Ageing motorcyclists are drawn to "classic" style bikes like moths round a lightbulb but it’s a mistake. Mid-size adventure bikes make much more sense. Part 1 of 2 - seat to peg distance and seat height considerations.
I’m 66 and recently retired from 45 years of construction. To say my anatomy is used up would be kind. I rode FLH cruisers all my life. But with arthritis in both hands, severe gout in my left foot, and a myriad of other affiliations, I had to quit riding. It was too painful, and my hands would spasm constantly while using the clutch. But low and behold, an old friend of mine purchased a Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive, let me take it for a ride, and a week later I bought a pre owned model with low miles. What a machine! Storage, performance, comfort, reliability, and some pretty nice amenities. I never pictured myself on a maxi scooter. But without it, I simply wouldn’t be able to ride anymore. I’ve taken it cross America twice. Visited the National Parks, and it did every single thing I wanted it to do. I wouldn’t take it off roading, but those days are far behind me anyway. Whatever you ride….keep riding!
Thanks for posting your experience Robert. I think your story is more common than most think. I had reason to borrow a BMW 400cc scooter and it was brilliant, no problem keeping up on the motorway and so easy to get along with. You have really pushed the boat out with your travels....ride on.
I agree, having owned (mainly for work purposes) two biggish scooters including a 600cc Honda Silver Wing. But a scooter's small wheels feel rather unstable on bends, which is why after retirement I went back to conventional bikes.
@@gerrycollins2335. Yes. My Burgman 650 has 15” on the front, with a 14” on the rear. Not big wheels, but really nice tires. They’re tall and fat Michelin tubeless. Which does make up somewhat for the smaller wheel size. The 14” in the rear is basically there for more storage under the seat. There’s always a trade off. But I can easily cruise on the highway at 75 in a pretty stable manner. However there are conditions where a larger wheel would be better. Such as tar snakes or grooved pavement for instance. She’s really squrrley on grooved pavement. Especially in the rear. But like I said, there’s always a trade off. I could go out and get a Gold Wing automatic, but the payments on that would take a lot of fun out of riding that’s for sure. But I do get your point.
i know what you mean , i stopped riding two years ago (63 now ) back is well arthritused up , and hands . Been looking at those big scooters , and they look the bizz .Maybe in the new year , just maybe, take the plunge .Miss biking so much , the other half thinks im nuts . Regards from the U.K.
@@gazzertrn. I have zero regrets in buying my 650 Executive. Except maybe that I didn’t get it earlier. There are quite a few nice preowned units out there, or you can go new if you choose to. I wasn’t sure how I would do riding it at first. But after a few weeks I couldn’t stay off it. For me the secret is to just take my time, set no goals, and just enjoy the ride. I get there, when I get there. And “there” is not always carved in stone either. 😂 It’s a new/old feeling of freedom I never thought I’d have again. Happy Hunting!
I think a scooter or such like is in a lot of our futures. I’m not there yet but had a blast when I took a BMW 300cc twist and go out for the day. I could keep up with any traffic.
I bought a Honda Grom ..more for loading and parking convenience..Ive found it hard work..manual 4 speed..vicious engine braking and nasty handling in the wet..the key is buried down a hole.. The seat jas me cramped way too far forward. (The later 5 speed is better..and has ABS ) . Think the Kawasaki version twist and go would have been a better choice its also 10 kg lighter. Im loading it on a towball carrier for quiet country riding. Must say that salesman hassling you is exactly why I avoid stealerships...these sales people are mostly narrcists
I'm back to riding after about 30 years driving cars only. I bought a Yamaha NMAX 155 scooter. It's all I need. Provides plenty of fun, and very useful around town and on short out of town trips.
I remember riding a 1989 Yamaha FJ1200 @ 575 pounds ready to go. Also a 1996 Kawasaki GPz1100 @ 585 pounds and top heavy. And I came to the conclusion I had gone as big and heavy as I had any interest in. They were great cross country street machines, though. These days the Suzuki V-Strom 650 keeps catching my eye. I read it is a little top heavy, but it is also 100+ pounds lighter than the bikes I used to ride. And between running on pump gas, a generous sized gas tank, much better fuel economy, and good ergos, it should also be a good cross country machine.
I’m 68 and I got rid of my Harley’s and jumped into the adventure bike thing. Initially I bought an Africa Twin but I sold it after a couple of years because it was a little too big for me off road. Now I have a Royal Enfield Himalayan. I very much like it.
I found my Africa Twin quite top heavy and tall at times. The Himalayan is a very popular bike I will say, not sure I would like to tackle a 200 mile day on it though. There is something nice about having a good looking machine that didn't cost the earth though, you've found your spot. Cheers Gerald.👍
At 70 years young I've went from a 620 lb Yamaha VMax to a 283 lb Honda PCX150 scooter. Wish I had discovered scooters 20 years ago, now I can have fun without scaring the crap out of myself.
Good analysis. ADVs are a good choice for older riders. I'm 73 and ride a Super Duke GT. That's 469mm peg-to-seat. Kinda tight, but I have a short inseam so it's comfortable. My wife and I do 600 miles a day on it, no sweat. Week long tour last summer at 2500 miles. It's really more upright sport bike than ADV. One thing I would add here. You're making this all about the bikes, but in fact the rider is every bit as important in the equation and that means rider fitness. Those who have had knee, hip or other joint replacements will tell you that what brings them back is physical therapy which is just exercise by another name. I think lots of riders live in the margins where regular cardio and weight work would mean the difference between being able to ride anything all day with no pain or stiffness and not being able to. Personally, I do only about 8 to 10 hours of exercise a week, but it's enough. At the end of a 10 hour riding day, I'm mentally tired, but not physically and I don't hurt and I'm not stiff. Ready to go again the next morning.
Great points about physicality of the rider and this is coming up a lot in the comments. It must be working for you, 600 miles on a SD GT! 😲, my hat is off to you sir.
76 years old and my rides now are a Yamaha Vino 125 and a 1978 Honda Twinstar 185. Been there, done that with the racy crotch rockets (KZ1000/GS1050/RZ500). My motorcycle needs have mellowed (matured) and I've slowly come around to the conclusion you don't need 100+ hp to enjoy the sport. You can get just as much adrenaline rush with smaller cc's if you want to ,depending on how you ride. Media pressure and dealer upsell have been pushing the narrative that if you want to be cool and have street cred you have to ride bikes that are way too big and heavy (and expensive) than neccesary.
Yes, the whole industry is banking on your youthful ego and desire for MORE of everything. We eventually realise it's not important. I still need 100HP plus as I do some two up work with luggage but in another few years will be happy to shed 50HP or more and drop a good bit of the tech.
Some interesting data, thanks. However those bikes are way too big! In my younger days none of us had a bike larger than 650cc. They were plenty fast enough!
