Time to Give up Biking

[Rob 131 Sport]

Not quite sure what has caused this as I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 16 with a 10 year break whilst the children were young.

I’ve just turned 50 and over the past few days, I’ve been thinking of stopping riding motorcycles in their entirety.

I’ll obviously need to sell the garage Queen 15 plate ZX6R 636 Performance Edition, Acropovic Exhaust etc (3,800 miles) that I’ve owned for over 6 years. It would also make a great Supersport bike as it’s only been lightly ridden.

There is also a load of quality kit (Arai, Alpinestars, TCX) that is lightly used but boxed. There is also the security devices, covers, new front and rear paddock stands etc.

I was thinking of donating the latter to an Army Veterans Motorcycle Club. The Joey Dunlop foundation or Help for Hero’s spring to mind.

Is this a typical thing when people hit 50 or am I just overthinking it and come the spring, I’ll want to be out there.

[N Dentressangle]

The weather's awful.

Wait until summer and have a few runs out. Maybe a trip abroad. You might still enjoy it, just less often?

[roboxm3]

Try a non-sports bike?

After buying a 20odd year old VFR for a bit of summer commuting it cemented my realisation that riding sports bikes on the road is entirely ridiculous and the thought of it is genuinely laughable to me now.

[catso]

Rob 131 Sport said:

Is this a typical thing when people hit 50 or am I just overthinking it and come the spring, I’ll want to be out there.

Everyone's different, I hit 60 this year and whilst I 'm not riding as much (or as fast) as I did, I'm still enjoying it (but only in good weather).

I do find myself spending more time servicing/fettling etc. than before, probably enjoy that as much as riding when it comes to it.

I'd wait until the good weather at least, if nothing else your stuff will probably sell better...

[Rubin215]

I've given it all up several times and keep coming back.

Injury, accidents, deaths of friends, mental health, all sorts of reasons.

The fact that I keep coming back to it might say something to a psychologist/psychiatrist but I haven't explored it too deeply.

Ultimately, it's only 'stuff' and can all be replaced; even the one and only bike I truly regret selling has been replaced by a similar one that I will slowly get sorted to how good I want it to be.

If you need to give up for just now then do it and don't feel bad about it, you can always come back to it in future.

[Rob 131 Sport]

I have considered previously purchasing a Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX.

It’s not the bike, for some reason it’s the whole biking thing. I’ve driven a lot of the past year (20k plus) and seen some truly dreadful driving. I think this is the primary reason for wanting to stop.

[N Dentressangle]

Rob 131 Sport said:

I have considered previously purchasing a Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX.

It’s not the bike, for some reason it’s the whole biking thing. I’ve driven a lot of the past year (20k plus) and seen some truly dreadful driving. I think this is the primary reason for wanting to stop.

Seems fair enough.

Put everything in a cupboard and stop for a year, then see how you feel? If no change then you can get rid.

Or do you want to be talked out of it?

[Zedboy]

I have 39 years in, but stopped commuting daily at 42 so 14 years purely pleasure riding. I have always ridden big nakeds and can’t ever see me parting with my current Z1000 despite barely clicking 1,500 miles a year.

15 months ago I got persuaded to PCP an ex demo Versys and wowser, I have the bug again. Planning long weekend rides, plus riding two up loads too... I owe the salesman Marc a huge drink for moving my lifelong hobby forwards.

Maybe it’s not bikes per se, but the type of biking you should be researching? Adventure style with lazy torque is a new delight (not my tinder ad ladies!), and while running two bikes costs a little more, it really is a ‘1+1=3’ solution for me.

[RemaL]

Poor weather and lack of use if like me it's all for fun can make people think this. But in the end up to you. Whats the worst that can happen. In the summer in or in the next few years you want to get back on riding and just buy a bike and start again. not the end of the day.

[outnumbered]

Rob 131 Sport said:

Not quite sure what has caused this as I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 16 with a 10 year break whilst the children were young.

I’ve just turned 50 and over the past few days, I’ve been thinking of stopping riding motorcycles in their entirety.

What was it particularly that you enjoyed about biking ? Has that source of enjoyment simply gone now, or are you just worried about the potential risks ?

[Rob 131 Sport]

outnumbered said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

Not quite sure what has caused this as I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 16 with a 10 year break whilst the children were young.

I’ve just turned 50 and over the past few days, I’ve been thinking of stopping riding motorcycles in their entirety.

