Former rider getting the fever again

[jrdudas]

I am new to this forum and am excited to read all the different categories. I am a long-time rider (inactive for some years now though) who in a fit of brain fog (encouraged by my wife) traded my last bike for a band PA system about 18 years ago. I started riding at the age of 14 on a Vespa motor scooter when I lived in Florida. Put lots of miles on that Vespa until we moved back to Ohio. I also put many miles on in Ohio, but the winter weather limited my riding time. Eventaully I sold the Vespa to raise money to buy a car. Some years later (after the Army and marriage) I bought a small bike; 125cc. Had it for several years and after moving to Arizona I sold it and bought a Honda 350. Had that for a few years and moved up to a Honda CX500. The CX500 was my last bike and was the worst handler of the bunch. I just was never comfortable in the corners with it; maybe it was top-heavy due to the design.

Anyway, as experienced riders know, the fever never leaves you, it just goes dormant from time to time. Now in my 60's I find that I really want to get another bike. Certainly the wife will object strongly and that is something that will have to be overcome. Adding to my dilema is that I find very few used bikes available at reasonable prices in my area (back in Ohio now). When I look at new bikes there seems to be a lack of product in the 500cc range. I keep thinking that the 250cc bikes will be easy to handle and sharpen my skills on, but I fear that they will quickly be too small. At the same time, I am aware that I don't have the same upper body strength I had in my earlier years and wonder if the bikes in the 650cc range will be too heavy for me.

I find the Virago 250 to be interesting, but would like it much better if it was a 450 or 500. Does anyone make a cruiser in the 500cc range? Are the 250cc bikes of today more powerful than the 250's of yesteryears?

Thank for your responses.

JR

[ZooTech]

Grab up a used Vulcan 500. It'll be light enough to get back in the swing of things yet will have adequate power on tap when you're ready.

[sharpmagna]

Yeah the Vulcan 500 LTD is pretty much the only 500 for the cruiser market these days. It's a great bike though so don't hesitate taking a look at it.

[xsyamahadg]

Glad to hear from another Ohio boy, and one my age too. I'm in my 60's also, 62 to be exact. I ride a 650 Yamaha V-star with no problems, it is a bit heavy at times, but only when moving around in the garage. If you are concerned about the weight of a bike, consider the Vulcan 500, these guys won't steer you wrong. Good to see more geezers riding these days.
XS

[niterider]

I also started riding again about 2 yrs ago, I am 52. I started on this 454 LTD vulcan. I is a great bike, but I live in an area with a lot of strong winds and the bike had a hard time against strong winds.
[img][img]http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d152/ ... 120001.jpg[/img]
I now ride a 750 vulcan. Have fun riding what ever you pick.[/img]

[MotoF150]

Before you buy a bike figure out where, how far, what roads ur going to ride it and buy the best bike that matches ur riding style. Like don't buy a 250 or 500 street bike if ur planning on making a trip 150 miles away on a 4 lane hyway with a 65mph speed limit. If ur planning on riding on short trips around town the 250 or 500 will be perfect. There are very few do everything bikes out there. I personally would suggest either the Suzuki DL650 V Strom, or the Yamaha 650 V Star Custom as the smallest do anything type of bike.

[bok]

since you have previous experience, something like a shadow 750 or any bike of that size isn't out of the question.

i'm a huge advocate of the MSF/BRC or ERC courses and would suggest that you might get some benefit from one since it's been a while. A bunch of it might be old hat to you, but you should still get some good practice with things like emergency braking or collision avoidance.

taking a safety course might help to convice the wife that you aren't going to go out and hurt yourself, or that this isn't just some whim.

in either case i don't think you would be happy on the 250 but that's just my opinion.

[jrdudas]

Thanks to all who responded; your suggestions are helpful. I checked out the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 at a shop yesterday and I think that is what I'm looking for. The bike size and engine size is about right for me. I'm a little concerned about the footpegs being so far out front, but that seems to be the case with all the cruiser style bikes. I am more used to a riding position where the footpegs are more straight down from my sitting position and designed so I can put weight on them. I also ride horses and that is a more natural position for me. That design seems to be available today on the sport bikes only and I don't think I want that agressive of a seat.

I also saw a Suzuki Boulevard that is available in 650cc that I liked. The footpegs seemed a little closer on the Suzuki, but I can't be sure. Has anyone else made this "footpeg transition" and if so what are your thoughts?

The advice about deciding what kind of riding I want to do, and about attending a safety school to sharpen my skills is also right on the money. I really don't plan any long trips on a bike. I live out in the country so I suspect that my riding will be either on the country roads nearby, or will be the short trips to one of the nearby towns. I find that I'm more comfortable on the back roads and city streets than on the interstates. I really would like to take the rider safety course too. I have a friend who took it about two years back and said recently that if I go he'd like to go again.

My next task is to bring up the subject with my wife, which is much easier said than done. She was never in favor of my riding and was especially concerned that our sons would show an interest. As it turned out, neither of them cared about motorcycles. They are both adults now and should not be influenced by my buying a bike today. Don't know if that was the wife's major concern and whether she will be less resistant now. She has never been one to say, "gee, why don't you take me for a ride?" So I really don't know what her reaction will be.

Thanks for the advice, and keep it coming if you like.

JR

[danial_1970]

I am one of those in the last few years made the transition from the normal seating on bike to the forward controls. At first it seamed a little uncomfortable but that feeling only lasted about 20 miles or so then after that it was very normal and very comfortable. the forward assist is designed for the rider to be more comfortable and be able to stretch out his legs when on rides which is a good thing for me due to the fact that i have a couple of messed up knees. No my Dad has been riding bikes for heck close to 50 years and has had 2 knee surgerys and he says that the forward assist is one of the best things on a bike today becasue it enable him to be able to still ride his bike toady at age 65.

[MotoF150]

Mr. jrdudas makes a very good point about the postion of the forward foot pegs and controls of a cruiser bike. Its designed to be comfortable but to me its not, its designed so you can lean back like ur sitting on a Lazy-Boy and the bike will ride by its self. But riding any bike requires ur constant attention and riding skill, you have to be in control of ur bike at all times thats why after a long trip ur physicially worn out and tired. In my opnioin no cruiser bike is designed for a long, non-stop trip of 150 miles or more, ur fighting the bike to hold it on the road, without a windshield ur fighting the force of the wind