Fifty Plus (50+) - Indulging my other 2-wheeled fascination...

Lately my thoughts have drifted to once again owning a motorcycle- looking at v-twin cruisers, 750cc or larger. What is holding me back is that, if I would buy one, that it would cut into the time I have to ride the bicycles, which as of late has only been a relatively short ride every other weekend. How many here have owned motorcycles, and did you find that it cut into your bicycling?

I have the same question, sort of. Not motorcycles but kayaks. My wife and I have rented kayaks a few times this summer to take in some of the local ponds and rivers. We really like it and have tossed around the idea of buying two because renting limits where you can go. I have hesitated because it would probably (certainly) cut into the cycling time, which is less than I would like anyway.

So how do you handle having two expensive, time consuming hobbies?

A few years back I owned a motorcycle I used for riding the dirt trails/roads in Tennessee. I have to admit the bicycle set in the garage at home and gathered dust:(

I was once as obsessed with motorcycles as I now am with bicycles. I went through a progression of street bikes and dirt bikes from age 15 to 30. Without a conscious plan to do so, I lost interest in motorcycles the day my first son was born. That was 22 years ago. I rarely rode bicycles during those years. I find that I can either ride motorcycles, fish or ride bicycles. I'd rather ride bicycles.

But every now and then I catch myself looking at a motorcycle and daydreaming...

Funny this topic would come up. I was thinking about it over the weekend. I owned a little trail motorcycle when I was a teenager but haven't ridden one since then. When riding my bike on Saturday, the thought crossed my mind that I might like to have a modest motorcycle. No need for speed or long distance comfort, just something to ride around Wisconsin. Maybe even a 250cc bike.

Haven't taken it beyond a few minutes of day-dreaming, but for the first time in 20 years, the thought strikes me as enticing.

So ... let the test rides begin!!! :) :)

Haven't taken it beyond a few minutes of day-dreaming, but for the first time in 20 years, the thought strikes me as enticing.

So ... let the test rides begin!!! :) :)

Oh my God.

Lately my thoughts have drifted to once again owning a motorcycle- looking at v-twin cruisers, 750cc or larger. What is holding me back is that, if I would buy one, that it would cut into the time I have to ride the bicycles, which as of late has only been a relatively short ride every other weekend. How many here have owned motorcycles, and did you find that it cut into your bicycling?


How about a Yamaha R-6 Sportbike? Ya gotta hurry though, it's my daughter's and
she'll be back home by November 25th. :D:D:D:D

I gradually transitioned from motorcycles to bicycles starting about 17 years ago. I starting thinking about riding the bicycle while I was out on a motorcycle. Before that, I had ridden and restored a series of motorcycles since 1967. I finally sold what I think was my last motorcycle about 4 years ago. However, I just let my subscription to "Classic Motorcycle" lapse as of next month. It was 40 years ago in Oct. when I bought my first motorcycle - a Honda Trail-90 with the then new dual-range transmission. To continue this trend, unicycles must be next if I live that long.

Lately my thoughts have drifted to once again owning a motorcycle- looking at v-twin cruisers, 750cc or larger. What is holding me back is that, if I would buy one, that it would cut into the time I have to ride the bicycles, which as of late has only been a relatively short ride every other weekend. How many here have owned motorcycles, and did you find that it cut into your bicycling?

In my youth, I had a lovely 1976 Honda 400-4.
http://www.tradebit.com/usr/manual/pub/9002/HONDA-CB400F-1.jpg
Yes, motorcycling and bicycling definitely compete.

Oddly, the bicycle won.

I can't say why. I enjoyed the sensuality of the motorcycle and the acceleration and the distance that you can ride it. But maybe because I always have ridden bicycles, it had a stronger grip on me and I found that any defect in the motorcycle became a reason to put it in the garage and hop on the bicycle.

