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The end of an Era...........no more motorcycles for me

Shooter1

Shooter1

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I've had bikes in the main since I was 17 years old. There have been years when I haven't had one in the garage due to life's ups and downs, b ut I've loved th ethimngs and bee fanatical about them for 45 years. Last year I sold my Ducati Streetfighter V4s, I'd been waiting a lifetime to own a Ducati, as the servicing and insurance costs were astronomical, and I needed to save a bit of cash.
Over the past few months I'd decided it was time to get a two wheeled machine in the garage again and had settled on a Yamaha MT-09. But after having put much thought into it I've decided instead that my biking days are over. In the current economical climate it would just be an expensive toy that sits in the garage half the year doing nothing when the weather is bad. I can't warrant the cost of running it, insuring it, servicing it etc when the cost of basics like food and power are so expensive. It's not just that though - I'm in my 60's and the reality is that my reactions are getting slower, and with a bit of arthritis in my hands I'm not sure I have the speed and dexterity to control one effectively any more. Then there the roads, a pothole or worn out road surface may be an inconvenience when driving the car, but either of these could easily kill you if you hit one whilst riding a motorcycle. Around here farmer palmer and his mates seem to get away with chucking mud and anything else they want all over our roads, and if you hit it on a bike there's a high chance that you'll be off the bike sliding along the tarmac on you backside.
So for me sadly that's the end of my biking days...................I shall just have to console myself by spending more time at the range:)
 
Sold my bikes a few years ago and feel exactly the same. Was commuting on mine and it became more and more difficult. More and more potential dangers and spending as much as I do on the family car on it... Had to go sadly. More range time like you say!
 
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I'm approaching 69 years of age and still very much enjoy my biking, I have a Royal Enfield 650 Continental GT which I use for local runs
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and a CFMoto 650MT which I use for longer rides and touring. I spent a week in North Wales in September riding the coast and Snowdonia mountains , in June 2024 I spent a week riding in Brittany and 2023 in Normandy. I've previously toured the Black Forest and Swiss Alps. Both my bikes are on PCP's and don't cost a lot to run, when the CFmoto contract is up I'll probably replace it with a lighter CFmoto 450mt or similar styled adventure bike to keep biking as long as my health allows.
 
I feel your pain…😩 like yourself I’ve been riding all my life and will stop when I’m in a box 😂 If you’re main reason is financial have you considered a late classic bike maybe a t140 ..cheap to run no road tax, insurance costs are very low and more than quick enough
 
Yup, the roads nowadays are bordering on being criminal.
It isn't just the potholes, it is the relentless lumpy-bumpy, uneven surfaces before and after the potholes which is making them lethal for bikes.

Every road in the UK needs to be ripped up and resurfaced, but try getting that message through to anyone in government... :rolleyes: Homer face palm
They just reply with patronising platitudes which say they have spent another few quid on repairs but, basically, they couldn't care less.
 
Sad news mate, but at least you have realised the right time is now, rather than waiting too long, maybe having an off, or spending all the dosh, etc, so silver linings and all that.
I came late to biking (40's) but loved it and had several bikes over the years. I am currently without a bike, and I keep looking to buy one. But, TBH, if I'm honest with myself, I think my biking days are probably over too, I have dodgy knees now and my wrists are not too good either, and I was deffo only a fair weather rider (bad weather? well thats what the car is for, Lol!) and like you, although I could afford a bike, I can't really justify the cost or the need to have one, expensive toy is a good description IMHO.
But as others have said, once a biker, always a biker, even if its in spirit only....
Cheers
 
Sorry you have come to this decision, but I can't blame you Shrug tt

Bike used to be cheap transport, but now, as you quite rightly point out, most are expensive toys used only half the year. I also get the reflex thing, I'm more of a tourer these days than a sports tourer, I notice I'm not as fast, don't want to be, and have a healthy sense of self preservation, but even that is not a fool proof shield on todays roads.

I wish you well with any new toys you get, and hand on heart your probably making the right decision rather than having a fall to put thing into perspective (y)

Any excuse or a bike pic :ROFLMAO:

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It's a shame but i totally understand and agree with your position, more and more people on the roads and the terrible state of our highways and especially the back roads these days makes anyone think twice.. I gave up a couple of years ago for the same reason..
 
I thought I’d get back into biking after my divorce. Hadn’t ridden in 40 years. On a whim I bought a beautiful 2nd hand Honda CBX 750 Bol’d’or. Could ride it all day thrashing up and down the dual carriageways ... but couldn’t turn tight corners or go around roundabouts 🙁. Sold it quickly after 😩
 
It maybe the last year for me bmw 1200 GS te hardly used last year. 12000 miles Total. Going to tax it this week if i dont do 3000 miles this year its better to sell it to somebody who will use it!
 
Similar with me. It’s taxed, insured….and hasn’t turned a wheel in anger for a couple of years. Lives under a blanky and gets wheeled out in the summer to wash the dust off it.
To think I used to ride bikes 365 in all weathers ‘cause I didn’t have a choice.
 
After over 45 years of riding i think im coming to the end of the road,, did about 3k miles last year with trips to Spain and Ireland but don’t seem to get the enjoyment out of riding that i use to, will see how it goes this year then might also be hanging up my boots, on the bright side, more money for this sport !,
 
You're to be applauded matey. Takes balls to realise your limitations and act upon them. I'm in the same boat as you, similar age, bits not working as they used to etc. Giving up my bike was like giving up a drug you've been on all your adult life, but you've got to look at the bigger picture. With the roads being busier than ever, and in worse condition year on year, and reactions getting slower, it wasn't going to end well. I still miss it, but I love life. 👏👏👏
 
My next Birthday will mark 60 years of riding - usually all year round but less so as I have got older - and might be time to give up riding, sadly.

My little CB250RS is ideal for me but I ride only hundreds of miles a year now and my reflexes simply are not as sharp as they were.

Too many muppets in cars and vans who are not paying attention to the road etc - the odds against us seem to be getting worse all the time.
 
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