FabSwingers.com forum: motorcycle

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I have been thinking off getting a motorcycle. Now i havnt actually rode one for over 20 years. I have a full bike licence and wondered if anybody can recommend a bike. Looking for a touring machine not a race bike. Something i can ride for a few hours along the south coast without my spine breaking. Cheers.

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By *ndym12Man
over a year ago

Ivybridge

How about a nice big Harley mate???

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By *rixie and dixieCouple
over a year ago

Birmingham

"I have been thinking off getting a motorcycle. Now i havnt actually rode one for over 20 years. I have a full bike licence and wondered if anybody can recommend a bike. Looking for a touring machine not a race bike. Something i can ride for a few hours along the south coast without my spine breaking. Cheers."

Can't recommend a bike I'm afraid but I do love going to Hunstanton on a Sunday to see the bikes

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

get a scooter....nice little vespa or Lambretta

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Aww tomorrow i move from here...heading back down south.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Been riding bikes 12 months a year for 35 years now. Was a riding instructor for several years. Also a bike mechanic so I have worked on and ridden most things.

If youve not ridden for 20yrs dont get anything too big. Thats how most middle aged men coming back to bikes get killed.

Go for something mid range, 600 ish cc. Bikes have moved on in the last 20 yrs so are a lot quicker than you will remember them. Dont get a Harley. There are so many reasons for that statement I cant cover them all on here. Why pay so much for a bike and then have to ride so slowly because it wont go around corners or stop. Ive owned two and ridden hundreds. Dont do it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've been riding for 16 years, ride all year round and mostly had big bikes, BMW GS's, RT's etc. My last bike was a Honda transalp which I loved but we had an argument with a car last year and it died! I replaced it with a Honda NC750X, the smallest, least powerful bike I've ever owned but I have to say, is, for what I want now, the best bike I've had yet. I mostly commute and occasionally go out weekends to the coast or similar.

Miss F

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

How's about a Honda VFR 800, tours, commutes, comfy but will scratch too if you get a bit of confidence and an open road.

Clean S/H are decent money too, and it won't fall to bits in 5 mins

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Yeah i looked at the honda the other day and the bmw f 800. Things have moved on so much in 20 years.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Fancy one as my move up from my 250

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Yeah i looked at the honda the other day and the bmw f 800. Things have moved on so much in 20 years."

They sure have. I looked at the F800 but the Honda won on many points, the dealer being local was a big thing for me. BM's aren't as well built as they used to be but still a great bike. The tank is under the seat and makes it so well balanced, the storage where the tank usually is is a bonus, fits a full face helmet easily.

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By *ratty_DamselWoman
over a year ago

Greater London

"Been riding bikes 12 months a year for 35 years now. Was a riding instructor for several years. Also a bike mechanic so I have worked on and ridden most things.

If youve not ridden for 20yrs dont get anything too big. Thats how most middle aged men coming back to bikes get killed.

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By *ire_bladeMan
over a year ago

Manchester

As already said a vfr you won't go wrong wish I still had mine

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By *lf and ElfetteCouple
over a year ago

Goole

Look around see what takes your fancy, but I agree with an earlier post go for 600cc range maybe Honda 650 deville? ??? Does the job and comfy

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Make sure you sus out if you want an old pre Vtec model or a new one, the newer ones have abs, but I believe the Vtec engine can be a lil lumpy round town

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Where I live, a guy was taking photos of a big purple bike yesterday. Guess he is selling it but I have no idea what the make is.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'd go for naked bike; something like a Honda Hornet or Yamaha Phaser, both are easy and comfortable to ride. If you want to tour get a set of hard panniers fitted and some good all weather gear.

Avoid sports bikes as not only are they a bit twitchy for returning riders they are not the most comfortable over long distances (small fuel tanks and not great mpg too)

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Got to be a touring machine. I usually drive down to south west france twice a year to see my eldest daughter in spring and autumn , so comfort and reliabilty are a must. Good handling , storage.etc.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"get a scooter....nice little vespa or Lambretta"

Personally I would book a couple of lessons with an instructor first. ..a lot has changed in 20 years

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Got to be a touring machine. I usually drive down to south west france twice a year to see my eldest daughter in spring and autumn , so comfort and reliabilty are a must. Good handling , storage.etc."

You need to go to a couple of dealers and try some - see what you like! Triumphs are worth a look....

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"get a scooter....nice little vespa or Lambretta

Personally I would book a couple of lessons with an instructor first. ..a lot has changed in 20 years "

Already have mate. I did 8 hours the other week. C&A Superbikes helped me out there.

Just thought as i am moving south shortly... well tomorrow ! It would be great to get back on a bike. Lets face it traffic is a nightmare now and if im moving back to the area i love it would be great to see it from a bike rather than a car.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Where I live, a guy was taking photos of a big purple bike yesterday. Guess he is selling it but I have no idea what the make is. "

It had to be big and purple

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There are basically 4 choices in the category you are looking for. 3 of which were not really options 20 years ago.

