Dad returning to biking (again)

[andburg]

my dad gave up his biking days when the kids came along.
When i passed my test i gave him my 125 which got him back into the bug, but was unsuitable for his 60+mph runs down the A1 to his gliding club.
He bought a deauville and thundercat, took the dullsville round france and back with my brother on the cat.
Back in the UK he sound found the dullsville, too dull and it had developed some niggles so he got rid and started riding the cat. In his works he felt like it was going to lift or spin up all the time and it destroyed his confidence, so he sold it.

4 years later and hes decided he wants to get a bike again, but with a bike that isnt an armchair, not a 90's sportbike. He's looking at one of the new Royal Enfields, a Meteor or Himalayan brand new with warranty/breakdown cover etc

I'm not sure these 20bhp bikes will be much better at his A1 jaunts that will make up most of his riding and I've suggested he looks at a Honda Rebel / Kawasaki Vulcan.

Anyone actually had any first hand experience of these or any other modern classic reimaginations? budget seems to be up to £4k.

Edited by andburg on Monday 15th March 09:07

[Ilikemotorbikes]

For retro modern look at 5k take a look at the Ducati Scrambler as they're now dipping under the 5k budget for early bikes.

73hp or so, not breakneck fast but comfortable to waft at 60-80mph should you want to.
A doddle to ride, low seat height (on most of them) so great for confidence building.
Brakes and suspension aren't pin sharp but thats my opinion from riding an Ohlins/brembo shod Aprilia sports bike so slightly skewed perception, in reality it's more than enough for most on the road.
Has Abs too which is handy

Look great, sound well and comfortable though for longer motorway journeys it being naked could be a bit of a pain.

The below is my partner's bike and she bought it to regain some confidence following her Cbr600f which she struggled to be comfortable on.
She loves it and isn't the most adept rider but she's never gotten into trouble or felt like it was a bad choice

[RizzoTheRat]

Triumph Bonneville might be worth a look. Not ridden one but a 70yr old mate who's been riding all his live loves his.

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 15th March 10:06

[Ilikemotorbikes]

RizzoTheRat said:

Triumph Bonneville might be worth a look. Not ridden out but a 70yr old mate who's been riding all his live loves his.

Thats also a great shout! I rode a 2009/2010 model I think it was. Similar to the Ducati above in terms of pace I think so good suggestion for sure

[KTMsm]

How old is he, what bikes has he had that he likes ?

When I got back into biking I visited a few large used bike dealers who were happy to let me sit on their bikes so I could get a feel for what I liked

[CaptainSlow]

For a retro bike for £4k he wants to look at a MG v7 or a RE 650 Interceptor. The Vulcan S is a good shout for the budget.


You don't get much for your money with Triumphs or Ducatis.

[andburg]

The scrambler is probably what I would buy at this price point. My dad being a tightfisted yorkshireman will certainly not want to pay the ducati premium for parts or pay somebody to do the belt replacements.

When this is all done I'll be sure to take him out round local dealers get him to try things on for size. One of his complaints about the dullsville was wrist ache as it had a decent amount of forward lean and the screen meant the wind didn't help keep his weight up.

Also on my list for him....
Triumph Speedmaster / Bonneville
BMW 310 GS (not really modern classic but akin to the himalayan in price, more power and better technology)
Kawasaki W800

His list and mine differ greatly as his list are pretty much all brand new bikes like the enfield/herald and my bikes are used with dealers and stacks of parts availability.

None specifics but hes late 60's, 5'7 with short legs/arms and has had a triple bypass but cycles regularly to get out. By no means ready for the knackers yard but happy to take things at a slower pace.

Edited by andburg on Monday 15th March 10:05

[KTMsm]

I'd add that a nice middleweight naked gives far better VFM if he can cope with the looks

You can get a great low mileage bike for £2- 4k with circa 70bhp and lightweight

SV650, ER6N, MT07, KTM 690

[Jazoli]

Can he not get a RE Interceptor or Continental for the budget?

[RizzoTheRat]

KTMsm said:

I'd add that a nice middleweight naked gives far better VFM if he can cope with the looks

You can get a great low mileage bike for £2- 4k with circa 70bhp and lightweight

SV650, ER6N, MT07, KTM 690

Versys might also be worth a look if he's considering more modern looking stuff, ER6 motor with a more upright seating position, but the seat is several inches taller than the ER6. Then there's the other usual middleweights like the Fazer, Hornet etc which are plentiful supply and cheap to maintain, but don't look as nice as the Scrambler or Bonneville.

I do rather like the look of the Himalayan though.

[Pothole]

Won't get much of a V7 for £4000, Bonnie would be my tip, too.

[CaptainSlow]

Pothole said:

Won't get much of a V7 for £4000, Bonnie would be my tip, too.

You'll get a better V7 than a Bonnie for £4k

[Pothole]

CaptainSlow said:

You'll get a better V7 than a Bonnie for £4k

There's one 2015 V7 on MCN bikes for sale under 4 bags and there's...bugger me, what's happened to prices in the last 6 months?!?!

[XR]

I see the attraction of the R.E. Himalayan, the new ones have a 3 year warranty too. They will cruise along at 70mph easily enough. Have a look at 'Itchy Boots' on youtube to see how capable they are.

A slightly used V Strom 650 would also do everything he wants!

[hiccy18]

4k is not very far away from a new Vstrom 650 if he doesn't mind paying up the last bit. RE Interceptor looks great for the money too.

[KTMsm]

Having recently ridden a V Strom & Versys I can only say that if you have the mobility to ride a standard naked 600 I'd find it hard to believe you'd choose the former

[Iminquarantine]

Royal Enfield do 650 parallel twin; 270 degree firing order (so it will sound like a V-twin) 47hp. That should be fine for the A1; back of the envelope calculation says it will do about 95mph. £5700 new.

There is also the V-twin Moto Guzzi V7 or V9. Slightly used also about £5700.

Any of these would be really interesting bikes. More fun than other stuff which looks cosmetically similar.

[crofty1984]

CaptainSlow said:

For a retro bike for £4k he wants to look at a MG v7 or a RE 650 Interceptor. The Vulcan S is a good shout for the budget.


You don't get much for your money with Triumphs or Ducatis.

That interceptor I'd a fantastic bike.

[Mr_Tickle]

My Dad did something not massively different and got back into biking in his early 60's. He looked at bikes like the Deauville but in the end went for a Kawasaki VN800. He put a screen on it and some luggage and polished it up at to be fair it looks ace. I've ridden it and it's a nice bike to cruise around on, nice v-twin with some character. He's got no pretentions of being Rossi so he just poodles around on it and is happy. Might be worth a look if it's your dad's kind of thing.

I also see someone mentioned a Guzzi V9: I have one and I love it. It's not a bike for hammering up and down the motorway though and while it'll do 80, it doesn't really like it and is much happier on B-roads in my opinion.

[andburg]

sounds like most of us are along the same lines, problem comes with the current prices having gone mental.

Also found my nearest dealer sells new Benelli bikes so might take him there, reports are they're well made and ride ok.