Motorbikes and age

[JC@]

I've been riding bikes almost all of my life, and now... only now... I have the opportunity to really choose the bike I may like. I mean to say, now money is not the first thing to watch.

I really enjoy touring, well, you now, sometimes fast touring for a few miles in the highway, but I never ever tried to be the fastest guy.

And now after the introductory speach, the question: How do I know I am not very wrong wanting to buy (and ride, of course) a really heavy monster at my age?

[Paul P]

I've never understood those huge touring bikes, the six-cylinder Gold
Wing and the others. Like driving a yacht. To me part of the point
of having only two wheels is the nimbleness they provide. You lose
that if you try to balance the equivalent of a car on them.

If you've got money and want to tour (lightly), why not get a nice BMW ?

If there's two of you I think it would be better to ride two bikes, if
that's a possibility with the other half. I see quite a few older couples
these days. More room for stuff and bikes that handle well.

I have to chuckle every time a huge touring bike or big Harley pass me
and more often than not it's this little 70+ year-old man driving the thing.

Paul P (motorcycle mechanic in a past life)

[bbartilson]

Originally Posted by JC@

How do I know I am not very wrong wanting to buy (and ride, of course) a really heavy monster at my age?

That's easy. At least it's easy for me.

Motorcycles may well be more personal than guitars. This guy loves that one, and you like a completely different one. Takes the whole cathode vs. fixed bias thing to a new level.

At any rate, the answer to your question:

What is it about the weight of the motorcycle that really matters? Are you thinking in terms of embarrassing yourself at an intersection, or worse, crashing and not being able to lift the thing off of yourself?

When you start saying things like "at my age", I get the impression that the weight of the bike has not much to do with having the lightest carbon fiber this and titanium that.

In that case, I think of motorcycles strictly on their merits in two areas:

1. How they look. Some guys want an ugly bike. I don't.
2. Utility. Does it do what I want it to do.

Big and heavy are not so good for running to the grocery store or the bank. But I used to do 1000 mile days pretty regularly. For that, a BMW K12RS was my answer.

When I bought a rental property and suddenly had no time for week long jaunts across the country, I found I wasn't riding the K12 at all. Maybe 700 miles in a season. The YZF600R was getting all the mileage, because the thing is light, fun, and easy to maneuver in city traffic.

If I had one, I'd probably ride a 250-650cc dual sport for those short trips, and have even more fun.

For what it's worth, the YZF600, properly modified, is still at least as good as the BMW for 500+ mile days. You just gotta oil the chain.

But the best motorcycle for you is the one that FITS. Whether you are into English style (canted forward) or Western style (with your feet out in front of you) doesn't matter. You have to be able to sit comfortably for hours, adjust your position while riding, and remain comfortable and alert.

That in itself will eliminate most of the crowd.

Then, figure out what 80% of your riding is going to be, and get the bike that fits the bill. Buy it.

Then, fix the weight problem by riding the thing everywhere, and getting very good at keeping the tires in contact with the road, and keeping everything else off the road.

Those parade guys keep Road Kings upright at ridiculously slow speeds. My wife took a parade riding course, and can now dead lift ANY motorcycle. After picking up a Road King over 100 times in a weekend course, she can also maneuver a huge bike in very cramped quarters.

Not sure you could do that? Take an ERC or a parade course. My suspicion is that you could.

Lastly, at my age, I'm about planning for what I want to happen, not what I fear will happen. I still wear safety gear, but if I'm gonna crash, I'm gonna presume that someone else will pick the bike up. Tipping over at the stoplight (or not) is a matter of experience and confidence, and has little to do with the weight of the bike.

Go get the one you really want, and get good at riding it. Then, and only then, will you know for sure. I promise it'll be worth having done so. Motorcycles remain the only thing I have found in life where having is as good as wanting.

Best,
-Bill

[bonemanrides]

Wow... lots of great stuff posted here so I'll be brief.... absolutely one's choice of bike is very personal... and yes... absolutely get what you want... pursuant to what your riding intent is. Size, style, etc.

I rode many years as a younger fellow and gave it up around 1981. The bug bit once again in 1999 and I've been back on the bike ever since and loving it much more now than then.

I currently ride a 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter and for me, it's perrfect. Not too big or small... yet it gets 50+ mpg. Lots of style... and while not a full dress touring machine... I have it well appointed with accessories to make it suitable for commuting... short runs... or long days on the road.

If money were no object? Hmmm.... well... then I would have a bike for each different circumstance... one for touring... one for commuting... one for just fun.... Alas.... if you can't have many... one need to look for the one bike that will do the job.

Meanwhile... I'm somewhat envious... and being as prone to legover disease that I am... certain times of year I know I need to stay out of the show rooms.

Best of luck in your search... and many years of safe and fun riding once you get the machine!

Cheers!

