curious how many 40 yr olds vs 50 yr olds still ride or race

Highsider
Profile picture for user Highsider
Posts
7679
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Way Toasty, IA, USA
Highsider 10/25/2011 2:08pm
10/25/2011 2:08pm
OldGuy wrote:
I'm 61 and still ride and race MX. I still race in the 50 & 55 + classes. Got drilled at RacerX Senior series at Red...
I'm 61 and still ride and race MX. I still race in the 50 & 55 + classes. Got drilled at RacerX Senior series at Red Bud on practice day. 3rd gear tapped and over the bars. Got a torn rotater cuff and pinched nerve. I don't no of any bone that I haven't broken. Can't sleep over two hours at a time for the aches an pains. Just can't give it up. ( I just want to ride)
Which side of Missouri?
Moto East Mag
Profile picture for user Moto East Mag
Posts
3462
Joined
9/4/2006
Location
Arlington, VA, USA
Moto East Mag 10/25/2011 2:09pm
10/25/2011 2:09pm
I'm 44 and I am closer to quitting than ever before. Getting a hip replacement in December and severely blown out lumbar disk. I can barely walk in the mornings and severe pain almost all the time.
I'd say age is not a factor as much as the condition of the body.
It's gonna take six months of rehab to even be able to swing my leg over a bike. Just really wondering if it is time to hang it up for good. Guess I will see how I feel. It's really tough to give up something you have loved for more than 30 years.
MX752
Profile picture for user MX752
Posts
54
Joined
5/25/2010
Location
USA
MX752 10/25/2011 2:12pm
10/25/2011 2:12pm
My dad is 53 and he still rips. Also this guy I ride with sold his KTM 250 to a 70 year old, thats pretty nuts.
1
Highsider
Profile picture for user Highsider
Posts
7679
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Way Toasty, IA, USA
Highsider 10/25/2011 2:13pm
10/25/2011 2:13pm
MX752 wrote:
My dad is 53 and he still rips. Also this guy I ride with sold his KTM 250 to a 70 year old, thats pretty nuts.
Awesome, on both counts!

The Shop

See All »
Moto95
Profile picture for user Moto95
Posts
95
Joined
8/20/2008
Location
Saint Nazianz, WI, USA
Fantasy
671st
Moto95 10/25/2011 2:14pm
10/25/2011 2:14pm
Almost 44. Maybe race 15 times a year now. Did the Racer X Vet Series along with chosen tracks in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Still can't get enough of it, will probably do it until I'm 50, maybe longer, who knows. I do occasionally ride the woods in the spring and fall near Marquette, MI. Some of the best trails I've been on, mostly intermediate to expert type stuff. It's tougher than MX at times. Don't give up!
DanDunes818 10/25/2011 2:18pm
10/25/2011 2:18pm
MX752 wrote:
My dad is 53 and he still rips. Also this guy I ride with sold his KTM 250 to a 70 year old, thats pretty nuts.
Highsider wrote:
Awesome, on both counts!
Yeah those are the stories I hear that blow my mind.. 70? How? haha
OldGuy
Profile picture for user OldGuy
Posts
80
Joined
3/27/2009
Location
Red Neck, MO, USA
OldGuy 10/25/2011 2:20pm
10/25/2011 2:20pm Edited Date/Time 10/25/2011 2:23pm
Highsider wrote:
Which side of Missouri?
NorthEast (Palmyra, Mo.) I have raced at your track years back. My favorite track in Missouri was The SawDust Bowl (Midwest Motosports) Kahoka
yota
Profile picture for user yota
Posts
1421
Joined
6/23/2008
Location
Crystal River, FL, USA
yota 10/25/2011 2:26pm
10/25/2011 2:26pm Edited Date/Time 10/25/2011 2:26pm
one of my buds is 73, just bought an 11 YZ450f. 3 years ago he was still pretty fast, now not as much but he will go up and down sandstone cliffs I won't touch.
1
CR500Rider
Profile picture for user CR500Rider
Posts
1272
Joined
4/4/2008
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
CR500Rider 10/25/2011 2:30pm
10/25/2011 2:30pm
45, I try and race 3-4 times a year and mostly ride on practice days.
mjskier
Profile picture for user mjskier
Posts
1879
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
mjskier 10/25/2011 2:34pm
10/25/2011 2:34pm
Like my buddy says: You don't stop riding because you get old, you get old because you stopped riding.

Our latest Hare Scramble had 18 entries in the Super Senior (50+) So lots of vintage guys still racing. And lots of grey beards still riding the trails. One of my buddies dad is in 70s and he still join us every now and then.
You just have to decide the risk/reward of racing for yourself. But riding the track, or racing HS which I think is more of a race against yourself than others? Definitely.
jleews6
Profile picture for user jleews6
Posts
2304
Joined
8/3/2008
Location
Hardy, VA, USA
jleews6 10/25/2011 2:35pm
10/25/2011 2:35pm
I have been going back and forth over this for the last couple of months. I'm almost 47 and I stopped riding 28 years ago and because my son races I have been wanting to start riding again. Last year I rode three times and this year I rode once and then raced last weekend. The thing that kills me is that after not riding for 28 years I jumped on my sons 450 and had the 35plus class smoked untill I stalled it on the last lap in the first moto and got tired and let two guys go in the second. I ended up with a 3rd overall in 35 plus and smoked the 45 plus by a mile.
I had so much fun out there racing that I told my wife I enjoyed it as much as I did when I was kid. My problem is that Im self employed and I'm afraid of getting hurt.

