Getting back to Moto/riding at 60+?

ktmdan
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ktmdan 10/8/2020 7:29pm
10/8/2020 7:29pm
I met a guy in his 70s at Murphy’s Mx in July. He said he finally retired and so he was able to try riding moto for the first time in his life. He was there by himself learning how to ride during the peewee practice. He said he’s been practicing turns at his house and it was his first time at a track. Happiest looking dude I’ve seen.
Moral of the story, get after it.
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Motoxtombo
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Motoxtombo 10/8/2020 10:01pm
10/8/2020 10:01pm
Go for it Jeff! I just turned 60 and I still ride , just a few times a month now, When I was racing I rode two times a week so I stepped back a lot but its still fun and it good exercise so I don't get fatter than I am now. lol
I raced a Unadilla amateur race back in July, that was my first race in almost 15 years but I just cruised around the track,I wasn't really racing.
If you get a bike soon Southwick is having their last two open practices the next two Saturdays,take a ride out here.
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Vet57
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Vet57 10/9/2020 1:04am
10/9/2020 1:04am
Go for it.....Rode Southwick on my 62nd Bday in June.
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jleews6
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jleews6 10/9/2020 4:59pm
10/9/2020 4:59pm
Go for it. I stopped riding in 1981 and then between hot rods getting married and having two sons i didn't get to ride even though my son raced moto. Now they are all grown and doing well and don't need me financially i just started riding again at 55 and my only regret is that i didn't start riding years ago. I don't ride much moto because jumping kinda scares me now but i have been racing allot of off road type stuff and having a blast and have already won a few local hare scrambles and a full gas sprint enduro. I ended up going with the Honda 250rx and i love it.
4

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dan.karp.5
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dan.karp.5 10/9/2020 5:30pm
10/9/2020 5:30pm
I tried at 48 years old after riding 30 years and stopping for 10, I just couldn't get the confidence to get comfortable. So I sold the KTM and bought 2 Kawasaki street bikes. It was a great move for me, I hope it works out for you.

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G-man
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G-man 10/9/2020 9:29pm
10/9/2020 9:29pm Edited Date/Time 10/9/2020 11:49pm
Well if the bug has bit you it's hard not to want to ride again. 🤪 Been riding 55 years or so and can't imagine not having a Bike in the garage.

Have you tried a 350? They are a perfect machine for us old guys. If you can get your paws on one I would try it but be prepared as you're going to want to buy one.
I dig my 350XCFW, but I mostly ride Single track and Dualsport these days.



Kept my 06CRF 450 if I feel the need to go to the track.
I was doing this at 56, I'm 62 now. 😬



Good thing you kept all your gear, like you almost knew you would come back 😃 just make sure those 2005 boots are sturdy enough and not flexy fliers.

Have Fun and let us know how it goes! 👍
5
jkoch249
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jkoch249 10/9/2020 11:44pm
10/9/2020 11:44pm
I was the younger son of a racing family from 1983 to 90. Had one bike since for a year, but sold it..life happened, but the bug never left me. After 2 failed marriages, this weekend I'm taking my girlfriend and my daughter to watch a local race in Wisconsin, with the full intention of having a bike and lining up at the gate next season at 52. So yeah...I totally feel this posting....can't wait to rail the berms again. I'll be looking for a YZ450... probably around an 09
2
cappelmans
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cappelmans 10/10/2020 1:25am
10/10/2020 1:25am
Very cool, go for it. I also notice on tracks in the Netherlands that more (30+) older guys start to ride again. Makes for a good vibe at the track as well. More laid back and focused on fun type of riders
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fullfloater 10/10/2020 3:14am
10/10/2020 3:14am
I took my entire 40s off while I was raising a family. Came back at 49 and have had a blast for 3 years but have also screwed both shoulders, broke my thumb, screwed my hip with a mega hematoma, chipped my tooth and have hit my head twice really good. About 5 spectacular crashes, all at races when I was finally feeling like my pace was coming back and was racing guys way younger than me when I shouldn't have been doing that. Lesson learned (finally) and don't do what I did. I'm getting my bod back into shape and coming back next season with a 350 and sticking with my age group. It's awesome but you don't bounce like RJ Hampshire.
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KMC440
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KMC440 10/10/2020 3:33am
10/10/2020 3:33am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2020 3:36am
Feel like a pup coming up on 57 in a couple of months. I can tell my mx days are numbered as my joints just ain't what they used to be mainly my back. That being said I'll have some type of handlebars in my hands till I can't see or stand. I'll just limit my mx to 5 or so good days a year instead of trying to do 15 and be a hurting unit.

