Too old for motocross?

[observer]

Nothing saying you have to engage in moto............55 y/o here and still ride single track trails up here in WA.
Used to race a 100 yrs ago(pretty seriously), but the key is to know your limitations. we're a pretty core bunch of guys that take our ST riding pretty serious.
Something like a clean used Honda CRF450X or Yam WR450F is prefectly fine(and content)with puting around having fun on trails with your kids.
I don't think, however, you need a 2t motocross bike(regardless of yr).....power too angry/abrupt-no tolerance of whiskey throttle at all. Find you something that'll be forgiving, but not weigh as much as your street bike.  Which the above machines fit the bill nicely. They are forgiving bikes with ample power(trust me). And it's oh so true......that ground gets harder the older you get!  
Remember, offroading(even dual trails-never mind single track-riding, as you'll quickly find out), does require you to be in some form of physical shape. Respect that...
Give it try. Use your head and you'll have fun.  

[Sport-Touring]

[Windblown]

Remember, offroading(even dual trails-never mind single track-riding, as you'll quickly find out), does require you to be in some form of physical shape. Respect that...

When I read the above I was reminded of an off-road acquaintance who has been known to say defensively "but ROUND is a shape". Actually he's more Wookie shaped than round. ok.... More overweight Wookie shaped I reckon, LOL

[Ack535]

I am a big  fan of the 250 class. Not too heavy, but plenty of power and light/easy to manuver around. The top two bikes I settled on were the CRF250X and the WR250. I ended up with the CRF. Bike is set up for singletrack/two track riding with a plate etc. A lot of fun!

[TwoTrackinFool]

I'm on an old RM 250 . Still motoX when I can . Little slower don't quite get the air I used to but I still ride . I'm 44.
Wanna get her set up for the woods . Can't see gettin rid of her I love mixed gas !

[hannylicious]

Never too old to go trail riding, but as a 50-something, the focus on big air on MX tracks scares me (old guys don't bounce well).

The older I get, the less likely I am to take to the air.  I grew up in the dirt and just recently (last month) got a street bike because I haven't lived near a track in 5 years.  I'm 31 but motocross gave me a broken back, broken jaw, collerbones, hands, etc.  So my 'go big or go home' days are behind me because I've got two little guys who want a dad who can walk - still got the '03 KTM 250sx though!

I will say this - you don't have to do every jump!  When it comes to MX, it's all in the corners.  Great story I love to tell guys who think jumps are everything (or punk kids these days!   ) I Watched an older former pro-dirt tracker ride a beaten up, '91 CR250 against a (then) brand new '04 CR450 (the rider was mid-pack B level so he could go pretty good);  The guy on the 250 told the other guy "you can do every jump on the track, I won't do a single one, lets run 'em!"... so the B rider agreed thinking he had this in the bag.

The CR250 absolutely MURDERED the 450 without doing a single jump.  He rolled them all, but he absolutely murdered him in the straights/corners.  That's where it can be won!  

That said, OP can still race safely  Or ride for fun!
Just tooling around on trails or even hitting the track days for practice is a blast - and when I got out of the sport 7-8 years ago, people were still really friendly everywhere I went.  Not a day goes by I don't miss it - but I don't have a good way to get my bike the 1.5 hours to a track anymore.  When I get out to my parents house (where my bike is stored) I still get out and go for a couple hour ride through the old trails I grew up on.  You might lose a little of the finer skills, but if you've ridden dirt once, you'll be fine to do it again

BRAAAAAAAAAAP!

[MMasz]

Just be aware that if you're over 50, a broken bone usually requires surgery with screws and plates versus a simple cast that younger folks would need.

[elizabethhill]

I'm 46, and still ride in the woods. A couple of the guys I have ridden with in the past were in their 70's. just remember you are not as "springy" as you once were. I think it is a great way to stay in shape and sharpen your skills for on the street. Enjoy!

I agree! No one is too old for something that they truly love. My uncle is 60 and he is still doing good with his bike! Just be extra careful. Sometimes your reflexes may not coordinate with how fats your mind reacts.

[OU812]

54 and still loving the work out!  
I've got a 98 CR250 in Trevor FS.

[Blue is Best]

54 and still loving the work out!  
I've got a 98 CR250 in Trevor FS.

Good for you! If I could find a couple of buddies my age that wanted to ride dirt several weekends per month, I'd buy another dirt bike. Can't beat the workout. I'd probably buy a 250.

[leobizslink]

Age is never the limitation

[mxvet57]

Age is never the limitation

But my knees and ankles are.