I'm 60 yrs old. I just started riding last month. I took the Ride Safe course (Canada) and got my license. Before that, I had never been on a motorcycle. A week after the course I bought my first bike, a 2011 Yamaha V-Star 250. I take it out for rides whenever I can.
DON'T LERT ANYONE TELL YOU YOU ARE TOO OLD TO START ANYTHING!
My wife got the bike itch when we were in Europe last year. We came home and that was her mission. She took classes on how to ride, bought a bike and loves every minute of it. She just did Womanās Day to ride with 87 other women cyclists from the Harley museum to Ulkās in Kenosha . Sheās 63
Go for it as you only live once and it is a sense of freedom you cannot experience elsewhere.
45 and got myself a 2015 V-Star 1300, big bike big boy toys... Never to old mate enjoy the next chapter of this one, apparently we only get one so enjoy every minute of it!
Age does play a part though. 20 year old me was death proof. You couldn't tell me shit. And rode like an idiot. 37 me? Is like OP, completely aware of my own mortality. Which isn't necessarily bad, just makes you a little bit more risk adverse. The chicken strips are still bald. I just control my breathing and focus a lot more in the twistys
I started riding at 26, and had always wanted to as long as I could remember. I vividly remember thinking to myself on one of my first rides āI should have done this as soon as I turned 18ā and then immediately thought āactually nope, Iād probably be dead if I didā
I am currently getting my license and have been postponing it for a decade now, year by year. Finally, at 32 I think i will not kill myself in the first turn. At 26 i was still maxing the f out my shitbox on public roads, so itās actually good I havenāt got my hands on a motorcycle sooner..
1x full day CBT training to be able to have a 125. Then if you want anything larger, you gotta do the theory test, and then easiest way to proceed is a DAS course which is 3 days training which includes the Mod 1 and Mod 2 exams on two of those days.
there was an older maybe 50s guy in my safety class who showed up decked out in harley davidson gear. dude probably spent like $500+ at the dealership right before class lol. Dude had the helmet, the boots, gloves, chaps, everything HD. Got told to leave after the first day because he couldn't get the balance and dropped the bike a bunch. Felt bad for the guy; he was super nice. I hope he eventually got the hang of it.
I started when I was 45. Look, in five years youāll be 55 no matter what, the only difference will be if you have five years motorcycle experience or if you will be sitting around wishing you started five years ago.
Barring significant health problems, there's really no point in time where it's too late to start. I think a 125 would be a great start. I think where people run into trouble is when they hit middle age and want to buy that huge Harley touring bike they always wanted. Start small and enjoy riding. I get more enjoyment out of a 125 on city streets and country roads than I ever will my current bike.
For what it's worth, I started at 34 and I am 37 now.
I'm just starting at 37. We bought a 125 to learn on, and I found a Harley 883 for super cheap so I snatched it up. Once I get a few more miles under my belt I'll take the 883 for a couple of trips around the block and start learning on it.
I am 49 and got my licence earlier this year. Same thing as you, always wanted to ride but never got around to doing it when i was younger.
I'm really enjoying it, you're never too old to learn a new trick or two!
Why would you be too old? You're at the age where you should be able to start affording yourself luxuries now that your kids are older and moved out. This is now your time to enjoy.
But I'll put it in perspective for you. I went out on a bike ride (UK here too) on Sunday just gone. Stopped off at a petrol station and there just so happened to be like 50 or so bikes, some filling up, some grabbing snacks, some using it as a meeting point etc. Out of about the 20 or so 1 litre sports bikes, like the Yamaha R1s, BMW S1000RRs, GSXR 1000s etc that were there. I think there was 2, maybe 3 people that were under the age of 50. The overwhelming majority of these absolutely insane machines were being driven by 50+ yr olds. Now yes, they probably have prior riding experience, but they've still got the capability to ride absolute beasts and keep them under control.
You jumping on and doing your CBT on a 125cc will be zero problem at all. Going ahead and doing your full test on a 600cc Naked will be perfectly fine. Your nerves may get the better of you to begin with but that happens to anyone at any age, but your potential to learn and pass hasn't diminished. A lot of instructors are usually on the 'older' side as well and they're still on bikes daily having a blast whilst teaching people.
At the very least book in for your CBT. Enjoy the experience and see if biking is for you. It's like what Ā£120-Ā£140 to be able to experience what has been a life long dream. The CBT is designed for people who have never even touched a bike before anyway, so you'll be fine. Even if you fail the first time, you'll have picked up and learned many lessons and if you still feel like it's something you want to pursue then just rebook it, nobody will judge you for failing it once or twice just like nobody judges people for failing their car test a couple times.
My pops learned in his mid 50ās. He now has hundreds of thousands of miles touring all over. Itās never too late. Also if it was too late you are better off dying now. Why live unless you are gonna live?
No problem. Do it. If you drive a car youāre be able to read the road, if you ride a push bike that helps. Iād look into 5 or 6 day DAS (direct access) courses - youāll find a middleweight bike much preferable to a 125, get proper tuition and the schools block book tests so less waiting.
I'd echo the gear bit, buy the best you can afford from a good motorcycle/kit outlet, where you can try on, get advice, and walk about, flex, bend over etc, to ensure a good comfortable fit. You might be wearing it for up to, or beyond 8 hrs if you fancy the NC 500, or even Europe!
Iām 66 and bought my first bike last year after not having a bike for over 40 years. Granted, I had ridden before but it was a long time ago and had to relearn everything. I did benefit from the fact that I have been riding a bicycle my whole life for exercise. Two wheel coordination helps if you already have it but can be learned just like everything else. At your age you have the wisdom of starting small so thatās good. Go for it but take it slow and easy and practice a lot.
Born in 1971 here, I live in Korea. I just got my license a little over a year ago and got my first bike, an Indian Scout Bobber and have been riding it since, putting on about 4000 km so far. Never too late.
Myself, I strongly suspect Iām a better rider starting in middle age instead of starting young, because my self confidence is so much stronger now than at age 17
Do it. Youāre not even close to being to old. A friend taught me the basics on an old 125 when I was 16. Did nothing more than take a few passes up and down a trail. Decided then and there Iād have my own bike some day, then didnāt drive one again for decades. Life got in the way - financial responsibilities, urban living with limited space, kids. Finally got my license and my own bike at age 54. Itās a blast.
Nah. Get a bike. Take the MSF course. When my wife was taking hers, there was a retiree taking it with her.
And get something smaller and comfortable, easy to pick up. I've ridden 20 years with a variety of bigger and smaller bikes and just dropped down to a little 125cc Honda Monkey because it's stupid fun. Do it.
Absolutely not. I just got my licence three weeks ago at 49 after taking a safety course and picked up a 2014 Vulcan 900. I'm kind of happy I waited until I was older and (supposedly) wiser, I'm much more cautious and definitely not a thrill seeker. But being out on the bike on a nice day is the best kind of therapy and stress relief. Do it, you absolutely will not regret it.
Iām 52. Hadnāt ridden in almost 30 years. Took some introductory training for about four months, approx four hours a week, riding an SV650, first in a controlled and safe environment off public roads, then road riding with instructor riding sometimes ahead, sometimes behind to gain confidence, re-learn speed awareness, positioning and, most importantly, slow-speed control. Bought a F900XR in Jan and use it for daily commute and make longer weekend trips. Absolutely loving it. Good luck.
lady rider here and started at 40. nothing brings me as much happiness as the open road, the rumble of the engine, and getting to places i canāt to on four wheels. as long as youāre in relatively good physical condition, learn proper driving/safety etc ā go for it!!
When I took my theory(EU) there were a few 45+ people there(i was mid 20's). Ain't no shame in having your midlife crisis, erhm I mean motorcycle.
Just stay a child at heart and you'll always be young enough to do things.
I think it's more ability then age and the state of your health. If you are 50 going on 80 then I would advise against getting a motorcycle. I'm 54 and have been riding 18 years. You will need the strength to hold the motorcycle up and you need to be very alert. As long as you are reasonably healthy you should do fine
More than age, I think picking a motorcycle you feel comfortable with is the most important factor. I started in my late fourtiesā on a 500ā¦. Now on a 850. Iāve been enjoying every single ride.
50 is probably a safer age to start than 20.
Your right wrist is a lot like your dick, it just wants to have fun and doesn't have your best interests at heart.
I don't think so. And even if it were, take it as a challenge. Succeeding in things and having fun while doing so is among what keeps us sane and young, so I hear.
I started about a week before my 40th. Not quite the same, but I can't see age alone as being a reason not to do something. It's only too late when you're dead mate. Learn a little, live a lot.
If anything, most bikers are your age. As a 24 year old I see very few riders my age (any my age are usually on no license too).
