How old is too old to ride an ST1300?

[Dick B "Yewie"]

I recently passed the big 70 and am starting to wonder how much longer I can safely enjoy riding my beloved ST1300. How many 70+ members are there out there still riding their ST1300's ?.
I am finding now that even the slightest untidiness or lack of forward planning in parking manoeuvrers can see me struggling to hold the old girl up (the bike that is, not the dearly beloved on the back). I am starting to seriously look at my options to keep touring (2 up) safely for a few more years.

Any suggestions?

Smaller touring bike (BMW F800?)

Can am Spyder (not sure how I would go making the switch from counter steering to direct steering! has anyone tried it?).

[Brock]

When you can no longer keep it up, then it might be time for mechanical aid. Maybe a spyder, I have heard of 80 yr olds turning up to do a bike handling test with them, and they pass

[Gadget]

My young mate (recently 50) has got a Spyder (after a heart attack) and loves it.  I'm even liking the look of the 2014 model with a 1300 Motor in the RT version.

http://www.brisbanespyder.com.au/model-category/road-touring-rt/

[Bikebear]

Why not look into getting the 1300 triked. There was an 1100 trike at Maryborough last year and it looked pretty good. I'm thinking of getting the missus' DN01 triked if her ankle and knee get worse. Probably cost a few bucks but would be pretty special.

[Biggles]

My young mate (recently 50) has got a Spyder (after a heart attack) and loves it.  I'm even liking the look of the 2014 model with a 1300 Motor in the RT version.

http://www.brisbanespyder.com.au/model-category/road-touring-rt/

$41,990 for the top of the range.     

Bang goes the Super fund!

[West Aussie Glen]

Another option for you Dick

http://www.bikesales.com.au/private/SSE-AD-2008198/1996-Honda-GL1500-Goldwing?cr=4&psq=(((Make%3D%5BHonda%5D)%26(Model%3D%5BGL1500%20Goldwing%5D))%26(((((SiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20bikes%20available%5D)%7C(SiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20bikes%20in%20stock%5D))%7C(SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20used%20bikes%5D))%7C(SiloType%3D%5BDemo%20%26%20near%20new%20bikes%5D))%7C(SiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20used%20bikes%5D)))%26(Service%3D%5BBikesales%5D)&pso=0&pss=Premium

[Gadget]

Quote from: Biggles on 04 November 2014, 22:23:59

Quote from: Gadget (Gary) on 04 November 2014, 21:54:03

My young mate (recently 50) has got a Spyder (after a heart attack) and loves it.  I'm even liking the look of the 2014 model with a 1300 Motor in the RT version.

http://www.brisbanespyder.com.au/model-category/road-touring-rt/

$41,990 for the top of the range.     

Bang goes the Super fund!

  There is always 2nd hand.

[Gadget]

Used Spyders

http://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes?q=(((((SiloType%3d%5bDemo+%26+near+new+bikes%5d)%7c(SiloType%3d%5bDealer+used+bikes%5d))%7c(SiloType%3d%5bPrivate+used+bikes%5d))%26(Make%7b%3d%7d%5bCan-Am%5d))%26(BikeAll%3dkeyword%5bRT%5d))&Sort=Premium&Offset=0

[StinkyPete]

Gym membership to build your core strength won't cost $41,000.   

[Gatey]

SpyderRider...Henke and his wife Leone have been touring with pleasure on their Spider for several years now. It didn't cost them a bomb either.

You don't need the touring version to tour you know.

Henke has done some very big rides solo tool

[Streak]

your other option could be downsizing the bike as well, just for a different thought?

the CF Moto 650TK is the mini ST version, it is 220kg wet, so is almost 70 odd kg lighter

Website: http://650tk.com.au/

Review: http://www.cycletorque.com.au/cfmoto-650-tk-2014/#.VFldTO9xkzk

[nate]

Training wheels on a Goldie!!

Another option for you Dick

http://www.bikesales.com.au/private/SSE-AD-2008198/1996-Honda-GL1500-Goldwing?cr=4&psq=(((Make%3D%5BHonda%5D)%26(Model%3D%5BGL1500%20Goldwing%5D))%26(((((SiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20bikes%20available%5D)%7C(SiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20bikes%20in%20stock%5D))%7C(SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20used%20bikes%5D))%7C(SiloType%3D%5BDemo%20%26%20near%20new%20bikes%5D))%7C(SiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20used%20bikes%5D)))%26(Service%3D%5BBikesales%5D)&pso=0&pss=Premium

[rally]

 
Gee I cannot comprehend not riding my ST 1300, 74 next January and still GOT IT. Have a mate over 80 still riding OK (and fast) our riding group of 5I am the youngest, just completed a 6 day snowy ride, think if I have to downsize it will be the CF moto, a friend who rides with us sometimes on a Can Am is a paing as he cannot overtake like us, kay as well have a car.

