I thinking of buying a motercycle. I am a male senior over 60?

Question

I havent ridden sense I was 16. I got my temps and I have ridden on a few rebels. I was wondering which would be the best cycle for me. a 250 rebel, a v star250 Yamaha or a 500cc of some kind. to have my first year. I want a bike thats handles great and looks nice. any and all ideas would be cool .

Answer 1

I am 54 and hadn't ridden in several years. I dodged a 1100 size for fears of being overwhelmed by the power and weight. I bought a 750 and is is just right. 750 Shadow is fine and you're NOT too old to ride. These kids think they're the only ones qualified but they like speed. Older guys like riding and life. Go for it. Ride whatever you want and can hold up and s***w what everyone else thinks. Just like s*x and bicycles, you never forget how.

Answer 2

Find a used Honda Goldwing GL 1800. They handle like a sport bike, and are the most comfortable bike made. Then when you want to make a 200 or 300 mile or longer trip you'll be good to go.

Take a safety course, then go enjoy.

Answer 3

I bought my 750 Honda from a gent whose wife

had made him sell it because he turned SEVENTY.

He rode the bike fine and was quite sad when

I left with it.

Two points, 70 years and the 750 Honda ACE

worked once.  Take a look at them.

Tell all the naysayers to take a hike, its not

LIKE YOU WANT TO TAKE UP SKYDIVING

for h***s sake!!!

Answer 4

Assuming you are going to use your head look at a Honda Shadow 600 or 750. Both are cruisers both are roadable although the 750 will begin to handle freeway speed for short distances (40miles or so). Look at the shaft drive if you go for the 750. As an adult you will of course be careful and not speed around like an idiot. Buy a little bigger to begin will save you a bundle when that inevitable trade the weenie little rebel in for a bigger bike.

Answer 5

I would look into getting a Rebel or Shadow.. If u havent ridden in a while It shouldnt take long to remember everything so if ur looking for more power then I would say going with something over 450cc.. honda puts out a nice one.

Getting a 250 rebel if ur looking to ride long term, well I think u will get bored with the speed factor.. But its a nice bike...

Answer 6

unless you want to kill ur self

Answer 7

Speaking as a 40+ daughter of a 60+ dad who crashed his moto a few years ago, it's pretty scary.  I've also crashed, but never bad enough to be hospitalized (knock on wood).  It's funny he said, "I can't find anyone who thinks it's a good idea to get back on that thing!"

Here's my brilliant answer:  Get a sidecar or trike!  Do take the safety course, also.  It could save your life.

I think sidecars are  really cool & you can take your dog/wife/grandkid/girlfriend along.

Answer 8

i'm over 60 also and have not ridden since i was 25. i would think twice about it if i were you. i thought of doing it also,but if your h**l bent for it i would say stick around that 250 cc yamaha

Answer 9

custom Harley

Answer 10

Man, you got a lot of catching up to do!  I am 74, riding 56 years, LOT of miles and bikes.  Now ride a moded ZX11, 175 hp.  

But you do not care about me, you take the MSF course for a refresher, and will learn things you never knew or thought of as a teen ager.  Get a good full face helmet and gloves, boots, etc. and wear them.  Good leather jacket is nice, but if you live in the south,  the risk of heat exhaustion is greater than the risk of road rash.  As for a bike, assuming you are of sound mind and body, get at least a 750cc.  If you are not mature enough now to manage a larger bike, you should stick to comic strips.  Contrary to what a lot of the self appointed 'experts' say,  a bike WILL NOT kill or injure you, but it will allow you to do it to yourself if you do not pay attention to the common sense rules of riding.  A short list or common sense rules to ride by is:

1. Expect any car in front of you to try to get in your way.

2.  If he does, make it a point not to be there when he gets there.

3. Ride like you are as big as any trailer truck on the road, but be prepared to act like a motorcycle if a car driver still does not see you.

4. WATCH,WATCH,WATCH, see Everything.

5. No daydreaming.  Motorcycle riding requires 120% of your concentration.  

6. Safest speed in heavy traffic is slightly faster than normal traffic flow.  You are much safer passing them, than them passing you.  Keep traffic contact under your control.

7.  NEVER ride if under the influence of any chemical, medicine, or otherwise.  Or too tired.  See # 5.

8.  Practice proper stopping tactics.  Learn to use the brakes, especially the front, to maximum effectiveness.  

9.  Learn to use brakes on less than deal surfaces, wet, debris, etc.  

10.  Never be a show-off.

These are things I have learned in 56 years, and about 1/2 million miles, both here in the US, and in Europe.  There are many more things to learn, but I think these are the main ones.