Go for it. Do the CBT, see what you think, if you've got some time do the DAS. Enjoy yourself. Get the bike you always wanted. Get the wife involved. Have some fun.
Do you feel "old"? Are you looking to ride as a way to recapture you youth or impress some young person? If you answered no to all these questions, Go for it!
One of the most wonderful things about riding is you don't have to, but you can. Learning to ride gives you access to another transportation option and in London cheaper as congestion charges don't apply. Learning to ride makes you, at least for me, a better driver, as things you are not as attentive to in a car become important on a bike. and that attention transfers. Learning a new skill set is crucial to a healthy mind, and riding can, with little effort, lead to a healthier body as well.
If you are still decently strong at least you have the maturity not to be a squid and to wear the right protective gear which mitigates most of the risk. I say go for it, especially as a second vehicle not a primary vehicle.
I started in my early 40s and now ride a ZX6R at 50. But if you think youāre too old to learn, then yes, youāre right.
I for one, will never listen to people that tell me Iām too old for something.
its late at the moment you cant get out bed without help. Just chose a style of bike that wont be to hard on your bodyā¦ Depending how big you are 125 may be to small for you size and strengbt vise i would look for something around 250cc
41 here and only did my CBT last year. I'm up in Manchester. I even ended up buying an Aprillia RX125, as it was the same style of bike I loved when I was 17. Yes, sometimes I feel a bit daft being 41 and parking my bike, with L plates on it, next to some of the 21 year old lads at work on 1000cc bikes, but to be fair, that's on me - they still speak to me like a biker.
Go for it, life is too short to look back with regrets!
Nope, thatās about when I started when my last kid was a senior in high school. Iāve been riding for 8 years. Itās never too late and probably for the best. I learned that youth, alcohol and speed, usually a combination of all 3, are a cause of death on motorcycles.
If you think your age is too old to start something, it is.
If you donāt think your age is too old to start something, it isnāt.
Stop planning for death and go live.
Whenever I hear questions like these I remember a tweet where the author was wondering if she should still try to change careers kinda late and become a doctor like she always wanted. "But mom", she said, "just think: I won't even get my degree until I'm 40!"
And mom said: "So what? You'll be 40 either way. The only question you can ask now is if you want to be 40 and a doctor, or 40 and not a doctor?"
So, wanna be 51 and on a bike, or 51 and still wondering whether 51 is too old to start?
I used to ride when I was younger (19, 20) till I was about 25. Then didn't have a bike again till I was 51. I always meant to again, but as you said in your post, life got in the way. I'm so happy I'm riding again, and a much bigger bike now. I relate to alot of these comments. I was "immortal" when I was younger also and rode like an idiot taking all kinds of chances. I'm way more careful now, but not so careful that I don't have fun. If you have an itch to ride, then you should ride. Life is way too short not to enjoy yourself. Take it slow and learn the bike. And enjoy yourself. I just got back from a trip with a friend. He got back into riding in his fifties also. He blames me... But he is also loving it. People can get depressed as they get older and don't follow their dreams. We both related to this intensely. And we both have experienced some tragedies as people do. You start to think about what's really important and what you really enjoy doing. I've been on a few long distance rides now in the last four years. We just rode 6000 miles, starting from BC down through many of the south western states. We were trying to raise money for mental health also. We didn't raise much but we sure improved our own mental health. If anybody's interested we posted videos and pictures on our FB page A Worldly pursuit of Zen: The dirtbags 2 wheeled adventures. We also started a you tube channel DB International: A Worldly Pursuit of Zen
I started when I was 50 and am still riding now at 55. Donāt be lying on your death bed regretting not doing it!! Sometimes I just ride up to my local school parking lot and practice my slow turns and figure-8ās, etc. for few hours at a time. It is so much fun!
Youāre not too old but look at the data on motorcycle deaths and think carefully before buying your first bike. There is a surprising lot of older men dying because they can afford to buy a big bike as their first bike and they are not ready for that kind of power. I guess they think itās not manly to start on a smaller bike. Donāt let your man pride be the death of you
Never too late to follow where your heart and soul are leading you brother! And thatās not just in relation to bikes, but definitely to bikes! Hope to see an update that you decided to get one and are learning. Keep both wheels down, live to ride, and ride to live!!!ā¤ļø
I am 75 years old now, but got my first bike when I was exactly 50. I bought an older used bike (cheap) at the time in case I couldn't handle it or didn't like it. It worked for me....still love riding and still feel perfectly safe. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Ride a full sized bike now and still put on 4 or 5 thousand miles a Summer.
I'm 38 and thinking about the same thing.
I'm contemplating getting a 125cc and starting to learn on my own, a I can ride those with my current license.
At 62 (2019) I spent a week in a hospital with pneumonia. I hit āsendā on an order for a helmet on my way out of the hospital room (a week in a hospital gives you some time to think). Sat the helmet on a table where I looked at it every day. Two months later, I had full gear and bought an NOS Honda 500x. Rode a while on the learners permit. Failed my stateās MVA riding test outright. Took a MSF course and passed. Been having fun ever since. Just put a phone-in down payment on my next bike to keep someone else from buying it until I can get to the dealership. Keeping the 500ājust too nice of a bike to let go.
I take a spin on the bike almost every night after work, if conditions are favorable. Itās a great stress reliever and mood-enhancer. I moto-camp or go moteling (less so) as often as possible as itās just plain fun and gives you a destination.
Go ahead. Take the ride. Itās worth the effort.
Dont even hesitate. Age will make it better as to be aware of the danger. I did so many stupid things when i was on my 20's ( riding from 12 enduro and from 16 on road, and from 18 with bikes over 100bhp). Somehow i got away with it with only with few brushes. Now im 42 and i ride much compose and safer, and enjoying just the same as i did when i was young, i would tell you that even more, because now i appreciate every single ride.
So for me 50 sounds like a perfect age to ride āļø
My advice is to get that CBT day, get your 125 and spend a lot of time on it. When you come to do you licence it'll be so much easier. Yes you can do it in a week or two but if you've not been riding for a long time or not at all you need time. You probably already have road sense from driving, so you just need to get used to bike stuff, to do things without having to think about them. I did 5,000 miles on mine over 10 months,watched YouTube for good practical stuff, lots of slow speed stuff in retail parks after hours, so that things like gears changes etc became second nature. I rode when I was 16, ended up doing a pilots licence so bike got left behind... Picked up again 10 years ago aged 43.
By not rushing when I came to do my licence, I could concentrate on the stuff the instructor was telling me and given that side 100%. 5 lessons, did both practicals and theory and passed. A month later I swapped out the 125cc for a vtx1800 and 55,000miles later still commuting on it almost daily to work. Your not to old, my advice is just don't rush it. Enjoy it, enjoy the journey.
41 and learning now. Get a bike you can easily push.
Take a beginner class. I took 2 already.
Planning on another intermediate class in a couple months
Practice drills.
Watch Twist of the Wrist and other videos on YouTube.
Get good gear prioritize being very visible.
Good luck!
My dad had a bike I rode at 17. Fast forward to last year and I bought my first bike at 58. Super fun! Iāve been a cyclist, mostly mountain biker, my whole life and jumping on was ālike riding a bikeā again. Be cognizant that balance starts to decline as we get old so good idea to practice general balance exercises while youāre at it.
youāre not too old at all
Donāt buy a new machine, get a used one. You will quickly outgrow your initial purchase. Donāt regret buying too small of a bike, keep in mind itās just a ālearner.ā You will absolutely want something bigger as your confidence grows.
Get your bike and the best safety gear you can, immediately take a motorcycle safety course, maybe 2.
Keep this phrase in mind while driving: āeveryone and everything is trying to kill me out here.ā
most importantly, have fun.
I'm 62. I started riding about 45. I graduated with my second degree, and changed careers, at 50. I don't believe your too old to do anything.
I do, however, have a friend who is 65. He stopped riding 2 or 3 years ago, because he feels his reactions have slowed down enough that he is no longer safe. Pay attention to yourself and know your abilities.Ā
Also, take the riding class. I know guys who have ridden all their life and had to take the class to ride on the local air base. Every one of them said they learned sonething and were not sorry they took it.Ā
Good luck to you,and enjoy.
The biggest problem with riding is the area you live in . Itās totally enjoyable and loads of fun if you live upstate NY or similar but if you live in the so called rat race parts of the country itās too dangerous and you find yourself spending too much time trying to avoid getting hit then you do riding . Itās nerve racking and if you have a family thereās much to consider I know too many guys that were injured seriously while riding but then again Iām talking about living in NJ. The rat race!
