Thinking about it again, seriously

[xtp308]

It’s been over 25 years since I rode a street bike ( wife flamed out on me when the 1st kid was small). The kids are out now, so I’m thinking about getting a little Honda putt-around bike to see if I’ve still got it in me.
I’m figuring the clutch will come back to me fairly easily. I’m older now, so the urge to run 100mph is gone. I’m thinking like a light 500-750 to drive the country roads around my house. Don’t want to hold up anything too heavy, knees are shot.
Any guidance on what to watch out for after 25 years ?

 

[Svt_tactical]

I've enjoyed moto style / dual sport stuff as I get older

 

[Shady Grady]

I'm thinking the proliferation of cell phones in the last 25yrs has made riding a motorcycle much more dangerous.

 

[xtp308]

I'm thinking the proliferation of cell phones in the last 25yrs has made riding a motorcycle much more dangerous.

Amen ! I’m sticking to the country roads.

 

[Snal~]

I'm thinking the proliferation of cell phones in the last 25yrs has made riding a motorcycle much more dangerous.

It has. Which is one of the reasons why I'm leaning towards a dual sport that would see less congested riding areas.

Back in Asheville I'd pretty much given up on riding the Harley locally. On my very short commute to work and back I'd have at least 2
idiots on my side of yellow on my way home virtually every day.

Here in a bit more rural SC I have no issues, and have enjoyed the Harley more in 3 months than I have in the last 6 years in Asheville.

There's also a huge amount of dual sport opportunities down here.

That being said, I'm probably more likely to hurt "myself" on a dual sport VS a street bike, but I'd rather blame myself than someone else.

 

[Red Marley]

I'm thinking the proliferation of cell phones in the last 25yrs has made riding a motorcycle much more dangerous.

This is sadly true, but if you stick to the back roads you will be safer; not safe, but safer. Look at Suzuki DR650 and Kawasaki KLR650. You will be surprised at how much you like them. And if you come across a Kawasaki W650 in good shape, buy it. It’s like a Triumph Bonneville used to be, but built better. Mine is 23 years old, one of the few motorcycles I’ve never felt a need to change, and it never needs anything. I installed a new chain at 20,000 miles, because it hauls a sidecar; otherwise, nothing but routine mainenance.

 

[Scsmith42]

I’ve had a motorcycle license for 47 years, and owned a street bike for most of those years. My thoughts are 1 - riding is great, 2 - don’t get too small of a bike. Get something that you can enjoy and use. I came up on sport bikes, but currently ride a Road King with a luggage rack. Several times a week I need to run an errand, and if I can be on the bike, I’m on the bike. I’ve hauled car batteries, and a variety of supplies in boxes bungee corded to the luggage rack, as well as in the side bags.

If you get too small of a bike, you won’t use it much and it will be too light to be in traffic.

Sure, you don’t need to get a full sized dresser, but I’d evaluate options that you can use more frequently than just go for the occasional ride.

 

[Snal~]

It’s been over 25 years since I rode a street bike ( wife flamed out on me when the 1st kid was small). The kids are out now, so I’m thinking about getting a little Honda putt-around bike to see if I’ve still got it in me.
I’m figuring the clutch will come back to me fairly easily. I’m older now, so the urge to run 100mph is gone. I’m thinking like a light 500-750 to drive the country roads around my house. Don’t want to hold up anything too heavy, knees are shot.
Any guidance on what to watch out for after 25 years ?

As has been stated, it is more dangerous now than it was 25 years ago.

If it were me, I'd be looking at a dual sport for the pure enjoyment of it.

If you plan on 2-up riding on occasion, a KLR650 is a great street bike and a decent dual sport.

Solo...go with a KLX 300 (which is what I really want), it'll tear up the trails but still do 70mph on the road.

 

[SPST]

I've been contemplating going from my ST1300 to the Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES 1100. Now I'm going to wait and see when and if the new Transalp 750 is going to come to the US. My wife doesn't ride with me as much anymore and a lighter bike would be nice!

