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"Dave" is a 63 year old retiree (took early retirement). He trotted the globe as a photojournalist and worked in the family headwear business for a number of years (made Harley-Davidson headwear at one time) before retiring. Currently Dave is working on his fourth novel -- all waiting for publication. Bought his first Harley in 1991 (a sportster! ugh), graduated to a Dyna-Glide in 1992, and an '81 Shovelhead in 1996. From a know-nothing bike rider in 1991 to being able to make "significant" repairs on his Shovelhead, that, he said, is how he received a real education.
It's Not the Same As Driving a Car The other day a friend of mine said he'd gotten a call from a man, age 65, who was interested in buying a motorcycle. The man, my friend said, was worried if he'd be able to ride at his age. Oh, another thing, the man had never been on a motorcycle before. Now when I heard this I started to laugh, not at the idea of a 65 year old man taking up bike riding, but the idea he'd think age had anything to do with getting your butt on a motorcycle seat, and taking off! I'm 63, only a year and a half from this man's age, and I wouldn't think I couldn't ride. Granted, I started riding at maybe 58, that's still "old" for the average motorcycle rider. There are considerations to the question the 65 year old man asked my friend. There are stresses considered normal if a person expects to operate a motorcycle. Intense concentration is required while riding, you are using both feet and both hands almost constantly to operate the motorcycle. It should be obvious, you are going to be going at a fairly rapid speed on only two wheels, therefore, balance is absolutely necessary or you you'll find yourself on the hard pavement in an instant. You must have fairly good eyesight; a blind person, or nearly blind, you're ruled out at once. You must understand this isn't an automobile; most things done in the closed situation of an automobile don't work on a motorcycle: a cool day means intense cold on a motorcycle; a beautiful day could turn rainy presenting unusual riding conditions; you will find yourself feeling far too close to automobiles passing you - very frightening until you get used to it; you must ride in a defensive mode at all times - automobiles just don't think about your safety; be prepared for numerous emergency situations not found when operating an automobile, they come up almost each time you ride. And if you are intrepid enough to go ahead; don't forget the motorcycle goes on gasoline - and it runs out. Check each time you ride if there's gas in the tank! If that 65 year old man can overlook the negatives of starting to ride, there are a few negatives he shouldn't overlook. First, the type of motorcycle he would purchase. If grandpa expects to hop on a "one-hundred inch hard-tail chopper" and take off, he's in for a rude surprise. Be warned. Here's what happened to me! I couldn't wait to pick up my first Harley. Went to the dealer after he called to tell me it’s in, hopped on and took off. Instead of turning right, heading toward home, I ended up going straight - across a busy four-lane road, hitting a center "bump," my new Harley and I went flying in the air, miraculously landing on the two tires and ending up in the parking lot of an abandoned gas station. Bruised, embarrassed and depressed, I thought to myself, "You goddamn fool, buying something you couldn't handle." The moral of my story is; don't buy a motorcycle you're not prepared to ride. The second thing you should consider is taking riding lessons; either from a professional or AMA sanctioned motorcycle riding schools. They are available in all larger cities. Other that that; age is not a determining factor if you decide you want to ride a motorcycle. Hell, go ahead, but buy one you feel comfortable with. "Trailer-Trash" Dave
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*Trademark of Harley-Davidson, Inc.
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