AM I GETTING TO OLD FOR A SPORT BIKE - SERIOUS THREAD PLEASE

rossimadness · Post by **rossimadness** » Apr 7th, '07, 09:41

i can totally agree with alot of member on this thread about the taking it a bit more easy because of little un's i have a 9 month old boy and i hate to think what it would be like if i wasn't around for him all because i was selfish and brought a big bike too keep up with everyone else. thats why i decided to see the rs project out yeah its only a 125 but hey its bloody fun, must admit i will look into doing my acu license as im getting the trackday bug alot its true though the roads arnt getting safer as much as it kills me to say and with more and more idiots on the road trying to ride fast is getting more scary in my view. speedy mate that must be a horrible feeling to get when you're riding but perhaps like others said it may be because of bike /day . best thing to do is whip i bike out from ya garage and go for a nice calm ride and slowly pick it up but go along the same route as you did on the sp if you feel the same then maybe your thoughts were telling you something , either way chap im sure i can quite willingly say that the forum supports whatever decision you make.

ben

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Apr 7th, '07, 17:37

I am not experienced or a great rider, nor do i have any commitments to anyone.
But 2 things.
Does anyone else not think the other way as well? What if you hurt someone with your actions? I would hate to seriously hurt or kill somebody because I rode like a gimp.
Also I was sat in a layby for 2 hours today for recovery, and I saw several sports bikes, and to be fair not many flew past me, and the place i was waiting is somewhere where I do/can/use to open it up, but most were quite sensible, so it does prove you can ride a sportsbike and just ride at the speed limits.

But try it again, cant hurt!

allyxx · Post by **allyxx** » Apr 7th, '07, 22:33

Sounds like alot of us get thoughs feelings, yeah me included. I don't think it's a case of being too old but more a case of stage fright this time. It was an unfamiliar bike to you and probably to much for you on our roads. I don't think you can be too old for a sports bike it's you just got your mind thinking too much about it and now you are questioning yourself.
Try something smaller that doesn't try to control you I'm sure you'll feel differently.

Maver-Nick · Post by **Maver-Nick** » Apr 8th, '07, 21:43

Only just read this thread...

Phil, Mark and anyone else that has had this feeling... You're not alone.

I've been thinking/feeling this way for a while now and am seriously considering Deej's idea of giving it up for the track.

Believe me when I say if Phil feels this way after riding that road, it can't be down to the bike as he knows it like the back of his hand, and is bleeding fast along there... even in the snow...

Some very sound advice in this thread guys, I think this issue is thought about a lot eh?!

tomr6 · Post by **tomr6** » Apr 9th, '07, 09:17

I done the launceston - bude road yesterday. Watched 2 guys in front of me taking the most serious of risks. Overtaking on blind bends. Absolute madness. One was on a gixxer 600 and 1 was on a bandit. Doesnt matter what kind of bike you have . Its the throttle hand that makes the difference and the brain (or lack of it) that makes the decision.

BTW. I had a pillion and was taking it easy and arrived at the red post pub about 15 seconds after them. They were just pulling up to the give way line when I got there. Is it worth risking your life for 15 seconds over a 20 minute ride? The type of bike made no difference in what I saw yesterday.

Funky · Post by **Funky** » Apr 9th, '07, 10:16

I don't really get the feeling of 'oh dear what if I die' as I really don't honestly give a crap. I do fear the pain more and in the Job that I have see what can happen if you don't die in a motorbike accident.

But I also feel that if I did become severely disabled due to an accident I'd just kill myself, so not too bothered on that side either.

I ride everyday and many times am two up, that, and when I'm in a group is the only time i really take care in my riding.

This isn't to say i ride like a twunt as i really don't, if anything i don't push myself enough and need regular group riding to push myself and hone my skills.

So call it the impetuousness of youth, no real commitments or a self destructive disposition or just my mood lately! (

) But i'm not fussed about my own safety on a bike and get a frill from the danger, but thats not to mean I ride like a dickhead.

deej · Post by **deej** » Apr 9th, '07, 12:59

ah a great attitude there funky and a shining example to the rest of us lol

its all well and good having that attitude when your own and as long as you dont take anyone else out thats fine but how can you garantee that, my attitude used to be similair but that was when i was younger and more stupid, i know 1 day im going to have a accident and i just hope it happens on a track and not a cornish road.

Funky · Post by **Funky** » Apr 9th, '07, 13:28

Thats not what I'm saying at all I don't go out intentionally taking risks and I'm not a risk taker, but i don't worry about having an accident, as if I die, I'll be dead, so i wont care

Little Loris · Post by **Little Loris** » Apr 10th, '07, 08:20

Interesting topic.

