Which bike for dodgy knees

[barryd]

Cant think of a better title. Im a returning biker (well ive been riding a scooter for years) but used to have 500s. 650s back in the day.

I started a thread in July when I was looking at stuff like the KTM Duke 390, CB500, GS310 etc but its all gone a bit pear shaped.

What I have discovered test riding a few is my Arthritis in my knees is much more of a factor than I thought it would be. I went to look at a BMW GS 310 today and I managed to get on it but couldnt get off the bloody thing without help. Rear seat pillion was too high. Anyway the bikes I have been looking at are way to cramped for me and the wife.

The DUKE 390 was also awful for me because of the cramped position and too small a seat for the pillion.

Someone suggested a Honda NC700 Automatic.

I tried a Honda Sh300 scooter the the other day which was fine but it was totally "Meh". My little honda Vision 110 is more fun.

I just want something that will put a smile on my face with a bit of grunt that I can easily jump on and off. Budget £1500-3500.

While I was out today I saw a 1980 Kawazaki Z650 which reminded my off my youth, I had one for a while one summer. It looked like a moped compared to some of the newer bikes and I could easily have hopped on and off that but it wasnt for sale.

Its kind of a last ditch attempt really before I just resign myself to being a step through scooter rider for the rest of my life.

Any thoughts?

[stinkwheel]

Don't totally write-off scooters, a mate of mine with a back problem just got a Honda X-adv and that thing can hustle! Press the sport button.

Maybe have a look at an ER6?

You may find this site helpful:
https://cycle-ergo.com/
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[Brava210]

[Easy-X]

Cruisers... you know you want to
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[c_dug]

[DJP]

I bought my Bandit 1250 in part because of my dodgy knees. It works for me. I've also ridden the Honda NC750 which is also good in that regard as is the Yamaha MT07.
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Suzuki Bandit 1250
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[A100man]

My bro has dodgy knees and gets on well with his TDM850 suspect there are more modern equivalents such as MTs suggested.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[barryd]

Thanks for the replies. Will have a look at some of those models.

The max budget (at the moment) is £3500. I think thats as much as I would get past the chancellor who to be honest is already pretty pissed off with the whole thing That might rule out some of the more powerful scoots.

The other worry is weight and manoeuvring the thing in and out of the garage. I currently just leave the little scooter on the end of the drive. Nobody will nick it but it does normally go in the garage at the end of a gravel drive. I suspect ill have to reverse it in as its quite tight and I wont be able to turn it round so Im a little concerned of shoving something heavy about.

[kgm]

F650GS? The older ones if height is an issue.

[jeffyjeff]

I for one, really like the Honda CB 500 F. The knee angle bend is quite comfortable. FYI, there is an online tool you can use to estimate riding position. https://cycle-ergo.com/. You type in the bike model and your height and inseam, and the app then estimates your forward lean, hip angle and knee angle. Click on "add a motorcycle" and you can then click back and forth to visualize body position between different motorcycles. I use this app to compare different bikes against ones I am familiar with.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[barryd]

[grr666]

ER6f gave me knee ache after around the two hours point.
MT09, no such issues, loads of room and not dull as ditch water either. YMMV.
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[barryd]

Any thoughts on this? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/202008272985678?advertising-location=at_bikes&price-to=3500&sort=price-asc&radius=40&cc-from=400&cc-to=1000&postcode=dl117hh&page=1

Someone mentioned the ER6 which clearly is a different beast but the ER5 looks like it would be easy to handle and get on and off.

Trouble is the reviews mention it being prone to electrical issues and a fuel petcock issue. Brakes not that hot either by the sound of it.

Cheap though.

[wr6133]

Is it just position and seat height or is weight vital?

My ZZR 600 is low, easy to throw a leg over, however wet it weighs 210kg, carries it well, easy to move about but there's no escaping the actual weight if you need to pick it up, etc. You can pick them up for peanuts.

If you are near Wiltshire you are welcome to sit on it and see.

[jeffyjeff]

[barryd]

Thanks.

I honestly dont know if the weight will be an issue. My main concern was wheeling it down our narrow gravel drive and into the garage but mostly ill probably leave it at the end of the drive outside, in summer at least. Thats where my current scooter is now. Maybe Im worrying unnecessarily.

Back to scooters I am wondering about trying one of these.

https://tinyurl.com/y2zxlspa

I think they are 218 Kg which is way heavier than I was thinking about but I guess I would just have to have a look at one and wheel it about a bit. Riding it wont be a problem and it has the added bonus of me being able to shift my legs about a bit as they do start to hurt if I have them in the same position all the time.

Mad idea?

[Polarbear]

[barryd]

[Zen Dog]

[grr666]

Had my ER6f for approx two years, easy to ride, not too heavy, good on fuel. If I'm honest I was a little bored with it
before I'd had it a year. The MT09 it was replaced with is MUCH more of a handful, 30 ponies more oomph give or take
and same kerb weight, possibly even a few kilos lighter. It's a lot more eager than the ER6f was.
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[barryd]

Thanks. Whats the ER6 like for getting on and off? Im 5ft ten but as said struggle with mobility.

Whats the pillion like?

[kgm]

I had an er6 for 4 years, commuting, day runs, eekends away (300 mile days at times).

I liked it, low and easy to ride. I actually found the engine reasonably peppy for what it was. It's a great little commuter.

I don't think it's one for folk with dodgy knees though. I'm not tall and don't have knee issues but I found it could cause me some knee pain after a couple of hours. Nothing horrendous but noticable.

It was totally reliable, easy to work on and (with ACF) survived winter well. The budget suspension was it's biggest issue but that was only ever an issue when pushing it or riding undulating, bumpy roads.

Overall, I liked the bike. I hated riding with a pillion though.

The MT09 is a different beast all together. Much more lairy, much more rabid and much more fun! Possibly my favourite engine ever in a road bike. Not the quickest, but entertaining as hell!

On another note, you could get a MK1 VFR800X Crossrunner in budget. A bit on the heavy side (disappears when moving) but smooth and easy to ride and the power isn't overwhelming at lower revs. Takes if nicely above 6k when the VTEC kicks in but it's all very manageable. A much better bike than the er6, more comfortable, just easy to ride and great with a pillion. Tad thirsty though.

[grr666]

[Shaft]

[kgm]