Aging, loss of strength, and large bikes (like a Harley)

[Cujet]

Data point of one. Despite my best efforts at the gym, I can no longer lift 50 pound dumbbells overhead. All of the muscle building supplements, the best protein isolate, and T raised to good levels have been unable to get me there. Yes a month ago, I struggled mightily and lifted the 50 pounders once and again in a brief triumph. Yesterday, the best I could do is 35 pounders, and I could feel the stabilizing muscles failing.

Turning back the clock with regard to muscle strength, and therefore motorcycle prowess, requires something more than what is commonly available.

I remain convinced a lighter and smaller motorcycle is the smart way for aging men to go.

 

[Bonz]

or you come back to the bike at some point and it's on it's side. the question is, can you get the bike up and drive it, not how it fell over.

Yes at the end of the day the bike has to get upright and vertical.

In the instances above, one was grabbing the front brake, one pushing uphill in the rain with poor tread on their shoes, one forgetting a kickstand, etc. Good reminders, all of those, to keep a good focus on the situation at hand.

 

[troop]

There are alway these.


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View attachment 274457

I bought my first Spyder (F3S) in 2019, when I was a healthy 62 years old. I also owned a 2009 H-D EG that I purchased new. Over time, I started riding the Spyder more often over the FLHT. Two years later, I sold my H-D to a buddy. Still healthy, I just enjoyed riding the Spyder more. I then sold the 2019 Spyder in fall of of 2023 and bought a new, leftover 2024 Spyder RT Sea To Sky in August of 2023. Although I totally enjoyed my 11 years with the Harley, I never regretted the decision. I just have more enjoyment on the Spyder.

 

[Zee09]

You can be strong as an but when your back is shot you have no core strength and a slight breeze can knock you over... it sucks getting old.

 

[Zee09]

I bought my first Spyder (F3S) in 2019, when I was a healthy 62 years old. I also owned a 2009 H-D EG that I purchased new. Over time, I started riding the Spyder more often over the FLHT. Two years later, I sold my H-D to a buddy. Still healthy, I just enjoyed riding the Spyder more. I then sold the 2019 Spyder in fall of of 2023 and bought a new, leftover 2024 Spyder RT Sea To Sky in August of 2023. Although I totally enjoyed my 11 years with the Harley, I never regretted the decision. I just have more enjoyment on the Spyder.

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What is the range on these? Mpgs.

 

[chexxers]

like strength hormones -test- varies as we age BUT there HRT hormone replacement BUT even good hormones require resistance training to stay strong. its a complicated issue for sure!! besides strength HRT has many benefits. been on TRT since 2001 + at 76-77 i feel i am above average, lots to learn for sure + lots of info on line as wel as books to safely + legally use TRT. lucky in Pa i found a now retired Dr Shippen in Reading Pa, read his book + the rest is history!! we can only do so much + must adjust as we AGE!

 

[02SE]

What is the range on these? Mpgs.

As with everything, Your mileage may vary.

The Sea to Sky has a 7 gallon tank, and owners on Fuelly are averaging just under 33 mpg.

 

[_Will_]

This thread jinxed me, dropped my FJR at an awkward angle and was blocking a turn lane. A reminder the FJR is the upward limit of what I’d own.

 

[Gravity_Wolves]

I'd say if you can't pick a bike up probably shouldn't be riding it. Might want to look into a lighter bike maybe a ninja 250 or dual sport

 

[GON]

I'd say if you can't pick a bike up probably shouldn't be riding it. Might want to look into a lighter bike maybe a ninja 250 or dual sport

What I learned in this thread is I didn't know how to pick up a bike properly. In the past I picked up bikes using just strength. I wasn't aware there is a method to include one that Harley Davidson has in its operators manual, that doesn't rely solely on strength to stand up a fallen bike.

 

[Gravity_Wolves]

What I learned in this thread is I didn't know how to pick up a bike properly. In the past I picked up bikes using just strength. I wasn't aware there is a method to include one that Harley Davidson has in its operators manual, that doesn't rely solely on strength to stand up a fallen bike.

