Returning To Biking

[Kevin B]

I have a Full bike license (I passed my test back in the mid-80s) and I'm looking to return to biking after a break of around 12 years.

Which would you recommend - just doing it and getting the bike I want, or getting a smaller bike to get back into the swing of things first?

If it helps at all, my last bike was a Suzuki GSX750F, and I'm looking at sports tourers or trail bikes as I'm 6'5".

[Capt Sisko]

The obvious answer given your height is to recommend a big adventure bike and your choice is wide & varied, but you've obviously ridden physically small bikes before and fitted them okay. Up to you, however there is a new generation of 'tallrounders' that have hit the scene in recent years that sound right up your street. Most of them are very modern in terms of looks & tech and it's difficult to find a dud amongst them.

 

To chuck my pennies worth in, to start you off I'd go recent but second hand 750(ish) bike, decent low down pulling power rather than a need to keep it in the power band type engine.  Something like a Suzuki V-Strom 800RE, Honda NC750X or similar. New & modern enough to have the tech & toys, enough power for day to day use but not so powerful that'll frighten you. If in a year or so's time the bug has bitten and you've learned what works (or doesn't) for you, you'll get a good PX on it.

 

That's essentially what I did when I got back into bikes. I bought an low mileage BMW F800GT, (great bike but ultimately physically to small for me), then having figured out what I did and didn't like bought a R1250RT.

 

IMPORTANT. Take a couple of lessons. I'm not recommending an IAM or ROSPA course at the moment (but putting my IAM Observers hat on, long term they are a good thing to do), instead find a local bike school, tell them your state of play and say you'd like a ride out or two with constructive criticism. We've all picked up our bad habits, forgotten some of the basics and having a trained eye point out these might feel like they're being picky, but it ain't a bad thing to be reminded about whilst also getting pointers that will improve your riding generally.

 

Good luck and welcome back to the fold.  

 

 

 

 

Edited February 4 by Capt Sisko

[Davidtav]

Well this was me about six years ago. I contacted a local bike school and spent half a day with them.  Basically because I wanted to know if I actually still wanted to do it.  I did.  They put me on a Kawasaki Z650 and one on one I went around North Yorkshire with an instructor. Very good investment. I recommend you do similar. And because I felt the Z650 suited me that is the type of bike I purchased.… I now have a Suzuki V Strom 650 which at 6 foot 2 does fit me really well.  Hope that is helpful 

Edited February 4 by Davidtav

[Davidtav]

Just a postscript to my previous post. On my days training coming back to biking, my instructor recommended that I buy a Versys rather than the standard Z650 I was riding. Because of my height. And I ignored that advice mainly because the Versys was £1k more expensive. That was a mistake.  I should have bought the Versys. And if I had then I would probably still have it. 

[bonio]

What's the bike you're after? I think a lot depends on this  

 

[RideWithStyles]

Agree with capt &Dav.

things to remember is you’ve changed (size, mentality, and needs), bikes have too, so what you you had then isnt the same now as you remember, nor need be now.

ive been up and down capacity and styles of bikes since riding and more than likely the next bike will be different again.

 

budget for bike, kit (your helmet will be well beyond its best by date) and look at insurance before committing to purchase of bike?

usage intended- one season, fair weather, all seasons, tour, commuting? 

 

When looking at various bikes by all meant a sit and check out at supermarket style seller as a load of bikes in one place to get references of fit for you, BUT MY ADVICE WOULD BE NOT TO BUY ONE OFF THEM (see post on superbike factory)-  go to a proper dealer or garage for that bike.

 

[Kevin B]

Thanks for all the comments above and all duly noted, especially about going on a constructive rideout with an instructor - hadn't thought of that.

 

Yes, I will need to review the kit I have to see what still fits, etc.

 

I'm guessing that there's no useful database online somewhere that I can go to where I can tick various options (ABS, bike style, cc ranges, etc.) and it drops me a list of bikes that fit the categories?

 

@bonio @RideWithStyles I haven't decided on a bike yet - more a case of wanting to at least sit on several to see what feels comfortable, so the supermarket seller is a good call.

 

A lot of the time, the shape of the fairing is the issue as I have quite long legs. Back in the day when I tried a few,  my kneecaps were either touching or millimetres off the "external" types which meant I couldn't move forward a bit when carrying a pillion. For example, the style of fairing on a GSX-R 1000 would NEVER work, but my old GSX750F was fine, so it needs to be either a fully molded fairing or a naked.

[RideWithStyles]

Well this is why I said, you and bikes have changed.

you may find something you never thought would be you back then but it is now?
open your view to Big naked, roadster, sport touring, cruiser or a road going adventure bike for example.

 

Something like mcn is good start.

there was one site that gave you the rider to bike triangle but it was old and not very up to date.

 

abs is on all modernish bikes.

i wouldnt get hung up on cc too much, what engine configuration is more important.

[bonio]

Like @RideWithStyles says, I don't think you should get focussed on engine size. But you might bear the weight in mind. At 190kg, your last bike was a medium weight machine but add another 20 or 30 kg, and the experience could be different.  

I think you're going to need to try some out to come to any decisions. If I were in your position, I'd spend a day at a place that has a large number of secondhand bikes for sale, sit on as many different styles as I can find, and then try to get a test ride on the ones I found comfortable.  I think you'll be fine with whatever cc bike you end up with, but for your own peace of mind, do the test rides in order from small bike to large. You don't have to make any decisions that day, but I like to think you'd come away with more idea of the of bike you're looking for.