Are You Too Old To Start Riding A Motorcycle?

How old is too old to start riding a motorcycle? This week on MCrider we will discuss it and look at some different ways people learn and some challenges they may have.

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Thanks for watching,
Kevin

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[MCrider]

- The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you.
- The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills.
In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more.
By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills.

[RickLincoln]

Four and a half years ago at age 67 I took the MSF course and then bought my first motorcycle. Today, three bikes later and at 72 years old, I have 75, 000 miles under my belt and am having fun as a motorcyclist.

[bobmetzger]

I taught a man named Everett who was 82. He did well and passed. A few weeks later I taught his son and grandson! Found out that they were all planning a cross country trip. The thought of 3 generations riding together swelled my heart!

[tommeaney]

70th birthday present to myself... motorcycle endorsement. Now I'm having a ball riding my Bonneville T100 as often as I can.

[hilarybramley]

I started at 62, two years ago. As an older woman, I would say that a lighter, smaller bike helps a lot. Any problems I had were linked to my fear of not controlling a heavy bike. Enjoy the ride, choose a bike that doesn't frighten you and ride to please yourself, not to impress others.

[hubbell]

After 22 years as a nurse on a Trauma-Surgical ICU, I started late, at 50, and I am loving it, and I did it right. Took classes, practiced, watch blogs like this one, and I drive within my means. Its been about two years now and going great. The benefit of starting late was that I had 30+ years driving a car, and that gave me an edge on road skills, and anticipating how drivers behave. What I did learn from my 22 years on the ICU, was that catastrophic injuries and fatal bike accidents had one major element in common: youth. The over whelming majority of the horrible injuries and deaths I have seen had a common denominator of someone young, immature, and riding beyond their skills. I have seen older riders, but more often than not it wasn't their fault and it was related to uncontrollable events like someone running a red light - that's just bad luck. Starting late I have the benefit of a developed frontal lobe which reminds me to be cautious, educated, astute to my abilities and giving deference to my limitations. Its been wonderful, even though my ICU colleagues still give me a hard time. I appreciate your videos.

[christopherkeenan]

I am 65. Alrways rode a bicycle. I just started riding last year. Love it! It’s an extension of my biking, only more exciting

[michaele]

Spot on. I started riding at age 58. Took the MSF class and the instructor said my skills were "solid". I quickly found out that didn't mean "good" because I promptly tipped my 1st bigger bike over in a fairly busy intersection. I retreated to a good size parking lot for 3 months of slow speed practice. Best thing I could have done. Regardless of the age, you still have to develop the skills.

[TheBraveheart]

I bought my first motorcycle In 2013. It is a Honda XR650L. I was 58 years old
when I bought it and I had never ridden a motorcycle before. Since then I have
ridden it Over 25 thousand miles. In April of 2019 I returned to the U.S. after a
3, 000 mile round trip through Mexico. I hope to do it again soon. I hope this
comment will encourage someone to get out there and ride!!! Thank you!!!

[willtopower]

I started riding 3 years ago at 69. One day I dropped the bike, could not pick it up so joined a gym. I am getting out of the house, meeting people, kind of a refresh for my life. Things can go downhill after retirement, the bike keeps me excited.

[starlordnetzero]

I started at 64 now ...love it on my triumph

[petercassidy]

I started late around 55 I'm 69 now and only wish I had not waited so long

[dc-pydz]

Thank you for being an inspiration and educational resource. I am 65 and have cancer. I decided to start riding again after 10 years. I watched a few of your videos and immediately went and took the Harley Riding Academy three-day course. It was well worth the time and cost. I am so glad I found your channel. You, sir, are a national treasure.

[pjcliffo]

I started riding at 60 now 69 and got bitten by the bug. Started on Yamaha virago 400 then triumph street triple 675 around Australia and in Sydney peak hour traffic also rode a triumph thunderbird 1700cc through south west USA. Did an advanced rider trading course full day on a race track and loved it. Now ride a Honda vfr 800f called interceptor in the US. Love your videos. Cheers

[GerardWassink]

Nah, of course not. I’m 62 and started riding 1, 5 yrs ago (admittendly, after almost 40 yrs not riding). I enjoy every minute of it!

[wardbriggs]

When I was about to turn 70, I decided that I would do one of two things I had never done before: get married or learn to ride a motorcycle. The question was, which of these two was likely to kill me first. All of my friends agreed that for my own physical safety and peace of mind I should get the motorcycle. So I took the MSR course, got my license, and bought a new T100 Bonneville. I've only put 18k on it (mostly around town) in 5 years but I hope to ride it forever. My Euro moto club is mostly crowding 70, but they have had long years of experience. Everything you say about self-assessment is correct, but if you're not fit to ride, the road will let you know.

[ceedee]

I've wanted to ride since I was 16 and now I'm a 67 year old woman. I started riding last year on a Can-Am Spyder. The three wheeler Spyder was easier than the two wheeler. Made the trip to Daytona Bike Week on it before they shut everything down. Best time ever! Took the two wheeler course twice and quit on the third day both times. Too much to learn and the 500cc HD bike was heavy, I couldn't grasp the clutch, etc. Took the three wheeler course in between and passed it and bought the Spyder F3T the next week. Last week I bought a 2020 Harley Davidson Freewheeler Trike, stiletto red. Pretty and awesome. It's the best bike for me at this time in my life and I'm riding it, not far yet mind you, but I'm finally riding a motorcycle.

[williamgoss]

I successfully completed the MSF course in May of last year, a few weeks after my 70th birthday. A physically and mentally demanding three days. I bought a CRF250l. Had never sat on a moto before the course. Spent last summer practice, practice, practice slow speed maneuvers in a large empty parking lot, plus some longer rides on local country roads with little traffic. I have no interest in or need for urban riding. This summer I plan to seek out some dirt roads. Riding a moto is something I have day-dreamed about my entire adult life but never pursued because I felt (rightly or wrongly) that familial and professional responsibilities precluded accepting the risk. Now retired and kids long gone, I feel like I am the only one exposed to the risk. My sons were astonished when they learned what I was doing and their very first question was "is Mom ok with this" to which I truthfully responded that she is encouraging me...that led to some snide remarks about how I should check to see if there have been any recent increases in my life insurance coverage! Anyway, my dream and I am chasing it. How I ride and where I ride, I am no threat to anyone else on the road but me. Besides, I've got to keep working on my skill-set so that when international travel restrictions permit, I'll be ready for that three week dual sport trip through Patagonia. Cheers

[gregsteiner]

I started riding at age 50 and enjoy it so far.

[johnkeenlyside]

I took a motor cycle test and passed last year at the age of 75 after a riding absense of about 40 years. Great fun and have ridden throughout Asia and planning on doing a lot more following the Covid 19 issue.