Any Old Guys (Over 50) Riding the Africa Twin?

96874 Views 378 Replies 266 Participants Last post by wags, 2 mo ago

Geeko

Discussion Starter · Aug 24, 2018

I'm over 60 and used to ride Enduros in my teens and 20s so when a road worthy dirt bike the size of the Africa Twin, after researching the possible alternatives (KTM, BMW, Ducatti, Triumph, Yamaha, etc.), it stimulated my desire to get back in the saddle again. It's a different world with issues like no insured medical coverage for motorcyclists with my insurance company (in my state?) and a lack of bikes on the road but a plethora of automobiles. Finally I hopped on a section I-24 for three exits and while crossing the Ohio river at 75 mph was blown about a bit then was blown passed by a Harley bagger and a much smaller Suzuki dual sport. Am I just getting Old? I enjoy the twisties through the woods and the dirt roads, small stream crossings and logging roads even with the stock 90/10s but I'm sure this might be more fun with say a set of Shinko 804/805 combo. I have Nelson Rigg panniers, 15 liter rolls and a 30L Tail Bag but haven't used anything but the panniers for shopping and extra weather gear. Also I have a Oxford First Tank Bag that I don't recommend. The plan is to do some camping, if time permits? I am relatively short (5'8") with a mid life gut and find that wrong footing like stopping beside an unexpected pothole (patched) is enough to cause a critical shift in the bikes gravity (I fell) and subsequent embarrassment. So feel free to share yours!

Reactions: 5

301 - 320 of 379 Posts

Bfair

· #301 · Dec 31, 2021

Just turned 64. Riding since 13. Sold my ST1300, Ducati 1100 Monster evo, (retirement Ferrari). After bombing fireroads, and national forest roads with my NC700 set up for adventure, ready for something "real". Called my son who has my old 1992 VFR, come get the NC.

Bought a used 2018 Adventure Sport. Came with 2 seats, 2 windscreans, and Beumont soft panniers no brainer. Bike does that of 2 and then some. Love the Red White and Blue, gold tickles the nostalgia too.

There is no bike an "old fella" can ride except maybe a unicycle.

Now what's those BDR rides everyone's doing?

Reactions: 5

mr_grumble

· #302 · Mar 3, 2022

Turning 50 this year and riding the ATAS.
Never rode a bike over 150cc in my life before 3 months ago 😳

Reactions: 1

Lupolee

· #303 · Mar 3, 2022

mr_grumble said:
Turning 50 this year and riding the ATAS.
Never rode a bike over 150cc in my life before 3 months ago 😳

Its a ***** cat, and top heavy one at that, but a ***** cat all the same……a great bike to learn lots of skills on and still enjoy in years tk come. 👌🏻

Reactions: 1

mda185

· #304 · Mar 5, 2022 (Edited)

I will be 65 in April and plan on riding my 2021 AT DCT base model 70/30 on/off road this year. I learned to ride in the dirt as a teenager and stopped in my 20's. Came back to dual sport riding around the age of 55 and started with a DR650. I weigh 250 lbs and am having a local suspension shop install Hyperpro springs for my weight next week. After that, I'll spoon on some MotoZ tractionator RallZ tires and head for the NJ Pine Barrens to see how I handle this heavy beast in the sand.

I should add that I have severe osteoarthritis in my hips, knees, and elbows. More than 50% of my cartilage is worn away. My left hip has already been replaced and the right one will need that surgery sooner or later. I wear some really good knee braces when I ride or play sports. My point is none of this is stopping me from living an active life. It is simply a matter of adapting to whatever happens with my body as I age. Exercise, stretching, and wearing the right gear allows me to continue riding and I don't intend to stop any time soon.

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Reactions: 3

irsh

· #305 · Mar 5, 2022

I'll be 52 this year and have noticed things don't spring back the way they did even 10 years ago. That's a real bummer.

Reactions: 1

Bfair

· #306 · Mar 5, 2022

My wife got me swimming with ladies at our YMCA. I was the youngest at 64, doing stretching guided exercises in the water. I discovered with water resistance weights, the exercises were perfect for biking, core, upper body, leg work. Started 3x per week now up to 4. I'm able to touch and stretch like never before. And if you miss a day they get on your case.

