I rode my modified 2008 ZX14 (every bit as quick as a ZX14R) at the age of 60.

I'm riding a 2012 Concours 14 ABS now, which is no easychair.

And I'm doing it with a soldiering injuries to legs, back, left side, head, neck.......

So at 44 you are more than good to go.

Age is just a number if you stay in shape, eat right and don't smoke. I'm 68, jog 4 miles every other day and do other arobics on the off days. Prior to buying this awesome 2012 ZX14R last August, I owned a 2009 Hayabusa (great bike, but nothing like this baby!). I ride with a group of old guys that call ourselves the Sierra FOGs (Fast Old Guys). We're mountain canyon carvers and love living life on the edge! Keeps you young at heart and sharp of mind! If I can keep the rubber side down, I hope to be doing this for many more seasons! Ya gotta love it!!

I guarantee you that if you got on a cruiser you'd be crying within 30 miles. They are torture racks for bad backs. And, you need to get some..uh.."higher" quality friends. I say that most cruisers are low performance motorcycles for low performance riders.

Mad

I'm 56 and why the hell would you want a cruiser unless you dont mind being blown off the road by wackos like us riding 14's.

* Last updated by: bean07 on 2/13/2013 @ 12:05 AM *

HAAHA, I love reading the response to this topic. I have always been told that I was too old for my 14, from friends and wife. All of that goes away as soon as I fire her up, Hell even as soon as I open the garage or log onto this forum, or see a picture of a 14, or hear the sound of any sport bike passing by my house, or when the wind blows etc... I really feel like a kid, here at 42. All of you are an inspiration. Thanks. So far as I can calculate, I still have another 27+ years of riding this thing, as long as I can keep in as good of shape as CCzx14r! Ride on!

44 and have spent the past 26 years on ninja's...... You have got to take care of your back; mine has finally stopped bothering me after being a nightmare for the past 2 years. Personally I want a bike that handles great, stops great and accelerates great.... Let your buddy's try your bike and I bet they will want to trade bikes for the rides.

I bought a bone stock 06 ZX 14 from a guy in Atlanta this past August,flew there with my helmet and tank bag and rode it back to San Diego(2572 miles) in 6 days for my 58th birthday. No,you're not too old brother.
Mike

About "bad backs": most complainants of this malady are suffering from muscular issues. These can be brought on from inactivity, excess activity, imbalances, sudden input arising from ballistic movement intentional or inadvertent in the course of daily function, etc. The percentage of humans that have or will suffer from back pain in their life is amazingly large.

If you suffer from back pain, please get a medical diagnosis to eliminate some serious disorders before going to the gym to "burn your abs"! Some back issues cannot be treated by exercise or even physical therapy and trying to do so can make a bad situation much, much worse.

If you need to relieve common muscular origin back pain, strengthening the "core" can be the ticket. NOTE: that does not necessarily mean lots of ab work; overworking the abdominals can cause back pain and this is especially so if you do exercises like leg lifts, str. leg sit-ups, bicycles, twisting toe touches and others of this sort.

Peeps with weak abs should strengthen them and that means heavier resistance crunches within an 8-15 repetition range. That is: resistance that becomes uncomfortably difficult between 8 and 15 reps; not impossible and certainly not "going for the burn" at reps in excess of 25 or compound sets, total volume in the 100's! High rep range and total volume is good to train muscle endurance at a low strength level; not what we want here.

Peeps with weak lumbars should train them for strength; that means back extensions done properly to move the resistance from a starting position with a flexed back (somersault position) to a finish with an arched (think Roman bridge) back.

Please note that if you have weak lumbars and you train your abs (instead of your spinal erectors) with high rep sets, you will make your back weaker and your problem much worse! As a personal trainer, I have "cured" low back pain in many individuals simply by stopping their excessive ab training and teaching them to do proper back extensions with appropriate resistance. True back extensions are not a function of deadlifts or "good mornings" by the way; these are only "isometric" exercises for the back and not as effective as extensions.

The first step in "curing" back pain is probably reducing bodyweight for many clients through graded, heart-rate monitored cardio exercise as a focus, even as they begin to learn to strengthen the core in totality.

