Midlife Crisis and Motorbikes?

[zico]

Since I decided to do my CBT and work towards my licence I've been accused of having a midlife crisis, sometimes in jest, sometimes not, by my wife, family and friends.

I have no idea if I'm having a midlife crisis or not and, frankly, I really don't care.

I'm curious to see if there are others here that only took up biking in their late 30s or early 40s and was the same accusation levelled at you?

If it is a midlife crisis then I'm enjoying it and I might have another one.

[Going]

Having a mid-life crisis before 40, poor you.
Pass your test, get the biggest, fastest, most dangerous bike you can find and show them you're not having a mid-life crisis but a very late-life crisis if it goes to plan

I've decided to not have my mid-life crisis till at least 80, but that's only if I'm getting bored.

[NJD]

Stop, you'll be told they're dangerous next.

[andym]

Going by my family history my midlife crisis was late 20's early 30's

I didn't "get in to biking" as such, I just needed a cheaper alternative to get to work, since I was paying £250 a month and only earning £1,000 at the time... I started out on a 50cc scooter, moved on to a 125 and halved my traveling time (only cause I (wasn't allowed to) could use the motorway), I passed my test and haven't really thought about cars since.

Who cares what friends and family think.... if you enjoy it, then go for it

[defblade]

Yes.

Bollocks to the lot of 'em
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Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp

[pompousporcup...]

I'm going through mine now, late twenties. I figure I've got time for 2

[Pete.]

Stopping van drivers because they want to race you away from the lights says you haven't reached middle age yet, let alone got in a crisis over it.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[hellkat]

Tell them to shut the fuck up.

(I was once accused of being a yuppie and a wannabe, though )

So mine wasn't really due to mid-life crisis, but rather as a result of a divorce.

I'd been talked into buying a bike when I was aged 23, but after 6 months I sold it to come to England, fully intending to return to NZ after 2 years and resume doing [whatever], i.e., being a good little kiwi girl.

But I surprised myself by quite liking England, getting married and rather swiftly getting pregnant, so life and motherhood, and slowly being suffocated within an Italian family sort-of got in the way. No way would I have had the mostly rather cool life that I have had, if I had returned to New Zealand in 1986 like I was supposed to, or even stayed there in 1997/98 like I intended to do after I ran off from the marriage.

Anyway, for various reasons which are quite scandalous and do not reflect well upon me ( ) I got back into biking at 37, returned to London, spent 3 years pootling about London on a CBT with an assortment of 125s and acquiring rather scuzzy but sterling mates.

Once I got my "big" licence, I just naturally graduated to an assortment of unsavoury two-wheeled vehicles (and their two-legged equivalent ) and am currently rather happy that evolution of my bike-life in the intervening 15 or so years means that I can now pretty much live the sort of life I do, without too much tedious intervention from other people.

At the moment

hellkat
quite happy for now
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Rogerborg]

[stinkwheel]

I have a beard and ride an Enfield so I'm constantly being accused of being a hipster.

Pointing out I've had a beard for the last 15 years and I've been riding oddball bikes for the last 20 smacks of "I've been doing this since before it was popular" and only pours oil on the flames.

As such, I point out I do have a front mudguard, don't have any tattoos, wear normal clothes and don't like real ale.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Matt B]

Been riding since I was 17 so not been accused of a midlife crisis for starting to ride.

However, buying something like a FireBusa12R in your late 40s, that's midlife crisis material
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Mudshark]

joining a gym, giving up drink, taking up cycling in lycra, yup all sure signs of a mid-life crisis; riding a beemer with pipe and slippers... nah.
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R1250RS
XT660X

[Wobbling Dog]

late to biking myself. i think people automatically come up with the default 'you're mad' because its the lazy thing to say. Press on with the license ,besides you don't have to get a bike afterwards-but i bet you do......

[jjdugen]

A PROPER mid life crisis is selling up and buying a bar in Bangkok. Putting your future in the hands of one of the most anarchic societies in the world. THEN, you buy a bike because its the only way to get around the place, London commuting... Phah!
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[zico]

[zico]

I've had all the gasps of horror, attempted lectures about the danger, hushed whispers, stares at the helmet (oo er missus). It's water off a ducks back. I accept that it's more dangerous than driving, do I care? Maybe a little but I'll worry about that if it happens. It's damn good fun and I can't wait to get a bigger bike. My wife has been fine about it all, if she disapproves of the bike or the money I'm spending she's not voicing that and she's letting me get on with it. If she did voice it, nothing would change and she knows this anyway.

So, midlife crisis or not, bollocks to them all.

[pepperami]

I found the perfect way to avoid mid-life crisis , be like me and act like a twelve year old all your life , works for me
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[chickenstrip]

[Tinkz]

I'm with defblade, "Bollocks to everyone", if you enjoy it ignore the comments
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I can resist everything.........except temptation!

[rubyhorse2]

nah its just took you a little longer than most to become awesome.

[Nexus Icon]

I didn't have the same trouble, getting grief from the better half, as I booked my wife in for the tests and whatnot on the same days as me.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[drbaig]

Age is just a number.

Wisdom, youth and money do not come all together.
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yzf 600r

[Going]

[wr6133]

I've found the best way to stave off smart arse comments from the wife about an early mid life crisis is to reply "Well if you prefer dear, I could be more traditional about it and spend my evenings fucking 18 year old whores".

[bikertomm]

I also started riding at 17/18, now 4 years on, I still laugh at every single fart me and my work colleagues do..
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!