Reactions: 2

Armycopter

· #307 · Mar 6, 2022

52 years young. Been riding since I was 12 on a 1974 Honda MR50 Elsinore. Currently have a 2021 ATAS DCT that I just got. Traded in a 2019 ATAS Manual for it. I’m still in “decent“ shape. Peloton and jogging a few times per week help. Nice to see others who are even older still riding. It gives me hope I can ride well into my 70’s. My father is 72 and still rides his Harley.

Reactions: 1

mda185

· #308 · Mar 6, 2022

irsh said:
I'll be 52 this year and have noticed things don't spring back the way they did even 10 years ago. That's a real bummer.

Stretching is particularly important as we get older. It helps things spring back better and also helps avoid injuries. I ruptured my achilles tendon last year and the docs told me it was because I was too 'tight' and needed to stretch regularly to avoid similar injuries in the future. I have been following their advice and feel noticeably better this year.

Reactions: 4

Bfair

· #309 · Mar 6, 2022

220 mile a day highway riding is no problem for this 64 year old frame. When off rode and stand up is added there's a whole new set of muscles to contend with. Add aggressive riding and fatigue sets in fast. Added fatigue means, at least for me, poorer judgement and slower reaction times.

Just riding age is not a big issue, pushing the bike and endurance, you have to have some fitness or good insurance.

Reactions: 2

mda185

· #310 · Mar 6, 2022

Agree about fatigue, poorer judgement and slower reaction times. I also find that judgement and reaction times degrade a lot when I am out of practice from winter layoff or just not getting out to ride enough off road. I just slow down to a speed where I feel like I am able to read and react to trail conditions. If I am riding in a group and can't keep up, I just let them move on without me and trust my GPS to get me to an agreed to meeting point later in the day. Cell phones are not much use in many of the rural parts of PA I like to go off road so a dedicated GPS is a lifeline. I am thinking about adding Garmin In Reach tracker to my equipment this year.

One other very important point about fatigue. I found that having my suspension setup properly for my weight (250 lb) made a big difference in how long I could ride before fatigue set in. If I am constantly using muscles to compensate for poorly setup suspension, I get fatigued a lot faster. I spend about $1300 each on my DR650 and KTM 350 to upgrade them with appropriate springs and valving and it made a big difference off road. I am about to do the same with my Africa Twin before the 2022 season gets underway. I am starting with just installing Hyperpro springs front and rear while retaining stock valving to see how well that works. One of the suspension experts I spoke to said Honda did a pretty good job with the valving in the forks and shocks for the 2020 and up Africa Twins. He advised just installing stiffer springs first before dropping more money. Here are a couple of videos that show how to DIY. He is working on a 2019 AT but the procedure is identical for the newer bikes.

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Reactions: 2

irsh

· #311 · Mar 6, 2022

mda185 said:
Stretching is particularly important as we get older. It helps things spring back better and also helps avoid injuries. I ruptured my achilles tendon last year and the docs told me it was because I was too 'tight' and needed to stretch regularly to avoid similar injuries in the future. I have been following their advice and feel noticeably better this year.

Absolutely stretching. I had a reoccurring calf pull last year that really reduced my outdoor activity, though I still managed to lose the last 15 lbs I had targeted. Getting back down to 175 (where I was in my 30's) really seems to have helped with overall conditioning. Hoping a better warm-up/stretch routine will pay dividends this year hiking/running with Sam (my 3yo Border Collie workout partner).

Reactions: 1

JackedSquatch

· #312 · Mar 15, 2022

Just finished 50 trips around the sun and after a 20+ year hiatus and just bought a 2018 ATAS DCT. I have never been off road and have never owned anything larger than 650cc. I will however be buying a small dual sport (eyeballing the KLX300) to get in some dirt time before taking my AT on anything more technical that a dirt road or fire trail. I have had multiple joint surgeries from a life well lived but I am fortunately in very good physical condition and expect to hit the MABDR this fall.

DoubleThumper

· #313 · Mar 15, 2022

Welcome back, and happy birthday @JackedSquatch!

Sumthin' a little easier on the joints (?) and just freshly released ...

