The Ponderings of an Old Git
Looking back over the last two years since my biking rebirth there are a few things that occur to me.
First off, and as a result of reflecting on the Welsh Road Trip, I can confirm that it is true that you can tour on any motorcycle. However, some are better at it than others. Jessica, a Suzuki GSX600F of 1999 vintage, is a sports bike, or at least was in her day. The seating position means legs are fairly well bent and weight is thrown forwards onto the wrists due to the clip-on handle bars. By comparison to todays sports bikes it’s all fairly relaxed and the description of sports tourer would probably be most appropriate. Anyway, Jessica can easily carry all the camping equipment and clothing I need for a 2 week trip and, so long as the speeds stay around 80mph, will be perfectly comfortable…but let the speed drop and it isn’t long before muscles are screaming for mercy.
It’s a well known fact that the Adventure bike market is the biggest in the UK next to the scooter market, and the reason is that we’re all getting older, less flexible and less tolerant of dis-comfort. Obviously I resemble that description and, after far too long below 80mph on our recent trip, have started to look around for a new bike. What strikes me straight away is that there are many manufacturers who have produced suitable machinery but also a ridiculous level of snobbery. I guess it’s a consequence of the biking demographic and a considerable dollop of delusion that leads many to believe the only possible solution is the BMW GS range. Having given the matter much thought I can see the appeal but can’t yet see the rationale behind the massive popularity. After all, how many of us will actually take these machines off road ? Very few I would suggest, so why the need for the big diameter, narrow tyre’d front wheel that ruins the road manners of the bike. If we put all the vanity aside then the choice is whittled down considerably and we come are left with the likes of the Triumph Tiger 1050, Ducati Multi-Strada and even the ageing Yamaha TDM900. Not being particularly flush in these difficult times I’m going to look for a nice example of the Yamaha. All of these bikes are built around a comfortable upright riding position with large torquey engines that will allow many many miles to be covered in great comfort…exactly what I’m looking for ! Watch this space but I predict a shiny Yamaha TDM900 will make an appearance in the region of my garage before the end of the year, unless I win the lottery in which case it’ll be a Tiger 1050 ! Yamaha it is then.
Secondly, getting older has been a good thing. In my mis-spent youth I hurtled around on a bike utterly convinced of my immortality and invincibility. A few decades and a few hundred thousand miles later I know better. If you’ve followed my blog you’ll know that it was one of my greatest fears on returning to biking. I feared that the hooligan tendencies would be irresistible leading me to the inevitable site of my accident. Fortunately this hasn’t been the case and I am genuinely older and wiser. Whilst still not slow by any means, I do see situations developing and anticipate required actions far better than I would have done back in the day. With any luck that will carry on just like that for many years to come.