When are people too old to ride motorcycles around town?

[Doctor Tom]

14 minutes ago, transam said:

I rarely use our bike/scoot now, mainly because of the local's driving mindset. I managed to get to old age with few injuries via bike or car in farangland, I don't want to come a cropper here over daft road users, just take my chances on 4 wheels, but sadly not the 4 wheels l left behind...????.......????

 

Nice 

[KannikaP]

18 minutes ago, Hummin said:

drinking as well diving

You can still do that after drinking.   LOL

[Doctor Tom]

22 minutes ago, toofarnorth said:

I am 75 in 3 weeks time. I drive my Forza everyday , granted not in BKK or CNX but up round the mountains here mostly.  I have said though should me and my bike end up lying in the road for whatever reason it will be the end of 2 wheel riding for me.

be careful or it may be the end of you, not just your riding?  

[FolkGuitar]

I ride every day, mostly in the city. On the weekends, we take rides out into the mountains outside of Chiang Mai. I haven't owned a car in years; motorcycles are my main form of transportation.  I admit that I don't ride as aggressively as I did when I was in my 50's or 60's, and I'm at the point where I don't enjoy driving at night in the city. But at 75yrs old, I figure I've got another good 10 years of riding left in me, God willing some drunk farang doesn't T-bone me.

 

[transam]

1 minute ago, FolkGuitar said:

I ride every day, mostly in the city. On the weekends, we take rides out into the mountains outside of Chiang Mai. I haven't owned a car in years; motorcycles are my main form of transportation.  I admit that I don't ride as aggressively as I did when I was in my 50's or 60's, and I'm at the point where I don't enjoy driving at night in the city. But at 75yrs old, I figure I've got another good 10 years of riding left in me, God willing some drunk farang doesn't T-bone me.

 

I doubt it would be a farang, unless you are very unlucky......????

[Hummin]

10 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

be careful or it may be the end of you, not just your riding?  

The end is not so bad in my opinion, it is the road to final destination that worries me most. Less carnage the better, and hopefully with eyes open 

[Kwasaki]

Been riding all my life from 4 yr.

Was doing track days and racing up to 57 yr old until I came to Thailand.

I will keep riding as long as I am physically possible to do so. 

I'm 75 this year and still looking forward to riding my supersport bike at 85.

[Hummin]

2 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Been riding all my life from 4 yr.

Was doing track days and racing up to 57 yr old until I came to Thailand.

I will keep riding as long as I am physically possible to do so. 

I'm 75 this year and still looking forward to riding my supersport bike at 85.

Thats impressive, I got 12 more years in my eyes, but might change my opinion when I get to 65. I guess we all go blind the older we get. 
 

as said in my experience the turning point for most is around 65 where I am considering them as dangerous to themselves and to others. Not many past 70 years in my experience still riding good, but have met one 65 year old aussie who still seems to be on top of it! Maybe you? Based in Khon Khaen?

[transam]

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Thats impressive, I got 12 more years in my eyes, but might change my opinion when I get to 65. I guess we all go blind the older we get. 
 

as said in my experience the turning point for most is around 65 where I am considering them as dangerous to themselves and to others. Not many past 70 years in my experience still riding good, but have met one 65 year old aussie who still seems to be on top of it! Maybe you? Based in Khon Khaen?

Perhaps you think too much, wait and see how your life/body evolves......????

[Hummin]

Just now, transam said:

Perhaps you think too much, wait and see how your life/body evolves......????

It is like a fart, when you can not hold on to it anymore, you have to let it go ????

 

I dont like o be an old fart

[transam]

6 minutes ago, Hummin said:

It is like a fart, when you can not hold on to it anymore, you have to let it go ????

 

I dont like o be an old fart

Think positive, if you think old, that is probably what you will get, and earlier than you think...????..????

[itsari]

2 hours ago, Denim said:

In Thailand the locals have set the bar pretty low so I think most of us can say that.

In Thailand you need to learn the locals way of riding or driving . If you do not  do that the bar is raised pretty high for foreigners .