Honda’s New XL750 Transalp Is Heading To The US - ADV Pulse

The new Honda XL750 Transalp first broke cover back in November, when it was announced for Europe and other regions overseas. Since then, North America has been left in the dark with no indication of whether the new model would enter the US market. Well, if you have been patiently waiting for...

www.advpulse.com

 

[Snal~]

I've been contemplating going from my ST1300 to the Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES 1100. Now I'm going to wait and see when and if the new Transalp 750 is going to come to the US. My wife doesn't ride with me as much anymore and a lighter bike would be nice!

Honda’s New XL750 Transalp Is Heading To The US - ADV Pulse

The new Honda XL750 Transalp first broke cover back in November, when it was announced for Europe and other regions overseas. Since then, North America has been left in the dark with no indication of whether the new model would enter the US market. Well, if you have been patiently waiting for...

www.advpulse.com

Oh I'd wait a few years if I thought that puppy was coming stateside, but, Honda has broad strokes in their pricing game.
The Africa Twin ain't cheap, the CRF 300 is reasonable, but the CRF 450 ain't cheap.
It wouldn't surprise me if the Transalp 750 made it here and got priced very close to the Africa Twin or more.

 

[SPST]

Oh I'd wait a few years if I thought that puppy was coming stateside, but, Honda has broad strokes in their pricing game.
The Africa Twin ain't cheap, the CRF 300 is reasonable, but the CRF 450 ain't cheap.
It wouldn't surprise me if the Transalp 750 made it here and got priced very close to the Africa Twin or more.

I'm seeing people saying that it will be in the $10-$12k range. I'm seriously interested at that price point. The Africa Twin is $15k- $20k. Both would need to be fitted with hard bags, engine guards and extra driving lights. That adds another $3k-$4k. I'm still ready to write that check.

 

[Snal~]

I'm seeing people saying that it will be in the $10-$12k range. I'm seriously interested at that price point. The Africa Twin is $15k- $20k. Both would need to be fitted with hard bags, engine guards and extra driving lights. That adds another $3k-$4k. I'm still ready to write that check.

Those are reasonable numbers compared to the AT, but only about 15/20 percent higher than the CRF 450. If they go with that MSRP then the 450 is history. It may be anyway, as regardless of price it got poor reviews.

Like you, I'd be seriously interested at $10-$12k.

I think we'll be seeing more of this type of bikes.
Tiny off-road, crawl-in campers are the rage now, and most offer a beefed up rear hitch, or even toy hauler accommodations that could add something in this weight range.

 

[BrettB]

It’s been over 25 years since I rode a street bike ( wife flamed out on me when the 1st kid was small). The kids are out now, so I’m thinking about getting a little Honda putt-around bike to see if I’ve still got it in me.
I’m figuring the clutch will come back to me fairly easily. I’m older now, so the urge to run 100mph is gone. I’m thinking like a light 500-750 to drive the country roads around my house. Don’t want to hold up anything too heavy, knees are shot.
Any guidance on what to watch out for after 25 years ?

If you aren’t interested in a dual sport - i would give this a look. This is an upright easy to ride bike


https://powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/adventure/nc750x

 

[AppFan]

I've been contemplating going from my ST1300 to the Africa Twin Adventure Sport ES 1100. Now I'm going to wait and see when and if the new Transalp 750 is going to come to the US. My wife doesn't ride with me as much anymore and a lighter bike would be nice!

Honda’s New XL750 Transalp Is Heading To The US - ADV Pulse

The new Honda XL750 Transalp first broke cover back in November, when it was announced for Europe and other regions overseas. Since then, North America has been left in the dark with no indication of whether the new model would enter the US market. Well, if you have been patiently waiting for...

www.advpulse.com

Dang, I hope that doesn't come here. I'd have to make room for it. My TransAlp is the one bike I wish I'd have held on to.

 

[Lager]

To the OP,, what to watch out for? Yep,, I have one.. Don't spend a bunch of money on something that you don't know if you even like doing anymore. Unless you course, you DO have a bunch of money, if that's the case then buy one of every style and then decide if you like riding ? If so,, keep all of them.
Make sure the Wife is fully in compliance your decision, no body can be more miserable then the guy with a Wife that's mad at him for buying something she does not agree with. Other then that, all the advise given so far has been excellent.

