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I'm beginning to think a big bike with a low seat (cruiser for instance) is preferable to a lite bike with a tall seat (dual sport) But what say you?Mike
Excellent question! I should have asked it myself.Obviously the answer is personal preference based on all our own specific desires. WHOA!!! I guess if we all remembered that fact more mindfully and consistently, internet arguments would cease to exist..... Nah, that's no fun! For me, at 62 years old, with a 30" inseam, and a double digit IQ (fun fact), the answer is I want both light weight and low seat height with the preference going towards light weight. My bike shed is in the back yard on the other side of a shallow ditch, so even ground clearance becomes an issue.90%+ of my riding is back roads so light weight is key, and I don't ride hard enough to need maximum high quality suspension of travel nor triple digit HP.Nor are the majority of my rides multiple days or high mileage days, which tends to make the bikes heavier in terms of more features and more comfort.I guess there are more factors to consider here than just the age of the rider.
IMHO - "LOW SEAT" makes all the difference in the world...For example.... "MOBY DICK" ....at 871 pounds...it is LONG (66" wheelbase).... and LOW....with a seat height of 25 inches, (with the 1-inch factory lowering kit) It loses 200 pounds the minute you let the clutch out in first gear.... my display resolution
I'm starting to dislike launching a sharp right hand turn from a dead stop on my california 1100. At 69 my weight remains the same, but my belly fat continues to grow? Definitely being able to flat foot and light weight helps to extend your riding years. This year I spent half of my riding time on my 1958 BMW R69 and had zero problems. It's the zero to 5 mph were weight matters on a heavier bike.I would highly recommend a Jeep Wrangler TJ for an open air experience when your riding days are over. With the doors off and top down it is the closest you can come on 4 wheels to the feel of a motorcycle.The JK Wrangler and newer are refined and a lot less tractor like. But the doors weigh about 70 pounds and are no fun to dismount and mount.Personally I will be getting a V7 by next summer. Mostly a Want, but secondly practical for my abilities.Don
I have had to address this very situation. My Audace was getting too awkward for me. On one of my multi day trips this past summer I dropped it once and almost lost it a second time. I also didn't go a couple of places I wanted to go due to whether I could get in and be able to get back out. The Audace has other issues besides weight, 31* steering head angle and almost 67" wheelbase. So I started shopping new bikes. First I was looking at lower seat height which took me to Indian and Harley. Gotta have a traditional looking machine. Even though the Chief and the Sportglide had low seats they still felt heavy which I felt wouldn't help much. I went to the Euro bikes dealership where the salesman pointed me towards a Bonneville. Even though they have a fairly tall seat it felt a lot more manageable. After a short test ride and further research I did the deal. I also went this way because they were willing to give me a decent trade in value for the Audace. If I tried to sell it privately it would probably sit forever as it sat on the dealers floor for 3 years when it was new.I have had the Trumpet for just over a week with only 300 miles so far but it is fulfilling my needs. Easy to move around, ride at slow speeds and get on and off. I have read that some say they are heavy handling but at highway speeds works for me. That is primarily what I wanted, I have a V7 for curvy mtn roads and around town not that the Triumph couldn't do that with ease. The only negatives that I see so far are the chain drive and valve adjustments. Fortunately valve adjustments are 10,000 miles apart.This is what I have done, others may have different needs, wants or ?kk