Too old for a sport bike?

[DoxaDavid]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I'm 67. Bimota (Ducati 1198 motor similar to the Diavel) and Bonneville.
I'm heading out this afternoon for a ride 'cos they are forecasting rain this weekend.

Go for it IMO.

The Bimota is quick........

Don't know much about Bimota but this one?

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by DoxaDavid

I've owned two albeit briefly. Biggest problem with them is they can't turn worth a damn but it's arguably one of the best motors MoCo has ever made.

yeah on the street good enough for me, full race type I go to the track

I need a little comfort!

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by DoxaDavid

Or this one? A Ducati Diavel.

this was the other one I test road, Im still on the fence as well

[gulfstream69xr7]

'85 Honda Nighthawk 700S

My best friend still has the black and blue low mileage 700S that he bought in 85'.

I love that bike.

[nocrown]

does not the title of the thread say it all¿¿¿ if in doubt.....&& if u gotta ask.....

i suggest perusing the DOT mortality rate per mile traveled stats as well as searching for surge in deaths by age demographic (hint: middle-aged men death spikes in mc ridiing)...

but hey, you look hard enough and you'll find enough to syndicate ur rowboat more at mc urges......

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Not necessarily trying to get all moralistic on you or be judgmental but driving a motorcycle of any kind is a real gamble and a sport bike in particular isn't the best move for a middle aged man who has a family. You could be in the best shape of your life, but your reaction time is never going to be what it was in your 20's and early thirties and operating that kind of machinery is reliant on having quick reflexes and dodging trouble before it happens. I was pretty fearless as a youth and frankly pretty stupid on my bike, my wife made me give it up and I miss it from time to time but if I kept it, I'd probably not be here right now. I don't know that to be fact, just a feeling. Maybe I'm projecting a bit, I'm perhaps just a tad older than you as a guess and I'm glad I'm not having to weave away from a someone cutting me off cause they can't see me or don't care. JMHO

Wow there is stereotyping and ageism at its finest. If no kids or the kids are moved out ,why not. Marc I'll be sure to pass your comments along to my 55 year nurse friend and her 57 year old pilot husband ,they drive sport bikes. She just did the Alaska run by herself. I have other buddies in their sixties doing a 3000k trip through Mexico. I'm sure your views will amuse them. Life's to short to fall into the old man shuffle syndrome, the fade to black can come at any time, anywhere. I would venture more people injured these days looking at smart phones than motorcycle accidents.

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I'm 67. Bimota (Ducati 1198 motor similar to the Diavel) and Bonneville.
I'm heading out this afternoon for a ride 'cos they are forecasting rain this weekend.

Go for it IMO.

The Bimota is quick........

Very nice.

[69mach351]

Personally, I would argue that you are probably the right age for a sportbike. Most of the younger crowd is far to immature (and I am only 32) to ride a sport bike and keep it within their abilities. I have seen far to many accidents and people riding like idiots on public roads to think that a good portion of the population can handle something like a sport bike.

I have never had the desire for one. I think they are like a roller coaster - fun for a bit, but not something I would want to spend a lot of time on. I would find much more enjoyment out of a nice sporty tourer if I wanted to go that route.

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

I think the risk/reward of motorcycling is highly variable by individual. There are certainly many things a rider can't directly control, particularly the actions of other road users, however, there are very, very (I would even suggest extremely) few of those actions where the rider has no ability to influence the outcome of any given situation. When it gets really risky is when a rider is not only lacking in situational awareness to deal with the hazards around them, but is also a hazard in terms of riding within their capabilities and the limits of the conditions around them, without a good margin in reserve. All that said, each person really has to decide for themselves if the rewards exceed the risk, but to say it's an irrational pursuit or a stupid hobby is a broad generalization that is frankly, untrue.

Nailed it! Always be prepared for the unexpected or even unpredictable. Over 99% of motorcycle accidents COULD have been avoided. I ride like I am invisible and am always prepared to take evasive action.