For someone approaching 62 this year, that was a really interesting video 👍🏻 I had a CB1100 EX a couple of years ago; and by Christ, was that thing heavy to push around. I’ve just ordered a new NC750X DCT. One of the comfiest bikes I’ve ever ridden. Take care
Thanks for that 👍 and congratulations on the new bike. I know a couple of brothers who traded in.their GS’s for NC750X’s and they couldn’t be happier, fine machines they are too. Yes, the CB is a heavy lump but I’m still addicted to it’s lovely four cylinder burble and can’t let it go just yet. It’s definitely a day bike though, just not versatile enough as an all rounder.
I've heard a number of CB1100 owners talk about "how heavy" the bike is to push around. With respect, and not trying to be difficult... why bother pushing a bike around? If I need to move the bike in my garage, I start it up, put it in first, and let the bike do the work. Is your NC750 easy to push around? What am I missing?
I agree, I rode one before I bought my 2016 Africa Twin. I enjoyed a test ride on one. The only thing I missed was it lacked a bit of power. It was kind of gutless but very comfortable. I just bought a KTM 890 Duke R which is also comfortable but has the horsepower I missed in the NC 750 DCT. The KTM is very quick with 122 hp and only 366 lbs. it's a little rocket that corners incredibly too and stops on a dime. Amazing bike. I just turned 72.
@@securitylined I have a Pan European that's even heavier. Sometimes the motor is not an option. I have to back out of a garage due to its layout, and the other day had to back into a park on gravel. Weight mattered then (or fear of dropping that weight in front of another hundred bikers). Loose and slippery surfaces are a real stress.
I'm about to turn 67 years old and I have a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and I just bought a 2022 Harley Pan America. I love them both. The Interceptor is a blast for a quick rip around the back roads, and the Harley is just awesome. It does everything and every time I come to a stop and the bike squats down, I just smile. Both of these bikes have a pretty good bend in the leg, but neither bothers me.
I love the Pan America as an all round package, the motor and it’s adaptive ride height are two very standout points which are quite unique. Great to have a backup RE, I do have a dig at that bike but it’s very tongue in cheek, fine machine. Enjoy 👍.
I have been riding for over 50 years. Unfortunately, at 71 I'm losing height (5'8" down to 5'5") and will turn into a garden gnome in a few years. My Honda Rebel is fine for me--a true grocery getter. However, if I get one more crack at a new bike your ideas are spot on. Keep going and safe travels!
Totally agree with you, I'm a shortarse 82 yr old,and I love my Honda 500,one of the best bikes I've owned, I ride most days,up to now,(living in Queensland),and love it.
I’m definitely on board with the way you think. Although I didn’t do it with all the math and specs (I just went around and sat on as many bikes as I could over the course of a year), I went through a massive shift a few years ago. I was a cruiser guy for over 20 years. As a twenty/thirty-ish bulletproof bloke, I rode with forward controls, low seats, no windscreen, ape hangers, etc, mostly because I thought it was cool. My last Harley got a lot of looks. But in my 40s I got bored. I got bored because while the coolness of the bike didn’t change, what I wanted from it did. I wasn’t going distance on that bike, wasn’t doing dirt roads, no rain, no luggage. I decided I wanted a more useful bike, one that was less showy and more go-ey. I wanted to do trips, go where I couldn’t go before, good or bad weather, carry stuff and ride in comfort. Started with a Kawasaki Versys and recently swapped for a Suzuki V-Strom. I’ve never been happier. It goes anywhere, comfy, looks good and is far easier to live with. Love it. Wish it’d gotten into this kind of bike years ago.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff There *is* a reason. The folk who watched long enough to get to comments mostly don't ride sports bikes anymore. I used to ride a Kawazaki ZX6 but I got older Errr ........ now I ride an old R1 🙄 To be fair tho, if I'm just nipping into the local 'big town' I'll nick one of my wife's BM's, preferably her old CS650F Its like a squidgily sprung super-moto, good enough accelaration for traffic and incredibly agile. Utterly underrated thing.
@@babboon5764 I had to look up what a F650CS was. Wikipedia has an interesting write up on it about BMW trying to shake the old man image. I was going to say a bike before it’s time but not sure if that approach would work again today either? Cheers Bab Boon 👍
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff I guess they decided they no longer needed that series to lose the 'Old Man' image (what old man image?) after they launched the S1000RR. I had the stunning good luck to have booked a trackday as soon as offered when Silverstone opened after its major refurb a decade or so ago. There were - *seriously* - Moto GP, WSB & BSB riders there all wanting to learn the new track layout abd blag data. (I shared a pit shed with the then young Lowes brothers who were early rising stars in BSB (nice lads too)). More to the point, BMW had not long before launched the S1000RR So they had 10 or so each of the road version & the track version. They let me lose on a road version for one session. Off a 2002 R1 and onto one of those things. ****! 🙄 Twist the winding thing on the right hand bar, the horizon jumped into your lap like a Star Trek special effect as you tried not to fall off the back. Gently tug the brakes and wonder who put the brick wall across the track. Old Man's bikes image eh?
Hey Terry, thanks for this well presented video. Being in my sixties, this made for very interesting viewing. I only found your channel today, but I'm subscribed now, and looking forward to your next video on suspension. Happy New Year to you!
Thanks for the kind words and glad you found it interesting. Suspension is one of my pet interests on motorcycles and I’m looking forward to putting that one down too.
Seat to Peg was always my driving factor with bike selection, I've ridiculously long legs and most bikes feel cramped. It was one of the main things that drew me toward the Tiger 800. I've even got a tall seat kit to build for it to try give that bit more space but just got used to it before I put it together! the 1200 Rally felt similarly comfortable and I reckon I could give it a boost with a taller seat by the time I come to buy one! Great vid as always Terry!
You have it completely sussed by the looks of it. I’m fairly well covered with shorter legs but you longer fellas do have a challenge but more options I think with good seat solutions as you mention. Cheers👍.
I've got about 27K miles on my 2018 Tiger 800. This is a great all around ride. At 5'9" I opted for the "low" version offered that year. Very comfortable riding position and you can carry more than enough on long trips with the cases.
Wow! I just discovered your channel, started watching for an interesting perspective (and actually quite useful) and ended up loving your personality. Thank you for making these.. hope to see more of your videos! Cheers! - Faraz
66 still riding R1 2003 5pw its my main touring bike still . Its a relaxing bike to ride and light weight. Fingers crossed i got a good few more years with this fun bike .
Fair play to you and yes the weight must be the huge bonus. I just picked up a 201kg Daytona 600 for a bit of a runaround, enjoying the weight on that immensely, the wrists aren't quite as happy though :-)
I did, then sold it after 1000 miles. 1, it started playing up, 2 seat height! My legs were long enough but I’ve had my pelvis smashed so I wasn’t strong enough in case it leaned just a bit too much. I bought an air cooled T100, best bike I’ve ever owned! Great video! Cheers
Don't forget about the latest crop of modern sport touring bikes. For my 61st birthday I ended up with a 2022 GSXS 1000GT+. Comfortable riding position, not too tall as I'm 6'2", and with plenty of power even toodling around in B mode but the front can still lift when I drop it into A mode, no problems riding all day long after the seat gets broken in. Probably my last bike after 50 years, but I'll be going out with a smile a mile wide. 👍
Omg! This video is gold! So many people don’t think about this and I didn’t when I bought my 1200 Trophy.. I was just lucky it was the right height and peg distance! Well done mate !