Oh ya and the last bike I raced was a brand new 82 YZ125 and I have to say that my sons new Honda 450 is a little better.Laughing
1
jwhite66
Profile picture for user jwhite66
Posts
89
Joined
1/4/2009
Location
Versailles, OH, USA
jwhite66 10/25/2011 2:38pm
10/25/2011 2:38pm
53,Try to ride every weekend someplace. Motocross , enduro or just ride. If you want to ride with
alot of old guys you need to go to RED BUD for the Vet national.
Highsider
Profile picture for user Highsider
Posts
7679
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Way Toasty, IA, USA
Highsider 10/25/2011 2:39pm
10/25/2011 2:39pm
Best therapy at any price.
My motto: "Whatever it takes to ride again tomorrow"
neverwasfastenuf 10/25/2011 2:40pm
10/25/2011 2:40pm
Highsider wrote:
I liked the start photo of mikem, so here is mine from this Sept. I am #952 for September 1952, so I am 59. I got...
I liked the start photo of mikem, so here is mine from this Sept. I am #952 for September 1952, so I am 59.
I got the holeshot in this 30A/B start in spite of my wheelie, then worked my way to the back and struggled to not get lapped!
Smile
Mxracer24
Profile picture for user Mxracer24
Posts
144
Joined
4/28/2009
Location
Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA
Mxracer24 10/25/2011 2:46pm
10/25/2011 2:46pm
49 and still love to ride. Just got a YZ125 and having a blast. Its sweet
petegrath
Profile picture for user petegrath
Posts
1112
Joined
5/18/2009
Location
John's Island, SC, USA
petegrath 10/25/2011 2:51pm
10/25/2011 2:51pm
41, ride a kx250 and still having a blast. Don't track ride as much as I'd like to/used to, but just had an absolutely great time out trail riding/camping with some budds out at Hatfield McCoy.

I'll tell ya, some of those rocky hill climbs are challenging as hell! Was smiling the whole weekend.
Elbows
Profile picture for user Elbows
Posts
494
Joined
8/21/2010
Location
Haleyville, AL, USA
Fantasy
549th
Elbows 10/25/2011 2:57pm
10/25/2011 2:57pm Edited Date/Time 10/25/2011 3:00pm
I'm 45 and I have been riding since I was 5. I have never been without a bike and still ride every weekend, I also ride pitbikes and have a track at my house. I can't imagine not being able to ride, it's been my life. Lol, Here's a pic of my pitbike track.
1

Pit Row

See All »
dboivin
Profile picture for user dboivin
Posts
3170
Joined
5/19/2010
Location
Saginaw, MI, USA
dboivin 10/25/2011 3:09pm
10/25/2011 3:09pm
41. I quit riding at 18-19....totally hated that i had to quit. Always told myself when i turn 40 i'm riding again. raced for the 1st time in 20 something years this summer. rode just about every other weekend. Gotta say I had a lot of fun. Its quite a struggle to know how to do something but physically can't or choose not to due to risk factor. thats the part that sucks.
kxking
Profile picture for user kxking
Posts
1940
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Oakville, Ontario, CA
Fantasy
602nd
kxking 10/25/2011 3:20pm
10/25/2011 3:20pm
Elbows wrote:
I'm 45 and I have been riding since I was 5. I have never been without a bike and still ride every weekend, I also ride...
I'm 45 and I have been riding since I was 5. I have never been without a bike and still ride every weekend, I also ride pitbikes and have a track at my house. I can't imagine not being able to ride, it's been my life. Lol, Here's a pic of my pitbike track.
WOW, so that's what Heaven looks like!!!
AMA714
Profile picture for user AMA714
Posts
780
Joined
12/27/2007
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
AMA714 10/25/2011 3:23pm
10/25/2011 3:23pm
I will be 42 in January and try to ride twice a week, but have not raced in 2 years . When I do race its +30A and + 40.
Gotta say, since I moved to TX, there is a good mix of ages at Cycle Ranch every Saturday, and I have a hell of a good group of guys that I ride with. Kinda makes waiting around all day for 2 moto's seem silly!

I took 12 years off from 1990 to 2002, so I dont plan to quit anytime soon.
whyZ
Profile picture for user whyZ
Posts
1158
Joined
4/15/2009
Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
whyZ 10/25/2011 4:05pm
10/25/2011 4:05pm
Just turned 47, been riding most of my life and started racing about 8 years ago, currently racing a fall series in a vet club. After the series is over in December, probably going to hang it up, and sell the bikes. Fortunatley have never had a bad get off, so no real health concerns, just the guys I enjoy riding with have one reason or another for not riding much anymore.

