Modern Vespa

Something I have noticed about older riders.

If you don't have the long living genetic make up, you can live
health, but you are simply a dead man walking. I don't mean to
be insensitive, but if no male member of either side of your family
lived past 40 there may be nothing you can do.

My observation is for everyone else.

The one common element in the oldsters around me that continue
to have good mobility (stay scootering) is walking a mile a day.

I could not regularly get to the gym. (discipline, timing etc).
I measured out 500 yards in the hall way of my office (back and forth)
and fast walk 500 yards every Monday - Friday.

So that is my fountain of youth for you to consider.

Side note: broke my ankle here on the ice in Frostbite Falls. I
have had to be off the 500 yard fast walk for 8 weeks. I feel
sluggish as hell.

Having offered this nugget for health, I still smoke my cigar
sipping brandy each evening. You can't do everything right!
Counter balance - I did lose 50 pounds in the last three years.
No formal weight loss program - I just ate Turkey sandwiches
with mustard for lunch everyday. Went from 231 to 180 lbs.

Bob Copeland
Still riding at 74

Long may we ride!

My teenager says she'll kill me if I die before she marries.
75 this year.
I believe her.....but carrying $100k ins., if it happens on the scooter.
She's pretty cute....so my days might be numbered
O.S.

Still riding almost every day (depends on the weather) at 84.

I keep telling myself I should walk more, but I do Scottish country dancing twice a week.

I ride all over the area, running errands and 3 days a week I ride to a gym and work my butt off. When I retired (at 68) I decided I wanted to enjoy the freedom for as long as possible, so I started to get serious with the gym, lost 50 pounds of bureaucrat flab and swore if I couldn't wrestle a bike or scooter around without help I would stop riding. Now I'm 77, I can still get on the floor and up again while working on scooters and , because I live in a townhouse with 18 steps from the main level to the garage, I get plenty of practice up and down and maintaining balance. I know I'm lucky that my joints are good and my back is ok, but there's no doubt regular exercise and weight training helps keep things moving smoothly.

so at 71 (nearly) I feel like the youngster here. Having just been to the funeral of a friend who was the same age I have resolved to ride even more. I have a local book with 50 great rides, about half of which are on sealed roads. I need to cover them all.

I retired last year after 47 years of plastering. For the first 2 weeks, I took it easy and healed up. Since then, I walk 3 miles a day, every day in my hilly area. But I still wanted to loose weigh to take pressure off my lower back, so I quit using sugar in my coffee and avoid any sweets containing sugar. I'm loosing about a pound a week and if all goes well, should hit my goal by the Fall.

Don't forget to stretch. Daily. You can do it while watching TV, waiting in line, cleaning, gardening, etc). Couple minutes at a time or regular 15 minute sessions, or yoga classes if you want to really get into it.

Think it is the most under-rated form of exercise, and as a means to feel younger.
If you do it slow and gradual, taking your time, it can feel really good.

Keeping limber and flexible may be one of the best ways to fight aging.

I'm only 59, but my body feels much older. I have a partial left knee replacement, full left shoulder replacement and three fused vertebrae in my lumbar spine caused by a near fatal helicopter crash when I was in the Army in the late '80's. Whenever I go out out for a scooter ride, short or long, my back and left shoulder ache something terrible. I walk two miles a day on the treadmill (5 times a week) at a pretty good clip. I'm limited on what I can do strength wise because of my injuries. Except for type 2 diabetes, I'm in relatively good health. Any advice for this young, old man?

Good advice Rob.

I walk about 5 miles a day. 8 on a Saturday.

Scooters, growing older, and figuring out the road ahead. Good stuff for me to read this morning.

At almost 69 I've gotten to the point where I can identify specific issues that may affect my ability to ride. Mainly the joints in my fingers, all my toes, my right leg, and lower back. All related to the psoriatic arthritis I've been struggling with for almost 12 years. And I wonder if the cancer drug I take to suppress my immune system to keep my joints from eating themselves up won't get me instead.

And of course, a heart attack 7 years ago.

Lots of physical stuff. But I've come to realize my mental state is far more important. And powerful. It can tell me to ride, walk, or do something. Or it can tell me the opposite. My mind can create varied realities and if I'm not careful put me into a dark place.

