5 years riding a BMW 1200 GS and now 3 years on a Multi S ( presently the 2013 bike custom painted in the 2011 Pike Peaks Colour with a Termi stubby). As continuing problems getting 'my leg over' and increasing age thought I would short list possible replacement bikes for the future- BMW R1200R and the Diavel -lower bikes so easier too 'mount'! Yesterday had 40 minutes out on the BM - a classic looker and a very 'sensible' bike! Did everything that would want but lacked excitement. Made me appreciate and realise what a fantastic bike the Multi is though and any thoughts of change have been deferred!
Leg over, age, my problems exactly. I am on my second Multistrada after 4 BMW R1200GS's. I love the Ducati and find myself in Touring or Urban all the time. I have had this one 5 months now and will keep it as long as I feel safe. The day will come when I will have to get a lower, lighter bike and I am not looking forward to that as it will be not only an admission of my age but the choice is scary. What do you buy that is sensible and makes your heart flutter when you go into the garage? a few thoughts --- 1. A restored sorted classic, say a honda CB750. 2. BMW 800, sensible option, boring. 3. A lower lighter 848 Multistada, yes please Mr Ducati. 4. Triumph Boneville not looking forward to the next change, any thoughts out there??????
The RT is a much better road bike than the GS and they think they're sports bikes when they've got the right rubber on. I've embarrassed my GSXR750 owning mate plenty of times (and he's no slouch).
Sorry but this not what this thread is about. It's about what bikes are sensible when you are older. Comments about " I've embarrassed my mate" are not relevant when you are 65 !!!!
Are you saying that the RT isn't a sensible bike for an older person?!?! Tell that to the thousands of older people who love them.
RT whatever, I am saying that when you get to a certain age "embarrassing your mate" is not very important.
65 is the new 50 plenty of time left to enjoy your multy but know what you mean. Read an article in one on the bike mags which said that older folk were going back to sport bikes because of weight and seat height could'nt imagine that myself as got off sports bikes because my back could no longer take the bent over riding position.
Agree with MartinO Seems like people want to be old before their time. My opinion for what it's worth is you get old because you stop doing the things you did when you were young. To that end I got a S1000rr last year and track it, off to Spain at the end of the month, this year got a Panigale R for the Road. Only 50 by the way, but hope i feel the same when i'm 65. I've had Gs 1200's and R1200's and they do handle well, int the right hands they can embarrass sports bikes. Davy
theres a few, shall I say older chaps that ride with Wey valley, one of which turned up on a Gixer 1000 modified exhaust etc, and still does track days, and he doesn't hang about either, funny how you see old codgers in Ferrari's etc, so why not go for a Panigale or similar
....still nice to have a sports bike in the man cave for short distance bike meets tho...Multi GT and 848 evo perfect combo for me now!....can't compete with a pani R though good on you mate, enjoy it while your/we are young
For me the Diavel is the answer for those of us of a certain vintage! Firstly a quick comment about the latest GS...I don't know about how the latest twin spark Multi feels to ride but the latest GS engine is just simply a more refined engine in all respects than the Testa 11 degree engine. Not the same max power but bloody quick enough for most riders. I spent this year Euro touring on the latest GS (now sold) and am now on a Testa 11 degree Diavel. I swopped my 999S for the Diavel since for me it is a more useful/comfortable machine and has loads of performance (understatement?) and I've finished Euro touring now (Been there ,done it for years and now getting too old for the distances involved to get to the really interesting new places). I didn't go for a Multi since it is essentially a Euro tourer and while more comfortable to ride than the 999S it is still a high adventure type bike and I could have kept the GS if I wanted to ride that type of bike around local roads. Don't discount the Diavel if you want to move off sport or high bikes to be more comfortable for local riding and still want the performance you get from a Testa 11 degree engine, especially the red one with white stripe.
Interesting to find a common problem-love of biking and advancing age. Likewise on my 2nd Multi and love it-a quite different bike form my 2011 bike. My only problem with it is the height of the rear frame and rear seat that makes especially 'getting off' slightly difficult particularly after an hour or more in the saddle. Thought it it would be interesting to look at bikes that might be right for me in the future. Knowing the BMW GS thought I would take out the 1200 Roadster and hence the thread. Made me appreciate how good the Multi is. I think the Diavel is a great option and look forward to riding one . Last year got very close to acquiring a Panigale or' almost as pretty, the BM RR, but sense prevailed!
I came to the Multi from a BMW F800ST and whilst it is nowhere close to the Multi it is still a good sensible choice. The R1200RT is the only other bike that seriously catches my eye for a capable tourer.
I came from a GSXR750 to the Mutley. The addition of a pillion and somewhere for her shoes was a factor! Her shoulders couldn't deal with the twist my Renthal grab rail indudced. I miss my Gixer a lot but enjoy the Mulley as much but in different ways. Went and tried a Diavel this year and got 'hip lock' within a mile! I count myself very lucky that I have a bike and enjoy whatever I'm on to be honest; even a Harley was a laugh.
One of my colleagues recently bought a Triumph Street Triple. He's a mature gentleman & reports that he's having the most fun he's had on a bike in years. He also says the bike performs well as a commuter to the office.
My old dad is 66 and water skis, snow skis, does loads of track days in his Atom. He has only just sold his Gixxer 1000! Admittedly that was down to hips and back! come to think of it, I'd better check he isn't wearing those "lady items" or he'll be bloody parachuting next! :biggrin: If you can keep doing it, age is no barrier.
Street triple- Had one as a loaner when my multi was in the dealers. A very very good bike, felt very quick and capable. The sprint st loaner the time before that was awful, bland. The Street triple is fantastic and no way gutless as you imagine 675cc should be, quite the opposite.
The first continental trip I did with the club way back in 2000 on my 97 blade, I could not keep up with Arthur, who was about 63 at the time, and riding an fjr13. We have a bunch of riders in their mid 70s now, including Arthur. Whatever the bike, it's all down to mindset and capability. Your reactions dull a bit as you ge older, but you wouldn't know this to ride with some of these guys, regardless of machinery.
