50+ Riders

[Coastie3202]

The great thing about riding into the upper middle years is that you get to pass on your knowledge and skills. I taught my son to ride when he was 11. He save his paper route money until he had enough to buy a used KDX 200, then we went to the woods and he learned to ride by riding with me. He now has his own son and has asked me to teach his son, my grandson, to ride when he is old enough. He's only 2 years old now. I can't wait. I especially look forward to the day when my grandson, my son, and myself can go out riding together.

My son has acknowledged that while he may be faster on a track, the old man can still outlast him, and still teach him things, out on the trail.

[rdefonce]

Spent so time at the local MX track last w/e. Was dicing with a bunch of 20 something expert kid's for about 20 min's. They finally pulled off tired after I passed them...(-;

they was so pissed when I told them I was 52... HA! They may be fearless , but we know when they are about to crash! Gotta love experience....

Ha ha ha, wa wa.:-))) Great story!

I just rode an enduro (LeadBelt, in Missouri) and I signed up for the +45 class (I'm 50 now) because the +50 is known to have super-fast guys (A and AA riders from years past), and since this is my first enduro I wanted to at least have a chance.

Man, I lined up on same "minute" with three of these guys, and they flat haul.:-o . . . like a 3.5 hour moto thru super gnarly woods/steep hills/creeks/rocks/trees/etc. Damn they lost me, along with whipping up on many younger riders too. Impressive.

Long live old fast guys.?

[grayracer513]

Spent so time at the local MX track last w/e. Was dicing with a bunch of 20 something expert kid's for about 20 min's. They finally pulled off tired after I passed them...(-;

they was so pissed when I told them I was 52... HA! They may be fearless , but we know when they are about to crash! Gotta love experience....

One day at a bigger local track, I was frankly just not on my game. Sitting at the track entrance, a kid (read 20 something) rides up and says something to the effect of "hey, having a slow day, huh?"

Just at that point my son rode by and onto the track, all 6'3" of him. I told the kid, "See that kid? He's my son."

The 20 something looks at Junior for a second and says, "Oh."

Then I pointed out that "I was 41 when he was born".

He looked at me for a second with a kind of startled expression, then back out at the track, then he rode off without saying another word. ?

[corndog67]

I'm 46 and just bought an 06 YZ450F. Its about bike number 37 for me since 1971. An amatuer sportsman flattrack hobby in the 80's, a lot of trail riding in the 80's and 90's, stopped for a while in the early 2000's, started up again in earnest about 4 years ago. Damn, I sure remember being faster way back then, and I seemed to bounce better back then, too. Some shoulder surgery a couple years ago, broke the opposite side right before that. Take tylenol or advil or whatever the doc will give me that is stronger, and I'm good to go. I seem to have lost the try to climb everything attitude that I used to have, and I don't have to be at the front of the pack anymore either. And I worry a bit more about being able to go to work on the Monday after a ride, I didn't used to care back then. I now have the fastest, best handling dirtbike I've ever owned, but I think I used to go faster on the old IT 175 way back when. Oh well.......

Later, Robert.

[Coastie3202]

I now have the fastest, best handling dirtbike I've ever owned, but I think I used to go faster on the old IT 175 way back when. Oh well.......

Later, Robert.

You would probably be surprised to find out that you go faster now because you ride more efficiently (carefully). I know that I am faster now because I pick my lines more carefully instead of just blitzing everything. The younger guys can't understand how I stay with them, or pass them, when I hardly look like I am trying, and am sitting down most of the time. I love it.?

[x2468]

i need to show this thread to my step-dad. we finally convinced him to get a kdx200 to trail ride with us. but he keeps using his age as an excuse to be lazy. he's 47 (or 48?). funny though, he still insists on fighting in national and international full contact karate tournaments.... hmmm... excuses excuses.

[MAD_POTTER]

50 years old here. Started riding when I was 15 on a 1972 Suzuki TS 125 Duster. Bikes I've owned in order (I think), TS 125, 74 TM 250. 76? PE 250, 78? PE 400, 80 RM 400, 84 RM 500, 84 KX 500, 2001 YZ426, 03 YZ450.

