Proud or Ashamed
Discussion
Proud or Ashamed ?
I am not sure which is appropriate, I will let you decide.
With age becomes many realisations, not the least of which is lack of physical strength. There is also the rather more important aspect of brain function. Not wanting to admit even to these two failings was the first hurdle. The second was the impact of this on my motorcycling, a pass time that has been part of me for some 65 years. Yes, I am that decrepit!
I have just sold my beloved VFR800, primarily because it was becoming difficult to manoeuvre about the workshop and tiring to ride. Many bikes have passed through my hands but the VFR remains as one of the most accomplished.
I digress; I had no intention of giving up motorcycling, but being aware of my age decided on something lighter and for want of a better word - slower.
Purely by chance, I came across a bike and did the deal. My first impressions were not that positive, although lightness and the upright riding position were very welcome. Apropos the riding position and the lack of fairing, 50 mph now feels fast, 90 and one is hanging on for dear life. The lack of refinement is my main criticism but what should one expect from a 180 degree twin? I can live with this.
I am revelling in the rediscovery of pottering around country lanes, taking in the beauty of our countryside and being able to see over the hedgerows. Yes the VFR would potter, but the riding position and the diabolical state of the roads ruined the experience.
Should I be proud to have done the sensible thing or ashamed at giving in?
Oh, the bike; Kawasaki Z650RS.
I am not sure which is appropriate, I will let you decide.
With age becomes many realisations, not the least of which is lack of physical strength. There is also the rather more important aspect of brain function. Not wanting to admit even to these two failings was the first hurdle. The second was the impact of this on my motorcycling, a pass time that has been part of me for some 65 years. Yes, I am that decrepit!
I have just sold my beloved VFR800, primarily because it was becoming difficult to manoeuvre about the workshop and tiring to ride. Many bikes have passed through my hands but the VFR remains as one of the most accomplished.
I digress; I had no intention of giving up motorcycling, but being aware of my age decided on something lighter and for want of a better word - slower.
Purely by chance, I came across a bike and did the deal. My first impressions were not that positive, although lightness and the upright riding position were very welcome. Apropos the riding position and the lack of fairing, 50 mph now feels fast, 90 and one is hanging on for dear life. The lack of refinement is my main criticism but what should one expect from a 180 degree twin? I can live with this.
I am revelling in the rediscovery of pottering around country lanes, taking in the beauty of our countryside and being able to see over the hedgerows. Yes the VFR would potter, but the riding position and the diabolical state of the roads ruined the experience.
Should I be proud to have done the sensible thing or ashamed at giving in?
Oh, the bike; Kawasaki Z650RS.
You've done the sensible thing and changed bikes to something more suited to your needs. I've got 2 bikes. One is a boring 500cc twin with 40ish bhp, and the other is a 25 year old sports bike with 140ish bhp (when new, probably lost a few over the years).
The 500cc twin does most of my milage for commuting and I wouldn't want anything more than that for the job. It's upright, simple to maintain, completely boring, and very easy to ride. I don't mind putting the miles on it or using it.
Although I have a lot of experience in mechanics, its negatives for a lot of folk actually have a lot of plus points for me.
My 500cc has 4 valves, and doesn't need the cams removed to change the shims. My other bike has 16 valves, and the cams need to come out to do the clearances. It's the same story for the front brake. 12 pistons vs 2 pistons.
If you really wanted to you could end up with two bikes. Maybe something with more power for short runs. The vfr800 is a pretty heavy bike regardless of your age/strength so wouldn't be hard on yourself.
The 500cc twin does most of my milage for commuting and I wouldn't want anything more than that for the job. It's upright, simple to maintain, completely boring, and very easy to ride. I don't mind putting the miles on it or using it.
Although I have a lot of experience in mechanics, its negatives for a lot of folk actually have a lot of plus points for me.
My 500cc has 4 valves, and doesn't need the cams removed to change the shims. My other bike has 16 valves, and the cams need to come out to do the clearances. It's the same story for the front brake. 12 pistons vs 2 pistons.
If you really wanted to you could end up with two bikes. Maybe something with more power for short runs. The vfr800 is a pretty heavy bike regardless of your age/strength so wouldn't be hard on yourself.
As mentioned elsewhere, I've just gone the other way and traded up from a Guzzi V7 to another Guzzi - a 1400 California. I think subconsciously I was thinking this will be my last chance to get a big, heavy brutish machine before I'm also old and weak. It had to be a Guzzi because I've organised a pilgrimage to the factory in September leaving the day after my 60th birthday. It's quite rare so as long as I keep it in decent nick it should hold some value. I can see myself trading back to a (850) V7 again in maybe 5 years. Good luck with the Z, OP. Is it really that much lighter?
68 here, and just bought a new Indian Roadmaster 112. Big bugger, but low seat and wide bars makes it kind of manageable…if 400kg plus can ever be called manageable.
Quite a few folks I know are down-sizing, so I guessed if I didn’t press the button now on an absurdly large tourer I’d never do it. Not sure how many years I’ll be able to manage it for, but for the time being it’s comfy with great weather protection.
Off to Czech on Monday on it
Good luck with the Z650, I hope you enjoy it. My dad had a Z650 in 1976 when I had my Z900 (albeit a totally different bike
). Always has a soft spot for Kawasakis.
Quite a few folks I know are down-sizing, so I guessed if I didn’t press the button now on an absurdly large tourer I’d never do it. Not sure how many years I’ll be able to manage it for, but for the time being it’s comfy with great weather protection.
Off to Czech on Monday on it
Good luck with the Z650, I hope you enjoy it. My dad had a Z650 in 1976 when I had my Z900 (albeit a totally different bike
). Always has a soft spot for Kawasakis. tvrolet said:
68 here, and just bought a new Indian Roadmaster 112. Big bugger, but low seat and wide bars makes it kind of manageable if 400kg plus can ever be called manageable.
