Gray Hair: Use Extra Caution

[Stonestrike]

Originally Posted by SixFiveOh

I keep my gray hair neatly tucked under my full face helmet...

I try to, but it's long enough that it comes out the back and flies in the breeze.. GF loves it that way, gives her something to play with when we ride. Or the beard which is also grey

[Scrambler81]

Originally Posted by Stonestrike

I try to, but it's long enough that it comes out the back and flies in the breeze.. GF loves it that way, gives her something to play with when we ride. Or the beard which is also grey

See, once gray showed up in my beard, I shaved it off. Unfortunately, I may have to shave my chest soon.



How's that for screwing up a thread?!?

[airforce1]

Originally Posted by Scrambler81

See, once gray showed up in my beard, I shaved it off. Unfortunately, I may have to shave my chest soon.



How's that for screwing up a thread?!?

Ok, I haven't ticked anyone off yet today, but it's only 0630 here...
Heard this one (I did NOT say it... but it was funny... yep, shaved mine...)
"Why would a man cultivate upon his face that that grows wild upon his a$$?
Yep, it is just a but rude, doesn't take much to amuse me...

[VindianaJones]

Originally Posted by Lobocop

This Mod found his post funny

Lol, Yea but Ken, you've got a really twisted sense of humour.

[92NinjaZX6]

Heh gray hair is the beginning of aging, still young enough to drive in most cases IMO, its all white hair that you need to watch out for haha.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by Seadog1967

Umm 65 huh!!!! I think you should up that some. I'm 62 and still rolling 18 wheels. Yes I agree there should be testing later in life. (driving that is) but I think everyone is different at different ages. I do think though that the younger people seem to think that 65 is the golden mark of people not being capable of doing things anymore. Maybe we shouldn't issue a driving license to anyone under say 21. LOL Same with cell phones. Ya gotta be over 21. umm what else can we re-regulate. LOL

The problem is, how do you determine that individual threshhold? After an accident or before? The only way to really know is to test everyone.

The problem with getting older is, all those things that start to diminish (sight, hearing, reflexes and even memory) start to fade very slowly. Most people don't realize there's anything wrong until something shocks them back to reality. The question is, will the shock be a close call or an accident that kills someone?

65 is a good threshold since it's an age many retire at and decide to get out and travel or have time to putter around town all day long. It catches the bulk of the issues before they become safety problems. The other poster said every 7 years. I think that's too long. 5 years is better.

For that matter, no one should be able to renew by mail. You should have to get yourself into the DMV and have a new photo taken, along with an eye test. Everyone.

As far as the rest, no, I think 16 is fine to start driving, but I think the limits should last longer (no night driving, etc.) and I think under the age of 18, cell phone usage should be banned. A 16 or 17 year old DOES NOT have the skills to be distracted by such things while being so new at driving. Also, no friends in the car for at least the first year of driving. Sorry, but your teenage friends are a bad influence and a distraction when you all pile in a car together.

Likewise, I think new drivers should be retested yearly for at least the first 3 years.

It's to easy to get and keep your license. Driving is not a right. You have too much responsibility to others to take it for granted - old or young.

[A2 turbo]

Originally Posted by 6ZeroZeroR

Dude?! Are you on drugs, or just retarded? I apologized for the title of the thread more than enough. It was a mistake. Let it go. Get over it, and get over your bad truck-drivin' self.

now theres a group to look out for! back in august I was on a 1,000 mile ride to southeast Kansas, somewhere just east of the colorado line (notmuch there) I was alone on I 70 and had it cranked up to make some time when I come up on an 18 wheeler. I was in the left lane as I approched the truck and true to form of a trucker that owns the whole D@45ned road he swerves into my lane at the last minuit. so I move right to go around and guess what? he moves back to the right trying to force me off the road! I hammer the throttle and get around an then slow down to see what the problem was and what did I see. long "Blue" haired man with oxygen tubes in his nose flipping me the bird! if that aint hatred for motorcycles I dont know what is!