 

[fieldgrade]

To the OP,, what to watch out for? Yep,, I have one.. Don't spend a bunch of money on something that you don't know if you even like doing anymore. Unless you course, you DO have a bunch of money, if that's the case then buy one of every style and then decide if you like riding ? If so,, keep all of them.
Make sure the Wife is fully in compliance your decision, no body can be more miserable then the guy with a Wife that's mad at him for buying something she does not agree with. Other then that, all the advise given so far has been excellent.

 

[fieldgrade]

I *think* I like these a lot when/if I ever get off street bikes. Triumph Scrambler 1200

 

[Friday]

I’m thinking like a light 500-750 to drive the country roads around my house.

 

[xtp308]

To the OP,, what to watch out for? Yep,, I have one.. Don't spend a bunch of money on something that you don't know if you even like doing anymore. Unless you course, you DO have a bunch of money, if that's the case then buy one of every style and then decide if you like riding ? If so,, keep all of them.
Make sure the Wife is fully in compliance your decision, no body can be more miserable then the guy with a Wife that's mad at him for buying something she does not agree with. Other then that, all the advise given so far has been excellent.

Agreed and amen !
I've got a line on a cheapish 99 Rebel. If it's not for me anymore, I'm not out that much anyway and I had fun finding out I just can't ride anymore.

 

[NKD]

I *think* I like these a lot when/if I ever get off street bikes. Triumph Scrambler 1200
View attachment 628731

Have to be a Paris-Dakar master to ride that well off road!

Dat dere is a street bike!

 

[fieldgrade]

Have to be a Paris-Dakar master to ride that well off road!

Dat dere is a street bike!

Which is probably where I would actually ride it. Just not as fast or as far. Even more back roads than I ride now. Just transporting it instead of riding it to said locations. Even at 400 lbs, it’s probably way more than I want to try to load solo on a receiver hitch rack, or bed of a truck.

But it does have three redeeming qualities to me. Old school classic looks and sound. Less than half the weight of my current pig. And costs half as much.

Truth is, I don’t know what’s next, but I won’t be a hog wrangler forever.

 

[Flashpoint]

You can't go wrong with a KLR 650 for what you describe. Ultra reliable, just enough power (not enough to get you in trouble) and perfect for cruising backroads and the occasional dirt/gravel roads. I hadn't road a bike in 30 years and it was my choice and I've loved every minute since I bought it about 3 years ago.

Since my riding buddy sold his dual sport I've recently decided to move up to a Street Touring bike and will be putting my KLR on the market in about a week.

 

[kcult]

I'm thinking the proliferation of cell phones in the last 25yrs has made riding a motorcycle much more dangerous.

Probably in the top three reasons why I sold my bike.

If, IF, I decide I want another bike, based on my experience with the Triumph Speed Triple 1050S I recently owned, I would be very interested in the Triumph Street Triple 675.

 

[Stick Man]

Other than the dual sports, I really like the Yamaha MT line. MT-07 - 10 would be a very nice, comfy, able bike, for decent money.
Go to a stealership and sit on a bunch, and see what strikes your inner hooligan.

 

[NKD]

Which is probably where I would actually ride it. Just not as fast or as far. Even more back roads than I ride now. Just transporting it instead of riding it to said locations. Even at 400 lbs, it’s probably way more than I want to try to load solo on a receiver hitch rack, or bed of a truck.

But it does have three redeeming qualities to me. Old school classic looks and sound. Less than half the weight of my current pig. And costs half as much.

Truth is, I don’t know what’s next, but I won’t be a hog wrangler forever.

It's a beaut that's for sure!

For gravely backroads and goaty paved roads it will certainly be better than a big hog.

 

[JohnFreeman]

Have to be a Paris-Dakar master to ride that well off road!

Dat dere is a street bike!

Yeah, hard to picture a capable off roader weighing more than 300lbs but it's been a long time since I bought my new Bultaco ring ding bike.

(promptly destroyed 2 months later and a life lesson: Welcome to time payments with no insurance! )

 

[Lager]

Agreed and amen !
I've got a line on a cheapish 99 Rebel. If it's not for me anymore, I'm not out that much anyway and I had fun finding out I just can't ride anymore.