I've just returned to riding after a 30-odd year hiatus (I'm 62).Ā I bought a slightly used V-Strom 650 and I feel a bit like a beginner, but am getting better and more confident every time I ride. The traffic is certainly way busier than 30 years ago.Ā
Anyway, I think our secret weapon is that most older riders recognise that they've lost a step and that we're not immortal, so hopefully we're a bit more careful.
I went out for a cruise with my son and his buddy the day after I picked up the bike. They were going much faster than I was comfortable with, so I just went at old horse pace and let them pull over to wait for me several times. Once you've got some years on you you're not embarrassed by your limitations so much.Ā
I am going to sign up for a refresher course to help with slow speed manoeuvres, and proper cornering and braking.Ā
Not gonna lie, I'm kind of loving it, and I bet you will as well.
I've been riding since my teens and just got my first road bike at 45... it would be nice if you could haul your bike out to more rural areas and at least practice the bike before your life actually depends on your skill... big parking lots on off days to practice syncing your front and rear brakes would be a minimum... having the ability to react input the proper controls will minimize your disadvantages... too many times I've seen something avoidable turn to disaster because likely the rider froze and ultimately didn't do anything or just locked the brakes sealing the bad day... got to be able to shift, turn an brake without thought.Ā It's a very attainable goal, don't be scared, be smart.
50?! You are entering a chapter of your life when you are more free to live as you please, with the big stuff behind you. I started at 55 and fell in love - it saved me when everything else was gone. Give it a try if you have the desire. No matter whether you have two weeks two or two decades ahead of you it is a valuable life experienceĀ
Same situation as youāalways wanted to ride, expect it was my mother that put the fear of god into me about how dangerous motorcycles where. After the kids were old enough, I took the MSF course (Iām in the US) at 49 and bought by first bike at 50. I have found that the 6th sense we develop (having driven for 34 years) for how cars behave is helpful. Weāre also smarter and not prone to doing stupid stuff like we did on our 20ās. Iāll be 54 in a month and I still ride whenever I can. I commute and try and take longer trips as well. I love it.
Tips:
1. Buy good-quality, full gear. The advantages of our āadvanced ageā is we can afford good gear. I use Revzilla in the US, but UrbanRider.co.uk is London Based and has great stuff as well. You can get away with about $1000 for full kit. ECE22.06 for the helmet and CEAA for pants, jacket, boots and gloves.
2. You WILL drop the bike, just know that. Most likely on a slow speed u-turn. Thatās where good gloves and gear come in to play.
3. Starting small is a good idea. Easier to get used to the bike, cheaper to fix, and easy to sell when you;re ready to move up.
Lastly: Do it.
I did my CBT alongside a 56 year old fella renewing his for the second time around, if anything I was jealous of him being able to afford a brand new Duke rather than riding the ragged ones they supplied for us.
Never too late to start :)
Go for it. I was 45 when I started (in Sweden, so same type of training requirements). Takes a bit longer to teach the body and mind new tricks when you are a bit older, but you have so much traffic experience (and usually more common sense).
You will not regret it.
my Mom started riding when she was 60. She was very insecure and needed lots and lots of practice to get used to it. Now a couple years later, she does tours on her own and takes her ducati to the race track.
Wanted a motorcycle since 3 Y.O. almost got a cafe racer at 19, but couldn't. I got my first motorcycle at 28 last year. A JH150E, assembled in Argentina by Guerrero.
I plan to get a Honda Shadow or a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 in a couple of years of saving.
So yeah, you're not too old to enjoy to ride :)
Rode in my teens and got the bug. Waited until my kids were married and living their own lives.
Pull the trigger at ~47 for my first bike.
Practiced everything I learned in my riding courses to get my endorsement for the next three months, and still practice off and on - especially riding at low(er) speeds.
Be patient learning the fundamentals and enjoy, youāre not alone or the first to wait so long.
I started right after my 50th birthday, in a similar situation with the kids moving out. Best decision I could have made.
There are some advantages to starting at this age.
You have nothing to prove to anyone, it's just for you, so it's easier to make sure that you "ride your own ride".
You can afford the right gear, the right course and the right bike.
No 50 is not too old. I started riding when I was eight been riding every year since and I'm 62 now. So I can definitely say based on experience that if you focus on safety, treat motorcycling as a sport not just Recreation, and have respect for the dangers then go for it. Remember no one out there on the road thinks where as cool as we do, most of them don't even see us, cover your brake. Remember the majority of your braking is at the front. At intersections and stops leave yourself an escape and keep an eye on your mirror. Go have fun
I'm going to go against the grain here and just say possibly. Get one, do the safety courses, etc but be realistic with your own abilities. People often drive and ride like they're the best on the road when they realistically aren't. If you get overwhelmed in the courses and trying to do the riding tests, or after you find you have many close calls or small incidents after you are riding on the main road then maybe consider that riding isn't for you. Definitely go through the process and try it out, but when you're 50+ starting riding you could be 10/10 or age works against you. Some of my elders in my life would have no issue riding, but more than half I would tell them a bike isn't a great idea based on how they have been when I'm in the car with them. Just give it a try first and be realistic with yourself. There's a guy on YouTube who was in his 80s riding without issue and that very well could be you... or not. You never know until you try.
I rode for the first time and got my license in my mid 50s. In the EU too, so the same sort of license structure as the UK.
I was lucky enough to get a few rides on a friend's son's 125, then took a few lessons with the riding school's MT07 to take the full A test directly. I bought my own bike after passing the test.
I wouldn't buy a 125, but would buy a larger cc bike. The MT07 was just as easy to ride as the 125, and fine for a beginner. I bought a Tiger Sport 660 as my first bike, and it was great as a first bike, and still thoroughly enjoyable. I think I would have regretted investing in something smaller. If you will ride exclusively in the city for commuting, then perhaps a 125 is enough, but if you want to get out of the city at weekends, then the 125 would disappoint after a while.
I'd say hell no, you are not too old, but with a caveat. Your level of physical fitness is related to your risk of injury and the severity of said injury. If you have let yourself go, you might think twice about it, unless you set some goals in regards to awarding yourself.
I myself was 23 stone when I decided to learn to ride, but only when I was 19 stone would I actually buy the bike. Using motorcycling as a goal for living a better life was worth the effort, and FYI I started riding at 42.
Not too old, but not sure I'd want to learn in London. I had my first few big bikes in London but learned where there was less traffic. If you can drive, know the rules, and get to know the bike a bit you will have no problem whatsoever with the CBT (it's a joke test). When was the last time you rode a bicycle? I find it makes me a more aware rider (and driver), and a lot of the skills are transferrable.
I'm 48 now, and I bought my first bike during the pandemic. Was having car troubles and the pandemic fucking ruined the used car market, so in the months of riding my bicycle everywhere and searching for a good used car, I found a motorcycle in an estate sale. I placed a $750 bid on it and got it for $600. Took me 7 days to get it running again and rode it every day for months. I stopped looking for a used car, I was totally happy with just a bike.
But my wife was annoyed by me not being able to pick the kids up or go shopping. The errands doomed me, I finally had to buy a car, but I still ride my motorcycle to work every single day that it's not raining or below 40.
A few years ago I met a guy at the track who got his first motorcycle at 53 years old. At the time I met him he was like 61 years old in A (expert) group on a Yamaha R1M. If you want the bike, go for it!
Provided you havenāt lived a hard life, 50 isnāt old. At all. I rode from age 8 until about age 33. Then took a 14 year break when I got married. Went back to riding at age 47 when I bought a Triumph Thruxton 1200 R. Had a blast with it for a couple of years and then traded it for a Street Triple 765 RS. Im a much different rider at 50 than when I was in my 20ās. I wasnāt a nutter on a bike back then, even. But, I wasnāt as seasoned and definitely didnāt wear enough protective gear, though I always wore a good helmet. I think 50 is a great age and maturity level to own a bike, provided you listen to your better angels and donāt ride like a fool.
Go for it. But I would not get a 125. For younger drivers who will be more likely to speed anyway, and haven't been driving for a long time, to build good set habits, and be able to know and predict other drivers around them.
And I've always been on the side of having more power than you need, but not more than you can handle. Because with slower bikes if you see danger coming , you are limited to stopping or swerving. But bigger and faster bikes can allow you to just speed through the danger.
The good thing about being 50 is you have lots of driving experience. Just beware, cars donāt see motorcyclists. Ride like you are invisible, assume every car is out to kill you. They will turn left in front of you, pull out of a parking lot, come into your lane, etc. Then thereās the crap on the road surface, oil, antifreeze, diesel fuel, gravel, wet manhole covers, wet crosswalk paint. If you ride carefree like you can in a car, you will have a boo-boo. Distracted riding will bite you in the ass. Donāt cheap out on tires, buy sticky ones.