There is tonnes of sports psychology I can draw on for your experiences of fear and consequence that can relate to everyday psyche. I think the main reason is that you have too much to lose and value yours and your families lives, so you take it easy on the road not wanting to risk anything, which is another reason why people switch to the track. Some people find it easy to turn negatives into positives and say to their family they're buying a track bike because street riding is too dangerous. Basically, finding a solution to a psychological problem rather than cutting the head off to cure a headache and stop riding altogether.

For an example, as everyone else has done, my old man is 61 this year and has a '98 R1. Suffice to say he knows what it's capable of but rides 'smugly'. He sticks to the speed limit and if there is a car going slowly on his favourite knee-down corner then it was never meant to be - a blessing in disguise perhaps. I've been riding with him and he's actually had cars queing up behind him while sticking to the speed limits - on an R1 for God's sake! Then when the road opens he opens her up to a controlable speed to where he actually looks really smooth on the bike, graceful even and it's amazing to watch.

What I'm saying is that he does what makes him happy. I know he's laughing his ass off at having cars queing up behind him and then has the satisfaction of pulling away from them. 35 years ago he'd be tearing round the roads of Devon on his Bonneville without a care in the world. I admire him because it's a safe and fun way to ride and it looks damn good. Maybe you should adjust your riding styles to suit your current situations and still get enjoyment from it. Might even be an idea to sit down and answer some of your own questions. It might make you appreciate your own/previous bikes more because it just wasn't for you! Think positive dudes. Everything happens for a reason.

binman · Post by **binman** » Apr 10th, '07, 08:28

speedy, i rekon i would approach this problem in one of two ways....considering how u felt, especially as you know the road so well, then perhaps a break may be needed? stay off a bike for a little while and see what becomes of it. you may get the burning desire that no matter what u have to be on a bike, in a couple of months of not riding, or you may realise that giving up was the correct decision to make......the other way i would approach it is, the bike was unfamiliar, and from riding an srad, to a big v-twin with loads of power, theres is going to be a big difference. get out and do some test rides, find the bike that is perfect for you. the bike you feel comfortable on at speed, and going slow, a bike you feel in control of, and are not hesitating with, as this is where accidents will occur, to some extent the more confident you are with your bike, the better your concentration and riding will be.

as said there's a lot of peoples different opinions on here, but only you know what right for you......and what ever the decision you come too, i wish you the best of luck!

jason · Post by **jason** » Apr 11th, '07, 10:48

you sure its not just because you have been of a sportsbike for a while?

I went for my first proper ride of the year yesterday and my riding was ropey as hell - rather than the normal feeling of control I felt like I was being catapulted between corners and I wasnt exactly going that fast.

sometimes it just doesnt feel right.

Im not sure thats a good reason to go out and buy a crappy touring or commuter bike mind.

Webber · Post by **Webber** » Apr 11th, '07, 18:25

last time i rode a sports bike was on my blade, (during my season on the R1) and was riding like i was on the track wheelies the lot, then i got home one nite from a mental ride out, and thought to myself, how the hell did i survive that. that was it i finished road riding. something told me to stop, and i dont miss it at all. far too many walls,cars,diesel,stones,people around to ride like that. maybe when ive calmed down and got the racer out of me i shall get another road bike which may never happen

. afterall a sportsbike is designed for the track not the road, if you can ride em sensibly then fair enough, but i cant do it..

deej · Post by **deej** » Apr 11th, '07, 22:11

SNAP

completely agree with you there webber, had all those feelings on sunday, not sure if reading this everyday last week helped them along, LOL !!! . when the track bug has gone i may consider riding on the roads, also considering a tatty cheap ktm for some fun on the roads,something that i cant do 150mph on or get my knee down on when on my favourite roads.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Apr 11th, '07, 22:25

tomr6 wrote:Experience, maturity (whatever that is) and sense of what you want out of life are all relevant.

How old you are matters not a jot.

There are plenty of people who ride bikes just cos it makes them feel good to be looked at in loud leathers or bikes. Some people just wanna wheely all the time. Some just like the kudos of riding a bike powerful bike. Some like to ride to their limits all the time.

All you will get on this thread is a lot of conflicting advice which is totally correct in the circumstances of the author only and there is a possibility that your judgement may be clouded by it.

Just do whatever you feel is right cos if it dont feel right it probably isnt.

My advice? Never too old to ride a sports bike if thats what flicks your switch! But only if thats what you want. If I wanted to buy an image I'd buy a Harley and a waistcoat with some tassles!

ditto

Mervin · Post by **Mervin** » Apr 12th, '07, 07:56

Buy a seventies 2 stroke I:E Rd yam, suzuki Gt, Kwack KH, screaming smoking engine, flexible frame, suspension that leaves a little to be desired,
upright riding position, loads of fun without going too fast !!!! oh if you want the ultimate in these machines get an early H1 kwack, 500 2 stroke triple
mind blowing acceleration for its time and a rubber frame and drum front brake !!! cars early mustang V8 250 bhp crossply tyres drum brakes, ah you youngsters thinking you have exciting machinery now

Merv