For me it is more about use than physiology. There does not seem to be much point in running a 1299 through the little roads of the Pyrenees. Sweeping and traffic light though they are. At any age I would prefer a bit more comfort and scenic visibility to that offered by my (now sold) SP4 but at 57(!) even more so.
I new it was time a few years ago ( age 47 and slightly chubby), as much as I have convinced myself there is no room on todays infested camera sodden roads I still cannot get sports bikes out my system. The multistrada really is all the bike you need and has anyone mentioned comfy . It can keep up with the best of the best on the roads and its like floating along on your armchair, I may attach a tv to mine and start riding in a smoking jacket :grimacing:. After saying this I still cannot give up sports bikes so the answer is to have one in the garage to clean and look at
My friend has just had his 72nd birthday and he is still the fastest around the 3 sisters charity track evenings although he doesn't take his 916 around
when its time to give up RIDING sports bikes well to me the only sensible thing to do is park it the living room its mine and my kids are not having it hah
I already did it - Multistrada. Haven't actually given up the sports bike completely though - I still have the 916.
Still ride my 996 at 55 years old, I will stop riding sports bikes when I can no longer get my leg over..
I am enjoying my ST2 at 73 years but taking precautions for when my attempts at getting my leg over fail, and i am building my reverse trike. The mk1 trike is not Ducati powered, could not bring myself to destroy a good bike to make an oldmans toy
In the link below. total respect to this gent and I think it answers the question. Isle of Man TT 2015: Ted Fenwick wins Billown race aged 87 - BBC Sport
Best of both for me too at 52yrs. my 916 is great, my favourite all time bike and my blasts around race tracks, the Alps and Pyrenees are fun but aching hard poodling through cities and towns and too many cameras everywhere, so have BMW R1200GS for some days and 916 for others days - between them almost everything is covered - except nipping to shop which is done on Peugeot ped!
I have a 996s and ive had it since 2001 Its mint and I cant see myself without it , but Im now 55 and dont ride it much l like the torque and the handling but it seems a long stretch to the bars ! Maybe i'll ttade her in on a 1200 monster ?
Well I'll be 60 this year and packed in with sports bikes a few years ago and now ride super nakeds, My Streetfighter S was my first and I love that bike just as fun as a Sportsbike but better in the real twisty stuff like the Picos mountains. I guess it's up to the individual you will know when you want a change, for me it was mostly phyisical aching wrists knees etc but that is an age thing. I've battered my body over the years Rugby, Martial Arts and 500cc Motocross racing, so my joints are knackered and I got a metal hip now. But that aside the nakeds are mental fun all the power and handling you could want (track days are still fun) in a package that is very everyday useable, so come on Ducati when is the panigale engined Street Fighter we all want you know you want to make it
They wont - they'll just add some obscure amount of cc's to the hypermotard (and make it a 1024) or some shit like that...but then there'll be some more euro 4 stuff to counteract it... They should have just carried the SF on...and in total agreement but the panigale motor in there...
When to give up sports bikes?? Well, I can still do a hard 5 hrs on this....... Despite having this collection of scrap in my left knee from a 4X4 vs Aprilia RSV 1000 fight..... And a disc out between vertebra L4-L5 And I'm still loving this... So no plans at all from me to stop yet, when I'm physically too wrecked to ride one, or my meagre pension won't allow, I'll probably pack in bikes all together and get myself another one of these :- Oh..and I'm 60 this year....damn it!!!!
Just stumbled across this and now your my inspiration! I'm recovering from and going through spinal intervention of L4, L5 &S1, my fear first of all is providing for my family, second my love of motorcycles, have been going through fear of this and then someone like yourself is still riding after a worse situation than me, A big sigh of releaf I have taken and I guess time is just my only enemy left, thanks for a post that has giving me genuine hope (not meant to be sopy and all that but just the way It is) By the way is that a Hungarian visa or Rhode ridgeback?
Yep - that's the spirit Andy - just take the "fuck it" attitude to life that I do....hey I'm insured so even if the worse happens my kids get the payout!!
I will never be too old for sports bikes, I'm 59 and the only reason that I have ever ridden bikes is to go fast, touring is boring - get a car, carries more luggage and people and keeps you dry and is faster than a touring bike; cruisers don't steer, don't handle, don't go around corners and don't brake...