So far I can still ride my scooters and my motorcycle with few issues other than wondering if I would be able to pick up the motorcycle if it fell over.

Getting older has provided some positive things. I'm wiser. I have more gratitude. And I appreciate waking up each morning. But it has come with a price.

Well-done, Bob! I'm working on a smaller goal than that, but it's been a bit challenging. So much for telling myself I'm disciplined. Age is no friend to weight loss for many reasons. Guess you've got the best-and cheapest performance mod for your scooters. Certainly doesn't help having been dealt a bad hand with the accident. Looks like you're doing reasonably well. Not sure if you have any more specific exercises for the shoulder and back, but that's a decent avenue to pursue. Wondering whether a topical pain reliever might help prior to setting out on a ride? Not a huge fan of back braces, but if you haven't tried one it might help. No sure bets, but anything to keep you going.... I'm here to help you not feel quite so young. Hitting 68 soon, pretty good health but the above-mentioned extra pounds and back stiffness that limits my walking is making me know I'm not at my prime. I have hope that warmer weather brings my fitness routine (yard, garden and outside activities in general) into better focus. And like you, feel some urgency to getting more riding in. Not going to hit my fantasy of riding half the world, but I'd like to chip away at it.

Sorry, just had to keep this going......

Just turned 79, been riding two wheels (and now added a third wheel) since I was 14. Last fall I bought my 2020 GTS 300 Touring and immediately began planning a 'tour' across NM, TX and OK in May. Took my Spyder to AK last June, my fourth MC trip to that big state, all since turning 50. No more trips to AK and probably not many more multi state tours on the GTS.

I love the GTS but like one of you mentioned, joints are starting to ache after a few hours in the saddle (not just on the Vespa though...) I've had surgery on both shoulders ad both knees and my back (no replacements though) and now have been diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff on the right shoulder. But I will continue to ride as long as possible, well into my 80's I'm sure.

My exercise consists of condo stairs and an occasional walk to the mailbox. I should do more and maybe I'll start tomorrow.......

Are you sure? It's the weekend..

I love this thread!! <3

I am bookmarking it, and making sure show it to my kids in a few years. This way they won't think I am crazy when I want to ride in my Golden Years.

At 53, I can only look up to you all, and aspire to be as full of life and vigor as you all display.
Keep two wheels down, and keep on scooting!!

58- three degenerated/ herniated discs in my lumbar and three in my C spine. Remarkably, no pain. I am walking to lose about 35 lbs. No processed foods, etc. I ride daily, sometimes as little as 15 minutes up to a couple hours, just to decompress from my job. I feel hopeful hearing from many of you that are still riding well into the late 60 and into your 70's. Stopping would kill me, probably literally.

The missus' father is 68. Has had two heart attacks.

He and my girl are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro together in June.

The man is a human walking machine. Walking is definitely key.

I can't really walk much due to health crap, despite being younger than a lot of the regulars around here. But I am trying to stay active in other ways, which does seem to help (when I'm able to). I stopped riding a few years ago because I didn't feel comfortable piloting a two-wheeler when I felt like my chronic issues weren't in check. It has not been fantastic for my mental health to not be riding.

I do think I'm at the point where I'd seriously consider trying to ride again, on the good days. I won't say my health issues are better, but I will say that I think they're more stable now than not. We'll see what happens in the next year or so as far as the possibility of pursuing a scoot again.

Saving $.
I really only need the earplug in my right ear, and very soon will only need to buy glasses for my right eye🙂

so there's that!

O.S.

Great stuff!

I seem to have hit a nerve that most of us feel. We love two wheeling
and want to stay active and mobile enough to continue.

Obviously, if it was easy, everyone would just do it: Some shared
conclusions have surfaced.

1. Walk, walk to save your mobility.
2. Control your body weight - count calories.

Again, obviously number 2 is the toughest. I really had no choice.
At 231 pounds (5' 8") I was sluggish as hell. The one strong remaining
pleasure in life was stuffing my cupcake hole (Mouth) with food.

