Bit of a pickle, old knees and iffy back.

[King Tiddles]

So technically not a new biker but I have just passed my A license recently. Here is my biking history:

Did my CBT a year ago and picked up an MT125. Then I did my A2 a couple of months later and bought a Ninja 300.

So these are my issues,

despite not being particularly old I've always had dodgy joints. I've noticed that prolongued journeys on the Ninja 300 make me really stiff and a bit uncomfortable.

Having just passed my A I'm looking to get a bigger bike now but have literally no idea what to be checking out.

I want something I can commute a couple of days a week with, and something I can go away for a weekend to France on. My girlfriend's bum needs to be comfortable for at least an hour, and I don't want to kill myself.

With my experience I'm unsure if a litre bike would be a huge step up, if something like the bmw 800gs is solid, or if I should stick with a 650/750 of some kind.

Any advise would be huuugely appreciated and would be happy to answer further questions!

[Oldie]

First thing to do is to have a look at this website as it shows the different riding position for most bikes.

https://cycle-ergo.com/

Even if the bike you fancy is still a bit cramped you can add bar risers, lower the foot pegs, get lower/higher seats etc. Not all modifications are straightforward but it's usually possible to change a bike to suit you.

As for choice of bikes, you want something comfortable, reliable and is easy to sell on (you'll most likely end up changing bikes every year or two). If you want to tour, then a Deauville would be a good starting point or a Suzuki 1250 if you want more poke, or maybe a CBF1000. There's just so many bikes to choose from that it becomes a case of trial and error.

[King Tiddles]

[notabikeranym...]

I'd say go to a bike show and sit on every bike you like the look of/have in mind as a potential bike.

Narrow it down to a couple bikes you like the feel of, then go to dealerships and book test rides for those bikes.

Buy the one that feels the best for you.

Having said that, the first two weeks of owning the R6 my hands/feet were going numb and I'd get a cramp in my hip after a couple hours.

Now I barely notice the seating position at all and it feels perfectly comfortable to me however I sit on it. Some things take a bit of getting used to and once you're used to them they're barely noticeable. Choose the funnest bike

[King Tiddles]

[notabikeranym...]

Yeah they'll let you sit on most of the bikes. I've been to MCN & Motorcycle Live shows, and at those they let you sit on pretty much everything.

I used to have a Ninja 300, shocking how upright it is in comparison to a proper sports bike.

I'd say go for a naked bike like a street triple. If I was getting an upright bike, it'd definitely be the striple.

[arry]

[Rogerborg]

The BMW F7/800GS is actually a decent contender for that purpose. I find my mini-Ninja more fun for a short commute, but I can't deny that the midi-GS is a decent do-anything bike. It'll commute frugally, it'll tour comfortably, and the riding position is spot on for all-day riding. I've not taken a pillion on it, but it shouldn't be a problem, there's plenty of torque there.

The downside is that it's a modern BMW so the quality is suspect, but that model has had fewer problems than most, and any bike that you buy now should be sorted. The paint will come off the sump, mind.

See also V-Strom 650 or 1000, Triumph Tiger, Versys, Tracers, all worth checking out.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[King Tiddles]

[King Tiddles]

[arry]

[Rogerborg]

[arry]

TDM850 might be worth looking at too.

/Chris_Red

[Daz1245]

Try thinks like the African twin, or a v-strom and go for comfort as you know any sports bike will get uncomfortable after a couple of hours ride out
____________________
Current: 1994 Suzuki rf600r
Cagiva mito evo 3 2002, Yamaha xvs125 2000, skyjet sj-125 Chinese piece of crap

[M.C]

As a member of the 20 something bad back and knee club I welcome you You don't have to get a touring bike unless that's what you really want, there are plenty of other upright bikes out there. Bikes like the CB650f, MT-09, XSR700 are very upright.

Also is weight a factor for you? Personally I struggle pushing a big bike around, a CBF1000 was torture and also despite not having that much forward lean still aggravated my issues.

[King Tiddles]

[King Tiddles]

[kgm]

Something upright sounds like a good idea. Given you want to take a pillion I'd suggest something like

Vstrom 650 (great pillion bike, despite the smaller engine) or 1000
Tiger 800
MT09 Tracer
Versys 650/1000 (big weight difference between the two though)

Fazer 1k, bandit 12+ also worth looking at if you prefer that sort of style.

Street triple is a great bike but not really a pillion machine and has more forward lean than you might expect.

[arry]

[grr666]

Get an MT09. At least try one. Yes they are torquey, but they also howl as well in the upper revs.
Forgetting everything else, and just ergonomically speaking I have found it a bloody marvel.
I was cramped on my last bike, in particular my left knee and switching to an MT09 derived bike has fixed
the comfort issues I had with the er6f and the boredom issues too. Go test ride one, I call it my jet powered bmx.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[M.C]

[Rogerborg]

I'd expect because you rarely if ever use anything close to that peak power.

110bhp = wide open throttle at maybe 10K rpm = 70mph+ in 2nd gear.

Even the ~70hp in my GS rarely gets tapped, which is why I find a ~30hp revvy bike returns more laughs per mile.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[M.C]

BCF disapproves of your logic, Blade or GTFO!

I agree

[Polarbear]

I would say an adventure bike is the way to go for you if you are not into a full blown tourer. Sports tourers are still lean forwardish bikes.

I'm an old fart with old farts issues and can't ride a sports bike for any longer than the end of the drive (if I can even get my feet on the pegs ).

I've owned 2 adventure bikes, the Tiger 955i and the Tiger Explorer and they are the most comfortable bikes I have ever owned short of an 1800 Goldwing. The only reason I don't have one now is I really prefer full blown tourers.

There are not many bikes I regret selling. The 955i Tiger was one of them.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Val]