Back to Biking after 17 yrs

whyscotty

whyscotty

whyscotty

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Joined
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Wigan
So for some daft reason I've decided to get back on 2 wheels.:D

Don't know if it's a mid life thing but I never really wanted to give it up when I did. (kids came along):)

In a position now to start again, got a back to biking 3hr lesson booked next week to see if I still got the bottle for it.

Obviously bikes have improved a hell of a lot from when I put things on hold.

My biggest concern is buying a under/over powered bike for my capabilities.


I rode from the age of 16 - 35

My last 2 bikes of note were - 1991 GPZ 1100 and a 1979 Suzuki GS850.

Been looking at all the local bike shops to gauge what sort of bike I'd like

I do know a fairly upright riding position is my preference for this old git.:)

Hence looking at Sports/Adventure touring bikes.

But I will admit I am being drawn to this

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My heart says yes but my head says NO!



I suppose the reason behind this thread is to find out if any others have been in this position and am I worrying about nothing?:D

Or has the break I've had been too long and should I set my sights more realistic?

Thanks for reading.:)

Last thing - Is Carol Nash still a good to go Ins?
 
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Take it easy is all I'm going to say, bikes have come a long way since the 80's... I met a guy who went out with us once, an older bloke who hasn't ridden for 18-20 years and on that ride trying to keep up with us through the twisties he wrote off his bike. He was lucky, he walked off from that crash...

Can't see the picture, what bike is it?
 
The z1000 is only 140hp with a soft torque curve so you'll have no problems with it being overpowered.

It's quite heavy though.
 
First ide get some insurance quotes because born again bikers are high risk for the insurance companies, see IC3's post as for why they are.
 
I think the biggest difference you'll see is how far bikes have come on in terms of brakes and suspension. And how on modern bikes 100mph will feel like 60mph...
 
Kreeeee;30496042 said:
The z1000 is only 140hp with a soft torque curve so you'll have no problems with it being overpowered.
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Here's hoping:)

Kreeeee;30496042 said:
It's quite heavy though.
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Shouldn't be a problem as I'm not I light weight.

VoG;30496049 said:
First ide get some insurance quotes because born again bikers are high risk for the insurance companies, see IC3's post as for why they are.
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Luckily the quotes aren't too bad - £520 FC with CN.

TallPaul_S;30496063 said:
I think the biggest difference you'll see is how far bikes have come on in terms of brakes and suspension. And how on modern bikes 100mph will feel like 60mph...
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Most of what I've been told/read agrees with what you're saying so all good there.
 
The fact that you've booked yourself in for a 3 hour lesson shows you're not the stereotypical 'born again biker'!

If you went straight into a main dealer and put a deposit down on any of the 200+bhp 1000s I think you'd be classed as another statistic in the waiting and the insurance companies would class you as that too.

I don't think you'll have any issues with the Z1000, my mate has the SX version and he loves it. It won't be far removed from what you've previously ridden either, it's around 40kgs lighter than the GPZ!
 
Craig321;30496106 said:
Superduke 1290 Adventure :D
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No offence but LOL - not gonna happen :D

As for the refresher -

I would have thought doing one would be common sense as so much has changed since I last rode any bike.
 
I just got back on a bike after a 7 year gap due to permanent/degenerative injury in my lower spine, only stopped as I thought I would never be able to ride again it didn't even occur to me to just change the type of bike I was riding as I was in a bad place mentally as well.

Got back into a financial situation that a bike was affordable so started looking at tourers and adventure types.

Just before Xmas had a 2nd hand BMW R1200GS Adventure delivered and although it is painful to get on and off, once I am on it then everything is great.

The BMW approved used sales is great and well worth a look 2 year unlimited mileage warranty with euro recovery etc.

Still taking it easy and gradually building up the miles but love being back on a bike its a wonderful feeling and leaves me with a smile on my face every time.

We are even doing a short 4 day tour on it in May to visit the D-Day Beaches and museums all organised and run by BMW, longest day is the trip from Cornwall to Portsmouth but we are going to do that the day before with plenty of stops and no pressure, then each day in France is max 80miles in a day with loads of stops at museums and the beaches along the way so should have plenty of opportunity to rest my back if needed.

On the way back to Cornwall we are stopping off at the wifes sister and spending a couple of day riding around the New Forest.
 
Glad you're back on a bike and enjoying it Matt , good luck on the 4 day tour.
thanks for sharing.

Looking forward to Fridays refresher but I'll admit I'm starting to get a little nervous. :D

I'm quite lucky as a lot of the big Makes are within a 5 minute drive so will have a long hard look b4 deciding.
 
I think you'll be fine on any bike, because whilst they have more power than you remember, they'll also be easier to handle, easier to stop, just generally easier to operate than you remember.
 
Well the BTB went well.

Started off on CB500 for about 5 mins to see were I was up to, then on to the NC750S.

Round the car park again for a further 5 mins then out on to the road for a couple of hrs.

All was going well for around 25 mins till the instructor pulled over and asked me to swap bikes.

I thought he was putting me back on the 500, he sort of laughed and said no you're going on mine,

I literally wet myself as it was a CB1000R.

Spent the next hour riding around town traffic and took in a few national speed limit roads,

to say I had a smile on my face is a understatement.

Finally we did some emergency stops b4 heading back to the dealers

Suffice to say the CB is on the possibility list.
 
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