That is the question. I am 62 and can tell I am slowing down a shade. My Harley Road King has not been out of the garage more than a dozen times in the last too years. I like an occasional ride but there doesn't seem to be many opportunities. Always something to do around the house. I don't have any buddies to ride with and the wife takes forever to get ready to go anywhere. Insurance is costing me $450 a year. Last August on a trip through the mountains it started to rain and I didn't get off the road quick enough. It came out from under me at about 15-20 mph, not serious but got me thinking. This spring the ex ran off a rode in her car and shattered a vertebra. She will never be the same or without pain. I have too many other things I like to do that require me to walk and bend. As you can tell I have almost talked myself into selling but every time I look at it I have second thoughts. Have any of you gone through this?
To sell or not?
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Bkreutz
US Veteran
There is a time for everything (sounds like a song starting doesn't it?
) I used to ride motocross, used to jump out of airplanes, rock climbing was a phase, used to be able to hit a 300 meter target with an M16 and iron sights. Now I have 2 artificial hips, artificial shoulder, diabetic, 4 coronary stents, and sundry other "old guy" ailments
. Now I'm retired and shoot 4-5 times a week because I can't do anything else. Somebody asked me one time why I carry concealed and shoot so much and I told him "Because I'm too old to fight and too fat to run." Make your own decision but I'm thinking lifestyle adjustments are probably in order for you. Have fun whichever way you choose.
) I used to ride motocross, used to jump out of airplanes, rock climbing was a phase, used to be able to hit a 300 meter target with an M16 and iron sights. Now I have 2 artificial hips, artificial shoulder, diabetic, 4 coronary stents, and sundry other "old guy" ailments. Now I'm retired and shoot 4-5 times a week because I can't do anything else. Somebody asked me one time why I carry concealed and shoot so much and I told him "Because I'm too old to fight and too fat to run." Make your own decision but I'm thinking lifestyle adjustments are probably in order for you. Have fun whichever way you choose.
My reflexes are slower,my balance is not what it was and traffic gets worse every year,I sold mine.
PA Reb
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Perhaps this approach will help you decide ~ As you know, the HD Road King is a heavy bike. Although it is wonderful on the open highway, it can be difficult to handle in slow moving traffic and tight spots especially as we age and with a rider on the back. Several years ago, I dropped the Road King I had in a gravel parking lot with my wife on the back. We were at the time nearly stopped but once I lost the center of balance, there was no stopping it. Neither of us were hurt but it did get me to thinking. I got rid of that particular bike the following year and since my wife never did care to ride very much, I went back to a lighter and more manageable Wide Glide since I wasn't ready to completely give up a life long love. Sorry about your wife's pain but its obvious she won't be able to ride any longer. If that's the case and you still want to ride now and then, why not a smaller framed bike like the 1200 Sportster, Wide Glide, or Low Rider? Then again, if the time has arrived in your mind to get out of it completely, go with your best instinct. Personally, I tried twice in the past to stop riding but wasn't successful for very long. Best of luck on your decision and I hope your wife does well.
rog8732
US Veteran
Lazy, I have you shaded by ten years and still ride. Not every day like I did for a while, but still love the two or three fairly long trips per year. I just returned from 10 days in the mountains of PA. and up-state NY. about 1800 miles.
I look at my list of toys all the time and consider how silly it is to hang onto a great deal of it, but, I always have regrets whenever I let one of my prizes get away, unless I give it to one of my sons.
. At 62 you hopefully have long years ahead. If your Road King is paid for, and doesn't eat anything, take the pleasure of just having it. There can be a shortage of things that give you pleasure when you are wrapped up in life at our age, and of course your bike is costly just to look at, ...but, some of the most expensive items in the world; the Mona Lisa, comes to mind, are merely for looking.
...When all the smart people tell us to "pay yourself first", they do not always mean saving money. Pay yourself first the pleasure of a nice Harley!
.
I look at my list of toys all the time and consider how silly it is to hang onto a great deal of it, but, I always have regrets whenever I let one of my prizes get away, unless I give it to one of my sons.
. At 62 you hopefully have long years ahead. If your Road King is paid for, and doesn't eat anything, take the pleasure of just having it. There can be a shortage of things that give you pleasure when you are wrapped up in life at our age, and of course your bike is costly just to look at, ...but, some of the most expensive items in the world; the Mona Lisa, comes to mind, are merely for looking.
...When all the smart people tell us to "pay yourself first", they do not always mean saving money. Pay yourself first the pleasure of a nice Harley!
