Back to biking after 10 years

[Mr Ship]

Evening all,
after a long time away from bikes, I've decided to get back on 2 wheels next spring. I'm really not sure what bike to get though after this prolonged hiatus. I passed my test back in '95 and have had a CBR400RR, ZX6R, original '98 R1, GSXR 750, 929 Fireblade and the last bike I had was a Busa. Sold that in 2008, haven't been near a bike since and I'm wondering how it'll feel after quite a few years. The good thing is that even with zero no claims, the insurance isn't that pricey, living in the sticks and being 48 years young.

Been looking at quite an eclectic range of things; 765 Speed Triple, a Tuono or S1000R BMW, 959 Panigale and the latest R1/Blade/GSXR1000. What I'm definitely not doing is going to get

Anyone else been in a similar situation? Any recommendations?

Cheers

[MrsMiggins]

what kind of riding are you planning to do and, not trying to be rude, how fit/flexible are you? Sports bikes in the main are more ergonomically aggressive than they used to be so that's worth considering.

I'm 49 and currently ride a GSXR1000. It's at the more comfortable end of the sportsbike range and I can comfortably go round Europe on it, but I'm still considering swapping to something like a Multistrada or BMW S1000XR which would have plenty of performance but more comfortable ergo.

[Ilovejapcrap]

cbr600 say a 01 - 07 sort of vintage (not the rr just a cbr600f)

not expensive, do everything commuter thrash etc. then you can see how you feel sell for more or less what you paid in a couple of month / years dependant.

They really do take some beating in the real world.

[Ho Lee Kau]

CBR600F4i is a great bike in its own right, I have 2002 version myself, 75000km, it’s a daily ride, just today I went to work on it. It’s a sweetheart and very easy to ride, but it needs at least 7000rpm to really get going, I’m more than happy with the way it makes power, I like winding up 600s, and F4i is also perfect for the city and traffic, because it’s less sportbikey than say 600RR, but after your experience with Busa I wouldn't be surprised if you find F4i underwhelming.
GSXR1000 is always a safe bet, they are comfortable sportbikes.

Edited by Ho Lee Kau on Monday 20th November 21:11

[Birky_41]

As already said, what are you intentions and wants from the bike this time round if you even know and how's the fitness at near 50?

I gave up road bikes in '05 and after a racing accident got back into road bikes in '15

They had changed a fair bit. Mainly fly by wire that I still don't like as much as cable, much better tyres and electronics

I bought an mv agusta dragster rr as my first bike. Claimed 140hp and 167kg dry so was quite nippy. Felt fast for a few weeks then became the norm and then I wanted more torque so went and bought a 1100 Tuono

I came away from bikes having only owned superbikes. I came back to bikes owning two fast nakeds...they've come a long way and give a much more rounded appeal for me atleast

I've toured, tracked and generally hooned about and it's been great with me not aching after a 100+ mile ride

[Mr Ship]

Thanks for the replies folks. I'll probably do 3-4000 miles a year, mainly just days out in the Lakes and Dales with the aim of the odd bit of touring. Mates in Aberdeen want me to head up and do the NC500 next year with 'em and I'd love to go back to the IOM.

Fitness wise, I do a lot of cycling, coming up for 3000 miles this year and TBH, I'm a lot fitter / more flexible than I was 10 years ago!. Now 11 stone wet through instead of a 13+ stone fat boy. The old AM leathers are a bit baggy now!

Bikes appear to have moved on hugely and in a good way. Remember picking up my brand new '98 R1 in Edinburgh and it riding it back to Aberdeen through snow, carb icing was a bh on that thing!

Last couple of bikes I owned.......

Edited by Mr Ship on Monday 20th November 22:52

[MrsMiggins]

Gsxr1000 it is then!

[NITO]

After a 16 year break I came back woth a Gen 1 Tuono, cracking bike, extremely comfortale and stupidly entertaining. It has an old school feel with no electronics

[Birky_41]

Is the blade a 929 or 954? Ho Lee Kau is like a Wikipedia on them

My last bike below. Was two years old when I sold it and I still think it looks fresh now

[Loyly]

Mr Ship said:

Thanks for the replies folks. I'll probably do 3-4000 miles a year, mainly just days out in the Lakes and Dales with the aim of the odd bit of touring. Mates in Aberdeen want me to head up and do the NC500 next year with 'em and I'd love to go back to the IOM.

Fitness wise, I do a lot of cycling, coming up for 3000 miles this year and TBH, I'm a lot fitter / more flexible than I was 10 years ago!. Now 11 stone wet through instead of a 13+ stone fat boy. The old AM leathers are a bit baggy now!

Bikes appear to have moved on hugely and in a good way. Remember picking up my brand new '98 R1 in Edinburgh and it riding it back to Aberdeen through snow, carb icing was a bh on that thing!

Last couple of bikes I owned.......

Edited by Mr Ship on Monday 20th November 22:52

A couple of fast ones! Maybe skip the CBF600 then!

[Mr Ship]

It was a 929 Blade, probably the best all rounder I've had.
So, a Tuono is top of the list at the moment I think although I love the look (and sound) of the latest R1......need to go and have a look at a few things I think.

[FocusRS3]

OP I’m doing the same and roughly the same time out and same age !

My lad is wanting a 50cc ped next year so that’s my reasoning and want to ride with him but I’m also used to larger bikes .

My thinking is big trial bike of a super moto 690 KTM. That way I can still have some solo fun but also ride with him at his low speeds .

Don’t need to go fast these days and burn my licence .

Maybe consider something a little more comfortable than race bikes