Quite a few folks I know are down-sizing, so I guessed if I didn t press the button now on an absurdly large tourer I d never do it. Not sure how many years I ll be able to manage it for, but for the time being it s comfy with great weather protection.
Off to Czech on Monday on it
Good luck with the Z650, I hope you enjoy it. My dad had a Z650 in 1976 when I had my Z900 (albeit a totally different bike). Always has a soft spot for Kawasakis.
Wow, that's even bigger than my big lump!Quite a few folks I know are down-sizing, so I guessed if I didn t press the button now on an absurdly large tourer I d never do it. Not sure how many years I ll be able to manage it for, but for the time being it s comfy with great weather protection.
Off to Czech on Monday on it
Good luck with the Z650, I hope you enjoy it. My dad had a Z650 in 1976 when I had my Z900 (albeit a totally different bike
). Always has a soft spot for Kawasakis. A lot of it is just not being concerned with ego or peacocking.
I occasionally look at the mileages of bikes at meets and by FAR the highest are on "dull" or "lower powered" bikes.
I dont really get the point of having a bike to just do 1500 miles a year on because it's too impractical (in whatever respect) for the rider.
As someone said elsewhere, get the bike for the riding you like doing and not the other way around.
I occasionally look at the mileages of bikes at meets and by FAR the highest are on "dull" or "lower powered" bikes.
I dont really get the point of having a bike to just do 1500 miles a year on because it's too impractical (in whatever respect) for the rider.
As someone said elsewhere, get the bike for the riding you like doing and not the other way around.
I'm 58 soon currently I have a zzr1100 which is pretty heavy when pushing it around, less so when riding as I've modified it (wheels, lighter and better brakes)
I'd change it for something lighter and more upright in a instant, probably not much smaller as I like the low down torque
This is number 80 as I can work out,
Mt09 tracer looks good maybe....
I'd change it for something lighter and more upright in a instant, probably not much smaller as I like the low down torque
This is number 80 as I can work out,
Mt09 tracer looks good maybe....
KTMsm said:
IIRC the guy who set up the trf, as he got older ended up on a scooter around the green lanes
I'm all for it, anything is better than giving up - even a scooter !
There was a fella in our old bike club who'd raced for years at a decent level, but ended up riding some 80s Honda scooter with a home made sidecar fashioned from the bottom of a wheelie bin to carry his zimmer frame when he was in his 80s.I'm all for it, anything is better than giving up - even a scooter !
He was happy to laugh along at himself as he got forced into riding slower and slower things but ultimately, he didn't care and he was happy!
Austin Prefect said:
My GS is getting a bit heavy for me, but what I do notice is that when I ride it frequently it seems less of an issue. Thinking it's too heavy to ride frequently or too much trouble to get out of the garage just for 30 miles round the block can lead to a downward spiral.
I'm quite strong and tall(!) How else do I describe it? But I find heavy bikes annoying. Awful lumpen things when they are bloated with tech etc etc.
Bike manufacturers need to address this especially with older riders now.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
I'm quite strong and tall(!) How else do I describe it? But I find heavy bikes annoying.
Awful lumpen things when they are bloated with tech etc etc.
Bike manufacturers need to address this especially with older riders now.
In fairness there are plenty of small light bikes - sub 400ccAwful lumpen things when they are bloated with tech etc etc.
Bike manufacturers need to address this especially with older riders now.
If you want a 500cc plus, twin they pretty much weigh 180 kg plus because that's what they weigh when made from steel and aluminium
The reason I started on the 690 Duke was because it weighed 150kg and coming from 100kg enduro bikes I thought that was heavy enough
Nicely written post OP.
Is it a green Z650RS?
When I had a Royal Enfield Meteor 350 loaner that was very easy to move around. I managed to get it across the width of the garage without too much effort at all. I think it was the weight being low down and the high bars. Obviously I just couldn't pick it up but it was as easy as a wheeling a pushbike around.
I've never had a faired bike. I've ridden a Z750 Turbo but the largest bike I've owned is a 650.
I may be daydreaming of a 2017> Z1000SX but likely loss of garage soon means it's unlikely to happen. It's the headlight reviews, a fairing and that metallic green paint on the tank though it may not be the same shade as earlier ones. After yesterday's ride I wonder if I'll ever use the performance available. It's a want rather than a need.
Is it a green Z650RS?
When I had a Royal Enfield Meteor 350 loaner that was very easy to move around. I managed to get it across the width of the garage without too much effort at all. I think it was the weight being low down and the high bars. Obviously I just couldn't pick it up but it was as easy as a wheeling a pushbike around.
I've never had a faired bike. I've ridden a Z750 Turbo but the largest bike I've owned is a 650.
I may be daydreaming of a 2017> Z1000SX but likely loss of garage soon means it's unlikely to happen. It's the headlight reviews, a fairing and that metallic green paint on the tank though it may not be the same shade as earlier ones. After yesterday's ride I wonder if I'll ever use the performance available. It's a want rather than a need.
Edited by carinaman on Thursday 12th June 09:28
KTMsm said:
In fairness there are plenty of small light bikes - sub 400cc
If you want a 500cc plus, twin they pretty much weigh 180 kg plus because that's what they weigh when made from steel and aluminium
The reason I started on the 690 Duke was because it weighed 150kg and coming from 100kg enduro bikes I thought that was heavy enough
KTM seems to do weight v cc betterIf you want a 500cc plus, twin they pretty much weigh 180 kg plus because that's what they weigh when made from steel and aluminium
The reason I started on the 690 Duke was because it weighed 150kg and coming from 100kg enduro bikes I thought that was heavy enough
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