quote:

Originally posted by LoboGunLeather:
I have ridden motorcycles since I was 14 (I'm now 73). Best advice I can offer is to constantly assume that every stupid SOB you are sharing the road with will try to kill you every minute. You can never relax or assume that anyone will pay any attention to you.

100% true!

Been riding on and off since I am a teenager. Short stint on motors at my first PD. Recently sold my last bike due to all the close calls, but that is related to the area I live. South Florida is nuts between the tourists, old people, and immigrants with new licenses. But as soon as I retire and we move (should be within next year or 2) I will be back on 2 wheels. Like others have said get some training and start out on a bike that fits you.

Rider since 1968(?) here.

Lots of good advice here, but I'd add one thing: Find a bike that FITS you physically. Cruisers may look sexy (if that's your thing) but the ergonomics suck. I can't ride one, too hard on my back and hips. Same goes for crotch rockets (full-on sport bikes) the crouched riding position turns into torture PDQ.

Consider seat height and center of gravity. I LOVE my Yamaha FJ09, but if I was an inch shorter it'd be a no-go.

Finally, be aware of weight. A big, heavy Road Sofa like a Goldwing can be a real bear to handle at low speeds for the inexperienced.

Or you can ride a dirt bike! I have rode since 1967 road bikes and dirt bikes. I just bought a 2021 KTM 300 xcw and have a street legal Beta 500RRS that is a good dual sport....

Learn (or refresh yourself) how motorcycles steer. They turn the opposite direction you turn the handlebars. This has to become instinctive and automatic, or you may find yourself having a car turn left in front of you and steering yourself into it.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin101:
I'm 54 and haven't ridden since my early 20's. Am I nuts for wanting a motorcycle?

What do you suggest for beginner???

No you are not nuts. I'll be 64 in a few days and I'm looking at getting back in myself.
In addition to the recommended MSF course think long and hard about what bike you seek.
Be honest about the type of riding you will likely want to do. There is no right or wrong answer to the question but having the right tool for the job makes a huge difference.
For example, when I got in originally I thought I wanted a cruiser type. Less than a year later I realized I wanted to go longer distances and the cruiser was far less than ideal for the job.
Finally I'd consider something with anti-lock brakes. You may never need them but if you do, you REALLY do.

Also, test ride whatever you're thinking, my local BMW/Indian/Triumph dealer seems to have a pretty generous test ride policy.
Similar with gear, esp helmets. Wear one for a bit & make sure there's no odd pressure or loose areas. Shoei helmets fit me great, similar with some Schuberth models.
My current is a modular Scorpion that a coworker got & disliked, and was a big upgrade from the cheap melon bucket I had before.

I really liked the look of the BMW R9T, but even just sitting on it at the dealer, the seat was horribly uncomfortable. Too wide at the front I think & put uncomfortable pressure points on the inner thighs.

Lots of good heated clothing! You're in Bismarck...

You're not getting any younger, so do consider the weight and mission of the machine. In my mid 50's I bought my current bike, a 650cc adventure bike. Now at 63 I find the weight a concern, especially if I drop it. I like to solo camp, preferably far from pavement or people.

Lots of great technology in the latest bikes. Not just anti-lock brakes these days!

I would suggest something small for the first season, maybe around 300cc, with the plan to upgrade the following year. Unless you're planning on much highway riding right away, which really needs something a bit heavier.

The stats show increased fatality rates for riders in their 50's. Very much due to alcohol. Going for the burger and beer lunch kind of situation. So di not consume any alcohol!

Beware deer and other wildlife (pronghorn?), especially around dusk.

Getting back in, I’d look for that adult driven, lightly used bike. May be better now than the Spring rush.

Lots of interest with ‘Adventure bikes’ now, nothing wrong with that. Most of us are on paved roads that vast majority of the time.

Yes to all the safety advice.

I currently drive a CB-1100 Honda, may not turn heads, but low maintenance & reliable.

Last Summer I went riding with the son who lives in Utah. He had such a good time, me too, it’s on again for this Summer. We are going South this time.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
Sleep on it for a few days. I quit riding in my late 50's, sold my BMW R1100R. Mid 60s got the urge, bought a Triumph Bonneville America, rode it about 500 miles and then sold it. Too many crazies for me.

This was my experience too.
When I was younger and had fewer cares, it seemed like good clean fun and a good idea.

Two decades later after moving to an area where I could roll out of my driveway and quickly be in perfect riding country, I bought a bike and all the quality gear to make things as safe and comfortable as possible.
The highways are full of people not paying attention and with less to lose and some that just don't seem to care. I had some near misses myself and saw a couple of horrific accidents by strangers.
The fun aspect just didn't seem the same as twenty years ago either.

The good news is a neighbor offered me the exact purchase price for the bike (I bought it slightly used) and I was able to sell the gear at a very small loss too.
No second thoughts at all and there's no nagging doubt so I guess it worked out OK.

I've ridden all states except the north east. Been to British Columbia twice. Have had multiple makes and enjoyed them all. When I moved to NE Florida I had a 2017 Indian Roadmaster that I really liked. Kept it for a few months and decided that after riding around a bit that bikes,myself and the other drivers here don't mix. Sold the Indian and thou I miss it terribly. It's not worth it. I have a 17 C7 Grand Sport that satisfies my urges..