1 the "adventure" style popularised by the long way round TV show, only suitable for tall people really ( though the Suzuki offering is not quite so tall) I really need a triumph tiger 800 in my collection.

2 the cruiser, though Harley still have the market cornered, things like the Kawasaki VN range run faster, stop better and are not too bad in the corners. Worth a look if you want to sit back and enjoy the ride without excessive speed.

3 the traditional sports tourer, BMW developed this market my favourite is the Yamaha FJR. Probably a bit too responsive on the throttle after a long gap though. VFR sits on the edge of this group and is a good choice.

4 you should look at the new large "scooters" Suzuki make a 400cc one that a friend uses to commute from south coast to London. These are nothing like the old Vespa style, bigger wheels make them much safer and easier to enjoy. Basically 90% of the R&D money spent in the last 10 years has gone on these types of bike, I don't want one, but they are safe, fast, well designed, and practical

Get your self round the bike shops see what makes your heart beat faster then get some test rides in.

Good luck, be careful and have fun.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Where I live, a guy was taking photos of a big purple bike yesterday. Guess he is selling it but I have no idea what the make is.

It had to be big and purple

I noticed because he was blocking the path with it. did look comfy though

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If your touring I agree with some previous posts. Honda Duville or for a sportier approach a VFR Honda. Not the v tech model though. Ass ache to service and not very smooth.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

triumph street triple to start with,awesome bikes

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By *arehamMan
over a year ago

handforth

Honda gold wing,or pan Europene

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By *ichaelangelaCouple
over a year ago

notts

"Honda gold wing,or pan Europene

nothing...... nothing can beat a goldwing

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Vfr800 wither the pre vetch 5th gen (98-01) or a post 07 model where the vetch got fixed after that.

They released a brand new model this year, all the mod cons abs, traction control etc and some very snazzy honda luggage that slots in wonderfully over the grab rails no more pissing about with bolts.

But that's like 11k new versus about 2-3 for a nice quality pre vtech.

If you havnt ridden in a long time I'd be weary of the massive tourers such as the gold wing as the weight is gonna be a bitch to catch when you inevitably stall it at a junction getting used to it.

( on that note R&D crash bungs will let you drop a stationary 5th gen vfr with only a minor scuff to the bung and the mirror)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Oh and get a mra dubble bubble screen it's 130 before you even feel the need to start tucking in lol. They do a touring one as well that's even more pronounced.

I would also recommend getting a cree led headlight replacement. Just swap the bulbs over h4's and stick the blast to the side of the light housing. Insanely bright perfect for stormy situations or night time also hardly had somone pull out on me since putting them on.

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

"How about a nice big Harley mate???"

Only any good in straight lines

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By *alandNitaCouple
over a year ago

Scunthorpe

"Look around see what takes your fancy, but I agree with an earlier post go for 600cc range maybe Honda 650 deville? ??? Does the job and comfy"

I'd avoid the Deville, it's really under powered for its weight. Plus the panniers are integrated, so you can't take them off when you don't need them

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Cheers for the replies. Had a look in a couple of bike shops on saturday. Saw a Honda cb 500 that looked great. But also i quite liked the look if the Honda silverwing. Yes yes ... i know it is a scooter be it a powerful one . Anybody had any experience with large scooters ?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"powerful one . Anybody had any experience with large scooters ?"

As I said above I know someone who uses the Suzuki large scooter, commutes about 70miles each way and rates it very highly. Don't know anyone using the Honda but it has good reviews in the press.

If I was looking for practical I wouldn't discount them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Triumph Street Triple is a nice 675 cc bike loads of torque comfy and plain fun

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There's only one bike!

Moto Guzzi California. We're off to cap d adge on ours

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Honda gold wing,or pan Europene

nothing...... nothing can beat a goldwing

Guzzi guzzi guzzi

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Honda gold wing,or pan Europene

nothing...... nothing can beat a goldwing

Guzzi guzzi guzzi"

He wants a bike not a two wheeled car !!! Lol although 304 miles on a Daytona 675 in torrential rain is not a good idea for the record

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"There's only one bike!

Moto Guzzi California. We're off to cap d adge on ours"

Always loved the California looks. Not ridden one yet, maybe I will next time my garage feel incomplete.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Honda gold wing,or pan Europene

nothing...... nothing can beat a goldwing

Guzzi guzzi guzzi

He wants a bike not a two wheeled car !!! Lol although 304 miles on a Daytona 675 in torrential rain is not a good idea for the record "
lots of torque

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Honda gold wing,or pan Europene

nothing...... nothing can beat a goldwing

Guzzi guzzi guzzi

He wants a bike not a two wheeled car !!! Lol although 304 miles on a Daytona 675 in torrential rain is not a good idea for the record lots of torque"

Yea but not so good on the M6 when it's pissing down with a few inches of water on the road

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Bmw 1150 or 1200 gs easy to ride very comfortable

insurance is quite reasonable, test ride first good luck

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