Advice for rider back after 30 years

[Sailariel]

I  started riding in 1958 and stopped in 1984--started again in 2008. Bought a Kawasaki Ninja ex250R.. It is all the bike I wanted. Check it out. It`s a great machine.

[Ridin Again]

I came back to riding in my mid fifities, after a long hiatus.  Best advise I got was to take the MSF course.  I picked up a used but reliable Suzuki 805.  Nice bike, quiet, very inexpensive and predictable.  I rode that until I was fully comfortable then sold it for almost what I paid (2 drops later).  That got me back in the groove.  Since then I've had bikes up to GoldWing size and as small as a Suzuki GS500.  Now I'm riding a Kawi Concours 1400, and I love it.

Most important is MSF, then just feel your way along and stay in your comfort zone.  I'm really glad I came back......!  You'll have "the grin" back in no time.

[ragtoplvr]

I reentered riding after a 20 year break.  I had been bicycle riding and it was a big help in many ways, the increase in coordination and leg, core strength was very useful.  When you drop yours the core strength will come in handy.  Also gets you used to riding defensively.   I did not do the training, no courses open where I live.  If I ever get to go to a rally that offers the ERC I am signing up.  Read all you can, you can down load lots of good stuff from the MSF sight, and there are books,  Find a parking lot.

Get good gear.  I bought used, and yes I dropped it several times.  Never while moving, just more education as to how much a bike weighs.  Heck 2 drops were in the garage, once getting on the center stand, must be in neutral, and once off.  First ride take cell phone and trailer bike to rural area for first rides.

Get ABS brakes, when (not if) you have to make evasive maneuvers that include braking, you will appreciate them.  There is so much stuff on the streets, painted lines, manhole covers, patches, tar snakes, tar patches, you do not need to worry about when dodging someone.

2+ years, 20+K miles, no drops at speed or crashes yet.  The lack of cage drivers skill is appalling, much worse than I remember.

I restarted  on a used big bike a very clean R1150RS.  Would do it again.  

HAVE FUN!

Rod

[jadziadax8]

Any thoughts on a BMW 800GT?

Cool bikes.  However, it will be very expensive to fix when you drop it, as it is a new model.  Seriously, try out a smaller, cheaper used bike first.  You will not take much of a hit on depreciation if you buy it, get un-rusty, and then sell it after 6 happy months of riding.

[DaveG]

i rode since i was 12
from 16 to 23 on the road
last bike was a honda cb450

returned at 52 to a Bandit 1200
6 years later and still love it.


my logic was this;
it was affordable
it was a do it all type. bike were not so specialized back then, you had to mod it into a whatever. the standard is a good place to start

just use restraint with your right wrist. i likely did not use more that half throttle for the first season.


the bad stats are for new riders 45 to 50
it is like riding a bicycle. it will come back quickly.

just like when you first started, the most dangerous time is after the first couple of months when you think you have all of your skills back, BUT do not be fooled, take it easy for a couple of seasons before you fully trust you abilities.

[phoenix]

An SV650 isn't really a "starter bike" - they're loads of fun. A used one could be had for not much cash as a 're-entry bike,' ridden for a couple months to re-tune long ago skills and then sold for the same money (unless it gets trashed in the re-entry process).

I just have to say the SV650 sure the hell should not be considered as a starter bike or something that's just a stepping stone. There are many people who take an SV650 to the track, and in the right hands, they can smoke larger bikes.

I really want something I won't outgrow too quickly,

There's no way to outgrow 95% or more of all the streetbikes in current production while riding on the street. You may want more power or you might think you have mastered a bike, but you probably haven't.

Like many people are suggesting, consider a partially faired or naked bike for that re-entry bike. Used bike sales were pretty strong last year with the high gas prices, and I suspect that trend will continue for the next few years at least. Don't feel like you'll be locked into any particular bike, unless you get a bad deal on it and are upside down on payments.

And IMO this bears repeating:

Unfortunate statistic:  The largest increase in motorcycle fatalities over the last few years has come from older riders returning to the sport.

Edit to add:
The original poster said something like he didn't want a bike that would make him want to ride fast. From what Iv'e seen, the FJR and other sport tourers are so nice and smooth, you're riding at 90MPH without even knowing it. And they will probably do 120MPH all day long if you asked them to.

[Jeff N]

So........I really want something I won't outgrow too quickly...

These are words I dread reading from new riders or those coming back.

Unless you're a riding God, nobody is going to be able to push a modern bike to its limits. Any contemporary Japanese bike at 250cc and above will serve you well. They're designed that way.

I talked an inexperienced co-worker out of a 'busa and got him on a Katana 750. His 883 Sportster riding mother laughed at my advice until she had a go on it. She couldn't believe how capable it was.

