Older rider - First ADV bike - 3 years later

I'm 96 and stuck in a care facility. I used to ride Harleys until I couldn't, 12 years ago. For my birthday my son gave me a "stage 4" Harley wheelchair, with Timken wheel bearings and straight pipes. It has Harley stickers and orange and black fabric. I almost cried. Don't ever give up life.

Steve, it takes guts to publicly share your limits and errors made and I salute you for doing so! Honest stories are rare on YT and worth gold.

I'm 74. I really like your spirit and determination to keep riding off-road adv style bikes! I had the 1200GS for 2.5 years and liked to ride solo off-road like I have done for many decades. Being self-competitive, I kept increasing my speeds, and increasing the difficulty of the terrain, riding more challenging steep mountain trails that I had never been on before. I made sure to stay in shape by going to the gym 3-4 times a week for strength training to forestall arthritis. But after several get-offs (no major injuries), usually on steep, muddy and gullied mountain trails with no help in sight, just me rotating and lifting that beast up and out of a gully, I decided to sell my 600 lb GS and take a break on big motorcycles. Just yesterday I scratched that old familiar itch and bought a 2023 KTM 890 Adventure. This bike is some 130 lbs lighter and considerably less top heavy to lift up from a fall I have been assured. So this spring I'll be back at it. Keep the spirit!

One of the best ADV vids I've ever seen. The honesty, sincerity and courage is commendable. Spot-on advice. Absolute legend.

Hi Steve I'm 59 years old. Your sincere video showed me I'm on the right track. Being on a bike is just as good as being on a beautiful woman.

Maybe i'm not quite in the "older guys" camp yet at 49, but i recently picked up a motorbike with the same wants, dreams and aspirations as you. My bike is a well equipped DR650 i picked up for rather cheap. Turned out to be an excellent first bike... maybe too excellent as I have no desire for anything else. I have no want for any rider aids like abs, traction control, etc. Anyhow, This past august i did my first multi-day singletrack adventure on the Hatfield McCoy trails in West Virginia. Almost exactly one year to the date of buying my first motorcycle, I managed all 3 days of riding and even conquered some black diamond trails. What a ton of fun it was. In one year i went from "only idiots with a death wish ride motorcycles" to "I wish my bike could hold as much as my truck so i can sell it". I pray in another 14 years i have the power and finesse to do what you are doing. sir, you are an inspiration. Thanks for this video and great tips. One tip i think you way wanna add to your list is always be a gear lower than you think you need. It was repeated to me a lot on the Hatfield trails and it will make a difference on steep climbs and descents. One other small tip is never stop on an uphill. If you are slipping add more gas, hang on tight and let the bike do the climbing. Once stopped on a steep climb and you are in some trouble. Had it happen once or twice and each time it was rather challenging to get the bike stable enough to continue the ride. Also wore myself out trying to get the bike up and workable.

Older rider= wiser rider Older rider= more self aware rider My deepest respects to you sir, from me, a 125 Yamaha XmaX scooter rider

I'm 62 and can't imagine not riding, I haven't spent a lot of time off road since I was a kid but now all I want to do is off road.

68, and living full time on the bike with my dog. Lots of offroad and lots of learning in the last 14 months/40,000,, miles. My DR650 fits the bill perfectly. Keep it up youngster. 😂😊😊

I'm 61, and started ADV riding just two years ago. I've done 10,000 miles per year, and I have no intention of slowing down. This video has tons of very good information, and it's easy to tell it's coming from someone who has "been there, done that." I hope that I find more from you, I really like your realistic approach to riding, and the fact that you seem to be just above my level. I can really relate to your style and your presentation. Thank you!

i was born in 1945. I re-started my biking after 20 year break. I purchased a 310 GS BMW in 2019m I went to an adventure riding school here in South Jersey. Learned lots of skills. Dropped bike a dozen times, no injuries. I traded up to an 800. BUT I won a 1200 GS (used) what a joy. Now i have a perfect bike with a 'lift' just in case I drop it, ride on...

I'm 61, just bought a used Honda crf 250l, going to ride as much of Vancouver Island as possible while I still can!