Besides being in somewhat fair health, I have about every other toys there is, and a couple of vacation homes I have year round access to. My wife is a good golfer, so I'm probably going to be palying more. Will always love moto, and following it.
dcg141
Profile picture for user dcg141
Posts
2314
Joined
11/30/2009
Location
USA
dcg141 10/25/2011 4:22pm
10/25/2011 4:22pm
I'm 51 and ride almost every weekend. Racing the 10 event LACC series in +50. Still get in about 5 or so MX races a year. Toss in a couple of enduros for fun. Use a GasGas or KTM 300 for all of it. I still just like to ride alot and can't give up racing. Whats wierd is forever it seemed I was the kid...was trial riding with a group one day and it dawned on me..damn..I'm the old guy.
KIWImxer
Profile picture for user KIWImxer
Posts
33
Joined
12/31/2006
Location
Benowa, AU
KIWImxer 10/25/2011 4:32pm
10/25/2011 4:32pm
I turned 45 last month, so can now race the over 45 champs! Started racing in 1980 and after giving up serveral times, returned with a vengence in the late 90s. Raced the New Zealand Nationals and won a NZ Vet class title, plus some regional vet class stuff. Last raced the NZ Nats in 2001 at 35yrs in 125 class. Still racing the vet class now at club and major events and would race every weekend if I could.
racer369
Profile picture for user racer369
Posts
631
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
racer369 10/25/2011 4:38pm
10/25/2011 4:38pm
55+ and still riding.. You talking about Crossroad as in in IL? Race there Nov 5-6
BAD10
Profile picture for user BAD10
Posts
1136
Joined
1/3/2009
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
BAD10 10/25/2011 5:35pm
10/25/2011 5:35pm
sozo wrote:
42 , ride 2x a week.. I keep it in control(althought I fall every week it seems) but plan to keep it up for good health...
42 , ride 2x a week.. I keep it in control(althought I fall every week it seems) but plan to keep it up for good health as long as possible! I recover in 1 day because I eat very well and take good vitamins. I can do a 30 min moto at 75+% speed of the fastest riders on the track.


John
x2. Great thread!! I'm 44, and though I've always been in to fitness and training, I feel I am in the best shape of my life. Hardly ever any alcohol, no processed sugar or junk food, and certainly never any frozen dinners. Some might think that is depriving yourself, but I feel much better without that stuff, so its easy for me. Ride every weekend at the track, and can easily bang out two 30-40 minute motos a day at damn near my max speed. I dont know if I've even slowed down any.............. sometimes I think I've gotten faster, but the fear does seem to creep in a little sooner once in a while. Unfortunately, I found out later in life, rather than sooner, that if I went just that little extra effort with fitness and diet, that I can ride harder, much longer, and be more safe because I dont have nearly the sketchy moments I used to have due to fatigue. Still love to race 5-6 times a year too. Moto is a drug.................
ballinger19
Profile picture for user ballinger19
Posts
18
Joined
1/3/2009
Location
Marion, OH, USA
ballinger19 10/25/2011 5:42pm
10/25/2011 5:42pm
I am Almost 65. My firrst race was in 1969. In 42 years since I have not missed a year. Have a 1800 goldwing, Harley roadglide, zuma , reflex, 2 ktm 450's , 83 yz 250, xr 200 xr100 , 77 250 husky ( original owner ) . Race about 10 races each year and ride 10,000 miles on the highway. I think I'm having fun. My advice would be KEEP ON KEEPIN ON.
1
petegrath
Profile picture for user petegrath
Posts
1112
Joined
5/18/2009
Location
John's Island, SC, USA
petegrath 10/25/2011 5:45pm
10/25/2011 5:45pm
ballinger19 wrote:
I am Almost 65. My firrst race was in 1969. In 42 years since I have not missed a year. Have a 1800 goldwing, Harley roadglide...
I am Almost 65. My firrst race was in 1969. In 42 years since I have not missed a year. Have a 1800 goldwing, Harley roadglide, zuma , reflex, 2 ktm 450's , 83 yz 250, xr 200 xr100 , 77 250 husky ( original owner ) . Race about 10 races each year and ride 10,000 miles on the highway. I think I'm having fun. My advice would be KEEP ON KEEPIN ON.
Good advice.
mag250
Profile picture for user mag250
Posts
265
Joined
2/3/2009
Location
The Moon, TX, USA
mag250 10/25/2011 5:47pm
10/25/2011 5:47pm
I turned 58 this September.
Raced from 1972 until 1981. I did not own a motorcycle after 1981 until 2008.
Got back into riding on a 2005 RM250 in 2008.
Now I do vintage and post vintage races as much as I can on my
74 Husky 250 and a 83 CR480.
Ride MX a couple of times a week ,on average, on my 2006 CR250.
Making my third trip to Glen Helen Vet races next week with the 06 CR250.
Still Love the sport and all the friends I have from riding.
MXEditor
Profile picture for user MXEditor
Posts
695
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Danbury, CT, USA
MXEditor 10/25/2011 5:51pm
10/25/2011 5:51pm Edited Date/Time 10/25/2011 5:52pm
I ride and race. As much as possible.

YZ144 & KTM 200 EX/C

Brap

Post a reply to: curious how many 40 yr olds vs 50 yr olds still ride or race