[BluStreak]

Dave;

Appreciate the advice.........  Done alot of reading, talking to folks, mounting different bikes at different dealers and looked at about a billion classifieds since I wrote this.  Although I love BMW's, the big Yamaha and Honda ST1300, I'm taking to heart people's advice about something smaller to get back in, the risk of dropping it, etc.  Also, will have 2 kids in college for the next 2 years and we don't need to talk about the economy..... Being I'm in cold, wet New England (makes a fairing very attractive) and being that I'm really aesthetically concious, it needs to look decent to.  In the last few days, discovered a great deal on a very pretty bike that looks like a great compromise and very attractively priced.  I think it's related to your bike - a Suzuki Katana 750.  Local dealer has one 2006 listed for $4,999.  A good friend of mine is very close to the dealer (runs races for them).  I can probably by it for $4k or less.  I think I'm gonna go try it on this weekend and then see what my buddy can do for me.

That way, when I have more cash, and I'm back in the saddle, can buy up- but at 90+ HP and with a great reputation as a sport touring machine, I'm thinking it's a smart move.  

I do ride a road bicycle and am an avid skiier so I appreciate your comments about balance, etc.  I'm also into my winter ski workout routine and think it would be smart to continue it for biking, as it's pretty core oriented.

You didn't tell me if you fully spin your wrist yet........Where do you ride?

Scott    

[Stixx]

not sure if this thread is still alive but here goes advice from one who has just been back on a few months after a LONG sabatical as well.

No One, buy large as you can comfortable manage and buy used model of the brand you THINK you want.

You just saved thousands. Send your check of appreciation to me BR 549. LOL

Secondly, if you were not a hot shoe in your day by all means take the course. I took private myself from a good friend and rode about two thousand miles a month to get my butt and brain back in shape which is hard to do if my business wasn't so bad.

Then I bought my new bike based on my used experience and had a warranty and all that


IF YOU must buy new and you wan't to stay in a small displacement bike and love beemers my favorite bike currently is the smaller twin cylinder beemer 650 GS.  It has all the qualities you love for under ten grand new and some used examples of similar bikes are out there for about half that.

Good luck.

Remember , learn defensive driving and handling soon enough you just might live to talk about it. The stats are NOT in our favor so vigilent is the word ,

blessings

[jsanford]

Your wife might feel better if you did get something small and used, preferably under 60hp.  All the crash stories are about two sets of people:  soldiers on sports bikes, and middle-aged men on liter bikes, "new" to the sport.

I started out on a very "ugly" BMW single.  First of all, as I accomplished more and more on it, the bike became better looking.  Secondly, BMWs don't have a "squid" reputation.  Third, it was cheap, fun to farkle (heated grips were stock on it, btw), and I sold it for a lot more than I paid for it after three years and 10,000 miles' experience.

Now I have the bike I dreamed about before I started riding--a Monster--and the bike I discovered I wanted while learning on my first bike--an F800ST.  I'm very, very glad I waited until I could ride these bigger bikes properly (especially the Monster, whose speed likes to drift north of 80 on the freeway--even exposed on a November Sunday).  Insurance is cheaper after a few years' experience, too.

[steveindenmark]

I have just found this site and this is my first post. I will write an introduction this evening.

I am 50 years old and returned to motorcycling 2 years ago, after a 17 year lay off. In the first year I had a Suzuki Intruder 800, I rode 18000km on it, including a 2 week trip to Sweden from Denmark with my girlfriend. I then changed to a Yamaha FZ6 for this season.  Lesson number 1. Make sure you really know what bike you want from the beginning. Lesson number 2. Get your partner involved right from the start.

We have done about 16000km this season and rode down to Normandy from Denmark. Again, Jannie my partner was on the back of me.  It was a great trip and the FZ6 managed without any problems at all. Lots of power and easy to manoevre, mainly because it is small and light. Lesson 3. Ask yourself do you really need a 1300 motocycle when a 600cc motorcycle will do exactly the same job.

I think the most important thing is to at least get the OK from your partner to have a bike. I am lucky because Jannie loves bikes and touring as much as I do but other people are not as lucky.

