Getting back on a motorcycle at 50: a fresh start guide

You sold your motorcycle years ago. Then came the mortgage, the kids, a job that gave you no respite… and that bike was sold "temporarily". Now you're 50 or 60, the kids have flown the nest, there's a bit more time and financial breathing room, and that old itch is back. You're not alone: more and more people are getting back on a motorcycle after 50, and it's probably the best moment to do it. This guide walks you, step by step, through how to start riding again with enjoyment and no nasty surprises.

Why more and more people return to motorcycling after 50

The returning rider phenomenon —the rider who gave up motorcycling when young and comes back decades later— is growing across Europe. The reasons repeat themselves: there's finally free time, the means to buy the motorcycle you couldn't afford back then, and a healthy need to reconnect with a passion that never truly faded. Riding is also a great way to stay active and clear your head. The conclusion is simple: getting back on a motorcycle at this age isn't an eccentricity, it's a trend that makes perfect sense.

What has changed since you gave it up (and what hasnt)

It's worth coming back with realistic expectations. Motorcycles have changed a lot. Today you'll find ABS, traction control, different riding modes, quickshifters and even automatic or dual-clutch transmissions. All of that works in your favour: they're safer and easier to ride than the ones from your youth. The trade-off is that they are also, on average, heavier and packed with more electronics.

And you have changed too. Your reflexes, eyesight and physical recovery aren't what they were at 25, and there's nothing wrong with admitting it: it's more than offset by experience, caution and better gear. What hasn't changed is the essential part: the desire and the sensations. That's still intact.

Step 1 — Sort out your licence and the legal side

First of all, check that your A licence is still valid and renew your medical certificate if it's due. If your licence has lapsed administratively, the renewal process is usually straightforward. Clearing this up first saves you headaches and lets you focus on the fun part.

Step 2 — Choose the right motorcycle to start again (without overdoing it)

This is the most important decision and where most people go wrong. The temptation to buy a 240 kg maxi-trail or a big custom straight away is huge, but to start again it's usually smarter to prioritise a motorcycle that is manageable, with a seat height that lets you reach the ground comfortably and a weight you can control when stationary.

If you've been away for years, seriously consider whether an automatic or dual-clutch motorcycle suits you: they remove clutch management in town and on mountain passes, and greatly reduce fatigue. It will help to understand the differences between automatic and geared motorcycles before you decide. And if your plan is to travel with a passenger, take a look at the most comfortable motorcycles for two: your passenger's comfort matters as much as yours.

Step 3 — Recover your technique safely

Although "you never forget how to ride", the sharpness does get rusty. Devote your first outings to quiet areas, without rushing, relearning braking, cornering lines and where to look. A riding or advanced course is one of the best investments you can make on your return: in a single morning you recover confidence that, on your own, would take months to rebuild. Complement those first rides with tips for riding safely after 50, designed for exactly your moment.

Step 4 — Travel again, at your own pace

Here's the reward. Getting back on a motorcycle isn't about going fast, it's about enjoying the scenery, the corner and the unhurried stop. Plan comfortable stages, without obsessing over the mileage, and rediscover the pleasure of travelling on two wheels. To get some ideas, take a look at the best motorcycle routes across Spain and pick the one that best fits your pace.

The part almost nobody tells you about: the logistics of moving the motorcycle

There's a barrier rarely talked about that, past a certain age, makes the difference between carrying on riding or gradually giving it up: moving the motorcycle when it's not running. Getting it out of the garage, manoeuvring it at a standstill, loading it onto a trailer or pushing it to park on a slope demands a strength that, over the years, becomes harder to muster. And adding 300 km of monotonous motorway to reach the start of the good route wears out anyone's back.

The solution many returning riders are adopting is to combine the trip: carry the motorcycle by car, van or motorhome to the scenic area and ride only the stretch that's really worth it. You can see how to do it by carrying your motorcycle in a camper van, although for most people a trailer is the most practical option.

And this is where the technical detail matters: a tilting trailer lets you load the motorcycle at ground level, without lifting weight or wrestling with ramps. It's worth getting to know the advantages of tilting trailers, because they solve exactly the physical sticking point that holds many senior riders back.

The folding trailer from Littleway Team takes that idea to the extreme: it's a tilting trailer (you load effortlessly, at ground level) and it also folds in seconds to store vertically in any corner of your garage. In other words: it takes the heavy part of owning a motorcycle off your shoulders, so getting back on the bike depends only on your enthusiasm and not on your back.

Its never too late to ride again

Getting back on a motorcycle at 50 is easier, safer and more enjoyable than ever. Bring your paperwork up to date, choose a motorcycle you can control, recover your technique calmly and sort out the logistics so nothing holds you back. The rest —the desire— you already have. The open road is waiting for you.