There are things to ensure you are riding longer into your midlife and golden years. Don’t let the sun set on your riding days.
As we age, we have more aches and pains. More tweaks and twists. General health becomes an issue. Here you can find some of those things. We also may even have more trouble reading that road sign . Am I turning right or left? Is that a 5 or 6? There are some things to consider that may keep you riding longer into old age. If you’re still on that GSXR and stop light racing every other night, this might not be up your alley. If you just LOVE riding and want to do everything to keep active and enjoying riding longer into your golden years, then here we go.
Its All In The Butt
The first thing that stands out on any ride . Old and young riders alike will have a common complaint. We’ve all heard it. My ass is numb. I cant feel my butt. I need to sit on a bucket of ice. In a nutshell ,the comfort of a seat is a very important issue. One of the main contact points between you and the motorcycle is the butt. One of the best ways to solve this problem is to ensure you have a seat that is designed for both weight relief and cushion. Some seats may be super thick and padded. Some may include gel technology to offset the pressure points. There is no one seat type for every person, but generally speaking, a little effort goes a long way to keeping you riding. Find a seat that you can smile after sitting on it for an hour plus. Sites like MOTORCYCLE.COM often have reviews and support to help you get your ride dialed in.
Bikes are BUILT for riding longer
You may not want to hear it, but that standard UJM from 1985 might not be the best all around for you to keep riding deep into your golden years. Bike come in a variety of styles. Sport bikes, Adventure Bikes, Naked Bikes, Sport Touring, Cruisers, and Touring to name a few. You may be a speed freak, but the truth is, cruisers , touring bikes (Sport and regular), as well as naked bikes offer more of an upright, relaxed seating posture. This keeps you in a position that can rack up more miles and in a way that is more comfortable. If you’ve been on any sort of a long trip, the bikes you most often see making those trips are big and relaxed. This doesn’t mean you give up the “fun” when twisting the throttle though. If you want to keep riding longer. Make sure your bike allows you to be more relaxed and comfortable.
Gear Matters
Exposure, exposure , exposure. Sound, wind, sun, rain, bugs, and even rocks will be common occurrences. Gear is made to protect you . That’s a given. But it also keeps the stimulation down and helps you tolerate longer rides with less build up of stress. Even in a normal day, we find ourselves stressed from work, neighbors, pets, kids, and even spouses. This can make us more miserable. (If there was just a helmet to protect us from the grouchy wife). While riding for a short bit with the sun and wind in your hair may be good for that short Sunday stroll, riding over a thousand miles will take more of a toll on you if you’re exposed. Also, all that sun and wind will make your skin dry out and age even faster. We don’t need any help there..
These are just a few tips. Little things go a long way. Hopefully you’ll keep riding and riding. Just make sure you enjoy it.