How do you know if you are too old to ride ?

Another year older, but when will you know if you are too old to ride a motorcycle (or to start riding). With every year, especially at “MIDLIFE” , you might ask yourself the question. The question may come from yourself. It may come from your family and friends. You may even read an article that says you are too old to ride if you are over 60. Assuming its written by a Yamaha R6 riding 20 year old. There isn’t one answer to this question. In this post, there will be a few considerations if you are wondering if you should be living . (I mean riding).

Where there is a will ..

Age is just a number. That’s the first thing to remember when discussing a topic like this. If you are passionate and driven by something, then the last question you should be asking yourself is “am I too old to ride”? Passionate is a source of life and keeps energy flowing. Its what gets you out of bed every day and what keeps you looking for challenges to solve . So first, is riding a motorcycle a passion for you?

How are my riding skills?

If you have been riding for 3 years or 30 years, you may be just terrible. You may be a great rider. Like any skill, if you have not been out practicing with intent or doing things to keep your skills sharp, you may not be the rider you think you are. Being too old to ride has a skill component. There are countless channels on YouTube that showcase rider safety and even techniques. Ride Like A Pro and MC RIDER to name a couple.

Simply getting out and riding regularly will help you. Even if you have taken an MSF course years ago, taking the course again may refresh your skills and confidence. With low confidence, comes low safety . Get out there and PRACTICE!

How is my health?

Once you get to a certain age, your health (physical and mental) starts to decline. Keeping mobile, strong, and mentally sharp will ensure you have the right combination of positive check marks to keep riding. Many riders start to ride less and less once they reach 60 years or more. This doesn’t mean that you are too old to ride if you are over 60. It means that health may be more of a factor for you as you continue to become more seasoned. There are many things to be aware of that may sneak up on you if out a ride:

• Diabetes
• Vertigo
• Arthritis
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Asthma

Your doctor needs to point you in the right direction if you have any of these conditions. No medical advice is being provided here.

You must answer the question. There are many that ride well into their 70s, 80s, and even beyond. If you have the passion to ride and the motivation to take care of yourself, there is a good chance that you are not TOO OLD TO RIDE.

Get out there and be safe.