No Complaints

[Mick_J]

I have no complaints with mine, it's a great bike but at the end of the day it's just a bike so I am probably going to move it on this year to make room for something different.

[Jeykey]

No complaints here. Maybe just some ABS, sometimes.. Besides that, nothing else. Unlike Grog I love the bazooka, got sided by a car last year, waited for a new oem one from Japan, 3 months in the waiting. Now it shines as well as the rest and I get asked if the bike´s new. Will buy an S1000XR but keep the 14!

[Andre]

If you want the 14 to feel more like a Honda Dax: Train up to some heavy weights. When you can pick up the weight of a 14 from the floor several times in a row, the 14 will handle like a Dax All a matter of perspective.

[Hooli]

That reminds me of an old poster we had who kept asking about how much he'd need to train to dead lift a 14. Can't remember his name now.

[Andre]

A well known coach states that he expects younger (20 - 30 year old) amateur lifters to reach a 400 lbs squat, 300 lbs bench, and a 500 lbs dead. 500 lbs are just shy of 227 kg,  which is just shy of the empty weight of a 14 (228 kg). I reached 401 lbs on squat, 315 lbs bench, and 496 lbs dead (each 2-3 reps) at the end of 2016. Started training somewhere late 2013 using my variation of Starting Strength followed up with my variation of the Texas Method (oh boy, "my variation" makes that coach go absolutely bunkers). So somewhere around 3 years (age 52 to age 55). At that age it is a very good achievement. There is a huge difference between exercising and training. Training is very specific. Food and rest are 2 major ingredients. I remember the time as a life of training, eating, and sleeping. Not much else Then my mom died in December 2016 and that threw me for a loop. She was always very sad that I had gotten rid of my first 14 (due to back, neck, and hip issues. Couldn't stand riding the 14 for more than 5 minutes due to pain. Mentally I was a burned out (pun intended) wreck. In 2012 I hit (what I call) the jackpot. A 6-months rehab where I had the most outstanding sportst herapist. We did, what I termed training for invalids. She was really proud of my progress. I will never forget Steffi!!! That laid the foundation of changing my life. But what really got rid of my back, neck, and hip issues was the training for powerlifting. A lay person would say: "Are you out of your mind. You are going to destroy what is left of your spine. My doc in a short term rehab (3 weeks) would certainly strongly disagree. He told me that the only thing that could be done was strengthening the muscles. Was too weak and lazy to do that until Steffi came along.
o
To finish the story, in April 2017 I got my second 14. I kinda joked that my mom made sure that I got one. Influenced my dad to give me the € for it. Then I had only time for my lady the next few years. Instead of training I rode her during the (bike-) seasons and worked on her throughout the years. Weights and cardio (yep, also an essential part of training in my book) changed to something what I told my daughter to be "health training", with emphasis on TRAINING (not exercise. Instead of convential dead lift, I do romanian deadlifts. Wow, is that a back and hamstring builder.
 
 Maybe my story will inspire some. It was good for me to reflect on this. So thank you Hooli

[KiwiCol]

So, when I'm deadlifting pints at the bar, I'm training.  Awesome.

[Mr Gee]

So, when I'm deadlifting pints at the bar, I'm training.  Awesome.

Well done, you have to start somewhere and I can't think, of anywhere better.   

[KiwiCol]

So, when I'm deadlifting pints at the bar, I'm training.  Awesome.

Well done, you have to start somewhere and I can't think, of anywhere better.   

I'm a slow learner, so unfortunately I can see myself being stuck on this level for some time . . .

[GSXKING]

Andre your story is quite inspiring.
My wife Bobbie started powerlifting as rehab after having a heart valve replacement.
She is now in her weight and age class' a holder of several world records.
We trained together during Covid and I actually couldn't keep up, her training regime is very much predicated around diet and rest plus training with a PT she has been with for 7 years. No sign of her giving up and now referees at competitions.

