I did use the word normally................

 

If you don't think they go or stop take a V-Rod for a test ride, but don't expect it to handle like a sports bike because of its length and 240 rear tyre it has a lot in common with a super tanker.

 

I'd rather not thanks.... To me the twisties is where all the fun is, unless you're on a HD......

Right to answer some questions...why a harley? Well i like the idea of plodding rather than racing about. Get there when i get there not in any hurry. I love the sound of a harley..we have lots pass our house on their way to matlock bath and like the look of them too. I would be using it regularly both to go to work on...about a 22 mile journey and for leisure. Also once ive pursuaded the mrs that she can tow a caravan with my navara truck we will be going away in the van and i will ride the bike there too that way we can both go out on the bike once there. I dont plan on jumping on a harley straight away and do feel a 500/600 maybe would be a good idea for a while before upgrading as i see it. That way i can get used to riding a bike again (rode lots of bikes when i was younger and not always legally) im neither a nutter in a car and wouldnt be on a bike. Im very bike aware as a car driver too. I like the V rod but im not convinced its the right one for me straight away

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Not too old to start but too young for the HD

I have ridden a few HDs and as said in their own environment of streight roads they are great but there are lots of bends in this country they cannot get round without ending up on the opposite side (even at slow speed) however as others have said each to their own.

 

John

Right to answer some questions...why a harley? Well i like the idea of plodding rather than racing about. Get there when i get there not in any hurry. I love the sound of a harley..we have lots pass our house on their way to matlock bath and like the look of them too. I would be using it regularly both to go to work on...about a 22 mile journey and for leisure. Also once ive pursuaded the mrs that she can tow a caravan with my navara truck we will be going away in the van and i will ride the bike there too that way we can both go out on the bike once there. I dont plan on jumping on a harley straight away and do feel a 500/600 maybe would be a good idea for a while before upgrading as i see it. That way i can get used to riding a bike again (rode lots of bikes when i was younger and not always legally) im neither a nutter in a car and wouldnt be on a bike. Im very bike aware as a car driver too. I like the V rod but im not convinced its the right one for me straight away

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I hope you like cleaning .

My dad had a 2009 HD. Cant remember the model, but it wasnt cheap n it was the 1600 engine.

He rode around europe on it.. Did about 12k on it. All big trips.

Traded it in in 2012 as it didnt really do whwt he wanted it to n all the fixings and fittings were properly rusty.

They really dont like rain, and arent as well made as what youd think. Infact, theyre awfully made. Reliability wasnt good either. Had a few RAC moments.

Not being harsh, just saying it how it is. (:

Nice bike for riding on a summers day perhaps (:

Also once ive pursuaded the mrs that she can tow a caravan with my navara truck we will be going away in the van and i will ride the bike there too

 

Why not just use the HD to tow the caravan

Ok,lifetime biker 66 now,recently had shoulder surgery that was so severe I got rid of all my bikes!

Was so miserable I bought. 3 wheeled Gilera 500 scooter,fun but not for me.

As my partner is shall we say well built I couldnt hold up a large bike as she got on so we bought a Rewaco trike,love it but still not a bike to me.

Recently bought a 750 Guzzi,183kgs,easy to push around and ride,good nick 2.3 k,cheap to run and insure.

Maybe a lighter,cheaper to buy and maintain bike may be a good starting point,just my thoughts.

Good luck whatever you buy,ride safe.

My old man got back into biking in his mid 60s when he saw a 650 dragstar for sale... Had it for a year and I happened to find him a 90s sportster. He had a ride on it and instantly got rid of the Yamaha as it was just didn't sound, handle or go as well. I would say get some training and go for it. They are great bikes for cruising around on and very easy and gentle to ride.

I used to think they were poo and well overpriced especially when compared to modern sports bikes and still think they are a lot of money for old tech but after riding one there is just something about them.