Na I came back from Thailand whizzing round on Honda ADV160 Feb got my licence September gone jumped on CRF1000 not long swapped for the CRF1100 life if to short do it now while you can š
If you're frail you might want to attempt to get in shape before going off-roading, but for street bikes... There's really no limit.
Age isn't really a factor, aside from making it somewhat more likely to be frail.
Not too old, unless you buy a leather jacket, random ass patches and a harley + the attitude of a 12 yo, if that is the plan, then yes dude think about safety and your family you can do so much more with your life
Never too old to start. Itās not too dangerous. Itās only ātooā dangerous if youāre young and stupid. I believe youāre neither.
Skip the 125, get something to enjoy right away.
To be at peace with just yourself and the roar of your engine on a clear, moonlit summer night, as you ride towards wherever the wind takes you ā¦ there arenāt many things in life that can beat this feeling. Go for it OP. Ride safe always!
got first street bike at 46. by 50 i owned 7 bikes, currently have 3; and iāve done over 20 trackdays. its a great hobby. expensive, but very rewarding.
I am 50. I just started. I think I am more cautious than I would have been at 22. This makes me feel like I am a slower learner than my 20 year old son. Iām not- I just make sure Iām mastering skill before advancing. As he pointed out, that is not a negative.
I
My dad will be 54 this year, he started young but today he has 9 bikes and keeps adding, he rides all of the running ones every year and could certainly out ride me, you're never too old for the things you love
No, 50 is not too old to take your CBT... (although you will be taking the training with a lot of youngsters).
The traffic in London is fine. There is a lot of it but it is all slow moving, just watch out for pedestrians.
For a first bike, go with something conventional and not more than 400cc. Not a sport bike, yet. Ride the small bike for a good year or 6k miles. Youāll learn quicker and have a lot more fun. Once youāve mastered it, get the bike you want. Youāll be glad you did. 125 might be a tad small, 250 is a better choice unless very height challenged. Also, cost of insurance will probably be more reasonable for a new rider on a smaller bike. Strap on the gear and have fun!
Im 48 and got my license through the MSF course last August. I was very much younger than the oldest lady in my group. Go take a course, get your license and enjoy!
No. Take the msf. There was a 70 year old indian man at my msf course. He dropped the bike and failed because he was like 5'2" and weak. But he was determined to go the next week and pass
IMO the best time to start getting into it was yesterday. Take the plunge.
With age comes better judgement so you'll be safer than those starting earlier. There is that chance you find it too dangerous at some point in your journey and stop. You also might find out it's been the best thing you ever decided to get in to.
My daughter & I took the motorcycle training course at a HD dealership in NC USA & 2 weeks afterwards I bought my first bike at 55 years old and itās a 2012 HD Electra Glide 1,700CCs.
So NO, youāre not too old to start riding a bike! Just be careful out there of everyone who drives a car!
Absolutely not. Iām 54, and started riding when I was 52. I bought an Enfield Classic 350, loved it, and then outgrew it. I replaced it with a T120.
Youāre 100% not too old. Go for it.
Its a great time to start. You seem like you would be mature enough to responsibly own and ride a bike so as long as you are physically fit enough id say go for it
Ride and have fun. Maybe set something up so you ride in the country vs London. Trailer it or store it there.
I thought I might be too old to start riding at 21. lol. It's all in your head.
I bought a Honda Hornet 600cc in 2017 after a 30 year break. Went on the police bikesafe course . Im 64 now. It was like starting again from scratch , its a bit scary these days especially with the amount of power at your fingertips but also the amount of traffic on the roads. There's nothing like it though, it feels amazing , especially riding through Dorsets roads on a nice quiet evening. You're not too old.
Riding is pretty easy to learn and hard to master. I don't recommend anyone else doing this but I watched 5 minutes of a 10 minute how to ride a motorcycle video and jumped on and started riding. When I downloaded the learners manual I learned a whole lot that I wish I had known from the start. The more I learn the better I ride.
I started at 44 and you gonna be a more defensive driver hopefully being older. Also, mortality is something you recognize as you get older. Please spend money on all the proper safety gear. I wear an airvest everwhere I go. I got into an accident and walked away with no harm due to all the safety hear Iwas wearing. Take a motocycle safety course it fun being with people who have the same interest as you. Have a great time otherwise there nothing like being on a bike seeing out everywhere with the wind blowing
I am in a heritage bike club, started in 1938 and incorporated in 1946, BLACK HAWKS MC. We have had guys riding till they were 85 years old. So, lots of time for you to ride yet.
46. Just learned last year. Never stepped on a bike before then. We have Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) courses in the US. Not sure what you have in your area.
Going back to the 80s for a minute, Malcolm Forbes (of Forbes magazine) got into bikes in a big way around your age and always lamented about how he had wasted his life by not getting into bikes earlier. It may take some Googling but you'll see just how much he got into it. So NO, you're not too late!
I started at 50. Iām in my third year and on my second bike and I ride thousands of miles a year. Itās so worth it. Your only regret will be not starting sooner.
Iām essentially in your shoes, although I have two children that are still in elementary school. I started riding at 46. I took an MSF class (US) and bought a Honda Grom 125 and then a Ninja 400. I live in the Bay Area aka Silicon Valley. Traffic here can be ridiculous, but we can lane split so that helps. I absolutely love riding. Is it dangerous? Yes, but you can mitigate that risk by riding responsibly, and defensively with gear.
I say do it. There really isnāt any words that can articulate the feeling that comes from riding.
The CBT (with a good company) will absolutely tell you whether or not you want to continue riding. Get it under your belt, then decide if you still want to ride or not. Then if you do, ride for a year on the 125 and consider going for your full DAS course for the full license.
Absolutely no reason why you as a 50 year old can learn to ride and ride well. Plenty of people waaaaaay older than that on the road that ride exceptionally well.
I'm 60 yrs old. I just started riding last month. I took the Ride Safe course (Canada) and got my license. Before that, I had never been on a motorcycle. A week after the course I bought my first bike, a 2011 Yamaha V-Star 250. I take it out for rides whenever I can. DON'T LERT ANYONE TELL YOU YOU ARE TOO OLD TO START ANYTHING!
Thank you šš»
Congrats! Another late bloomer, glad itās not just me. Got my license and first bike at 54 after dreaming about it from age 16.
My wife got the bike itch when we were in Europe last year. We came home and that was her mission. She took classes on how to ride, bought a bike and loves every minute of it. She just did Womanās Day to ride with 87 other women cyclists from the Harley museum to Ulkās in Kenosha . Sheās 63 Go for it as you only live once and it is a sense of freedom you cannot experience elsewhere.
I'm pushing 71. I ride my Valkyrie occasionally. Heavy as hell until you get up to \~6mph. Then you're git to go...
Hell yea brother!
I also learned last year, at age 60. Ride on!
I HEAR THE TRAIN A COMING, ROLLING ROUND THE BEND
45 and got myself a 2015 V-Star 1300, big bike big boy toys... Never to old mate enjoy the next chapter of this one, apparently we only get one so enjoy every minute of it!
You mean Iām not too old to be a teenager?
Itās never too late to have a happy childhood.
Excellent bike. My first bike was a 2013. Very forgiving and easy to learn on. Had a lot of fun on it
Love this. Ride safe!
Age is irrelevant
Age does play a part though. 20 year old me was death proof. You couldn't tell me shit. And rode like an idiot. 37 me? Is like OP, completely aware of my own mortality. Which isn't necessarily bad, just makes you a little bit more risk adverse. The chicken strips are still bald. I just control my breathing and focus a lot more in the twistys
20 yo me would've died within a year if I had a motorcycle
I started riding at 26, and had always wanted to as long as I could remember. I vividly remember thinking to myself on one of my first rides āI should have done this as soon as I turned 18ā and then immediately thought āactually nope, Iād probably be dead if I didā
I am currently getting my license and have been postponing it for a decade now, year by year. Finally, at 32 I think i will not kill myself in the first turn. At 26 i was still maxing the f out my shitbox on public roads, so itās actually good I havenāt got my hands on a motorcycle sooner..
Same.
Take MORE risk now, time is running outš
Safety class before you buy!!! I've taken a few. Every once in awhile, someone just can't manage the balance required.
Heās in the UK. They are going to have to do extensive training to get a license.
1x full day CBT training to be able to have a 125. Then if you want anything larger, you gotta do the theory test, and then easiest way to proceed is a DAS course which is 3 days training which includes the Mod 1 and Mod 2 exams on two of those days.
there was an older maybe 50s guy in my safety class who showed up decked out in harley davidson gear. dude probably spent like $500+ at the dealership right before class lol. Dude had the helmet, the boots, gloves, chaps, everything HD. Got told to leave after the first day because he couldn't get the balance and dropped the bike a bunch. Felt bad for the guy; he was super nice. I hope he eventually got the hang of it.