Rally

[Wombattle]

If you are struggling to hold her up it's time to think hard about letting her go.  What scares me about this is not the bike falling but the possibilities that stem from mature hips, knees, ankles, shoulders being put under too much stress if she goes over in a carpark that might put an end to the fun for quite some time.  After the ST I'm, not sure that a smaller tourer would do the trick 2 up.  I've ridden the CFMoto a bit and while it'd be great as a cheap 1 person tourer it'd struggle with 2 on it.  The 800 beemer, maybe.  The spyder, great idea if you enjoy it on the test ride. 

[Dick B "Yewie"]

your other option could be downsizing the bike as well, just for a different thought?

the CF Moto 650TK is the mini ST version, it is 220kg wet, so is almost 70 odd kg lighter

Website: http://650tk.com.au/

Review: http://www.cycletorque.com.au/cfmoto-650-tk-2014/#.VFldTO9xkzk

Not much good two-up Streak. Might look at a second hand Spyder for two-up touring AND a CF Moto for one up riding. Depends on the budget and how much we could get for our 1300.

We plan to test ride a Spyder soon to see if this is really an option. I will certainly miss that explosive burst you get from the ST in overtaking manoeuvrers. The Can Am certainly couldn't come close to this but the pillion says this is not such a bad thing anyway   

[Biggles]

That private sale $17K jobbie with the tiger airbrush pic is good value with all the mods he's done.

[alans1100]

I recently considered what I'd get if I couldn't manage the 1100 or other similar sized bike I might have when that time comes and just looking at what's available today I decided on either the Suzuki Burgman (?) 650 scooter or the Honda Silverwing scooter.

Honda does have a couple of 700cc variants but they're chain drive (CTX 700/D and Integra 750) the same as the CF Moto 650 so I crossed them off my list.

Here's the Suzuki 650cc scooter pic I took owned by a couple under age 40

2013-08-01Suzuki650ScooterPortPirieShoppingCentre by Alan, on Flickr

[West Aussie Glen]

Training wheels on a Goldie!!

Another option for you Dick

http://www.bikesales.com.au/private/SSE-AD-2008198/1996-Honda-GL1500-Goldwing?cr=4&psq=(((Make%3D%5BHonda%5D)%26(Model%3D%5BGL1500%20Goldwing%5D))%26(((((SiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20bikes%20available%5D)%7C(SiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20bikes%20in%20stock%5D))%7C(SiloType%3D%5BDealer%20used%20bikes%5D))%7C(SiloType%3D%5BDemo%20%26%20near%20new%20bikes%5D))%7C(SiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20used%20bikes%5D)))%26(Service%3D%5BBikesales%5D)&pso=0&pss=Premium

They have a very low centre of gravity so once moving are easy to handle so retractable training wheels would make it an interesting machine. Shame about the colour

[Sabie]

Try this Dick..

[Old Steve]

I've had this thought cross my mind and one solution I've come up with:

Suzuki Boulevard M50 fitted with Givi Trekker 43 panniers.  Lighter than an ST1100, good storage, shaft drive, a cruiser with great handling.

[Sabie]

I've had this thought cross my mind and one solution I've come up with:

Suzuki Boulevard M50 fitted with Givi Trekker 43 panniers.  Lighter than an ST1100, good storage, shaft drive, a cruiser with great handling.

The only thing with the boulevard is there's no hiding from the wind and the weather... Even with a screen..

[STeveo]

How old is too old to ride? When you no longer enjoy it.

There are many ways to keep the bike up while riding slowly/turning, but if you want to keep with the ST I think the little 'landing gear' wheels as probably the best compromise. They will only be used at slow speed and once under way are retracted and you ride as normal.

What ever you end up with, enjoy the ride. 

[Old Steve]

The only thing with the boulevard is there's no hiding from the wind and the weather... Even with a screen.

There's no problem with wind and weather with the M50, top speed is only 160 km/hr downhill with a following wind.

But I was thinking I wouldn't have the need for speed if I had to trade down in size because of my age, I'd be retired so would have all day to get anywhere and would most probably be back in NZ where distances are smaller.

[Brian]

I've heard so many times that age is juST a number.......I'm sure everything being relative to your own physical and mental fitness.
Take a look around this club there are a number of youthful +60's who can and do swing a leg over the ST and flick it through the twiSTies and do the long hours in the saddle.
In the end it's up to you to make that decision....... Enjoy it while you are able.....Cheers Brian

[Biggles]

Take a look around this club there are a number of youthful +60's who can and do swing a leg over the ST and flick it through the twiSTies and do the long hours in the saddle.

Don't know of any.  Might be a few 40+ lads...