.
finesse_r
Member
Make a Risk vs. Enjoyment Analysis
In 1960, I got a Cushman Eagle at age 14 and within a year moved up to a J. B. Sachs motor cycle and I rode cycles until I was in my 20's. Sad to say I never owned a Harley.
Continuing to ride a motor cycle is certainly a personal choice than only you can make. However that said, there are things I believe you should take into consideration in making your decision.
First of all is how much do you really still enjoy riding the motor cycle and just having it? A good indicator of this is how often and how far you ride it, and/or how often you just look at it or show it off. Or does it basically just take up space in the garage?
Second is the cost of keeping it and the money gained from selling it or the financial aspects. You already mentioned the cost of insurance as $450 every year or basically a really nice S&W revolver ever two years. Is this cost offset by appreciation in value or is it going down in value each year. Also how much are the repairs and maintenance over time.
Third is your health. At age 62 you can pretty much expect your reflexes, your eye sight, and your strength to begin to deteriorate at an every increasing rate. Additionally injuries and broken bones will not heal as fast as they once did. So riding at your age, and riding in the coming years is fraught with far more risks in safety and in health that it once was.
I know that my reflexes and driving skills are about 50% of what they were when I was age 25, and the sad part is I am still probably a better and safer driver than 95% of those on the road. As much as I did enjoy riding a motor cycle, I no longer care to put my life and health at risk on a motor cycle.
To ride a motor cycle safely I am sure you understand that many drivers either don't see them very well or don't credit them with the same rights as larger vehicles. So you have to drive super defensively to survive riding a motor cycle for very long. As your reflexes deteriorate, it becomes more difficult to be ever vigilant on a cycle. Add to that, the greater danger of serious injury or death from an accident, and the longer recovery times for injuries and it begins to be a very high risk hobby.
You can offset some of this by riding in low traffic areas and at times of low traffic, but my advise would be to sell the bike and get a safer hobby, unless you truly enjoy it and are fully willing to take the increasing risks that come with age.
In 1960, I got a Cushman Eagle at age 14 and within a year moved up to a J. B. Sachs motor cycle and I rode cycles until I was in my 20's. Sad to say I never owned a Harley.
Continuing to ride a motor cycle is certainly a personal choice than only you can make. However that said, there are things I believe you should take into consideration in making your decision.
First of all is how much do you really still enjoy riding the motor cycle and just having it? A good indicator of this is how often and how far you ride it, and/or how often you just look at it or show it off. Or does it basically just take up space in the garage?
Second is the cost of keeping it and the money gained from selling it or the financial aspects. You already mentioned the cost of insurance as $450 every year or basically a really nice S&W revolver ever two years. Is this cost offset by appreciation in value or is it going down in value each year. Also how much are the repairs and maintenance over time.
Third is your health. At age 62 you can pretty much expect your reflexes, your eye sight, and your strength to begin to deteriorate at an every increasing rate. Additionally injuries and broken bones will not heal as fast as they once did. So riding at your age, and riding in the coming years is fraught with far more risks in safety and in health that it once was.
I know that my reflexes and driving skills are about 50% of what they were when I was age 25, and the sad part is I am still probably a better and safer driver than 95% of those on the road. As much as I did enjoy riding a motor cycle, I no longer care to put my life and health at risk on a motor cycle.
To ride a motor cycle safely I am sure you understand that many drivers either don't see them very well or don't credit them with the same rights as larger vehicles. So you have to drive super defensively to survive riding a motor cycle for very long. As your reflexes deteriorate, it becomes more difficult to be ever vigilant on a cycle. Add to that, the greater danger of serious injury or death from an accident, and the longer recovery times for injuries and it begins to be a very high risk hobby.
You can offset some of this by riding in low traffic areas and at times of low traffic, but my advise would be to sell the bike and get a safer hobby, unless you truly enjoy it and are fully willing to take the increasing risks that come with age.
pinduck
US Veteran
I also owned a Harley and a Porsche, enjoyed them immensely, but now at 79 years old, drive a F150 off road version and find it fits my style a lot better. Wish you well in your decision.
Glen
Glen
Cpo1944
Member
Sell the bike and buy a nice convertible. I did and now I am very happy and use it all of the time+ there is room for all of the pets as well as "She Who Must Be Obeyed". Mine is a 14 year old MB 430 Clk black with grey interior.Wonderful car, plenty fast and handles great.
PlaytheAces
Member
I'm a year or two younger than you are, and somehow managed to pick up RA a while back. While I'm not crippled up, at least not yet, I had to make some adjustments. One was realizing my bike riding days, both on and off road, were pretty much behind me.
While I could/can still ride, between the arthritis and just plain slower reaction time, I knew my risk factor for an accident was increasing, and that I wouldn't be bouncing back like I did when I was younger if I did go down.
