Looks like my riding days are done.

[SVSooke]

Thanks guys.I have had the identity of motorcycle rider for a good long time now.I'd thought it would last till I drew my last breath to.It may still be there to reemerge or not,only time will tell.I'm coming up quickly on 59 but feel little pressure to quit for being to old.Right now I am quite engrossed in getting our 02 Kia Magentis fixed up http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?248101-Got-a-car!&highlight= The friend I'm giving the EF to isn't surprised because ALL I talk about is Madge,yes this one got a nameThe recent shoulder injury is doing really quite well,it bothers at times and will the rest of my life.It's not really a factor.Haven't done anything with the 1000 in months and looking at the 750 gets me down.David I wouldn't take the 650 right now even for free!You have done a REALLY nice job bringing it back to life.I know myself well to know this may pass to that's why I'm keeping the GPz. Kind of feel odd keeping the Kawi but what the hell.

 

[Guest]

There are some options that you might consider at some point.
A senior citizen friend can?t ride anymore because of his medications ? he added a side car & its working out fine for him.
Some seniors ?graduate? to trikes, Spyders or scooters.


Another ?senior? option I?ve seen on the roads is a Stallion. It has a small Ford car engine, a steering wheel & AC/heat.

Good luck with whatever path you take.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I think Greg said it wasn't an age related decision.

 

[Wingsconsin]

59 .. ! 59 is not OLD !
If you think 59 is old -- wow -- I am 58 and I am planning trips for the next 10 years .
Get some more exercise into your lifestyle- you will feel great -
While one wouldn't think it to look at me (6' tall and 300#) I DO go to the gym a few times per week.
I walk the treadmill for a few miles - then lift some weights -
I am still pretty strong and feel pretty good -- (Thank you God) -

Please do not think 59 is old. :cower: :blue:

And the Traveling Picnic Trikes were a collection of 70-90 year olds...
One of those guys is 90 and has worn out (WORN OUT !) 3 Goldwings at over 300,000 miles per each in the past 10 years !


Of course it is your decision - and I wish you well with that choice.

 

[GSXR7ED]

I have been thinking it might be time to hang up the gear for a bit.Yesterday I decided the passion is gone.Have given the 85 750EF to my friend and will sell the 78 1000.I will be tinkering at the GPz but it's on the back burner.It has been a hard decision but it feels right.Will still check in but not as much.Been a great deal of fun and I still love this place.Keeping the GPz for now is my out if I change my mind

Wow SVS,

That is kinda sad to hear but then again, I have not worked on my bike like I planned this summer because I have been preoccupied with other things.

Not sure what specifically made you come to this conclusion but it's all for your sake.

Don't listen to Rick about hanging out in the Vortex. That place can be toxic...and "ain't nobody got time for that!"

Let us know what you decide to do. I like how everyone is providing feedback...all good too!


Ed

 

[Brendan W]

I don't believe this is an age thing.
The fire goes out, the fire goes out.
Should what you do define who you are.
You own the bike or the bike owns you ?
I once heard a 97 year old man tell his family, under pressure from great grandchildren, that his one great regret was that at 75 he failed to realise that he was still a young man

 

[SVSooke]

I never said 59 is old,was asked so I answered.Not age related decision at all as I'm in good health generally.Just got a bunch of new gear to as I was not expecting this to happen.SWMBO has told me I am keeping the 1000 till spring,if I still feel the same it to will be sold.Like I said time will tell.

 

[Guest]

I started back on bikes at 54 after an almost 40 year hiatus. It's never age, its mindset. Losing passion for something is common, natural. As long as there is some activity, hobby or full time occupation that you look forward to, enjoy doing, maybe just for today, thats what makes life worth living. There's nothing to feel sad about here. SVS is self aware, and living his life as his heart guides him. Losing passion for something is normal. It's when we lose passion for everything​, thats when you should start worrying.

 

[glib]

59 .. ! 59 is not OLD !
If you think 59 is old -- wow -- I am 58 and I am planning trips for the next 10 years .
Get some more exercise into your lifestyle- you will feel great -
While one wouldn't think it to look at me (6' tall and 300#) I DO go to the gym a few times per week.
I walk the treadmill for a few miles - then lift some weights -
I am still pretty strong and feel pretty good -- (Thank you God) -

Please do not think 59 is old. :cower: :blue:

And the Traveling Picnic Trikes were a collection of 70-90 year olds...
One of those guys is 90 and has worn out (WORN OUT !) 3 Goldwings at over 300,000 miles per each in the past 10 years !


Of course it is your decision - and I wish you well with that choice.

+1 on this. Just turned 59 and I'm hitting the gym with my son sometimes twice a day. I have aggressive goals for weight and body fat after losing ground last year due to an injury. Never give up. Never give in.

Intended to encourage, not judge. Do what makes you happy.

 

[Mr.humbucker]

Good on you for knowing when to call it a day. Maybe you'll rekindle the want somewhere down the road to ride again, maybe not. Sounds like you got a lot of good times from the rides and the friends you met here. It also sounds like you have another passion in the car you're working on. I will be 57 shortly and this is my second run at owning and riding bikes. First time was when I was twenty, rode across Canada on my GS550T and got ride of her when I was twenty-eight when I decided to be more responsible and get into a house. This second time around was. Whe I turned fifty when I got a Shadow, and then foound a few GS550T'a and L's and have riden little and wrenched a lot and learned a ton.. it has been a very good hobby. I have to say I enjoy restoration more than riding. I will likely follow your lead in a year, stop riding and move on to wrench on a deam car from my younger days ...

glad you posted this as the comments have been very supportive and given me something to consider. Al the best with the Kia!