Boneman

[JC@]

Right, I did it, and I'm happier than I thought I would feel.
I am not "that old" actually, just enough to realize I am not the same one that I was 25 years ago... Thanks for your help.
Oh, by the way, the bike is a triumph rocket III, the plain one. Woooooooooooooow

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

Originally Posted by JC@

Right, I did it, and I'm happier than I thought I would feel.
I am not "that old" actually, just enough to realize I am not the same one that I was 25 years ago... Thanks for your help.
Oh, by the way, the bike is a triumph rocket III, the plain one. Woooooooooooooow

Great machine.... I owned a 1971 750cc Trident for years and loved it but these new bikes have nothing but two tires in common anymore.
I'm still riding my 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 and 1979 KZ770

[JC@]

That's two bikes! Please don't tempt me with those naughty ideas

[Satamax]

JC@, i'm sorry to say, but you've bought a boat anchor!

I'd rather have Bruce's Kawas!

[JC@]

Originally Posted by Satamax

JC@, i'm sorry to say, but you've bought a boat anchor!

Haaa, ha
Yes it's big and heavy, and nothing is given for free, but what I feel is
2,294cc
147 ft.-lbs. of torque at 2,500 RPM and 140HP at 5,750 RPM
0-60 in 2.8 seconds

[Satamax]

Hey, JC@, i was pulling your leg. Thought, where i live you'd be in trouble with one of thoses. Supermots are easier in hairpin bends and such. Like the Vmax, that's a bike for straight lines. Not curvy roads. Dunno where you live, but you must have a fair amount of thoses straight lines.

Well anyway, each to his own.

Here's my old bike http://satamax.free.fr/Gilera.jpg

And the one i hope to be riding again soon when my leg has no more staples and a strong scar. http://satamax.free.fr/montesa.jpg

Keep yourself well.

[JC@]

The Montesa is beatiful, I would like one of those for me too.
I much prefer european bikes (well the Gilera is also).
The bike I "should have bought" if I have used more my brain instead of my heart, is a Ducati 600, the naked one, or at the most the 900cc model, also naked. It was a hard decision. Those are indeed "my" bikes... maybe the next one If I had the money for it and for a bigger house/garage, I would order one straight away.

But the Rocket is definitely a keeper.

[Satamax]

One like this you mean?

http://satamax.free.fr/motadid.jpg That's my neighbor's. He doesn't ride it much, and might be mine cheap if i'm nice enough. Thought, it's teh 600, i don't need more. As it's dangerous to ride road bikes in france, with all the careless drivers!

Bye.

Max.

[JC@]

Yes, that's the one I mean. Beautiful bike.

[Paul P]

Not much cargo space on one of those !

I used to dream of owning a Ducati...

Paul P

[Satamax]

Originally Posted by Paul P

Not much cargo space on one of those !

I used to dream of owning a Ducati...

Paul P

For cargo space i use an 86 land cruiser

[JC@]

Originally Posted by Paul P

Not much cargo space on one of those !

I used to dream of owning a Ducati...

Paul P

Paul I use a small backpack. One of those half packs that go across the back. Perfect for documents, or a couple of books, enough space for little things like that. Mine is fastened with velcro stripes.

[Paul P]

Originally Posted by JC@

Paul I use a small backpack. One of those half packs that go across the back. Perfect for documents, or a couple of books, enough space for little things like that. Mine is fastened with velcro stripes.

I was talking about the Ducati. With your new bike I doubt you'll have any
cargo carrying difficulties. I can't believe it's 2300cc ! Man, you could probably
haul an Airstream trailer with it. All I can say is ... .

That said, it looks pretty nimble for such a huge bike. That inline three keeps
things nice and narrow. Got any cross-continent trips planned ?

Paul P

[JC@]

Originally Posted by Paul P

I was talking about the Ducati. With your new bike I doubt you'll have any
cargo carrying difficulties. I can't believe it's 2300cc ! Man, you could probably
haul an Airstream trailer with it. All I can say is ... .

That said, it looks pretty nimble for such a huge bike. That inline three keeps
things nice and narrow. Got any cross-continent trips planned ?

Paul P

Well, first of I would have to jump over the big pond! So no, I'm affraid no plans for that in the near future, but sure I would like to. Instead of East to West, I would rather like to ride from Mexico to Canada... just dreaming...

[Paul P]

And here I thought the Triumph was a big bike. I just stumbled across this :

http://www.bosshoss.net/view_bike.asp?x=BHC3LS2

V-8, 6000cc.

Makes your bike look like a moped, JC@ .

Paul P

[JC@]

Yes that's the one, though I saw a video where a guy somewhere in the south of Asia did build and was riding something even bigger. It was like a big rusty truck on two weels.
The Bosshoss is really impressive. I like it in yellow.

[Satamax]

It's nice, but it's a monster weightwise.

I'd rather have this one myself

http://www.marineturbine.com/motorcycles.asp

[Mark Black]

Oh why not just go all the way...

http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/tomahawk.html

[Diablo]

Electric guitars, amps, and motorcycles go together well. I went looking for a Ducati, but bought this instead, and three years later I'm happy I did.