think of having the seat carved, grr666, but doesn't feel very thick to start with!? How about some Elton John boots??!
Old age has in fact sped me up!! Can't do a ton+ in the Ford Ka!!

nelmo, my bike is indeed a yellowy, green colour. Seems more yellow in bright sunshine! A friend calls it duck-shit yellow!!
Can't stop smiling out loud at your second comment!! Maybe the 1/2 bottle of Sauvignon Blanc has something to do with it!!

Thanks, guys for the welcome. Don't feel so alone now!!

[Fisty]

[bikertomm]

Brilliant thread!

Here's to looking forward to the summer.
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Never2late]

Fisty..."Quietly and consistently taking the piss" ??!!

[bikertomm]

He's the equivalent to Louis Theroux.. just more funny.
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[monkeybiker]

I'm doing bikesafe at the end of march. Never done it before so glad to see it went well for you.

[Spamalittle]

Fair play to you sir. Three posts in and you're already a legend in my book

Will be pointing my dad in the direction of this thread for sure. He always wanted to get into biking but, owing to us pesky kids, he kept putting it off. Now that we’re all growed up I convinced him to do his CBT last year and am now trying to get him to go for his full licence. But at 68 he reckons he’s too old. Poppycock I say – a point well proven by your good self.
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Story so far: RV125 VanVan > SV650 > Indian Scout > Triumph Thruxton, SV650 (again) & CG125

[Pigeon]

You are only as old as the woman/man you are feeling or the bike you are riding.

You've already done more miles and had more smiles on two wheels than many folk do in a life.

Enjoy!


Now, where's my Werthers Original?

[Rogerborg]

Splendid stuff. In another few decades you'll be ready for your first BMW.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Joncrete Cungle]

[Never2late]

Hi Spamalittle,
As long as your dad can manage without the Zimmer frame he should be good to go!!
50 years of car driving certainly helps, anticipation-wise, and separating from your wife, in my case, was a "get out of jail free card"!!
Happy to chat to him if he wants to email me!

[Never2late]

Thanks Pigeon, not much joy on the women front, I'm afraid!
But as to smiles!.....every time I get out!! Alway whizz around the Penryn bypass (at 70 max, of course), even if if it's two miles further!!

As for the Werther's, I still have my own teeth, and intend to keep them!!

[Raffles]

[Never2late]

Raffles,
A bit harsh perhaps, but maybe you have a point! It never occurred to me that I was too old, and my sons are 32 and 28 years now so should be ok to cope with my demise?? Inheritance will only be bike and boat!!! Can't answer for Spamalittle!!

[CieL]

Uhm, welcome to BCF!
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Semper Paratus

[DrDonnyBrago]

Welcome to the forum!

[Spamalittle]

[Snodvan]

You are certainly NOT the oldest member of the forum - I'm 73 soon.
Been riding since 1966 albeit with a long break 1973-2008. Have always ridden singles - Tiger Cub, BSA C15, Velocette Viper, Velocette Venom, Kymco 99cc scooter (sorry about that) and now 650 BMW CS

Keep smiling

Snod
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04 (UK Reg) BMW F650cs, but really 02 first Reg in Holland

[pepperami]

Reading this thread gives me hope
At 54 , I`ve got a few years riding in me yet
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Benjums]

Welcome to the mad house. Judging by the going up and down penryn bypass I would say your not to far away from me in cornwall? If so will definitely keep my one out for a duck shit yellow bike at the local meets when they start getting busier in a couple of months.

[Never2late]

Shucks Snodvan! Maybe I can claim to be the oldest/never biked before 69 years old/biker....for what it's worth??

You may have stirred up a hornet's nest here Fisty. Could get loads of oldies claiming to be older and newer than me!!
Glad to be your honorary Grandfather....my 33 year old and 30 year old sons haven't made me one yet!!

Been to the Helston meet with friends, Benjums, on my 250 Kawasaki Scorpion a year ago...but a bit nervous about going on this beast (it's a beast for me!!) as I'll probably fall off it turning and parking on the slope opp the burger van!!!