Good morning humans, So every time I ride on the road, I’m really not enjoying it. Like, at all. Year on year, I ride less and less and I have covered 1050 miles these past 12 months. I’m shamed to admit it, but I am becoming quite fearful of the “what if’s.....” and potentially being hospitalised for a mistake, I didn’t make. Which is strange to admit as I used to love risky moments but that was before my daughter popped along. Now track riding is the opposite, I am more in control of my surroundings (within reason) and the probability of something going wrong, mathematically is much, much less. Hence I would naturally ride much more aggressively but that is the same with everyone. I enjoy the cornering aspect and braking elements of biking, the most, stuff which I don’t feel comfortable now, doing on the road. Because both of these elements minimise the safety margin for me to get myself out of a tricky situation, if I’m already at my (not the bikes) limits. I’m fearful of the consequences of crashing and saying breaking my leg etc, being bed bound. My income protection/life cover doesn’t include motorbike injuries and I’m just turning into a massive pussy. So do I stop road riding on a 200+hp sports bike and go for the Superduke 1290R option, as just a fun hooligan bike? Or just a dedicated track bike? Either way, I’m feeling quite deflated about the whole thing. I can’t even party with coke and hookers due to covid, to make myself feel better....
I love road riding. But it is easier on the Scrambler as I find the Panigale needs to be ridden at warp speed for it to be real fun. If I were you I’d get a bike that may have less bhp but that you can chuck around the twisties and the gnarlier roads that we have nowadays. You don’t need 200+ bhp to have fun on the roads. And trust me, if you find yourself out riding with the latest super duper sports bikes, you will still be able to keep up on something like a Scrambler 1100 ps. And always ride defensively and as if everyone is out to get you
Not sure if an 1199 or 1299 ever made sense for road riding. My 1098R doesn’t and my Panigale V4S most definitely doesn’t. In the year immediately prior to the pandemic and first lockdown, I did over 7000 miles touring and day trips on my Multistrada. Not sure I felt in danger at anytime and I can only remember one incident where a horse box pulled out in front of me without bothering look but it was in a 30mph limit. Looking forward to 5 days to the Eiffel Forest (and back) and 10 days in the Vercour national park later this year, hopefully a couple of weekends in Wales and/or Yorkshire with a few mates and of course I’ve got club runs and observed rides as well. My 1098R has lived in my dining room for the last 3 years and the V4S has only done track miles. A Superduke isn’t going to make you much (if any) slower nor IMO, will it discourage riding with enthusiasm. Have a day out with your local Bike Safe scheme, great fun and great for your confidence. Andy
I recommend a classic bike for the road. Never felt the need to go fast on one of those and they provide me with lots of enjoyment.
I agree with T Get a bike that your can just ride around rather than fast riding. I know what you mean about kids although I used to think ah if anything happens to me they have a dad but when I had my iff their faces when they saw me I can still see now. Then there is when a curved ball is thrown and suddenly life is different again The roads are pretty treacherous with potholes everywhere and when the world resumes after covid I think drivers will be a nightmare but then it’s up to you to kerp yourself safe out riding like everyone is going to kill you
I'm in same boat. The 1299S is going shortly, to be replaced with the new speed triple. After riding my 916 I realised I didnt need the alleged 200bhp and in fact it was a hindrance. Plus modern ducati superbikes leave me cold. May as well ride an s1000rr if I wanted bland efficiency. I cant afford a 1098R, which is what I consider the last proper ducati. Only my opinion. Dont shoot me. I want a bike I can ride down the shops, blat the b roads and hoon around on. Thus a naked is what I need. The SF may as well be a V4 with no fairing. 200 odd bhp is next to useless on a naked. Plus all ducati's are £5k overpriced for bikes that have done fek all on the track. Theyre not worth the contrived kudos the marketing people brainwash you with. Well, not since the 1098R that is. So, no more new Ducati's for me. Hello new speed triple. The SDR1290 is a good shout too, I may look at one of those. I do love V-Twins.
