Any older posters gone back to Motorbikes after a break.?

Blf

Blf

Well-known member
I've been thinking of returning to having a motorbike after a 35+ Yr break.
Up to my 30s I had a few bikes, started with a Honda CB 200 then a Yamaha 400, Kawasaki Kh 250 triple and a Z 900 (gives me goosebumps thinking about it).
Had a nasty crash when I was in my early 20s which put me off for a while but eventually bought another. It was nicked and the insurance money has been on my Mrs finger (engagement and wedding rings) ever since.
Been watching the motorbike show a lot and you can get some cracking new bikes for decent prices.Thinking of waiting the winter out and going for it in the spring.
Anyone done it after a long break?. Any regrets?
 
I had a bike when I was a kid and have ridden loads, off road. Not since a teenager though.

It's one thing I would love to have now, but it's the one thing my wife has given me a firm no on. The roads down here are pretty crazy. She rarely puts her foot down, but the bike is a non-starter. She probably has a point
 
I had bikes when I was younger - had a head on collision in my early 20s. I had a break and got back into it in my early 40s and haven't looked back. What kind of biking are you interested in? Adventure, Cruiser Sportsbike etc??
 
I’m 62. I rode from being 17 and then got off the road and started racing when I was in my early 20’s. When I stopped racing end of my 20’s it was like coming off drugs, I couldn’t even look at bike for 8 or 9 years, then Ducati started making some beautiful machines so got back onto a 600 Monster for a couple of years then moved up to a 749S which I still have - beautiful machine. I’ve not ridden it much since Covid and I feel it’s gotten a bit big and heavy for me, think I’ll change it in the spring for something that suits me better and I’d get more use out of.
 
Ingleby_Flash said:
I’m 62. I rode from being 17 and then got off the road and started racing when I was in my early 20’s. When I stopped racing end of my 20’s it was like coming off drugs, I couldn’t even look at bike for 8 or 9 years, then Ducati started making some beautiful machines so got back onto a 600 Monster for a couple of years then moved up to a 749S which I still have - beautiful machine. I’ve not ridden it much since Covid and I feel it’s gotten a bit big and heavy for me, think I’ll change it in the spring for something that suits me better and I’d get more use out of.
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I always loved the look of "The Monster"
 
I got knocked of my first bike aged 18 and was just about to move up to a Yam 350 but that fell through because of the accident. I was taking car driving lessons at the time so didn't bother with another bike.

Roll on 30 years when I had plenty of time and money (28/28 work rotation) and decided I wanted to get back in the saddle and start again with the intention of "touring" in my time off. Best thing I ever did.

Covered all of the UK and Ireland's best bits, went on organised group tours throughout Europe and also toured on my own and with mates.

Had a good 10 years doing all that but have now packed it in. Age, aches & pains and eyesight made me realise it was time to stop before it went wrong.

No regrets at all starting it again. Get it done while you still can and want to (y) (y) :)
 
Wiseman_Vaughn said:
I had bikes when I was younger - had a head on collision in my early 20s. I had a break and got back into it in my early 40s and haven't looked back. What kind of biking are you interested in? Adventure, Cruiser Sportsbike etc??
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Just like cruising on country roads really. Not a speed freak. I just get a tingle when one goes outside of me when I'm stuck in traffic in summertime..
Thanks for the replies, I'm gonna do it.
 
I jacked it in about 10 years ago. I was confident in my own ability, but second guessing car drivers and wagon drivers was getting far too dangerous.

Before she retired from nursing, our mam was on the max/facs ward at South Cleveland (ward 32 IIRC) She said the amount of 50 odd year old blokes being brought in after motorbike accidents was getting more and more prevalent.
 
London_Boro said:
I had a bike when I was a kid and have ridden loads, off road. Not since a teenager though.

It's one thing I would love to have now, but it's the one thing my wife has given me a firm no on. The roads down here are pretty crazy. She rarely puts her foot down, but the bike is a non-starter. She probably has a point
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Same.

Would love another, had plenty until my eldest was born about 22 yrs ago, but his arrival made me see things differently.

Would get another now, but head office wouldn't authorised it and she's probably right to be honest.
 
Blf said:
Just like cruising on country roads really. Not a speed freak. I just get a tingle when one goes outside of me when I'm stuck in traffic in summertime..
Thanks for the replies, I'm gonna do it.
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Do a refresher course, get your confidence back and learn some defensive riding. Being able to double guess the idiots in cars is half the battle.
 
Thought about getting back on a bike, I had a great machine in my late teens a KH250 triple in green but a heart attack 10days ago has put that dream to bed
Not even allowed to drive my car at the mo
 
I rode bikes as a necessity when I was younger (250 cc on a provisional licence) and carried on once I had passed my bike test when the 125 laws came in. Moved to cars again out of necessity in the late eighties but kept the bikes going and used bikes to commute all the way up to about 2007, (TRX850 by then) moth balled that bike and the bought another in 2015, but not ridden it much since then. And this year bought another bike but it's over 40 years old so no tax or Mot's anymore and both these bikes are on the road so a choice to ride and also used to commute as well (when it's dry of course). I still get a tingle when I ride them and find it a lot more fun on the roads, especially when coming up behind cars unable to travel at the roads speed limits. So my advice would be to give it a try but get some instruction before hand to help you re-acclimatise to riding styles and road conditions.
 
I was from a bike mad family and rode through my early years until I had a bike stolen when I was at uni. Had to get a car then and family life got in the way.
Thankfully got divorced 15 years ago, and have loved buying bikes again. Love collecting ones from my youth and rebuilding them. Currently have four being rebuilt, a road bike and a track bike.
I love my biking lifestyle, but am now more aware of how much it hurts if you come off. Bike nights at local pubs are good fun and a good way to be with friends.
Driving standards are much worse than 40 years ago. Cars are much faster and stay too close behind especially on bends. I dont like riding in the wet/damp as the cars wouldnt be able to stop behind you if you have a slide mid corner.
 
bertiesboro said:
Thought about getting back on a bike, I had a great machine in my late teens a KH250 triple in green but a heart attack 10days ago has put that dream to bed
Not even allowed to drive my car at the mo
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Yeah I had the KH 250 triple.What a beautiful looking machine.
 
Boro in Devon said:
I was from a bike mad family and rode through my early years until I had a bike stolen when I was at uni. Had to get a car then and family life got in the way.
Thankfully got divorced 15 years ago, and have loved buying bikes again. Love collecting ones from my youth and rebuilding them. Currently have four being rebuilt, a road bike and a track bike.
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Go on then, what are they - just asking for an owld biking fart I know 😜
 
After a long time out I bought a Triumph Bonneville T100 about 3 months ago. Absolutely love riding it, especially since we get such great weather here in Western Australia. Won't be riding in the 40+ degrees days, but now (Spring) is beautiful. My eldest (23) went and bought himself a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, brand new, he hasn't passed his test yet!
Agree with the comments about the other road users. Driving standards here are absolutely shocking, even other Aussies complain about WA drivers. So, you definitely need your head on a swivel!
Just has to suit your lifestyle I guess, you need to use it and enjoy it, otherwise if you're not enjoying it, why bother?.
 
Had a short break in my late 20’s but couldn’t do without a bike. Have the 2 now, though not a year round rider these days. Difficult to beat the feeling on a nice clear day.
 
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