7 Top Motorcycle Riding Tips for Older Riders: Essential Motorcycle Mastery
Older motorcyclist wearing gloves
Most riders believe that motorcycles can only be ridden by young riders as it requires agility and muscle strength. However, statistics have revealed that most motorcycle license holders in Australia have an average age of 50 years. Riding a motorcycle has nothing to do with the age. You can easily ride a motorcycle if you are fit and active.
When a person gets older, he/she becomes physically and mentally weaker. If you are above 60 years old, you may find it difficult to handle and steer a motorcycle as most modern motorcycles are heavy due to being fitted with loads of advanced features and parts. Read this article to learn the 7 best motorcycle riding tips for older riders.
Table of Contents
Motorcycle Riding Tips for Older Riders
1. Stay in Riding Shape
The first motorcycle riding tips will be, If you are an old and experienced rider, it is important to stay in riding shape to ensure you do not face any difficulty while riding a motorcycle. Your back muscles, arm muscles, shoulders, thighs, and calves must be strong if you want to ride regularly. You can do this by following a good diet and exercising regularly.
A light workout in the gym or at home, including push-ups, pull-ups, and stretches can help you stay in a riding shape. You can use light weights for working out and move your muscles slowly to ensure better strength gain. Jogging and walking regularly can also help you stay in shape if you have gained a little extra weight.
2. Improve Your Riding Style
Maintaining a poor riding posture while riding a motorcycle can result in constant back and muscle pain. Whether you are a young or old rider, you must maintain an upright back posture while riding a motorcycle. Also, try to squeeze the motorcycle with your knees while riding for better handling and cornering.
If you are an older rider, you must also learn the skill of standing on the foot pegs and lifting your buttocks while hitting a pothole or obstacle to reduce the impact and avoid strain on your back. To keep your back straight while riding and avoid back pain on long-distance rides, you can install a sissy bar and backrest available at Viking Bags.
3. Use a Lightweight and Beginner-Friendly Motorcycle
If you are old and planning to start riding a motorcycle, choose a lightweight and beginner-friendly motorcycle. Avoid riding an expert-level motorcycle and sports bike even if you are an experienced old rider. A lightweight and beginner-friendly motorcycle is easy to steer and handle at both slow and fast speeds. The motorcycle you use must include safety features, including ABS, traction control, electronic throttle control, Combined Braking System (CBS), and stability control to ensure a safe riding experience. This riding tip will aloow to you to be safe in the older age.
4. Keep Practicing
There are several riding techniques including handling, leaning, and cornering, that every rider must learn and practice to ensure safe riding. If you are an old rider, you must keep practicing these skills to execute them when required. The ability to remember can degrade over time as you grow older. Therefore, constantly practicing riding techniques can also help you to remember them and become a better rider.
Also read: Best Cardio Workouts for Weight Loss and Stay Active
5. Ride Safely
If you want to start riding at an old age, invest in good-quality riding gear, including a DOT-approved helmet, leather jacket, pants, gloves, and riding boots. You also need to make sure to always ride slowly as you may not be able to bear or recover from an injury in old age. Your eyesight can also get weaker as you grow old. Make sure to get your eyesight checked and take appropriate steps so you can see clearly what is ahead and around you while riding a motorcycle.
6. Enrol in a Safety Riding Course
Riders of all ages have the opportunity to enroll in an array of motorcycle safety courses, catering to their specific needs and skill levels. These courses encompass a wide spectrum, from refresher courses to roadcraft, riding, and safety courses, ensuring that riders of any age can acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the roads safely. Motorcycle Rider Training Australia goes a step further by offering a Motorcycle Maintenance Course, enabling riders to perform essential repairs and upkeep on their bikes, resulting in cost savings.
As individuals age, their reflexes and decision-making abilities may naturally wane. For those who are returning to riding after a prolonged hiatus, these safety riding courses serve as invaluable resources to refresh and sharpen their skills. Regardless of age, these courses empower riders to confidently and safely navigate the roads.
Also read: Soft luggage vs hard luggage: Which one is more safe?
7. Ride with a Group
You must consider a few things if you want to safely ride a motorcycle in old age. If you are having certain health issues that can deteriorate further if you continue to ride a motorcycle, and your ability to hear, think, and see is decreasing over time, you must consider taking a rest. However, if you think you are fit enough to ride, consider riding with a group. The motorcycle riding group can be a good company to ride with as they can ensure your safety.
If you do not want to join a motorcycle riding group, at least take your friend or a family member with you as there must be someone accompanying you to pick you up and your motorcycle in case you fall off as a result of a motorcycle crash. This riding tip would be helpful for you in the emergency.
8. Conclusion
There exists no fixed age limit dictating when one should cease motorcycle riding. As long as an individual maintains fitness and possesses the necessary skills to operate a motorcycle, age need not be a barrier, even if one reaches the age of 70. However, it is imperative to ensure that vision, hearing, and cognitive faculties remain in good condition and that no underlying health conditions would worsen due to continued riding.
Sustaining riding prowess can be achieved through regular exercise routines, such as push-ups, stretching exercises, and jogging, all of which serve to engage muscles, promote fitness, and support overall well-being and these riding tips would also be helpful even if you are completely fit.
