thanks Sook. miss you bud!

that ONherBIKE lady is pretty cool.

i've been watching that guy MotoTrek..trying to remember stuff i never even thought about. like pulling the tightest u-turn. it used to be a no brainer when i was younger, and on a sportbike. i could get them tight! now..not so much. i am getting better. my work parking lot is a great spot to practice them. even the correct technique on picking up my downed bike.

I've looked at this thread off & on and thought I'd ask for a little input/commentary on riding ability related to my age. I still ride my bike on errands, sometimes into the big city, and two weekends ago over to the Palm Springs area to visit with my sister (horrible place). Although I don't exactly ride as fast as I used to on the back country roads, I'm wondering if I will need to consider giving up my bike because I'll be turning 77 in a couple of months. Truthfully I don't feel like my riding abilities and confidence are diminished and I'm not thinking of giving it up anytime soon but maybe I just don't know what I don't know.

Marv. that is pretty awesome. i hope to stay with it, as you have.

i imagine it is funner than doing Sudoku puzzles to keep the mind sharp.:)

Yes. it is a perishable skill. Ride bikes exclusively through most of your twenties, give it up for 30 years then start again. I am nowhere near my previous proficiency.

I gave up road riding a few years ago, i'm sure -MY- skills were still just as sharp as ever, but with every other car driven by a frazzled, cell phone toting soccer mom, or someone under the influence of some substance, with no insurance, I decided to keep my KLR 250 off road.

If you want to go on a trip without the hassle of carrying your luggage or using your bike, then you could go for an organised tour company. I've just been with Ride Expeditions - great guys and great organisation.
Check out their tours - here's the one I went on https://rideexpeditions.com/south-africa-motorcycle-tours-2/

I just got back into riding after a good 12+ year hiatus. I used to ride sport bikes pretty aggressively and settled in a good used BMW K1200R. The difference 12 years makes I think, for me, is wisdom. I was a little rusty as I pulled away for the first time, but got right back into it fairly quickly. By no means am I using the bike anywhere near it’s potential as I realize I am rusty.

I would not even consider a passenger anytime soon. I have better gear, a better helmet, and a better respect for keeping my body intact as I had 12 years prior. Even though my bike is more comfortable than the ZX6R I used to ride, my wrists were sore after a short 30 minute ride. Next ride was about an hour and a half and they felt better. It will take time to strengthen my “riding” muscles.

So, take it easy and do what others have suggested, ease into it. Thought my personal experience might help.

Bob

When I was younger, I knew I was invincible. Now I know I am not. You don't have to be fast, and you don't have to be crazy to ride. You just have to be safe. Don't goad yourself into something if it doesn't feel right or natural. Listen to your gut and work up to your dreams. Try a few short trips and see what works for you. Nobody but 20 year olds go into a trip halfway around the world cold. If you want to fly, you start on the ground. And stop comparing yourself to the kid you used to be. Chances are he took a lot of risks and got lucky more than he knew.

Keep riding, and have fun. You will get there if it is meant to happen. If not, you had a lot of fun and got out the door a lot more. FWIW, there is no way I would ever let my wife get on the back of a motorcycle with me long distance without a WHOLE LOT of practice on her part. Work up to it, and don't let anybody rush you, especially your significant other. You are the responsible party, you say when.

Marv:

I think this largely depends on a person's fitness, particularly core strength. Riding bikes is a rigorous activity and demands stamina and strength. Also, riding lighter bikes may be helpful. I toured on 650's for a couple of summers, and they were just fine for power, even in the mountains.

Vash:

Take some 3 and 4 day trips before going on a long one. Touring is a real learning activity.

Situational awareness is even more important now because our reflexes are not what they used to be either.

I have an older liter bike and still enjoy turning the throttle once in a while. I'm lucky I live in a rural area where the roads are nice for riding and enjoying. There are a good number of people out here who ride to work and back. I really don't like the traffic in town, although when I get there it doesn't seem so bad. It just feels natural to get on it and go somewhere.

Riding in M0ngolia
 

I've just been riding with these guys in Mongolia - if you want some great off-road riding then this place is epic https://rideexpeditions.com/mongolia-motorcycle-tours/ :)