I decided to follow my head for a change instead of my heart. I sold my bikes and have no doubt I made the right choice. The time for me had come. I have no regrets.
Don't ski anymore either, and had to give up bowling cause of the pain it was inflicting on my joints. But I'm thinking about picking up a jeep now - something I've never owned before. As they say, when one door closes, another opens.
And by gawd, I can still shoot!
While I could/can still ride, between the arthritis and just plain slower reaction time, I knew my risk factor for an accident was increasing, and that I wouldn't be bouncing back like I did when I was younger if I did go down.
I decided to follow my head for a change instead of my heart. I sold my bikes and have no doubt I made the right choice. The time for me had come. I have no regrets.
Don't ski anymore either, and had to give up bowling cause of the pain it was inflicting on my joints. But I'm thinking about picking up a jeep now - something I've never owned before. As they say, when one door closes, another opens.
And by gawd, I can still shoot!
Hack
Member
I'm 62, and rode my 93 Harley FLHS into work this morning. It was 50 degrees on the inbound commute. During the spring/summer/fall, I commute the 35 mile round trip whenever (dry) weather permits.
Oh... I got knocked off it back in 2003 just north of Atlanta on I-75 by a Ford Taurus. But I still ride.
If you do put it up for sale, send me a pic of the bike, my son's looking to upgrade from his sportie.
Oh... I got knocked off it back in 2003 just north of Atlanta on I-75 by a Ford Taurus. But I still ride.
If you do put it up for sale, send me a pic of the bike, my son's looking to upgrade from his sportie.
Jst1mr
Member
I let my fishing boat go this year for all the same reasons. Man, I used to live in that thing all summer. Just about cried when it was towed away, but I know the guy who bought it, and he just loves it. Still feels funny, though. When you don't use something much, it never seems ready to go when you do want it. Machines, like old buildings, just seem to go downhill when folks quit using them...
Maddog 521
Member
LazyKB I got you by 5 years and here is my opinion. I still ride an 04 Electra Glide, not as often and not as far but I still ride. In 09 I had major back surgery and during 6 months of RR I thought about selling it. In 2010 I had a total knee replacement, again I thought about selling it. After all of the therapy and building up all of those parts that were not used for a couple of years I am happy to say, I'm still riding that Harley. Not as fast and not as far but I'm still riding. I like the freedom of getting on and riding when I want. I will ride as long as I can, and I hope that is quite awhile. Someone advised you to get a different, lighter model. That might be something for you to consider. I hope you keep going even if it's solo. If you get to Texas give me a shout and we'll plan a trip. Ride hard and safe brother and stay in the wind as long as you can.
I haven't gone through that yet .... at age 54. However, a few friends have. A couple quit riding completely. Most went a year or two without a bike and bought a "round town" bike. One got a Harley 1200 Low, another one or two ended up with Super Glides or Low Riders. No more across country trips, etc.
Maybe having your Road King converted into a trike is in order?
Maybe having your Road King converted into a trike is in order?
Sold mine for next to nothing to a guy who wanted it. There comes a time when the thrill is gone, maybe not for some, but after riding for forty years, I was done. It sat in my shed for a year and a half waiting for a revival of interest that never came.
My old racer buddies say "One day I just leaned 'er up against a tree an walked away". That's what I did.
My old racer buddies say "One day I just leaned 'er up against a tree an walked away". That's what I did.
At 56 My eyes had gone bad, diabetic and not well controlled. Felt very old. Last August I had to stop driving, could not even read a book. Sat about 5' from big screen TV. Sold my Kawasaki Vulcan for nothing, it sat until it would not run.
Went to Doctor. He made me control my Diabetes, walk everyday, or he would not schedule my Cataracts operations. Was not healthy enough for the knife. Well I eat better, walk daily, and over time controlled myself. Got both eyes fixed. Generally feel pretty good. Even if I am broke from not working. What was the first thing I thought about after going to the range again. Shooting would be more fun if I could ride my motorcycle to the range. I missed the people I rode with. I wanted my bike back.
Sometimes it time to slow down, sometimes you just need to change your attitude. Just thinking out loud.
Went to Doctor. He made me control my Diabetes, walk everyday, or he would not schedule my Cataracts operations. Was not healthy enough for the knife. Well I eat better, walk daily, and over time controlled myself. Got both eyes fixed. Generally feel pretty good. Even if I am broke from not working. What was the first thing I thought about after going to the range again. Shooting would be more fun if I could ride my motorcycle to the range. I missed the people I rode with. I wanted my bike back.
