| Motorcycle rides and riders in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia | |||||||
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10-31-2012, 09:56 AM
| #1 |
| Training Wheels  Joined: Oct 2012 From: Redmond, OR I Ride: Ninja 250 | Bike Suggestions for 59 year old man Hi guys (and gals), I need your expertise. So my Dad wants to start riding. He grew up on a farm, riding quads and dirt bikes but hasn't been on a motorcycle since he used to ride his friend's Goldwing 20 years a go (which he was confident enough to let me ride on the back of at ten years old around the neighborhood much to my mother's chagrin). My Mom just left him after 39 years and it will be a great hobby to take his mind off of everything, though he's handling it well. He's amazingly level headed and is the safest car driver I know, and has great spatial skills after driving semis for 20 years when he was younger. He isn't required to, but I recommended he take Team Oregon next spring. I also recommended he start small, like even on a 250. He's five ten, about 200 lbs. I feel now that was probably the wrong advice, since he'd outgrow it in months and he would be commuting on the highway to work. So maybe a 650? Looking for reliability, heavy enough for the highway, but a little fun, too. I don't know enough about bikes to really steer him into some good options. Thanks for your help! |
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10-31-2012, 10:20 AM
| #3 |
| Training Wheels Joined: Oct 2012 From: Redmond, OR I Ride: Ninja 250 | Not bad, not bad. I was just looking at them. Looks nice, relatively lightweight, okay for beginners, good for highway travel, affordable. Thanks. |
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10-31-2012, 10:22 AM
| #4 |
| Railer  Joined: May 2008 From: Seattle, Wa I Ride: at a speed that allows me to ride again tomorrow GSX650FK8, DL650K5, SH150i, AN400K7, 2013 WR250R | If he doesn't start small, Wee Strom.  Last edited by Suzuki Stevo; 10-31-2012 at 04:26 PM.. |
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10-31-2012, 10:23 AM
| #5 |
| Bat Crazed  Joined: May 2009 From: WA I Ride: 08, R1 | First of all 59 is young; Not knowing him or his passions I couldn't recommend any particular machine. The only suggestion is don't go too small, by that I mean under 600cc. With todays driver mindset, and clogged hwys, the ability to negotiate one's self out of trouble requires. Knowledge, Skills, power, brakes, and proper gear. Also would not be commuting on these rain soaked freeways having not ridden in over 20 years. The space I occupy while driving my PU/Car is "Far" removed from the "Ass Hats" distance/courtesy I'm given while on my bike...AJ |
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10-31-2012, 10:23 AM
| #6 |
| Licensed  Joined: Jun 2010 From: Everett I Ride: Track bike | x2 on the sv650. had an '05 as my first bike a couple years back and freaking loved it. never should have sold it. great torque and plenty of power for ripping around on the streets. the suspension is the bike's Achilles heel, but with some upgraded springs and different fork oil, it can be improved tremendously. |
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10-31-2012, 10:40 AM
| #9 |
| Railer | 59, newly single? That's got Harley written ALL over it. Maybe a Dyna, with tassels on the grips.  Seriously: BMW F650GS, F800ST, Suzuki SV650, Kawi Versys, Triumph Street Triple. Yami FZ6. See the trend here? |
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10-31-2012, 10:49 AM
| #10 |
| Training Wheels Joined: Oct 2012 From: Redmond, OR I Ride: Ninja 250 | Haha, Dave. Though I'd rather see him buy a Harley than a Miata for his mid-life crisis... I love the Triumph Street Triple! Maybe in a million years when I can properly handle my little 250 without being scared shitless... |
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10-31-2012, 10:50 AM
| #11 |
| Training Wheels  Joined: Sep 2005 From: Bellevue WA I Ride: Ducati ST-4s | I'm 73 and find my 2002 Ducati ST-4S to be perfect for what you describe that might work for your father. Besides, adjusting the valves will keep him out of the biker bars. |
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10-31-2012, 11:09 AM
| #12 |
| Retired  Joined: Mar 2008 From: SE Portland / Bucerias, Nayarit Mx I Ride: 03' CBR1100XX, 84 GL1200A | 20 years off a bike doesn't necessarily make someone forget how to ride, find him an older Goldwing if he was/is comfortable with it and set him loose. Living out there in Redmond a comfortable bike with a stereo and luggage space is going to be a winner. |
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10-31-2012, 11:23 AM
| #14 |
| Peg Dragger  Joined: Jan 2009 From: Snohomish, WA USA I Ride: anything I can get my hands on | I agree with the guys above.. I never tire of racing my SV and think it is a fantastic bike that is not overly uncomfortable to ride.. Fz1 is a nice ride as well.. |
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10-31-2012, 11:51 AM
| #16 |
| Peg Dragger  Joined: Mar 2012 From: Gig Harbor, WA I Ride: 2002 Honda VFR800 | Honda VFR800 is a great all around bike. Its friendly to beginners yet with more capable riders it can hang with almost anything. Its comfortable and super reliable...On VFR enthusiast forums its pretty much agreed you do not need to do valve checks on them, members report they do their first valve check at 80,000 to 100,000 miles and need no adjustments! Got good control, breaks, buttery smooth, seat position, and good fairing protection. But i have to agree with others that he would fit a Harly or Goldwing just fine! All depends on what kind of rider he is. |
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10-31-2012, 12:09 PM
| #17 |
| Training Wheels Joined: Oct 2012 From: Redmond, OR I Ride: Ninja 250 | Sweet! I'm going over tonight with a list we can look at online and then go from there. Appreciate everyone's feedback and time. And Weig17, that looks more like my speed if I was smart... |
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