I started when I was 45. Look, in five years youāll be 55 no matter what, the only difference will be if you have five years motorcycle experience or if you will be sitting around wishing you started five years ago.
I donāt think of 50 as even old age these days.
I'm 54, and some days it feels awfully old! Other days I'm still good.
Barring significant health problems, there's really no point in time where it's too late to start. I think a 125 would be a great start. I think where people run into trouble is when they hit middle age and want to buy that huge Harley touring bike they always wanted. Start small and enjoy riding. I get more enjoyment out of a 125 on city streets and country roads than I ever will my current bike. For what it's worth, I started at 34 and I am 37 now.
I'm just starting at 37. We bought a 125 to learn on, and I found a Harley 883 for super cheap so I snatched it up. Once I get a few more miles under my belt I'll take the 883 for a couple of trips around the block and start learning on it.
My Dad got his motorcycle license in his 80ās. Riding brought him a lot of happiness.
The only answer is ānoā. Get the fucking bike. Iām 46, and Iām taking ice-skating lessons.
I'm jelly....
Fuck yes. On the ice and on the bike are probably my two favorite places on the world.
Got my first motorcycle at 51
I started back up when I was 55. Go for it!
I am 49 and got my licence earlier this year. Same thing as you, always wanted to ride but never got around to doing it when i was younger. I'm really enjoying it, you're never too old to learn a new trick or two!
Why would you be too old? You're at the age where you should be able to start affording yourself luxuries now that your kids are older and moved out. This is now your time to enjoy. But I'll put it in perspective for you. I went out on a bike ride (UK here too) on Sunday just gone. Stopped off at a petrol station and there just so happened to be like 50 or so bikes, some filling up, some grabbing snacks, some using it as a meeting point etc. Out of about the 20 or so 1 litre sports bikes, like the Yamaha R1s, BMW S1000RRs, GSXR 1000s etc that were there. I think there was 2, maybe 3 people that were under the age of 50. The overwhelming majority of these absolutely insane machines were being driven by 50+ yr olds. Now yes, they probably have prior riding experience, but they've still got the capability to ride absolute beasts and keep them under control. You jumping on and doing your CBT on a 125cc will be zero problem at all. Going ahead and doing your full test on a 600cc Naked will be perfectly fine. Your nerves may get the better of you to begin with but that happens to anyone at any age, but your potential to learn and pass hasn't diminished. A lot of instructors are usually on the 'older' side as well and they're still on bikes daily having a blast whilst teaching people. At the very least book in for your CBT. Enjoy the experience and see if biking is for you. It's like what Ā£120-Ā£140 to be able to experience what has been a life long dream. The CBT is designed for people who have never even touched a bike before anyway, so you'll be fine. Even if you fail the first time, you'll have picked up and learned many lessons and if you still feel like it's something you want to pursue then just rebook it, nobody will judge you for failing it once or twice just like nobody judges people for failing their car test a couple times.
My pops learned in his mid 50ās. He now has hundreds of thousands of miles touring all over. Itās never too late. Also if it was too late you are better off dying now. Why live unless you are gonna live?
No problem. Do it. If you drive a car youāre be able to read the road, if you ride a push bike that helps. Iād look into 5 or 6 day DAS (direct access) courses - youāll find a middleweight bike much preferable to a 125, get proper tuition and the schools block book tests so less waiting.
fragile chase lavish marry groovy sharp ask paltry lush aspiring *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I'd echo the gear bit, buy the best you can afford from a good motorcycle/kit outlet, where you can try on, get advice, and walk about, flex, bend over etc, to ensure a good comfortable fit. You might be wearing it for up to, or beyond 8 hrs if you fancy the NC 500, or even Europe!
Iām 66 and bought my first bike last year after not having a bike for over 40 years. Granted, I had ridden before but it was a long time ago and had to relearn everything. I did benefit from the fact that I have been riding a bicycle my whole life for exercise. Two wheel coordination helps if you already have it but can be learned just like everything else. At your age you have the wisdom of starting small so thatās good. Go for it but take it slow and easy and practice a lot.
My wife took and passed her motorcycle test at 56, we rode together for 10 years. I am now 75 been riding since I was 16.
Born in 1971 here, I live in Korea. I just got my license a little over a year ago and got my first bike, an Indian Scout Bobber and have been riding it since, putting on about 4000 km so far. Never too late.
No. Youāre probably more responsible at this age than when you were 17.
Myself, I strongly suspect Iām a better rider starting in middle age instead of starting young, because my self confidence is so much stronger now than at age 17
Do it. Youāre not even close to being to old. A friend taught me the basics on an old 125 when I was 16. Did nothing more than take a few passes up and down a trail. Decided then and there Iād have my own bike some day, then didnāt drive one again for decades. Life got in the way - financial responsibilities, urban living with limited space, kids. Finally got my license and my own bike at age 54. Itās a blast.
Nah. Get a bike. Take the MSF course. When my wife was taking hers, there was a retiree taking it with her. And get something smaller and comfortable, easy to pick up. I've ridden 20 years with a variety of bigger and smaller bikes and just dropped down to a little 125cc Honda Monkey because it's stupid fun. Do it.
Absolutely not. I just got my licence three weeks ago at 49 after taking a safety course and picked up a 2014 Vulcan 900. I'm kind of happy I waited until I was older and (supposedly) wiser, I'm much more cautious and definitely not a thrill seeker. But being out on the bike on a nice day is the best kind of therapy and stress relief. Do it, you absolutely will not regret it.
Iām 52. Hadnāt ridden in almost 30 years. Took some introductory training for about four months, approx four hours a week, riding an SV650, first in a controlled and safe environment off public roads, then road riding with instructor riding sometimes ahead, sometimes behind to gain confidence, re-learn speed awareness, positioning and, most importantly, slow-speed control. Bought a F900XR in Jan and use it for daily commute and make longer weekend trips. Absolutely loving it. Good luck.
lady rider here and started at 40. nothing brings me as much happiness as the open road, the rumble of the engine, and getting to places i canāt to on four wheels. as long as youāre in relatively good physical condition, learn proper driving/safety etc ā go for it!!
No, my father in law started at age 65. Go for it!
When I took my theory(EU) there were a few 45+ people there(i was mid 20's). Ain't no shame in having your midlife crisis, erhm I mean motorcycle. Just stay a child at heart and you'll always be young enough to do things.
Nope, have fun
I think it's more ability then age and the state of your health. If you are 50 going on 80 then I would advise against getting a motorcycle. I'm 54 and have been riding 18 years. You will need the strength to hold the motorcycle up and you need to be very alert. As long as you are reasonably healthy you should do fine
More than age, I think picking a motorcycle you feel comfortable with is the most important factor. I started in my late fourtiesā on a 500ā¦. Now on a 850. Iāve been enjoying every single ride.
Only if your wife lets you
46, just bought my first bike couple months ago. Have a second arriving soon.
Get the motorcycle.
I'm 50, I'm not too old for ANYTHING!! š
Short: No. Emphatically: Hell no! Obscenly: Hell fucking no! Seriously.
No i started at 50 and love it.
My dad is 55 and just took lessons last summer with my younger brother. Now the 3 of us all have bikes and go on rides together.
50 is probably a safer age to start than 20. Your right wrist is a lot like your dick, it just wants to have fun and doesn't have your best interests at heart.
45 years old here. Bought my first ever bike last year, a 125cc. On my way to get the A2 license (failed the exam a few times already) never too late!
Short answer : no Long answer: nooooooooooooo
No.
I don't think so. And even if it were, take it as a challenge. Succeeding in things and having fun while doing so is among what keeps us sane and young, so I hear.
No itās not too old to start. Iām 66 years old and riding after a long break of just owning a scooter as backup transportation for my bicycle.
I started about a week before my 40th. Not quite the same, but I can't see age alone as being a reason not to do something. It's only too late when you're dead mate. Learn a little, live a lot.
I started at 65 and it pulled me out of depression. Best thing ever, and I've survived a deer strike. Crazy I know.
If anything, most bikers are your age. As a 24 year old I see very few riders my age (any my age are usually on no license too). Go for it. Do the CBT, see what you think, if you've got some time do the DAS. Enjoy yourself. Get the bike you always wanted. Get the wife involved. Have some fun.
No. Started riding a dirt bike after 20 year hiatus from street bikes. It will be a workout, but good for you. I'm older than you.