I started riding at 37 and went straight to a 1000cc 2005 FZ1. I didn't die, but I did wish the bike had ABS. I sold that one off after 2 years and took a break. Grabbed a 2022 Road King Police after 3 years and been enjoying it ever since. No matter which bike you get, just make sure you can handle it physically. The bigger the bike and the higher the center of gravity, the harder they get to maneuver at slow speeds. Watching a few guys on YouTube can help you as long as you get out and practice you slow speed drills. Below you'll find a few that I find helpful. After a while, the videos get repetitive, but it's important to learn how to handle your bike at slow speed, which translates into good riding AT SPEED!

Motorman

MotoJitsu

MC Rider


I've tested a lot of bikes over the years and the one thing I can offer is get a bike with smooth fueling, meaning it doesn't have a twitchy (laggy) throttle response. A person can get into some serious trouble thinking they need more throttle, only to find out it's winding up My uncle bought a Suzuki GSX-S1000F and he had to send the ECM off to flash it because it was so choppy. I test rode some of the Suzuki models that same year and they were all like that. He works at the local Suzuki dealer and says some of the newer models still exhibit the same issue.

Little bit of advice before deciding whether you want a bike...look into peoples cars when you're going anywhere and notice how many aren't paying attention to the road. Most are too busy finger banging their phones to notice a small set of brake lights on the back of a mc. Don't let that scare you off. Just be aware of it and ride very defensively if you choose to get a bike. EVERYONE IS TRYING TO KILL YOU! is my mantra.

Indian Scout, Triumph Bonneville. The Harley Heritage Softail is a great easy to ride bike that is good for both in town as well as long distance touring.

My previous motorcycle was a KLR650. I rode it for 5 years. My original intent when purchasing it was to use it as a dual sport but seldom took it off pavement. It is a tall bike do if you are less than 6', it will be difficult to place both feet flat on the ground.

I sold the KLR in early 2018 when we moved to the Atlanta area.

After moving North of Dallas in Dec 2019, I started getting that urge to ride again. I wanted something more suited to my riding style than the KLR.

I considered the Triumph Trident 660, Suzuki SV650, Kawasaki Z650 and Z900, and Yamaha MT-07 and MT-09.

I narrowed it down to the MT-07 and MT-09 and purchased a new MT-09 in July 2022.

The MT-07 is a great motorcycle but the MT-09 has more features. I have not regretted my decision.

I was concerned at first with the power because it has MUCH more than my previous KLR. When I left the dealership with it, I had the power turned down to the lowest level and it was very tame.

I still keep the lift control enabled (no desire for the front wheel to come off the ground) but the power is turned all the way up.

I ride it for work a lot. I travel to 10 college campuses in the North Dallas area and am reimbursed for mileage. If I get as much as 54 mpg but If I take it out for fun, that can drop down to around 44 mpg.

I recommend you sit on several different models to see what riding position you prefer.

No, you are not nuts.

Whatever you get, make sure it has front/rear ABS. Something on the lower displacement side. I.e. please don't go buy a liter bike out the gate.

Ride with the assumption that nobody sees you. They're all staring at their phones anyway, so they probably don't.

There are so many great choices for bikes these days. Depends on your budget, where you want to ride, how you want to ride, dual-sport, road only, cruiser/sport.

Some great bikes already mentioned. The MT-07/09 is a fantastic bike for the money. Please get the best riding gear you can afford. Boots/helmet/pants/jacket. Whatever you do, do NOT use the helmet you rode with in your 20s. Throw that in the trash.

Not crazy at all. The joy of riding a motorcycle is something far more people should experience. It is so relaxing, exciting and pure. Like a good surf session it is good for the soul.

I hope to ride my sport bike motorcycles until I’m in my 80’s. My first generation Yamaha R1 superbike with its four carburetors is practically an antique already.

quote:

Originally posted by fwbulldog:

Ride with the assumption that nobody sees you. They're all staring at their phones anyway, so they probably don't.

It is hard to believe, but truly drivers do not see you! There are psycho-visual reasons that even when the image is on their retinas their brain doesn't register the information.

Most of the time I am the Banana Man, wearing a day-glow yellow-orange jacket, helmet, and gloves. I have seen drivers' eyeballs pointed at me yet they still pull out in front of me. I hit the horn (loud aftermarket) and they are totally shocked.

The % of drivers looking at cell phones either texting or messing with navigation is incredible. They don't stand a chance of noticing a motorcycle.

Yep, assume everyone wants to run you over, extra super duper defensive driving.

Get a bike with ABS, these cars now a days have better brakes than a lot of bikes. ABS I'm pretty sure saved my life allowing me to slow down quickly and only flying 20' instead of a 100'

When buying a helmet, it must fit properly. You must try it on yourself; it is not something that can just be bought online. It cannot rock from side to side or front to back, nor can it have any pressure points. Helmet liners do not "break in" like shoes, so any pressure points will make you miserable. I recommend a full-face one (pivoting chin bar optional), as you can just as easily land face-first as any other way.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,

RE: Drivers not seeing you

Practice the "SMIDSY" (Sorry, Mate, I Didn't See You) swerve. When approaching a side street with someone waiting to pull out, swerve back-and-forth in your lane. The thinking is that the extra motion will catch their eye since the human eye is optimized for detecting motion.