Most of my early riding was with my dad who was more into trails than going fast. When I owned the TM 250 I remember him and one of his buddies who both rode trials bikes taking me on an expert rated trail in the mountains. I was paddling and burning the clutch the entire time. Thats when I decided maybe an enduro bike was a better choice and bought the PE 250. I started racing MX in 1980 on the PE 400 and kept getting smoked on the straights and uphills by the guys on their MX bikes. Bought a real MX bike and worked my way up until I turned expert in 1986. I was 28 years old then and in my first expert race I got lapped by the top guys and decided that maybe racing wasn't that much fun anymore. I rode for fun after I quit racing until 1990 when I crashed and tore my acl and mcl. After knee reconstruction I hung it up until 2001 when I bought the YZ 426. Now I race hare scrambles and a lot of MX track riding. Crashed and broke my hip in Oct of 2006 but was not about to give it up again. Like the earlier poster said "I used to roll, now I stick" I think I am faster now than I have ever been, I just have to keep it on two wheels! I am now thinking about getting a old bike and doing a little vintage racing.

[corndog67]

You would probably be surprised to find out that you go faster now because you ride more efficiently (carefully). I know that I am faster now because I pick my lines more carefully instead of just blitzing everything. The younger guys can't understand how I stay with them, or pass them, when I hardly look like I am trying, and am sitting down most of the time. I love it.?

Coastie, I used to ride with these guys that were in their late 50's, and 60's, when I was in my mid 20's through my 30's. They were very efficient, rode well, and were, in general, fast as a_s. A couple of them were A enduro riders that rode these old twin shock KTM's. Talk about booking through the trees. If I was on a good day, I could almost keep up with them. I am also sure that I was quite a bit faster on the old RM400, the IT175, the PE250, the YZ465 and the CR500. I've just lost a lot of that certain Go For Itthat I used to have. Don't get me wrong, I still have a lot of fun, I enjoy the heck out of going riding, but I worry about getting hurt now. I didn't way back then. Maybe with some more seat time, I will get the confidence level back up. Till later, ride safe.

[Coastie3202]

I find that once I turned down the competitive knob a little I learned to enjoy the well carved turns, the smooth lines through rythm sections, and the pure joy of getting a section right. I ride now for the pure joy of it and don't worry about what position I am in.

I especially love doing a 50 mile section of desert trail, coming back into the pits, having some water and a cigarette (I know, I know). Then trying to convince the younger guys to go out for another loop. I usually have to go out by myself for a second loop because the other guys are wore out. LOVE IT.

[aloha1]

I Am 65 Years Old. Started Riding On A 250cc Zundap In 50 Mile Hare And Hound Races In San Diego Back In 1960. Moved Up To A Greeves With Earls Leading Link Front End And The Straight Pipe Coming Out Right Under The Engine.

Bought My First New Bike In 1968, A Dt1 Out The Door For $649.00. Rode Desert On A Bsa Goldstar And A Matchles Typhoon..

Now Riding A 1979 Yz400 And A Tt600. The Last Time I Raced Was At 45 Years Of Age. Cmc 125 Pro Class On A Dare. I Won, Nothing More To Prove.

In The Desert I Lead. If You Can't Keep Up With The Big Dog, Go Back To Camp.

Thanks

Jack

[grayracer513]

I Am 65 Years Old.

Hold still, it won't be that long 'til I catch up

Started Riding On A 250cc Zundap

A Greeves With Earls Leading Link Front End And The Straight Pipe Coming Out Right Under The Engine.

Bought My First New Bike In 1968, A Dt1 Out The Door For $649.00.

BSA Goldstar

And A Matchless Typhoon..

Echoes from my own past, Jack. For the uninitiated, the pipe on the Greeves was known as a "Blooey Pipe". If you ever heard one, you'd know why. Imagine a 250cc two-stroke with an 8" straight pipe leading into a flattened 8" long megaphone.?

I also bought a new Yamaha DT-1. Never owned a Zundapp, but rode many a Matchless and Goldie. The boss owned a Typhoon. I also owned a new 1971 BSA B50MX. With that retrospective, it's funny to me to hear a YZ450 called a "Thumper". You know what I'm saying, don't you?

'61 (mostly) BSA Goldstar DBD34 Clubman:

1970 G85CS Matchless:

Trackmaster framed Norton 750 in 1971:

[oldmanx]

I'm 53...bought my wr450 when I was 51. This year I thought that I'd try some GNCC racing. What a blast!!!

Check out GNCCracing.com...specifically the lap times run in the Masters 50+B and C (morning) class, and compare them to lap times run in any of the youngster's (<50)classes. The top 4-6 50+ guys could be top 8 in just about any of the other morning classes.

