Advice for rider back after 30 years

[BluStreak]

Looking for advice.  Owned 3 bikes in my 20's.  Last one was a Honda 500/4, cafe style.  I'm interested in larger sport touring bikes - Honda VT1300, Yamaha FJR1300, BMW R1200.....  Two issues;

 1.  Any thoughts on this is too big, too soon after 30 years.  FYI I drive a Mazda Speed3 daily.

 2.  Wife is absolutely apoplectic about the whole subject.  Don't wish to make her miserable about this, but have a growing appetite for a bike, and as my friend Bryant sez, "hey we could die soon, gotta do it now!"  Any suggestions to lessen the fear factor for her?  

Location: Lunenburg, MA
Posts: 3


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Re: Advice for rider back after 30 years
« Reply #14 on: Today at 07:15:12 pm »
   
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First of all, thanks to you all (y'all to those who appreciate that) for your informed and interesting responses.  You got me thinking.  My real interest is in touring, maybe the US someday.  Another issue is weather here in New England.  Always thought a fairing would allow for a longer, more enjoyable bike season.  I had a cafe'd Honda 500 4 w/ clip on handle-bars, borrani pipes and cool tires for the time.  One conclusion that experience left me with is how uncomfortable that sport-bike position gets to be on your wrists and back for any period of time.  Also, one of the reasons I sold it was, it was way too fun to drive way too fast........ so, what I'm really looking for is a more comfortable, longer distance riding bike that's still fun to ride.  I have wrapped my legs around a 1300 FJH and a Honda VT1300 and liked the fit, but was aware of how heavy they were.  Dropping such a gorgeous machine would SUCK!!

When I got married, I'd been downhill skiing since I was about 7.  Since I got married at 35, I had to explain that skiing was an improtant part of my life, and that although she might not be interested, I would continue to ski,
 and I have.  I kind of look at riding like skiing....that release that comes with that total focus that you have to maintain to do either.  I'm also interested in racing and am well aware of things like apexes, trail braking, heel and toe shifting, etc.  So although I haven't ridden in a while, I'm not naive about many issues with riding.  I think with my Wife, the only hope is that she'll soften enough to let me take her for an ice cream cone months after I buy one.  That's an answer to the question about who is going to be on the bike.  Basically me!    

So........I really want something I won't outgrow too quickly, and it needs to be touring capable - including panniers, a fairing and maybe handwarmers.  I'm happily at a point in life that I can afford what I want.  Any thoughts on a BMW 800GT?

Thanks,
Scott

[Jeff N]

Welcome back!  

Bikes have changed during the past 30 years. Tires and brakes are so superior when compared to the bikes of yesteryear that I doubt you'd hardly recognize 'em.

Your car experience means nothing.

I'll bet your wife is frightened because you're suggesting some rather large capacity motorcycles. Most non-motorcyclists equate engine size with danger.

How about a nice used Suzuki SV 650. It's an amazingly capable V-Twin. Or you could go for its sister ship, and perfectly capable Wee-Strom 650. If you must go new, Kawasaki has a 650 twin that I, as a rider for 29 years, would readily consider.

Looking into an MSF course might be a good idea, too.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Welcome back!  

Bikes have changed during the past 30 years. Tires and brakes are so superior when compared to the bikes of yesteryear that I doubt you'd hardly recognize 'em.

Looking into an MSF course might be a good idea, too.

Good points. I especially recommend the MSF course. Simple and basic, but a great way to get your feet wet. And I suspect that you'll be amazed at the bikes that are in the course, and those are usually just 250s! The bike you're looking for will depend a lot on what kind of riding you're interested in. One up? Two up? Distance? Luggage? Twisties? Tell us more!

[motospeed9058]

You might also suggest that your wife goes through the MSF course with you.    Even if she is not going to ride with you, she at least has a taste of the training you are going through, and the concepts as you will later describe them to her.  Just makes her feel a little more at ease about your abilities when she sees them in action.    Welcome back!!