It's your life, you only get one of these things. Use every chance you get to do whatever it is that puts a smile on your face.

Good lord willing I'll be around for a while so I can see a +60 class started around here.

God bless all of us that do this for the love of it.
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fullysicmate
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fullysicmate 10/10/2020 4:23am
10/10/2020 4:23am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2020 4:24am
Do it mate , you will be dead soon either way. We all will 😁

It will hurt a bit to ride for the first 29 rides though, after that all good 😁😁😁🤣🤣🤣
4
sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 10/10/2020 4:42am
10/10/2020 4:42am
Vet57 wrote:
Go for it.....Rode Southwick on my 62nd Bday in June. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/09/453480/s1200_20201009_035800.jpg[/img]
Go for it.....Rode Southwick on my 62nd Bday in June.
Goal of mine. See y’all in 30 years...
3
mxrider641
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mxrider641 10/10/2020 4:43am
10/10/2020 4:43am
G-man wrote:
Well if the bug has bit you it's hard not to want to ride again. 🤪 Been riding 55 years or so and can't imagine not...
Well if the bug has bit you it's hard not to want to ride again. 🤪 Been riding 55 years or so and can't imagine not having a Bike in the garage.

Have you tried a 350? They are a perfect machine for us old guys. If you can get your paws on one I would try it but be prepared as you're going to want to buy one.
I dig my 350XCFW, but I mostly ride Single track and Dualsport these days.



Kept my 06CRF 450 if I feel the need to go to the track.
I was doing this at 56, I'm 62 now. 😬



Good thing you kept all your gear, like you almost knew you would come back 😃 just make sure those 2005 boots are sturdy enough and not flexy fliers.

Have Fun and let us know how it goes! 👍
I have not tried a 350, but I may of the opportunity...have a friend with a 350 Husky that will let me take lap or 2. New boots are on the list as well, 2 buckles broke last ride!

Thanks everyone!
2
JMCR250
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JMCR250 10/10/2020 9:33am
10/10/2020 9:33am
Go for it. We had a couple of guys in their late 50s/early 60s join our little vet group last year. They'd been out of riding for awile. They went to a couple of vet/vintage races and had giant smiles on their faces all day. They also said that getting back into riding again really changed their life outlook. As others have said, just be sure to get the body back in shape -- biking, running, rowing, weights, whatever. As much as we might think differently, the bones and muscles need a little more upkeep than they used to. But most of all, get a bike and get out there and have a blast!
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Graybeard 10/10/2020 11:29am
10/10/2020 11:29am
Completely agree with all my Vital brothers, grab your new helmet, push’s the magic button on the bars, and let ‘er rip!

One word of caution though is to work up to the big jumps! Hucking stuff at 60 can hurt a tad more. I remember I used to tuck and roll and bounce back up, now I just go splat!
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Graybeard 10/10/2020 11:33am
10/10/2020 11:33am
Oh, as for me, I raced a 250 2 stroke up until my mid-50s, then found I was much more competitive on a 450. It’s not too much bike at all, in my opinion, and let’s me get a little lazy at times! But my heart yearns for a 250 2 stroke again, I’ll probably add the TC250 to my garage as soon as I figure out what to buy the wife as a trade-off!
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camstop22
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camstop22 10/10/2020 11:56am
10/10/2020 11:56am
I’m 60 and ride a WR250F. Still fun as hell. I will ride till I can’t.
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Radical
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Radical 10/10/2020 8:16pm
10/10/2020 8:16pm Edited Date/Time 10/10/2020 8:17pm
I'm 58 and just raced the amateur day at Fox Raceway yesterday on a YZ125. It was awesome!
I wasn't the fastest out there, but someone watching the race pointed at me, and said to my friend that that guy is having the most fun today out of anyone here. And he was right!
Depending on how fast you want to go, riding a 125 in your 50's is awesome!

