Just a quick farewell.
After 56 years of riding I am hanging up my boots for the last time. Guzzi owner since 2004, with the occasional Beemer and Honda on the way. Before then started on Francis Barnett, Ariels, Honda, MZ, many BSA, etc. Almost forgot the trials bikes: AMC James Wasp-Triumph, Ossa, Montesa, Bultaco.
The Cali has gone to a new home.
Many thanks to everyone who has helped out over the years.
cheers, @Stoneman
Stoneman
Please keep in touch with the club even if you will no longer ride.
Best wishes Chris
Good luck to ya. Iâve just sold my v85tt and hornet and now have a grom!
A bitter sweet post and the elephant in the room for many of us! A hard thing to swallow after literally a lifetime of the joys and challenges of two wheeled addiction. Itâs impossible to convey to unbelievers all the things that motorcycling gives us that few, if any, other pastimes or obsessions give us.
All I can say is treasure the times it has given you that no one can take away. Priceless!
Mid 70âs here and just hope I can honestly recognise the time to quit. Te salute! Go out with a grin and one finger up to the non conformists! 
Appreciate the suggestion, but not sure if it will work. When I relinquish membership I assume that forum participation also ends. Thanks all the same.
I had to look up âgromâ.
Wouldnât do for me, accustomed over many decades to a pillion. In fact before we married we got about on a BSA Spitfire with the hot cam (fast, but totally unable to balance or detune it. Over 3500rpm the vibration was so bad that my vision blurred and the hands fell off my wristwatch), and an Ariel Huntmaster which was unbreakable.
My wifeâs favourite as pillion was a GL1100 Gold Wing, but it handled like a homesick whale. Of my two Californias she preferred the older 1100i to the later 1100 Stone Touring.
Tried âtiddlersâ, but I am just too big for them. Nope. The time has come to call it a day.
Unlikely unless someone honest tells you, or like me health intervenes. In my case I hoped to go to mid-70s, but Long COVID after effects left me unable to hold up a two-up bike. Belatedly diagnosed and, although cured, I have residual issues and the decision became obvious.
Of course we miss rides with my son, or just us two-up travelling the short distance into the Peak District or Weaver Hills, but need to be sensible.
No need to gesture at unbelievers, or other road users. I have been and remain a horse rider, cyclist, Walker and, horror of horrors, a car owner.
Once again, thanks to all who have âlikedâ or posted a response. Much appreciated.
There is nothing specifically in the forum rules that prohibits non-members. I have always thought that this is a public forum and so accessible to all. I am not sure if non-members can post on here but I guess you will find that out!
Many thanks for all of your contributions to the forum over the years, if you cannot get back on here after your membership runs out, you will be missed.
Best wishes Chris
non members cannot post here
In my local motorcycle club the older boys (70-85 Years) have switched to big CC scooters, 400 CC plus like the Suzuki BurgmannâŚ.they tell me it much easier on the old hip and knee joints using the step thru style and the bigger comfy sofa seats is better on an old bony bum cheek. They are light and can be maneuvered out of the shed easily. Plus, they cruise comfortably at motorway speeds with great handling - they keep you reasonably dry and thereâs somewhere to stash all your clobber âŚyou see hundreds of them in busy European cities - I can see why they are popular for the commute. They truly are practical motorcycles. Our recent trip to Scarborough to see the racing at Oliverâs mount is shown below. The big âSuzi scootâ is not out of place. On the return trip we got drenched on the M18 by Doncaster - the chap on the Scooter came out best for least dampness ! Take a look at this option before you hang up your boots though. Age is only a number after all and if its an hobby you truly love, this might be away of continuing, if its simply just old tired joints and bones restricting your maneuverability.
Thanks, but in my case it is more fundamental health issues after long COVID and subsequent NHS *-up.
Plus ability to carry a pillion is essential.
I can still get a leg over a bike. Just not strong enough to hold it all up.
PS: The Burgman 400 is only 30kG lighter than the Cali; and I know which one I want to ride.
Still a teenager ⌠good luck.
For sure - I see your point Stoneman 
I run a Yamaha MT 09 and a California 1100 I - I can tip toe the MT 09 backwards easily - I cant the heavy Guzzi though - 245 Kg versus 193 Kg - it makes a huge difference for me âŚ. I am 60 very soon and you do lose the physical strength as you age.
You mistake me. I am 72 and strength per-se is not a problem. Without going into detail it is a residual condition from long COVID. Not notifiable to DVLA.
I am strong enough for quite strenuous work in short bursts, but no longer right for handling a bike plus rider and pillion for a two hour stint. Being long in the leg pushing the Cali is no big deal.
HOWEVER! Handling under, for instance, emergency braking will test me. In current traffic and road conditions you need to remain sharp and responsive. I cannot remember the last ride when I did not experience an incident involving a muppet in an SUV or truck.
PS. I did BikeSafe when 65. Well worth it even after nearly 50 years of riding (full licence aged 16). Reminded me of things I had forgotten and some new lessons as well. Only downside: on slow manouvering the instructors didnât understand Guzzi linked brakes. Only modern systems which decouple when you hit the back brake pedal. They kept asking for more gas and more back brake!
I always told my kids to tell me when to quit, as we cannot trust our own judgement.
I rue the day when my time to stop riding comes along.
Restoring other old oily things wonât quite cut it, although old air-rifles are quite funâŚ
Good luck!
Matt
You might be surprised; I have other pastimes.
I am almost resigned to no biking now; although I confess to some pangs and hanging my nose over the odd bike. Met a bunch out on Triumph Tigers and a couple of Kwakker Versys the other day and was almost jealous, until I reflected on the fact that the farmers are spreading hedge thrashings and muck all over our roads again;
calling for some emergency âmanure-veringâ to miss them.