I am 65 BTW and have been diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis (not addressable by exercise); the ZX14 is THE most comfortable bike I have ever ridden and the only one that I can ride for several hundred miles in a day. Who is "too old" to ride a ZX14? I am sure I don't know. I am also sure there are peeps with diagnosis's that would preclude riding anything, but that is not perforce a function of age.

* Last updated by: PaulAB on 2/17/2013 @ 2:14 PM *

61 here, why would you want a bike with no power,brakes, or handling.

Good lord I was thought I was the old man (50) riding the mid life crisis machine (2010 zx 14) but reading some of the post I'm feeling alot younger right now. I've ridden alot of cruisers and a few sport bikes but It's the zx14 that has given me the most pleasure. I do ride in several clubs that consist of mainly cruisers but I always end of playing sweeper in the back due to the ability to catch the pack if needed. I also have a bad back and the ZX has allowed me to stay in the seat longer than most. Sargen seat (low) and Genmar risers help. "ok I'm a short guy at 5'7"

ranger, you still around? Once you hit 44 you never know. LOL
I'm 56. Had my '07 since new. I agree with the previous replies.
I give a long stare at mine all the time. Proud as I can be. The bike just makes me feel good when I look at it or ride it. I've had a lot of problems the last couple of years, but one positive I have is this bike. I can't tell you what it means to me.
It IS hard on my wrists at times, but the Spiegler bar kit will fix that if I ever have to make a change. I'll probably enjoy the bike at a level I can't understand at this time, but I can't make myself do it yet. Cosmetically, I like the bars (with the 1" riser kit) a lot better.
So if comfort is the issue, just do the bar thing and maybe play with the seat, and you can laugh at all the "others" as you go by them; except you'll be laughing even harder.

"Too old"? A "cruiser is what you need"? Don't fall for that stuff.

You're only as old as you ALLOW yourself to feel! I'm 43, but feel every bit as good as I did when I was in my 30's! No cruisers here until it's time for a walker...

I'm 47, will be 48 this year, prefer the lean forward riding style as it takes the weight off your tailbone as someone here illuminated on! You're not too old, if you say that, then you are!

Too old be f...ed.
Enjoy your bike.Tried a c 109 boulevard and hated it, so I swapped it for an immaculate fjr1300 abd have my zx14r as my toy.
Like beab07 saysIam 63 love my 14 and still in the process of blinging it.
My back is not too good so I got higher bars.
If you really want to keep riding there is enough stuff out there to prolong your time on a nice bike that goes, stops and handles.
The boulevard was a good looking bike but was like a tractor to ride.
Had Hayabusas since 2002 and only traded up to the 14 12 months ago.
At the end of the day ride what you want , not what other people think you should ride.
The ones with the loudest opinions dont ride at all so wouldn`t know shit about what you should ride.
F..k em all

What's age got to do with riding a ZX14, or any other bike for that matter ?
At 65 I do what I want, when I want, and it's always been that way.

Tom

For example ...

Roller Skiing .... Beware the asphalt snow

Just another day at the office .... 60+ days last winter.

* Last updated by: Werks on 2/27/2013 @ 12:26 PM *

That's just too cool!Way ta go!

Thanks... I multi-task with the bikes whenever possible.

Homebuilt folding kayak on board ...
http://www.yostwerks.com/FalcoSprintKeyB.jpg

On the water ... Getting there is only half the fun !
http://www.yostwerks.com/Fold7.jpg

You're never too old ...
http://www.yostwerks.com/Fold8.jpg

* Last updated by: Werks on 2/27/2013 @ 1:28 PM *

I agree with everyone. Your never to old for a 14. I'm 40 and I love mine. Have done 500+ mile days and long trips no problem. I also have a Victory Vision that I put 15k on last year alone.

As many have said strengthen your core a bit. Core means chest to legs not just abs. Also helps to sit a bit upright on long stretches of slab. Some things that will help:

1. A good seat. I can't emphasize this enough. It's all the difference in the world. I have a Corbin and just love it! Cost about $500. Worth every damn penny

2. Bar risers. Takes a bit of pressure off. Cost about $100

3. Throttle lock. Long stretches are great you can sit upright a bit, lock throttle and ride with a couple fingers on the bar to keep her straight. This takes all the pressure off your back and keeps blood circulating in your hands and arms. Cost about $30

4. Grip puppies. Nice and soft and takes some pressure off. Cost $10

5. Lower foot pegs. The extra 1" does make a difference. Cost about $75

6. Double bubble or ST windscreen. Keeps the wind blast down and reduces fatigue. Cost about $100

7. Advil or some other ibuprofen before you ride. Cuts down on inflammation and lasts for hours. Cost about $10 a bottle, lasts awhile...