[Yankee Dog]

Not to doubt your ability but after a thirty year layoff it will be like starting over. Take your time a start small. At least for the first year.  

I would advise you get something relativly small and used. This will save you much heartache because you WILL drop it. At parking lot speed if nothing else. So buy something with a ding or two already on it and pay a price accordingly. Let someone else take the hit for a beginners damage.  

If you take your time and look for a used bike at a good price you will not lose money. Ride it for a year then sell it for the same or close to the same price as you paid. Or if you went cheap enought in the beginning keep it for a backup. One can never have too many motorcycles you know.  

Yankee Dog

[Zerosum]

+1 for the 650 twin suggestion.  Plenty of power, wide power bands, and a linear, easy to use power delivery.  No sudden, surprising surges of power like you'll see with a multi.  And the light weight will help keep the thing off the pavement while you're re-learning.

Between Suzuki and Kawasaki, you have a very wide range from which to choose:  SV, V-Strom, Ninja 650R, Versys.  

I ride a V-Strom 650.  Basically the same engine as the SV650.  It puts out close to 70hp, but you really have to rev the thing to get it, so IMO, it's a good 1st bike.  If you keep the RPMs below 6K, it's pretty tame.  From what I've heard, the SV is noticably faster than the V-Strom.  The trade-off being that the Strom has a stock luggage rack, more ground clearance and better wind protection.  Personally, I'm happy with that trade.

The Strom is very easy to ride, IMO.  It continues to surprise me with how well it handles.  The wide handlebars give you tons of leverage.  It's also very roomy... if you're a big guy, you'll appreciate the leg room.

I also really like the Ninja 650R.  I've never ridden one, but I love how light and narrow it feels when I sit on one.

[doodah man]

Get something smaller.  A friend of mine "re-entered" after a 15 year layoff on a BMW R1150R.  Wasn't interested in any smaller bikes.  Was going to take the course but wanted to buy the bike first.  Crashed and totaled it on a decreasing radius exit ramp almost 24 hours to the minute after picking it up from the dealer.   YMMV

[lakota]

i came back 2 years ago after a 34 year layoff.  took the MSF basic course then bought the bike i wanted to ride, a R1150RT. you'll be happier on something you want rather than a starter bike.  just use the common sense you have gained over the past 30 years and ride carefully until the skill set comes back.

[Baz]

I took some time off and when I got back into the saddle I bought a 1200 Bandit.

I am a pretty cautious person, and the larger bike did not cause me too much grief, I still managed to drop it once in a parking lot, and had a couple of close calls. In hindsight, I should have bought an SV 650 as I realized I would have got my skill level up much faster with one of those. (In fact, I would love to have one of these for short hops, as a 2nd bike).

I now have an FJR 1300 after spending a couple of years on the Bandit.

I do believe that all the bikes you mention are going to be a handfull just starting out again, especially around town. My FJR still throws me the odd suprise now and then due to it's weight. (The other bikes you mention are all in the same ball park)

Can you get by the next couple of years without killing yourself on a large ST bike?

Perhaps.

Can you get by the next couple of years without dropping that nice new ST bike a few times, and doing lots of damage to it?

Probably not.

[2WheelTiger]

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

I'm not saying "Don't do it."  I'm saying, "Take the MSF course and realize (every moment) you're not 20 any more."

Your local MSF might let your wife audit the course.  No, she won't be able to ride during the audit, but she might be able to sit in the classroom.  I've never seen an MSF facility that prohibited spectators from parking outside the range.

[traveler]

My story is somewhat similar, as I had a m/c layoff of twenty years. Decided I wanted another one, researched bikes for several months, and made a decision. Bought a brand new VFR 750.

Took it very easy for several months, feeling my way back cautiously. Sure, I made some mistakes, did some stupid things (only now, in retrospect), but survived.

After several years of riding again, I took the STAR experienced rider course here in Idaho. Found out how much I didn't know about riding.

