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Have you moved on from sport bikes as you get older?

Arminius said:
One thing I won't do is move to a trike. When I get to the point where it's too hard to safely rider a motorcycle anymore, I'll hang up my boots and helmet. Until then, I still respect those who do ride trikes and give them a wave just like I would anyone else on two wheels.
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Agree, two wheel or done for me as well. I've ridden a trike as well as a Spyder and it just didn't have the same joy, thrill and sensation for me. I didn't even consider test riding a Slingshot with a steering wheel instead of a handlebar.
 
I turn 51 next month, and I have a 1986 Honda VFR750 (which I love). I'd rock a sportbike if it wasn't such a hassle to carry crap. My grocery getter (1987 Honda Magna) was out of commission, so I had to use my old VFR to go to the gym and such - it was kind of a pain in the butt to wear a backpack, when I had luggage on my old bike to carry stuff. My fat Suzuki C90T carries a bunch, but it's a pig of a bike and loud (I leave for the gym at 5:30am). Sportbikes are sweet, but I find myself liking utility with motorcycles as I get older. My SuzuPig is really for my passenger, anyway. The VFR makes for a horrible passenger bike (as any sportbike does).

I just got a 2009 Vulcan 500 which replaced my '87 Magna. Small, fast, utility. I can put stuff in bags and luggage.

For me, I'm down to get fast and low... it's not the "danger" aspect of sportbikes and my lower back and body is just fine (TRT is an amazing thing), but I'm more into riding for riding's sake, and sometimes the bike style just doesn't suit what riding has become for me these days.

Also, we have a track in San Marcos, TX, but again, it just feels like a hassle to do track days (I've done and ran/organized track days in the past). Also, I ain't racing anymore, so I kinda just let it be.

Riding for me has become "point and shoot" style of riding. Sometimes I gotta be somewhere, sometimes I don't. I want bring my fishing rod and carry stuff like lunch leftovers. Having a significant passenger on the back is awesome. Sportbikes just don't have that utility capacity I like.

Again, I love sportbikes, but I also like fishing. What I like best is riding my motorcycle to go fishing.
 
budman said:
The bigger issue for me is the titanium knee just does not bend well and the only spr0tbile that is even close to being ridable is the BMW1000RR. Sitting on a Panigale was laughable.
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SVsick50 said:
Also, I'm really disappointed in what BARF has become. It's not "sportbikes", guys, it's "sProtBiLes"
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OG's gonna OG :Port
 
John2023 said:
Agree, two wheel or done for me as well. I've ridden a trike as well as a Spyder and it just didn't have the same joy, thrill and sensation for me. I didn't even consider test riding a Slingshot with a steering wheel instead of a handlebar.
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Yup. I've never ridden a trike or slingshot but to each their own. I think those that move on to trikes do it so they can stay a part of the motorcycle community, but that's never been my motivation for riding a motorcycle. I stopped doing big group rides in the early 2000s. I ride for the feeling of freedom and for the thrill of doing something more dangerous than driving a mini van. :nchantr
 
Last Saturday I rode from San Gregorio to Alice’s to 92. I’m still getting the hang of non sprotbiles. I made uphill so slowly that in fact I had time to reflect on how much faster I used to carve those bends. But I don’t miss the Fireblade a bit. It was a great decision to let her go.

Oh, one benefit of going slow is that I am never slowed down by traffic. Tits !
 
I was at the Junction and saw a sportbike rider pull in and then deploy his wheelie bar to descend for balance. His feet were velcroed to the pegs and his buddy helped remove them. Still a young man, but he had the hot coals still burning.

I am not that person. Though I wouldn't mind a spin on the track, it's too much prep and ache/pain now.

Every 5 years, there is one or two movements I cannot do and every 10 years feels like a youthhood ago.

Do you save some fuel for what is unexpected around the corner or do you roll on the throttle and let others pick up the pieces. There are less and less able bodied friends and family that can look after me.
 
Your post is very interestingly confusing.
Having scene disabled riders rock the track the confusion has me engaged.
 
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I personally would never buy a sport bike at this point unless it was a dedicated track bike. Hell, I'm not sure if I'd buy a non-sumo at this point, but that's more debatable. I think if you're on the street, there are better bike styles to ride that are more comfortable, more practical, and more fun than sport bikes. Horses for courses and all that. On the track though, sport bikes are mint.
 
75 and still riding. Got a Buell XB9S and an 84 Yamaha FJ1100. Had to modify the foot pegs on both of them to accommodate my replacement knees. Don't quite bend like they used to. My secret fountain of youth is good old fashion weight lifting with barbells. Low bar back squats to depth, overhead press and deadlifts. No silly bullshit with all the crazy machines at the global gyms.
 
I kind of had to. In 2007 I herniated 3 discs in my neck at work.... I was actually mostly ok mobility wise after the neck surgery.... Unfortunately in 2016, a Rescue Rooter guy rear ended me (herniating a 4th disc in my neck). I had a 2007 VFR at that point. I was unable to ride it more than 10 minutes before I started getting a massive headache....

Picked up a Superduke GT in 2017. That's as 'crouched' as I can do now... Fortunately, the KTM handles great, so I don't really miss the sportbikes.
Now for enjoyment riding it's between my 2018 RT and the Superduke GT, depeding how spirited I want to ride
 
MartyD said:
75 and still riding. Got a Buell XB9S and an 84 Yamaha FJ1100. Had to modify the foot pegs on both of them to accommodate my replacement knees. Don't quite bend like they used to. My secret fountain of youth is good old fashion weight lifting with barbells. Low bar back squats to depth, overhead press and deadlifts. No silly bullshit with all the crazy machines at the global gyms.
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Lifting weights religiously has helped me a lot. Carrying in groceries, bringing a full laundry basket downstairs and riding my bike are all made easier.
Not trying to turn this into a workout thread, just sayin' that staying in shape helps with the physical aspect of riding.

On another note, on Sunday I road Redwood Rd from Castro Valley into Oakland. Getting that big bike through the turns was a bit of work but fun.
Came home on Eden Canyon Rd which has a looonnnggg straightaway alongside 580. Came upon a car, dropped two gears, nailed it, engine screaming, me hanging on for dear life with an ear to ear grin inside the helmet. What a rush.

That's why I'm still on sportbike.
 
I stopped riding period.
Got less and less confident out on the highways out here in Sac.
 
Smart move Mel. Summer is time for backroads, tho.
 
Melissa said:
I stopped riding period.
Got less and less confident out on the highways out here in Sac.
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I understand your concerns. My bikes are pretty much 99% weekend toys and therapy now. Some folks have asked me why I don't commute with my bikes due to the awesome MPG especially my little 70 MPG 400cc and I told them, it's not worth the stress of dealing with traffic. I used to commute on bikes when I was younger and poorer but motorcycling is my weekend therapy now.
 
Turned 61 this year, and finally swapped my R1 for a K1600. It's very comfortable, but I gotta agree with you @greenmonster - I miss the tune from the pipes (especially the crossplane motor through an Arrows exhast!)
 
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