Ageing Motorcyclists are buying the wrong bike.

I’m 66 and recently retired from 45 years of construction. To say my anatomy is used up would be kind. I rode FLH cruisers all my life. But with arthritis in both hands, severe gout in my left foot, and a myriad of other affiliations, I had to quit riding. It was too painful, and my hands would spasm constantly while using the clutch. But low and behold, an old friend of mine purchased a Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive, let me take it for a ride, and a week later I bought a pre owned model with low miles. What a machine! Storage, performance, comfort, reliability, and some pretty nice amenities. I never pictured myself on a maxi scooter. But without it, I simply wouldn’t be able to ride anymore. I’ve taken it cross America twice. Visited the National Parks, and it did every single thing I wanted it to do. I wouldn’t take it off roading, but those days are far behind me anyway. Whatever you ride….keep riding!

When your approaching retirement age or have passed it the main issue with a bike is it's weight.

I'm 75 no more harleys, hondas, etc etc. Am now riding a kymco scooter and I love it!

I’m 68 and I got rid of my Harley’s and jumped into the adventure bike thing. Initially I bought an Africa Twin but I sold it after a couple of years because it was a little too big for me off road. Now I have a Royal Enfield Himalayan. I very much like it.

At 70 years young I've went from a 620 lb Yamaha VMax to a 283 lb Honda PCX150 scooter. Wish I had discovered scooters 20 years ago, now I can have fun without scaring the crap out of myself.

76 years old and my rides now are a Yamaha Vino 125 and a 1978 Honda Twinstar 185. Been there, done that with the racy crotch rockets (KZ1000/GS1050/RZ500). My motorcycle needs have mellowed (matured) and I've slowly come around to the conclusion you don't need 100+ hp to enjoy the sport. You can get just as much adrenaline rush with smaller cc's if you want to ,depending on how you ride. Media pressure and dealer upsell have been pushing the narrative that if you want to be cool and have street cred you have to ride bikes that are way too big and heavy (and expensive) than neccesary.

Some interesting data, thanks. However those bikes are way too big! In my younger days none of us had a bike larger than 650cc. They were plenty fast enough!

For someone approaching 62 this year, that was a really interesting video 👍🏻 I had a CB1100 EX a couple of years ago; and by Christ, was that thing heavy to push around. I’ve just ordered a new NC750X DCT. One of the comfiest bikes I’ve ever ridden. Take care

Good analysis. ADVs are a good choice for older riders. I'm 73 and ride a Super Duke GT. That's 469mm peg-to-seat. Kinda tight, but I have a short inseam so it's comfortable. My wife and I do 600 miles a day on it, no sweat. Week long tour last summer at 2500 miles. It's really more upright sport bike than ADV. One thing I would add here. You're making this all about the bikes, but in fact the rider is every bit as important in the equation and that means rider fitness. Those who have had knee, hip or other joint replacements will tell you that what brings them back is physical therapy which is just exercise by another name. I think lots of riders live in the margins where regular cardio and weight work would mean the difference between being able to ride anything all day with no pain or stiffness and not being able to. Personally, I do only about 8 to 10 hours of exercise a week, but it's enough. At the end of a 10 hour riding day, I'm mentally tired, but not physically and I don't hurt and I'm not stiff. Ready to go again the next morning.

Hey Terry, thanks for this well presented video. Being in my sixties, this made for very interesting viewing. I only found your channel today, but I'm subscribed now, and looking forward to your next video on suspension. Happy New Year to you!

I'm about to turn 67 years old and I have a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and I just bought a 2022 Harley Pan America. I love them both. The Interceptor is a blast for a quick rip around the back roads, and the Harley is just awesome. It does everything and every time I come to a stop and the bike squats down, I just smile. Both of these bikes have a pretty good bend in the leg, but neither bothers me.

That was an excellent video. Very simple stats contrast of comfort measurements. As a 61yo Triumph curious rider, your selection of bikes was great for me. 6 months more to my full licence and possibly, my first triumph. Quite like the T120 and the XC Scrambler.

Seat to Peg was always my driving factor with bike selection, I've ridiculously long legs and most bikes feel cramped. It was one of the main things that drew me toward the Tiger 800. I've even got a tall seat kit to build for it to try give that bit more space but just got used to it before I put it together! the 1200 Rally felt similarly comfortable and I reckon I could give it a boost with a taller seat by the time I come to buy one! Great vid as always Terry!

32 years old here on a tiger 1200 rally pro, loving your channel :)

Great information and true points. I'm older and short in height and found the the ADV/DP riders position most comfortable even with the taller seat heights. I've had surgery on my neck, low back, and both shoulders too. Excellent clip 👌

Wow! I just discovered your channel, started watching for an interesting perspective (and actually quite useful) and ended up loving your personality. Thank you for making these.. hope to see more of your videos! Cheers! - Faraz

Good vid and a subject far too rarely addressed. I’m 50, 6’2”, 14 stone and 33” inside leg and bought my first bike that wasn’t a sports bike last year. Both knees are pretty wrecked from old football injuries. Cartilage is mostly a memory in one of them. So it was definitely past time for something more relaxed. Wasn’t up for a pipe and slippers ADV or big fat cruiser/tourer yet, so had a bit of a look into good naked bikes for taller peeps and ended up getting a new XSR700. Stock is a 835mm seat and an already decent distance to the pegs, but I swapped out the stock seat for the scrambler one from the X-Tribute version which gave another 15-20mm of leg room. Fits like a glove and no real grumbles from the knees so far, plus the high and wide bars keep my back straight and hips relaxed and weight off the wrists is a revelation too. I was managing 1, 1.5 or max 2 hours on my last bike before needing a break, stretch and a shake out. Can go all day on the XSR700. Comfort definitely trumps cool for me from now on.

I moved to a Guzzi V85 TT from a Guzzi Norge and was amazed that the tourer was NOT as comfortable as the V85TT due to the leg room, and yes I do a few long trips and yes I'm in my seventies, I made the change for the simple reason that the adventure bike was easier to push about than the 1200 Norge, The bonus being the unexpected comfort. You are absolutely 100% correct about the suspension travel which is something I have been advocating for years. An excellent video.

A great topic Terry looking forward to part 2😊

Excellent points well made. This is the kind of content I enjoy on YouTube and unfortunately we don't get from the bike press or bigger channels. I found you through a comment you left on the Bennett's Desert X vs Tiger video.