Steve

[BluStreak]

Steve;

Thanks for your thoughts.  Sounds like you and Janine have a love affair with the bike and touring.  You're lucky to share that in common.  My Wife is quite fearful about the whole subject.  She's a nurse and has treated crash victims, had a shitty ride with some High School yahoo in her teens and finally - her Brothers ankle is permenantly messed up from an incident avoiding a kitty and bad doctors.  We don't discuss what his alcohol intake was that evening.  I've learned with her just to do what I do and treat her with respect and invite her to share.  It's worked in a small way with skiing, she comes once or twice a winter.  She refers to me as a "risk taker."  Can't say she's wrong, but that's not how I look at fun.  I'll invite her to go for an evening ride on a perfect night and take her out for an ice cream cone.  We'll see.  Look, I got married at 35, I'm 59 now.  We're OK with that we don't share all interests.  We do have 3 great kids, 16, 18 & 20.  Now she's scared to death that my sons might be inspired by my bike example.  Youngest is mildly retarded and Mom is attached to her at the hip.....so I'm not sure she could handle being away on bike trips at any rate, but I do appreciate your sentiment and your relationship with Janine.  So the hobby likely will be mine and I'll find buddies to ride with.

I wrestle with the mid-size, large displacement issue, but am convinced I should get back into it on something less than a liter bike.  I do like the the smoothness of 4 cyl. motors, but have also had my eye on a BMW F800ST.  Came real close to buying a 2006 Suzuki Katana 750 this weekend, but decided to wait till spring when I have some money and the weather isn't so fierce as it is here in the Winter.    

Thanks,
Scott  

[Kool shades]

Take the course. Take the course. Take the course.

You have no idea how much it will help... Both with the learning curve & your Significant other.

Also, there is always a great market for "smaller" displacement bikes. So, if you did get a 600/650cc bike you will be able to sell it and upgrade.

Take a look at the Suzuki Bandit - lots of farkles, hard luggage available. Great for around the corner, or around the country.

[Galo]

Take the course. Take the course. Take the course.

 

I came back to bikes in 2005 after a 19-year layoff, buying a lightly-used '01 Triumph ST.

I also took the 'Intermediate' level MSF which is what team Oregon recommends for 'returning riders' and I'm an  ATGATT guy.

No issues, scares or difficulties and I have run about 20k miles on the bike since I bought it. Down just once, a 1 mph fall when I stalled the engine starting off from a red light towards a climbing turn. A bit of touch-up paint on the left fairing = a small battle scar. And I am not a slouch on it, either...I'm just aware of my limits and ride my pace.

summary: take the course, use your head!

[bikerfish1100]

here's what tell all my students (MSF RiderCoach for 9+ years):
take the BRC BEFORE you buy a bike. (unless that awesome winter deal comes along!)
don't buy new for your first bike. drops at 1 mph will most likely happen - you and your wallet will cry less if it's not "my new bike!" with the economy doing what it is, it should be a buyer's market (especially on that awesome winter deal i mentioned above).
start with something in the 650cc range. when/if you're ready for something bigger in another year or 2, there WILL be an eager buyer for that bike. and you will have advanced your skills more on that 650 than you will have on the liter+ machine.
i rode for 25+ years in New England. good semi-faired bikes for your area are the SV650, the V-Strom 650, a KLR 650, BMW F650, Kawi EN500/600 (650?). i'd lean towards the dualies- KLR, F650GS, wee-Strom, etc. lotsa fun dirt up your way.. no reason to limit yourself to only pavement.

[BluStreak]

For anyone who's cared enough to offer advice, just put a deposit on a 2003 Honda Superhawk!  Very cool, relatively light and narrow, 996v-twin, sounds like a Ducati, with a nice even torque curve.  Got one or two mods in mind, but for short money think I have a very fun and easy to handle bike I can live with for a few years!

[traveler]

That's quite a bike for a re-entry rider. Hopefully you'll take things very seriously and really learn to ride the thing safely.

Enjoy it, but do watch that gas gauge, as they get notoriously bad mileage, and have a small tank.

Hope to see a few ride reports from you, once spring has sprung.

[BobW]

That is a great bike! Stay safe and enjoy.

Cheers

[TheLiveEye]

Read a book, it all starts in the brain after all....

I came back after almost 20+ years at age 54. I approached as a "new" rider, or taking a "mature" approach?

Reading "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough was my start, and it was excellent. The techniques and practice recommendations were excellent. Did take the MSF course, but it really is putting you through the exercises that I had done in the book. And understanding the "why" of the mechanics of riding well really helped me.

I started back on an 02 Triumph Bonneville, (a nostalgia choice). A lot of fun, but really got the bug to go longer distances, more comfort etc... So I got a 2005 Triumph Tiger 955i this spring...and lovin it....I feel like I got to make up for a lot of 'lost time', wonder why the hell it took so long for me to get back into

I am sure you are going love it too...

[Mrs. DantesDame]

For anyone who's cared enough to offer advice, just put a deposit on a 2003 Honda Superhawk!  

I don't know much about them other than they have a short fuel range. But until you're ready to really "tour", it shouldn't be a problem