Not a crisis topic - just Old Age and a new curiousity - 50mph 'feels' faster...

[teninospyder]

No lie.... My wife and I have noticed recently that when we are doing say 50 MPH, it "feels" faster than it did, even last year.
No explanation..........just wondering if anyone else has noticed as they ride more (and get older), this has happened to them.
Turning 80 Y.O. tomorrow isn't helping anything either
Our wish for you.....Ride safe, ride as much as you can, and be happy, at any age

[bigbadbrucie]

Ray, I joined the 80 y/o club one month ago today. I don’t really notice the speed thing, other than there do seem to be a lot of slowpokes on the road these days. I’m thinking that there are no more or no less, that it’s just crotchety old me.

[vito1943]

Been riding 40 years and turn 80 in less than 2 weeks. If anything I find I need to go faster than in the past to get the same adrenaline jolt. I'm lucky to have a road only a few minutes from where I live that is very lightly traveled, straight as an arrow for over a mile, with not a tree, driveway or anything else where something might be hiding and ready to jump out at me, including police cars. I can usually get up to about 75 before I enter this stretch and then get the Spyder up to about 105 on the speedometer, which I guess is a real 100, or "hitting the ton". I only need to be at that level for a few seconds to get the rush!

[BajaRon]

When I haven't done much riding for awhile, it does seem faster.

I've been riding a lot of different Spyders/Rykers. Test riding after working on customer's bikes. They always seem to be going faster (not necessarily quicker) as well. Probably because I am just not used to that machine. As similar as they all are. Each one has a character of its own. Funny how that is.

[LALoner]

I am fixin to drop some serious $$$$ on a 23 S2S . It gives me a good feeling to know that there are more 80 yr old riders out there .

I was beginning to re think my purchase .

[BajaRon]

I am fixin to drop some serious $$$$ on a 23 S2S . It gives me a good feeling to know that there are more 80 yr old riders out there .

I was beginning to re think my purchase .

Not all 80 year old's can still operate any motor vehicle. But if you can, I think you should. No matter the age or abilities. You should never ride above your sill level. I know we all have. I suppose you don't know what your skill level is until you exceed it. But have the wisdom to recognize it. Good advise that I have to remind myself of, from time to time.

[Bangorbob]

As Clint Eastwood said: A man has to know his limitations. I agree. Enjoy it while you can no matter how fast or slow you go.

[ARtraveler]

As I am pushing 80, I am starting to like keeping to the posted speed limit + 2 mph or so. If traffic starts to pile up on a 2 lane, we usually pull over to let the faster traffic go by. Many roads in our area are just right for putzing along at 40 mph or so, we do a lot of that when we have the roads to ourselves. On the heavy traveled highways we do limit plus 5 most of the time.

[Isopedella]

I'm a Pooteler these days as well.
That being said I dont mind a bit of spirited cornering and twisty bits now and again.
Dont slow down too much. Cept when the wife of onboard as she gets a bit cranky with that stuff.

Recently retired now and quite a few Summers away from 80.

I say good on ya. Your getting out there and enjoying the ride. Majic.

[canamjhb]

Glad to read this thread. I'm younger than some of you. Will turn 76 this year. I had some problems with my trike that have been fixed but was considering giving up on riding. The group I have been riding with for the last 18+ years is no more. My best riding buddy died last January so I find myself doing solo or doing nothing. I don't feel any diminished skills or anything like that, at least while still on three. So, maybe I'll give it another season or two.

One thing I do notice about speed is that when first cranking it up, it feels FAST. Then I do settle into a groove and even 75 to 80 on the interstate are comfortable. After doing that for a while, slowing down to 60 feels like a crawl.

Thanks for the inspiration.....

[BazF]

I get exactly the same feeling. 84 years and been on a Spyder for 5 years.
Local speed limit is 50mph and I feel like I am flying. Don't have the same problem in my car.
Baz

[BajaRon]

Glad to read this thread. I'm younger than some of you. Will turn 76 this year. I had some problems with my trike that have been fixed but was considering giving up on riding. The group I have been riding with for the last 18+ years is no more. My best riding buddy died last January so I find myself doing solo or doing nothing. I don't feel any diminished skills or anything like that, at least while still on three. So, maybe I'll give it another season or two.

