R1200RS + R1250RS Forum
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New to this site. Owned an FJ 1200 for 15 years. Loved it. Stop riding to raise 2d set of kids. Now getting ready to retire and move to Va. Beach VA area. Want to get back on a bike. Problem - I'm now 73 so perhaps I'm just too old to continue riding but ...... I'm 6'3", 220 pounds. The old style sport tourers (like an FJR 1300) are just too heavy for me now. Adventure bikes too tall and top heavy. So after months of reading and researching I'm leaning to a new r1250rs. I'd probably modify with bar riser and peg lowering kit but I do like a slightly leaned forward seating position. Doesn't' seem too heavy (but I want a bike that feels solid and planted on the rode) and I like the low center of gravity aspect (i.e., not top heavy). But I'm wondering - am I being delusional - would such a bike just be to heavy for a man my age? Yes I know I'd first need to sit on one and try to arrange a test ride (which I assume varies greatly dealer to dealer). But I'd love to get some feedback from experienced riders - especially those with some age on them. I ride for pleasure - get out in the country and just enjoy the scenery and the experience. Shortish day trips - 50-200 miles and the like. No iron but trips for me. Any thoughts most appreciated. |
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Hello.
Spam goes here
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I am 72, 5'-10", and weigh 185 lbs. The R1250RS is easy to handle. Test rides on BMW's are easy to arrange, there are no surprises with this bike, what you experience in a 10 or 15 minute demo ride will be accurate.
'20 R1250 RS
'19 S1000 XR |
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I am 77 and 155 pounds. The RS is not too heavy for me as long as I don't have to push it uphill.
Current motorcycle collection: 2002 Yamaha FZ1; 2020 KTM 390 Duke; 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500; 2009 BMW F650GS; 2016 BMW R1200RS; 2018 Zero S 16.6 kWh
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Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:40 pm (Last edited: Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:56 pm)
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Another 'old fart' here, 68 this year, under 6ft (not yet 6ft under!) overweight, under fit (flying off the handle and jumping to conclusions are apparently not excercise at this age!) |
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Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:33 am (Last edited: Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:42 am)
Zitat von Gast im Beitrag #1 In answer to the question raised by the thread title, we would have to define "senior." That shouldn't take more than 50 to 80 posts.... Short answer: Probably not. Most of what we call aging is simply a decrease in fitness - usually associated with raising children and other assorted injuries..., so the first question you want to ask is whether your knees and strength are still sufficient to get the job done. The second question you want to ask is how to get knees and strength sufficient to avoid the term senior to begin with. When I started riding the RS, I was 6'3 and about 235 pounds. I'm still 6'3", but back to 180 pounds. I'd say the RS has been one of the things that inspired me to get the fitness levels back. This version of the RS begs us all to become better riders, more fit, and less "senior." If it makes you feel better, I started ownership with bad back, bad knees, rotator cuff issues, and arthritic hands. With some forethought to posture and proper lifting (if in doubt, ask your physical therapist), I found I surprisingly no difficulty in lifting this bike with low center of gravity and those big jugs to keep the starting angle high. (For what it's worth, I use cylinder head covers to protect the finish from contact with the asphalt and gravel, but bars might provide a yet larger angle from which to lift to perpendicular.) If in doubt, a good dealer should have no problems easing a floor model onto one of the heads - though he might want you to sign a waiver of liability. (For completeness to your note, I'd add that the flat and comfortable sport seat will do more that anything to get the angle of your knees maximized.) Final thought - if you're living in the Virginia Beach area, motorcycle ownership seems mandatory. “A good man always knows his limitations.” |
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Thanks for all the positive feedback. I'd say I have the normal back issues associated with my age but am still nimble and play golf regularly. |
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I too ride with many “seniors” and based on your description I think the RS would be fine.
now: 2020 R1250RS
then: 2015 K1600GT, 1999 VFR800, 1994 VFR750 |
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Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #5 Dude, that's what the motor is for.  sorry- couldn't help it. |
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Zitat von jrt im Beitrag #10Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #5 I should have added that I push my RS backwards up my driveway approach into my garage so that I can ride out directly into the street in the morning. No power reverse on the RS, unfortunately.
Current motorcycle collection: 2002 Yamaha FZ1; 2020 KTM 390 Duke; 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500; 2009 BMW F650GS; 2016 BMW R1200RS; 2018 Zero S 16.6 kWh
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Zitat von Gast im Beitrag #8 It's probably the years as a Lawyer that slowing you down.:) But, seriously. It sounds like you've been off a bike for a while. Get something light, like a 500cc whatever, for a few months or year. That will refresh you with riding and you won't be worrying about dropping a bigger/more expensive bike. When that bike seems like a tinker toy, get the RS.
Old Forum Orphan
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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #12 Good point. I was thinking FJR when I read the post but it's FJ, and like you mentioned the FJ was a long time ago.
Lee
2022 R1250RS Iowa, USA |
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Funny you should say that. Was thinking the same thing and spoke to a couple of riders in my company about the new Tiger Sport 660 - a small sport tourer more than an adventure bike per se. [And i do like a relaxed sport tourer riding position like my old FJ]. But they both had same response - "at 6'3" 220 pounds you're gonna find that bike cramped, to the point of uncomfortable - you need something more substantial". And they both liked the RS idea. To be sure, I do intend to take a bike class and get refreshed from the ground up. |