We never quit learning.  

Tomcotexas.

Answer 11

Go for the 250 if you plan to only ride occasionally, or if gas mileage is your primary concern. However, if you expect that you are going to really be into your ride, head towards the 500s. They're still easy enough for inexperienced riders to get comfortable with, while having enough power to keep you happy after you become a bit more proficient.

As for all those posting dire warnings against getting a bike, both ignore them AND take a cautionary accounting. There are a lot of idiots on the road, and when you're on a bike you are especially at risk--HOWEVER, caution and common sense can make all the difference in the world. Nearly my entire family rides, and we're all accident free, 15+ years (knock on wood).

Answer 12

i think you shouldnt ask that kind of question you should just do it also cause you will mostly get teens on here

Answer 13

I don't ride, but my husband does, and he likes the 2007 Suzuki Boulevard m109r. As for size he won't ride one that is under a 850cc because he says he wants to know he has the power to get out of the way of a car "just in case" it is necessary.  (he even made sure our son's first bike was an 1300cc & this before he could ride!)

As we all know motorcycles can be dangerous, but for the most part it is because the autos don't watch out for them. If you are a safe and careful rider, and can control the bike, then the size of the bike really is your choice. So make your choice carefully.

It's better to have the power and not need it then need it and not have it. And believe me, there were plenty of times when we were riding when vehicles would pull out in front of us, or over on top of us and he could just Gun it and go! We were out of harms way. Without the power, I shudder to think of where we would be today.  Of course, I do stress the fact that you need to be a strong capable rider.

I hope that this helps.

Answer 14

Why don't you take the MSF Basic course first for a refresher? Good safety training for anyone that hasn't ridden or hasn't ridden in a long time. They will provide a 250 bike for you to take the course on and you can see how it fits.

Rebels are pretty small. Unless you are pretty short you might want to look at a little bigger frame bike. I thought the Nighthawk was a better size.

That said I bought a Suzuki Burgman 400. It is big enough for the freeway, comfortable enough to tour on but yet small enough for city riding. My husband looked down on it at first but now he swipes it all the time. Also the thing gets tons of compliments on looks.

Answer 15

500 CC or Canam Spider!  You rock!  Just wear your helmet!  :)

Answer 16

i wish someone could talk you out of this. i am a paramedic and have never seen anybody have even 5 good years on a bike. it is always someone else that causes the wreck.

dont do it. it has been 44 years. buy a convertible or something brother.

Answer 17

get a mopad

Answer 18

What sort of riding are you planning to do? The 500cc may be adequate for medium length rides but anything smaller would be unbearable. The 250s would be great around town and for much shorter trips.

Two rules:

1. Drivers of cars and trucks can't see you.

2. Even if they do, they'll run you over anyway.

Stay safe.

Answer 19

I'd go for a bandit 600cc - ticks all the boxes - be careful though!!!

It's too late for a midlife crisis cowboy lol x

Answer 20

NO. dont listen to those other people.

Go with the Honda Rebel 250. It handles great and theyre just the best.

Answer 21

Its murder on the streets.

If you hit the ground once, and break bones, your gonna be a long time mending, if at all.

Answer 22

I'm 62, been riding since I was eighteen. I have reflexes and auto-responses that take years to develop. Go for the gusto, but ALWAYS keep in mind that your reflexes aren't as sharp as they need to be if the s**t hits the fan, so ride accordingly.

And don't try any endos or other stunts!!!!!LOL

Answer 23

wow go old guy

Answer 24

disregard all these "wish they had a life" experts. Take a Motorcycle Safety Course to refresh and reteach, you won't regret it. yes, like riding a bike, you'll pick it up again in a micro second. reentry into the two wheel world...~700cc should get you there. but if your into highway cruising or distant riding, you might consider something a bit bigger.

over 35 years on two wheels, traveled from one end of the states to the other, you won't regret it...consider it the fountain of youth on two wheels, except your much smarter than some youth.

Answer 25

Probably the yamaha.  Be safe.

Answer 26

As one old guy to another ,Go for it like they say you only live once And we have already done that ,So go have some fun just be safe a 500 shouldnt be to much just get used to it for a while you will be ok.

Im about the same age and I ride a 127 cubic inch Shovel that I will prob ride into the sunset