No formal trendy diet. I just read that 2500 calories a day your body
will lose weight slowly - at 1500 your weight will drop off rapidly.
I had to face my blushing bride each night who cooked her tail off
throwing 1000 calorie great tasting meals at me. She still does it.

I also experienced that your body seems to stay at your current fat
or skinny weight naturally. So why not get down in weight and stay there.

Here was my self made program. (looked everything up on line for cal count)

Four cookies each morning with coffee (no cream) 200 calories
Turkey sandwich with only mustard, Apple, and a Diet Coke 400 calories
I now could face my brides out of control cooking (One plate no seconds)

This resulted between 1600 and 2000 calories a day. I actually lost
the 40 pounds in 7 months and the last 10 pounds over time sticking
to portion control. I am not hungry (stomach probably shrunk) and
I can not finish a whole plate of anything.

Hey, do what ever works. This worked for me.

Bob Copeland

Sometimes simple stuff with diehard fucking consistency is the right answer for a lot of problems in life. Great job on the 40 lb drop!

I used to see advertisements for pain killers like Advil and Tylenol, and wonder what body aches were.

A few years ago I figured it out.

Now I use the stuff.

Getting old is hell.

But I still love to ride.

Bill

I went in to see the doctor for my annual check up.
I said Dr. My hips and knees keep hurting, and my hands are getting stiffer.

He studied my hands very closely, looked up at me shaking his head.

He said, I am sorry to tell you, but you have A.G.E. Eventually you are going to die from it and there is nothing I can do to stop it.

Confused I said A..G..E what is that, I have never heard of it before.

He said AGE you have AGE, its all part of getting old.
It was my most memorable Dr. visit.

I eat completely different things than you eat (even though I'm a Bob, too) but the same discipline. Same thing every day for breakfast, same thing every day for lunch. Dinner is whatever we decide, without any restrictions. Dessert comes later and should be fruit, but isn't always. I get to have a drink in the evening and eat some snack things because of the workout at the gym. Walking is a good substitute - and it's harder to snack while you're out walking.

The first weeks are sort of hard, but after a while it gets easier.

WLeuthold,

Dave, I take a couple ibuprofen in the morning on day rides.
Then two more for the ride after lunch. Works super for
back pain while riding. No back pain.

Otherwise, I do not take it at all. Works wonders for me.
The old farts like me do the same and ask each other if
they forgot theirs.

Bob Copeland

This. Putting extra weigh on your body wears it out quicker. I don't count calories as much as I started cutting down on carbs and eating a lot of fruits and veggies. My youngest is Vegan, so half the meals or more are made Vegan, but that we can all enjoy.

This makes all the difference for me. You know how you try to explain scootering but in the end you really can't? Stretching is just as amazing, and makes riding so much better, and yet until you do it, you just can't know. I once was lost but now am found. Thank you, stretching!

Ok, I've got to jump in too. I'm seventy one and retiring in a couple of months from teaching high school. My first two wheeler was a Cushman Eagle scooter. Paid $25 for it. Remember those? Lots of bikes between then and now. My last motorcycle, a HD Softail Deluxe, is still sitting in the garage and I still ride it now and then. It's just too beautiful to sell. I do have a new beauty in garage now....a white Vespa S150ie. So you can see I've come full circle and somehow that seems right.

I'm 68, been riding off & on since I was about 10 (really)...
As a retiree, I've been consistently walking about 2~3 miles several days a week, stretching and I lift weights several days a week, too - up to 50 lbs for several sets... And I honestly believe I have greater upper body strength now, than I ever had.
Of course I can no longer jump up (flatfooted) and hang on a 10ft basketball hoop (I'm about 5'10"), but I still reach about 9'6"... Keep moving, folks - it makes all the difference! Good thread!

84 in May....in market for new bike scooter---about 1.5 million miles since 1955. I find as you get older, staying warm/dry, including feet and hands very important-----I spend my money at Aerostich---their stuff lasts at least 100,000 miles.

Never ride anything you cannot pick up yourself.

I do not use electric junk----had electric vest fail in Mexico---almost froze to death getting back to TX.