Hi Terence - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. Comfort is the most important aspect for me in bike selection at my age. Points that I home in on are kerbweight, horizontal position of footrest in relation to my backside and weight pressure on my wrists, expecially during braking.
How do Big Rodders 👍. Yes, my Daytona was originally a wrist killer, the CB is a heavy bugger but I can do nowt about that and it’s pegs are too far forward for real comfort. It makes up for its failings in other ways. Thanks for the comment.
You're spot on mate. Used to do big miles on my Thruxton R, I'm not old yet but my knees would be the first thing to cramp out after a few hundred miles. I switched to the Tiger 800 which has about 510-540mm seat to peg. As with the Tiger 900 it's a massive difference. I like the idea of you running around a Triumph dealership with a tape measure. This is classic Triumph customer behaviour. A BMW rider would just buy the bike and tell everyone that it's better.
Great video. At 67 years old I'm finding I can't throw my leg over a tall seat like I use to. I've had a lot of bikes over the years but now my choices are more limited. Thinking more about restoring an old school bike from the 70's.
I had an XS650SE for 14 years. Just sold it at age 75. Great bike but to hard to swing the leg over.Go for a Burgman 400,that's my new bike now.. They are great fun for us old guys
@@pmwebber22 I'd like a 250cc dual sport. I had a KLX250 and I added a lowering kit fir the rear monoshock but then the shock would bottom out on the smallest bump or hole. The bikes from the early 70's fit me best
@@Big_DT ha, I saw an old man go down hard doing that with a real horse. He must have thought he was the Lone Ranger. The horse kicked him in the lug nuts LOL. My mom walk over, looked down at the man and told him, I told you that horse you tried selling me was mean. As a boy I laughed so hard I Lmost passed my pants. Ah, good memories.
I'm 68 and 6' 3", and I've had my 1978 Triumph Bonneville 750 for 30 years. With a reasonably high seat and conventionally placed footpegs, it's got the perfect riding position for my creaking limbs, so when I wanted a cheap second bike as a winter runabout, I looked for something with a similar setup. What I chose was a 1980 Suzuki GS550L, which is comfortable to sit on, mechanically simple and has the added bonus of being exempt from road tax and MOT. There's a lot to be said for old bikes.
Yep, i agree, for older bikes are more fun, (for me anyway) i don't want to wheelie off every crest anymore or get my knee down at every corner, so i went back to bikes that i loved when i first started riding, 80s bikes. I love restoring them just as much as riding them, the one i'm doing now i never would have chosen myself, but my father inlaw gave it to me after he rode it to work and back for 20 + years, its an 83 Honda CX650. Its slowly earned my affection as its so easy to ride, comfortable and a little bit different.
100% Rick, my Daytona is a fair bit newer but still a 1995 and it took some love and attention to get back in good shape but its simple nature make it a very refreshing ride (now I had Dad bars and pegs on). We don't have an MOT for bikes in Ireland regardless of age, hooray! GS550 coming up in a few comments now.
Interesting content. I’m 73 and ride a2015 (new) Tiger XCx. I am, was before COVID, doing around 17,000km annually, here in Australia. Most of the people my wife, Tiger XRx, and I ride with are a little younger than us. They all seem to be looking for an ideal bike, as they get older. Many are turning to 3wheelers as a safer, more comfortable option. Very few will consider the Adventure bike, always scared of the seat height. The seat height is only a matter learning a few basic techniques around mounting and dismounting. The few that have are converted, they just wish they had tried it earlier. We have considered new bikes over the last few years, but always seem to look at the same style of bike we have.
That was an excellent video. Very simple stats contrast of comfort measurements. As a 61yo Triumph curious rider, your selection of bikes was great for me. 6 months more to my full licence and possibly, my first triumph. Quite like the T120 and the XC Scrambler.
Both bikes I have ridden and I would have either. Like the CB though I probably wouldn't want to do 300 mile days on them but if that is not a requirement no problem. I would have any bike in Triumphs Twin range, just too many to choose from.
69 now, 10 years ago I bought my daughter a 125 scooter to learn on. She went off to uni and left me with the Honda SH125. The more I used it the more I loved it, still have it now. But after 23,000 miles its time for it to go. I have upgraded to a SH 300i Honda scooter, its my retirement present , fantastic.
The SH range from Honda seems to be mighty popular with folk, must be a good reason and you are experiencing it. Congratulations on the retirement present!
56 and just got back into bike riding after 20+ years. (Kids older). Had a 1982 Honda CB750K and it was heavy. However, at the time was interested in a faster engine. Looked at the XSR900 but got a little scared about too much power and that seat was awful. Looked at the z900, but saw a V7 Stone at the gym and fell in love. The perfect bike for retro and boy does it have character. Love it.
I'm 70 & ride a V7ii Stone. I'm actually a bit tall for it, but occasionally, I stretch a leg over the valve cover and straighten it out. I love that bike, it does a lot of things well.
Good vid and a subject far too rarely addressed. I’m 50, 6’2”, 14 stone and 33” inside leg and bought my first bike that wasn’t a sports bike last year. Both knees are pretty wrecked from old football injuries. Cartilage is mostly a memory in one of them. So it was definitely past time for something more relaxed. Wasn’t up for a pipe and slippers ADV or big fat cruiser/tourer yet, so had a bit of a look into good naked bikes for taller peeps and ended up getting a new XSR700. Stock is a 835mm seat and an already decent distance to the pegs, but I swapped out the stock seat for the scrambler one from the X-Tribute version which gave another 15-20mm of leg room. Fits like a glove and no real grumbles from the knees so far, plus the high and wide bars keep my back straight and hips relaxed and weight off the wrists is a revelation too. I was managing 1, 1.5 or max 2 hours on my last bike before needing a break, stretch and a shake out. Can go all day on the XSR700. Comfort definitely trumps cool for me from now on.
I moved to a Guzzi V85 TT from a Guzzi Norge and was amazed that the tourer was NOT as comfortable as the V85TT due to the leg room, and yes I do a few long trips and yes I'm in my seventies, I made the change for the simple reason that the adventure bike was easier to push about than the 1200 Norge, The bonus being the unexpected comfort. You are absolutely 100% correct about the suspension travel which is something I have been advocating for years. An excellent video.
I have a V7III, and just recently added a V85TT Guardia D'onore which is an amazing machine with supple suspension. I consider it my sport touring bike instead of an adventure bike. It comes with the more street oriented tires.
