Am I too old?

wjp · Nov 15, 2001

Hi all,

first time here, and a couple of questions straght off:

Am I too old? - Basically I don't think so at all (I'm 30), but I've never done any motorcross at all, just a few goes on mates bike in the past. I'm thinking about taking up motorcross, but just blasting around the woods, countryside, nothing serious. I used to skateboard loads, some BMX,ok snowboarder (720 rodeo backs:scream: ), and generally fairly active. Anyhow am I being niave, and will I end up with lots of broken bones very quickly?

Second thing is, I'm looking to get a cheap 125 to begin with and I have no idea at all where to start. Can anyone recommend something for about 1500? Is there a site somewhere that can give me a comparison of whats out ther (second hand wise). ?

Thanks for any thoughts you may have ....

Jamir · Nov 15, 2001

Too old? HELL NO! Most of the guys I ride with are over 30 and some of them have only ridden a few years. That does not stop them. You are never, and I mean never too old! I will be doing this until I can't do it anymore, then I will put a two stroke engine on my wheelchair and do it some more!

I would suggest looking in the For Sale section here on DRN for a used bike. You can pick up something for that price that is good to start on. I am sure you will get lots of good suggestions from the old farts in here. J/K ;)

singletracker500 · Nov 15, 2001

I will be doing this until I can't do it anymore, then I will put a two stroke engine on my wheelchair and do it some more!

I was thinking, when I'm too old to ride, I would mount a rocking chair on my bike and ride a few more years. :cool: But I'm only 48, so it'll be a while before I have to worry about that!:)

Chief · Nov 15, 2001

WJP,

The last mx'er I had was in '81. I'm soon to be 38 and just got another one this past August. Like Thunder, most of the guys I ride with are in the same bracket. Basic rule of thumb: who cares what anyone else thinks? I'm having a ball. I'm pretty rusty and clumsy compared to when I was 16-17 yrs old, and probably won't ever have the reaction time I had then, but maybe I'll get close with more riding.

Have you considered a 250? If you haven't totally ruled it out, you should consider one.

In my opinion anyone who rides is high risk for getting hurt. I've been hurt pretty bad (broke both arms in '84. Most of the guys I know have been hurt at least moderately.

Have Fun & Good Luck,

Joe Chief

MikeT · Nov 15, 2001

30...........:think :think :think Ya you're over the hill. I wouldn't try anything like motocross. You better check in at the old folks home..

Jimmy! · Nov 15, 2001

:) You are making ROFLMAO :confused: , Too old! That's a good one! When I'm too old to remember how to ride & duct tape won't hold me on the bike anymore, then I MIGHT think about turning in my roost deflector ...

BTW: I'm on the "downhill" side of 30 too... :scream: :confused:

KDX1 · Nov 15, 2001

Your never too old! I started riding about two years ago and I'm 32. I rode for 6 or 8 months and then started racing hare scrambles and GNCC races. I'm pretty good with the ol' KDX, but my body is out of shape. :think I will continue to ride as long as I can. :D

FLBob · Nov 15, 2001

At 30 you're probably younger than the average rider at any enduro or H/S, and maybe MX. There's no reason to get hurt badly if you don't want to, if you ride smart. I think the guys that get hurt make a decision (consciously or not), to take a chance and ride over their heads. I'm over my head often, but I'm lucky!

I'd suggest a mild mannered trail bike to start, probably a 250, and stay away from "race" bikes. Maybe ar XR or a KDX 220. I'm 54, going to a muddy H/S this weekend, not even thinking about retiring(from riding that is!).

For $1500 you should be able to get a bike that doesn't need anything, or very little, for trail riding.

Peer Lovell · Nov 15, 2001

Too old? I was 47 when I started and am 54 now. I swear I get faster every year ( at least in my own mind ).
Get out there, its never too late. Just know your own limits.

Camstyn · Nov 15, 2001

YOU'RE TOO OLD..

Leave it to the kids. Spend the money on beer and pay-per-view TV.

fatty_k · Nov 15, 2001

Originally posted by wjp

ok snowboarder (720 rodeo backs:scream: )

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh backside or frontside??? I would call that a little better than "ok snowboarder" That should be "REALLY good snowboarder" :)

Nevada Sixx · Nov 15, 2001

your not too old,, im 32 and i ride all the time at track and woods.

anyway,, before you buy a "cheap" bike,, make sure you wont have to spend 2000 fixing everything like i had to do once.. buy one from someone at your local track who has one ride ready, not a repo..

i"d look at the 250, or kdx if your not a jumper,, I ride an old 125, and i have found that the slower you are, the more engine you need.

