I am wandering if anyone here rides a motorcycle for pleasure, any kind of motorcycle. I am currently thinking of buying a motorcycle mainly for pleasure rides and I was surprised that the motorcycle scene had changed so much since I last rode one about 40 or so years ago. Anyway I am thinking of buying a 250cc adventure motorcycle like this. The big question is should I or should I not. At the moment the should I is wininng.
Hoi KK, I do not ride one now but when I went to uni and the school afterwards I rode one. It was a second-hand Harley Davidson Sportster. I think in those days it was a 900cc bored-out to 1000+ cc. Of course I primarily used it to get back and forth to school and work place. When I had free time I spent it on my motorcycle. Riding a motorcycle sort of gets into your blood; so to speak, after a while. There really is nothing like it except for flying in a helicopter. It will come as no surprise then that I whole-heartedly say, “ Yes, go for it”. A word of caution though—be careful because with age, judgement and reaction time is less than it would have been in your 20’s and 30’s. You do not want to have your bride to get a policeman on the door with the news that you will not be coming home. So yes, do pursue this but with caution.
Hello KK. I can understand your feelings. Basically I'd say. GO FOR IT. I have no idea regarding the traffic conditions etc where you live. So you must consider this. Also your fitness. Some memories of my past motorcycling days. During the late 1950's and early 60's I was a traffic cop, mainly a motorcycle cop. The most used bike was Triumph 650 Thunderbirds. Great bikes. Times have changed. Bikes are now more powerful even with a lower cc. I once owned a BSA C11G 250cc. Then I had a Honda CB 250. This was as large as my Triumph job bike and just as powerful. So this is a matter for considering. YES a bike gives you so much freedom but, taking into account our age and welfare. Could we be misled by the performance.
I have a good friend who rides a Harley. She loves it. She rode it across the US by herself as a fundraiser and awareness raiser for women with ovarian cancer. Raised about $50,000. And handed out thousands of cards about the symptoms of OC. Anyway, I digress. She loves her Harley and can't wait for spring every year to get on the road. I'd say go for it, but of course be safe.
Thank you all for your honest opinion. Thanks Sjoerd, I have never flown a helicopter before but I can imagine how it is. I have flow it on virtual reality and it was fun Thanks Mike Allen, the traffic condition here ... well I think it is ok. Anyway my intention is to stay away from the main roads and explore more of the rural areas. My first motorcycle is a 1960 Triumph 21, it was already about 15 years old when I got it. I progress to a 1959 Triumph T110 Tiger a couple of years later. The T110 is a lovely bike and I really like it, I can still remember the first time I rode it, it was as smooth as silk, hardly any vibration. I had it for about 3 years and had to sell it to get a car for work. Cayuga Morning your friend must be very adventurous. I wish I can go for long rides like your friend but I don't I can. Yes I have thought of my age and whether this desire to ride a motorcycle is a passing thing. It had been more than 3 months when I first consider it and I still very much wants to go out, ride a motorcycle to the beach or just to explore some location which I had not been too for a very long time. Riding safe is my first priority and I am not looking for performance in the motorcycle. I think I need more outside time. Most probably I think I'll get it by around end February ... still considering
As I always say, "each to their own," at the age of seventeen in 1958, I had a Vespa motor scooter for a couple of weeks, then had the opportunity to buy a twenty year-old Austin Seven Ruby convertible, in excellent condition. So the scooter went and I was never interested in any other form of transport. Motor cycles have a great deal of appeal for some people, many of them retirees. A former neighbour I know was a police motor cycle instructor. He's been retired for over 20 years, but he has had one of these for the last ten years. A Honda Gold Wing. He belongs to a police Gold Wing club, there are other Gold Wing clubs, like those of the fire service. They go touring together.
Yes the States is a good place to ride but it is out of my reach, thanks for the suggestion Sjoerd. Yes Droopy I'll remember to do that when I get it Thanks Doghouse Riley, the Gold Wing is a beautiful motorcycle but I am not into it. There is also a Gold Wing club here.
For many years motorcycles were my only transportation. Then I had a close encounter with a gigantic truck, and I decided it was time to sell the motorcycle. That was after some other mishaps too. It looked exactly like this image. Late '70's early 80's. Boy that brings back some memories. I wouldn't dream of recommending to someone whether or not to buy one now. I loved riding and maintaining that bike. Good luck.
A golfing friend sold his vintage Kawasaki 650 last year, as he didn't ride it so much, he thought the roads were getting too dangerous, mind you, he is 84.
True story. He also had a red E-Type Jag, the coupe with the rear hatchback door. What always struck me was how thin are the original wheels on that car. I've known him for over 20 years, back then he was restoring it. He wanted to have the seats reupholstered. The backs of the seats of these cars are very thin, really just upholstered plywood with a bit of padding. He found a little two-man workshop in Birmingham who specialised in restoring these seats. He took them down there and this old chap just ripped the back off one of the seats, smiled and said "Look! There's my initials, I made this when I worked for Jaguar!" He only drove it to the golf club on dry days. He activated the "imbolising system" whilst he was on the course, (he took the rotor arm out). He also sold that at the end of last year. He drives his wife's Volvo now.
Daniel W I did had a couple of mishaps, mostly minor with my own motorcycle. The worst was when I was hospitalised for a couple of days with a broken wrist and I was riding my friends under bone Honda C70. An oncoming car, a white Fiat 124 just come into my path and I had no choice but to hit it. The motorcycle was a total write off. Yes there are reckless road users and I learned to be more careful after that. Once I my wrist healed I was riding again. Doghouse Riley your friend is wise, we have to know our limits thanks.
