Getting on a bike for the first time at 60
Discussion
I'd hope that by 60 you'll be grown up enough not to say "watch this" and then launch yourself into the scenery.
Like any new skill, it can be a bit harder to pick up when you are older, but there's still no reason not to give a CBT a go and see if you enjoy it.
Assuming you do, there's still plenty of time for you to learn and enjoy bikes.
Like any new skill, it can be a bit harder to pick up when you are older, but there's still no reason not to give a CBT a go and see if you enjoy it.
Assuming you do, there's still plenty of time for you to learn and enjoy bikes.
Pistom said:
So - is it a bad idea to try to get into bikes at 60 when the sum of your life experience regarding motorbikes is hiring a moped in Greece 30 years ago and riding it off the edge of a hill? (only minor injuries).
Where would you start and what's realistic to aim for?
Where would you like to start and where would you like to get to? Where would you start and what's realistic to aim for?
I'd say go for. Go at it open minded and enjoy the journey of learning.
Lot depends on what your make up is. If you have a natural affinity for motoring and understand the road then I suggest it's just learning another vehicle and you will progress to the point brought feel comfortable/ enjoy.
Age is a factor but not the only one, I've seen lots of 30 odds who can't ride a motorcycle to save their lives, and some old boys who can really make them go. Do it, if you don't like it. Do something else
Age is a factor but not the only one, I've seen lots of 30 odds who can't ride a motorcycle to save their lives, and some old boys who can really make them go. Do it, if you don't like it. Do something else
Pistom said:
So - is it a bad idea to try to get into bikes at 60 when the sum of your life experience regarding motorbikes is hiring a moped in Greece 30 years ago and riding it off the edge of a hill? (only minor injuries).
Where would you start and what's realistic to aim for?
As others have said, do the CBT and treat it like an experience day, although it's probably the worst day you'll have on two wheels. After that do DAS then get whatever bike you fancy, check out loads of options whilst you're training, be informed. Ask lots of questions here, plenty love answering them. Where would you start and what's realistic to aim for?
What to aim for? Bike: there's no "limit", but some are better suited to progressing your post-test learning than others. As a rider, in the next decade you could spend your time doing track days, off road tours in Morocco and euro touring with friends new and old. There is no limit except the time you're prepared to spend on what, for many who try it, is an engrossing and rewarding past time.
Post pass, further training will give you greater confidence and a higher skill set, whether that be on road, off road or on track.
TLDR: What's realistic to aim for? World's your oyster.
Edited by hiccy18 on Friday 28th June 21:49
53 now, started on a 50cc equivalent 5 years ago. Wibblw wobble wibble... Probably a bit better at it now.
Conscious I've got worse balance than I did when I was younger, and worse eyesight. But just other factors to consider really.
CBT was good eye openener as to whether you might enjoy it for sure, but there isn't much time to relax and enjoy the ride.
I rode a 125 for a year or so afterwards, and enjoyed that. Though the limitations of the 125 were very clear after a couple of months.
Did a DAS course which I enjoyed much much more. Much more itme to relax and enjoy.
Passed Mod 1 (on third attempt), then Mod2, and bought a Tracer 9.
Not sorry one little bit. I now use the bike for almost everything, including touring with mates.
I cannot recommend doing your CBT enough.
Conscious I've got worse balance than I did when I was younger, and worse eyesight. But just other factors to consider really.
CBT was good eye openener as to whether you might enjoy it for sure, but there isn't much time to relax and enjoy the ride.
I rode a 125 for a year or so afterwards, and enjoyed that. Though the limitations of the 125 were very clear after a couple of months.
Did a DAS course which I enjoyed much much more. Much more itme to relax and enjoy.
Passed Mod 1 (on third attempt), then Mod2, and bought a Tracer 9.
Not sorry one little bit. I now use the bike for almost everything, including touring with mates.
I cannot recommend doing your CBT enough.
The first time you filter past a huge queue of traffic , you`ll wonder why on earth you didn't do it earlier in life !!!
Good luck. Personally I think everybody should be made to get a bike licence before graduating to a car. Guaranteed there would be less accidents and more awareness.
Good luck. Personally I think everybody should be made to get a bike licence before graduating to a car. Guaranteed there would be less accidents and more awareness.
My Girlfriend’s father got on a motorbike for the first time at 65 and rode a Harley across route 66. He had ridden scooters before. He is now 80 and does a least two European tours a year on his BMW.
In other words, stop over thinking it and just get on and do it. If you don’t enjoy it no one is going think anything of it, but maybe you’ll discover a whole new world.
Oh BTW be prepared to start spending serious money if you get hooked
In other words, stop over thinking it and just get on and do it. If you don’t enjoy it no one is going think anything of it, but maybe you’ll discover a whole new world.
Oh BTW be prepared to start spending serious money if you get hooked
Do it. I did my CBT aged 49 after being curious about bikes for years, i went on to do my DAS, 4.5 years on and at 53 i think it's the best thing i did, absolutely love bikes and riding, it's a whole new world.
I will say don't judge biking on the CBT, you will probably be on a knackered old 125 which will be worlds away from riding your own big bike on the road if you do your DAS which i'd recommend you do, i treated it like a hobby, taking one lesson a week over a couple of months, that way i was under no pressure to pass tests etc.
I will say don't judge biking on the CBT, you will probably be on a knackered old 125 which will be worlds away from riding your own big bike on the road if you do your DAS which i'd recommend you do, i treated it like a hobby, taking one lesson a week over a couple of months, that way i was under no pressure to pass tests etc.
Edited by Markgenesis on Sunday 30th June 10:38
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