CRX · Nov 15, 2001

You're certainly not too old. I'm 58 and enjoy riding more than ever. I'm certainly notvery fast anymore(never really was) but I still get most anywhere I want to go. Riding helps keep you young, go for it ......CRX

biglou · Nov 15, 2001

Bought my first dirt bike a year ago March at age 34. This is the most addictive sport I've ever been involved with. Not to mention the sense of community you get from it. I can't tell you how many people I've met and friends I've made through this sport. Absolutely incredible.
BTW-I'm one of the "Old Farts" Thunder 33 was talking about.:debil:

WaltCMoto · Nov 15, 2001

Your not to old , I did my first MX race this year at 39. Totally not competitive, but didnt get in anybodys way either. About getting hurt, If you stay within your limits and keep in mind that you have a mortgage, you will probley be OK.

Go for it!

YoTRacer158 · Nov 15, 2001

there are these two guys over here that ride the trails every weekend...they have to at least be in their late 70's. one is on a ttr-250 and the other on some ktm, and they are soooo fast. there arent many guys who can keep up with them...and we have alot of fast guys over here. 30 is definately not too old to start riding. my dad is in his mid 40's i think, and he wants to pick up his first bike.

Camstyn · Nov 15, 2001

All you old farts need to pack it in.. Face it, life is over. Trade your truck in for a DeVille and save your Sundays for slow driving. You're not fooling anybody.

biglou · Nov 16, 2001

Cam-Us Italians lean towards the Lincoln Town Car.:D

MX265 · Nov 16, 2001

WJP,

I raced up until about 18. That would be in 1989. I got my bike stolen and later met my wife. You bet there was no time or funds to replace the bike. I turned thirty last year. Some time around then, I asked myself that same question "Am I to Old?". Basicly I have found the resounding answer is NO. Never to old to have fun. So the long and short of it is I now own a KX250. Ridden it a few times this year, hurt myself a few times this year, but I have had some of the best fun I can remember this year riding again.

DRN has also helped quite a bit. Though this site has members of all ages, it primarily is made up of old folks like us that just do it for fun. :D

Buy the bike, ride the bike, enjoy the bike! You're never to old.

Andy

mx547 · Nov 16, 2001

i'm 42. i started racing mx at 27. i still race about every other weekend. i went through a series of broken bones in the early 90's when i was racing "seriously". just race for fun and you should be allright.

OnAnySunday · Nov 16, 2001

hmmmm......too old?

Hope not. 40 y.o. here and still truckin'. (er uh bikin' that is)
Am wondering though.....the memories getting pretty short these days.
May have to label the clutch and brake levers if alzhiemers sets in......:)

vvvrrrooooommmm...........SKREECH.....flip flip.....BKANG!!!!
"Gosh dang it! someone switched my labels again!!":p

biglou · Nov 16, 2001

AOS-You just gotta get one of those Rev-Lok auto clutches!:D

OLD STROKER · Nov 16, 2001

My age is in my name. My 17 yr. old grandson can hardly keep up with me.Of course I'm on my KTM 540 rfs and he's only on a 520.:) :)

wjp · Nov 16, 2001

Wow,
thanks all. I didn't realise the age spread at all. I don't know why but I just imagined I'd be surrounded by teens everytime I went somewhere (shows how little I know:eek: ).
Like I said I didn't think I was to old - its good to know that it will be something I can do all my life. I've found in the past that I've have to given things up because my body can take it less and less (street skateboarding), and while I still OK with snowboarding I can't see myself learning new freestyle moves when I'm 40 which annoys me, but there you go. I've recently (last 3 years) been doing a lot of track racing (in a car), which is great fun, but I bit limited - I miss the freestyle/physical element.

Looking forward to a new love affair.

BTW I think the discussion board is amazing, so many people with so much info. Looking forward to becoming part of the community.:)

PS - fatty_k the rodeo's - frontside and back side, and the odd 900.:D

buffmaster · Nov 16, 2001

Hell no you're not too old! I just started myself the summer before last. Got my first bike for my birthday (my 30th birthday!). I've been having a blast ever since.

And for all you young punks out there, remember this:
Youth and skill are NO match for age and treachery!!!:p

Am I too old?

wjp

Jamir

I come and go

singletracker500

Chief

MikeT

Jimmy!

KDX1

Mod Ban

FLBob

Peer Lovell

Camstyn

fatty_k

Nevada Sixx

CRX

biglou

WaltCMoto

Sponsoring Member

YoTRacer158

Camstyn

biglou

MX265

Sponsoring Member

mx547

Ortho doc's wet dream

OnAnySunday

Big Pig

biglou

OLD STROKER

wjp

buffmaster

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