How old is too old? very O/T

Jim H. SW-PA · Sep 4, 2008

Well !! My first wife used all my money and I never bought that Harley I wanted.

Today I was going past my neighbors house and spotted a real nice,[Not a Harley] but a 1978 750cc Hondamatic in his yard for sale. I made a mistake of stopping and took it for a ride. runs well after a long warm up period [wants to run on choke position a lot longer than expected]It does need a long awaited clean up as the owner is 70 something and hasn't ridden it since 84,and it was in his shed until now.

To make a long story short after a lot of haggling I bought it. My questions are, I heard now, you cant get a seasonal insurance on one now. Is this true? And a 1978 750 with 5200 mi . Can a guy get an antique plate or a classic plate?
Antique cars in this state can only be driven to shows, and not after dark.I think classic you can run in daylight only anytime.

I am 63 and totally aware of the possibility of road rash,so I intend to ride it only on less traveled roads where I can run at my own pace.

I haven't ridden in 25 years but it did feel good today,so I guess it is still in my blood.My dream at that time was to go on a road trip with a bunch of Christian orientated people. This will never happen now, Too long at one time without stopping.

Just wondering how many of us seniors still ride? and the oldest on the road on 2 - 3 wheels?

rodgernbama · Sep 5, 2008

Sounds like you"ve made a nice find. I see a lot of older people riding now but a lot of them ride 3 wheelers. I"m 54 years old and if were to ride one again that"s what I"d ride. A long road trip with people close to you age would probably work good since they would probably need to stop more often too.

JOE FARMER · Sep 5, 2008

YOU GO JIM!!!! NEVER TO OLD TO HAVE FUN
HERE IN MICH IF YOU HAVE A PLATE FROM THE SAME YEAR AS YOU CAR/TRUCK YOU CAN APPLY FOR A HISTORICAL VEHICLE PLATE IF ITS 20 YRS OR OLDER
ONE TIME REGESTARTION FEE AND NO RESTRICTIONS
DONT KNOW ABOUT THE BIKES THOUGH
HEY JUST ENJOY YOURSELF!

Jim H. SW-PA · Sep 5, 2008

3 wheelers are nice and lots of conveniences like a larger trunk, reverse, and a lot more space to put lights on. Can't be too visible at night time.
This one needs lights and bags and maybe a faring, It has a windshield.but the chrome is too far gone,[rubbed through the chrome to the copper coating in places and corroding green color is showing. other than that the four pipes are rusted beyond cleaning. might paint flat black temp, paint of course.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 5, 2008

The way I see it is, your birth date is only a date on a calender, it's how you feal. I am 66 and have two motorcycles I keep licensed, and insured. One is my 37 Indian Chief, the other is a 68 Yamaha 250cc enduro. I use Progrossive motorcycle insurance company. I pay 75.00 a year for both. Each state may have different rates. I live in Calif. I don't get to ride as much as I would like, because I am usually repairing some old tractor, or implement, or doing a discing, or mowing job.I do more riding in the winter when there is less to do. I have about as many old motorcycles that are not running, as old tractors. Enjoy your Honda, and keep the shinny side up. Stan

tlak · Sep 5, 2008

Thought you were talking about McCain, yes he's too old.

jose bagge · Sep 5, 2008

Jim, it's not too late for that Christian bike ride! just make it a day trip! I once fell in with a rouge Mormon bike gang...we road out to Berkley Springs WVA for the apple butter festival. These were all old dudes and their wives on Gold Wings and Cavalcades- outstanding riders and they rode FAST ( all I could do on my BMW RS to hang on to the pack).
One old guy (probably 75) and his wife had a full boat Cavalcade- I commented "everything but the kitchen sink". he said, "look on the keychain": minature kitchen sink for a key fob!

IH2444 · Sep 5, 2008

Too old ? I think you can get detachable sissy bars that fold out into a walker now.

greygoat · Sep 5, 2008

A "Harley" is a motorcycle, A Honda is a
"Rice Grinder"

Kestrel in CT · Sep 5, 2008

I have the opposite problem. My wife just forced me to buy a new Harley, '09 Fat Bob, I guess I to keep up with her on her Harley Super Glide. My little Sportster embarrassed her......

I'm 58 and new to riding but feel more than capable on it.

So should you. People didn't stop riding horses cause of age years ago. Just don't go crazy or ride aggressively.

Pete-IN · Sep 5, 2008

Don't want to sound negative here but the automatic transmission in that era of Hondas was a real problem child. Hondas made a lot of really good bikes and I owned a lot of them. I now ride a Harley (I'm 60). The Hondamatic was not one of their better ideas. Pete

Goose · Sep 5, 2008

A gal in her 50's I once worked with commented she'd really like to have a Ford Mustang, but her boyfriend told her she was too old for a Mustang.