[grog]

Amazing stuff Andre, Bobbie, Chris. I used to run forever miles, gym etc. Unfortunately the body gives up. A few squats, barbells and pilates floor stuff keeps me going now.Im quite happy i can still knuckle the floor.

[Andre]

So, when I'm deadlifting pints at the bar, I'm training.  Awesome.

Yes, if you do it in an organized, pre-meditated fashion on a frequent schedule you are training. Oh, training has to be progressive. Alsways lift a bit more. If you can handle 5 quart-sized glasses of beer in each hand, you are well on your way. It's time now to up the alk-content. I recommend Belgian beer. Pick one that comes in a variety of vol-%. When you get to the highest... sorry, it's time to shift beverages. When you get to Austrian "Stroh Rum" you progress up the ladder to the 80 vol-% version of Stroh Rum, you have achieved world class level.

But you have not done deadlifts yet. They are done bending over to pick up the glass off the floor for each swallow. Not sip - swallow. Sips are for pussies. You don't want to be a pussy!!! Right?
 
 I think my above advice should be enough for now. If you have any specific question I am more than happy to give you more free invaluable advice.

[Andre]

Andre your story is quite inspiring.
My wife Bobbie started powerlifting as rehab after having a heart valve replacement.
She is now in her weight and age class' a holder of several world records.
We trained together during Covid and I actually couldn't keep up, her training regime is very much predicated around diet and rest plus training with a PT she has been with for 7 years. No sign of her giving up and now referees at competitions.

Wonderful! I am sure you support her in her endevours. One day it may pay off handsomely. For example you drop your bike. You don't bend a finger to straigten up the bike. Other bikers will offer their help. "Don't bother my friend. I called my wife, she will take care of it. Oh, there she comes already. All good now "

[Andre]

Amazing stuff Andre, Bobbie, Chris. I used to run forever miles, gym etc. Unfortunately the body gives up. A few squats, barbells and pilates floor stuff keeps me going now.Im quite happy i can still knuckle the floor.

Grog, yes the body gives up over time. At different times for each one of us. But it is inevitable that it does. Just staying active as much as you are able to do is worth it imo.
 
 My dad will turn 90 this year. He is amazing. Fully independent! Member in 2 Table Tennis Clubs. Trains with a few other clubs as a highly desirable training partner due to his fairly rare style of play. He is by far the oldest guy in his league. At one of the competions he overheard the guy up next to play against dad saying to his team mates. "I am going to make that old geezer wet". After the first set, the young one grabbed a towel to wipe off his dripping sweat. My dead: "What is that? We have just started and you are dripping like that already"
 
 Besides table tennis, dad cycles as much as weather permits; averaging 1k km a month. Not as much and intense as he used to, but hey he is keeping it up well. Points out that he is regressing every year. No denying that. The end will come for sure. I hope that the end is still far off. Especially that it won't be preceeded by loosing his ability to take care of himself. May he die many years from now on his bike or drop at the plate still holding his beloved table tennis racket.
 
 My mom (RIP) said (NOT jokingly) that when he dies, she will get him a stone with a golden bicycle on it. I sure wish she had exhibited just 1% of my dad's activity level. She might still be with us.
 
 So, do what you can. Regardless how little it is, it is worth it

[Mr Gee]

So, when I'm deadlifting pints at the bar, I'm training.  Awesome.

Well done, you have to start somewhere and I can't think, of anywhere better.   

I'm a slow learner, so unfortunately I can see myself being stuck on this level for some time . . .

Sounds good to me.     

[Jeykey]

Andre, yours and your dad´s life stories are fabulous and inspiring! I´m also keen on sports, 58 with 45 years type 1 diabetes, no problems until now. Started running 30 years ago. First you go 10km, then it´s not much, then you go half marathon (21km) then it´s not much, then you go the 42 then it´s not much. Now i´m waiting for an ultra. That´s training. Biking comes in second. Covid did 2,5 years everyday, not 1 day failed training. Best time of my life.
Just loved you pa´s story, till 90 and still strong!