My recommendation is to ride hard, but within your means, and train like you're an athlete, because you are.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements for your joints.
Fish oil supplements to help keep your arteries clean.
Collagen supplements to stay young.

Go for it!
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quadzrulebro 10/11/2020 5:15am
10/11/2020 5:15am
My dad got his first motocross bike at 72 years old. Five years later, he’s a regular out at Cahuilla Creek almost every Wednesday. I sure wish I could join him.
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Rupert X
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Rupert X 10/11/2020 6:58am
10/11/2020 6:58am
I recall racing in the 80’s and there’d be like two (2) ancient geezers in the 40+ class, now there’s a need for 50+ and 60+ classes, shifting demographic, fo sho. Cheers to all you geezers, I’m trying not to be 61....

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Indy mxer
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Indy mxer 10/11/2020 8:02am
10/11/2020 8:02am
Age is overrated. Do it for fun, you'll have the time of your life! Find some moto friends.
We have group here ages 14 to 64 and many in between. Half the fun is hanging out with my moto buddies at the track.
I don't race too often. Mainly do practice days.

I'm 63 and my wife is soon to be 65. We've always been fit and it pays off. I just sold my 19 KX 450 and bought a new 21 KX 250. The 450 just got to be too much. We also run and mountain bike. My wife sticks to the easier trails so I'm usually riding alone. But yesterday we parked next to a couple 21 year old guys and I did some laps with them. It really made me push but it was a blast. At least I stayed close to them. lol

As the saying goes, "better to wear out than to rust out".


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lumpy790
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lumpy790 10/11/2020 8:25am
10/11/2020 8:25am
For some of us It can be a steep climb to still riding depending on health. For me being hit by a car and taking a hood ride and a TBI and then a year ago last Dec 1st had a massive heart attack but I am not done yet.

Yesterday was my birthday and our retirement is planned for 2025 or 2026 and we are selling everything We own (Moto Hose too) and going full time RV carrying 2 bicycles, 2 kayaks and 1 dirt bike and riding everywhere I can nationwide.

Instead of going to MD for usual family Christmas We are making plans For going to FL before Christmas for 3 weeks and plan to ride at Sand Lot and Croom once or twice while there.



15
jleews6
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jleews6 10/11/2020 7:59pm
10/11/2020 7:59pm
Rupert X wrote:
I recall [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/11/453743/s1200_84FD1655_CC67_47A0_AFA1_9C23751614AB.jpg[/img]racing in the 80’s and there’d be like two (2) ancient geezers in the 40+ class, now there’s a need for 50+ and 60+...
I recall racing in the 80’s and there’d be like two (2) ancient geezers in the 40+ class, now there’s a need for 50+ and 60+ classes, shifting demographic, fo sho. Cheers to all you geezers, I’m trying not to be 61....