With over 75 new bikes scooters, I like riding under warranty---lots of dealers, no fancy service----Vespa out for me now=no dealers and maybe price....and Asian stuff doesn't break as often---Vespa has one advantage, with right windshield no buffeting (nose close to tip of shield).Small gas tank sucks.

Maybe Honda Navi---ride for summer I like to ride to Hyder AK---ride thru Canadian rockies nice. rear wheel comes off without taking exhaust system off! easy to get at valves....but not step thru.....bad for old farts.

Always look forward.

Honda Navis, while being an interesting concept , are dog slow. If you want to stay with Honda, consider a Supercub 125 or Trail 125. If looking for a scooter only take a look at the Yamaha Smax. Step thru design, flat floor and the ability to check the valves thru a removable panel - unlike the PCX where half the panels have to be removed.

I own a 2022 Honda Navi. Mine tops out at around 47 mph (gps). Pulls up hills very nicely. I don't use it on roads with speed limits greater than 35 mph. I basically use it to run errands in town. It's too slow to keep up with faster moving traffic.

If I were you, I'd look at the new Honda Super cub 125 or a Genuine Buddy 125 or 170i.

Reminds me of my doctor visit when we were discussing some age-related issues. I started bragging to him about how well I was taking care of myself and wondering why my body wasn't staying the same.

He looked at me and said, "You know, you are going to die."

The first and best change I made was simple: portion control. As I got older, I kept eating the same amounts of food even though my metabolism was slowing down. My weight kept creeping up.

Now, at age 74, I have adapted and can't even imagine eating the quantities of food I used to.

Yep, smaller amounts and stay away from the junk. Eat to live, not live to eat. And again, keep moving to the best of your ability.

Edit, double post

Great insights, Bob. For me personally, I'm less concerned about riding at this point. Only because, so far, it's not physically challenging. But I'm only 61, so ask me again in 10 years. I walk about 4-6 miles every day (before blown up my knee in February). I should be able to start walking again in about 2 weeks. I love hiking and snowshoeing in the mountains. I had planned to tackle the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) this summer. It's ~175 miles starting/ending in Tahoe City, CA and making a complete circuit of the lake. Because of the incredible snow pack in the Sierra Nevada mountains this year, parts of the trail my remain impassible through late summer. So, maybe this just isn't the year for that hike, even if my knee were fully recovered.

I can only keep my fingers crossed that I'll continue to have good health. My dad went downhill physically rather quickly after my mom passed when they were both age 68. But I largely attribute his downhill slide to poor eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, and alcoholism. I struggle the most with eating healthy. The other two factors are not an issue for me.

Wish me luck. And of course best of luck to all of us in our "golden" years.

-Craig

Thanks Bob and the rest of our elders for some inspiring riding life stories.

In SOA to remain in their "motorcycle enthusiasts club" members had to be able to ride (in-between healing from beatings, crashes and gunshot wounds)

Be interesting to know the average and median ages of MV members, anybody got a spread sheet on this😂

I was walking a lot but needed more variety.
My insurance includes FREE gym membership I never dreamt of using it until my low BP started to slow me down, so I joined 24hr Fitness and found myself in good company on the rowing machines and bicycles among the other codgers. Three hours per week really improved my agility and mood, and it gives me time for podcasts.
I'm 70, 6 ft 5 200 lbs.

Most of the male members in my family lived well into their 80s. But, they all had medical issues from a much younger age. So far at 64 I seem to be following that pattern. I have severe orthopedic issues. All my joints are pretty much destroyed, I have connective tissue damage, and I have fairly severe arthritis. I can walk maybe a block, but only when using a cane. I got into scooters because of the problems I was having getting my leg over a motorcycle seat. Some of this is hereditary, but a lot of it is my own fault. From very early in life, I did stupid things. I started out climbing trees and falling out of them. Then I started crashing bicycles attempting to copy Evil Knievel. Then I started racing MX as a teenager, and constantly getting injured. By the time I was 18 I had already done considerable damage to myself. I did very physically demanding work for decades, well past the point where I should have found something easier. You have to realize that after a certain age, you can no longer do the things you did when you were younger, and if you do, you are going to permanently damage yourself. Yes I know that 80 year olds run in marathons, but that is VERY rare.