But I still find my self drooling when I see
http://www.motorcycleconnect.com/Suzuki/2007/Standard/SV650/SV650_1.jpg

But I may have been much wiser buying a
http://www.bacchettabikes.com/images/bikes/giro20_med.jpg

I have had a motorcyle for a couple of years now,a Honda Rebel. Its a fun bike, very forgiving(a good thing given my level of expertise) and both years that I've owned it, I've put more miles on the bicycle. And truth be told have given some thought to selling it and buying a new bicycle. Not that I don't enjoy it-I just find the bicycle more enjoyable.

Just got in from a quick ride on my 1983 CB-1100-F Honda sportbike this evening. I have nearly 300,000motorcycle miles in my lifetime. Wouldn't think of having less than several motorcycles and several bicycles. Its best if at least two of each are servicable. Others on this board have similar miles.

Artkansas has nice tastes in bikes. The SV-650 would be nicer than about any cruiser you could own, IMHO. I happen to like to "ride in the drops" on my two-wheeled transportation.

Tyson

In my youth, I had a lovely 1976 Honda 400-4.
Yes, motorcycling and bicycling definitely compete.

Oddly, the bicycle won.

But I still find my self drooling when I see
/Suzuki/2007/Standard/SV650/

But I may have been much wiser buying a
bacchettabikes.com/images/bikes/giro20_

We have similar tastes in motorcycles, but not in bicycles :rolleyes:

I bought a motorcycle about three years ago, and people asked me the same thing-"now that you can just twist the throttle and go up that hill, won't you just be leaving the bicycle at home?" I do admit there are times when the motor has its particular advantages, but the types of satisfaction between the two are different.

I ride my bicycle far more days in a particular time period that the motorcycle. It's really become an addiction.

Bicycle / Kayak / Motorcycle. I was an avid kayaker before taking up the bicycle last year. This year I have been trying to get out in my kayak at least every other week. It is much easier to get on the bicycle in my driveway and take off for a quick 20 miles than to load the kayak, haul it to the lake or river and then haul it home and put it away. I think it does me good to get the upper body work out from the kayak so I have been taking the kayak to work and stopping on the way home for an evening paddle. My bike mileage is down a little, but my exercise is probably up. As for the motocycles, I was a serious rider from the time I was 13 until the kids started arriving. My middle son is going to school and having a hard time paying for his Suzuki GSXR 1000 so I have been making a few payments for him. As part of the payment deal I also have been riding it to work. That doesn't get into my cycling at all and I have been really enjoying it. It also gets 45mpg which isn't bad either. I have told my wife that when we are finished paying for everyones education I can see another BMW in our future. http://w1.bikepics.com/pics/2005/04/04/bikepics-324709-320.jpg (http://www.bikepics.com/bmw/r1100rt/00/pics.asp)

Hey-you can always take up golf!!

Lately my thoughts have drifted to once again owning a motorcycle- looking at v-twin cruisers, 750cc or larger. What is holding me back is that, if I would buy one, that it would cut into the time I have to ride the bicycles, which as of late has only been a relatively short ride every other weekend. How many here have owned motorcycles, and did you find that it cut into your bicycling?

Exactly

I posted a while ago about buying a v=twin enduro Honda Africa Twin. I like it a lot, but weekends are limited - and between the 2, I prefer road biking to motor biking. V twins are good - I've had a couple of Ducatis, and there's something just right about a v twin.

But they are both delightful.

As I posted here recently, I bought my first "serious" bicycle just after college in order to keep myself from buying another motorcycle (I had to sell my last motorcycle while in college to pay for the parts I bought putting it back together after a wreck). I occasionally think about buying another one, but I do worry I'd kill myself. They are too tempting.

I owned dirt bikes as a kid and (of course) dropped them many, many times in the dirt, in creeks and/or on sand roads. Lots of damage to the motorcycles, not much damage to myself. I do worry that if I owned a powerful road bike I'd ride it like I used to ride a dirt bike and kill myself. Maybe someday I'll grow up and I can trust myself!

Bicycling, Kayaking, and Motorcycling here. I use my Honda ST1300 as my sole gas guzzler. So it doesn't cut into anything. The kayaking has taken a back seat to bicycling lately. And I'm just getting around to snorkeling again. So, just as I want to have a lot of books around the house, some of which I haven't read, I like to have lots of outdoors hobbies. If some equipment sits around un-used for awhile, that's ok. It'll come around again.