[SrFADE]

Get a bike that lights your fire and do it now. Every year you wait is another year you won't be riding. As an owner of both brands, I would encourage a look at either the KTM Super Adventure or the BMW GS 1200. They are both fast enough to satisfy that hunger, they are easy on the ageing back because of the upright posture, and I can tell you from experience, the oil head BMW R1200GS, in the right hands, can spank the average "sport bike" rider in the twisties. No, it isn't a drag racer but a beautifully balanced, all purpose bike (with a "torquey" tractor engine )

[cornerstore]

I'm 65 with a bad ticker, here's what I'm getting.

[DoxaDavid]

Originally Posted by gulfstream69xr7

My best friend still has the black and blue low mileage 700S that he bought in 85'.

I love that bike.

That's what I had. Blue and black. Bike was way ahead of its time. Maybe a I should just get another one!

[DoxaDavid]

Originally Posted by cornerstore

I'm 65 with a bad ticker, here's what I'm getting.

[Shibumi]

I am 55, check my avatar to see what I ride- a Hayabusa. : )

I have been a member of hayabusa.org and spoken with and gone to meet-n-greets with many guys my age and 10-15 years older riding one of these monsters! I highly recommend it for any sport bike fan, but especially for those of us in the over 40 crowd. It is slightly heavier and has a longer wheelbase than the liter bikes, so wheelies are mostly an issue in 1-2nd gears, not 1-4 like the lighter sport bikes today! There are also a crucial few inches difference in body position that are more conducive to staying out of the chiropractor's office! I enjoy mine mostly for the twisties, I have NO chicken strips and have even put some honorable scrapes on my fairings railing corners on it- I say this because some speaking from ignorance claim a Busa doesn't handle corners like a sport bike.

Redline comes in 1st gear at 87 mph, six gears, 1-150 in 10 seconds, and I had mine at the dyno drags top in at 201 mph. All this for less money than a lot of folks here wear on their wrist...

PS- Want the most extreme liter bike? Get the BMW S1000RR... 50 hp more than my Busa, 100 lbs lighter...

[East Bay Rider]

I'm 48 and the only reason I'm not riding a sport bike is the leg position - due to back problems surely caused by years of riding dirt bikes. Look into the upright standard versions of the sport bikes like the Yamaha FZ1 and the Suzuki B-King (I'm not sure of the newer models available but you get the idea).
Also visit the demo days and ride the crazy fast and powerful ones. Is it something you'd want to live with or something you just need to experience and then move on.
Personally I absolutely love speed and power and know I'd abuse it regularly if I had too much. I ride a Honda Valkyrie - not exactly mundane in the cruiser world but not in the same boat as what you're looking at currently.
Good luck.

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by 2th Dr

Nailed it! Always be prepared for the unexpected or even unpredictable. Over 99% of motorcycle accidents COULD have been avoided. I ride like I am invisible and am always prepared to take evasive action.

happy and safe riding from one "old guy" to another

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by cornerstore

I'm 65 with a bad ticker, here's what I'm getting.

Hahaha awesome I hope I never have to ride something like that, but kudos to the old guy(although I suspect it's a bit of a gag and he's got a more traditional bike)

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I'm 48 and the only reason I'm not riding a sport bike is the leg position - due to back problems surely caused by years of riding dirt bikes. Look into the upright standard versions of the sport bikes like the Yamaha FZ1 and the Suzuki B-King (I'm not sure of the newer models available but you get the idea).
Also visit the demo days and ride the crazy fast and powerful ones. Is it something you'd want to live with or something you just need to experience and then move on.
Personally I absolutely love speed and power and know I'd abuse it regularly if I had too much. I ride a Honda Valkyrie - not exactly mundane in the cruiser world but not in the same boat as what you're looking at currently.
Good luck.

+1 on the FZ1! I had a gen 1 for 10 years, and have had my gen 2 since 2012. Great all arounder, no electronic gizmos, a practical "sportbike" that can tour, canyon carve, and will easily run a comfortable pace as well as a pure sportbike, at sane speeds, and do it all much more comfortably. If I had one bike, the FZ1 would be it. I have yet to find a better all rounder at the price.

[mailman]

As long as it doesn't cause problems with your marriage/family I say buy it. Only you can decide if you feel too old once you ride it.

