70 is the new 40 for motorcyclists and a finally, a mid-life crisis feels just about right. I want to be with a slender shape that carries less baggage. Sexy curves and quick responses that will put up with my growing impatience. I want more air in my lungs, color in my life and Ducati dressed in midnight blue works wonders. A rider since age 15, motorcycling has always been my physical therapy, psychotherapy and now a spiritual quest which has unquestionably kept me young. In my 50’s, the task of muscling around 1,400 pounds of a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide with a passenger and luggage between your legs worked wonders at keeping me fit. But in my 60’s I pondered the weight of all that money spent on a 1,000-watt, multi-speaker sound system, stage I, II and III engine upgrades, custom chrome, super comfy seating, and enough motorcycle real estate to justify property tax. Has motorcycle riding become a big windscreen, 2-way communication, Blue-toothed, Sirius, heated seats and cappuccino-holder riding experience?  Is a big-ass Lazy Boy with a home theater on 2 wheels is even legal? Downsizing to a 678 lbs. Vulcan Nomad made sense and I have that bike to this day. While sitting in my lumbar-support office chair with cushy mesh fabrics and more adjustments than a chiropractor on crack, I had to take inventory, how long have I become hunched over my phone and computer monitor, soaking up radiation like hot pockets in a microwave? Hell, at 69 I’m still a young dude and reminded myself why I fell in love with motorcycling in the first place — no bags, no trunk, no stereo, and a stiff saddle that naturally demanded a spinal alignment. It would make my yoga teacher proud. Chakras wide open while chanting Harley Krishna, Harley Krishna. Motorcycling occupies a unique relationship to how I experience life. I call it “Helmet Time” you are truly alone, it’s your personal contact to the present moment, and in that moment of “Here and Now, forces my psyche into a higher, more focused state of consciousness. I wanted all that back, so I bought a Ducati ST2 at 437 lbs.  and it turned out that I am not alone. I proudly posted a photo of my blue Duc on a Ducati Owners Community Facebook page.  Within a few hours there were 621 Likes and 141 comments from older riders with photos of their bikes and stories just like mine! I had hit a nerve, they too had purchased lighter, more nimble motorcycles. The elder statesman of the bunch was 81 years old proudly astride his 2001 Suzuki SV650S. Shortly after, another contributor posted a Ducati rider age survey and of 1,145 votes the highest percentage came from the 51 to 60 age group of Ducati riders!  Biker Yoga Motorcyclists spend hours sitting in the saddle, walking away with sore backs, cramped legs and arms. I realized I could do some of the very same exercises I was doing in Yoga class while riding and arrive limber and pain free. See Video https://youtu.be/aludsQh_XZY?si=k500gJIl_7qAikkw My yoga teacher also espouses the benefits of higher state of consciousness and good vibrations. OOOMMM does have a nice low tone.  Much scientific research has gone into this electro-acoustic-atomic vibration thing. Moving at 85 mph on a two-wheel vibrator will stimulate blood flow and a distinct tingling feeling. My life partner agrees. She loves the exhilaration and excitement of the mountain twisties on a sport touring bike. I could light a cigarette behind a giant Harley windscreen but on a sportbike breathing is a completely different experience. You almost need to suck in the passing oxygen at speed. Gusts of wind will affect the effort it takes to get a breath of air. Secondly, the surrounding circumstances such as bursts of passing acceleration or simple lane changes also affect breathing patterns. You may find yourself holding your breath during these actions, pay close attention to this next time you are on the bike. Make each breath last for six seconds: inhale for three seconds and exhale for three seconds. Keep your breathing regular and your body relaxed keeps your mind more alert. Finally, everyone looks younger on a Ducati. Italian designers make simplicity look elegant. The classic line in the movie Ford VS Ferrari as a Ferrari 330 P3s pull onto the race track says it all. “If this were a beauty pageant, we just lost”.  Looking younger, and feeling younger are part of being younger. Having a young mindset will go a long way in leaving the effects of time in the dust. Recapturing the qualities that filled you with so many exciting possibilities will change your life. What’s the moral of this story? Never give up the dream or the challenge. Lighten your load, get rid of excess baggage, the past has no power over the present moment. Keep on moving! Ride more, dance more, love more, worry less, and follow your passion, no matter what age or leg of life’s journey you are on. Whether it’s motorcycling the Himalayas or riding the backroads of your hometown, the pursuit of your dreams will keep you young and excited about living life to the fullest.  Ride Safewww.kozmoto.com The post 70: The New 40-In Biker Years appeared first on Bikernet.com - Online Biker Magazine.