That Beemer looks nice, RoMad.:thumb:

I've got a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600. When I first got it, I rode it a lot more than the bicycle. I also had pneumonia that I couldn't shake for about 9 months and that contributed to riding the bike less. Now, the m/c is gathering dust as most of my time is taken up with bicycles, especially after getting into mountain biking with my grandson. In the summer months though, the afternoons are pretty hot here so I ride the bicycle in the morning and the afternoon is for the m/c.

Motorcycles have always cut into my bicycling very deeply. (Honda 360; Honda VT 500, Honda CB 750, Suzuki VX 800; and BMW K100) There's something about rolling back on the throttle and feeling the G forces as you accelerate down the road.... To me, it's almost an addiction. I actually commuted all year round 30 miles in and out of Philadelphia - wind, rain, snow, sleet, ice or sun, I would ride. Three accidents in a one year period changed my perspective a bit, and thankfully I've been on the wagon for over ten years. Although, I keep telling my wife that when the last of the kids is finished with their education.... I too could see a new BMW in the works. But, no this is just fantasy on my part. I know my reflexes aren't good enough to ride 'em the way I'd try to ride them. I'm better off sticking to the other two wheeled vehicles.

Haven't had a motorcycle for almost 40 years, but if I was gonna get another one, it would be like this:

http://www.imz-ural.com/gearup/

Once upon a time, I had a Kawasaki 750. Then I started riding bicycles. Yes, they competed for my time, and yes, the Kawasaki lost.

Been street riding motorcycles for 29 years, started when I was 16. I ride for transportation. I never really have ridden on weekends, just to ride (really don't understand it - hate riding in groups - hate carrying a passenger), I ride enough during the week (250-300 miles/week). So my motorcycling does not take any time from bicycling.

Actually I do have a weekend motorcycle. I currently road race. Started off with motocross, then karts, then road racing - 29 years total. This will probably be my last year racing.

The reason I started bicycle riding again was to stay in shape for racing.

I obtained a motor driven cycle license at age 14 so I could legally operate a Sears Allstate Moped on the roads around my home. I found a 1967 Yamaha twin jet 100 when I turned 15. My Father purchased it for me as my birthday present. Over the years I've had most everything in the way of motorcycles available. I even purchased a Honda VF750FR Interceptor in Japan and was able to bring it back on a Destroyer I was stationed on. I had problems with customs in Hawaii as this model was not available in the USA. Thankfully the HMFIC at customs was a motorcycle fanatic and signed off on it. After that it was no problem getting it titled and registered. Years later severe arthritis prevented the constant use of a clutch. I had to sell off all my motorcycles. A few years ago scooters started showing up with fully automatic CVT transmissions. No clutch and disc brakes allowed me to have a motorcycle again. Needless to say I purchased a TANK Urban Touring 250. It has a liquid cooled 250cc engine so it's not a street slug. This TANK scooter style motorcycle has as much power and speed as a Honda 500cc Silverwing I had in the 1980's. With gas prices going out of sight it's become my only non-bicycle transportation. I ride one of my bicycles everyday but there are times I simply must use motorized transportation. Thats when I get on my TANK.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/HPIM0411.jpg

Funny how this resurrected thread got so many quick hits again. It's because motorcycling and bicycling hit a common thread in many of us.

I have about 300,000 m/c miles. I've never been without a servicable motorcycle since age 17. Been without a servicable auto more than once.

Current ride is a 1983 CB-1100-F. The wife and I are going from Okie land to No. Califorina on it this year.

I have spoken to many of the bikers (M/C) on this forum by PM.

Life, Love, Ride!

Tyson
Cushing, Oklahoma

I went through a motorcycling period when I was in college. The reason was I didn't have a car, needed one on occasion, and was too young to rent one. Fortunately, there was a motorcycle rental place nearby. Although my motorcycle period ended when I was able to buy a car, I look back at it with fondness.

