I did exactly the same last year and bought a Thruxton, minces are shite reflexes are shite so slow old plugger twin perfect, and having a ball on it
I’m the only one of my group of mates still riding a sportsbike, even coming up for 55, they just seem to suit me, I like the riding position and just love the whole experience, I’ve tried other stuff but always end up back on a old Blade. The Street Triple is a great bike and ideal for hooning around on, but it still doesn’t deliver that sportsbike experience.
Your not wrong, I only went for a low power thumper because of earlier comments. But I do still like the full sports bike riding position without the 0-1 million in 0.2 secs
If I could afford to have one sat in the garage, I would still have a 750 GSXR. One of them lovely sunny evenings, one piece leathers on, and take a blast round my favourite loop. Getting a touch on just thinking about it
Don't get me wrong the first thing I did was put High compression pistons and new cams to liven it up a bit
Sometimes i feel 100bhp is too much. With my type of riding, i don't need a 90 mph plus bike just a bike that i can drive 300 to 400 miles a day without bum sores. Latley ive been following a young chap on Youtube who toured Europe on a 125 V twin Honda and then later toured Africa on a Honda CRF250. Ok, both of the bikes can just hit 75mph but he still had fun and enjoyed himself. So my thinking after years of having 1000 plus cc bike and not using even half their power purchase 500 to 650cc will suit my touring style and licence Why rush when you can take in the beautiful vistas and arrive at the destination relaxed
I find it’s not really about the outright speed with the bigger engines but it’s just good to have the power for acceleration, especially to get away from some of the idiot myopic car drivers. I know it can be too tempting sometimes to use all the power, but ultimately you don’t have to and can just pootle and enjoy the views.
I still love bikes, but advancing years and short legs are my main downfalls, what I would like is an adventure type bile of 300 to 650cc, but no more that 160KG and a sub 800mm set height, does it exist? (PS, don't like KTM's, pig ugly IMO).
Most adventure bile's, by definition have long travel suspension! So sounds like your looking for unicorn poo? If you lower, aren't you defeating the object? FYI, I have a KTM
You know i have never really owned an out and out sport bike...i have owned a few customs with sport bike engines and its very strange being able to do 120+ on a chopper with long springers, and i used to have a tuned Thunderbird (old type custom) that would happily cruise at 90 all day long, but i find its far more rewarding riding slower and watching the scenery... ridden a few friends sport bikes but just didn't like them...I'll just stick with the T160 until i cant take the jolts any more ...getting close as I'm coming up 67 and had cancer last year (clear now) and getting my knee joints replaced this year
I'm well over 60 and went the other way to most people......swapped a BMW gs for a speed triple, great bike,love riding it.... only downside is its not as practical as the GS in terms of comfort and carrying capacity. Made up for by the howling exhaust and sheer stomp of the engine though!
Nudging the biblical three score and ten, but can't bring myself to get rid of my sportier bike. I use the Tiger 800 for all practical rides - long distance, touring, shopping, etc. But there is nothing like a summer evening blast on the R1200S. It's not super-powerful, and I like to treat her with a bit of care now, so not doing silly speeds, but hustling it along a winding road, to nowhere special, leaves me buzzing. I'd also like to own a Ducati 900ss before I push up daisies. Got no desire to ride any of the modern 200+ bhp missiles though.
I had a bit of an inspirational catch up yesterday with an old guy who used to be my apprentice training instructor 32 years ago. Met up with him at a local bike meeting place. He’s 86 now and still riding, just done his annual tour around Scotland and gets out on his CB750 as often as he can. Don’t think I’ll be complaining about aching after riding my Daytona quite so much now
Sounds good sir mind you I didn’t get on a bike till I was 60 just got the speed twin a month ago for my 70th .... regards Fred
@Tony Richardson There's a CCM 450 single that might just fit that bill. https://www.ccm-motorcycles.com/bikes/gp450-adventure/
Don’t worry bout it! I turned 40 and treated myself to a new street scrambler after years of sports bikes, absolutely loving the change of pace and amount of attention it draws. Enjoy what you ride
