motabykinsilvasurfa

[mala]

Hi all, looking for a biker's forum and came across this one.
Thinking of getting back into biking again at the ripe old age of 55!. Any advice please on the best way to approach this. I have a full bike licence. but never graduated up to the big ones. sensible advice please.

[minesweeper]

Take a refresher course (1-2 days) then look for a sensible way to get back into biking, bandit 600 or a cbr600 would be about right then have fun

[Ste]

How long ago did you ride? What bike did you last ride?

One thing I would recommend is getting a bit of road training before hitting the road again

Welcome to BikeChatForums

[mala]

Don't laugh - it was 1975, a honda 160 cc twin ,a great little bike in its days and went well untill I had to limp back from Scotland on 1 cylinder, fixed it up only to have an argument with a dog which caused the bike to go one way an me the other!!

[Scotty]

definetly take a refresher course, alot of people have had full bike lisences before all the laws came in and got back into biking and ended up being scraped of the floor, well worth the money if you ask me.
And take it easy!!
____________________
Regards
Scott

[G]

The most important thing is probably to take it easy for a fair while, to get used to the bike (same for everyone that hasn't ridden bigger bikes).
Even a fairly modestly performing bike will probably be far in excess, in most areas, compared to your previous Honda.

[mala]

Who do I contact to enroll for the course ?. would a yamaha virago 535 be a good choice?

[Ste]

Look in yellow pages under motorcycle training, and find somewhere near you. Ring around several, explaining your situation, and what you want (a day or two's road refresher training, with bike hire (and kit hire???) )

Let us know what they offer, by way of courses and prices, and someone will be able to point out the goods and bads about each one

[Bendy]

you just need to look around your area for bike training schools - places that do CBTs and other training. Have a chat with them and they'll sort you out with a course.

[G]

Have a look in your yellow pages for bike traing, most places will either offer it or know soemwhere that does.

Personally I don't like cruisers, so I'd be against soemthing like the Virago 535.
Consider what you want from a bike.
If the cruiser look is important to you and you like the 'relaxed' riding position then it's worth considering. However cruisers tend to be quite lowly specced anyway, so a bigger one shouldn't offer any problems.
Otherwise something a ER500, cb500 etc will offer a reasonable amount of performance in a comfortable and user-friendly package.
If you think you might want something a bit more, but still want an 'easy' bike to ride something like a Bandit600(&1200)/Hornet 600/Fazer 600/GSX600F(&750F)/many-more will offer you the possibility of pushing your bike more when you feel ready.
The important thing is to control yourself and take it easy to start with, if you do ther shouldn't be any problems with the bigger bikes.

[minesweeper]

Think the gear shift has changed sides since when you used to ride so a refresher course would be mandatory!

A cruiser may be the best choice, easy to ride, easy power

Matt

[mala]

.Gear shift was on the right, are they on the left now?.

[Bendy]

[Doddmaster]

I recommend you get a cruiser. Low seat and oodles of torque make them really easy to ride (they looks the bollocks too)

I wouldnt, however, get a 535 Virago. Eugh. They sound horrible, and look weird.

Get a Harley Sportster 883, a Honda Shadow 600, a Kawasaki VN800 Marauder, Suzuki VS600 Intruder or a Suzuki LS650 Savage.

That gives you a few to think about

[minesweeper]

Right hand side is now the rear brake, heard of a couple of born agains wonder why when ever they tried to get into second all that happened was the rear wheel locked up

Matt

[Ropehead]

the main thing is the power your 160cc was probably about 20-30bhp,
and a modern 600's are 80-90 Bhp.

But if your sensable with it and take it east i dont see who a nice 600 won't do the job

saves getting a Kawasak ER 500 getting bored of it than having 2 buy a bigger bike

[Doddmaster]

[mala]

Must have been one of the last ones imported then it was a 1966 D reg.

[mala]

Before that I had a james captain 197 Villiers engine (no plate CB47) last seen on a vauxhall astra.20 years ago, worth something now!!

[Doddmaster]

Don't see many of those around anymore

[TiN]

I wouldn't bother with a "commuter" (i.e. ER5, GS5 etc), especially if it's only gonna be an "occasion" bike...Also, from your attitude (i.e., sensible ), I doubt that you'll be wanting a FireBlade either

I would say that a cruiser would be a good choice - they have a degree of pose value, and a fairly comfy seating position...I wouldn't go for anything smaller than a 750 though ...the bigger engines won't add much to the top-end speed, but would offer much more low-down grunt...
____________________
TiN
dotgems.net

[Robby]

coming back into biking as a born again a virago 535 is a good choice. my mates dad got one at 53 after crashing a TL1000, he found the TL was too much bike in terms of weight and power. now after a couple of years rebuilding his confidence on the virago hes considering a bandit 600 or a fazer 600.

the new hinckley triumphs are good, and comfortable.

do a refrecher course, chat to the guys there and see what they recommend, and take it easy. a bandit 600 with have more power on tickover than your old honda did on full blast.

[Scooby]

What about one of the new Triumph Bonnervilles if that's your cup of tea??? If not I would personally recommend something like a Bandit 4/6, or CB1, etc.
____________________
A big enough hammer fixes anything!

[zaknafien]

[Mr Lucky]

Mala.

Call Neil Wolfenden, the Cheif Instructor at 'Newcastle Rider Training'. They are based in Wallsend and their number is 0191 262 5000.

I am advising you to contact them because they are recognised as the best in the North East of England. You will not be disapointed.

Tell them I told you to go there...
____________________
https://www.labusas.org