[Seadog1967]

Originally Posted by A2 turbo

now theres a group to look out for! back in august I was on a 1,000 mile ride to southeast Kansas, somewhere just east of the colorado line (notmuch there) I was alone on I 70 and had it cranked up to make some time when I come up on an 18 wheeler. I was in the left lane as I approched the truck and true to form of a trucker that owns the whole D@45ned road he swerves into my lane at the last minuit. so I move right to go around and guess what? he moves back to the right trying to force me off the road! I hammer the throttle and get around an then slow down to see what the problem was and what did I see. long "Blue" haired man with oxygen tubes in his nose flipping me the bird! if that aint hatred for motorcycles I dont know what is!

Amazing. I would think with the CDL medical card you have to have to drive that if that person needed oxygen tubes in his nose that he would not have his CDL medical card issued. Then again what do I know.

[windsurfdog]

Hey,

Once you go gray, there's no other way!

Believe it!

[A2 turbo]

Originally Posted by Seadog1967

Amazing. I would think with the CDL medical card you have to have to drive that if that person needed oxygen tubes in his nose that he would not have his CDL medical card issued. Then again what do I know.

I dont know Ive never even studied for a CDL Im just telling it like it happened! I the guy was trying to kill me! we were the only vehicles on the road for miles

[Seadog1967]

Originally Posted by A2 turbo

I dont know Ive never even studied for a CDL Im just telling it like it happened! I the guy was trying to kill me! we were the only vehicles on the road for miles

Wasn't doubting ya. Guy could of developed a medical condition after he had been issued the medical card. They have to be renewed every two years unless you have a medical problem then it's every year. I've been driving truck for over 30 yrs and it sure is changing out there. There's still a lot of safe good truckers on the road but there also is a lot of bad ones just like other drivers. Been a few times I've almost been taken out by another trucker while I was in my rig. Everybody is out to get ya no matter what ya drive. LOL

[A2 turbo]

Originally Posted by Seadog1967

There's still a lot of safe good truckers on the road but there also is a lot of bad ones just like other drivers. Been a few times I've almost been taken out by another trucker while I was in my rig. Everybody is out to get ya no matter what ya drive. LOL

I noticed what seems to be a correlation btween those bad drivers. a majotity of them have TEXAS plates!

[Tendofreak]

I believe that ALL drivers should be tested every 7-10 years. Thats driving and a written test. Bet 10-1.......... 3 out of ten would not pass.

[airforce1]

Jeez fellas!
Here is the happiest answer I have found...
There is a real attitude in this country by the "younger" folks who don't like the "older" folks. That's not new...
The older folks don't much like the younger folks attitudes and penchant for speed...
but ...
What's not to like about the "Gray Hare"???
Go look here, it's peaceful, ya know?
Traverse City Michigan Bed and Breakfast Grey Hare Inn Vineyard Bed & Breakfast Northern Michigan

As the Aussies might say,
"Ave a luvley day, mate!

[airforce1]

Originally Posted by 6ZeroZeroR

EDIT: I am not trying to insult all persons with gray hair, but I guess that is what it sounds like. I simply mean to see it as a flag for the possibility of a driver that may be beyond their ability to drive safely due to physical impediments. Damn, this is just sounding worse. Please do not be offended as I mean no harm. I'm only trying to warn riders of the circumstances of my near miss today. We all know the majority of older, more experienced(OK, now I'm grabbing for brownie points) riders are excellent riders. We also realize that some older drivers are too stubborn to know when to quit.

I went for a ride on my RED bike wearing my RED/white/black jacket this morning and pulled up behind a white Ford Crown Victoria--I'll leave the whole political affiliation aspect out of this--at a red light. I decided to stay behind the car b/c I wanted to go for a slow cruise. Perfect. I'm cruisin' along well behind the car and I notice the man driving is fairly old. So when traffic clears in the left lane I pull to the left slowly and I'm cruising where I can see the driver's face in his left side mirror. Since I'm going to turn left at the approaching intersection I start to accelerate in case the older gentleman ahead of me decides to do the same. After riding behind him in plain sight for a couple miles, I pull forward and as I do he drifts into my lane and forces me into the center turning lane(between the two sets of yellow center lanes). I lay on the horn right beside his door and he doesn't acknowledge me. I pull ahead and keep my eye on him in the mirror and he acts like nothing happened. For whatever reason, he should not be driving.

