Re-visiting

[Doggie 1]

Hi Guys.
I'm back on here after a long absence.
I bought an ST1100 a year or so ago but have hardly ridden it. I'm in W.A.
I'm almost fifty nine, returning to bikes after a few decades and to be completely honest with you, I lack confidence.
I bought a CB400 a couple of years ago with the hope of getting back into bikes but I have done very, very few kms on it.
We have recently moved house and today I decided to take my ST1100 for a ride while no one was watching.
Boy, did I enjoy it! I loved it. I really did.
I didn't go far, but I did get out on the highway and I felt really quite comfortable on it.
I won't lie. Since buying the bike, I have lacked the confidence to get on it but I want to be able to get to the point where it is second nature to me. I'm not a big guy, @ 5' 9" in the old language.
After riding the 1100, I rode the 400. Whilst it was obviously lighter and more nimble, I enjoyed being on the ST1100 more.
I am not at the point where I feel as though I could attend RTEs, but I hope to gradually increase my skills so that I will be able to.
And when I do, I hope I will be able to help other riders who are in the same position as I am now as I am sure there are others.
I have a friend who recently sold a Suzuki VX800 and he is looking for another bike. I am trying to convince him to buy an ST, purely for selfish reasons, because if he buys one, it will encourage me to ride mine more. 
He has ridden mine and loves it, so fingers crossed.
He also test rode a BMW RT1150 but I'm trying to steer him towards the ST.
I'll keep you posted.

[Brock]

Doggie,

The ST is a great bike, just enjoy. The beauty of RTEs, is that you dont have to ride with anyone so there is no pressure to keep up.
 When we do ride together, there still is no pressure, as we dont ride like maniacs and everyone rides at his/her own pace.

[Doggie 1]

Here is my ST1100.

[Gadget]

Nice.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it.

As Brock said, go to an RTE, enjoy the company and go at your own pace. Some of us like just pootling along and might even tag along with you to ensure you are alright.

Cheers,
Gary

[ST1100_GREG]

Hi Doggie.

I know where you are at. I am 64. Got my STeed only 5 months ago. Been riding scooters around Asia so the ST1100 was a huge step. I am 5'8" and was very wary to start. Pun intended. Got the seat cut down and helped a bit. I use the bike daily to work wet n dry. I go  v e r y  carefully round intersections due to weight and sand and oil possibilities here but the ST1100 is so comfortable and reliable. The guys are right. The more you use it the more your confidence grows.  Come on an RTE and meet other lovers of the powerful and not too tender ST1100. A few ST1300s as well. The owners are like the bike. Older, reliable and very friendly chaps having a chat and a cuppa or beer.

Hope to meet up around Perth or at an RTE soon.
Greg.

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[Brian]

That's a really nice looking ST11 you have Doggie and one that screams to be ridden......everything at your own pace. This is where all that slow speed carpark manuevering comes into play.....practice this and you'll be even more confident on your very STylish ST11

[Mitch]

Hi Doggie and a Warm Welcome back, hope to see you at a RTE soon.   
                                       

[Jdbiker]

Hi Doggie from Melbourne Vic .

[Biggles]

Yes, the silver ones have style about them.
The ST1100 is a very forgiving bike, but has plenty of power available when you need to keep up with the highway traffic.
When you've got about $300 to spare there should be a day course over there you can attend to build your skills and confidence.  It's money well spent because they will take you through the drills which you can then go and practise on your own.
HART run them over east-side, so being Honda, you know you're in good hands.

[Doggie 1]

Hi Doggie.

I know where you are at. I am 64. Got my STeed only 5 months ago. Been riding scooters around Asia so the ST1100 was a huge step. I am 5'8" and was very wary to start. Pun intended. Got the seat cut down and helped a bit. I use the bike daily to work wet n dry. I go  v e r y  carefully round intersections due to weight and sand and oil possibilities here but the ST1100 is so comfortable and reliable. The guys are right. The more you use it the more your confidence grows.  Come on an RTE and meet other lovers of the powerful and not too tender ST1100. A few ST1300s as well. The owners are like the bike. Older, reliable and very friendly chaps having a chat and a cuppa or beer.

Hope to meet up around Perth or at an RTE soon.
Greg.