One thing in my favor helping me to survive those early re-entry years was my experiences sportscar roadracing (SCCA). Knowing about proper and safe lines through corners, a healthy respect for speed and a comfort level with vehicles at speed in close proximity eased the learning curve. Racing took the place of motorcycling for the twenty years I was without a bike, and I am grateful for the lessons learned.

As to the OP  and advice for him, I suggest the following:

Ask yourself why you want to ride?

What type of riding do you plan to do?

Is it something you can afford easily?

Can you handle it if your wife remains firmly against it?

Are you willing to put the effort into learning how to ride properly and avoid becoming a statistic?
 
Are you mature enough to exercise self control while learning to ride again?

Do you really want to spend many thousands of dollars on a bike to learn on?

Would an un-faired, small to mid-sized bike be more easily handled while learning, and be less expensive to repair after the inevitable drop?

Do you really need a big sport/touring bike, without even having ridden for so many years?

Do you plan to take proper m/c rider training prior to buying a bike?

Will you be an ATGATT rider?

Best of luck and many happy miles and smiles

[BobW]

Congrats! A bunch of good advice. In addition to proper safety gear I also recommend the rider course. It will help in safety, expedite/ease the DMV process and likely help with the cost to insure your bike (in most places).

There are no bad bikes out there. Get one that fits you and the type of riding you will most often use it for. Practice, practice, practice.

Start slow, have fun riding, repeat often.

Cheers
Bob



  

[StacyT]

...

 2.  Wife is absolutely apoplectic about the whole subject.  Don't wish to make her miserable about this, but have a growing appetite for a bike, and as my friend Bryant sez, "hey we could die soon, gotta do it now!"  Any suggestions to lessen the fear factor for her?  

Ask her to take the course with you.

[mygala]

I'd take the MSF course ...before you start riding again. That way you'll not start up with old habits that might not serve you well. You'll refresh your good skills, and your bad habits can stay forgotten.

Everyone has suggested some good bikes. I like the Wee-strom 650, but if you are inseam challenged like me, it might not be the best bike to start off with. You want to make sure you get one that fits. You might also think about some of the 650 cruisers. Bikes like the Yamaha V-Star for instance, are relatively inexpensive bikes with low saddles and comfortable seating. This might be a little more like the riding you remember. Once you've gotten back into skills of riding, you can trade up without much (if any) financial loss.

You might include your wife in your research, especially on gear decisions. Educating her aspects of safety and risk, and what you are doing to make yourself safer and reducing your risk, might help her come to terms with you riding again.

JMO

Bob

[BluStreak]

First of all, thanks to you all (y'all to those who appreciate that) for your informed and interesting responses.  You got me thinking.  My real interest is in touring, maybe the US someday.  Another issue is weather here in New England.  Always thought a fairing would allow for a longer, more enjoyable bike season.  I had a cafe'd Honda 500 4 w/ clip on handle-bars, borrani pipes and cool tires for the time.  One conclusion that experience left me with is how uncomfortable that sport-bike position gets to be on your wrists and back for any period of time.  Also, one of the reasons I sold it was, it was way too fun to drive way too fast........ so, what I'm really looking for is a more comfortable, longer distance riding bike that's still fun to ride.  I have wrapped my legs around a 1300 FJH and a Honda VT1300 and liked the fit, but was aware of how heavy they were.  Dropping such a gorgeous machine would SUCK!!

When I got married, I'd been downhill skiing since I was about 7.  Since I got married at 35, I had to explain that skiing was an improtant part of my life, and that although she might not be interested, I would continue to ski,
 and I have.  I kind of look at riding like skiing....that release that comes with that total focus that you have to maintain to do either.  I'm also interested in racing and am well aware of things like apexes, trail braking, heel and toe shifting, etc.  So although I haven't ridden in a while, I'm not naive about many issues with riding.  I think with my Wife, the only hope is that she'll soften enough to let me take her for an ice cream cone months after I buy one.  That's an answer to the question about who is going to be on the bike.  Basically me!    