[Moonlover]

57 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I can tell you, that the feeling of being more sharp and better is an illusion!

I think, no sorry, I know that I'm the one who's in the better position to make that judgment call thank you.

[itsari]

2 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Yes. I believe  you and everyone else who boasts  about themselves.

Well Mr Hammer you have now come across the first one you should believe in .

I have always been a good driver actually . I am not boasting 

[transam]

2 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

I think, no sorry, I know that I'm the one who's in the better position to make that judgment call thank you.

.....after a few pints..............????

[Hummin]

4 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

I think, no sorry, I know that I'm the one who's in the better position to make that judgment call thank you.

Being 76 years older, and believe you have better reflexes now than 20 - 30 years ago, is fantastic. If you have been riding all your life, then you can surf a bit on muscle memory and experience, but still! 
 

It is just facts, and not to make an argument. I have been doing sports all my life, and even I do the same amount of hours of training as younger, Im not getting strongner and better each year. My balance is not the same, my hearing is not the same, and yes Im getting older, and I can not do everything I did before, or as good as before. 
 

Anyway your life and you should know best. 

[EVENKEEL]

8 minutes ago, transam said:

.....after a few pints..............????

That's when my ninja skills kick in.

[clivebaxter]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Does that mean you prefer riding on the back of a motorcycle taxi? Or do you walk? Or do you like to sit in a car in traffic?

The mrs drives me, I wont even drive a car in this madhouse

[Hummin]

«

So at what age should you stop riding a motorcycle? The age at which motorcycle riders should stop riding a motorcycle is dependent on their physical, mental, and overall health condition. The majority of motorcycle riders stop riding their motorcycle at ages between 60 to 85 depending on how confident they feel, how capable they are, and the local laws.

Of course, this can be considered somewhat of a sensitive topic. If you tell some riders that they are too old to ride, you better not be standing anywhere near them.

But let’s take a more objective look at the matters at hand»

 

 

https://motorcyclebrave.com/at-what-age-should-you-stop-riding-a-motorcycle/

[herfiehandbag]

A badly poisoned left foot / leg  caused by stepping on a rusty piece of reinforcing wire sticking out of the ground ( some clown had filled in a pothole in the track which runs past my house with a smashed up concrete fence post) has left me unable to drive a car. My right foot is now just a lump of meat on the end of a leg, no muscles or muscle function effectively below the knee as  a result of surgery to excise the rotting flesh . I tried driving but it is either flat out (accelerator) or screeching halt ( brake). The local mechanic has adapted my motorcycle so that front and rear brakes work off the handlebar levers.

 

So at 64 I have moved from car to bike. Around Chiang Rai it is OK, I drive defensively, and at night wear a yellow HV vest like the French rioters sport!

 

I can't say that I miss driving a car at all. I do miss brisk walks with the dogs and swimming; and the inconvenience of using a stick. Stairs are a nightmare! Primary 2 are convinced that Mr John has a wooden leg! All the children, even the sulky teenagers, have been delightful!

 

I hope and imagine that I can carry on for many years yet. I will revisit this thread in say 20 years!

 

A couple of lads "cut me up" the other day. When we pulled up at the lights I waved my stick at them, they saw my bandaged foot and hopped off their bike to Wai! Sometimes here things are immensely annoying yet quite disarmingly charming!

Edited January 30, 2022 by herfiehandbag

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Doctor Tom said:

Probably not, as I was an idiot at that age. 

I was invincible at that time. ???? 

[ballpoint]

4 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I was invincible at that time. ???? 

I still am.  And have the scars to prove it.

[OneMoreFarang]

36 minutes ago, itsari said:

In Thailand you need to learn the locals way of riding or driving.

Is there a concept behind what they are doing? I still try to discover that.

 

I.e. if I am 2 meter behind a car I can be sure someone will squeeze into the "gap" between me and that car? Why? Maybe because they can, even if that won't help them in any way.

[OneMoreFarang]

36 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

I think, no sorry, I know that I'm the one who's in the better position to make that judgment call thank you.

The famous last words and all that...

