Be careful. My son had the same model. He was killed by a van driver who was driving whilst on his ‘phone. Simon was just 49 years young. An advanced rider too. I hate these things. My mate who is a surgeon in The Alfred hospital in Melbourne calls them “ donor machines.” They have always given me the shivers. Just saying again, be careful.
2 Likes
I know about modern stuff and its magic buttons etc … but when it comes to classics and elderly stuff… then one is talking about a very different “magic”…
ah… those were the days 
yes but we are blokes and we like “mansplaining” 
Or in my case Mannsplaining™
1 Like
I’d echo that. I’m a motorcyclist of nearly 50 years. The motorbike is a mode of transport for me, I don’t identify as a biker as such, it’s not a hobby or leisure activity. I’ve done just about every advanced course going, track days too, all in the name of staying safe and aware.
You still have moments though; a momentary lapse of concentration, a hazard not seen, whatever. You’re so very vulnerable on a bike, even the most innocuous of offs can do significant damage (I shudder when I see people in shorts and trainers/flip-flops on a bike, rider or pillion) I don’t dwell on it but I am aware. You don’t have to be a casualty (it’s not compulsory) but you don’t have a cage around you to protect you should the worst happen. You have to ride safe, be observant, treat everyone as having not seen you, be aware of your own limitations.
Btw, I don’t want to be a killjoy - it’s fun too.
Unfortunately, motorcycles are inherently dangerous things. Great fun, but what is a busted wing on a car is a smashed up leg on a bike.
I rode one daily at work and watched as very experienced colleagues were seriously injured, usually by someone pulling out in front of them without looking. My mate Tim was killed in that way, leaving a wife and a 3yr old daughter. I was one of his pallbearers.
We used to say that somewhere out there is a big truck with your name written on the back of its front number plate, and if you continue riding bikes long enough, then one day you may have the misfortune to find said truck.
I did an enjoyable 10 years and got away with it. By that time I had a couple of young children so I swapped my employer provided transportation for a BMW 528i. All in all much safer.
If allowed:
There’s a fb group of English/French bikers Creuse Cruisers based in Creuse (23). They/we go out checking the twisties anywhere from Aubusson to La Souterraine including depts 63, 86, 87. I’m in 18 so I get to play occasionally.
Rides are usually Thursdays or (rarely) Friday. Covering about 200Km and stopping somewhere nice for lunch.
Check them out, they’re a great bunch, pace usually moderate to brisk. All types of bikes and people welcome.
2 Likes
Good grief, you’re a cheery bunch. I’m 62 and I’ve been riding since I was 17, I think I’ve come to terms with the risk.
In fact, when the doctor was trying to get me on statins because my cholesterol was raising my risk of heart disease by one percentage point, he was quite taken aback by my comment that I wasn’t interested and, given that I rode motorbikes and skied, that was well within my risk appetite.
3 Likes
Do men get to a certain age and feel the need or is it always there but the finances aren’t?
I loved my Honda back when I was 20. I rode it way too fast but it was like an extension of me and I could almost make it sing 
I had a couple of minor spills which didn’t deter me. I rode the bike so often, that on the rare occasion I walked somewhere, I would actually feel awkward walking the ‘wrong’ way down a one-way street (lol).
Then came the big crash that nearly killed me . . . .
I have, many times, thought about getting another bike. It would probably be a small one. 125cc bikes attract me and, although they are not designed for touring per se, I’d fancy (to give one example) a circular trip in Brittany, taking in as much of the small coastal roads as possible. So pottering along small roads, admiring the scenery, rather than bombing down the autoroute.
However, the knowledge that a minor spill at my age would probably result in a broken hip, and memories of sweaty summers in a jacket and helmet temper my eagerness to return to two wheels. Plus the thoughts of making the same trips with a hamper and a coolbox in the boot are very appealing too.
1 Like
For heavens sake everyone - stop with the gloom and doom! OK, you’ve all got horror stories and sad stories, but this is a thread where John is delighting in the new female in his life and wishes for at least a moment of celebration.
I note, although she does not have a name, she is not a he and is quite beautiful. 
3 Likes
I’m not entirely sure that I get your point
Yep, it can get a bit icky off the bike! On the road, not so bad obviously. These days you can get pretty effective venting on helmets, and lighter fabric jackets so it’s not quite so boil in bag. You’ll even see the biker gendarmes in short sleeves though it’s not something I’ve been tempted to do.
It must be said, it’s a mode of transport I thoroughly enjoy, for all it’s downsides - but I guess that’s all part of it, the allure of motorbiking. I’ve no intention of packing in just yet though I’m not in the market for a nice new bike - I can’t justify the expense these days!
Mesh is king, with armour in the right places.
1 Like
I hope you enjoy it and any tumbles hurt dignity rather than bones.
1 Like
There’s a huge range of safety gear out there designed for fast, modern bikes and busy roads. Air bags aren’t just for cars anymore.
Enjoy all your bike journeys John on your beautiful new ride.
1 Like
Thanks, though I’ll be hoping to avoid tumbles entirely, hopefully I’ve got all of those out of the way during my teenage years.
3 Likes
Indeed - and it’s way more sophisticated than it was back in the day when a leather jacket from Lewis Leathers was the acme of safety gear.
Nowadays it’s fabrics woven with kevlar and flexible plastic armour that stiffens and absorbs shock on impact, for knees elbows hips shoulders and backs.
Not to mention that crash helmets are now way better at protecting your bonce.
For some reason, custard comes to mind as it behaves similarly
2 Likes
I can definitively state that none of my motorcycle jackets contain any custard.
Just your six pack!
1 Like