When I was racing I despised road riding. Really could not see the point of it in the slightest. Now I've stopped racing, I'm feeling like I might enjoy it again (will report back). I think a lot of it is to do with who you have to ride with. When I used to have road bike friends, we went out every weekend for breakfast. I enjoyed it. I am planning on doing some European road trips hopefully this year also (I used to really enjoy them). For the record, I am exactly the same with regards to my own mortality. It's why I don't really have an interest in racing anymore. I also met a girl, I like her. I've had numerous points in my life that could have been game over. It all has an effect down the road. I've lost countless friends to bikes and motorsport. In the last five years alone I've known dozens of deaths and serious life changing shunts. Some very close to home.
Gave up road riding some time ago, when the A&E nurse greets you by name it's time to make a change... I have considered it again recently, but would be an older/slower bike, maybe a 900SL or similar, but in reality I'll probably stick to a bicycle
High speed road riding simply doesn't appeal to me at all. I could easily end up hurting someone else on the UKs crowded roads or lose my license to three speed cameras plus hurt myself riding fast into a pothole. Riding on the road is still really enjoyable on my Monster, its what it was designed for. Buzzing down to the shops, out to the coast or winding through lanes. I'd never need more than 100bhp on a road bike and come to think of it my little Suzuki has about 20, and I'm happy to ride it all day up and down crap roads & tracks in the peak district.
i've been getting this a lot over the winter. i'm turning more into a pussy as every year passes. but i'm prety sure i having these doubts every winter since the kids came along, but maybe more so this year. last year for the first time in 15 years the wife and i would go out togeather for a slower more sedate form of touring about. much fun. if i was wise i would sell the fugly and 848 and get a hyper or summit. but i aint too renound for my wisdom. so we will see.
Most fun i've had on the roads was riding in Europe with friends and riding in the uk on a shit slow classic!
I've managed to smash myself up quite well with a road incident that wasn't my fault - even the Police think that! I've had accidents racing, in the past, but never that serious. Truth is: motorcycling is dangerous and you have to make the decision if you still wanna do it. Nobody else can make the decision for you. I wanna go back to it but that is my decision and nobody can make yours for you. But, if you don't enjoy it, then don't do it. If that means no roads but tracks, then fine. Enjoy, but don't do anything that you don't enjoy. One complication on road riding seems to be the mad power that some bikes can generate. Apart from pricing, Ducati have fallen in this trap and that is why I will keep my old Ducati tourers and go KTM.
Riding in the Alps with mates is the best fun. Ive missed it due to COVID. But we're all getting older and our knees and wrists are getting older too. I want a comfy seat. Screw this getting old lark.
Good shout on the scrambler. I took an 800 and 1100 on a demo and loved them both, they're just so easy to ride and it 'feels' like your going faster than you actually are . Great fun. I was having similar thoughts about safety, and decided to do my Advanced test. It's slowed my ride down, but I'm actually enjoying my riding more knowing that I'm riding safer, and it was a real eye opener for the increase in hazard awareness its given me.
I haven't really enjoyed road riding on sports bikes in 10 yrs or so. They are ok for the occasional jaunt, but they don't come into their own until warp speed, by which time you are looking at big fines and bans if it goes pear shaped, and thats without the risk factor from traffic these days. After having a stab a racing for a few years for the bucket list, I am getting close to selling the pani R and probably wont buy another new sports bike once its gone. Lots of options around the 100-130 hp area depending on what floats your boat. For me, I've always enjoyed KTM's adventure bikes and have had several of the 990 gen as well as the later 1090R. They have more than enough poke to play when required and I don't need an osteopath when the ride is over.
Modern sports bikes are absolutely ridiculous for the road. There really is Zero point in it. It's like taking a fighter jet down to the cafe on tick over. I said the same to my old man when he got his Ultima GTR (world record holding car from 0-100mph and back to 0 again). It's a totally pointless exercise. It makes no sense on the road, and if you drive it as intended you WILL be going to jail.
I hadnt ridden my 916 for 2 or 3yrs and taking it for a blat surprised me. It has enough power to still be fun by comparison to the ballistic missile known as my 1299.