The thing I noticed in those 2 videos is those bikes have huge saddle bags, and crash bars on them that prevents them from tipping over. I guess if you ride a bike with huge saddle bags it would make it easier to pick up. But if the bike is completely on its side I'd imagine you are going to have to kneel down and pick it up

 

[Greenbeforeblue]

The thing I noticed in those 2 videos is those bikes have huge saddle bags, and crash bars on them that prevents them from tipping over. I guess if you ride a bike with huge saddle bags it would make it easier to pick up. But if the bike is completely on its side I'd imagine you are going to have to kneel down and pick it up

That is a helpful factor for sure. ^^

The hardest ones to pick up are completely on their sides with the top of the bike facing downhill. Those have to be rotated so the top of the bike is facing uphill before attempting to pick them up.

The easiest way to pick up a heavy Harley is when you have a passenger. Make sure the bike is in gear, have them stand on the passenger peg/board and rider peg/board and hold on to the grab rail or sissy bar and handlebars on their side of the bike. With the counterweight of a person, the bike can be picked us easily.

 

[Greenbeforeblue]

Not sure why I can't edit my post. Should read "can be picked up easily".

 

[Wingo]

My dad quit riding his Goldwing. He never dropped it, but he's older and knees are shot. He won't admit it, but I'm pretty sure he's scared he can't reliably steady it anymore, and honestly I think he's right. I should just buy it from him to take away the temptation.

 

[troop]

What is the range on these? Mpgs.

7 gallon fuel tank. Cruising at 80mph on the interstate is in low 30's. Otherwise, can vary from mid 30's > low 40's. My past 2019 F3S is the sport model. It has a 89t rear pulley for quicker acceleration, zippier ride. It generally got upper 20's at 80 mph. All other Spyders have 79t rear pulleys, which lower cruising rpm's around 400.

 

[goblin]

Urban legend went when I was a kid that that when you pass your motorcycle permit in Japan, part of the exam is being able to lift your bike from the ground. If you can't - you fail.

I don't think there's too old of an age to not be able to lift a bike. Some bikes are simply outside of the lifting realm. A 70's Yamaha 1100 is anvil enough to fall in that category.

Any bike north of 400lb is a lottery to lift from the ground. And any heavy bike is outside of the "hey, it fell, just lift it back" team.

I have a very simple theory for this: if a bike is likely to need thousands in repairs just from falling on the ground while sitting still - it's not meant to be lifted easily, as it needs a post-fall assessment anyway.

 

[repairman54]

My Road King is getting heavy now that I've hit the 7 decades mark. Wife is on a Spyder F3S.
When toy budget allows it, I will make the Can Am transition so I'm still in the wind. I've a buddy of mine who at 85 is riding his Spyder RT still. No HD trikes for me. Those Spyders can rip fast enough to get an old coot's heart pumping.
Just because you're not on 2 wheels or not on a HD is not a reason to hang it up. Physical and most importantly reaction time limitations should be the deciding factor.

 

[alarmguy]

The thing I noticed in those 2 videos is those bikes have huge saddle bags, and crash bars on them that prevents them from tipping over. I guess if you ride a bike with huge saddle bags it would make it easier to pick up. But if the bike is completely on its side I'd imagine you are going to have to kneel down and pick it up

Correct, my 2014 Road King with saddlebags engine guards and saddleback guards will only tip so low, but never touch the ground as the guards hold the bike up
Still, if you don’t know how to lift a bike on your own, you will need help to get it upright

 

[faltic]

About two years ago I purchased a 1979 Yamaha 1100 for a project, at auction. Moving the non running bike between garages in the rain, I had to push the bike up a slight incline while turning, on a wet, painted surface. My shoes were worn out tennis shoes with zero tread left. Shoes slipped and I dropped the bike. I was unable to lift the bike up by myself. To get the bike upright, I had to use a strap for leverage.

The question that followed in my mind "is there an age that a large bike is to heavy to lift"? Any BITOGERs change the motorcycle they ride because of the bikes weight?

Bike weight started being an issue for me around 10 years ago so I started down sizing. Recently took delivery of a Kawasaki W230 and all is right with the world.

 

[DuckRyder]

The goal is obviously not to drop it to start with...

I would not push a bike on wet painted concrete unless there was absolutely no other option. Leaf blower your friend...

Rest of it has been covered pretty much.