I would guess you can pick up a pretty reasonable 883 sporty for not a huge amount of money and always upgrade it to 1200 with a big bore kit at a later date or go full hog and buy a high capacity engined one. Although the sportys are not the lightest things the weight is very central so they actually feel pretty light.

You are never too old .

I have not had a bike for a few years now due to a nerve problem which turned out to be Carpul Tunnel and is now on the mend and I am on the lookout again.

 

I would say go for it then when you pass get a cheap and cheerful 600cc say a Bandit or Fazer as the can be bought for under a grand,

They are quick enough for a new rider and cheap to fix if they break.

Get out there and enjoy it at your own pace.

Biking is not expensive unless you make it that way.

Get yourself some decent kit and dont think the most expensive is the best.

 

There is some good quality kit out there at decent money even secondhand, But never ever buy a secondhand helmet,

Do make sure you get a helmet that fits your head properly.

^ top advice that is. Fully agree

Never too old.

 

My mates granded used to steal the mechanics bikes and go for a burn when he was in his 80s. He was an ex racer and holds/held some record for the TT on a Vincent Black Shadow.

 

Just don't buy an SP2 and go out without your specs. Old neighbour of mine broke his hip becasue he was looking for the light switch and not looking where he was going. Drifted into the barrier on a motorway.

 

I wouldn't plump for a Harley until you've tried a few things first. If you like a cruising bike there are lots of muscle bikes that might be nicer/easier to live with than a Harley.

An older Bandit 1200 is a cracking bike and dirt cheap. I've a fondness of the Yamaha XJS1300 myself.

 

but if you like the sound of a twin maybe something like a Ducati Monster or Diavel would tickle you? Diavel looks totally bonkers as well.

Theres plenty of vtwins about on alsorts of different stuff. Im a big fan of vtwins tbh. Nice relatively flat torque curve throughout the revs.

Until you get to the Panigale Ducatis.. They like to be revved more dont they haha.

Hope not too old, and can't agree more re proper training and taking it easy ! I'm 57 now, always had bikes, so not a midlife crisis ha ha , I'm more like refuse to grow up, as have speed triple 955i, original mint 1999 hayabusa, re mapped fabia TDI vrs that's lowered on ap shocks and springs and anthracite wheels, and a Mondeo st200 v6 full details cat 5ubular manifolds sounds great ! Also take the dog on the bike with his own crash helmet and glasses, take a look at him on Facebook he is Barney Bradley Leighton buzzard, we men never grow up lol

Hope not too old, and can't agree more re proper training and taking it easy ! I'm 57 now, always had bikes, so not a midlife crisis ha ha , I'm more like refuse to grow up, as have speed triple 955i, original mint 1999 hayabusa, re mapped fabia TDI vrs that's lowered on ap shocks and springs and anthracite wheels, and a Mondeo st200 v6 full details cat 5ubular manifolds sounds great ! Also take the dog on the bike with his own crash helmet and glasses, take a look at him on Facebook he is Barney Bradley Leighton buzzard, we men never grow up lol

Top man!

Definitely not too old, I did a CBT and then my direct access course and passed mod 1 and 2 within a couple of weeks when I was 48.

If you want to do it then go for it. You'll love it , I know I'm glad I took the plunge.

Passed Module 1 and Module 2 10 days ago, and I'm the same age as you...so I'd have to say you're not too old! I haven't got a bike yet, a combination of the wet weather we're currently experiencing and upgrading my Yeti 1.2 to a 1.8 4x4, have meant that motivation and funds have been in short supply. 

 

I do plan to get a bike in the next few months though, and when I do I'll be signing up to some advanced courses as soon as possible. 

 

Best of luck! Life is short, follow your dreams...

I'm  66 and still riding the BMW K1200RS I bought used 15 years ago. The first issue when mounting a powerful bike is to ratchet up your reaction responses. If you haven't ridden for a while, everything will seem to happen in fast forward.  There is a learning curve where you develop vision and awareness to everything around you. Unlike a car with better stopping distances and a 'security  cage'. You will be looking much further up the road, anticipating more and it becomes a riding habit to continuously update yourself with every possible bad event scenario and second nature to have plan A and plan B escape routes in your head.

