Returning to bikes after a break - what will be different?
Discussion
Last rode around 9 years ago (was my life) and thought I was done with PTWs. Big sports bikes then.
However, for the last year or so have been thinking something fun and nimble to nip for a coffee or paper on, and take in some local lanes, might be fun. KTM’s current difficulties opened up some deals so a new Husky 701 SM lands beginning of March.
Already had my eyes opened by how far the kit market has moved on; especially textiles. What other changes am I going to notice after my 9 year sabbatical, good and bad?
I’m not going to be doing long distances, not going to be hooning crazily (too old and know my limits now); just wanting to have the option to use a bike for local trips/joyrides and have some fun.
However, for the last year or so have been thinking something fun and nimble to nip for a coffee or paper on, and take in some local lanes, might be fun. KTM’s current difficulties opened up some deals so a new Husky 701 SM lands beginning of March.
Already had my eyes opened by how far the kit market has moved on; especially textiles. What other changes am I going to notice after my 9 year sabbatical, good and bad?
I’m not going to be doing long distances, not going to be hooning crazily (too old and know my limits now); just wanting to have the option to use a bike for local trips/joyrides and have some fun.
I'm having more fun and laughs on a crf300l I bought at much lower speeds than any of my more recent fast road bikes. Done a few muddy green lanes and trails plus local runs to cafes etc. It will cruise at 70mph comfortably.
I've kept going out through winter too rather than sat twiddling thimbs waiting for summer
I've kept going out through winter too rather than sat twiddling thimbs waiting for summer
croyde said:
Watch out for potholes! the roads are worse than ever.
Now I understand why people get Adventure Bikes and Pretend 4x4s these days
Take it easy and don't think that you are a top Moto GP star on day one of your new start.
Enjoy
Road surfaces around here are shocking; was a prime reason for picking the HuskyNow I understand why people get Adventure Bikes and Pretend 4x4s these days
Take it easy and don't think that you are a top Moto GP star on day one of your new start.
Enjoy
Your're the target market for the triumph Bonneville's and thruxtons surely. Great for coffee shop runs and country lanes, comfortable and look the part imo. Most importantly they have modern rider aids despite the retro looks.
You probably won't need them but nice to have working away in the background whilst you get used to riding again.
My Ducati multistrada has everything you'd need, 160bhp, adaptive suspension, imu's etc. But...it's almost too capable that you end up riding stupidly far too easily. My new Norton on the other hand has none of those things and is far more involving under the speed limit.
That's what's changed imo. New bikes are brilliant, so capable and far safer, especially if you go into a corner too hot. But I think you lose the involvement at lower speeds.
Airbag vests are far more accessible as well. A good option if the wife has reservations..
Edited to add, I missed the part that you have actually ordered the husky !
You probably won't need them but nice to have working away in the background whilst you get used to riding again.
My Ducati multistrada has everything you'd need, 160bhp, adaptive suspension, imu's etc. But...it's almost too capable that you end up riding stupidly far too easily. My new Norton on the other hand has none of those things and is far more involving under the speed limit.
That's what's changed imo. New bikes are brilliant, so capable and far safer, especially if you go into a corner too hot. But I think you lose the involvement at lower speeds.
Airbag vests are far more accessible as well. A good option if the wife has reservations..
Edited to add, I missed the part that you have actually ordered the husky !
Edited by WarnieV6GT on Saturday 1st February 08:56
WarnieV6GT said:
Your're the target market for the triumph Bonneville's and thruxtons surely. Great for coffee shop runs and country lanes, comfortable and look the part imo. Most importantly they have modern rider aids despite the retro looks.
You probably won't need them but nice to have working away in the background whilst you get used to riding again.
My Ducati multistrada has everything you'd need, 160bhp, adaptive suspension, imu's etc. But...it's almost too capable that you end up riding stupidly far too easily. My new Norton on the other hand has none of those things and is far more involving under the speed limit.
That's what's changed imo. New bikes are brilliant, so capable and far safer, especially if you go into a corner too hot. But I think you lose the involvement at lower speeds.
Airbag vests are far more accessible as well. A good option if the wife has reservations..
Edited to add, I missed the part that you have actually ordered the husky !
Good call though on the Thruxton and Bonnie's, had both and very capable comfy bikes. You probably won't need them but nice to have working away in the background whilst you get used to riding again.
