70 and a half now.

[YooperJon]

How long do I have before I hang it up and sell the Hawk?

[riot]

I was just reading in American Motorcyclist (AMA mag), that Dave Aldana is 73 and still racing…

https://www.cyclenews.com/2022/03/article/david-aldana-named-grand-marshal-of-2022-ama-flat-track-grand-championship/

If you stay fit, who knows?

[bk94si]

At 65, I've been starting to wonder that myself. I'm doing fine for now though. I can't imagine going past 75 for now but I might feel differently when I actually hit 75. I'm taking it a year at a time. I imagine I will give up the VFR first though because it is so heavy in comparison to the Hawk.

[YooperJon]

Why is it that I hardly ride the bike all summer long then I take a trip (on Wednesday) to the Honda shop in Escanaba, sixty miles away and come back all invigorated and excited about riding? Basically it's a straight shot with a few twisties on the way. Could it have something to do with the fall colors and clear, 70 degree weather?

I helped my buddie change a tire on his girl friends KTM Duke 390. We spooned it on. Of course we had to break the bead on the old tire which was a challenge, take it off and mount the new tire and set the bead. The new tire was a 150/60/17 dunlop "mutant". It had an interesting, aggressive tread pattern. If I put these on the Hawk I'd have to go with a 110/70/17 up front and a 160/60/17 in the back. I think these are the "forum" approved sizes. The question is would I be able to squeeze the 160/60 lower profile, but squatter tire past the stock exhaust can? Yes, I never up graded the exhaust system...it's completely stock. I already know that the 110/70 tire up front will screw my speedometer up worse than it already is.

[Talon]

WmThe question is would I be able to squeeze the 160/60 lower profile, but squatter tire past the stock exhaust can?

Yes. You may have to tap the axle in a bit and/or move the eccentric back, but it will fit.

[eyhonda]

At 65, I've been starting to wonder that myself. I'm doing fine for now though. I can't imagine going past 75 for now but I might feel differently when I actually hit 75. I'm taking it a year at a time. I imagine I will give up the VFR first though because it is so heavy in comparison to the Hawk.

I was thinking the same thing for the same reason about the VFR.

[ParcNHawk]

The question is would I be able to squeeze the 160/60 lower profile, but squatter tire past the stock exhaust can?

To install:

Deflate tire.
Mount wheel.
Reinflate tire.

To remove:

Deflate tire.
Remove wheel.

[6]

Man. I've been wondering the same about racing.

Here is what it boils down to for me. I'm a happier person when I'm racing than when I'm not. I won't let risk get in the way. If eventually I feel the stress is more of a toll then the racing brings joy, I'll stop.

I'd imagine I'll feel the same way about street riding when that time comes.

[tian647]

Man. I've been wondering the same about racing.

After a pretty big get-off and resulting extended convalescence I gave up racing motos and started racing cages instead when I was around 35.

I still do occasional track days on a bike and if I get to feeling good with the bike I sure feel that pressure to take it up again, but so far I've stayed with the car for wheel-to-wheel events.

I guess if I'm ever gonna get back out there on the bike again I'd better do it sooner because it isn't getting any easier on my body :/

Back to the OP's question - a local Ducati club sage is 82 and still tours all across the country on his Multistrada. Well, he had been but he had an off a couple months back where he tore his aorta and nearly didn't get medical attention in time, but he's still with us and still planning to get back out there...so I guess each of us has our own calculus of reward and risk to suss out and make that call. The good news it isn't permanent if you try sitting it out and see how it feels. I hope to be able to give myself the option for quite a long time yet.

[squirrelman]

for my old age i have collected 2 little vtr250s, super light and ez to ride and enough power to do the ton.

aug 1 2020 018.jpg aug 15 2020 026.jpg 8-21-21 new camera 019.jpg

(i'll be 79 in 4 months)

[ExTex]

I agree the VTR250's are nice bikes. I just had to buy a new battery for mine. I found that only MotoBatt makes one the proper size to fit in the battery box.
They make good batteries. I'll turn 77 next month and I'm still riding.

Stay Safe

[BillnOroville]

When I was 72 I bought my 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT I had an FZ-09 and 2 Hawks. I figured I rode 10,600 miles in 2021 (I am retired). Now I just have the 1100 and my Red 89 Hawk. I did a 165 mile day ride on the 1100 yesterday (Fridays are our designated ride day in our small group). I will be 74 in December. Not sure I will match last years miles but should be at least over 8k for the year. I often said I would ride till 75. That is not so far away now. As long as I have good balance, no major wrecks, and can see with glasses I will keep riding. Riding to 80 might be doable, who know. Arthritis in my hands is creeping around but riding helps them if I can keep them warm. It was 94 degrees yesterday afternoon when I got home. My hands were warm. I do think I will have the bikes I have now when I stop riding.

[Tripleman]

How long do I have before I hang it up and sell the Hawk?

Plenty of us in our 7th decade and still going strong,I still ride my heavy Laverda 3c but not as far as I used to. Like Billnorville I will be keeping the bikes I have now. Hawk, Laverda and Yamaha Tracer.

[6]

I still ride my heavy Laverda 3c

Just learned those exist, right now...

Pretty darned cool bikes...

[Tripleman]

7702F814-EE80-454D-84ED-BDA02D304197.jpg

Just learned those exist, right now...

Pretty darned cool bikes...

750 Laverda was designed using Honda 305 for a model, Massimo Laverda was very impressed with Honda. Mine is a 1975 3c owned it for 43 years.Spares are now like rocking horse crap.