How Aging Motorcyclists Keep the Wind in Their Face and Bugs in Their Teeth

It was the '60s, everyone was rebelling against something, for me it was parental control. My first significant purchase, once I was out in the real world as an adult, was the first in a long line of motorcycles.

For the next 30 years I rode... far and wide, off road and over the road. Occasionally I rode almost year around, a practice made more difficult as I've lived most of my adult life in northern Minnesota.

My point here is I enjoy motorcycle riding. The one problem is once I reached a certain age motorcycle riding and me parted ways. In my instance it was the pain of arthritis that took me off the road. For many older riders, the physical aspect of keeping a two wheel vehicle weighing over 600 lbs upright during slow speed maneuvers can become a bit risky.

With the high cost of repairs, damage incurred laying your full dress Harley down at a stop sign can be more costly than the damage done to your ego. Nobody wants to admit they're no longer the man they once were, many times pride will have riders with compromised abilities over extending themselves.

It's time to go back to your childhood. Remember that three wheel tricycle you started out on when you first explored the freedom of riding? Now you can return to the stability of three wheels while maintaining the flashy fit and finish of current motorcycles.

Equipped with additional storage space, comfortable two up seating, today's three wheeled motorcycles often come with reverse gears allowing them to be operated more like a car.

Of course this level of luxury doesn't come cheap. The cost of many trike conversions run well over $30,000. There are 2 configurations available, the more standard two rear wheels with a single front wheel and one Canadian brand the Can-AM Spyder which has two front wheels and one rear wheel.

For the more budget minded a simpler and less expensive alternative is available. Once you reach the point where your faithful steed has become a liability for you, there are add-on kits that will in effect add training wheels to your existing motorcycle.

In affect this makes your motorcycle a 4-wheel vehicle with 3 in the rear and 1 in front. Unlike training wheels from your younger years these aftermarket kits can include fiberglass enclosures that will give you similar fit and finish to commercially produced conversions. Only a whole lot cheaper.

When the time comes that you don't feel safe on the road, these are some of the options that will allow all us gray haired rebels to keep the wind in our face and bugs in our teeth.