63 years young here. My gsx-s750 feels 100kg lighter than the Guzzi 1200 sport but I will the old girl a bit longer. V85tt is also on my radar to replace both.
I'm sticking to my CB1100RS for both looks and comfort. It fits me perfectly. If so called adventure bikes were made compulsory I'd hang up my helmet. By the way, I'm 70 and 6ft 2 in. with a 32 inch inseam.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff Thankfully I'm still relatively bendy. I go to a bikers cafe where many 'senior' bikers go on their adventure bikes. It amuses and sometimes worries me watching them mount and dismount, especially when they're short legged and there's enormous alloy panniers and a top box on the back.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff It also passes the time guessing what's in the big alloy packing cases and where in the world they've been, or going to after they've finished scoffing their bacon butties. As they are the same faces every week, mu guess is they live a mile down the road and will return there forthwith. 🤣. I carry the essentials (tool & puncture kit and an electric compressor under the seat for local runs and a pair of throw over leather panniers for longer distances.
@@85waspnest it’s ballast! I had a pair on my last Tiger but never felt the need to make my bike heavier for no reason, bigger trips only. My favourite bag is my tailbag, same stuff, pump/repair kit, standby rain top and occasionally my Trangia.
Great information and true points. I'm older and short in height and found the the ADV/DP riders position most comfortable even with the taller seat heights. I've had surgery on my neck, low back, and both shoulders too. Excellent clip 👌
Excellent points well made. This is the kind of content I enjoy on RU-vid and unfortunately we don't get from the bike press or bigger channels. I found you through a comment you left on the Bennett's Desert X vs Tiger video.
Glad you enjoyed it. There is no shortage of people jumping on a bike telling you what they think of it but I would rather try and come up with unique content if I can. Plus I still work full time, RU-vid is a side interest only, that 's why I don't beg for likes and subscriptions. Cheers NooBiker, thanks for commenting.
at 67 i bought a Yamaha 689cc MT07....weighs 405 w/ a full gas tank....at 6' 185lbs i can handle it just fine & it has great power....i love it...used to own a 1970 BSA lightning....it had poor power & was heavy....
Nice sentiment. Lovely to see the oldies staying comfie. I'm 63. Shall check back when I'm 70. Maybe 75. In the meantime, loving my Interceptor. Might get a Z900 rs or something. As per Clint, don't let the old man in!
Only a measly 44 here, I’ve never though much about the seat to peg height although I should, being only 5’5”, so I just measured my 2001 Ducati Monster and 430-440mm seems to be the number, even for my tiny frame it is very cramped(although I do like it) and it’s the first bike since my 50cc at 16 that I can put both feet firmly on the floor, my last machine was a Pan Euro 1100, seat to peg was leisurely but I could barely reach the floor. Thanks for the interesting content. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the kind words, your 430-440mm is tight enough, quite surprised at that. I rode a Pan recently, you do need to keep both feet firmly planted at the lights don't you.
Thanks for the video some interesting points - personally an adventure bike would be a last resort for me for a similar reason I don't want a huge suv car. For me lightest weight for the job you need to do is best and I don't want to go off road.
In reality though I don't think most go off road with them anyway, I don't either. The V-Strom 650 getting a good showing in the comments, I expect the Tuareg 660 might start to make the comfort list, for those in more moderate climates perhaps, lots of reports of very hot engines. Cheers Oliver.
At 65, I find my GS a most comfortable bike for touring. I can sit on it all day, not to mention the seat heating in winter, keeping me and my prostate toasty warm😅. I am a small rider at 5’7 with a lowered chassis and seat. I can flat foot it. I did have smaller bikes which made me feel cramped in the legs. Thank you for the good advice and have a healthy new year!
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff small at 5 7 try 5 foot i prefer classsics ie yam xv 750 s 2 yam 650 1 honda 750 shadow 1 suzuki gs 850 in a kawasaki elimnator runing gear all on the road and riden when i lived in the uk road all over europe xs 1100 swedish style chopper hard tail sprung seat i would bo 4000 miles in 3 weeks 75 year old retierd to thialand
@@keithmoore5224 Well you had to retire their Keith because you wrecked yourself so much on that hardtail you needed to retire somewhere where you could get a massage twice a day on the cheap!
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff my backs ok it my knees that are giveing up all ways fited sprung seat (yammie )xs 1100 swedish chop 3foot over front end faro show winner 6 th bike show still riding 75 years. Young retierd still building customs
As a aging Harley guy, adding mini floor boards, a gel seat and 1.5 inch risers it completely removed the pain and discomfort. Some future point I will spiral to the next bike but I am quite happy. Very well done video. I subscribed.
Last March, at age 71, I bought a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 (that's a mouthful!), clip-ons, rear sets, and all. I love it! I've always had middle weight bikes, so this isn't a step up or down. The RE 650's are a good fit for any age group. And they're quite affordable.
Lanky 71 y.o here, 6’4” with 36” inseam. I got rid of my GS 800 last year, lovely bike but what I’m looking for, apart from leg room is light weight. I have had a Yamaha WR250R for a few years now, that really is a tall bike and I have added lowered footpegs. So it fits me really well….. BUT, only 250 cc …. My new main bike is a Fantic Caballero 500. I’m really loving this little guy! Looks tiny but seat to peg ratio is good and my legs are not cramped up on it, it’s only a 450 single but she’s pretty peppy, about 40horses and weighs bugger all. It’s fine for a hop on the motorway although perhaps not the ideal tourer. I mostly use it of a weekend, to go about 10 miles and stand in a forest car park with some other old gits, to eat bacon rolls, drink tea and brag to each other. Not ever dropping ‘em is best, but if it does happen, being able to single-handedly pick the bastard up again is crucial to maintaining my cool image!
Its a bike that caught my eye at the NEC show, good price, good looking and a little different so as not to run with the crowd. Enjoy and thanks for the ergo report.
Just got into bikes at 51, shortish at 5’7”. Bought an MT07 last year, and haven’t stopped smiling since. Great position, nice upright and not a massive weight! Looking forward to a day without rain, I think it might be nice for a ride in the dry for once!
Hi Terry, I was very interested in this video, It is one of the reasons why I chose the Tiger 900.It took me some time to settle on this particular bike, coming from a Harley Davidson Road King, which I loved, but found after a long ride became quite uncomfortable in my lower regions, HA HA.I look forward to your next episode about suspension adjustment ,I haven't quite got the hang of that yet. Im'e hoping you can shed some light on it for me. Anyway great to see you back. Have you and your fellows decided on your winter break yet? Stay safe, Alan Edwards.
Winter break in hand, got to do it on the CB this year, hmm. The Rally 900 is the best bike I have ever ridden for ergos. Checkout my video on Tiger 900 suspension here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TXCe7mRzYE8.html it can be a firm sports bike or a luxo-barge, amazing suspension.