Reactions: 3

JackedSquatch

· #314 · Mar 15, 2022

DoubleThumper said:
Welcome back, and happy birthday @JackedSquatch!

Sumthin' a little easier on the joints (?) and just freshly released ...

Thanks! Do you think I can flat foot it?

Reactions: 1

mda185

· #315 · Mar 15, 2022

JackedSquatch said:
Just finished 50 trips around the sun and after a 20+ year hiatus and just bought a 2018 ATAS DCT. I have never been off road and have never owned anything larger than 650cc. I will however be buying a small dual sport (eyeballing the KLX300) to get in some dirt time before taking my AT on anything more technical that a dirt road or fire trail. I have had multiple joint surgeries from a life well lived but I am fortunately in very good physical condition and expect to hit the MABDR this fall.

Your story is very similar to mine except now I am 65 and have 10 years of dual sport riding experience. Starting small off road is a very good idea before taking a 500 lb bike there. I started with a Suzuki DRZ400. It's much easier to develop off road skills with a small bike and then progress to bigger bikes. I still have a small bike - KTM350 EXCF because there are some rides where small and light is safer and a lot more fun. I owned a BMW R1200GS Adventure for 10 years and while it was very capable off road, the weight and my skill set were not a good match. Sold it last year and bought a 2021 Africa Twin. The AT isn't much lighter but it feels like it is and the 21" front wheel makes a difference in technical riding. Enjoy yours!

Reactions: 2

Bfair

· #316 · Mar 17, 2022

"50 times around the sun" we're you in the space station?

ssokolich

· #317 · Mar 18, 2022

Geeko said:
I'm over 60 and used to ride Enduros in my teens and 20s so when a road worthy dirt bike the size of the Africa Twin, after researching the possible alternatives (KTM, BMW, Ducatti, Triumph, Yamaha, etc.), it stimulated my desire to get back in the saddle again. It's a different world with issues like no insured medical coverage for motorcyclists with my insurance company (in my state?) and a lack of bikes on the road but a plethora of automobiles. Finally I hopped on a section I-24 for three exits and while crossing the Ohio river at 75 mph was blown about a bit then was blown passed by a Harley bagger and a much smaller Suzuki dual sport. Am I just getting Old? I enjoy the twisties through the woods and the dirt roads, small stream crossings and logging roads even with the stock 90/10s but I'm sure this might be more fun with say a set of Shinko 804/805 combo. I have Nelson Rigg panniers, 15 liter rolls and a 30L Tail Bag but haven't used anything but the panniers for shopping and extra weather gear. Also I have a Oxford First Tank Bag that I don't recommend. The plan is to do some camping, if time permits? I am relatively short (5'8") with a mid life gut and find that wrong footing like stopping beside an unexpected pothole (patched) is enough to cause a critical shift in the bikes gravity (I fell) and subsequent embarrassment. So feel free to share yours!

I’m 62. Getting back to my roots too. My first bike was a Yamaha 125 enduro. I’ve been riding street bikes ever since. The ATAS is my second foray into the enduro world. Close to 49 years later. I’m 5’8” as well. 31” inseam. I’m still adjusting to the height. And yes. The top heaviness when not moving. But once you’re moving that top heaviness goes away. I plan on taking some off road courses. And I’m sure it’ll get dropped. Which is why I’m adding crash bars. And armor for myself. 🙂

Reactions: 3

Bete

· #318 · Mar 18, 2022

62, and ride my twin on and off road every chance I get.

Reactions: 1

34468randy

· #319 · Mar 18, 2022

Not yet, but before the hour is out, I will be riding my brand new 2021 Africa Twin, and I am approaching 67. I am a relatively new comer to riding. First bike I ever road was my brand new 2006 Honda VFR. I was 53 when that happened. I now have very close to 227,000 km on that bike and have to ridden a few thousand km on my BMW. I expect this new AT to well outlast me. You meet the nicest people on a Honda.

Reactions: 4

Bikehunter

· #320 · Apr 9, 2022

I see there's life in biking even when you get older. Love bikes, always have, got 8 of my own, 64 this year. Have a 2017 DCT, love it.

Reactions: 1

301 - 320 of 379 Posts