 

Sadly, the worst casualties seem to be young inexperienced riders who regard themselves as 'invincible' and older born again bikers who have mostly driven cars who need time to re-adapt to current road hazards to stay alive. These days you have to regard your bike bike as 'invisible' to most other vehicles on the road and there are many in-car attention grabbing distractions. I switch between my car and bike often, but my mindset is totally different when riding. The advantage to car driving and bike riding is you can accomodate both driver mentalities. When you are about to pass that SUV at 15.00hrs you should already be thinking it is a mom on the school run and the doors could fly out at any time!

Hi greenfabiavrs,

At 44 you're questioning whether you can do it..........you're probably too old then. Go get a HD and you can sit on it in the garage and pretend 'cause that's about they are good for. C'mon guy lighten up, I'm 66 just past and I ride a Rally Raid KTM and a 640 Adv KTM, both bikes go to Morocco and around Eu. 44 you're a youngster, get to it, but don't please don't get a bloody HD, no-one will want to know you except, well you know...........

 

Mike

Depends what you want out of a bike... If you like Harley's there is nothing wrong with that. They don't do anything outstandingly well but there are far more boring bikes out there. I sold my street triple for the sporty as I made a few grand out of the deal and the Harley is more fun to pootle about on. I do miss the epic exhaust note from the triumph though which whilst it was a brilliant bike it just made me want to hoone everywhere. Thankfully even when hooning the Harley its too slow to get myself into too much trouble, and now the wife has the Harley and I have a ridiculous 70s chopper... Rides like **** compared to a street triple but its fun, probably more than a little dangerous yet it does keep me focused

I've just passed my mod 2 and some of my training i was out with a guy that was in his 60's and just taking his test, he passed same day as me aswell

 

I had a year on a 50cc scooter when i was 16/17 until i passed my car test and i loved it, used to do 40 miles a day to work and back on it in all weathers

 

I'm now 33 and abit less daft and bought myself a little 125 last year and did my cbt and have had a year on that before taking my test,

 

I will admit the 125 is rubbish compaired to the ER6 i did my test on but it got me some riding experiance which is the important bit,

 

Carn't help with bike choice but i do have a friend who passed his test and jumped straight onto a 900 fireblade and within 6 months threw it down road, had it repaired and has just got a 52 day driving ban for speeding when out with a bunch of friends who also got done,

Another way to look at this.

My dads been a road biker since 17, hes now 53.

Still doing it. Hes not the fastest, but he can do 1000 mile days without much hassle.

Im 23 and my mates rhink theyre awesome and rhe fastest anywhere.. But bloody useless at longer trips. None of em could do that distance.

Okay the bike is a main bit.. But its the mentality and ability too.

Ive had enough after about 650 miles haha.

I've got socks older than you!

When the sun is warm and shining our Yeti stays in the drive and I'm riding my '97 BMW K1200RS. I'm over 65, ridden this bike for over 15 years and I'm still alive.  Yep this is one serious heavy 'muscle bike' that still gives plenty of smiles and passes all the Hardleys cruising in the slow lane! The choice of ride can be deciding to get somewhere slowly and in comfort, or pushing the envelope getting the smiles and waiting ahead at the cafe for the Hardleys to arrive.

 

When I can't lift the K1200RS up on the center stand anymore I fancy one of those trike thingies for sunshine trips!

Ok, been chatting to the mrs and ive tod her i would like to get a motorbike...a Harley Davidson to be exact, i havent got a bike licence although i used to ride a 125 when i was a lot younger, now, the mrs reckons im too old to start that 'game' as she called it. Im only 44!! Am i too old or (like in my opinion) just the right age for taking and passing my test??

Cheers.

Nick

 

Time for an update from the OP me thinks........

Never to old....I'm 53 and never been without a bike since the age of 17.