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Life is for living. The question is: does it bring you joy? If not, and it causes anxiety instead, then don’t do it. But if it does bring you joy - and it probably does otherwise you wouldn’t have bought the bike - then the risk can be worth it, and it can be managed (though not eliminated - nothing is guaranteed to be safe). There is plenty that is in your control. How, where, and when you ride is on you. I don’t jump much, and I stay off the main track if there’s a bunch of really fast...

I just started riding / Racing a year or so ago at 70 years old. The only thing that will really hurt you are big jumps, so just take it easy on them and make sure you know the track or field before you go ripping thru it.

Turned 58 this year , with a 14 y/o boy. Less riding time with work/family. I put my ego in check a long time ago and ride within my limits of comfort. Doesn't matter what people see or think about me being smoked by a kid on a 65. I mainly stick to vet tracks, with some intrusion on "big boys/real men" tracks if not busy. Keep my line. My kid must have inherited my riding DNA because he rides the same way. And that's ok. It's about getting out, enjoying adrenaline rush even if it's not over a triple...

It sounds simple but the best advice I’ve ever heard is that YOU are in control of the throttle and brakes. Learn to use them to your comfort level. Don’t let your ego control your bike.

Man just take it slow and learn the machine. No one says your have to be like people that have been riding for 10 plus years straight. Your going to miss out on too much by giving up!

You can always control what you can control. My advice, given your concerns about getting hurt: do not go to a motocross track. Yes, you can get hurt in an open field, but you are at a much greater risk of serious injury on a motocross track. I've been riding and racing for 30+ years and finally made the decision a few years ago to avoid motocross tracks. They are thrilling, the best expression of riding a dirt bike there is, but like you, I don't want to get seriously injured. I'm just mitigating risk.

38 with family on my side and my lady's side that maybe not depend on me but if something happens to me they're all in a world of hurt. With that said. Just find some nice open trails and nice open turn track gp tracks with safe jumps give it a summer if the anxiety doesn't subside then you know it's no longer for you. An thats a big thing to admit. Once you start thinking about those 2 specific terrible outcomes your gonna hurt urself. If that ends up the case and it's time to hang it up. I...

Those are real concerns and will never go away. Consider getting an XR200 instead and stick to trail riding; track riding introduce the risk of another rider's mistake biting you. And get disability insurance. There's no way to guarantee not getting hurt on a bike, or a mountain or road bike for that matter. And no shame in standing down because of your obligations to your family to be a breadwinner. Folks can come to different conclusions, and probably you're better following your instincts for your own decision.

It's weird what we worry about. I used to fly about 40 weeks per year. I wasn't necessarily afraid to fly, but I still hated it. It never seemed natural. Every time I got on a plane I know I could die on that flight. Irrational? Maybe. I never get on a motorcycle with that same fear. I never even think about getting hurt. But I ride within my limits. I do know injury is part of the game so I respect my limits. I wear the appropriate gear for the ride. I maintain my bikes well. I keep good...

At 51 with 5 kids I 100% endorse this opinion. The beauty of being older and wiser is I don't give two shits if I jump something big anymore, or if anyone thinks I'm "fast". I'm just enjoying riding laps well within my skillset, figuring out how and why my bike does certain things the way it does, and being more balanced and precise with the motorcycle. Oh, and it's better therapy than any shrink could ever provide.

I experienced 2nd thoughts when I got a bike after 10 years off, but I'm having a ton of fun now. It's only as dangerous as the situations you put yourself in. In the past few years I've been injured more from riding bicycles and doing stuff around the house than from the dirtbike.

How much do you want for it? just kidding Your apprehension and concerns are completely normal and valid, especially given your age and responsibilities. While I don't have a wife or kid, I am 44 years old and have similar thought processes. I understand and have always accepted the risk inherent in motocross. That is why I focus more of technique, consistency, safety and riding within my abilities rather than closing my eyes, grabbing a gear, pinning it and hoping for the best like I used to and not so ironically, I feel smoother, faster, can ride longer and...