Lots of little things you can do to tweak the bike to take pressure off your hands and lower back. Relax your grip a bit and keep your core strong and it will make it a lot more pleasurable.

Hope that helps

-Bill

57 here.
Do your friends brag about how fast their bikes are in your presence? LOL.
Do your friends go fast or talk power when you are around?
Do your friends ask about your bike?
Do you suffer to keep from running away from your friends when out riding?
Do your friends ride to bars for another cold one?
Have any of your friends asked to race you?
Do they tell you slow down so they can keep up? LOL.

Enjoy your bike. I ride to have fun. If I want to ride a hog, I can when the fair comes around. That would be a thrill.

I'm 47 and also have back issues. L4,L5 are bulging. A nice brisk ride actually makes my back feel better. I think the ergonomics of the 14 sort of stretch things out.

I too, have been asked by the Harley types as to when I'm going to get a real bike. They only ask once! After going on a ride with me, and by that I mean trying to keep up, they quiet down real fast!

I'm 45 and the trend suggests that most are to young to ride a 14. Understandable if insurance is an issue. I look at the 14 as a perk of old age! Also it seems like greybeards sometimes get some slack from the popo. It's a hell of a thing.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 8/24/2013 @ 6:39 PM *

First of all old is a mindstate not a number, second of all why would you let someone else tell you how you feel and how your bike feels to you, its not there ride! Im 41 with abad knee and lower back problems from motorcycle wreaks, I have no problem riding my Gen1 for miles, hours, or days with or without the wife on back, these bikes are really do it all with enough aftermarket to make it fit you and make you comfortable, KEEP RIDING BABY, the heck with what they say or think, its your ride, RIDE IT! Thank you for your service, God Bless!!

I am 40! Disk bulges L3, L4, L5 and often riding with a pitched nerve or with both legs completely numb. I have lost track of my injuries. Got a few pins holding my left ankle together. Just had knee surgery this April (I can kwep it bent now) Suffice it to say, the zx 14 riding position is a blessing. It took time, but I found a position to fall into that does not irritate my back, so I recommend moving around till you find it, there is a sweet spot in the saddle that allows riders to stretch out. I have ridden things from r1's to Harley's - trust me, you selected well and I would not under any circumstances purchase a Harley! If you do, make sure you ride and wear a condom every ride. Who knows where they've been and what std you can pic up! Roman's bro rides a cruiser and it would be the only one for me, maybe Romes can post a pic of that chromed out beauty.

My thoughts Ranger!

Keep the shiny side up brother, as long as you ride the 14 there is no finer machine.

Mad love,
W

* Last updated by: Wolfman on 8/25/2013 @ 5:17 AM *

I'm 56 and why the hell would you want a cruiser unless you dont mind being blown off the road by wackos like us riding 14's.

Hahahaha! What he said! Thank you fer you know what dude. That feeling you get when you are ABOUT to go sit and look at ur baby right now, if you get a cruiser, will be replaced with self loathing when ya open that garage door and see something other than ur rocket. I know it. A part of why we can sit and stare all day at our machines is the fact that are sitting still And we understand the juxtaposition of our memories aboard her at speed. A hog sittin there, is just a slow bike parked. Not so interesting. :)) just my 2c. Old assed thread, ya still slayin things on that 14 ranger?? :))
Oh yeah, I'm 39, turnin 40 this year. Fuck age and injury. That shits for some guy complaining. Not us mad bastards on 14's!!!!! :))) when I start to feel anything in my lower back I remember to grip with knees when riding just straight up and down. Relieves pressure on wrists too.

When u sir upright and grip with your knees against the side of the tank, it not only relieves pressure on ur back, but it IMPROVES posture. It does help, the more you practice it, the less you think about it. The knee grip helps.