What Bike For A Frail Ex-Racer?
Discussion
Another vote for a duke 390 here, super manageable + not old so you get all the safety nets an older rider may find comforting, ex racer or not.
In fact my mother in law has one that she bought from Orwells as an ex demo a year or two back but has never ridden! Its just sat in the garage, she had Orwells fit a kit from KTM to lower the seat height as well (never looked properly but assume its a shock mounting link). She's said about selling it recently but no idea what she wants, happy to find out though if you'd like.
In fact my mother in law has one that she bought from Orwells as an ex demo a year or two back but has never ridden! Its just sat in the garage, she had Orwells fit a kit from KTM to lower the seat height as well (never looked properly but assume its a shock mounting link). She's said about selling it recently but no idea what she wants, happy to find out though if you'd like.
Would he consider a trike? I used to vaguely know an old boy who'd been a biker all his life and eventually reached the point bikes were too heavy for him. He tried a Bergman first and decided it wasn't for him, and then found a trike converted TDM 900 and loved it. Easier to get on and off than a two wheeled version as he could clamber on and not worry about it falling over.
When people say bikes are too heavy, I'm never quite sure exactly what they are looking for - you're not actually picking the bike up and carrying it somewhere, so what aspect of its weight is problematic? Getting it off the side stand? Getting it on the centre stand? High centre of gravity? A few KGs here and there are irrelevant, so I guess they're looking for the *illusion* of lightness, somehow.
Cruisers are going to have the lowest seat heights of any style, from which you can choose both flavours of Honda Rebel, Triumph Bobber, Kawasaki Vulcan, or many options from Harley, all of which are around 700mm, half a foot lower than the TL1000S.
Price-wise, the only cruiser I can think of within budget with a half-decent amount of power (although it's by no means fast) is the Honda Shadow. Here's one, 2007 Honda VT750, 38k miles, £3k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20240415...
Edited to add - just noticed he doesn't want a cruiser. This is a kind of "moon on a stick" project - almost no budget, doesn't want the classic low seat genre, pillion seat same height as the rider. He needs to try some sort of modern classic, Interceptor or W650, with a flat seat. If that's still too high, it's cruiser or give it up, sadly.
Cruisers are going to have the lowest seat heights of any style, from which you can choose both flavours of Honda Rebel, Triumph Bobber, Kawasaki Vulcan, or many options from Harley, all of which are around 700mm, half a foot lower than the TL1000S.
Price-wise, the only cruiser I can think of within budget with a half-decent amount of power (although it's by no means fast) is the Honda Shadow. Here's one, 2007 Honda VT750, 38k miles, £3k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20240415...
Edited to add - just noticed he doesn't want a cruiser. This is a kind of "moon on a stick" project - almost no budget, doesn't want the classic low seat genre, pillion seat same height as the rider. He needs to try some sort of modern classic, Interceptor or W650, with a flat seat. If that's still too high, it's cruiser or give it up, sadly.
Edited by modellista on Monday 15th April 15:46
modellista said:
When people say bikes are too heavy, I'm never quite sure exactly what they are looking for - you're not actually picking the bike up and carrying it somewhere, so what aspect of its weight is problematic? Getting it off the side stand? Getting it on the centre stand? High centre of gravity? A few KGs here and there are irrelevant, so I guess they're looking for the *illusion* of lightness, somehow.
Cruisers are going to have the lowest seat heights of any style, from which you can choose both flavours of Honda Rebel, Triumph Bobber, Kawasaki Vulcan, or many options from Harley, all of which are around 700mm, half a foot lower than the TL1000S.
Price-wise, the only cruiser I can think of within budget with a half-decent amount of power (although it's by no means fast) is the Honda Shadow. Here's one, 2007 Honda VT750, 38k miles, £3k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20240415...
Edited to add - just noticed he doesn't want a cruiser. This is a kind of "moon on a stick" project - almost no budget, doesn't want the classic low seat genre, pillion seat same height as the rider. He needs to try some sort of modern classic, Interceptor or W650, with a flat seat. If that's still too high, it's cruiser or give it up, sadly.
Dunno, I have to do an almost 15 point turn, whilst negotiating a moderately steep drive to get mines and my o/h's RC's in the garage all lined up. At 150 kg it feels like pushing my mountain bike about the place. When I'm moving my old ZX6-R or blade, its not a struggle but you know you're moving them. Cruisers are going to have the lowest seat heights of any style, from which you can choose both flavours of Honda Rebel, Triumph Bobber, Kawasaki Vulcan, or many options from Harley, all of which are around 700mm, half a foot lower than the TL1000S.
Price-wise, the only cruiser I can think of within budget with a half-decent amount of power (although it's by no means fast) is the Honda Shadow. Here's one, 2007 Honda VT750, 38k miles, £3k.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20240415...
Edited to add - just noticed he doesn't want a cruiser. This is a kind of "moon on a stick" project - almost no budget, doesn't want the classic low seat genre, pillion seat same height as the rider. He needs to try some sort of modern classic, Interceptor or W650, with a flat seat. If that's still too high, it's cruiser or give it up, sadly.
Edited by modellista on Monday 15th April 15:46
I'd imagine if your getting on a bit, and your next slip or trip on the way to Somerfield could be your last I'd put some thought into a light bike.
Steve_H80 said:
The problem with so many bikes isn't just the seat height but the even higher pillion so throwing a leg over is difficult.
I expect he will love the scooter, everyone who rides one does.
AgreedI expect he will love the scooter, everyone who rides one does.
I've ridden many, I've got two in the garage, one is a 600 still a hateful thing - better than walking but that's it
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