Nice 67 Elco with torque thrust.
2
profeshenal125 10/11/2020 8:54pm
10/11/2020 8:54pm
MX47 wrote:
36 Entries in the 60+ at the Red Bud vet race this year. Biggest 60+ I have been in so far. We also had 40 riders...
36 Entries in the 60+ at the Red Bud vet race this year. Biggest 60+ I have been in so far. We also had 40 riders in the 55+. Numbers were really up this year.
Red Bud has the biggest turn out of the 4 rounds of Racer X vet series. Aztalan in Wi. Is 2nd. I,ll be there in 2022. On a 125. 10 rounds of Millville super series. Will also try to win a moto in 250 c, b and A. Or lead a lap or 2 in 250a, if possible. Will be 55 in 2022.
3
jkoch249
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jkoch249 10/11/2020 9:49pm
10/11/2020 9:49pm
MX47 wrote:
36 Entries in the 60+ at the Red Bud vet race this year. Biggest 60+ I have been in so far. We also had 40 riders...
36 Entries in the 60+ at the Red Bud vet race this year. Biggest 60+ I have been in so far. We also had 40 riders in the 55+. Numbers were really up this year.
profeshenal125 wrote:
Red Bud has the biggest turn out of the 4 rounds of Racer X vet series. Aztalan in Wi. Is 2nd. I,ll be there in 2022...
Red Bud has the biggest turn out of the 4 rounds of Racer X vet series. Aztalan in Wi. Is 2nd. I,ll be there in 2022. On a 125. 10 rounds of Millville super series. Will also try to win a moto in 250 c, b and A. Or lead a lap or 2 in 250a, if possible. Will be 55 in 2022.
I was at Aztalan today...they had 7 vet/senior classes, not including the Masters classes(25+).
When I raced in the mid-80s, there were only 2. I think it's AWESOME...and with a bit of luck I'll be racing there next year at 52
3
biondo
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biondo 10/11/2020 10:40pm
10/11/2020 10:40pm
mxrider641 wrote:
Raced/rode Moto starting in the early 80's through 2005 (when the kids were involved in everything and just no time to ride). Kept all my gear...
Raced/rode Moto starting in the early 80's through 2005 (when the kids were involved in everything and just no time to ride). Kept all my gear (yes a new helmet is in order), and rode a few friends bikes over the years here and there. Always stayed close to my moto friends, went riding last weekend, and the bug bit me! I have to get another bike, am I nuts at 60+? Rode a few of my friends last model (2017-2020) bikes (CRF450, YZ250 2S, CRF250 and my favorite KTM XCF 250), and decided a 450 is a bit much, and the KTM felt pretty nice! With that said at my age/speed the XFC or the Yamaha YZF250X seem like the most logical choice, any other suggestions? Or tell me I am nuts? Thanks!
Hi never too late... I just started riding Mx on new Suzuki 250 rmz at 67! I’ve been a competitive cyclist all my life so thought I was in shape ! Mx is totally new muscles been on the track 5 sessions...couldn’t hardly walk after the first couple! Getting better...the vet racers have really Been helpful!! Loving it ! Never realized how much practice and learning techniques is required to ride Mx ! Having Fun Learning!!

16
Zerofear66
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Zerofear66 10/12/2020 12:41pm
10/12/2020 12:41pm
You guys are all inspirational. I'm 53 and still riding track. I cannot imagine not having a bike or three in my garage 👍
2
txjcfsr
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txjcfsr 10/12/2020 2:32pm
10/12/2020 2:32pm Edited Date/Time 10/12/2020 2:42pm
Started back racing in 2013 after 38 years off the bike. Here is a picture from a few weeks ago, Monster Mountain MX in Alabama, 63 years old on a 1985 Maico 500. I have several friends that are 75 years old, and older, that still race and are still fast. At the last race I attended there were 2 riders with prosthetic legs from the knee down and one rider who was all but disabled, still racing. One of them with the prosthetic leg was 74 years old, talk about an inspiration!

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profeshenal125 10/12/2020 3:16pm
10/12/2020 3:16pm
MX47 wrote:
36 Entries in the 60+ at the Red Bud vet race this year. Biggest 60+ I have been in so far. We also had 40 riders...
36 Entries in the 60+ at the Red Bud vet race this year. Biggest 60+ I have been in so far. We also had 40 riders in the 55+. Numbers were really up this year.
profeshenal125 wrote:
Red Bud has the biggest turn out of the 4 rounds of Racer X vet series. Aztalan in Wi. Is 2nd. I,ll be there in 2022...
Red Bud has the biggest turn out of the 4 rounds of Racer X vet series. Aztalan in Wi. Is 2nd. I,ll be there in 2022. On a 125. 10 rounds of Millville super series. Will also try to win a moto in 250 c, b and A. Or lead a lap or 2 in 250a, if possible. Will be 55 in 2022.
jkoch249 wrote:
I was at Aztalan today...they had 7 vet/senior classes, not including the Masters classes(25+). When I raced in the mid-80s, there were only 2. I think...
I was at Aztalan today...they had 7 vet/senior classes, not including the Masters classes(25+).
When I raced in the mid-80s, there were only 2. I think it's AWESOME...and with a bit of luck I'll be racing there next year at 52
Lucky bugger. I drove past the track fri, Milwaukee ld to Mn. weather was perfect. Late season warm weather, perfect timing for the race.
2
brettpetersen 11/15/2023 11:38am
11/15/2023 11:38am

So, did you do it?  I'm about to hit 61 and seriously considering jumping back in.  I hope you did and you love it!

1

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