My Ducati multistrada has everything you'd need, 160bhp, adaptive suspension, imu's etc. But...it's almost too capable that you end up riding stupidly far too easily. My new Norton on the other hand has none of those things and is far more involving under the speed limit.
That's what's changed imo. New bikes are brilliant, so capable and far safer, especially if you go into a corner too hot. But I think you lose the involvement at lower speeds.
Airbag vests are far more accessible as well. A good option if the wife has reservations..
Edited to add, I missed the part that you have actually ordered the husky !
Edited by WarnieV6GT on Saturday 1st February 08:56
The biggest thing you're likely to notice is how poor your riding is. Your machine control will likely come back pretty quickly but you situational awareness, where you look on the road, your defensive "spidey senses" and general approach to riding safely on the road will all be way off and will take a good few miles to come back. This will be made worse as your focus will inevitably be drawn to the aforementioned crap road surface, potholes etc.
Getting some training early on to encourage good habits rather than allowing bad habits to return is likely to be money and time well spent.
Getting some training early on to encourage good habits rather than allowing bad habits to return is likely to be money and time well spent.
Echoing further up, I went from a Ducati Monster 937 which just 'made' me ride like a loon and was never happy on busy London commutes and only liked the rare smooth roads, to a Speed Twin 900.
Perfect really, for carving through traffic and dealing with crumbling A and B roads. Comfortable and it makes me think I'm Steve McQueen in the Great Escape
I call it my Urban Adventure Bike.
Perfect really, for carving through traffic and dealing with crumbling A and B roads. Comfortable and it makes me think I'm Steve McQueen in the Great Escape
I call it my Urban Adventure Bike.
black-k1 said:
The biggest thing you're likely to notice is how poor your riding is. Your machine control will likely come back pretty quickly but you situational awareness, where you look on the road, your defensive "spidey senses" and general approach to riding safely on the road will all be way off and will take a good few miles to come back. This will be made worse as your focus will inevitably be drawn to the aforementioned crap road surface, potholes etc.
Getting some training early on to encourage good habits rather than allowing bad habits to return is likely to be money and time well spent.
Good points well made, and something I had considered. I won’t be indulging in any heroics and am lucky in that where I live has immediate access to an extensive backroad network that’s normally pretty quiet at the times I’m likely to be out. I have no illusions that my abilities will have diminished.Getting some training early on to encourage good habits rather than allowing bad habits to return is likely to be money and time well spent.
Potholes is a good shout as was airbag vests.
Speed limits being reduced, average speed cameras, dashcams and Operation Snap.
I don't know if driving standards have got any worse in the decade you've been away.
I don't need a new bike but I am getting bargain FOMO about potential pre-reg bargains before the end of the financial year.
I don't know if a 701 is any more attractive to those involved in acquisitive crime than the new 390 Super Moto? A PHer had their Vitpilen 701 stolen.
Speed limits being reduced, average speed cameras, dashcams and Operation Snap.
I don't know if driving standards have got any worse in the decade you've been away.
I don't need a new bike but I am getting bargain FOMO about potential pre-reg bargains before the end of the financial year.
I don't know if a 701 is any more attractive to those involved in acquisitive crime than the new 390 Super Moto? A PHer had their Vitpilen 701 stolen.
The biggest difference you'll notice is the deterioration of the roads, not just the potholes but failing white lining, crumbling verges, etc.
The other big change is in prices. Tyres are much more expensive, insurance more variable, bike prices are up and down (you can get a brilliant used bike for a song or spend £30k), riding kit is better and now tested to standards but there are many more fakes out there.
What hasn't changed is the amount of ignorant, self entitled, gits out there in cars, on bikes and peddling cycles paying no attention to anyone else's safety.
You'll also have forgotten just how much fun riding a bike is
The other big change is in prices. Tyres are much more expensive, insurance more variable, bike prices are up and down (you can get a brilliant used bike for a song or spend £30k), riding kit is better and now tested to standards but there are many more fakes out there.
What hasn't changed is the amount of ignorant, self entitled, gits out there in cars, on bikes and peddling cycles paying no attention to anyone else's safety.