EDIT II: I believe a good solution to this would be mandatory testing when a person reaches the age of 65. Then tested every 7 years onward.

Well my Las Vegas friend,
Stupidity knows no age limits.
Age, chemicals, etc, all affect folks abilities to "pilot" a vehicle.
BLEEPS me out when cagers do the sort of stuff you described.
I see 2 wheel "sporties" doing illegal and unsafe manuevers daily and surviving (for the moment). I recognize the "need for speed", adrenalin and testostorone really factor in and the "rush" is great.
The ole' duffer you saw is on the same street, but not on the same track as you are. We are all on the same tour but it is not always easy to realize that this is not a race track. On the race track, we match drivers of approximately ability and equipment and then the outcome 'comes'.
On the street, it is a different game with different rules. It is different on the track, but ALL OF US are on the road. Sort of makes the game more interesting, in a way. Glad you didn't get hurt.
"Don't let adrenelin and testorone get in the way of good judgement and spoil your adventure!"
Best wishes for a good experience on your ride!

[goldseth]

Kiddies on crotch-rockets-I live in Florida, so I cant tell you how many kooks I see twice a year. No grey hair, BUT...
--no fear
--no experience
--no common sense
--no respect
--no insurance
--no helmet
--no skills

Its not age alone...skills, experience, reflex, temperament, etc...
Im getting my greys and I can take half the St Augustine kooks riding around in sandals!

[WyldStreak]

While my hair, and the wife's, have long since forgone the natural coloring that we used to enjoy, I have to agree. Take a look at this post - it seems to go right along with the topic of this post:

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...-want-see.html

Unfortunately, it does seem to be more of the older ones who cause these type of accidents. The younger set don't win any awards, but I've had more encounters with the older set than the younger set.

[HoopleHead]

I've only been forced off the road twice, once on purpose by a laughing teen, once by someone driving a truckload of chickens in little cages... couldn't see the driver.

But lets see, I'm 68 now and I know that in my younger years, if I realized I was missing my turn, I would fishtail and make the turn.... now I don't realize it until it's too late... wonder which is more dangerous.

But yes, testing! I think we would all benefit from MSF-type courses for all vehicles... and we should ALL be tested regularly.

[airforce1]

Originally Posted by HoopleHead

I've only been forced off the road twice, once on purpose by a laughing teen, once by someone driving a truckload of chickens in little cages... couldn't see the driver.

But lets see, I'm 68 now and I know that in my younger years, if I realized I was missing my turn, I would fishtail and make the turn.... now I don't realize it until it's too late... wonder which is more dangerous.

But yes, testing! I think we would all benefit from MSF-type courses for all vehicles... and we should ALL be tested regularly.

What do "y'all" think about M/C awareness training for cager driver licenses?

[VindianaJones]

Originally Posted by airforce1

What do "y'all" think about M/C awareness training for cager driver licenses?

In theory, it sounds like a great idea and perhaps it is a good idea but...... There would be many who might advocate that we as motorcycle riders should take cager awareness training as well. Remember that for every story that you hear about bad cager driving, you'll probably hear a story of a biker abusing his priveledge as well. Such things as bikers riding on the sidewalk to get past slow traffic. Bikers lane splitting when it is illegal. Bikers passing on the wrong side of the road. Bikers popping wheelies. Bikers speeding. Bikers riding in a group of 10 or more, thus making it very very hard to pass. Bikers weaving in and out of slow traffic ( simply to keep the flow of traffic moving ) ( thats the one I laugh at the most ) We often complain about cagers but seriously, I've seen sooo many of these things that I can fully understand why many cagers dislike us. I've even seen bikers using a cell phone in traffic ( moving ) With the phone stuck to his ear. Having listed all these things, perhaps a cager awareness program for offenders, isn't such a bad idea either. I'm sure some of you would add Loud Pipes to the list as well but I chose to keep the list to things I felt were a clear and present danger to cagers and pedestrians and not just a nuisance to some. I'm not trying to stir up trouble, just trying to present the other side of the argument.