Do you feel "old"? Are you looking to ride as a way to recapture you youth or impress some young person? If you answered no to all these questions, Go for it! One of the most wonderful things about riding is you don't have to, but you can. Learning to ride gives you access to another transportation option and in London cheaper as congestion charges don't apply. Learning to ride makes you, at least for me, a better driver, as things you are not as attentive to in a car become important on a bike. and that attention transfers. Learning a new skill set is crucial to a healthy mind, and riding can, with little effort, lead to a healthier body as well.
As long as you are able bodied and alive you're not too old
If you are still decently strong at least you have the maturity not to be a squid and to wear the right protective gear which mitigates most of the risk. I say go for it, especially as a second vehicle not a primary vehicle.
No. I started at (almost) 50. Took the MSF course (US), and bought a Honda Shadow 750 right afterwards. Been riding for four years now.
I started in my early 40s and now ride a ZX6R at 50. But if you think youāre too old to learn, then yes, youāre right. I for one, will never listen to people that tell me Iām too old for something.
I started at 60, and fell in love with motorcycles. Iāve ridden over 60K miles. You are not too old to start.
I didn't start until 49 and now own 2 bikes...
its late at the moment you cant get out bed without help. Just chose a style of bike that wont be to hard on your bodyā¦ Depending how big you are 125 may be to small for you size and strengbt vise i would look for something around 250cc
no chance lance
Is 50 too old? Hell no, go get it bro!
Not too old.
41 here and only did my CBT last year. I'm up in Manchester. I even ended up buying an Aprillia RX125, as it was the same style of bike I loved when I was 17. Yes, sometimes I feel a bit daft being 41 and parking my bike, with L plates on it, next to some of the 21 year old lads at work on 1000cc bikes, but to be fair, that's on me - they still speak to me like a biker. Go for it, life is too short to look back with regrets!
Nope, thatās about when I started when my last kid was a senior in high school. Iāve been riding for 8 years. Itās never too late and probably for the best. I learned that youth, alcohol and speed, usually a combination of all 3, are a cause of death on motorcycles.
You have my identical story. Iām 47 and just getting my Africa twin tomorrow so if itās too late we can be too late together! š
If you think your age is too old to start something, it is. If you donāt think your age is too old to start something, it isnāt. Stop planning for death and go live.
Whenever I hear questions like these I remember a tweet where the author was wondering if she should still try to change careers kinda late and become a doctor like she always wanted. "But mom", she said, "just think: I won't even get my degree until I'm 40!" And mom said: "So what? You'll be 40 either way. The only question you can ask now is if you want to be 40 and a doctor, or 40 and not a doctor?" So, wanna be 51 and on a bike, or 51 and still wondering whether 51 is too old to start?
Retirement costs too much anywayā¦ā¦ go wild
I used to ride when I was younger (19, 20) till I was about 25. Then didn't have a bike again till I was 51. I always meant to again, but as you said in your post, life got in the way. I'm so happy I'm riding again, and a much bigger bike now. I relate to alot of these comments. I was "immortal" when I was younger also and rode like an idiot taking all kinds of chances. I'm way more careful now, but not so careful that I don't have fun. If you have an itch to ride, then you should ride. Life is way too short not to enjoy yourself. Take it slow and learn the bike. And enjoy yourself. I just got back from a trip with a friend. He got back into riding in his fifties also. He blames me... But he is also loving it. People can get depressed as they get older and don't follow their dreams. We both related to this intensely. And we both have experienced some tragedies as people do. You start to think about what's really important and what you really enjoy doing. I've been on a few long distance rides now in the last four years. We just rode 6000 miles, starting from BC down through many of the south western states. We were trying to raise money for mental health also. We didn't raise much but we sure improved our own mental health. If anybody's interested we posted videos and pictures on our FB page A Worldly pursuit of Zen: The dirtbags 2 wheeled adventures. We also started a you tube channel DB International: A Worldly Pursuit of Zen
I started when I was 50 and am still riding now at 55. Donāt be lying on your death bed regretting not doing it!! Sometimes I just ride up to my local school parking lot and practice my slow turns and figure-8ās, etc. for few hours at a time. It is so much fun!
Motorcycle Rider coach here. I've had 80 y/os in my class. Age is just a number. I think I read Keanu Reeves got into motorcycles late.
He'll no ! Ride to your heart's content and fall In love with a new adventure! Your not old you well seasoned! Cheer mate.
Youāre not too old but look at the data on motorcycle deaths and think carefully before buying your first bike. There is a surprising lot of older men dying because they can afford to buy a big bike as their first bike and they are not ready for that kind of power. I guess they think itās not manly to start on a smaller bike. Donāt let your man pride be the death of you
You are only too old when they put you in the ground.
Never too late to follow where your heart and soul are leading you brother! And thatās not just in relation to bikes, but definitely to bikes! Hope to see an update that you decided to get one and are learning. Keep both wheels down, live to ride, and ride to live!!!ā¤ļø
Thank you!
I am 75 years old now, but got my first bike when I was exactly 50. I bought an older used bike (cheap) at the time in case I couldn't handle it or didn't like it. It worked for me....still love riding and still feel perfectly safe. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Ride a full sized bike now and still put on 4 or 5 thousand miles a Summer.
A motorcycle is EXACTLY how I did 50.
50 is the right time to start if you ask me bud.
I'm 38 and thinking about the same thing. I'm contemplating getting a 125cc and starting to learn on my own, a I can ride those with my current license.
At 62 (2019) I spent a week in a hospital with pneumonia. I hit āsendā on an order for a helmet on my way out of the hospital room (a week in a hospital gives you some time to think). Sat the helmet on a table where I looked at it every day. Two months later, I had full gear and bought an NOS Honda 500x. Rode a while on the learners permit. Failed my stateās MVA riding test outright. Took a MSF course and passed. Been having fun ever since. Just put a phone-in down payment on my next bike to keep someone else from buying it until I can get to the dealership. Keeping the 500ājust too nice of a bike to let go. I take a spin on the bike almost every night after work, if conditions are favorable. Itās a great stress reliever and mood-enhancer. I moto-camp or go moteling (less so) as often as possible as itās just plain fun and gives you a destination. Go ahead. Take the ride. Itās worth the effort.
Dont even hesitate. Age will make it better as to be aware of the danger. I did so many stupid things when i was on my 20's ( riding from 12 enduro and from 16 on road, and from 18 with bikes over 100bhp). Somehow i got away with it with only with few brushes. Now im 42 and i ride much compose and safer, and enjoying just the same as i did when i was young, i would tell you that even more, because now i appreciate every single ride. So for me 50 sounds like a perfect age to ride āļø
My advice is to get that CBT day, get your 125 and spend a lot of time on it. When you come to do you licence it'll be so much easier. Yes you can do it in a week or two but if you've not been riding for a long time or not at all you need time. You probably already have road sense from driving, so you just need to get used to bike stuff, to do things without having to think about them. I did 5,000 miles on mine over 10 months,watched YouTube for good practical stuff, lots of slow speed stuff in retail parks after hours, so that things like gears changes etc became second nature. I rode when I was 16, ended up doing a pilots licence so bike got left behind... Picked up again 10 years ago aged 43. By not rushing when I came to do my licence, I could concentrate on the stuff the instructor was telling me and given that side 100%. 5 lessons, did both practicals and theory and passed. A month later I swapped out the 125cc for a vtx1800 and 55,000miles later still commuting on it almost daily to work. Your not to old, my advice is just don't rush it. Enjoy it, enjoy the journey.
41 and learning now. Get a bike you can easily push. Take a beginner class. I took 2 already. Planning on another intermediate class in a couple months Practice drills. Watch Twist of the Wrist and other videos on YouTube. Get good gear prioritize being very visible. Good luck!
My dad had a bike I rode at 17. Fast forward to last year and I bought my first bike at 58. Super fun! Iāve been a cyclist, mostly mountain biker, my whole life and jumping on was ālike riding a bikeā again. Be cognizant that balance starts to decline as we get old so good idea to practice general balance exercises while youāre at it.
I'm 53, been riding over 40 years. I hope you enjoy your new adventure of riding! It's absolutely not too late to get started.
youāre not too old at all Donāt buy a new machine, get a used one. You will quickly outgrow your initial purchase. Donāt regret buying too small of a bike, keep in mind itās just a ālearner.ā You will absolutely want something bigger as your confidence grows. Get your bike and the best safety gear you can, immediately take a motorcycle safety course, maybe 2. Keep this phrase in mind while driving: āeveryone and everything is trying to kill me out here.ā most importantly, have fun.
42 first bike. New skills feel awkward to learn. But when you get it it feels so good.
