How old is to old to ryde a Spyder or a Ryker?

[seaweed]

Many times I have seen/heard discussions about at what age a person is to old to drive a vehicle but no mention of motorcycles (especially 3 wheel ones). Yes I am getting to be an old fart, and one of these days my kids will say it is time for me to stop driving. Of course they will also say to stop ryding my Spyder.

So my question to folks out there "In your opinion at what age should a person stop ryding?"

I did not put this thread in Off Topic Board as I believe it is very much a Spyder General Discussion.

[ARtraveler]

IMO...a specific age is not the right way to look at it. Different people are going to have different skill levels at different ages.

Some of the things that should make one consider hanging up the Spyder:

Inability to properly work the controls.

Distracted driving..as in early dementia.

Inability to make proper judgments with general driving rules and regulations.

When it becomes a safety issue for self and others...then it is time.


My .02

[Bob Denman]

When you're dead...

[powpilot]

When you're dead...

What Bob says!

I'm 76 and just climbed off a 900+ lb touring bike and onto a Spyder. Slow speed turns were becoming uncomfortable, but other than that ... was having fun.

And I don't care what my kids think! They may be better educated than I am, but they're not nearly as smart!

Gary

[Chupaca]

But have ryden with several well over 80 but as stated by AKspyderman there are many things to consider. So I say if you can then there is no age...o

[bikerbillone]

What Bob says!

I'm 76 and just climbed off a 900+ lb touring bike and onto a Spyder. Slow speed turns were becoming uncomfortable, but other than that ... was having fun.

And I don't care what my kids think! They may be better educated than I am, but they're not nearly as smart!

Gary

Would that touring bike be a GW?

[Devious56]

I have a neighbor who told me that I was being stupid for cutting my own grass, I asked him if he would do it for me Give me a break, I'm only 79.

[ARtraveler]

There are currently some 80+ years old Spyder owners/drivers out there. Maybe we can get some of them to chime in.

[WisconsinDavid]

The big thing is enough self-awareness to know when someone is beyond safe for themselves and begins putting others in danger. Although balance on a Spyder is not an issue, there needs to be enough upper body strength to turn and lower body strength to stay planted in the saddle. As long as one can do those things, with decent reactions and a clear mind... have at it. I have a friend who still drives his car, with his wife, to lunch... and he's 100. And... he's not scary at all behind the wheel.

[Big F]

we have an 86 year "young" member of NISR (Nebraska Iowa Spyder Ryders) who annually goes on extended rides in excess of 5,000 miles.. matter of fact, he asked me if I was interested in riding with him this year.. I opted to not participate as I am 78 years "young" and didn't feel I was up to riding that distance in one outing.
BIG F

[canamjhb]

I have been riding with a motorcycle gang here in Arizona since retiring in 05'. (Well, we've morfed into a tricycle gang) There is one couple, he is now 94 and she is 92, who still ride with us weekly. When we do 2-3 day trips they don't go. But daily rides are no problem. In fact, Tom (that's his name) has been a leader for desert 4 wheeling for over 25 years. He has lead me astray many times on his quad. Most of us have graduated from a quad to a side-be-side but Tom says he is too old to change. He just keeps leading us into near impossible places riding his quad. Hard to beat knowledge and experience..... Jim

[BazF]

80 and enjoying my F3T. Switched to 3 wheels when I felt unsteady on my CB750 and Triumph Trident. I have just bought a BSA 350 though.

[bikerbillone]

we have an 86 year "young" member of NISR (Nebraska Iowa Spyder Ryders) who annually goes on extended rides in excess of 5,000 miles.. matter of fact, he asked me if I was interested in riding with him this year.. I opted to not participate as I am 78 years "young" and didn't feel I was up to riding that distance in one outing.
BIG F

Wow, I'd like read about his rides, does have a vlog? I don't see many posts here about 5K mile Spyder trips, and I'd like to know more about those rides. I'm guess this old timer has a pull behind.

[Chefex]

Peoples perception of the spyder is more how old you have to be to "start" riding one. LOL

[Grandpot]

There's no such thing as too old. If you can still do it, then do it!
I just graduated from college again a couple of years ago. I told the history professor that I didn't learn any history in his class, I was just reminiscing!

[Peter Aawen]

You don't get too old to ride - you get old BECAUSE you stop riding!

[PrairieSpyder]

Many times I have seen/heard discussions about at what age a person is to old to drive a vehicle but no mention of motorcycles (especially 3 wheel ones). Yes I am getting to be an old fart, and one of these days my kids will say it is time for me to stop driving. Of course they will also say to stop ryding my Spyder.

So my question to folks out there "In your opinion at what age should a person stop ryding?"

I did not put this thread in Off Topic Board as I believe it is very much a Spyder General Discussion.

Is that a trick question?

When you're dead...

You don't get too old to ride - you get old BECAUSE you stop riding!

with Bob and Peter!

[missouriboy]

Is that a trick question?

Really. It reminded me of being very young when my boss answered a similar question with, "How long is a piece of string?"

I bought my first Spyder at 73 and immediately took the Safety Course on two-wheelers, which I hadn't ridden since about age 15. I really enjoyed swooping around the parking lot on it for old time's sake, but I knew right then that I'd never again ride two-wheelers in traffic. Now, 6 years and 95,000 miles later, I see no end yet to enjoying 3-wheelers. And 4-wheelers in the forest!

[Bob Denman]

You don't get too old to ride - you get old BECAUSE you stop riding!

Amen...

Getting Old.jpg

[DGoebel]

There are several 80+ year old Iron Butt Riders, last year one rode his beemer through all 48 US States twice, back to back. And that's among a small group of people who document their rides publicly.
I have bookmarked an article about a guy from Michigan Ward Blanchard, who did an Iron Butt ride at 89 years old on his RTL.
The oldest IBA'r to ride Coast to Coast (in 48 hours) was 80yo in 2015 (on a 2 wheeler....)
And I'm sure there are more non-IBA folks riding there 2 and 3 wheel cycles for "normal" rides.

[tibadoe]

As long as you are not putting yourself or others in danger -- I say ride on!

[Bfromla]

As long as you are not putting yourself or others in danger --

there are PLENTY at all age groups that can't even do that NOW

[toolie]

Don’t know. Soon to be 80 and just bought a new 17f3 Ltd. bought 5 years of warranty and plan using it at least that long.

[arude1]

91 and I ride almost every day.

[BajaRon]

There are some who should never ride. They just do not understand the nuances of open air riding (2 or 3 wheels), and cannot do it safely. I've ridden with a few of these. It does not necessarily have anything to do with their intelligence. It can be scary to watch them. Because you know it is just a matter of time.

There are some that lose their ability to ride relatively early in life.

There are some who can ride well into their 90's and beyond.

The thing is. Each of us needs to be honest and sober with ourselves about our skill level. If we are willing to quit when it is necessary, then we should ride as long as it can be done with safety for ourselves and others.

What I do not want to happen is to have someone tell me I need to quit... when I knew it before they cared enough to say so.