A New Trend with Older riders

[Rough Edge racing]

  When the Honda 750 came out many guys riding British twins couldn't get rid of them fast enough to get a new Honda ... The Honda was smoother and a  better build quality...It didn't matter that it weighed over 100 pounds more with a lot of weight up high...I rode one but didn't like the bulk...Then came the faster Kawasaki 900 and the rest of the over 500 pound inline 4's that dominated the market for so long...Big and heavy became the standard...
 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I didn't care for the super lightweight feel of the Ducati's. It gives me a feel of "cheapness". Knowing the Guzzis' are heavier makes me feel better about using one for touring. My Victory bikes have been VERY reliable. That trait and experience is paramount considering my next purchase. So, having NO experience with either the 2012 MTS or the 2016 Stelvio NTX...is it safe to assume the Guzzi will be the more reliable bike?

Liter1000, welcome to WG.. and.. it sounds to me like you should head to the local Harley dealer..
 

[willowstreetguzziguy]

It all boils down to riding solo or 2-up.

As a solo rider, you can go as light in weight as you want. Staying in motels, just take a change of clothes  and hit the laundromat every other day. Or take all your camping gear... whatever the bike can hold and how fast or slow you want to go. Choose whatever bike you want however light or heavy you want.

But when you're older and taking an older passenger it all changes.  Older passengers generally they will require some comfort.... meaning caring much extra gear, backrest, comfortable seat, wind protection, which most likely means a bike with greater weight. Many older riders and their passengers require all those comforts which generally requires a heavier, more expensive bike.But as they get up in years and get weaker, the ability to handle/move a heavier bike becomes much harder.... that's why many older riders opt for a trike or Can Am Spyder. IT WON'T FALL OVER!

[pyoungbl]

Liter1000, if you thought the Victory was heavy to move around the garage you will be unhappy with the Stelvio.  It's a fantastic bike, wonderful to use for long distance touring or even shorter trips.  OTOH, the Stelvio is still a very heavy bike when you think about picking it up when it takes a nap.  As for reliability, you will have to deal with a couple known and easy to fix design flaws.  After that the bike is probably the easiest to maintain of any modern bike.  If you do get a Stelvio make sure it is a 2013 or newer...or has been rollerized.  Guzzi has stopped making the Stelvio but there are a few left in dealer's showrooms.  Also, a few nice used examples being offered...mine included.

Peter Y.

[Caffeineo]

I'm only 52. My Victory Vision got sold in February because I have two small hernias and a sore shoulder. Moving the bike around the shop and at watering holes would aggravate the hernias and shoulder. So I thought a lighter bike was needed. Test rode a new Multistrada 950. No way I would use that bike for touring. Seat too thin with no padding. Knees bent way too tight. The Ducati shop suggested I try a 2012 Multistrada. Or a 2013 Diavel. Not sure about Ducati reliability. So I looked at the Norge and Stelvio. The Norge felt too small overall while bending the knees too much. The Stelvio felt roomy and comfortable just sitting on it. I didn't care for the super lightweight feel of the Ducati's. It gives me a feel of "cheapness". Knowing the Guzzis' are heavier makes me feel better about using one for touring. My Victory bikes have been VERY reliable. That trait and experience is paramount considering my next purchase. So, having NO experience with either the 2012 MTS or the 2016 Stelvio NTX...is it safe to assume the Guzzi will be the more reliable bike?


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I hope you were not expecting an unbiased opinion about Guzzi's on a MG site....  Let's just say they are equal in reliability. Compare the cost of scheduled service and the Stelvio will cost you so much less than the Ducati. Stelvios are quite reliable and have that heavy duty feel you are after. Once you put some miles on one, nothing else will do. 

[Litre1000]

No Harley's for me. Used to work in a Harley dealership. Friends have them. No thanks. I love the Victory bikes too much. But 900lbs is too much. My 03 Vegas is fine @ 700lbs.


