Let's see those bikes

Don't need to look - got rid of it after 2 years. And really, for a brand new bike, the ONLY brand new bike I've ever owned, I really expected it to be better. I'm happy for those that don't/haven't had issues, it just wasn't not for me.

 

Went to the dealer's Winter Storage Party (held every year for those that store their bikes there for the, well duh, the winter). Anyway, proof that she and I had some time together.



And some of her friends. This is a very small section of the heated areas that the dealer keeps for storage.



One of the few years that I haven't won any door prizes or swag. That's okay, got free food and drinks plus got to socialize with some of the HOG Chapter members that also store their bikes there.

 

New to me 1971 BMW R75/5, it's an ongoing project.

 

Oooh a toaster tank, looks pretty fresh from here.

 

I love these old airheads! the looks the sound the weight and the low center of gravity. I was 16 years old when this thing was built.

 

I’ve been riding about 20 years, with the following order of bikes:
Kawasaki KLR250
Honda Nighthawk 750
Honda Pacific Coast PC800
Honda ST1100
Kawasaki KLR650
Suzuki DR350se

About 3 years ago, at age 50, I had 5 strokes which left my left arm and leg paralyzed and my balance completely shot. Fortunately after they put some heart stents in my brain, as well as a lot of hard work, I’ve had a miraculous recovery. I still have some residual weakness in the left lower leg and foot, which makes shifting difficult but not impossible.

Last fall I picked up the DR350se, mostly to make sure I could still ride and balance a bike. I can ride it fine, but after a while I get tired of shifting with my left foot.

So I’m selling the DR350 and plan on buying either a NC750X with dct, or an African Twin with dct.

Given I’ve been away from bikes a number of years now, I thought I’d get back into riding gently with the NC750X. However, I can buy a used Africa Twin dct for about the same money I’m going to spend on a new NC750X.

My all time favorite bike was the ST1100, for comfort and touring ability.

Question: given the bikes I’ve come from, and my size - 6’1”, 250 lbs - would I be better off getting the bigger 1000cc Africa Twin?

I’m 53 and no longer too impressed by speed, but I do want a bike I can take on fire roads and state game and forest roads that will hold its own doing so. Nothing too challenging though.

I also hope to plan some longer regional rides once I get more fully back in practice.

Any thoughts or wisdom for a guy getting back in the saddle after some time and serious disability?

 

Glad to hear you're health is better an you're getting back in the saddle...it's good therapy

 

The Africa Twin isn't the smallest of bikes. You're going to need to man handle it on occasion. If that isn't an issue, I'd say yes. If it is, have you considered a V-Strom? They make a 650 that would get you off road pretty decent and it would be a bit less pork.
Having said that, my old boss rented the Honda for a European ride last year. He loved it!

 

I used to work in the bike biz...but have been out completely for over 12 years now...and really haven't followed the new models.
But I can say if you actually want to use it as an "off pavement" bike, light, well balanced, and low center of gravity goes a long ways to making time in the saddle pleasurable.

 

The NC700X is supposed to have a very low center of gravity and is well balanced. The Africa Twin is a taller bike and I would assume it to have a higher center of gravity but well balanced too. Both bikes can be ridden on the gravel and dirt roads I have in mind with a decent set of dual sport tires.

I plan on sticking with an auto type transmission like Honda’s DCT. Aprilia Mana 850 has a decent cvt transmission too from what I’ve read, but it’s more a sport bike than an adventure type bike.

There’s plenty of decent maxi scooters with cvt but they’re not designed for dirt and gravel roads.

 

The Yamaha Zumas were "dual sport"...or at least had some knobby tires...I don't think I ever had the pleasure of riding a 125, but the smaller ones were a blast to goof around on! Not sure how that would have translated to longer rides though.
I have to hand it to Yamaha, they are not afraid to think outside the box a bit...the Zumas, the 80 and 200 Big Wheel, the SnoScoots (mini snowmobiles) the 200 Trailway (I still have one of those) etc, etc...I'm sure I am forgetting many others!

 

Go sit on your potential purchase for riding offroad solo. Roll up and stop on the edge of a road with a steep ditch. Close your eyes. Put both feet on the pegs while inducing a mild tilt towards the ditch. Crash into the ditch. Now quickly extricate yourself from underneath the d_m thing before you drown. Next you need to pick up the d_m thing and coax it up and out of the ditch. If said bike can meet these parameters its a contender

 

Ummm...it’s sounds more like I’m not a contender, for riding off road solo.

 

A TW200? I’m looking to get one for my oldest son, who is coming here from California for a week this summer, so he can ride with me on the local gravel state, fire, forest and park roads. He hasn’t really ridden (we just didn’t have the places/opportunities when he was growing up) but he’s getting his California permit for this visit so he can go riding with me and learn how to ride a clutch. I want to keep him off paved roads for now. He’s 26.

 

The TW is a great bike to learn on...I love mine! So much fun to throw around after being used to the Goldwing.
I've had it in the sand dunes of Michigan a few times too...I've run the bag off that lil bike...and it just don't care!

 

Hope ya got a chuckle out of that. There really is some common sense to be gleaned there. Many guys are embarrassingly over biked. I've ridden with them offroad and its painfully obvious when they encounter any type of challenge. Your current 350 is a really great bike. A buddy of mine rides one with me quite a bit. My group went from street bikes to 650 KLR's to all 250 dual sports. I actually have a TW200 (second one), a Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250 (outstanding little bike), and a BMW F650GS. I have decided that there really is not a bike that covers all bases perfectly. I really like the seat position of the NC700X. Betting it would be a great bike with nice pavement manners as well as gravel roads etc.

 

Another TW owner! What year? I had a '09 that I rode from Ia. to the far side of Co. on a trip. I now have a '99 that I rescued from the scrap pile behind a fancy dealership. Great bikes.

 

Uhhh...'88 I think...I'd hafta look again for sure. They never have changed much of anything on 'em except the colors. Oh, they did go to a disc brake on the front...mine still has drum.
I bought this one back before these things really caught on...they were kinda like "red headed step children" for the longest time, and you could buy 'em cheap...got it used...don't recall the exact price anymore...sub $1k though I'm pretty sure. Thing was spotless other than 1 dent in the tank....I've had it since the mid 90's at least, and spent no money on it...maintenance only...

 

My son is only 5’9” so I was thinking the DR350 was a little tall for him to learn on. That’s why I was thinking of picking up a TW200. I can ride the DR350 ok, but my foot starts to complain about shifting. That's why I was considering the NC700X.

Maybe I should just stick with the DR350 for now, pick up a TW200 cheap for him this summer, then decide whether to upgrade after he’s been here for his visit.

 

This is it here...not my photo though...even though mine is identical, right down to the rear rack.