What was it particularly that you enjoyed about biking ? Has that source of enjoyment simply gone now, or are you just worried about the potential risks ?

I will always love motorcycles and racing. Even in my motorcycle (off years with children) I would still go to the shows.
It is purely the ‘potential risks’. I did think of having a look at Green Laning. However I don’t think I could do with the faff.

[anonymous-user]

I sold my Zx10, 10 years ago when I reached 60, bought a Vn 900, love it, I work 450 km from home and commute on it. I retired from work an hour ago, and plan to use the bike for touring, but I live in the tropics, not sure I'd ride in the rain.
If I was you I'd hold back on any decisions until the spring

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 30th December 11:36

[Trevor555]

Rob 131 Sport said:

It is purely the ‘potential risks’.

I keep thinking the same.

My bike is my daily runaround when the weather is good.

It's not so much the other road users for me, managed to avoid them for 30 years, it's the potholes/poor roads.

I no longer ride in darkness.

My insurance is due to renew in April, like you, I have a decision to make.

[FezSpider]

57 years old here, bikings is in my blood. Been riding for 40 years and will never stop.... Ever.
Going to make it my mission to still be riding in my 80s, just to piss of the freedom hating, life sapping government. Who will not want anyone using there freedoms and personal choice.
I will be the one the police will be trying to locate as I go screaming through the restrictive zones
After all what are they going to do, I will be in my 80s lol.
Just as topgun maverick was told that his type was fast becoming extinct , his reply was, "that may well be, but not today"

Edited by FezSpider on Friday 30th December 11:52

[MGZTV8]

I’m 52 in 7 days and personally I’ve no intention of giving up.

I ride purely for fun these days and a fair weather rider.

This time of year is st with the weather etc and I end up climbing the walls because I don’t get out and generally just like to get through the worst of it and look forward to Spring or a nice day if I can get out before then.

For me being very susceptible to anxiety etc it’s the best therapy for me and I love it.

We’re all different but as others have said take your time to think before making any decisions.

[SteveKTMer]

Try a different bike - going from a 4cyl screamer to a V-twin thumper does change the way you ride, or did for me anyway. Try some different bikes, see how it feels.

[outnumbered]

Rob 131 Sport said:

I will always love motorcycles and racing. Even in my motorcycle (off years with children) I would still go to the shows.
It is purely the ‘potential risks’. I did think of having a look at Green Laning. However I don’t think I could do with the faff.

Not sure offroading is the safest thing either !

If you've not done any advanced riding training (Bikesafe/RoSPA/IAM/Rapid/whatever) that might be a way of improving the odds in your favour and giving you more confidence in managing the risks.

[Drawweight]

67 and still riding.

For me it’s a social thing. I like ride outs with mates, weekends away etc. I’m not keen on riding solo for ridings sake.

My wife is also a keen pillion and she pushes me to go out as well.

Quite honestly if I was myself I might not have a bike. Or if I did it wouldn’t be the £ thing I have at present.

So in conclusion even tho I’ve ridden for 50 odd years yesI think I could walk away. Tho it would be bloody funny opening the shed door and not seeing a bike of some description.

[nismo48]

Rubin215 said:

I've given it all up several times and keep coming back.

Injury, accidents, deaths of friends, mental health, all sorts of reasons.

The fact that I keep coming back to it might say something to a psychologist/psychiatrist but I haven't explored it too deeply.

Ultimately, it's only 'stuff' and can all be replaced; even the one and only bike I truly regret selling has been replaced by a similar one that I will slowly get sorted to how good I want it to be.

If you need to give up for just now then do it and don't feel bad about it, you can always come back to it in future.

+1

[ChocolateFrog]

roboxm3 said:

Try a non-sports bike?

After buying a 20odd year old VFR for a bit of summer commuting it cemented my realisation that riding sports bikes on the road is entirely ridiculous and the thought of it is genuinely laughable to me now.

I also think it's impossible not to look like a complete tool riding on public roads in one piece leathers on a sportsbike.

The newer (and smaller) the bike the worse the effect.

Atleast it's a relatively rare sight these days. Feels like the numbers have fallen off a cliff in recent years.

My dad lives on the A684 between Sedbergh and Hawes and on a sunny weekend bikes would go past every minute 20 years ago, mostly sportsbikes. Doubt you see a 100 a day these days and maybe 10% of those will be sportsbikes.