[herfiehandbag]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

Ah I see.  What happens when you are 71?

Well I know someone who decided when he was 70 to take the sidecar off, said it was too unwieldy now at his age.

 

It was a nightmare - every time he stopped he fell over!

Edited January 30, 2022 by herfiehandbag

[Doctor Tom]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

The end is not so bad in my opinion, it is the road to final destination that worries me most. Less carnage the better, and hopefully with eyes open 

we are all matching hand in hand to oblivion, its only the length of the march  that is unknown. 

[Moonlover]

33 minutes ago, Hummin said:

«

So at what age should you stop riding a motorcycle? The age at which motorcycle riders should stop riding a motorcycle is dependent on their physical, mental, and overall health condition. The majority of motorcycle riders stop riding their motorcycle at ages between 60 to 85 depending on how confident they feel, how capable they are, and the local laws.

Of course, this can be considered somewhat of a sensitive topic. If you tell some riders that they are too old to ride, you better not be standing anywhere near them.

But let’s take a more objective look at the matters at hand»

 

 

https://motorcyclebrave.com/at-what-age-should-you-stop-riding-a-motorcycle/

Another interesting article. Thanks for posting. Having read through it quite diligently, I am, more than ever, quite happy to continue riding.

 

When I read through the paragraph headed: 'What are the signs that you should stop riding your motorcycle?' I was pleased to note that not one of those issues gave me cause for concern.

 

My only Concession to age is that I do not ride at night. I'm aware that my eyes take longer to react to changes in light intensity caused by oncoming traffic. It's not much of an issue in town, but I now live in the country so it's best avoided.

 

I'll be out there riding tomorrow. 

[Hummin]

4 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Another interesting article. Thanks for posting. Having read through it quite diligently, I am, more than ever, quite happy to continue riding.

 

When I read through the paragraph headed: 'What are the signs that you should stop riding your motorcycle?' I was pleased to note that not one of those issues gave me cause for concern.

 

My only Concession to age is that I do not ride at night. I'm aware that my eyes take longer to react to changes in light intensity caused by oncoming traffic. It's not much of an issue in town, but I now live in the country so it's best avoided.

 

I'll be out there riding tomorrow. 

Im 53 and do not ride during night in Thailand either. Back home in Norway, I can see myself riding to much hogher age than Thailand, but I guess I would be without license after one week up there. 

[dddave]

48 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Being 76 years older, and believe you have better reflexes now than 20 - 30 years ago, is fantastic. If you have been riding all your life, then you can surf a bit on muscle memory and experience, but still! 
 

It is just facts, and not to make an argument. I have been doing sports all my life, and even I do the same amount of hours of training as younger, Im not getting strongner and better each year. My balance is not the same, my hearing is not the same, and yes Im getting older, and I can not do everything I did before, or as good as before. 
 

Anyway your life and you should know best. 

I'm 78 and have been riding two wheeled vehicles since my 'teens.  

I now live in Jomtien and have a small Honda Click 125 which suits my needs nicely.

I do accept that I am not the same rider I was 25 years ago, or even 10 years ago.

I'm not physically as flexible now so turning to look behind or at sharp angles to the side is more restricted.  Situational awareness, such as at a really busy intersection (Like Soi Diana/Buakhow for Pattaya dwellers) takes more concentration and caution. 

I avoid fast and busy roads like Sukhumvit and especially those requiring multi-lane crossovers and U-turns.

I leave a much wider gap between myself and vehicles in front of me and when pulling from a side soi into traffic, remind myself, I have nothing to hurry for and try to never cut it too close.  I also stifle the impulse to speed up and make the green light as the countdown clock hits "2".

One benefit of Covid has been much less traffic in the Pattaya-Jomtien area, especially the lack of hundreds of tour buses crowding every roadway.

Just taking it nice and easy.

[BritManToo]

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Now I wonder how long I might be able to ride a bike here in Bangkok. Maybe until I am 65 or maybe 70 or until which age?

I'm 65, purchased a Honda CB300F last year.

I do find it a bit heavy to push around, but apart from that no problems.