Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) should I buy another bike?

Howard, John (Harris) has covered the majority of my range of thinking. As a former biker myself from age 14, who was out riding in snow in my mid 50`s, I am unsure that logic or common sense plays a part in my thought processes when it comes to m/cycling.

I gave up on m/cycling when I needed glasses, dealing with misted up visors was pain enough, but the idea of introducing another layer of material to see through just did not appeal while trying to keep a sharp look out for all the many issues non m/cyclists do not even know exist out on the road...

When I hung my helmet up, my stiffening body was still strong enough for all the usual tasks such as picking the bike up off the deck, just that the stiffness robbed a bit of finesse in the degree of control that one has without thinking about it when pressing on a tad. Rocketing on in a straight line was never my kinda thing it was always about the corners.. (-:

On the "you don`t live forever front," I bought a 400HP 911 when into my early 70`s... and had I cash to burn, I would like a black Norton Commando as a piece of garage art, though the temptation to throw my leg over would be just too great...

Good luck in your decision making processes Howard.

Perhaps you can borrow one for a while and see how it fits in again? There is nothing like a spot of time wearing the rose tinted glasses in bad traffic, on bumpy roads and sweating in a leather romper suit to test you!

Do you know anyone who will loan you something suitable?

I agree totally with that, but the judgement of important mental factors like traffic awareness, reactions etc are impossible to judge yourself,

I complement you on your English language skills - impressive.

'' I would like a black Norton Commando as a piece of garage art, though the temptation to throw my leg over would be just too great...''

I have just enough room in the garage for a black 850 Commando with electric start or a 60's/70's BSA or Triumph Triple, Prices are rising gently, pretty solid investment (should that be part of the consideration) and a part of my biking youth with fond memories especially the Norton. These days many tend to have been part of collection, usually renovated and hardly used, but that doesn't really matter, compared to the potential joy of ownership may bring. Like some one owner low mileage Morgans that hardly get used from new, the owner must have derived some pleasure/satisfaction from just having it parked in the garage or maybe the dream and reality collided along the way.

I've never found the biker gear being an encumbrance, just a part and parcel of the biking package and experience, like Morgan engine heat sink on a hot summers day, stuck in tailback traffic, an unwanted side effect/benefit but de rigor with most Morgans, it comes with the territory.

I'm not so sure that biking has become more dangerous than in my youth (subject to where you live) I remember some of my friends and a few of my cousins were involved in accidents, some fatalities. It maybe we are more aware of our vulnerability as we get older and lost that invincibility/ indestructability of youth.

A good cross section of quite diverse advice with many sensible issues highlighted, but when did ownership of 'toys' ever become an advocate for common sense and practicality.

John, There are oh so many bikes mostly vintage that I would enjoy just looking at in my garage .. I ever had a soft spot for Nortons and the 850 Commando in black was the last bike I managed to ride round a few laps of the TT course, found myself in the company of a BMWR100RS that was a tad faster on the straights but there were more than enough bends for me to leave him well behind in time.. (-: While wide open on the Sulby straight on TT 100`s I thought the swinging arm was loose, jumped off and gave everything a shoogle, all seemed tight and the BM flew past again! Happy days... (-:

Commando aside, My BMW R850R was a great bike for the mature biker I became, sit-up and beg comfort, no strain on the wrists leaning over the tank stuff and no fairings, suited me just fine, handled just great with good brakes, too.. an ideal bike in it`s day.

While outin the 991 on the single track road high above Kenmore last week, I passed a group of bikers dismounted in a passing place and taking a break, I suspect the youngest might have been in his sixties..(-:

Having sold the Beemer over a decade back, I remember bumbling along in the +8 feeling very relaxed on the road in Glen Lyon , lightly dressed, enjoying the warmth of the day and taking in the sights, sounds and aromas around, thinking I was glad not to be leather clad and helmet enclosed.

Horses for courses, having on occasion had the ability to choose, has been a privilege indeed.

Someone determined, "He who dies with the most toys wins"...

I had an 850 Gus Kuhn Barcelona replica back in the day, worst bike I ever had. The swing arm bushes were dangerous even after changing them the bike would either dive in or stand up on bends, was pretty but had to go.

I have done a few thousand bike m/cycle miles through the lens of this pretty little girls cameras. I was late to start as she headed off to South America to ride from Equador to Alaska Currently in Utah. She has ridden many hundreds of thousands of miles on numerous continents entirely on her own.

https://youtu.be/9m-x2iP3_z4

Please do it Howard if it is your true desire, it's only the things we don't do that are regretted.
You have so much riding experience under your belt you will just know once you have the grips in your hands

I'm not a bike rider, but feel if you're asking the question then do it. Why not have an extended "trial" as it's your son passing it on, then after a couple of weeks cooling off period you can decide one way or the other.

Sold one bike and bought another. Seems to be the rule at the moment, 1 out 1 in.

Just come back from a 2,500 mile ride through France, Andorra and Spain, got as far south as Granada then came back up through the middle to get the ferry from Bilbao.
Went up to 45C on some of the days!

Great road trip though with my youngest on his first big bike trip (age 16)