The Joys of Getting Old
by Dave Preston
It has occurred to me that I’m getting old. Since I just turned a
ripe 59, you might think this concept would have penetrated my brain
years ago, and I suppose it did in some ways. Recently, however,
perhaps with the coming of spring, I’ve been counting the reasons
why I’m glad to be an older motorcyclist. The jury is certainly out
as to whether I’ve improved with age, but there’s no doubt that
motorcycling has. Those of you of a certain age, how many of these
joys do you share?
The Joy of Technology
Good heavens, the motorcycles are incredible now! My son just
bought his first motorcycle and is enjoying riding every day – and
how I do remember that first year of riding. His 2005 Triumph
Bonneville is a superb bike, but in a way I’ve a greater
appreciation of it than he does, since I lusted after the original
model in the late 60s. The new one does everything better than the
original, with the possible exception of BEING a 1968 Bonneville. I
say ‘possible exception’ because a lot of people see his bike and
presume it to be a high-dollar restoration. I know, you VME members
are spitting enamel at the screen – I am merely stating what
happens. My son simply cannot imagine the panoply of hassles that
were part of the ownership experience of most motorcycles back then
– oil leaks as an expectation, not an aberration – random parts
vibrating off at frequent intervals, poorly made electrics, and on
and on.
Other bikes built for other purposes offer even greater contrast.
My new Triumph Speed Triple compares to my beloved 1969 Honda 450
Street Scrambler in that – well, it’s hard to make any comparisons.
The "triple" describes not only the engine configuration, but also
the horsepower ratio to the 450 – and at about the same weight. The
brakes are beyond belief.
Dirt bikes? If you purchased a new dirt bike of almost any
capacity today and took it back 30 years people would just stare
slack-jawed. Do young people watching dirt bikes soar overhead have
any idea of how the sport has evolved? I love to compare what my
eyes see with the mental images of the BSA and Triumph "lead sleds"
from back in the day.
Heated grips and clothing? Fine ideas. Fuel injection? Bring it
on. Disc brakes, chains that don’t stretch, extended tuning
intervals – all of it good – until we get to (for me)…GPS systems.
Oh well, we all have our personal limits.
The Joy of Diversity
I don’t have to "be" a particular niche any more. I’m not a sport
bike guy, or a cruiser guy, dirt guy, Harley guy, Gold Winger – etc.
I’m just a motorcyclist. I’ve ridden everything, and truly enjoy
riding everything. Age brings the eventual joy of freedom from
having to prove anything, at first to others, and then, ultimately,
to yourself.
The Joy of Gear
To really appreciate what’s available at your local dealer today,
you need to have been there when a.) There was probably not a local
dealer or b.) If there was the selection of gear, it was very small and
c.) What there was consisted of, let’s be frank here, crap.
1969 – My riding jacket was a ski parka – everyone in Minnesota
has at least one, and my riding pants were jeans. 2006 – riding
jacket and pants by Vanson, unless I am wearing my totally cool and
waterproof black Triumph jeans. Padded warm, and stylish. Waterproof
and comfortable boots.
1969 – Gloves were – whatever. 2006 –I enjoy my choice of about
four pairs of gloves in ascending order of heat retention.
Helmets? Remember wanting a Bell Star? Now – take your pick, and
my Arai has capabilities that would have been desired by astronauts
not too long ago.
Today, the value of what I’m wearing exceeds the value of the
motorcycles I owned in the early years – even adjusted for
inflation.
The Joy Of My Own Pace
Finally, I can ride at my own pace, and rarely fall prey to the
testosterone poisoning of most of us (males at least), who feel that
we absolutely must maintain the pace of the guy in front – even if
we do not know if the rider is competent, and expert, or a suicidal
idiot.
The Joy of Relative Safety
Riding a motorcycle carries some inherent risk, and none of us
are immune. But how wonderful to know you’ve been at this for years,
have good equipment, and have invested time and thought and training
into the physical and mental requirements. You regularly shrug off
incidents that years ago would have been perilous, or worse, because
now you see them well before they occur. I may not be the safest
thing on the roads, but there’s no comparison to the wreck waiting
to happen that I was in my early 20s. (See paragraph above) And, of
course, that wreck did happen!
The Joy of Sensory Impressions
The smells of flowers, foliage, farms, construction, rivers and
streams. Did I notice them fully when I was young? Now I even
"enjoy" getting a bit cold, because I know it will not last long and
soon I will be warm again. I like to ride in the rain, and I have
learned that rain is composed of water, and eventually all will be
dry. Sunrise, sunset, clouds, wind – so many sensory impressions,
and now the sense to take the time to enjoy them.
Best of All – The Joy of Frivolous Expense
I am not a wealthy person, and never have been. Early on, I made
a decision that motorcycles were the one area of my life where I try
to purchase only the best. To do that, I had to spend time instead
of money. I had to wait five YEARS to buy a bike, and expense was
one of the factors. As a married school teacher with kids, I spent 6
months pondering the purchase of my first brand new motorcycle – and
rode it for 22 years. I spent months or years waiting to buy a new
helmet or a jacket.
Since 1999 I have purchased five motorcycles, and traded in four.
This may not be economically wise, but it is at least doable. I have
worn three different leather jackets, and three pairs of leather
pants. When I walk through Cycle Barn and see a shirt or pair of
gloves I want (this is not difficult) I usually just buy them.
Lordy, it’s great to be old!
What joys have I forgotten to mention? Send them in, and perhaps
we can have a "Joys II" column made up of your ideas!
Dave Preston
is the author of Motorcycle 101, a sensible book for the new and returning
rider. Pick up a copy today in the
Sound
RIDER! store.
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