This is a VERY informative video! I wish all road tests included this type of info. Another factor is where the pegs are positioned as in how far forward or rearward they are positioned. I have an old air-cooled BMW R1200GS as well as a R NineT. I am 192cm tall, and weigh 145kg. Not a small guy. I find both bikes very comfortable. Obviously the GS will fit the requirements but the BIG surprise was how comfy the R nineT was! Yes, the R nineT is not an 8 hour in the saddle touring machine ( that's the GS's job...) But I can quite comfortably ride the R nineT for an hour and a half before I need to get off and stretch legs. I'm off to the garage with a tape measure to see what the ratio between seat height vs pegs vs peg position forward/backwards is... Thanks for a great video!
Thanks for the kind words Cedric. Several mentions now for the R9T and I have an acquaintance with one with the same view as you, he loves the comfort. I know what you mean on the peg position, I mention it in my follow up video, (not quite out yet, hopefully tomorrow).
Shouted myself a HD Breakout at 61. Low seat height around 25 inches,forward controls,,around 660 lbs wet,1689 cc. Most comfortable bike ive ever owned
Another factor to consider is seat width. This is something else that affects reacing the floor when seated, perhaps the number one reason why those new to bikes look at seat height. However a wide comfy seat, like on the CB1100 will splay your legs and give you less reach to the ground. The adventure bikes have thinner saddles, and some custom bikes have saddles that are triangular (fat at the rear and skinny at the front). Even the Daytona saddle has a narrower nose. These make it easier to reach the floor as your thighs point down easier.
Yes, valid point Mark, the Daytona is pretty good in that respect. The new Tiger 1200 has a higher seat height than the outgoing model but has an easier reach to the floor for that very reason.
Totally correct, mate. Case in point, two sister bikes with the same engine and also, I believe, frame. Husqvarna Norden 901 and KTM 890 Adventure. Both these bikes are about the same height, but the Husky has a wide seat that means my feet are just shy of the tarmac unless I'm wearing massive off-road boots. Shame, I had to go for the much "younger" style KTM, whose looks aren't a patch on the gorgeous Norden, but then, you can't look at your bike as you're riding it, so no big deal.
Having lived n the UK for a while I know it is inevitable: You go for a ride on wet roads. We have a rule of thumb over here in Germany. Don't ride on wet roads as a biker unless you get caught on a tour.......I've seen some really scary slides of my frontman on wet surface when I was touring Europe to at teh age of 40 and it made me realize: It doesn't make sense on wet roads cause you loose all what motor bike riding is about.....If you want to stay alive better avoid riding on wet conditions. Gold luck never the less....
There is definitely an added challenge to riding in the wet and some of the fun is taken away with all of that added concentration. Tyres have come a long way though and living in Ireland as I do you have to take a bit of a punt on the weather otherwise you will never go anywhere! If it's absolutely pouring, yes, I will avoid two wheels, that's no fun.
Very interesting video, thanks for posting. All my bikes are classics - pre 1990 - and whilst I haven’t done the S to P measurements I know it’s very important. The only bike in the stable which really contradicts your ‘rules of good sense’, if I may, is my ‘81 Guzzi Le Mans 3; like you and your CB1100, just not prepared to part with her. I have a ‘77 Kwaker Z650 which is very comfortable, as is my ‘78 Triumph TR7RV 750, so you’ve now convinced me to get out the tape measure and do some analysis.
Great, glad I triggered an interest Nigel. The 850 Le Mans was a bike I truly lusted after when I was younger and I don't think I would part with it either. I can imagine the others being a great lightweight ride in comparison too.
Drove a Honda 04 Silverwing for seven years when my son wanted me to test drive a bike he was looking at, to my surprise I couldn't get my leg over it. Going to a doctor I found out arthritis had set in. Later an accident totaling the Silverwing causing me to buy another bike which was a 2013 Triumph Bonneville. To my disappointment after an hour on the Triumph my left hip would be killing me. I bought a custom seat which had thicker foam and it did not help. Mean while I bought a 2018 KLR650 to go trail riding with my son and his wife, to my pleasant surprise I can ride it for much longer periods of time than my Triumph. Great article, lets keep riding.
Cheers David, just goes to show there are bikes out there for us all. I take it the KLR gave you a long seat to peg distance which relieved a lot of tension on the hip. Congrats.
I'm 60 years old with arthritis in my legs and wrists. I ride a gnarly old Ducati caff racer with clip-ons and rear sets and a thinly padded seat. A recipe for crippling discomfort? Funnily enough I find it surprisingly good, after about 2 hours it is nice to get off, but by then you need petrol,a pee and a cup of tea anyway. And I have to kick start it too. A bucket list bike really but I will keep riding it until it becomes too much.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff So why do so many fat old gits buy lard arse Harley cruiser lookalike bikes. That is not the spirit of motorcycling, a good bike should be light, agile, nimble with enough horsepower to get the journey done. And don't get me started on Gold Wings and trikes.
The front to back or horizontal position of the pegs can make a big difference too. the triangle of hands, feet and jacksi really matters when you aren't so supple, be that age or injury related, or both in my case, plus I'm 6'5" to start with. My V-Strom 650, with the tall seat and sit n fly cover is pretty comfy.
V-Strom 650 getting lots of mentions for taller riders. I tried to include front to back position of the pegs and it got messy so scratched that bit as it was a little more subjective.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuffThe front to back position is sooo important that it's agony when its wrong. The BMW K1100RS was bad for this. The reach to bars was quite long, but the pegs weren't correspondingly rear-set. Either the bars had to be brought up--and-back, or the pegs had to be set back more. I altered the bars.
@@waynegoldpig2220 I get what you are saying. I have a Daytona 660 on order and while the bars are much higher than the older style out and out sporting 600's they are still pitched forward a little compared to a roadster. Triumph have raised the pegs slightly but moved them rearward to open up the hip and knee angle to compensate. Someone was paying attention.
I would tend to agree with you regarding the aging requirement. ;) Another factor I have to consider, is having had knee replacement and recent ankle rebuild on the same leg, (all military service related) the actual angle of the leg. The weight of the bike, position of the foot controls and reach for the handle bars. I have come down from the Kawasaki Nomad 1600cc to a Hyosung GV650. Both being cruiser style bikes. The change was based on ability to lift the bike if it fell. Even using the advised backwards lift, the Kawasaki was going to lay there till someone would help me, at peak post surcial fitness, I could not use my leg the same as before the knee replacement. The 650cc was just barely manageable, but the handlebars just made it so difficult. So, adventure bike is the idea now. Upon hearing your last comment, this might just not be what you do not want to hear, but my thoughts are leading tonthe RE Himalayan or Scram series at just over 400cc. It will do 100km/h easily enough, have plenty of torque for off road if and when I feel like that and the two plusses are great economy and riding position. I think a mid sized bike is adequate enough now, with speed limits we have, and economy is worth it nowadays. I am also buildig a 250cc flat tracker for street use. This is 100% made to fit me, so everything is where I need it as fer as pegs bars and controls. I would appreciate your thoughts and views on my comments, as I am also clicking over 64yrs in about fifteen days.
