Since I returned to motorcyling, and until this year, I have had a Sport Touring motorcycle of 800cc, three in fact. The reason for my choice, was in part due to my physical stature. I’m slightly less than 5’10” in height. As much as I would have loved to spend time off-road, being a mostly sole rider, I thought it wise to not push my luck too much in the wilderness, even though it’s where I try to spend most of my time.
Instead, I usually take my bike to a trailhead or location where I can lock up my bike safely and then pack in my equipment on foot. The obious issue, as I am now over 70, is that packing in my equipment kit, which in total now is getting closer to 80 lbs., limits the distance that I can travel and therefore the area of wilderness I want to spend time in.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my Kawasaki Ninja 1000sx. It gets me to my jump-off destination point swiftly, safely and comfortably. It is a transcanada mile muncher that suits my riding style and my temperament. What is doesn’t suit is gravel roads, trails, steep inclines or deep muddy roads.
Lately I’ve been considering purchasing another bike, as my BMW F800st just blew itself up, metaphorically speaking, on my last ride of the year. I’ve spoken to a variety of people who have weighed in on the issue of what to buy, and I’ve done a deep research dive into the best options for me.
What I’m finding is that what’s good for the gander is good for the entire gaggle. Friends who have for years espoused a resolute and stiff upper lip when asked if they will ever give up their full-size motorcycle, which is generally in excess of 1000cc’s, tell me, absolutely. The reason? An equation that is hard to argue with, that being, weight over age.
Most of my friends are in excess of 60 years of age. Some, in their 80’s and 90’s. They all stress that as their physical abilities, particularly core strength has diminished, they have toyed with the idea of downsizing. When you look at this years crop of motorcycles and the demographic that buys them, you notice another correlation. The most popular motorcycles are being bought by three groups of riders, older men, younger men and women.
And, while adventure bikes have been the rage for a considerable period of time, Sport Touring motorcycles are making a robust sales recovery. Depending on the country of residence, five or six motorcycles that would be considered Sport Touring Adventure Lookalikes are flying out the doors of motorcycle dealerships and snapped up online as used motorcycles.
Most notable of these is Yamaha’s extremely popular Tracer 9 GT. at sub 500 lbs. it also suits the older rider. Older riders still want performance. They also want reliability, longevity, a sound dealer network and affordability. Middle weight motorcycles, which for the sake of argument I’ll suggest range in size from 400 cc to 900 cc, seem to be the most popular motorcycle range on the market today.
For those who want both off-road and the ability to tour, whilst being short enough and light enough for both sexes and those latter in age, BMW’s 650 GS seems to fit the bill. Irrespective of your choice, most manufacturers are aware of the dilemma faced by older riders, younger riders and women.
Young riders are happy enough with the purchase price, performance, fuel usage, insurance cost, reliability and either off-road capability or touring/storage capability for long distance travel. They aren’t impressed with cost, size, weight, unreliability and low horsepower.
Personally, my next bike will likely be smaller again, with an off road capability as well, due to the fact that being retired, I would like to have just one bike to insure, fuel and maintain that can be the Swiss Army variant of a motorcycle I need, if not totally want.
What are your thoughts? None of us is getting younger and weight and cost are serious considerations going forward.
Thanks for coming. Be safe, be well and be successful in keeping the shiny side up.
Ciao.
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