So........I really want something I won't outgrow too quickly, and it needs to be touring capable - including panniers, a fairing and maybe handwarmers.  I'm happily at a point in life that I can afford what I want.  Any thoughts on a BMW 800GT?

Thanks,
Scott

[Windblown]

1) MSF course to knock off a bit of rust is good advice.

2) Tis easier to ask forgiveness (if needede) than permission. If you're spending your own money spend it as you choose.

3) As to what to buy.  No clue. Heck, I'm still looking for the perfect bike and haven't found it.  So I settle on having more than one instead.  
(and currently shopping for yet another addition)  

[Zerosum]

My real interest is in touring, maybe the US someday.  Another issue is weather here in New England.  Always thought a fairing would allow for a longer, more enjoyable bike season. ...

...One conclusion that experience left me with is how uncomfortable that sport-bike position gets to be on your wrists and back for any period of time.  Also, one of the reasons I sold it was, it was way too fun to drive way too fast........ so, what I'm really looking for is a more comfortable, longer distance riding bike that's still fun to ride.  I have wrapped my legs around a 1300 FJH and a Honda VT1300 and liked the fit, but was aware of how heavy they were.  Dropping such a gorgeous machine would SUCK!!...

...So........I really want something I won't outgrow too quickly, and it needs to be touring capable - including panniers, a fairing and maybe handwarmers.  I'm happily at a point in life that I can afford what I want.  Any thoughts on a BMW 800GT?

Thanks,
Scott

So you want a bike that's fun to ride, has good touring capability, wind protection, an upright seating position, and you also want to keep the weight down... sounds like V-Strom 650.

Here's how I have mine set up.  The main farkles are Givi luggage, a GPS, and handguards.  The handguards are very nice in the winter.



Plus, it's cheap, so you can spend a bunch of money on aftermarket gadgets like heated grips, a better seat, taller windshield, etc.  The aftermarket for this bike is HUGE.  You'll never be done buying crap to bolt onto it.

[lionlady]

i came back 2 years ago after a 34 year layoff.  took the MSF basic course then bought the bike i wanted to ride, a R1150RT. you'll be happier on something you want rather than a starter bike.  just use the common sense you have gained over the past 30 years and ride carefully until the skill set comes back.

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).

If nothing else, getting something a little below the "dream machine" level that seems to be send his wife into fits, will help ease her into the idea of hubby riding again.

P

[BluStreak]

So you want a bike that's fun to ride, has good touring capability, wind protection, an upright seating position, and you also want to keep the weight down... sounds like V-Strom 650.

Here's how I have mine set up.  The main farkles are Givi luggage, a GPS, and handguards.  The handguards are very nice in the winter.



Plus, it's cheap, so you can spend a bunch of money on aftermarket gadgets like heated grips, a better seat, taller windshield, etc.  The aftermarket for this bike is HUGE.  You'll never be done buying crap to bolt onto it.

Thanks Zerosum for the photo and thoughts.  Looks like what I was thinkin about.  For the Lionlady, my Wife doesn't know anything about them, or what I'm looking at.  What she knows was she was on one in high school for a moment and the guy scared the crap out of her, her Brother broke and permenantly (with the help of some piss poor doctors) damaged his ankle and she loves to share newpaper pieces about people who died in bike accidents.  One of the writers suggested that there's some wisdom in not asking for permission.  By the way my Wife actually skis once in a while now.  When I buy something next year, I'll share more w/ you guys.    

[BobW]

Test ride! Every bike I have owned over the last 40+ years of riding has required some getting used to. There are some obvious extreme examples of +/- power, weight, ergonamics, etc., but almost any of these bikes today will go way past any speed limit and handle reasonably well. Take time to select a bike that fits your body and how you will use it, regardless of 600 or 1600 cc's. Practice good riding and wear good gear. If you had a friend starting back to skiing, you likely would make suggestions on proper gear and starting back slow VS jumping out on a triple black diamond for their return to the sport. Take the training, get your mind geared up, allow time to let those reflexes come back on line and ENJOY your ride.

Cheers

Bob