I would widen your potential bike choice, both of those Royal Enfield's have a 3K mile valve clearance service interval. That's OK if you are happy to do it yourself but many will find it a pain. Maxi Scooters are getting a lot of mentions, the likes of the Honda Forza 350. If I was sticking with traditional motorcycle the Honda CB300 for something ultra reliable and a little different? Both meet your speed requirement and will be hassle free. I still maintain bikes but I am happily looking forward to more riding than maintaining as I get older. Good luck with the search 👍.
A fun and informative video. Thank you. I have had several motorcycles over the last 50 years. All 250cc or less. My favourite one was my Honda CT110. I rode it to work and back every day for several years. Even in the winter. Many fun adventures with this bike. However, my wife won't let me have any more motorcycles, so I am relegated to an electric bike, which is actually really fun. Cheers from Canada :-)
I'm 58, and still find my 2003 Fireblade plenty comfortable for full day rides. My 675R race bike is a bit more challenging, and I'll certainly feel a bit stiff after a full 3-day race weekend. Interested in adventure bikes, but more for the on/off road and ability to carry camping gear than any specific comfort considerations.
Well done Paul, something tells me your in much better shape than me! 👀. I had to raise the bars and lower the pegs on my Daytona and now I can ride that all day. The CB is a different challenge though.
That is fantastic to hear! I am 61 and have the chance to buy a 97 fireblade but have some doubts. Will see next weekend how it feels. I am still in good shape and have no pains. I live in Portugal so that helps too 😊
I returned to motorcycling at 60 and decided that relatively low seat height and light weight were more important to me than anything else. I have quite short legs (28"/711mm inseam). I also have significant back and spine damage so it is unpleasant to slide off the seat to put a foot on the ground (ie. the "one cheek method"). Also being able to easily push the bikes around the garage without accidentally hurting myself was a priority. I ended up with a little Kawasaki Z400. I originally thought I would trade up to something more powerful but have come to appreciate something that is light, nimble and sufficiently powerful. Unlike most older motorcyclists in the US, I have little desire to cruise long distances and I stick to backroads as much as I can (the twistier the better). What surprises many people is that the Z400 can easily deal with any stretch of highway and is actually quicker than the RD350's and RD400's of my youth.
What a great choice of bike for obvious very good reason in your case. I used to commute into College on a DR350 and at the weekends it was maximum fun on the back roads, sometimes less is more.
Can't agree more with you!! I'm 69, 5'10', 170 pounds and ride a Duke 390 which I think is very similar to your Kawasaki Z400. Love the twisties as well and will pack up the Duke and go on 4-5 day camping trips. That bike has tons of guts and spirit and has never left me wanting...
@@hank4787 The Duke 390 is a great motorcycle and is better suited to people with longer legs. I like some of the KTM's but their seats are so dang high that I feel like a little child when I sit on them!
@@jfess1911 Not this one, I'm a 32" Levi"s guy at best! I felt like that on my previous bike which was a KLR 650. Could just get half my foot on the ground with that one, had to take the foam seat an inch and a half down with my belt sander to try and make it a little more comfortable height wise. With the Duke at a stop, both feet flat on the ground and that's with the stock seat and an air hawk on it....
@@hank4787 It was entertaining and mildly embarrassing when I discovered that I could not swing my leg up far enough to get on the seat of the Duke (I needed to stand on the peg instead). It seems that my legs are about 4" shorter than yours. I once tried to convince someone that 4" is quite a lot but....er.... I'd really rather not discuss that incident.☺😯
There's nothing like having a couple of knees go bone on bone due to arthritis to give you some idea about what you're likely to experience as you get older. Before my knees gave out my motorcycles were a ST1100, a KLR650 and an old T100C Triumph. The KLR has no problem with seat to peg height but getting on and off it became a chore. The ST1100 was a bit lower; it was normally very comfortable over long distances but the knees started complaining. That bike's weight became a nightmare -- its 734lbs (dry) was OK on the road by maneuvering in in the garage and getting on and off it had the fear of it going over on me. The idea what to do came from the 71 Triumph. Ira relatively light, has a reasonable 'sit up' riding position and-having a flat saddle and no luggage meant getting on and off it was easy. This pointed to an ideal modern bike -- the Royal Enfield Int650. Its a bit of a comedown compared to the ST -- I liked the power and range of the Honda -- but at my age having a bike that's barely breaking a sweat at 100mph isn't necessary, especially as you don't bounce that well when you get old. (Incidentally, the oldest regular rider I'veI known is in his mid 90s. He rides one of those Super Scooters. They're actually quite quick. I'm not sold on the automatic transmission but Honda's seems to work better than a human. I don't think I can unlearn the clutch -- its bad enough swapping feet for the Triumph!)
Thanks for the great info Martin. I was riding a 2004 ST1300 in the Angeles Mountains a few months back, superb machine but I was concentrating on keeping it up at the lights. Personally I find the RE650 a bit crashy on the suspension for me but then I do like to seek out old, not so well maintained country roads. The new BSA 650 single sounds like it has a softer suspension setup and the W800 takes it to the extreme in floaty comfort riding. I can see either of these two bikes in my later riding years. Cheers
As an ageing motorcyclist (66 years old)and a short arse (5'6" and 29" in seam) I always rode sports bikes till 2017, when after test riding the then new Street Triple RS, I realised riding pleasure didn't have to equate to pain, my only regret was that I hadn't discovered naked middleweights a decade earlier, still there is the challenge of finding a bike were the seat height doesn't rule it out, my first "superbike" was a 1992 Fireblade, followed by R1s, GSX-R 750s and 1000s up to a 2011 'Blade all of which I was able to stretch, albeit the later ones on the balls of my feet as opposed to flat footing the 90s bikes, two lads at our club have a 2020 R1 and 2021 Blade both of which I'd need a grappling hook and rope to get on but it only seems to be BMW and Triumph who are addressing this problem, don't the other makers realise they're losing a lot of short riders and the majority of females. I've ordered the 2023 Street Triple RS and even though the seat height's risen to 836mm up from 825mm, Triumph are offering a 28mm lower seat and the RS and Moto 2 can be lowered a further 10mm by removing blankers in the linkage. nice one Triumph!
I noticed that 10mm linkage adjustment and was surprised it was on offer, fair play to Triumph. Congrats on the purchase of the RS, they look stunning with really nice paint jobs for 2023, enjoy. Do experiment with the damping for those days you want a lazy ride in comfort. Middleweights have come alive the last year or so.
@@Billster1955 I couldn't agree more, I've wanted an MT-09 since they were released but can't even get both feet touching the ground, just recently KTM and Ducati have brought out low seat height versions of the 890R and Monster but still nothing from the Japanese manufacturers, their loss!