One thing I do notice about speed is that when first cranking it up, it feels FAST. Then I do settle into a groove and even 75 to 80 on the interstate are comfortable. After doing that for a while, slowing down to 60 feels like a crawl.

Thanks for the inspiration.....

There are hurdles to staying in the saddle. But I find that those who stick it out through the thin times always find they are glad they did.

[sledge]

No lie.... My wife and I have noticed recently that when we are doing say 50 MPH, it "feels" faster than it did, even last year.
No explanation..........just wondering if anyone else has noticed as they ride more (and get older), this has happened to them.
Turning 80 Y.O. tomorrow isn't helping anything either
Our wish for you.....Ride safe, ride as much as you can, and be happy, at any age

Yessss Brother , I just turned 72 years old .... 11 days ago... May 10 1951 , and I DO know what your saying, and I believe in every word you said. thank you .

[liv2cod]

It's probably those 22-in wheels you got to bling your ride.

[hut1]

Speed perception can vary greatly do to age, health, experience, etc. If you feel comfortable and confident at high speeds at age 80+, that's great!. With 40+ years riding experience, at "only" age 66, I acknowledge that my skills, reaction time, and confidence level aren't what they used be, partially due to health issues and other factors. I've learned to adapt and accept a different level of thrill, and riding is still as rewarding as ever. I try not to ride any faster than my angel can fly.

[pegasus1300]

I'll be 77 in August and I noticed on a trip to Monticello, Ut on I70 2 weeks ago I was not comfortable at the freeway speed of 80. Both I and the Spyder are happier at 70mph.

[Mikey]

I am fixin to drop some serious $$$$ on a 23 S2S . It gives me a good feeling to know that there are more 80 yr old riders out there .

I was beginning to re think my purchase .

You know what they say? Man with the most toy's wins!!! Good for you!!

[Wahrsuul]

Can't say that I've noticed that myself. I was doing 80+ on the way to Rock Hill for the Can Am Experience ride. Tryke was stable the whole way. But that was unusual, usually I'm at the speed limit, especially when cruising the back roads. I avoid superslab when at all possible.

[redrazor]

will be 77 in September. 70mph is plenty fast and controllable.

[linguine]

Turned 78 two weeks ago. Wife and I like 65 - 70, road permitting, here on secondary AZ highways. Our freeways have a vast majority of cars doing 80 - 90. But on the freeways we keep it under 75.

[BamaJohn]

I am fixin to drop some serious $$$$ on a 23 S2S . It gives me a good feeling to know that there are more 80 yr old riders out there .

I was beginning to re think my purchase .

Add me to the octogenarian list....January this year. Lovin' Life with my knees in the breeze.....

[Little Blue]

....Well folks it's like this, some people have the 'Need for SPEED'.
I am retired and truly appreciate this 'time of life'. I have enjoyed ryding more and more but, because of all the cagers things are crazy. I am trying to be Safe and Stay Healthy. So the wife and I ryde at 'our pace'.

Enjoy your Ryde Times and Stay Safe.
Remember always be on the 'look out' for the cagers. Cell phones are the big problems.

[Wahrsuul]

Cell phones are no more the issue than guns killing people. It's the idiots behind them....

[old Timer]

80 last March, been riding something with a motor since the early '50's. Thanks to McRus was able to acquire an excellent well taken care of a mint '20 F3-L. Been thinking of one for several years, road my first one on a demo ride 2010 in Prescott, Az. Road raced on BMW's until 3 years ago. My new to me F3-L easily seems comfortable at cruising at speeds from the 60's to the 80's. The more I ride the Spyder the more I become super pleased with this new chapter of refusing to grow up. Riding the Spyder is much closer to the feelings, and sensations of a motorcycle than the same with a Top Down convertible. Hard to explain, but there is a difference, one you are in the wind as one with the environment, as opposed to being in the confines of a topless Car.

[missouriboy]

With the constant 15-20mph winds down here, I like to keep it around 55-60. But yesterday was a rare no-wind day, so on a nice new stretch of asphalt that I had all to myself for a while, I punched it out to 110 for a minute or so. Wheee! The most I ever coaxed out of mine was 117, a few years ago, with a little tailwind.

Oh, and I'm now on the downhill side toward age 84.