Paul

I rode motorcycles avidly for 35+ years, but found that other activities kept cutting into my cycling time. When I got back into bicycling, it was always a hard choice on a nice weekend afternoon, and bicycling is also something that my wife enjoys, so the m/c started losing out. I was also more concerned about safety on the road than I used to be, since I felt that some of my facilities were declining at the same time that traffic conditions were worsening. So I called it quits a few years ago.

At the time I quit I was strictly an off-road bicyclist. Since then I discovered road biking and now prefer that to the trail riding. I'm sure that I like it for many of the reasons that I enjoyed being on the open road on a motorcycle. But ironically that puts me back into the same situation that I used as one of my reasons for giving up motorcycles. Oh well, nobody says that I have to be consistent...

I've done nearly 150,000 miles on motorcycles in 37 states, 35 of those with my wife. I do about 2000 miles per year on the bicycle. My current MC is a 1981 Moto Guzzi. Love that thing. Easier to get parts for than any Honda the same age and very easy to work on when needed. No they don't cut into each other's time. Since I get my wife riding a bicycle but she loves the motorcycle, I couldn't give it up. I'm not sure I could anyway. Three years ago, we went to the Grand Canyon and then to Las Cruces, NM. Last year we went down through Memphis then across the Cherohola Skyway to Greensboro, NC. Both times to visit family. The only thing that bothers me on those motorcycle rides is that I keep seeing all these places I want to ride the bicycle on too.

every damn weekend i try to cram both bicycling and motorcycling in. and then i have to decide between the two motorcycles.

RB1 Lover,

What are your two gasoline powered bikes? It would be neat if one were actually a Bridgestone GT-250 or 350!

Tyson
Cushing, OK

'69 Peugeot U08
'80's Nishiki MTB
'93? Merckx MX-Leader (Pink Telekom livery)
'65 Honda CB-160
'69 Honda CB-750
'83 Honda CB-1100-F
'55 Simplex Sportsman (non-runner)
'60 Comanche PA-24-250
1951 Wife (non-runner, but a rider!)

^^ you're right it would be. I have the aforementioned Road King, an '02 Suzuki GSX-R600 (Telefonica replica), and I just took a deposit on my rat chopper which I spent the last 5 years building but now can't afford to put on the road. So sell I must :-(

Lately my thoughts have drifted to once again owning a motorcycle- looking at v-twin cruisers, 750cc or larger. What is holding me back is that, if I would buy one, that it would cut into the time I have to ride the bicycles, which as of late has only been a relatively short ride every other weekend. How many here have owned motorcycles, and did you find that it cut into your bicycling?
I win.
I was paid to test-ride motorcycles.
This, I realize, in some circles, makes me some sort of porn star....
Safer than being paid for sex, and every bit as fun.

When I had a motorcycle, motorcycles were my life.
Period.
No bicycle, no T.V. no... you probably get the drift.
If you're like I was?
The moment you get your motorcycle...your bicycle(s) will become dust-catchers.
So, yeah, it'll cut into your bicycling.
Until the newness rubs off the motorcycle, or, you have more discipline than I did.


If this is going to be your first motorcycle in a while, I strongly suggest that you enroll
yourself in a Motorcycle Safety course.
I would. No kidding. Motorcycle survival skills are perishable.
Contact the American Motorcyclist Association (A.M.A.) for more information...then join the A.M.A.

there is always the distinct possibility that fondness for riding bicycles will force the motorcycle to sit unused in the garage with a trickle-charger connected to the battery.

Oh my God.


OMG is right! As a former pilot flying air rescue I can attest to the worst accidents that I was called to:
Motorcycles. On a bicycle is you go down by yourself you might loose some skin. On a motorcycle you might loose a leg.

No way!!!

Hey honey, can I have a BMW motorcycle?

Well, I suppose my sig line says how I feel. And those are only two of my list of hobbies. I'd write the list out but you'd all think I was making it up it's so long. But I don't do them all at the same time. Some integrate well and others just wait for the moment. I guess variety is what I really like.

....needless to say I don't watch much, if any, TV and the lawn is often in need of attention......