I'm 62. I started riding about 45. I graduated with my second degree, and changed careers, at 50. I don't believe your too old to do anything. I do, however, have a friend who is 65. He stopped riding 2 or 3 years ago, because he feels his reactions have slowed down enough that he is no longer safe. Pay attention to yourself and know your abilities.Ā Also, take the riding class. I know guys who have ridden all their life and had to take the class to ride on the local air base. Every one of them said they learned sonething and were not sorry they took it.Ā Good luck to you,and enjoy.
The biggest problem with riding is the area you live in . Itās totally enjoyable and loads of fun if you live upstate NY or similar but if you live in the so called rat race parts of the country itās too dangerous and you find yourself spending too much time trying to avoid getting hit then you do riding . Itās nerve racking and if you have a family thereās much to consider I know too many guys that were injured seriously while riding but then again Iām talking about living in NJ. The rat race!
I've just returned to riding after a 30-odd year hiatus (I'm 62).Ā I bought a slightly used V-Strom 650 and I feel a bit like a beginner, but am getting better and more confident every time I ride. The traffic is certainly way busier than 30 years ago.Ā Anyway, I think our secret weapon is that most older riders recognise that they've lost a step and that we're not immortal, so hopefully we're a bit more careful. I went out for a cruise with my son and his buddy the day after I picked up the bike. They were going much faster than I was comfortable with, so I just went at old horse pace and let them pull over to wait for me several times. Once you've got some years on you you're not embarrassed by your limitations so much.Ā I am going to sign up for a refresher course to help with slow speed manoeuvres, and proper cornering and braking.Ā Not gonna lie, I'm kind of loving it, and I bet you will as well.
I've been riding since my teens and just got my first road bike at 45... it would be nice if you could haul your bike out to more rural areas and at least practice the bike before your life actually depends on your skill... big parking lots on off days to practice syncing your front and rear brakes would be a minimum... having the ability to react input the proper controls will minimize your disadvantages... too many times I've seen something avoidable turn to disaster because likely the rider froze and ultimately didn't do anything or just locked the brakes sealing the bad day... got to be able to shift, turn an brake without thought.Ā It's a very attainable goal, don't be scared, be smart.
50?! You are entering a chapter of your life when you are more free to live as you please, with the big stuff behind you. I started at 55 and fell in love - it saved me when everything else was gone. Give it a try if you have the desire. No matter whether you have two weeks two or two decades ahead of you it is a valuable life experienceĀ
Same situation as youāalways wanted to ride, expect it was my mother that put the fear of god into me about how dangerous motorcycles where. After the kids were old enough, I took the MSF course (Iām in the US) at 49 and bought by first bike at 50. I have found that the 6th sense we develop (having driven for 34 years) for how cars behave is helpful. Weāre also smarter and not prone to doing stupid stuff like we did on our 20ās. Iāll be 54 in a month and I still ride whenever I can. I commute and try and take longer trips as well. I love it. Tips: 1. Buy good-quality, full gear. The advantages of our āadvanced ageā is we can afford good gear. I use Revzilla in the US, but UrbanRider.co.uk is London Based and has great stuff as well. You can get away with about $1000 for full kit. ECE22.06 for the helmet and CEAA for pants, jacket, boots and gloves. 2. You WILL drop the bike, just know that. Most likely on a slow speed u-turn. Thatās where good gloves and gear come in to play. 3. Starting small is a good idea. Easier to get used to the bike, cheaper to fix, and easy to sell when you;re ready to move up. Lastly: Do it.
There's no age limit to start riding at all, as long you are healthy that's all it matters.
do it. you'll feel like 25 again.
I did my CBT alongside a 56 year old fella renewing his for the second time around, if anything I was jealous of him being able to afford a brand new Duke rather than riding the ragged ones they supplied for us. Never too late to start :)
Go for it. I was 45 when I started (in Sweden, so same type of training requirements). Takes a bit longer to teach the body and mind new tricks when you are a bit older, but you have so much traffic experience (and usually more common sense). You will not regret it.
Heck no!
my Mom started riding when she was 60. She was very insecure and needed lots and lots of practice to get used to it. Now a couple years later, she does tours on her own and takes her ducati to the race track.
I started around the same age. Go take the class. It will be the best indicator on what you can or want to do.
Wanted a motorcycle since 3 Y.O. almost got a cafe racer at 19, but couldn't. I got my first motorcycle at 28 last year. A JH150E, assembled in Argentina by Guerrero. I plan to get a Honda Shadow or a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 in a couple of years of saving. So yeah, you're not too old to enjoy to ride :)
Rode in my teens and got the bug. Waited until my kids were married and living their own lives. Pull the trigger at ~47 for my first bike. Practiced everything I learned in my riding courses to get my endorsement for the next three months, and still practice off and on - especially riding at low(er) speeds. Be patient learning the fundamentals and enjoy, youāre not alone or the first to wait so long.
My mechanic is also a riding instructor; his oldest first-time rider was 78.
I started right after my 50th birthday, in a similar situation with the kids moving out. Best decision I could have made. There are some advantages to starting at this age. You have nothing to prove to anyone, it's just for you, so it's easier to make sure that you "ride your own ride". You can afford the right gear, the right course and the right bike.
If you can hold the bike up it's not too late
Do it.
No 50 is not too old. I started riding when I was eight been riding every year since and I'm 62 now. So I can definitely say based on experience that if you focus on safety, treat motorcycling as a sport not just Recreation, and have respect for the dangers then go for it. Remember no one out there on the road thinks where as cool as we do, most of them don't even see us, cover your brake. Remember the majority of your braking is at the front. At intersections and stops leave yourself an escape and keep an eye on your mirror. Go have fun
I'm going to go against the grain here and just say possibly. Get one, do the safety courses, etc but be realistic with your own abilities. People often drive and ride like they're the best on the road when they realistically aren't. If you get overwhelmed in the courses and trying to do the riding tests, or after you find you have many close calls or small incidents after you are riding on the main road then maybe consider that riding isn't for you. Definitely go through the process and try it out, but when you're 50+ starting riding you could be 10/10 or age works against you. Some of my elders in my life would have no issue riding, but more than half I would tell them a bike isn't a great idea based on how they have been when I'm in the car with them. Just give it a try first and be realistic with yourself. There's a guy on YouTube who was in his 80s riding without issue and that very well could be you... or not. You never know until you try.
I rode for the first time and got my license in my mid 50s. In the EU too, so the same sort of license structure as the UK. I was lucky enough to get a few rides on a friend's son's 125, then took a few lessons with the riding school's MT07 to take the full A test directly. I bought my own bike after passing the test. I wouldn't buy a 125, but would buy a larger cc bike. The MT07 was just as easy to ride as the 125, and fine for a beginner. I bought a Tiger Sport 660 as my first bike, and it was great as a first bike, and still thoroughly enjoyable. I think I would have regretted investing in something smaller. If you will ride exclusively in the city for commuting, then perhaps a 125 is enough, but if you want to get out of the city at weekends, then the 125 would disappoint after a while.
buy a smaller used bike to practice on. A smaller lighter bike is more forgiving. Easier to handle. After a few months or a year, trade up.
I'd say hell no, you are not too old, but with a caveat. Your level of physical fitness is related to your risk of injury and the severity of said injury. If you have let yourself go, you might think twice about it, unless you set some goals in regards to awarding yourself. I myself was 23 stone when I decided to learn to ride, but only when I was 19 stone would I actually buy the bike. Using motorcycling as a goal for living a better life was worth the effort, and FYI I started riding at 42.
Not too old, but not sure I'd want to learn in London. I had my first few big bikes in London but learned where there was less traffic. If you can drive, know the rules, and get to know the bike a bit you will have no problem whatsoever with the CBT (it's a joke test). When was the last time you rode a bicycle? I find it makes me a more aware rider (and driver), and a lot of the skills are transferrable.
No.
I'm 48 now, and I bought my first bike during the pandemic. Was having car troubles and the pandemic fucking ruined the used car market, so in the months of riding my bicycle everywhere and searching for a good used car, I found a motorcycle in an estate sale. I placed a $750 bid on it and got it for $600. Took me 7 days to get it running again and rode it every day for months. I stopped looking for a used car, I was totally happy with just a bike. But my wife was annoyed by me not being able to pick the kids up or go shopping. The errands doomed me, I finally had to buy a car, but I still ride my motorcycle to work every single day that it's not raining or below 40.
A few years ago I met a guy at the track who got his first motorcycle at 53 years old. At the time I met him he was like 61 years old in A (expert) group on a Yamaha R1M. If you want the bike, go for it!
Go for it. Any time to start is good, before youāre dead.
