Any older bikers here? Thinking about getting another bike...
I rode a V65 Magna for 20 years til a minivan took me out in 2005 and nearly killed me. After that I hung up my leather gloves for quite awhile and lately have only ridden a small dirt bike. But the idea of getting back on big bike keeps popping up.
But Im already in my 60s. Comfort means a LOT at this point. And yet I dont really want to be riding an big ol' Aspencade either. So it seems like an older sport tourer would fit the bill. Like a Honda ST1300 or a BMW R1200RT or maybe a Yamaha FJR1300. Something with plenty of torque but still enough power and comfort that I can bring the wife along on the occasional ride. I also still have a mini trailer that I used to pull behind the Magna so I might want to use that again, although my tenting days will probably give way to staying at more hotels.
The biggest comfort feature on my bike was the day I got a Corbin saddle, but I can imagine that now Id definitely want heated grips and maybe a heated seat, heated vest. And Im tall so the adjustable fairings are a bonus for sure.
Anyone drive any of those bikes and have an opinion? Seat comfort? Buffeting/wind noise? Smoothness? Handling?
Not sure if it's helpful as it's second hand info, but my uncle rides a R1200RT and loves it. He got his back in 2013 and said it was the perfect cruising bike for him and my aunt. She has type 1 diabetes and sometimes had issues with the vibration on longer rides aggravating her neuropathy but I think by and large loved it as well. I'd guess he put about 15k miles on it in the first 2 years and was a vocal advocate of it.
I've ridden it a few times and it's just such a different ride from my KLR650. It didn't feel as nimble (not that the KLR is particularly light on it's feet) but I was blown away by how smooth the ride was. I'm also pretty tall, 36 inch inseam, so the ride position was a little awkward for me but it is on most bikes. Just calling out because I think I'm a bad measure for comfort. I don't recall having any major feels about buffeting so I'm guessing it wasn't bad. It's not for me at the moment but I could easily imagine myself finding a bike in that range when I get older and stop going off road. For context I'm 35 and uncle was 55 when he got his.
Insane bike.
I've been dreaming about getting either the R1250GS or the Tiger 1200. I think you have to ride them before you buy them tho. BMW used to be pretty chill about test rides.
You might want to consider buying the latest Proficient Motorcycling, and give it a read. It warns that returning riders have almost as many accidents as newer riders. People like you who haven't ridden for twenty years.
I lent an older bike to a friend who had not ridden for about twenty years. We went up in the hills together. He used to ride in all weather, including snow. He got his USA M2 by going through the MSF rider course. Then we went riding. A car crossed into our lane. About thirty seconds later, he target fixated on the side of the road, and gently rode straight into the ditch.
Keep the rubber side down, brother.
Yeah, that's the challenge alright. I couldn't have prevented the first accident as we got hit from behind. But just about everyone I know who rides has been down at one point or another and its not impossible that it could happen again. But then I remember how much I loved it and its hard not to want to relive those epic rides.
Thought this was cool. Just looked at an ad for a 2006 BMW 1200 rt with 169,000 km (!) on it and it said,
"2006 BMW 1200 rt. Very well maintained, loaded with accessories . I am 82 years old and switching to EBike"
I guess Im not old enough yet to own that one :)
Oh my dude!
I have an eMTB (Electric Mountain Bike) in addition to a Triumph Triple.
The eMTB is not necessarily cheaper than a motorcycle.
But it's 10x more fun. And 100x more exercise.
If you are near a specialized experience center, do yourself a favor and rent one for the day.
I don't ride cruisers, but my understanding is that you can't go wrong with either the R1200T or the Honda gold wing.