| Author | Message | ||
     Jpfive |
I began riding at age 14. At age 62, I have decided to retire from the sport that I have loved for nearly fifty years. I have been a member of this forum since my first Buell, an '06 XB12Ss, and was an active member on the first motorcycling forum that I can remember seeing, on the old pre-web Compuserve. I first met Court there - evangelizing for Buell...  This was a hard, and emotional, decision for me, and I am not sure that I can adequately quantify the reasons. Suffice it to say that they include business, economic, physical, psychological and stage-of-life dimensions. I will miss the sport, and all the good people that it has brought me in contact with. This most definitely includes the good folks on Bad Web. Thanks to all of you for a good ride here - and ride safe! Jack | ||
| Exnorton |
godspeed my friend (Message edited by exnorton on March 01, 2009) | ||
| Black |
Well, I figure that even if you don't play baseball any more, you can still be a fan. You can still have a lot to offer even if you don't ride. Don't forget about us. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
JP, Godpseed and don't forget to check in every now and then! | ||
| Chadhargis |
Only 62? I figured I will be riding well into my 70's. Heck, I took Reg Pridmore's CLASS school, and Reg passed me turned around backward, one hand on the bars, and running a video camera. Reg turns 70 this year. It will be a sad day indeed when I have to hang up my leathers for good. | ||
| Dhdjr |
Thank you for the your knowledge & involvement. Don't be a stranger  | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Retiring from riding, maybe. But I for one will be a little miffed if I don't see you around here! Do NOT be a stranger! R | ||
| Zac4mac |
Jack - Thank you for being here. I've got a hot-rod trike frame to stuff someday... Hope you can survive without a wind-fix. All the best - Z | ||
| Dbird29 |
Damn! Selling the bike and everything. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/ 439708.html?1235948508 Take care and be careful at whatever you do. DBird | ||
| Jjr1125 |
Good luck JP-five, We will all reach that point sometime in our life. I know nothing will ever totally replace motorcycles, but I hope you find something that brings a smile to your face. There is no sense sitting and waiting for a homecoming. Go find something you can do. By the way, what was your most memorable ride? May God smile upon you and allow you to pass on your experiences to others. Semper Fi, JJR | ||
| Ds_tiger |
Jpfive- Very tough decision- that - as you know, only you can make the call. My Dad is 75. Essentially stopped riding after a crash he had no recollection of at the age of 73. Thankfully, he was "ok" but it could have been horrible. Whereas we used to go on a "big ride" together a couple of times a year, now we take the car an "get out and away" a couple of times a year. Now I listen to the stories he tells, rather than worry at every turn on the bikes. BTW- The F4 Phantom: My (and my son's) favorite airplane! Thank You for your Service to Our Country. Steve | ||
| Jerseyguy |
JP - You are scaring me.... @ almost 60 I'm not yet ready to throw in the towel. I must admit that my track day crash at ~130 this summer made me take notice. My wife says I'm done but I dunno.... | ||
| Ratbuell |
JP - it is a wise man who recognizes a situation like this, whatever the reasons behind it. You, for some reason, are compelled to stop doing something you love, and instead of being bullheaded (I see myself that way in a few years, LOL) you are taking the higher road, listening to that little voice, and sacrificing your passion for a higher cause - whatever that may be. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors, and please take note of the comment above about remaining a 'fan' if not a participant. Keep in touch with us! | ||
| Pariah |
I always thought if I were to give up motorcycles, there'd be a sports car (maybe a kit) waiting for me--- just can't see myself doing the sidecar thing! However you decide to find continuing happiness, all the best to you JP! | ||
| Spectrum |
At 52 I often think about these things and try and measure when it's time to accept my increasing limitations. My next move will be to a less aggressive ride. Hopefully Buell will come out with a true sport touring bike. I hope so cause most of the existing bikes in this class are more touring than sport (too big and heavy). The Sprint ST is the closest to what I would want. But I'd like something that is leaning a little more toward the sport side. JP - I've really enjoyed your posts and views here and hope you stay in touch with us. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I'd love to take that 1125 off your hands and give it a good home. If I only had the money sitting around, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. | ||
| Ccryder |
Jack: I know it was a hard decision but, I'd like to shake your hand for doing it. When I had to ask my Dad for his car keys at 82 (and after three accident in 3 months) it was not easy. Time2Work Neil S. | ||
| 1_mike |
Sorry to see someone make this decision. I'm still driving the L.A. freeways 82 miles a day at 58yrs. I think about the same thing every once in a while..till I get into traffic and then I'm glad I'm on the bike. Though...I know one of these days it'll have to come to an end for me too. Not looking forward to it. Best to you. Mike | ||
| Firemanjim |
Well, the rookie of the year at our SCTA awards banquet in jan with his 230+ mph runs was an 80 yo rider, and his nearly as fast GF if 70 something. I think I will be at this awhile more.Both on turboed or nitrous Busas. And the Sprint ST is a great bike, Spec. Have had one as a commuter,etc for 3 years. | ||
| Usmoto |
  Rock on brother, once a Bueller, always a Bueller!! | ||
| Rex |
You know you can never retire from Motorcycles. Riding maybe, but not motorcycles. Jack Van Voast I believe is 70 years old, and I know very few people that can match his skills. I am going to be 56 this year......I cannot retire in 4 years. In fact, If it ever gets to the point I cannot hold up a bike, I will go to a sidecar, a three wheeler, or a trike. Gotta keep riding. Drive you car to the events. keep busy, work on bikes, get a convertible, and keep talking on badweb...rex | ||
| Spectrum |
Jack are sure you don't want to rethink your decision? http://www.instantnews.net/riding-motorcycles-aids -smart-ageing.aspx From one old fart to another. -Bryan | ||
| Jpfive |
Oh, Crap! Frank, give it back! I've been a subscriber to this school of thought for awhile. However, my glaucoma, and the loss of visual acuity that I am starting to experience, isn't overcome by riding. I'm not nearly to the point of being 'visually challenged', but I do find it harder to read the road surface. It is the right decision for me. Ride safe! Jack | ||
| Ccryder |
Jack: Let me tell you that Frank is not too excited about this, NOT! He has had PMS lately since both of his Tubers have been down for MAJOR work. I'm only 20mins from him and have been tempting him with an open offer to ride any of mine. I'm sure you could get visitation rights, although they may have to be supervised ;+}. At least your "baby" will have "friends" almost next door to play with. Jack, you are doing the right thing. I would rather read about you here on BWB than in the newspaper when something happened. TIme2Work Neil S. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Jack, Please do know that you're welcome to come to my house and go riding with my 82 year young psycho dad anytime -- he can ride two 40 sumpins straight in to the ground. He had to take a few months off when my mother was badly hurt and during his down time he collected a new swine heart valve and that crazy old cat hasn't even slowed down. Ya'll come, hear? We got a bike for you too. | ||
| Court |
Jack: I commend you wisdom in making the choice. But I certainly hope you'll stick around here and attend Buell events whenever you can. I hope I'm smart enough to know when it's time. Semper Fi, Court | ||
| Marcodesade |
I hope I'm smart enough to know when it's time. +1. I'm not even smart enough not to ride to work when it's cold. | ||
| Zac4mac |
With ya there ... 28 dF right now as I get ready to ride to work. It's not snowing... I ride. Z Dash made it look like -28 brrrrrrr, no way. (Message edited by zac4mac on March 07, 2009) |
