Hello from undecided rider in Delaware

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NedM

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Dec 26, 2011
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Delaware
Good day:

I'm a 68 year old returning rider having a devil of a time trying to decide on what motorcycle to buy. Last bike was a '84 VT500 Ascot.

I'm very seriously considering a new Suzuki TU250 or Honda CBR250 as I suspect a 250 would suit virtually all my riding needs but I also realize for a like amount of money (about $4k) I could get a larger machine although it would of course be older. A friend in NJ has a '95 Goldwing and keeps sending me copies of the GWRRA newsletters and he has me really wondering about these models.

As luck would have it I saw an ad locally for a '81 that looks very well maintained in photos (have not seen the bike in person).

Wondering if many/most of you use your GW as an all-arounder or do you have a smaller bike for local rides and mostly rely on the GW for touring - something I sadly doubt I would do much of.

Your comments welcome.

Thank you.

Ned
 
Well there's plenty to be said for a smaller bike and whipping it around town and through traffic but also for having a larger bike, especially with enough power to get out of the way quick and it's being more visible.
I have my full dress and love it for long rides. It's ok for around town but I certainly wouldn't choose it over a smaller bike for around town in fact if I find the right deal on a 350-750 I'm jumping on it for that very purpose.


Welcome to the forums btw.
 
Hi Ned, Welcome....I'm a 67 year old rider and have gone to sidecaring with my 83 GL1100. If you are strong and in pretty good shape the solo wing is a good bet although I find that a naked wing is much more manageable for myself. A naked wing has all the weight down low and is very nimble and easy to ride at any speed. Once you have all the extra weight up high with fiberglass and plastic luggage and shiny stuff up high, I find it becomes much less manageable. Many of our fellows on here will disagree I am sure.

I do have spinal issues and weak arms due to nerve damage as well as emphysema so I have come to the point in my life that if I can't pick the bike up by myself, I don't own it.

I live in a small town and ride a Honda CT110 around town...although many people here use bicycles and I really should too...I am just kinda lazy..

My wife and I both are both of the multibike school. We think there is no one bike that does it all...If I had to choose and really have only one, it would be a Honda Transalp.....just my opinion though..

Brian in NM
 
I have an 82 Goldwing that I bought with the intention of mounting a side car. While I was looking for a side car I used it all summer rain or shine. The fairing made riding in the rain not a problem and the bags and trunk made it useful for errands. A small bike is great for running around but isn't very useful for carrying stuff. The Goldwing would do about anything you could do with a car except for carrying a couple of 2X4's. Now that I have the side car, it'll do that too!
 
well I am 71, been riding since I was a teen. Raced enduros and MX untill I was 62. I still have several dirt bikes, a dual sport and an 80Interstate running and an 82 builder and a 91Interstate waiting for me in Oregon.
I ride the wing around town and for crusing. I say do what you feel the most comfortable with.
The important thing is to ride. Riding keeps you young, and gives you buggs on your teeth from all the smiles you will have. The bigger bike will also give your wife bugs on her teeth also....I think BIGGER IS SMOOTHER FOR CRUSSING at highway speeds. :Egyptian: :Egyptian: :whistling:
 
Have put alot of miles on the "ole" 82 Asppy just going back & forth to work (only about a 18-20 mile round trip) I just like to ride :hi:
 
Hello Mr. undecided & Welcome from So. Cal. :hi: ,Another option besides the ones mention by other CGW'ers on this post would be to go to some dealer where you can have the option to throw your leg over a few machines of your choice and see how you feel on them.Riding them would be a broader experience of course.once visiting frisco came to mind that If living there with all those up & down hills I would have had a smaller 2nd machine like a sportster,klr 750,or a 80' Honda 750.Good luck with your purchase.Glad that 2012 will have a returning motorcyclist in our lines no matter what machine you'll ride :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: .Happy Holidays.
 
Welcome to the CGW Forums, Ned!!! :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

Weather permitting, I ride my '81 every day, but my ride to/from work is mostly hiway...very little in-town at all. For two-up riding, ya can't beat it, but it can get a little cumbersome two-up around town, in slower riding situations. I would love to find a sweet older CB750 to have for in town runnin, but I really don't need it.
 
Hello and Welcome,

I am a fairly new rider myself---riding for about 2.5 years. I own several different bikes.
For around town and the gas mileage (about 70mpg) and just a lot of relaxed fun I always choose my Yamaha Virago 250cc (similar to the Suzuki that you are considering). My wife learned on it and will NOT give it up for anything.

I have a hard time getting my Goldwing parked in a tight space in my garage by myself---riding it is very easy. But without reverse the weight is quite a lot--I am a big guy, but still have a hard time getting it up a driveway or backwards by myself.

If this is mainly for around town, I would advise a "smaller" bike. For about $4K you have a lot of choices in the used market. There are plenty of Yamaha V-Star 650cc in your price range. These will will give you plenty of worry free miles. For an example look at this bike close to you in Delaware.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/2767293719.html
or this https://delaware.craigslist.org/mcy/2725660978.html

Check out several bikes by actually sitting on them. You will quickly get that feeling back that you remember. Then, the right bike will find you. ("Harry Potter: the wand finds the owner").

Enjoy many years of safe riding, friend.

Simba
 
bk2valve":24uof37p said:
Wow, nice bike!.....she didn't catch you did she....damn these addictions!
Brian in NM
Click to expand...


If reading about motorcycles, cafe racers, GL restorations, looking Google images of Naked GoldWings, etc was a crime, I would be in jail for Life Without Parole.

No she didn't catch me. I pretended I was surfing some porn sites. Dang Craigslist is gonna get me in trouble one day.
Simba
 
I thank you all for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your opinions.

Simba:

I have indeed seen that ad; in fact that was the one that prompted my search that located this site.

Ned
 
simbaboy":2kvnd7du said:
bk2valve":2kvnd7du said:
Wow, nice bike!.....she didn't catch you did she....damn these addictions!
Brian in NM
Click to expand...


If reading about motorcycles, cafe racers, GL restorations, looking Google images of Naked GoldWings, etc was a crime, I would be in jail for Life Without Parole.

No she didn't catch me. I pretended I was surfing some porn sites. Dang Craigslist is gonna get me in trouble one day.
Simba
Click to expand...
:smilie_happy:
 
Haha...you be a funny dood, Simba....

me too....but at my age she knows I don't bother with porn any more....bikes are my porn. Actually 'she who must be obeyed' is a bike nut too so I have it made, just not anywhere enough money to really give my addiction a chance! I am in the position of having to sell something to buy anything else....what a dilemma...! Come on Lotto!
Brian
 
NedM":3auxowjo said:
I thank you all for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your opinions.

Simba:

I have indeed seen that ad; in fact that was the one that prompted my search that located this site.

Ned
Click to expand...
Ned, I am across the bridge in New Jersey. If you wanted an opinion on a local GL1100, I'd be glad to meet up with you! PM me if interested.
 

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