Stupid?

I think so.

50 Years ago next month, I bought a 'big' bike. Matchless G9 500cc. I was 20

I sold it the following year because I was going into the Royal Navy for my
2 years National Service.

Since then I have had convenient 'commuter' transport. The last 2 wheeled
transport I rode was in 1971, a Honda 50cc 'thing'

Now 70, I have to make an application to have my Licence renewed every three
years. It's just been done. I still drive regularly, doing the Isle of Wight
to Birmingham return in a day to attend a funeral. No big deal.

What is stupid? I still have a full driving licence for a Motor Bike. Go
back and look at what I last rode!!!!

I could get onto the biggest bike 'I like' and take it out of the showroom!!
I won't because I am aware that the 500cc of today is nothing like the 500cc
of my day.

Your comments on the ruling? Please note, I am knocking "MY" ability to get
on and ride, not 70 year olds who ride regularly.

Mike

 

Gixxer Thou.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, mike

Only (IWHT) if you weren't worried about insuring it.

Prove me wrong. Go and get a quote for a ZX10R.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer as featured in
Performance Bikes and Fast Bikes

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

Statistically the number of 70 year olds with current licences who havn't
ridden for decades but suddenly get the urge to go out and buy an R1 is
negligible.

Any sort of legislation to "cure" this "problem" would affect the very
people you are *not* knocking, those who have ridden regularly for years
and continue to do so, safely, into their 70s, only.

More problems are caused by people in their 40s who havn't ridden for 20
years and feel the urge again. And I think this is best dealt with the way
it is being, i.e. to encourage them to get top up training. Most do.

Regards, Ian

 

I think you'll find that according to the bike press a ZX10R is the
one that should be given an ASBO.

 

My 86 year old mother also has a motorbike licence, the last thing she
rode was a 150cc Bantam in about 1960.

 

Ask for a GSXR'1000 with incontinence seat and euthanasia attachment.
Get a heated helmet and set it to boil for 4'30" minutes.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Ian Northeast belched forth and ejected the
following:

Is everyone blind? He's not talking about buying a R1 or the latest clit
bike, he's saying 500cc of today's horses are considerably more of what
he remembers.

Jeezus.

Having said that though, if you live in the rural and do 5 or 6 track
days a year then a R1 would be a good choice, imho.

 

I just visited eBike and got a quote for a 25 year old (me) to insure
an R1 on their Monthly plan: £34.00/mo.

I then left the quote exactly the same but made myself 70 years old:
£104.09/mo.

 

mike wrote

I dunno. In terms of top speed not really that much difference in the
500s and I would suggest that much of it is down to weight saving and
solid state ignition systems. When persuading that speed around corners
though or shedding it quickly the differences are more than apparent and
very much for the better. Modern bikes are also just a tad more
reliable and some say more comfortable.

Don't knock it until you have tried it.

Of course what will shock the bollox straight off you are all the
necessary accessories a gentleman may be expected to wear in these soft
well padded centrally heated times.

 

wouldn't be easier just to stay in Birmingham until everyone you know
there dies?

 

)

I like it )

What I "should" have said was, "I drive regularly. I drove to Birmingham
from the Isle of Wight and returned the same day, to attend a funeral for
example" )

I have read all of the other responses thank you. Only a few of you picked
up on the fact that I am NOT saying all those who are over 70 should not be
allowed to jump on a bike. One pointed out that the sensible thing to do
would be to take lessons/guidance/advice/instructions, which I would, but I
feel that in the application I have to make every three years, there should
be a section about having owned/driven said vehicle recently on a regular
basis, (with proof?).

I am also licensed to drive an electric milk float as well ;-))

Mike

 

) Please tell her indoors that I should try it ;-)

Automatic Gearbox? Auto Cruise? Air Con? Reclining Seat? 6 channel CD
changer? ;-))

Mike

 

No, I think everyone realised that, but they were pointing out that
your own intuition and past experience tells you that you'd better be
careful before jumping onto a modern superbike. I'd suggest that this
actually qualifies you much better for this than most folks who've
just had the training and passed their tests.

Do you really believe you should have been forced to go through the
whole testing palaver from scratch?

Really? I can't for the life of me see why.

When I swapped my licence for a Swiss one, I acquired (as did my wife
on hers) the entitlement to drive buses, fire engines and motor homes
greater than 3.5 tonnes, which I'm sure I didn't have on my UK one.
Every couple of years they write to us asking for a medical
certificate if we want to keep this class, but I've never bothered and
it's still there.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing)
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

mike wrote

Tell her yourself.

Yes sort of, yes, yes sort of, yes and yes. Although I was thinking
more in terms of armour, not the standard fittings of a well specced
GoldWing.