An I too old?
Moderator: Modsquad
An I too old?
I am 82 years old in moderately good health and have never driven a motorcycle or motorscooter. I would like to buy a 2016 PCX 150 just for "fun" riding in semi-rural central California.
Considering my age, do you think that this would be an unwise thing to do?
Considering my age, do you think that this would be an unwise thing to do?
- Alibally
- Official Moderator
- Posts: 1761
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:47 pm
- Year: 2019
- Color: Black
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Re: An I too old?
Ask your doctor?
Do a riding course first before parting with any of your hard earned cash for a bike to see how you get on and take it from there.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Do a riding course first before parting with any of your hard earned cash for a bike to see how you get on and take it from there.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

- homie
- Prestige
- Posts: 6102
- Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 12:49 pm
- Year: 2015 PCX150
- Color: Pearl White
- Location: FloridaLand
Re: An I too old?
Absolutely .... LETS RIDE MOTORCYCLE! Bob
Last edited by homie on Mon Jun 20, 2016 3:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- GeorgeSK
- Forum Benefactor
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:36 pm
- Year: 13PCX,15Forza
- Color: Both Red
- Location: Danvers MA USA
Re: An I too old?
I second the "take a Class" idea. I expect that you will need a motorcycle certification for you driver's license anyway, and the easiest way to get one is to take an MSF course. You get to find out if two wheels will actually be that much fun without dropping 4 grand. Chances are also good that the school will have a couple of scooters available to ride during a break - for me, that little five minute ride sewed up the deal.
go for it! You have waited long enough!
go for it! You have waited long enough!
On my scoot, getting there is WAY more than half the fun!
Please paste this address into a new tab and add yourself to the map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NlP7xk7KMdJReQnm-iDhldFBdpQ&ll=4.995760578398276%2C0&z=2
but please, don't delete anybody, no matter how badly they deserve deleting
Please paste this address into a new tab and add yourself to the map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NlP7xk7KMdJReQnm-iDhldFBdpQ&ll=4.995760578398276%2C0&z=2
but please, don't delete anybody, no matter how badly they deserve deleting

- you you
- What's a wot?
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:37 pm
- Location: Between Lulu and Chichi
Re: An I too old?
bobjames5 wrote:I am 82 years old in moderately good health and have never driven a motorcycle or motorscooter. I would like to buy a 2016 PCX 150 just for "fun" riding in semi-rural central California.
Considering my age, do you think that this would be an unwise thing to do?
From some people's perspective it's unwise at any age.
Get on and do it. Live life one burger at a time I say
- JohnL
- Ozzie Old Fart
- Posts: 664
- Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:45 am
- Year: 2015
- Color: Dark Red
- Location: Brisbane, Qld. Australia
Re: An I too old?
It's all dependent on your health. Some people are too old to ride at 50 others are fine at 90, I'm still a pup at 74, and due to diabetes have to pass yearly health examinations to keep my licences, but it's not a problem for me at this stage.
I would start by asking your doctor for an assessment if that's OK then do a riding class.

I would start by asking your doctor for an assessment if that's OK then do a riding class.


- kramnala58
- Mod Emeritus
- Posts: 2864
- Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:49 am
- Color: White is faster
- Location: Niagara Falls, USA
Re: An I too old?
Ask your family. And try to get them to respond from a perspective relative to your health and ability, not whether they thing motorcycle riding in general is safe or not.
2010 Honda PCX 125 in Thailand (White) - "White Lightning" Sold in Sept 2017
2009 Yamaha Majesty YP400 in USA (Metalic Titanium) - "The Throne" Sold in June 2020

2009 Yamaha Majesty YP400 in USA (Metalic Titanium) - "The Throne" Sold in June 2020

-
- Forum Benefactor
- Posts: 2860
- Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:43 pm
- Year: 2014 125 (LED)
- Color: White
- Location: London, England
Re: An I too old?
If your eyesight is good, your reaction time normal and your in good health, why not! Probably in better condition than many on the road 