Sometimes it time to slow down, sometimes you just need to change your attitude. Just thinking out loud.
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I'm 46 and rode motorcycles since I was 9 years old. It got to the point where I either needed to get serious about upgrading to a Harley or forget it. I decided I was tired of fighting the cold, wind, and rain and traded it off over 15 years ago for a 4-wheeler to use around the farm and for hunting. Then about 10 years ago, I bought a 1965 Chevy Impala convertible, and I would never even think about trading that for a motorcycle. If it's cold or rainy, put the top up. If you feel it's time to get rid of it, sell it, and like jack oconnor said, think about buying a convertible.
I have a "career" of almost exactly 40 years on motorcycles. I was about your age when I made the decision to get off. You know, everyone that rides faces the certainty that there will come a time when it right to get off. It will happen to everyone. The lucky ones and the smart ones are the ones that recognize that time when it comes around.
The orthopedic surgeon that keeps putting my kinees back together and my wife ganged up on me and I believed they might just have saved my life. I miss it but I'm glad I had enough sense to listen to good advice. Still I hear that throaty sound....see that flash of chrome and it makes me smile, just for a moment.
I don't think it's necessarily a matter of just age. Of course physical and mental condition are a factor but your location is also a huge factor. One of the reason I let it go was because I have to ride almost 2 hours in any direction in heavy traffic to get to a place where it's safe and fun to ride.
I can empathize with ya KB. It was a big part of my life for a long time and the decision was painful and hard to make but I did it and I don't look back. Onward and upward!
Best of luck to you.
The orthopedic surgeon that keeps putting my kinees back together and my wife ganged up on me and I believed they might just have saved my life. I miss it but I'm glad I had enough sense to listen to good advice. Still I hear that throaty sound....see that flash of chrome and it makes me smile, just for a moment.
I don't think it's necessarily a matter of just age. Of course physical and mental condition are a factor but your location is also a huge factor. One of the reason I let it go was because I have to ride almost 2 hours in any direction in heavy traffic to get to a place where it's safe and fun to ride.
I can empathize with ya KB. It was a big part of my life for a long time and the decision was painful and hard to make but I did it and I don't look back. Onward and upward!
Best of luck to you.
5-Shot
Member
Obviously, only you can make that decision but 62 sounds pretty early to me. Mrs. and I are 69 & 70 and each ride (semi-sporty type bikes) and can't imagine quitting any time soon. In fact, we are impatiently counting the days until Yamaha will sell us a pair of the recently announced new FZ9's.
Ed
Ed
ibewbull
US Veteran
I am 59 and been on the Harley less then ten times this year.
On May 3rd. this year I found out I had stomach cancer.
Going through chemo and radiation has been making me just weary.
I have absolutely no thought of getting rid of my Harley 02 Electra Glide. The possible $6000 + would not in any way be worth the dream of riding in the future. Having a goal and dream is sometimes what keeps us going.
The future holds many things and I plan on continuing to keep active if at all possible.
Keep the cycle I just paid $450 insurance and it is well worth the price of freedom.
Good luck in your choice.
On May 3rd. this year I found out I had stomach cancer.
Going through chemo and radiation has been making me just weary.
I have absolutely no thought of getting rid of my Harley 02 Electra Glide. The possible $6000 + would not in any way be worth the dream of riding in the future. Having a goal and dream is sometimes what keeps us going.
The future holds many things and I plan on continuing to keep active if at all possible.
Keep the cycle I just paid $450 insurance and it is well worth the price of freedom.
Good luck in your choice.
gdnagle
US Veteran
Got you by 2 years waiting for my knees to get better so I can start riding again, I really miss it. Have over a 100K on it in all 4 seasons. Use to ride to work everyday 70 miles each way in the dark. Did I say I miss ridding. If you are getting a little Leary of dropping it you could always look into a third wheel for it. Trike conversions are all over the place. For me when the time comes I'd rather get a side car, you can sill take it off plus there is more room to carry you firearms to the range in it and there is the cool factor for old people. In the end it is always your decision and I'm sure everyone understands it's up to you to decide when the time is right.
BTW the way I have a convertible mustang, had T-Top Trans Am, sun roof's and drive a F150 and Ranger now plus a family 7 passenger Buick Rendezvous when the grandkids want to go out with us. Nothing more fun to me then riding the bike just not the same. And I seldom rode with anyone but the little woman.
BTW the way I have a convertible mustang, had T-Top Trans Am, sun roof's and drive a F150 and Ranger now plus a family 7 passenger Buick Rendezvous when the grandkids want to go out with us. Nothing more fun to me then riding the bike just not the same. And I seldom rode with anyone but the little woman.
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