You'll also have forgotten just how much fun riding a bike is
Steve_H80 said:
The biggest difference you'll notice is the deterioration of the roads, not just the potholes but failing white lining, crumbling verges, etc.
The other big change is in prices. Tyres are much more expensive, insurance more variable, bike prices are up and down (you can get a brilliant used bike for a song or spend £30k), riding kit is better and now tested to standards but there are many more fakes out there.
What hasn't changed is the amount of ignorant, self entitled, gits out there in cars, on bikes and peddling cycles paying no attention to anyone else's safety.
You'll also have forgotten just how much fun riding a bike is
This !!!The other big change is in prices. Tyres are much more expensive, insurance more variable, bike prices are up and down (you can get a brilliant used bike for a song or spend £30k), riding kit is better and now tested to standards but there are many more fakes out there.
What hasn't changed is the amount of ignorant, self entitled, gits out there in cars, on bikes and peddling cycles paying no attention to anyone else's safety.
You'll also have forgotten just how much fun riding a bike is
I've just nearly done my first year after 20 years off bikes and I'd forgotten how brilliant riding on 2 wheels can be. I'm now making up for lost time
But man, the roads and the traffic and morons on their phones
Enjoy and stay safe
I've been comparing biking now with when I first started in the 80s.
Good points about then:
Nearly every rural road was NSL until the next village, and it wasn't enforced anyway.
Plenty of unofficial but tolerated free bike parking in every town centre.
Little Chefs.
Less traffic on average.
Fewer potholes.
Good points about now:
More power.
ABS.
GPS.
Fuel injection.
Pinlock.
Better clothing.
Airbags.
PCP deals if you're into that sort of buying.
I think I prefer it now.
Good points about then:
Nearly every rural road was NSL until the next village, and it wasn't enforced anyway.
Plenty of unofficial but tolerated free bike parking in every town centre.
Little Chefs.
Less traffic on average.
Fewer potholes.
Good points about now:
More power.
ABS.
GPS.
Fuel injection.
Pinlock.
Better clothing.
Airbags.
PCP deals if you're into that sort of buying.
I think I prefer it now.
Austin Prefect said:
I've been comparing biking now with when I first started in the 80s.
Good points about then:
Nearly every rural road was NSL until the next village, and it wasn't enforced anyway.
Plenty of unofficial but tolerated free bike parking in every town centre.
Little Chefs.
Less traffic on average.
Fewer potholes.
Good points about now:
More power.
ABS.
GPS.
Fuel injection.
Pinlock.
Better clothing.
Airbags.
PCP deals if you're into that sort of buying.
I think I prefer it now.
Ha... Yep, so have I!Good points about then:
Nearly every rural road was NSL until the next village, and it wasn't enforced anyway.
Plenty of unofficial but tolerated free bike parking in every town centre.
Little Chefs.
Less traffic on average.
Fewer potholes.
Good points about now:
More power.
ABS.
GPS.
Fuel injection.
Pinlock.
Better clothing.
Airbags.
PCP deals if you're into that sort of buying.
I think I prefer it now.
I think our experiences may differ tho'... About the only improvement I've seen, is that I now own a half decent jacket and a pair of gloves that are actually designed for riding in, and my thirty year old bikes are much more uptogether than my fifteen year old bikes used to be...
Oh yeah, and with age has, slowly and reluctantly, come a respect for solid objects and the pain they can inflict.
Austin Prefect said:
I've been comparing biking now with when I first started in the 80s.
Good points about then:
Nearly every rural road was NSL until the next village, and it wasn't enforced anyway.
Plenty of unofficial but tolerated free bike parking in every town centre.
Little Chefs.
Less traffic on average.
Fewer potholes.
Good points about now:
More power.
ABS.
GPS.
Fuel injection.
Pinlock.
Better clothing.
Airbags.
PCP deals if you're into that sort of buying.
I think I prefer it now.
Didnt OP say 9 years ago?Good points about then:
Nearly every rural road was NSL until the next village, and it wasn't enforced anyway.
Plenty of unofficial but tolerated free bike parking in every town centre.
Little Chefs.
Less traffic on average.
Fewer potholes.
Good points about now:
More power.
ABS.
GPS.
Fuel injection.
Pinlock.
Better clothing.
Airbags.
PCP deals if you're into that sort of buying.
I think I prefer it now.
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