RE: Is r1250rs too big/heavy for a senior? - 3

Zitat von Gast im Beitrag #29

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Thanks a million for all the feedback guys. You have inspired me to get back on a bike. But more importantly, your words of caution are well noted. You took me back 40 years to when I first started riding. Attended a one-week riding school where the school provided the bikes (Rebel 250s if memory serves me correctly). Got my license and bought a used Kawai 750. Rode it for a year and graduated to my beloved '86 FJ 1200.
So based on your advice I'm gonna replicate that experience. Gonna buy a used 500-650cc bike and take it to a riding school. Then ride it till I'm convinced I've thoroughly re-installed the necessary mind/body reflexes/memory. How long will that take? Dunno. But I'll know. At which point I'll head for a BMW dealer and ride off with confidence on a new 1250RS.
So thanks again - both for the inspiration and the advice that will keep me form doing something stupid.

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Been reading all these comments with great interest. Thankfully for most of us wisdom and sound judgement come with age. I can only relate to my own my own situation.

I'm 71 years old, in generally good health.
I weigh 80kg (176 lbs).
I've always been compromised by my 1.7m (5'7") height so far as being able to flat foot the many the motorcycles I've owned, but I'm well adjusted to this.
I keep myself generally fit and do regular weight training so my physical strength is good.
I've been riding pretty much continuously since I was 16 years old, apart from a break of about 2 years following a serious accident in the mid eighties. I gained a lot of wisdom from that one.
I consider myself mentally astute, and I regard this as my most important attribute.

I'm confident on my R1250RS, but every time I swing my leg over I remind myself that I'm no spring chicken.

I think I will know when the time comes to call it quits.

I would not discourage any senior from getting back into motorcycling. For me it remains one of life's great pleasures, but realize your limitations (and advantages for that matter).

Zitat von Gast im Beitrag #29

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Thanks a million for all the feedback guys. You have inspired me to get back on a bike. But more importantly, your words of caution are well noted. You took me back 40 years to when I first started riding. Attended a one-week riding school where the school provided the bikes (Rebel 250s if memory serves me correctly). Got my license and bought a used Kawai 750. Rode it for a year and graduated to my beloved '86 FJ 1200.
So based on your advice I'm gonna replicate that experience. Gonna buy a used 500-650cc bike and take it to a riding school. Then ride it till I'm convinced I've thoroughly re-installed the necessary mind/body reflexes/memory. How long will that take? Dunno. But I'll know. At which point I'll head for a BMW dealer and ride off with confidence on a new 1250RS.
So thanks again - both for the inspiration and the advice that will keep me form doing something stupid.

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Zitat von Steady Eddie im Beitrag #32

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Been reading all these comments with great interest. Thankfully for most of us wisdom and sound judgement come with age. I can only relate to my own my own situation.

I'm 71 years old, in generally good health.
I weigh 80kg (176 lbs).
I've always been compromised by my 1.7m (5'7") height so far as being able to flat foot the many the motorcycles I've owned, but I'm well adjusted to this.
I keep myself generally fit and do regular weight training so my physical strength is good.
I've been riding pretty much continuously since I was 16 years old, apart from a break of about 2 years following a serious accident in the mid eighties. I gained a lot of wisdom from that one.
I consider myself mentally astute, and I regard this as my most important attribute.

I'm confident on my R1250RS, but every time I swing my leg over I remind myself that I'm no spring chicken.

I think I will know when the time comes to call it quits.

I would not discourage any senior from getting back into motorcycling. For me it remains one of life's great pleasures, but realize your limitations (and advantages for that matter).

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hi Dave, i have a 17 r1200rs, a few months ago i was ready to give up due to my arthritis. but due to a change in my meds not now ,
just for the record i am 5ft 10in 83kilo & 75 at the end of this month. i have two border collies that keep me on my toes , good health is everything at my age
Neil

I remember my dad, once I started buying bikes he started again, always doing one better. He could afford that lol.
The eventuality of it all......beer time!
Blood sugar be damned!
Ya only live once!
Easy for my girlfriend to say lol.
Life is good lots or inspiration here

sorta related, are most RS riders jolly green giants?

I see every other post is like I'm "only" 5'6" - 5'10"... I mean, since I fall into the upper end of that range and don't consider myself terribly short... are most RS riders 6'-7'? and if so, how the hell do you fit on the RS? :)

Zitat von backRoadS im Beitrag #37

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sorta related, are most RS riders jolly green giants?

I see every other post is like I'm "only" 5'6" - 5'10"... I mean, since I fall into the upper end of that range and don't consider myself terribly short... are most RS riders 6'-7'? and if so, how the hell do you fit on the RS? :)

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #38

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Zitat von backRoadS im Beitrag #37

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sorta related, are most RS riders jolly green giants?

I see every other post is like I'm "only" 5'6" - 5'10"... I mean, since I fall into the upper end of that range and don't consider myself terribly short... are most RS riders 6'-7'? and if so, how the hell do you fit on the RS? :)

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I'm 6'-1" and I don't need bar risers or lower pegs. Apparently, I'm a freak of nature.

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Hi guys I'm back hopefully one last time to bug you - before I wear out my guest welcome.
Some years ago I accompanied a friend to pick out a bike at a BMW dealer. While there I sat on a F800GT (no longer imported in the US since 2016) and thinking wow what a great bike! All the attributes of a sports tourer but a middle weight, and not at all top heavy. But I remember telling the dealer - "only 90HP - seems under-powered." And I remember his response - "don't underestimate that engine - it's a great parallel twin and plenty of power for a bike of that weight."
Fast forward to today and I'm thinking maybe a used F800GT is the ticket, Have consumed reviews and videos of that bike over the last couple of days - all pretty darn favorable.
Yes - I'll go visit an F800GT forum and yes I know this is an 1250RS forum but you guys are so knowledgeable and have been so helpful I thought I'd try invading your forum one last time to get your thoughts on the F800GT. Thanks in advance.

The F800GT would work good for you. You could also look for the earlier F800ST.
Stick around as long as you like.

Lee, if no longer available in the US, how difficult would it be to have worked on, parts availability etc?

I've looked at that bike a few times, but discontinued to me means less mechanics who know how to work on it

Zitat von azqkr im Beitrag #42

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Lee, if no longer available in the US, how difficult would it be to have worked on, parts availability etc?

I've looked at that bike a few times, but discontinued to me means less mechanics who know how to work on it

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I have a 13-year old F650GS (800cc twin engine) and have been very happy with it. The F800-series of engines are as reliable as a rock. My understanding is that BMW stopped manufacturing the F800 bikes a couple of years ago, but up until then you could still buy a new "fly-by-wire" version at a U.S. dealership. BMW now has switched to the new F750/850 and 900cc models, leaving the 800 bikes in the dust. On the other hand, the drive belt for the GT model can now be found from an European supplier for not much more than a hundred dollars, whereas before the bike was discontinued BMW wanted something like $450 for the belt as it was only available from their parts distribution network.

BMW dealerships should have no problem servicing and repairing the F800 models. They have been around a long time, are relatively simple to work on and parts remain readily available.