 

[Guest]

You should keep the GPz.


Years ago I had 3 bikes. Then life got busy & I lost interest. They were sold off one at a time & were gone by about 10 years ago.
Hadn?t ridden for years, and then out of nowhere I ended up deciding to buy a new Triumph Bonneville.
Now I have a collection that includes the three models that I used to have.

 

[SVSooke]

I plan to finish the GPz in time.Right now I'm not sure about riding much if at all.Seems like my life is in flux right now.Never been a fan of automatic cars,was a manual guy all the time.The Kia is the first automatic I enjoy driving.If the passion comes back great,if not I'm fine with that to.My wife worries I will regret this decision like it's not reversible.

 

[Guest]

Don't listen to Rick about hanging out in the Vortex. That place can be toxic...and "ain't nobody got time for that!"

Ed

Party pooper.

 

[Nessism]

It's not an all or nothing thing. There is nothing wrong with having a bike even though you don't ride regularly. As a long time rider it's likely that you will get the itch in the future and that's okay. Keeping the GPz around is smart in case you get interested in tinkering...and after that first ride, you may find yourself interested in riding regularly again.

Personally, I don't ride much anymore, mostly because of the urban environment I'm in creates too much risk on the roads. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy bikes though. I only take out my bike every other week or so these days but when I do, it's just pure fun.

 

[limeex2]

If the fire is gone, I understand. I've stopped doing many things I once enjoyed. That being said, the GPZ sitting in the back corner is like like my old GS that sat for 30 years in a corner, only being moved to make room or move. I worked in a motorcycle dealership for over 20 years and when I changed careers, I was burnt out on bikes. It was a job. 2 years later, they still had my demo. I bought it and haven't stopped riding and modding since. Keep the GPZ. Fire is not gone, its smoldering. One day, something will click, you will get a little sheet eating grin on your face and the next thing you know, you be on a GPZ forum looking for tips on firing up a aging Kawasaki.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Thanks for sharing.
I too, have thought about quitting riding. It really feels like a life decision. I don't think age has that much to do with it, though health issues generally worsen with age. One day it just kind of hits you.
Like you, it's hard for me to imagine life without a bike. In my case, for the first time I feel I'm putting more into my two bikes ('79 GS1000E, 2007 ZX14) than I'm getting back. I don't enjoy maintaining them anymore. Parts, as always, are a rip-off and I've always disliked being taken advantage of.
I recently retired and moved to Utah. I thought I was going to ride myself into the ground. It's been almost the opposite. Very hard to understand what's happened. I'm still trying to make up my mind.
My .02 worth is to say keep one bike for now. Start it up once a week and exercise the brakes, suspension, buttons, etc, and maybe take it down the street a few times. Keep Sta-bil in the gas so the gas doesn't gum up the carbs. If you change your mind about quitting riding then the bike will be ready to go.
We will all have to face the decision at some point. Many of us won't know how to quit and will face a bad ending, such as crashing and not being able to heal well. When your heart tells you one thing and your head tells you something else, it's tough.
Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

This thread has tended toward the moribund ...

 

[Guest]

I have voluntarily and involuntarily quit Motorcycling a few times. When my Daughter was born I swore of em. I thought how responsible am I to do something that is life threatening when I have a wee bitty one to look after. I have been riding road bikes since about 16.

It lasted 2 years and change and every spring I would hear the bikes here and there and I was miserable. Bought another. DR650 that HATED cold but I got my daughter involved ASAP

I was miserable without a bike and there is a whole lot of life threatening activities we do everyday sooooo

Lost my med insurance and gave it up for a bit .. couldnt stick to it
Recently I gave up my good paying career and decided out of the rat race and cut everything I thought was extraneous from my budget and one of the things to go was my bike.. then a Triumph Bonnie. Was almost five years ago and just recently bought the GS 750.

I have tried to walk away ... honestly ... I just cant. I am so happy cruising along. Now that I am older and the desire to push the limits is pretty much quelled and I can happily tot around at 45 and just enjoy the sound I swear I think I enjoy more than ever.

Long story all to say ... Sometimes ya need to get away from something .... but I think it is SMART as hell to just keep one around ... you know .. just in case!!

I kept my DR (rode it today) and just realized that it now qualifies for a collectors/historic plate...just doesn't seem that long ago...

 

[SVSooke]

The longer it gets into my decision the more it feels like I am done with motorcycles.Please don't feel sad for me it seems another interest has taken it's place.I have had a interest in knifes and knife making for quite a while and it's risen to the top now.While I would love to have the stuff to actually make my own blades that's probably not going to happen.I doubt my bum shoulder could take it.

 

[Boriqua]

The longer it gets into my decision the more it feels like I am done with motorcycles.Please don't feel sad for me it seems another interest has taken it's place.I have had a interest in knifes and knife making for quite a while and it's risen to the top now.While I would love to have the stuff to actually make my own blades that's probably not going to happen.I doubt my bum shoulder could take it.

I can dig that. I had a few handguns for a number of years. No I am not some crazy but they all had their own personality and the wife and I for years have enjoyed going to the range a couple of times a month to put holes in paper. I just sold off two of them to pay for parts for my new obsession .. my gs750. Priorities change.

I wouldnt give up on the knife making .. I think a good grinder can run about $1200. Expensive but not out of this world. My thing was leatherwork and I turned my hobby into a enough bucks to pay some bills and buy some toys doing something I enjoy.