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See, I knew I wasn't the only one! 
Thanks to everyone for the replies. I appreciate it.
It sounds good and I commit to riding more and hope to see you soon.

[Brock]

The best trick with cornering (roundabouts and so on) is to look at where you want to be, the bike will go there. never look at where you dont want to be, cos thats where you will wind up.

[Jdbiker]

Good advice  🤓

[ST1100_GREG]

Thanks Brock. I do use that control but at intersections there's lots of oil between car tracks and in Perth at the mo with heavy rain there can also be sand across the intersections. Otherwise I'm back to the old days skill level really enjoying the power.

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[Jdbiker]

That's a nice looking ST1100 you have there Doggie . If you can convince your mate on the ST, there's a STunning one for sale on OZStoc with hardly any kms and at a great price.

[alans1100]

Thanks Brock. I do use that control but at intersections there's lots of oil between car tracks and in Perth at the mo with heavy rain there can also be sand across the intersections. Otherwise I'm back to the old days skill level really enjoying the power.

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Hi, welcome back.

I upgraded to my 1100A from an old CX500 and took me about 3 months of commuting to go through the small roundabouts as quick as I could on the old CX. The more you ride yours the more your confidence will improve.

[Shiney]

G'day Doggie 1, that's a great looking 11 you have there (reminds me a lot of my first ST)
As the guys have said, the 1100 is a very nice bike to ride, just keep at it and you'll be back to the old skill level before you know it

If you have any questions at all don't hesitate to ask (everyone is always happy to help each other out )

Cheers
Shiney

[royst1100]

Do an advanced skills course as that'll boost not just confidence but ability too

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[StinkyPete]

An alternative would be to find a "Returning Riders" Course.   One is offered in SA, which I found very helpful when I got back into riding after a 25 year break.   I bought my first motorcycle when NO training was required,  separate motorcycle licences were still be be invented, and all that was needed was a general driver's licence.   I had a lot to learn, and bad habits to unlearn.   

[Doggie 1]

Thanks again for all the replies. There is lots of useful information there.
Yesterday, unfortunately, my friend Paul bought a Suzuki SV650S.
So no ST.
He will still ride with me though.   

[Brock]

Its a niceish bike, but its not an ST... Make sure he rides behind you

 

[Gadget]

Paul will still be welcomed.

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[Biggles]

Thanks again for all the replies. There is lots of useful information there.
Yesterday, unfortunately, my friend Paul bought a Suzuki SV650S.
So no ST.
He will still ride with me though.   

He could have done far worse.  It's not a HD

(spit)

Washes out mouth...     

[Kev Murphy]

Welcome back, Doggie 1

The more you ride, the better you will get, and this from me at 69 years of age.

There are very few days per year that my bike is not ridden, from supermarket grocery runs to medium / long distance rides.

RTE's are a great way to fit faces and personalities to forum members. My next RTE is an almost 600 Km ride from Portland to Balranald in four and a half weeks where I shall meet some members whose paths I have not crossed yet.
Many others will be traveling greater distances than myself. The beauty of RTE's is that we travel at our own pace, at our own capabilities. It's not a race to attend the venue.

[Doggie 1]

A small setback since last posting.
My wife, Sue, has a physical disability (like MS but different).
Last Thursday she had another fall which resulted in a broken pelvis.
So she's in hospital for between two & four weeks this time and this has slowed me down too as I'm running back & forth between home & hospital plus doing lots of other chores, etc.
The good news is, I went for a solo ride yesterday and did @ 80 kms on the ST, including (unplanned) roadworks and gravel roads, but I did just fine. 
I'm certainly gaining confidence and looking forward to doing more when I'm able.
I do need to buy some proper motorcycle clothing though for protection as I feel a bit vulnerable.
Looking forward to doing more though. 

[Shiney]

Sorry to hear about the wife Doggie 1, hopefully she'll be up and around soon.

And congrats on the ride, it's awesome to read that you are enjoying yourself out on the bike and that your confidence is increasing
It's also great to see you are looking into getting some gear (I've been saved a few times by my gear and always recommend gearing up for a ride )

Anyway, have fun mate and keep us all posted

Cheers
Shiney