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[sib]

Another factor in the "New Trend with Older Riders" is that the definition of "older" has shifted.  There was a time when older riders were those in their '50's, who could still comfortably handle a heavy bike.  Now, along with the general aging of the population, there are many riders in their '70's, like me, and a few in their '80's.  We "senior" guys no longer feel so comfortable with large bikes, so we're gravitating toward lighter, but still roadworthy motorcycles.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Another factor in the "New Trend with Older Riders" is that the definition of "older" has shifted.  There was a time when older riders were those in their '50's, who could still comfortably handle a heavy bike.  Now, along with the general aging of the population, there are many riders in their '70's, like me, and a few in their '80's.  We "senior" guys no longer feel so comfortable with large bikes, so we're gravitating toward lighter, but still roadworthy motorcycles.

So what's the "lighter weight" choice for riders ~70+ who want to tour two-up?

[sib]

So what's the "lighter weight" choice for riders ~70+ who want to tour two-up?

At our age, our spouses are too wise to want to ride pillion.

[Psychopasta]

At our age, our spouses are too wise to want to ride pillion.

My wife hasn't ridden pillion with me since before we had kids. Today, she tells me she wants to try it out again...watch this space!

- Pasta

[charlie b]

Compared to those bikes the Honda is light, but at 571 lbs. wet, it isn't that light.

You are correct, but, lighter than the stuff they came from.

And lighter than most of the newer fully faired touring bikes.  Beemer RT came close, but, they've gotten a bit porky now too.  Norge was in the running but had too little dealer network for most of those guys.

These days I'd be tempted to get a 400 or 500cc bike and put a good windshield on it.

[Testarossa]

At our age, our spouses are too wise to want to ride pillion.

Gail, at age 65, loves riding pillion. Of course, our combined weight is under 250 lb, so riding two-up on either of the 650s isn't a problem. We even had fun together on the 49cc Kymco. For a ride of more than an hour, she's more comfortable on the "big" Mille.

[Triple Jim]

My wife loves to ride on the back of my Mille... until it's actually time to do it, and then she's almost always too busy, or her back hurts, or she has a headache, etc..

[Psychopasta]

My wife loves to ride on the back of my Mille... until it's actually time to do it, and then she's almost always too busy, or her back hurts, or she has a headache, etc..

That old excuse, eh?

[Triple Jim]

Yeah, some excuses are multi-purpose.   

[Chuck in Indiana]

Dorcia and I were out on the Scura today.. and I was thinking it would be nice to have something a "little" more comfortable for her. We passed on going a few extra miles.. I didn't want to make it work for her.
Started thinking. Hmmm. What would it be? The Norge is out. Had one, too top heavy. Tried the Strada. She didn't like it. Had an SP1000.. she didn't like it either. <shrug>
The best might be a disc Eldo. (!) Ok brakes.  Soft ride, decent if not stellar handling, carries it's weight low.

[johnr]

The Honda was smoother and a  better build quality...
 

I take issue with those two items.  It was a good bike in many ways and came second in my choice of bikes. ( I was looking to buy a new one in early 1971) It was not I found as smooth as a British triple  of the time by quite a large margin, nor I later found as smooth as a Brit twin if you went to the trouble of getting the twin dynamically balanced by someone that knew their apples. The build quality wasn't anywhere near as good.  There were other issues too. I bought a BSA triple.

[malik]

Have a mate (of a "certain" size, and a "certain" weight - large) who bought a Cali to pillion the wife. Then bought himself the last model 1200 Sport 8V. The wife was so much more comfortable on the back of the Sport, the Cali was sold.

[Kev m]

I think it was around 2004 that Jenn tapped me on the shoulder and said "I think I would prefer to ride my own."

She was 24.

The last time she rode pillion, other than when say dropping off a bike somewhere or picking one up was when she was 6 months pregnant with Fi and decided her belly was interfering with both the gas tank on her Duc and her feeling of center of gravity.

[Rough Edge racing]

I take issue with those two items.  It was a good bike in many ways and came second in my choice of bikes. ( I was looking to buy a new one in early 1971) It was not I found as smooth as a British triple  of the time by quite a large margin, nor I later found as smooth as a Brit twin if you went to the trouble of getting the twin dynamically balanced by someone that knew their apples. The build quality wasn't anywhere near as good.  There were other issues too. I bought a BSA triple.

 You need not take issue with my opinions and I won't take issue with your opinions...