[USC-MX]

This thread has been very fun to follow...Truly inspiring. I'm still a very young 42. Been riding since 1974 (Hodaka rat followed by a 73 MX 250) I guess my dad did not see it necessary for me to ride a 125..lol)

The fact that I will be 56 when my duaghter graduates high school and 60 when my soon to be born first son does the same all makes for some fun jokes at the office. I just remind them all that I'm still racing, and will be doing the same with both my kids well into my 60s and forward (Lord willing)

A big heart felt thank you to all those older than I that have shared your stories. Keep on twisting it and keep the rubber side where it belongs.

[MXKyle]

I just graduated into the 50+ bracket two weeks ago.

As fast as I may be for my age the true speedy old man is my dad. At 74 he is proud to tell you that he is faster now than he has ever been. He is a local hero at the race tracks where he repeatedly outruns guys that are a third of his age. He got his picture in Sports Illustrated when he was 68 for being the oldest competitor at Muddy Creek raceway when they did their one motocross story.

Here is a clip of the 74 year old taking a short timing section for the first time on his new '08 RM450. I tried to convince him to go blue but he's as hard headed as I am.

--KT--

[bluedawg]

I just graduated into the 50+ bracket two weeks ago.

As fast as I may be for my age the true speedy old man is my dad. At 74 he is proud to tell you that he is faster now than he has ever been. He is a local hero at the race tracks where he repeatedly outruns guys that are a third of his age.

Here is a clip of the 74 year old taking a short timing section for the first time on his new '08 RM450. .photobucket.com/albums/bb183/MXKyle_565/th_1934Jim.jpg[/img][/url]

--KT--

thats amazing...tell your dad he still has IT:thumbsup:

[mazzuca21366]

Ill turn 43 shortly. Its amazing how technology has progressed since I got my first race bike in 1981. I was riding a yamaha YZ100. Can still remember being amazed at the YZ125s because they were water cooled that year. Id come home every day from school, loose the tie and dress pants, and head into the woods and ride! Id even ride in the snow. I own a YZ450F and love it! The power this motor puts out is amazing! I ended up selling my DRZ400 after getting this bike. After coming home for a weekend on the Yz, the DRZ felt like a boat anchor. The power difference doesnt even compare.

[grayracer513]

Its amazing how technology has progressed since I got my first race bike in 1981.

I know you young guys are doing your best, but what do you think today's stuff compares to that of 1964?

Talk about a shocker.

[USC-MX]

I know you young guys are doing your best, but what do you think today's stuff compares to that of 1964?

Talk about a shocker.

I'm laughing aloud as I write this. Flashback to my dad a lifetime Military Master SGT. In 1968 he had just retired and bought a brand new DT1 Yamaha. Of course the old timers know that before this model was "race ready" the individule would have to remove the lights, add fenders and since dad was pretty handy with a welder, he would then make his very own muffler/silencer (not sure if silencer would be the right word since the damn thing scared me and all neighborhood kids to death.lol)

Funny thing he also made a stand that was adjustable and years later I saw that very same style copied by some company in SoCal that has since gone under years ago:thumbsup:

[ballinger19]

62 in december. Riding since I was 15.

Just got another bike last week which makes 12 I presently have.

Just got a 07 ktm sx450 fun fun fun.

[divebobber]

I'm 54. I posted about my first ride (and fall) on my new yz426 after a many year lay off on the Off Road forum at https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=707642

You guys have made me go through my hazy memory to try and recall all my old bikes. Even when we had street bikes, we'd take them off road. I started with a homemade mini back with a 3 horse Briggs and Stratton engine. Graduated to a Lambretta motorscooter with a 2 stroke 125. That thing, believe it or not, was fun in the mud because you could just lay it down on the side and spin donuts etc. Then I got a Suzuki X6 Hustler. 250 cc 2 cylinder screamer. I'll skip the rest of the street bikes. Next dirt bike was a Suzuki TS250. Then a Honda XL250. Next was the Yamaha DT250. Yamaha XT350. And now the 426. The 426 is a BEAST. I crashed it hard on my first ride so now won't be riding again for a few weeks, I'm sure.

Anyway, I'm sure glad to see that I'm not alone as an "old" guy who still loves motorcycles...and not just looking at them either.