There you go, don't listen to these yahoo's responding to your post.. Dealing with these guys is like herding cats, they just run all over. The rebel IF its a good price and you can sell if you don't like riding is a good choice. The problem with it is that its kinda small. I don't know how big you are, but an another option is the Harley Davidson 883 sportster. They can be bought cheap and easily sold if you choose to. It can also hit the highway as your confidence improves and there are all sorts of up grades if you choose to do so.
Another thing to consider is enrolling in a Motorcycle safety course usually held at community collage parking lot. They will teach you how to ride a motorcycle safely and will usually provide the bike for you and the most common bike is the Rebel 250. Its cheap and something to consider.

 

[fieldgrade]

The Rebel is all grown up.

Rebel 1100T DCT - Bagger Motorcycle - Honda

The Rebel 1100T is the bagger motorcycle you've been waiting for. With a classic cruiser style and ample storage, this bike is ready for the long haul.

powersports.honda.com

 

[Red Marley]

Man, you’d think Honda could afford to hire a stylist…

 

[Snal~]

Agreed and amen !
I've got a line on a cheapish 99 Rebel. If it's not for me anymore, I'm not out that much anyway and I had fun finding out I just can't ride anymore.

Rebel is a good bike in my opinion. I've owned one. The 99 is no speed demon, but you don't need that. It's fun to ride, and will definitely let you know if this 2 wheel thing is for you....or not.

 

[xtp308]

There you go, don't listen to these yahoo's responding to your post.. Dealing with these guys is like herding cats, they just run all over. The rebel IF its a good price and you can sell if you don't like riding is a good choice. The problem with it is that its kinda small. I don't know how big you are, but an another option is the Harley Davidson 883 sportster. They can be bought cheap and easily sold if you choose to. It can also hit the highway as your confidence improves and there are all sorts of up grades if you choose to do so.
Another thing to consider is enrolling in a Motorcycle safety course usually held at community collage parking lot. They will teach you how to ride a motorcycle safely and will usually provide the bike for you and the most common bike is the Rebel 250. Its cheap and something to consider.

Exactly my plan; putt around some and see if it’s still for me and then grab a course. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. They didn’t have those years ago.
I’d love an 883, but only after I’m sure I’m still able to ride.

 

[Diablos]

Remember this name for the 883

Hammer Performance

 

[Mike79]

Another option would be a Grom/ monkey...smaller and if you don't like it or decide riding isn't for you resale is STRONG ! If you decide to keep it and find a full size you wouldn't be breaking the bank.

 

[Jakerson9]

I got my first bike when I was 12. I've ridden off and on since. I got a Honda 700 a few years ago and it checks alot of boxes... reliable, stable, fast enough, safe enough.

I love to ride. I love the smells of fresh cut wild onions in freshly mowed lawns, seeing deer, feeling wind and just going somewhere for no reason at all. Love. It.

My bike sits in the garage on a battery tender waiting and wanting to be ridden. I listed it here and a bunch of other places a year ago. Nobody even emailed. It still sits. I love riding, but idiot drivers and their texting, coffee drinking, chick Fila eating, yelling at their snotty kids in the back seat, late for work, turning left in front of me...

The bike had 1600+ miles last year and now has maybe 1800. It's sad, really sad. The bike spends way more time drinking Fuel stabilizer and battery tender than it does under my butt. I just chopped the price, updated the for-sale ad, and bumped it up ...
I really love to ride.

SOLD - 2015 Honda CTX700 N, near Winston Salem, $3500

2015 Honda CTX700 N, about 1860 miles GIVI trunk, only in one photo, shorty windscreen, battery tender, new battery in spring 2021, inspected late fall 2021, ready to go! $3500 - OBO - near Winston Salem

carolinafirearmsforum.com

 

[FishHunt]

A Honda CB 500X or NC 750X will make street riding a breeze. They have decent power/torque and love curvy backroads and some off pavement rides. I'd also look at 1st & 2nd gen V Strom 650 bikes. They are a bargain compared to new bikes and maintenance is easy.

<>< Fish