50 Years Old and Back On a Bike

50 Years Old and Back On a Bike

by Terry
(Littleton, MA)

I am gearing up to get a motorcycle after not having one for some time. I am fifty, heavyset, and 5'7. I will ride this bike on local trips and long tours. Does anyone have any suggestions as too the bike I should be looking at..

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50 Years Old and Back On a Bike

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Nov 30, 2009

Bikes...
by: Barb

Hi Terry,

I hadn't heard of the group you mentioned, but I will check them out. Currently I ride with W.O.M.E.N. (Women On Motorcycles Enjoying Nature). It's lots of fun, but local to Western Washington State. An international group would be fun and no doubt educational.

Let us know what kind of bike you end up with, OK?

Good luck!

Barb

Nov 30, 2009

Thanks
by: Terry

Thanks Barb. Great insight. Are you part of the International Women's Motorcycle Club?

Terry

Nov 30, 2009

Riding again...
by: Barb

Hi Terry,

Why not begin with the same brand of bike you had before? I'm about a decade older than you are, and I run to type: I've had vertical twins all my riding life. I guess if, for example, you had a Sportster, the choice would be easy...either a nice HD or one of the many clones.

I'm about your size--not overweight but certainly not skinny, and I find that my 32 year-old XS650 Yamaha works just fine for me, but then, I'm not really in a hurry any more.

Something else: with whom will you be riding? If you ride with people on sport bikes, you'll want to get something that will keep up without being intimidating, right? If your friends ride cruisers, then there are lots of V-twins from 650cc up that would work.

Most dealers have a used bike section, and you could start there. Find a dealer you like, and walk in with an insurance card and motorcycle endorsement, and ask for some test rides.

And mainly, enjoy it! Congratulations on returning to the fold!

Good luck!

Barb

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