[Phil/TX]

HA HA, Old guys with suspenders......... ..Working my way down in size, at 73, just traded my 06 R1200GSA for a 2012 Triumph 800 Tiger. Much lighter and i have more confidence in riding it. Also picked up a Kawasaki W650 last year, so I'm loosing weight, errr ahh i mean my bikes are loosing weight. Having more fun also.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Why can't you just get a young cute million rider who can muscle the bike around the garage for you.?
 I mean one that is not a tranny specialist.

[Psychopasta]

I was thinking today...which is always dangerous. Several years ago I rented a GoldWing for an East-Coast tour, and I thought it was a great bike. It had this reverse capability that was powered by the starter motor and battery, and it was AWESOME for slow-speed farting about. I'm always surprised that it never caught on and got used on other bikes. Even much lighter bikes would benefit when you're padding about trying to go backwards to adjust your parking or whatever.

- P

[Tennmoto]

I rode the Dragon a few years back on a Suzuki Sv650 (known to be a beginners bike!).  I would have gladly traded you rides on the DT100. That bike was so overpowered for me on that road it was unbelievable.  I know there are guys that can take much more powerful bikes down that road at fantastic speeds but they are super talented and are way beyond my riding ability.  Or as my friend who is a road racer said to me at the time "they just have bigger balls"

I just came back from another ride on my Super Sherpa.  I was looking for gravel roads but instead found some twisties I had never encountered before.  On my street bikes they would have been a nightmare as the surface was horrible but on the Sherpa I just ploughed through the bumps and potholes without a care in the world.  Mind you I was only going about 50mph but on my other bikes I would have been slowed to a crawl. 

The other funny thing that is happening is that the slower speeds I am going at are starting to have a cumulative effect on me so when I do rev the bike out and get up to 65 and 70 I feel like I am flying.  I remember the same thing on some of my old British bikes where I was going pretty slow but had the sensation of going much faster.  Essentially I am getting the same buzz at slower speeds.  At the opposite end of the spectrum, I read a review of the 2017 GSXR last night and the tester was saying that he had a feeling that the bike was just meandering down the straightaway when he looked at the speedo and saw an indicated 180mph!!!

I've road the Dragon on many of my bikes I've owned here in Knoxville. Less power is better , but I had an SV 650 but there was some lash and the rear could get away, but the Vstrom 650 was absolutely amazing. I don't go up there much at all any more, there are nicer roads any lots of them around here.
But if you are going to ride the Dragon don't try and test your manhood up there, many have died or
Had to be stretchered up a 100 ft slope, and I think local rescue is tired of this shit. The Skyway is up in the Wilderness and rescue can take 2hrs or more to get there, so just enjoy the ride and slow down.
Now all this talk of lighter bikes is killing me, now I want a small bike, but I'd have to sell one of my
Precious Orange motorcycles

[mjptexas]

Saw this on another thread and got me thinking... as baby boomer riders get older (mid 60's and up), they have more money and time for riding. But their upper body strength can't or doesn't want to handle the 500 lb+ bikes that many manufacturers seem to be making.

So with their money and time they are seeking out sub 500 lb bikes and enjoying the lighter freedom that these bikes possess....

I've actually been pondering this for a while.  My favorite ride continues to be my Cali 1400 Custom, but at 700 lbs I know I won't be able to ride it forever.  I currently have three bikes that may ultimately take its place.  Each would require a modest amount of work to become a lightweight tourer.

The V9 Roamer should be the heir apparent, but for a multitude of reasons I simply have not put enough miles on it to render an opinion.  Power is adequate, outrageously great fuel mileage offsets the small tank, and, I like shaft drive.   It would be pretty easy to C-Bows on it to carry luggage when necessary.

I've really enjoyed the two Harley Sportsters I've owned.  Adequate power, belt drive (no chain maintenance) and a bewildering supply of aftermarket stuff.  A Sporty with a 4.5 gallon tank may would do the trick, if Harley would just put it on a diet until it lost 50 lbs.  At over 500 lbs  it's heavier than I care for.

So it comes down to my Ducati 821 Monster.  It ticks all of the boxes except one - I really hate doing drive chain maintenance.  But given the options, this may be the winner.  Time will tell. 

[Lannis]

You need not take issue with my opinions and I won't take issue with your opinions...

I take issue with that opinion.