I've been riding for around 25 years now. I tend to stay out of the city. My father and uncle are both 72 and still ride.

As far as people pointing out statistics, I don't pay attention to them. You can get hit by a car crossing the street. Your fate is already pre determined.

I lost a cousin in a motorcycle accident 20 years ago. We were the same age and very close. No one in our family or who was close to him stopped riding because of it.

Buy what you like and enjoy. Have you ever seen an unhappy person on a motorcycle?

[Pix]

I think the big question remains: Is it safe to wear your Rolex on a sport bike!

[DoxaDavid]

Originally Posted by Pix

I think the big question remains: Is it safe to wear your Rolex on a sport bike!

I have been waiting for someone to ask that?

"is it ok to wear a Rolex on a motorcycle? What if it gets wet or will the vibration hurt the movement?"

Haha LOL!

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by DoxaDavid

I have been waiting for someone to ask that?

"is it ok to wear a Rolex on a motorcycle? What if it gets wet or will the vibration hurt the movement?"

Haha LOL!

Get something with more than 2 cylinders and vibration won't be an issue.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by DoxaDavid

I have been waiting for someone to ask that?

"is it ok to wear a Rolex on a motorcycle? What if it gets wet or will the vibration hurt the movement?"

Haha LOL!

Actually I believe this topic has indeed been brought up before. Unless your bike is a real bone shaker I think the only risk to the watch is if you have a get-off. Then bad things can happen to it though at that point the watch would probably be the least of your concerns.

[handsfull]

I've owned many sport bikes, most of them Ducati. I have owned a few Honda, Suzuki, etc but kept going back to Ducati....V-twin's are hard to beat. I sold my Ducati 998 a few years ago because it simply wasn't getting any use (have 3 kids/all in sports). Was only paying $160.00 a year for insurance, but after having to replace tires ONLY because they were too old (they get hard) at a tune of $500.00...it had to go. LOL. Aside from that, every year it's the same thing....sandy spring roads, dump trucks with loose loads/debris hitting you at 90MPH, resident foreigners with no driving skills, etc....dangerous. I went down at about 80MPH into my 3rd year riding, and it was a MEGA eye opener. I rode much, much differently after that happened...and truthfully....it was alot less fun to ride anymore (unless your on a track!).

That said, if I were to buy another bike it would be a KTM Superduke.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by cornerstore

I'm 65 with a bad ticker, here's what I'm getting.

[Shibumi]

Originally Posted by 2th Dr

Nailed it! Always be prepared for the unexpected or even unpredictable. Over 99% of motorcycle accidents COULD have been avoided. I ride like I am invisible and am always prepared to take evasive action.

I'll see you and raise you one- I pretend that everyone else is actively TRYING to kill me, and I make it impossible for them to do so...

I remember a post I put up on a bike forum titled "Just another day"- rode 100 miles on great, curvy roads, had two near-death experiences.

First a Suburban crossed the center line oncoming into my lane on a curve and I had to miss him, then later an idiot on a Harley pulled out in front of me as I was already passing a line of 6 cars driving slowly- he was second in line, never even looked over his shoulder as he pulled out to pass...I was doing about 130 to his 50 when I went around him, probably almost sucked his leather vest off...

[dph473]

Well looks like lots of differing opinions here. Guess bottom line is do what you want to do. Never too old for sport bikes if it's something you love. I've ridden sport bikes since I was 16. I took a break from riding then 5 years ago I got the itch and got a CBR600RR. It was plenty fast and nimble for me. It gives me another option in the garage from my Harley Road Glide. I'm also in my late 40s so insurance is about $500/yr for both bikes full coverage.

[DoxaDavid]

It would seem that I'm not alone in my desire to ride something sporty when it comes to two wheels after 40 and that is what I was looking to hear about. Will update the thread after I figure out what I am going to do.

Thanks to everyone who posted!

[J!m]

I love Triumph (old and new) and desperate;y want a Thruxton. Need approval, but I will get one some day... Might be over 50 by then but that won't slow me down.

Another option to consider for many reasons is an M. V. Agusta. Pure class, smooth as silk and you won't likely see another on the road.

Enjoy the ride and stay safe!