I asked her, "What does age have to do with it? My mother rode on a motorcycle with me when she was 78".

ELD · Sep 5, 2008

Maybe, but the Honda wont leave you walking.

jim in N M · Sep 5, 2008

Never fret, I'm 73 and still ride my HD fxdwg2 and still enjoy it. But I rather ride by myself ,I;ve never been a "Club" type rider, all they seem to want to do is go FAST, and arn't really going anywhere !! Jim in N M

Anonymous-0 · Sep 5, 2008

I think State Farm insurance will sell you a 6 month policy, atleast they will on cars and trucks. You might also qualify for a Multi vehicle discount. I don't there there are collector plates for bikes.

Too old to ride? I doubt it, I have never ridden a motorcyle before, but I've been told its not much harder than riding a bicycle. As long as the bike isn't so heavy you have trouble standing it up I don't see any problems.

MN Rick · Sep 5, 2008

In MN they issue "Classic" plates which is what I have on my 74 GT550. As far as insurance is concerned, Farmers only sells annual policies, but they are cheap at somewhere in the neighborhood of 75.00 a year for full coverage. That way it is even covered if it should get bumped or have something fall against it in the shop. As far as age is concerned, I would argue that if a person is physically able to handle the bike, it should something that will help keep you young. Just for the record, I've got a 75 year old cousin that still works 3 days a week as a certified GM mechanic and put on a pair of rollerskates and skated at a birthday party last week.

DoubleR · Sep 5, 2008

I've owned 37 motorcycles.Raced them for 18yrs. Been to every corner of the USA more times then I can remember on them. Been in Canada and Meixco numous times on them. I'm only 57yrs old but will always own at least one of them and you might just as well bury me if I can't still ride one one way or another.

Jim H. SW-PA · Sep 5, 2008

LOL I knew someone would say that!!I don't want to open a can of worms here but I saw a lot of old Honda"s running past driveways that had the Harly"s sitting . [not major problems just tightening the bolts so they could ride for the next day. Believe me I do still like them tho, the new ones are out of sight,price wise], for all we can ride in this state. My next stop,or choice is a Goldwing.

PS> I was told if If I was to ride on one of these rally trips that Harly runs I would have to ride in the back. but I was welcome.And that proves to me that they are still nice people.

Jim H. SW-PA · Sep 5, 2008

That is great !! Sounds like you lived my dream!

Jim H. SW-PA · Sep 5, 2008

Pete E mail me I got some questions If you Know anything about the Hondamatics.

Jim H. SW-PA · Sep 5, 2008

LMAOROF!!!!

greenbeanman in Kansas · Sep 5, 2008

PS> I was told if If I was to ride on one of these rally trips that Harly runs I would have to ride in the back. but I was welcome.And that proves to me that they are still nice people.

Nope, they just knew you wouldn't be back there long after riding on their oil slick for awhile. CRASH, BANG, BOOM!

Just joking. Most any brand of cycle rider is friendly and a good Joe.

Jim H. SW-PA · Sep 5, 2008

OH !! I see kinda like a crash bumper when a Harly stalls ? [ Just kidden:>} Ya can't get me mad cause ya know I'm half nuts. LOL

Jim H. SW-PA · Sep 5, 2008

Tell him buddy!!LOL

jose bagge · Sep 5, 2008

ever been to Mike's Sky Rancho, south of Ensenada? Just got back from there running buggies...WOW!

cadet trooper · Sep 5, 2008

Well I'm 61 and have a 02 full dresser My wife and I have managed to put 33000miles on it going to places like Atlanta, Mildoggie and South Dakota and we both agree you can get one tired backside in about 120 miles soon enough for an RR stop. I don't Like running with a crowd because they usually put the Ultras in the front an point because we have CB radios and running the interstate you can't get the young studs and splittails to point out tire carcasses and such before you have to take evasive manuvers at the last second which gets the better half upset especially when she's half asleep on the back then with onboard intercom looks at my odometer and complains about how fast we're going as I look in the mirror with a full grille of a KW running 80mph going down I75 in Ga. But it's fun.

jose bagge · Sep 6, 2008

Right on! Did you see that canada's olympic equestrian jumper was 61!? WOW!

Anonymous-0 · Sep 6, 2008

I've got a neighbor that is 89 and rides a scooter, jogs, and inline skates. Get the motorcycle and have fun.

Dave

How old is too old? very O/T

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