- Mel46
- Forum Benefactor
- Posts: 6964
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:13 pm
- Year: 2013
- Color: red PCX
- Location: Dallas, Ga USA
Re: An I too old?
Since I am one of the younger 'old timers' here in that I haven't hit 70 quite yet...this year though...my opinion may not count for much, but I think you need to take a Motorcycle Safety Course to learn about them and to ride some. If you find that you have problems during that time, you will have your answer. However, if you succeed and go for your license do not let age be your only determining factor when deciding whether to purchase a scooter of your own. Remember that they need maintenance, which costs money, and they need occasional cleaning. You should be able to do both or be prepared to pay for it. As an example, the PCX has a requirement for its first scheduled service at 600 miles. If you make it to that point and can not do the work yourself, you will be looking at charge of about $300. You may find it more economical to see if you can rent a scooter somewhere rather than buy one. One step at a time. Take the course.
Currently own:
Red 2013 Honda PCX150
Givi tall windshield & tailbox - Lots of extra lights
Custom seat from Thailand - Bad Boy Airhorn
Takegawa Lowering Shocks - Michelin City Grip Tires
Headlight assy upgraded to LEDs w/HS5 main bulbs
NCY variator, drive face, and rollers
Red 2013 Honda PCX150
Givi tall windshield & tailbox - Lots of extra lights
Custom seat from Thailand - Bad Boy Airhorn
Takegawa Lowering Shocks - Michelin City Grip Tires
Headlight assy upgraded to LEDs w/HS5 main bulbs
NCY variator, drive face, and rollers
- flyingzonker
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 677
- Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:20 am
- Year: 2013
- Color: Red
- Location: Midwest USA
Re: An I too old?
It wholly depends on whether you are one of those 60 year old 80 year olds or one of those who when they were 60 felt like they were 85.
If you feel like you can do it, you probably can. It would be a good idea to take some kind of motorcycle safety course first.
If you feel like you can do it, you probably can. It would be a good idea to take some kind of motorcycle safety course first.
- flyingzonker
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 677
- Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:20 am
- Year: 2013
- Color: Red
- Location: Midwest USA
Re: An I too old?
You may have seen this already. I know I would have, if I were in your position.
http://kdvr.com/2015/05/14/89-year-old- ... y-mission/
http://kdvr.com/2015/05/14/89-year-old- ... y-mission/
-
- Forum Benefactor
- Posts: 313
- Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:03 pm
- Year: 2013,2014
- Color: red+redder
- Location: Galveston, Texas
Re: An I too old?
I think the PCX would be a great choice. It has really nice neutral handling at parking-lot speeds and pretty much refuses to let you fall off at any speed. Plus it's not too durn heavy. Welcome!
Johnny
Johnny
One PCX, One Forza -- Twice the fun, half the money!
- Bash On!
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 501
- Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2013 4:09 pm
- Location: Big "D" Dallas, Tejas
Re: An I too old?
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
2013 PCX 150 [now an ex-bike, soon to be consigned to the bottom line of the sig]
2013 Silver Wing ABS (Black)
1971 BMW R75/5 (White)
Too many ex-bikes to list, and, besides, who really cares what we used to own?
2013 Silver Wing ABS (Black)
1971 BMW R75/5 (White)
Too many ex-bikes to list, and, besides, who really cares what we used to own?
- you you
- What's a wot?
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:37 pm
- Location: Between Lulu and Chichi
Re: An I too old?
Bash On! wrote:It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
Excellent. I'll pinch that one if I may
Re: An I too old?
I'm 66 and got a PCX150 after not having ridden any motorcycles since right after college.
If you're alert, have good reaction times, and a very defensive driver you should be fine. I agree that checking with your doctor and taking a motorcycle course is good advice.
If you're alert, have good reaction times, and a very defensive driver you should be fine. I agree that checking with your doctor and taking a motorcycle course is good advice.
Jon W
Re: An I too old?
Thank all of you for your inputs.
Taking a Motorcycle Safety Course seems the best way to go to see if my "able to" matches my "want to".
A California Motorcyclist Safety Program's Motorcyclist Training Course is offered in a town only 20 miles away.
Thank you again
Taking a Motorcycle Safety Course seems the best way to go to see if my "able to" matches my "want to".
A California Motorcyclist Safety Program's Motorcyclist Training Course is offered in a town only 20 miles away.
Thank you again
- you you
- What's a wot?
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:37 pm
- Location: Between Lulu and Chichi
Re: An I too old?
bobjames5 wrote:Thank all of you for your inputs.
Taking a Motorcycle Safety Course seems the best way to go to see if my "able to" matches my "want to".
A California Motorcyclist Safety Program's Motorcyclist Training Course is offered in a town only 20 miles away.
Thank you again
Go for it. 82 aspirational more than that a hero. Go for it and post pictures.
- kramnala58
- Mod Emeritus
- Posts: 2864
- Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:49 am
- Color: White is faster
- Location: Niagara Falls, USA
Re: An I too old?
I would suggest that if you are still cognizant of the difference between "want to" and "able to" at 82 years old, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if your "able to" is still there. Not necessarily so, but quite likely. All the best and congrats for at least trying.
2010 Honda PCX 125 in Thailand (White) - "White Lightning" Sold in Sept 2017
2009 Yamaha Majesty YP400 in USA (Metalic Titanium) - "The Throne" Sold in June 2020

2009 Yamaha Majesty YP400 in USA (Metalic Titanium) - "The Throne" Sold in June 2020

- you you
- What's a wot?
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:37 pm
- Location: Between Lulu and Chichi
Re: An I too old?
kramnala58 wrote:I would suggest that if you are still cognizant of the difference between "want to" and "able to" at 82 years old, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if your "able to" is still there. Not necessarily so, but quite likely. All the best and congrats for at least trying.
Teeny bit bit patronising?
- flyingzonker
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 677
- Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:20 am
- Year: 2013
- Color: Red
- Location: Midwest USA
Re: An I too old?
Well, one thing is certain: You chose a good bike to do your riding on. It has all the advantages of a light motorcycle without the hassle of clutching and gear shifting, to say nothing of blind kicking at the rear brake pedal--and missing it--in case of great need.