Is your new Harley-Davidson about to spray hot oil all over you the next time you check the dipstick? Harley-Davidson is once again under fire after announcing a major recall impacting 88,039 motorcycles due to a serious oil defect. This latest issue comes hot on the heels of last month’s recall of over 70,000 bikes for rear brake problems, raising serious concerns about the company’s quality control and engineering standards on its modern Milwaukee-Eight powered machines. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected models include 2024-2026 FLTRX (Road Glide), FLHX (Street Glide), 2025-2026 FXBR (Breakout), and FLFB (Fat Boy) motorcycles. The root cause is a breather port that can become blocked, leading to dangerous pressure buildup inside the crankcase. When riders pull the dipstick — something most owners do during regular oil checks or long trips — pressurized oil can spray out forcefully, increasing the risk of serious injury, burns, or even a crash if it distracts the rider. This is especially alarming considering these are brand-new, high-dollar motorcycles often priced between $20,000 and $50,000. Riders expect reliability at that price point, not basic design flaws that turn routine maintenance into a hazard. Harley-Davidson has stated they have received no reports of injuries so far and are not currently facing legal action, but the recall itself speaks volumes. The company plans to notify owners via letters that were scheduled to begin going out on May 11th. Dealers will inspect and repair the breather port issue at no cost to the owner. Harley-Davidson customer service can be reached at 800-258-2464 for anyone with questions or concerns.This string of recalls paints a troubling picture for the iconic American motorcycle brand. Many longtime riders are openly wondering if it’s time to go back to the reliable Evolution (Evo) engines of the past. The Evo was legendary for its durability — you could literally pull the engine out on the side of the road and fix it if needed. In contrast, modern Milwaukee-Eight and Twin Cam engines have been plagued with problems that seem to keep surfacing. Beyond the mechanical issues, Harley-Davidson is struggling in the marketplace. Sales have declined, and the brand is losing ground with younger riders who prioritize performance, value, and reliability over brand loyalty. Today’s buyers are just as likely to choose Honda, Yamaha, BMW, or other competitors that deliver solid engineering without the massive premium price tag. This situation highlights a bigger lesson for all motorcycle riders, regardless of brand: maintenance matters. Too many new riders buy a bike and simply ride without learning basic care. Always pre-trip your motorcycle before every ride. Check for oil leaks, inspect electrical connectors, verify tire pressure, and look over the forks and brakes. On long trips, stop every 100 miles or at every fuel fill-up to do a quick inspection. Motorcycles are unforgiving. When something goes wrong at highway speeds, you don’t have the protection of a car. One blown tire or sudden distraction can put you six feet under. Whether you ride a Harley, Indian, or Japanese sportbike, taking responsibility for your machine’s condition is essential. Harley owners with affected models should contact their dealer immediately for the free repair. For everyone else, this serves as a reminder that even premium brands can have serious issues. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and ride safe. The motorcycle community deserves better from Harley-Davidson. With multiple major recalls in just two months affecting a huge portion of their recent production, the pressure is on for the company to get its act together before more riders walk away for good. Whatever your taste Insane Throttle Has you Covered. Rock With Insane Throttle or bang with Defiant Afterlife. If your looking for Country check out Kenny Ashe and if you’re about the Street Life we have Ghost 21. All are streaming on all major platforms. Harley-Davidson Faces Another Massive Recall: Why Cops Face More Arrests and Convictions Than Outlaw Motorcycle Club Members Police Disrupt Alleged Satans Choice Motorcycle Club Activity with Early Morning Raid Guilt by Association: Ninth Circuit Battles Over Gun Permit Denied for Member Of BoozeFighters Motorcycle Club Danny D Low- Vegas Profile Stories- Satans Choice Interviews