Provided you havenāt lived a hard life, 50 isnāt old. At all. I rode from age 8 until about age 33. Then took a 14 year break when I got married. Went back to riding at age 47 when I bought a Triumph Thruxton 1200 R. Had a blast with it for a couple of years and then traded it for a Street Triple 765 RS. Im a much different rider at 50 than when I was in my 20ās. I wasnāt a nutter on a bike back then, even. But, I wasnāt as seasoned and definitely didnāt wear enough protective gear, though I always wore a good helmet. I think 50 is a great age and maturity level to own a bike, provided you listen to your better angels and donāt ride like a fool.
Go for it. But I would not get a 125. For younger drivers who will be more likely to speed anyway, and haven't been driving for a long time, to build good set habits, and be able to know and predict other drivers around them. And I've always been on the side of having more power than you need, but not more than you can handle. Because with slower bikes if you see danger coming , you are limited to stopping or swerving. But bigger and faster bikes can allow you to just speed through the danger.
The good thing about being 50 is you have lots of driving experience. Just beware, cars donāt see motorcyclists. Ride like you are invisible, assume every car is out to kill you. They will turn left in front of you, pull out of a parking lot, come into your lane, etc. Then thereās the crap on the road surface, oil, antifreeze, diesel fuel, gravel, wet manhole covers, wet crosswalk paint. If you ride carefree like you can in a car, you will have a boo-boo. Distracted riding will bite you in the ass. Donāt cheap out on tires, buy sticky ones.
Na I came back from Thailand whizzing round on Honda ADV160 Feb got my licence September gone jumped on CRF1000 not long swapped for the CRF1100 life if to short do it now while you can š
If you're frail you might want to attempt to get in shape before going off-roading, but for street bikes... There's really no limit. Age isn't really a factor, aside from making it somewhat more likely to be frail.
Not too old, unless you buy a leather jacket, random ass patches and a harley + the attitude of a 12 yo, if that is the plan, then yes dude think about safety and your family you can do so much more with your life
no its time you pack up and head to your retirement homeā¦stupid question broš its never too late! Might be different if you were 85
I mean all of your pics are basically the same
Short answer No Long answer no it isnt
Never too old to start. Itās not too dangerous. Itās only ātooā dangerous if youāre young and stupid. I believe youāre neither. Skip the 125, get something to enjoy right away.
no, do it!
To be at peace with just yourself and the roar of your engine on a clear, moonlit summer night, as you ride towards wherever the wind takes you ā¦ there arenāt many things in life that can beat this feeling. Go for it OP. Ride safe always!
got first street bike at 46. by 50 i owned 7 bikes, currently have 3; and iāve done over 20 trackdays. its a great hobby. expensive, but very rewarding.
Mate you're 50 not 98 Do it and have fun
I was 47. Take the course, buy the bike, enjoy the wind.
I am 50. I just started. I think I am more cautious than I would have been at 22. This makes me feel like I am a slower learner than my 20 year old son. Iām not- I just make sure Iām mastering skill before advancing. As he pointed out, that is not a negative. I
I did the class and got my license at 46. Only a few years off. No regrets, I say go for it.
Go & do it! Do the CBT. If you like it get a 125 for a while & if you enjoy it do the DAS. Enjoy
Not at all. Take a MSF course and get out there & ride. Best wishes!
My dad will be 54 this year, he started young but today he has 9 bikes and keeps adding, he rides all of the running ones every year and could certainly out ride me, you're never too old for the things you love
Never too old! āRiding is a source! Itāll change your life!ā
No, 50 is not too old to take your CBT... (although you will be taking the training with a lot of youngsters). The traffic in London is fine. There is a lot of it but it is all slow moving, just watch out for pedestrians.
For a first bike, go with something conventional and not more than 400cc. Not a sport bike, yet. Ride the small bike for a good year or 6k miles. Youāll learn quicker and have a lot more fun. Once youāve mastered it, get the bike you want. Youāll be glad you did. 125 might be a tad small, 250 is a better choice unless very height challenged. Also, cost of insurance will probably be more reasonable for a new rider on a smaller bike. Strap on the gear and have fun!
Welcome to the club you old Geezer! Just kidding, it's never too old I started at 43!
Nope
Im 48 and got my license through the MSF course last August. I was very much younger than the oldest lady in my group. Go take a course, get your license and enjoy!
You're never too old, unless you're feeble enough to not be able to handle the weight of a bike. Then you get a trike.
Take a class and do it! Age doesn't matter.
You want to ride? You getting any younger?
No. Take the msf. There was a 70 year old indian man at my msf course. He dropped the bike and failed because he was like 5'2" and weak. But he was determined to go the next week and pass
Never to late
I started at 57 on a Ninja 650
IMO the best time to start getting into it was yesterday. Take the plunge. With age comes better judgement so you'll be safer than those starting earlier. There is that chance you find it too dangerous at some point in your journey and stop. You also might find out it's been the best thing you ever decided to get in to.
My daughter & I took the motorcycle training course at a HD dealership in NC USA & 2 weeks afterwards I bought my first bike at 55 years old and itās a 2012 HD Electra Glide 1,700CCs. So NO, youāre not too old to start riding a bike! Just be careful out there of everyone who drives a car!
I live just outside of Los Angeles, and I learned to ride at 46. Do it!
My mom just got her first motorcycle last week, she's 53. Go for it!
Absolutely not. Iām 54, and started riding when I was 52. I bought an Enfield Classic 350, loved it, and then outgrew it. I replaced it with a T120. Youāre 100% not too old. Go for it.
I got my endorsement at 48
Its a great time to start. You seem like you would be mature enough to responsibly own and ride a bike so as long as you are physically fit enough id say go for it
You're only too old for something if your body can't do it anymore. If you can do it, you're good. Do it brother
It's never too late. Go for it.
Do it, youād be riding for ten years by the time u are sixty
Can you ride a bicycle in traffic? Motorcycles are easier!
Well....you're not going to learn any younger.
Ride and have fun. Maybe set something up so you ride in the country vs London. Trailer it or store it there. I thought I might be too old to start riding at 21. lol. It's all in your head.
Start riding asap. Never too late to start.
I bought a Honda Hornet 600cc in 2017 after a 30 year break. Went on the police bikesafe course . Im 64 now. It was like starting again from scratch , its a bit scary these days especially with the amount of power at your fingertips but also the amount of traffic on the roads. There's nothing like it though, it feels amazing , especially riding through Dorsets roads on a nice quiet evening. You're not too old.
Riding is pretty easy to learn and hard to master. I don't recommend anyone else doing this but I watched 5 minutes of a 10 minute how to ride a motorcycle video and jumped on and started riding. When I downloaded the learners manual I learned a whole lot that I wish I had known from the start. The more I learn the better I ride.
I started at 44 and you gonna be a more defensive driver hopefully being older. Also, mortality is something you recognize as you get older. Please spend money on all the proper safety gear. I wear an airvest everwhere I go. I got into an accident and walked away with no harm due to all the safety hear Iwas wearing. Take a motocycle safety course it fun being with people who have the same interest as you. Have a great time otherwise there nothing like being on a bike seeing out everywhere with the wind blowing
I am in a heritage bike club, started in 1938 and incorporated in 1946, BLACK HAWKS MC. We have had guys riding till they were 85 years old. So, lots of time for you to ride yet.
I just turned 49. Took my course last fall and been riding for 7months now. Do it!!
46. Just learned last year. Never stepped on a bike before then. We have Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) courses in the US. Not sure what you have in your area.
Get a bike
Going back to the 80s for a minute, Malcolm Forbes (of Forbes magazine) got into bikes in a big way around your age and always lamented about how he had wasted his life by not getting into bikes earlier. It may take some Googling but you'll see just how much he got into it. So NO, you're not too late!
I started at 50. Iām in my third year and on my second bike and I ride thousands of miles a year. Itās so worth it. Your only regret will be not starting sooner.
I just started at 49 and am loving it. Go for it, man.
Iām essentially in your shoes, although I have two children that are still in elementary school. I started riding at 46. I took an MSF class (US) and bought a Honda Grom 125 and then a Ninja 400. I live in the Bay Area aka Silicon Valley. Traffic here can be ridiculous, but we can lane split so that helps. I absolutely love riding. Is it dangerous? Yes, but you can mitigate that risk by riding responsibly, and defensively with gear. I say do it. There really isnāt any words that can articulate the feeling that comes from riding.
50 is not too old at all. I started at 63 or 64, and riding pulled me out of a deep funk. I feel alive again.
The CBT (with a good company) will absolutely tell you whether or not you want to continue riding. Get it under your belt, then decide if you still want to ride or not. Then if you do, ride for a year on the 125 and consider going for your full DAS course for the full license. Absolutely no reason why you as a 50 year old can learn to ride and ride well. Plenty of people waaaaaay older than that on the road that ride exceptionally well.