I just turned 64 last week. I started riding at age 8 on a 100cc dirt bike. I started riding on the street at age 16. I've ridden over one million miles and owned over 50 bikes. Dirt bikes, street bikes, a couple of what I call standards, a couple of Goldwings, but mostly cruisers, from 450cc to 1800cc. I've never owned what most people call an "adventure bike" unless you count a pretty much fully decked out KLR650, complete with aluminum panniers many years ago. I even had to give up small dual sports a couple years ago. Because of serious knee and hip joint problems, I could no longer get my leg over the seat of my Yamaha XT225 without standing on something. I used to take long rides out into the AZ desert on dual sport bikes, but gave that up when I realized I could no longer fix a flat tube type tire by myself out in the middle of nowhere. I would be stranded, with no one to call, and unable to walk out. And my road service plan doesn't work off road. I have no options but to ride alone. I have never known anyone else who rode a motorcycle, either on or off road. I sure wish somebody made a 250cc or similar bike capable of at least dirt road and smooth trail riding with about a 28" seat height and tubeless tires. More of a dirt road bike than an actual dirt bike.

I'm 63 and after years of big bike (BMW 1200GSA) riding I took a step back and analyzed my riding style and needs. I ride primarily alone or with 1 other bike, generally class 3-4 or single track roads with an average off road speed of 30-50 mph. With that said, I sold my GSA and bought a Husky FE 350 enduro (street legal) and am infinitely happier. I can self rescue (the bike weighs 110 kilos) and with a Nomad ADV fairing and Mosko panniers I have the same storage as my GS did. If I plan a long trip a distance from home I put the bike in the back of my Tacoma, drive in comfort and unload and ride. I think with a little caution and keeping in good shape I'll be able to ride off road into my early 70's. Your video is a great "less is more" lesson.

I love that you bought a talaria. We have 3 surrons and 2 talarias. I found your channel as we are going from them to adventure bikes!

Inspiring video. I am 63, a new KLR was just delivered yesterday.. I am brand new to motorcycle riding however, so my knowledge mountain is far steeper and longer… thx for posting

Hi Steve. What a humble and Honest video😎 as you know I am 65 and purchased my F750 GS specifically for my short height and don’t need more power. Great advice also for all us ‘younger riders’ Patrick

You, Sir, nailed it !!!! I am 60 years old and bought a 2022 r1250 GSA, my dream bike !!!! ...... got the proper tires ....... listened to folks like you ...... went gravel road riding in Texas (G#d's Country !!!!) and I am ridiculously hooked !!!!!! I had my first "dump". No damage to myself or my "Kaethe"...it was sand !!! My nemesis !!!!! ..... BUT WHAT A RUSH !!!!! I am retired from Boeing after 35 years and I feel like a kid again with common sense, this time. And the folks I meet like you are the best !!! Thank you for your video and thank you for talking about "us" ..... the "silver bearded crowd" ..... And I am hopelessly in love with my "Boxxer" ..... she's a big Girl but she can dance ..... just choose the music "wisely" .... 🙂

63 Years old next month, 20 year old BMW R1150 GSA that I ride and have ridden for past 3 Years and love it, I also have a CRF 250 for my weaker moments which is also good fun and very forgiving, a good video, enjoyed it.

Good for you…I am approaching 74 and got back into motorcycling about 9 years again when my wife ( #2 and younger wanted to learn .. I rode back in the 60’s …our agreement was get training … street, track,dirt and adventure all of which we did and continue to do…I agree with you on the smaller bikes not only to start on but to continue on… I now ride a Royal Enfield Himalayan for my off road and adventure rides, a bigger Honda NC 750X for touring and a Kawasaki Z400 for my track days…and a Royal Enfield Continental GT for what I call my coffee shop Sunday ride…the Himalayan is my daily go to bike…So smaller is better in my opinion and continuous practice and training are keys to enjoyment in my opinion…I also believe that maintain a reasonable level of fitness is also very helpful. Finally being realistic with my goals and objectives in whatever riding I am doing …as you pointed out over the 3 years you have progressed significantly and that to me is the important point .. always learning is the key to enjoyment and happiness in my opinion ..no matter how slow I progress I am always progressing more than those that are not been try ( at anything motorcycling or anything lease for that matter).. so good on ya mate…keep on rolling on… ride well..