I had to stop biking for a number of years due to arthritis in my right shoulder, both knees, right hip, lower back and fingers this was due to a near fatal bike accident I had 16 years ago.. but then I went and sat on a Triumph Speedmaster and wow! It was like sitting in my Reclining chair.. so comfortable.. I ended up buying this bike never ever wanting a cruiser stye bike I've always riden naked sports type bikes.. But this Speedmaster is something else.. it's not as bad as a HD cruiser the foot pegs are not so forward and the rake is a lot less making it easier to turn and lane split.. I rode the bike from North Wales down to Lands End (9 hour ride) after arriving at camp site I set up my tent and then had a long walk along the cliffs.. I had no pain whatsoever.. unbelievable.. I have had the bike for a year now and I'll never buy another bike.. I don't like adventure bikes it like having a range rover and never taking it off road.. I'm buying a Honda CRF 300 to do some green lane rides and as a local commuting bike.. adventure bikes are to big and heavy to do any serious off roading when you have lots of pain and if dropped no chance of picking it back up.. I also have an aversion towards a large percentage of adventure bike riders who never acknowledge you when passing them on the road.. stuck up middle class born again wa#kers.. So I'm sticking with my Triumph 1200cc Speedmaster.. btw I'm 60 with a 29" inside leg. 🤟😎
Great write up for the Speedmaster Beardy and a testament to its ergo capabilities on the road. This was a bike I wanted to make some measurements on as it is a little different but they were sold out after always usually having some on the floor. That's me, 60 with 29" leg too, new Tiger 1200 just a little to tall for me which was a disappointment (but not life changing).
Very useful, I am 54, 6'1" and 16 stone with a 33" leg. I am cramped on a lot of bikes and also swamp suspension. Roomy is comfy and if you are lanky more space is definately a thing. Have a sub! 😊🖖👍
Cheers Si. My son is 6'4" and has the same problem. Currently running a 2004 250 Ninja which is a challenge but manageable at his age. He could do with a Tiger 900 but his license and pocket $$$ don't support the transition :-)
I met a guy on an adventure bike that gave up half way through a 'trip of a lifetime' in his retirement . He dropped it FIVE times and bust his leg. He had the gary glitter platform boots to touch the ground and the bike was loaded top heavy like something from wacky races. He traded in his 1200 sporty that would have done the job.
Very interesting video well done. I’m 70 and I ride a Africa twin it’s the most comfortable bike I’ve ever had, but it’s getting to heavy for me, so I’m going to sell it and look at the tiger 850 sport.
Love the Tiger 850 sport, especially in the new Orange colour. It lacks a lot of gadgets but I think that is very much part of its appeal. No adjustable damping but the long suspension stroke allows Triumph to choose a comfortable spring rate for this bike that will suit most. Thanks for the comment 👍.
I turned 56 last month and I'm enjoying my brand new 2023 Suzuki GSX-R750. It is a hell of a lot lighter than my 2002 Kawasaki ZRX1200R and while it is not as comfy for long rides, adding Helibars to it has made it quite tolerable for a sport bike. 😆
Yes, quite a compact beast but a peach of and engine, the four pots are not long for this world. Weight is the No1 consideration for most I think. Cheers
As a 76 year old, started riding at 16, you do put comfort at the top of the list these days, the best bike for me was an early BMW RT, the best ever. Now it's getting on them is the problem, what with dicky knees, so last year i investestd in a Honda Forza 300 scooter, so far, well pleased.
I find nothing is very comfortable these days, it’s not long before the backside is complaining or the bladder is joining the chorus 😮 I’m 57 and 6’2,still pretty young. l’ve had a lot of different bikes in lots of different styles, fast, slow, twins, fours, singles, tall short. I find the thing that bothers me most is just lugging the bloody things around the car park or garage. Last bike I had was Triumph 1200 xe, fantastic bike just pissed me off pushing it round the garage. I had a rethink and thought it was time for a total change. Enter the KTM 690 smcr with comfort seat (changes pain level only!!) tank range is about 150-200 miles so plenty more than bum or bladder. It’s been a revelation, light, quick,exciting. The comparison I think of is my old 350 ypvs except if you look at the stats it’s got 50% more power with about 50 less kilos. Bugger touring round and staring at the next national trust ruin, rip round b roads with your heart in your mouth and a manic grin and remember that putting a helmet on removes at least 25 years!!
Quite agree. Just got rid of a Moto Guzzi 1100 , 550 lbs and 85 HP, of which a fair bit is eaten up by the shaft drive. I now have a 21 year old Honda Hornet, 400 lbs wet and 95 HP. Power to weight is amazing and as good as most modern mid-range bikes. It has a nose fairing and I love it. At 66 years young, it suits me fine.
Ah but you've hit that "buggered if I'm gonna ride 300-400 miles a day for ten days" stage in your life. When I do I will do exactly the same and get rid of all the heavy stuff too. This is why the owners of the soon to be arriving RE650 Super Meteor at 241kg will spend their time cleaning it rather than riding it, 1kg heavier than a shaft drive Tiger 1200 its going to be a wet blanket that weighs a freaking ton, well 241kg. KTM690, nice weapon! I like the 890 roady too but a little small for my frame.
I hear ya. I had a GL-650 and then bought a used but very clean VFR-750F. I only kept the VFR for 500 miles and loved the motor but hated the ergonomics as I was past 50 years old. So if I could have, I would have swapped the 750 motor into the 650 chassis. Nope, instead I did the next best thing and bought a used ST1100. Now I am 75 and done with riding, but boy, I surely loved the ST.
A few guys I know get a sidecar and keep on riding. I ran into a guy on a bike-sidecar unit with 2 spare tires mounted on the back of the sidecar who just got back from a trip from CT to FL to TX and turned around at the Guatemala-Belize border and rode back. I didn't ask his age but he looked to be about 85. We chatted for an hour or so and the stories he told......Amazing stories, all good.
Rode one in the Angles Mountains last year, a 2004, and it was a brilliant bike. On the same day I tried the new Goldwing and it wasn't a patch on the ST.
I would agree. Have a collection of bikes and as I passed 60, the only 2 bikes which take me to the far places are an old XT600 Tenere and an old XTZ Super Tenere. Every time I want to ride one of the heavier ones , I hear myself grumbling while battling to get them out of the garage.
At the tender age of 72, I downsized from a Concours 14 (GTR 1400) to a Versys 1000. That was 3 years ago, and I'm very satisfied with the Versys. The Concours had bar risers added for a more upright riding position, but the Versys is just as it came from Kawasaki.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff I was talked into a test ride by the dealer.... Came back very impressed. Not something I would have looked at otherwise.... You can only give it a try
I would of thought that was reasonably heavy too but coupled with the accessible seat it must make it ideal for your frame. Are you finding it comfortable on the road with the suspension setup?
I’m 62 and I had a 1200GS and it literally was a pain in my neck. Something about the upright seating position. I’ve been riding a GSX-R1000R for the last 5 years and love it.
