Getting Older ?

[Trikerjim]

When you look around most (Not All) trike riders you see are "middle aged" or older. Even 2 wheel Goldwing, HD Ultras ect. are ridden by older types. We have CD players, Mp3, GPS, XM radios...Do you think we have gotten smarter, or just lost some of our taste for adventure? Trailers instead of duffle bags, motels instead of tents..Did we lose some of the thrill along the way? It's still a blast and I love it! Just tell me your opinon.

[Ozarkryder]

Was talking with a guy from the Trike Shop at last year's Davis Rally about this. He said it seems that men that are triking a bike seem to be early 50's, and women hold out to the late 50's to trike thier own rides. Those buying turnkey seem to be about retirement age. This is a very generall average, there are exceptions of course.

[katfish16]

Jim, I think some of it was that it was allowed and accepted when we did the camping along the road, but now that is not well accepted and is dangerous. As far as the toys goes I think it is we can afford it now and some like gadgets. Hotels are the same we can afford it. We got the toyhauler to have the best of both, camping and riding the trike, plus since Cathy has been sick she cannot ride distance the way we used too.

[sacvalley51]

My husband is 62/I'm 56; moved to the trike just a couple months ago. Last year he said that he'd be more comfortable w/a trike. We stopped camping about 5 years ago, love having our Escapade w/the cooler for a cold one when we stop at the motel & too many extra clothes in the trailer. We use our visa to acquire points for hotel rooms. Love a good meal and hot spa w/a cold beer at the end of the day. Also love talking w/others about where they've been and where they're going.
We have the gps, and headphones to talk to each other and the other riders in the group. have the cell phone to call the kids, and use the internet to pay bills while on the road.
Life is good!
jo

[Ozarkryder]

, (bunches snipped by Don)... too many extra clothes in the trailer...(more snippage)

jo

LOL... I lurk onthe GWRRA board, (not a member) and there is someone there with a wife that apparently has the name of Barb. He calls the trailer "BOB" - stands for "Barb's Overnight Bag"!

[Chil]

As I've journeyed through my 52 years, I've recognized one thing to be true for me: There are almost always more things that I'd like to do than what I have time for. So I have to pick and choose. Then later, I'll drop something and pick something else up. My wife and I used to be serious backpackers and loved doing the overnights with the bears. I used to scoff at those people who wouldn't go into the woods without their RV, etc. Interestingly, during the last 5 years, I realized what a putz I was as I finally tried RVing. What fun! So is the motel after a long day's ride. In fact, it's ALL good. It depends on what you're into at that stage of your life. For me, now, it's all about comfort - particularly during and after the ride!

[Yellow Trike]

I don't believe anyone who rides 2 or 3 wheels around the country (or countries) can be said to have lost their desire for adventure.

I turned 58 yesterday and realized, again, that I have no intention of growing up...can't help the older thing, but not growing up.

We used to downhill ski, water ski, camp, hunt and fish.

Riding offers far more opportunities and adventures than anything else we have done. I often thank my husband for introducing me to riding - as long it isn't on the back of his 550 Vision!

[john]

jim getting older? not me! i just turned 68 and still have not grown up! i just ordered a new gold wing and going to trike it if i can ever make my mind up on what kind of trike to get. getting older naw! maybe lost my mine but not older. is that a motortrike you ride? or are my eyes going too. if it is how do you like it? looks like a nice trike.

[W7AX]

When I moved to Arizona from Montana 6 years ago I thought for the first time in my life that I would just give up motorcycles. Some friends convinced me that I was just too old to be doing that stuff anymore. About 6 months later I decided to get back on a 2003 Goldwing and later on bought my first trike..Goldwing with Motor Trike conversion and Escapade trailer. It turns out that we are back into camping out again which we always used to enjoy. We will be riding back to Wing Ding in July . Maybe when I get old I might not enjoy this so much but right now I am only 74 and the wife is only 71. Old habits die hard I guess.........

[John Luciano]

I got into triking 6 years ago. The wife and I are back to datting. We went on a date tonight, a 100 mile ride and dinner. We talk all the time we are ridding. I feel we are like we were 36 years ago when we dated when I had my first Honda 450.

[Nana]

Although I am definitely getting older, it's not age but size that moved me to the trike. I'm just 5 feet tall and 110 pounds. I'd been on my own two wheels for 16 years and many miles. Then two years ago on the way back home from a 7,000 mile trip on my Fat Boy, I turned to my husband and said: "You know, I don't have to prove to myself that I can ride -- i know I can. But I'm tired of struggling in parking lots and gravel with maneuvering the bike. I want three wheels!" So we added the Champion kit. I'd say it took me about 500 miles of adjusting to steering instead of leaning, but by the end of that time I found I was just grinning and having a wonderful time. I've never looked back. I prepared myself for lots of "old person" comments, but instead have gotten overwhelming "WOW! I LOVE THAT THING!" comments. In fact, the yellow/white trike gets tons more attention than my hubby's Street Glide, much to his disgust and my amusement.

[newtriker]

We have most definitely gotten older and maybe a little wiser. Steve's leg kept popping out of joint when he'd put it down at stops--an old motorcycle injury! I didn't want to ride with him because I didn't feel completely comfortable, but with a trike, now he can't start it up without me out the door and jumping on! He's always wanted me to enjoy it as much as him and now I am. I do think as riders as getting older, they want to feel the same freedom and joy, but with a little more caution and much more comfort.