Old biker returning

[K87]

I am an old git but would like to buy another bike, I haven't owned one for thirty years and passed my full bike test almost 50 years ago, this was in the day when you could ride a 250 as a learner and then go out and buy anything you could afford.

I h ave heard on YouTube of stories of people having to retake their tests and insurance being unavailable, one person I know was told that he didn't have enough experience to be driving a super car, despite the fact that he had been driving ordinary cars for 30 years.

Could you comment please on whether I might have problems, thanks.

[hunt123]

Are you still reasonably physically able? If you aren't, avoid large/heavy bikes. Apart from that I think you'd be ok. I returned to motorbikes after a 12 year break (was riding a scooter in the inbetween time though), I was ok. I started on a ninja 400cc (49 bhp) motorbike and now 12 months later have an 1100cc (215 bhp) and it's been ok, i think once past the beginner stage a motorbike is only as dangerous as the rider makes it (apart from other road users causing accidents). Alot of newer bikes have electronic rider aids nowadays like traction control which imo is a good thing.

[catso]

Assuming you have the bike category on your licence (there are cases of it being removed when licence renewed), why would you need to retake a test?

Don't know about insurance but I doubt it'll be too bad unless you go for something superfast/exotic?

About the only advantage of getting old is cheaper insurance...

[hunt123]

catso said:

(snip)

About the only advantage of getting old is cheaper insurance...

Yes, and for me another advantage of getting older is developing a sense of my own mortality, i'm a far more sensible (i.e. slower) rider/driver than years ago

[airsafari87]

In the 30 years or so since you last rode, bikes have come on leaps and bounds.
Far superior brakes, tyres, electronic aids etc …

So yeah, as long as you’re not some complete berk, I’d say that you could jump back on a bike and be back up to speed and feeling comfortable in a relatively short space of time. As the old saying goes ‘It’s just like riding a bike’ and that is very true.

However …

There is also no harm in doing a bit of a refresher course prior to test riding or buying another bike, plenty of schools do them now and places such as Rapid will do such a thing to I imagine? And they have a very good reputation for what they do.

Best of luck with whatever you choose to do, and don’t forget to update us next week with the new purchase that you just made this weekend.

[spoodler]

I've been riding bikes (all sorts and capacities) for forty years or so. Just changed my insurance company and was asked (as a condition of insurance) to confirm that I had recent experience of riding similar large performance bikes - (hmm, performance?) I was insuring a 2001 900 Legend and a 2007 Bonneville Scrambler... So you may be asked the same, quite honestly tho', it's the first time I have ever been asked.
Easiest thing would be to call one of the insurance companies/brokers and see what they say.

As for the choice of bikes, performance has come on a long way since you last rode one, what was once "superbike" performance is now equalled by humdrum commuters. So, don't discount some smaller less performance oriented stuff.

[Longy00000]

I would second the the refresher route.
Any motorcycle school will happily give you a quick refresher lesson of an hour or so and let you find your feet again.
Just don't get sucked into buying the latest and greatest bike as that's usually a fast track to A n E or you scare yourself silly and sell the bike hanging up the gloves again for good.

Lots of nice parallel twins out there now which aren't heavy and more than capable of putting a smile on your face.

Just enjoy it that's the main thing.

[Triaguar]

The only problem you will have is zero no claims bonus. Your licence is the key to what you are able to drive. Freind of mine has just gone through same scenario. There was a question ...'have you ridden a bike in last 2 years' he replied no...made no difference. Be careful though his initial quote was £2000 BUT it wasn't him it was the bike a Benelli Tre, the one with the fans under the seat. Change of bike and he paid approx £300

[black-k1]

As has been mentioned. check your license still has full entitlement on it (it should have but I am aware that there have been situations where the DVLA "lost" such entitlement).

Definitely do a refresher course.

Ignore those who suggest you need to buy something small or light. This years Old Gits trip to Italy, included a 79 year old on a Z1000SX and a number of over 70's on bikes that were over 1000cc. Do lots of test rides then buy what you want and feel comfortable on.

[RazerSauber]

100% go to a local biking school and ask them to follow you and do a refresher. I'm sure you won't have lost much control but remembering observations, positioning and all the stuff that keeps you safe is much harder after such an absence. Training has come on a long way since the "good old" once round the block test. Even a CBT is more comprehensive than that!

[K87]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, it is appreciated.

I keep looking at some of the older restorations on the Matthewsons You Tube channel and dreaming of an old restored bike, but something modern would probably make more sense.

I take your point on a refresher, I was an ACU instructor but I am sure that techniques and awareness training have come a long way, education is always worthwhile.

Thanks for the tip on the licence, it was renewed at 70 for three years and I am almost certain that the Bike logo was still there, but I will check.

Thank you once again.

[Desiderata]

hunt123 said:

Are you still reasonably physically able? If you aren't, avoid large/heavy bikes. Apart from that I think you'd be ok.

This

I stopped riding on a regular basis about 10 years ago although I kept a couple of old bikes in the shed and hired scooters on holiday etc., When I decided to return to regular riding, I found I couldn't bend my knees enough for a sports bike, couldn't get my leg over on a GS with luggage, and didn't have the strength in my knees to ride off road properly. Eventually went for a smaller (650 single) adventure bike which I can ride comfortably.

[Legacywr]

Does the Class A motorcycle still show on your license?

If so, you won't need to take a test.

[K87]

Legacywr said:

Does the Class A motorcycle still show on your license?

If so, you won't need to take a test.

Thanks, Class A is still on there.

[Biker's Nemesis]

I would say any of the up - right bikes would be ideal but they're all much of a muchness. Maybe an old classic that you hankered for when you were younger.

A friend that I ride with is 75 and rides a ZZR1400 Kawasaki and he has no problems.

[Longy00000]

I don't believe the comments about smaller lighter bikes were given because of the OPs age but more that he hasn't owned a bike for more than 30 years.

[Legacywr]

I’d like to make a very useful suggestion, buy something fitted with ABS.

[Marlin45]

K87 said:

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, it is appreciated.

I keep looking at some of the older restorations on the Matthewsons You Tube channel and dreaming of an old restored bike, but something modern would probably make more sense.

I take your point on a refresher, I was an ACU instructor but I am sure that techniques and awareness training have come a long way, education is always worthwhile.

Thanks for the tip on the licence, it was renewed at 70 for three years and I am almost certain that the Bike logo was still there, but I will check.

Thank you once again.

Get the best of both worlds and look at something modern and retro - RE Interceptor/Triumph Bonneville Scrambler etc.

[K87]

Thank you all for your helpful advice, all points noted, you have been great.

[black-k1]

Longy00000 said:

I don't believe the comments about smaller lighter bikes were given because of the OPs age but more that he hasn't owned a bike for more than 30 years.

Really?

hunt123 said:

Are you still reasonably physically able? If you aren't, avoid large/heavy bikes. ...

Also. this is a hugely bold statement ...

Longy00000 said:

...
Just don't get sucked into buying the latest and greatest bike as that's usually a fast track to A n E ...

Do you actually have any evidence for that or is it just ill informed opinion? I ask because all the research I've read suggests that there is no direct correlation between machine age or machine performance and accident rates. It's rider experience that is directly correlated with accident rates.