Now you are one of the exceptions I mention 😄 David, I would be the exact opposite. I get you though, many find that bolt upright stance rough on the lower spine too. Cheers.
This is a very handy video. I'm 5'7" / 170 cm so short and short in the leg. One thing that helps you decide is going to a dealer and sizing the bixe up to see how comfortable yude be if you sat on them.
Everyone is different. I'm 6ft, 190lbs, 60 yrs old and my Speed Triple RR one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever ridden. And yes, I've owned just about every type of road bike imaginable. The RR is not something I would tour on but for days of backroad mountain rides, it's pretty close to perfection. I love your Daytona BTW. What a gem. They are rare where I live. I'd love to have one.
The RR is an exceptionally good looking bike and I’d have one in a heartbeat but I can’t replace my old Daytona 😬. Yes, we are all different but I think my poor old joints must be prematurely wearing 😟. I can do a 300 mile day on the CB if I have to but boy do I suffer the next day. Thanks for the input FalcoDog 👍.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff I completely understand. I cant ride a cruiser for any length of time as it destroys my back. I have the same problem with adv bikes only not as bad because I can use my legs to get the weight off my bum. We are all different.
Interesting and thorough discussion, lots of food for thought. A simpler aspect - as now an older biker with a very different body to the one I had when I started riding, and someone who needed then had a hip replacement - is that even at quoted seat heights before all your considerations, a lower seat can be as difficult as a high one. The problem or sitting at the wrong leg angles for periods of time over distance is also felt in the legs when using a bike in stop start situations and putting legs up and down, supporting the weight of a bike. Equally important then is that weight and the centre of gravity. Leg muscles quickly suffer when the leg is more bent. Of course, the older biker really does need to start considering the benefits of downsizing the weight and capacity as other faculties begin to deteriorate. Most of us really don't need 1000cc or 100 bhp!
Well this is it. My lower seat height CB1100EX causes some discomfort on my left hip and an extra inch or two on the seat height would probably alleviate this somewhat. I was using those Tiger 900 comparisons specifically to demonstrate the seat to peg distance that can be had without resorting to extremely tall and heavy bikes. I liked the Aprilia Tuareg 660 for similar reasons too. I have 3/4 length all year round boots too which are quite substantial and heavy too. Lifting them up and down to the pegs in traffic can get tiresome on the older bones 😬. Time to investigate lighter ankle boots for the summer. Thanks for watching and posting your comment 👍.
So funny. YOU know better than all the other experienced bikers what is best for them. I don't know what bike is best for you or anyone else. But no one knows better what fits to me. Maybe because I never sold any of my bikes so I can choose from 250cc two-stroke dirt bike over 500 and 750 two stroke and 650 (yes the SV), 900 (XJ) to the 1200 and 1700 VMax. All of these bikes are brilliant in their way and all are perfect bikes for me. None of my bikes has drive aids or ride modes or Bluetooth connectivity. No smartphone alike "dashboard" and I am s art enough to use the clutch when shifting. But I was amused to watch your clip anyway, made my day. Thumbs up and you got my subscription.
Ha ha, yes, I’m 60 going on 70 when it comes to my joints. My new bars, lower pegs and “built for me” suspension have made my madly uncomfortable Daytona a beautiful all day ride now. It’s all the hips for me now !
I’m an aging rider that still rides dirt bikes and I also have a midsized adv bike. I had a CB1100 and rode it pretty hard. Paved roads, unpaved and gravel roads. I even hit a deer with that bike and luckily I managed to get through that unscathed. My biggest complaint with the CB1100 was the suspension in the twisties and lack of wind protection on the highway. Windshield didn’t help that much as the wind just comes up from the under neath. Besides that the CB ran smooth like a sowing machine and it was very appealing to the eye.
Yes, adding a small deflection screen to the CB1100 makes it even worse, it drove me to distraction with buffeting on my helmet. As you say, it looks very well and relaxed 50MPH country road jaunts are its forte. The 2017 onwards has better suspension by all accounts but still limited by design.
Other factors which may be more important: 1. How far forward are the pegs? A more cruiser style allows the rider to unbend the knees and hip. 2. How narrow is the nose of the seat? A narrow nose of the seat and narrow back of the tank allows a shorter rider to get his feet on the ground more than on the bench type seats.
The new Super Meteor 650 might be what I'm looking for. The Interceptor 650 and GT are out, tube type tires, too high seats, and the bars are WAY too low on the GT.
I had a V-Strom 1000 and the time came when it was no longer fun. It was replaced with a Burgman 400 and a CB500F. Four years later and my knees were letting me know that chain oiling and adjustments were no longer OK. Now I have a Moto Guzzi V7. It's even easier to ride and less tiring than the awesome 500F, more comfortable and easier to get on and off. The super smooth throttle response, compact size , low CG and shaft drive make it perfect for this old guy.
Interesting but it's not as simple as just seat to peg distance. It's related to the position of the bars which dictate the angle of your back and hence the angle between the spine and femur. That angle is crucial for those with less range of hip joint. Dont overthink it. Sit on it and you'll know!
100%, as long as you can live with it and it meets your needs that is what counts to each individual. I’m just saying I need that and comfort. Comfort will make the difference between a 50 ride to the cafe or a 300 mile ride to a cafe you have never been to.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff Made it to a few cafes in Spain this summer but guess it will eventually come to me that I need something more practical.
Don't forget, you shrink in height as you become ancient. You want a low seat so you can flat foot and that normally also means a lower center of gravity when you are older.
I am 60 years old and have been involved in 2 motorcycle accidents through no fault of my own, one of which only occurred on October 3rd. Since then I have had a stiffened thoracic spine and a plate in my shoulder. But I plan to ride again in the spring. I have a BMW C650GT Maxi Scooter. I used to like riding touring enduros. However, as my wife developed muscle weakness in her legs due to illness, she was no longer able to get on and off using the footrests. Something lower was needed. The Maxi Scooter is perfect for this. Standing in the space in between. She sits on it sideways and simply swings her legs over at the front. Super comfortable seat for both of us. Day trips are no problem. The perfect all-rounder for me. I've already traveled over 2000 km on it with high-capacity colleagues. Super handy thanks to the low center of gravity and I can vary the position of the legs in 3 positions while riding. No other maxi scooter offers so much space (maybe the Burgman). I can fully extend my legs when I want. Many people can't imagine changing to a maxi scooter. I only see advantages in comfort. The riding pleasure is the same Greetings from the Black Forest Frank
Thanks for the detailed information Frank. Yes, Maxi Scooters and the like are getting big mentions in the comments as a very popular solution to our ageing bones and reduced mobility. Wouldn't bother me one bit riding one of those if it kept me on two wheels. Cheers!
I rode a rental tall BMW R 1200 GS "adventure bikes" for a week in Africa with a group. We are all very experienced on and off-road riders. All my mates on Suzuki's 650 V-Stroms had a great time. I didn't. That bike is a too big, too tall, too heavy pig by noon!
