[49343]

if aches and pains are your concern stick with the FZ1. modern sport bikes are pretty much no comprimise for comfort. if you want sporty start with a 600. the RC51 is a very precise machine-and race ergonomics so dont thing it would be the best machine to enter the sporting world.



if you get a discount on hondas get the VFR man. that is the best al round bike around and is plenty sporty plus can take you cross country.



FZ1 or VFR





first post.....

 

[Zakman]

Get a naked SV650, the worlds most wonderful motorcycle. The key to telling which bikes are the most fun is how hard are they to find used if their sales numbers are fairly high. Look in the used bike adds and if the majority a particlar model bike is being sold in a couple years with few miles then it wasn't very much fun to drive. If there are bikes with lots of miles in a few years then they are the ones whose owners just couldn't stop riding, too much fun. The ones that their owners aren't selling at all are the most fun.

 

[wOzerd]

Hey,

I'm banged up too! Find out what a level 4 AC seperation is and thats just for starters! Add in the artheritus and hardening of the arteries and all the "high speed motorcycle parking" incidents and, it's tough to get moving in the morning. I am 58 and have a 02 RC51. Here's my warning to you: Buy one and every road within 200 miles suddenly becomes arrow straight. You head for your favorite set of twisties and catch yourself wondering when did the DOT get rid of the curves? I wouldn't go touring on one but, a Corbin seat and dood! You're there! I added a PcIII and a set of Leo Vinci cans. Throw on a set of Diablo Corsa's and life becomes nothing more than a waiting period between track days. One other thing, giving "track day" photo's to the grand kids for X-mas is akin to giving them socks and underwear! (found that out the hard way)

 

[49343]

hey I just suffered a level two seperation 18 days ago. the doc said 3 but I have looked on the net and more likely it a 2 (no break in the bone). question, how much disfigurment do you have (bump from the bone sticking up) and do you have full range of motion? do you feel constant pain. any info on your experience is appreciated-this hurts man!

 

[44510]

What he said...



If you get aches and pains after riding the Fatboy, you will need hospitalization after riding a modern sportbike for a few hours. You know, your change from HD to Sportbike can be seen as going from one poser world to another.....lol. Why not start with a clean sheet of paper and put down your requirements for an ideal bike? With the discounts you get, I bet an ST1300 will be near the top of you list and the RC51 won't be.

 

[8345]

I'll be 52 in a month, had an 02 RC51

put 9K on it before... (crashed it, not my fault)

replaced it with an '05 Duc 999 (not a choice for you) torture bike!!!!

my opinion: try the bike on for size in the dealership.

if it doesn't instantly feel 'ok' don't buy it.

RC= nice ride but tough ergos.

if you're taller pick the ST1300.

shorter, SV650

you know, the 1200 Sportster is a good choice if you wanna stay HD.

 

[pdad13]

You'll have to be the judge as to whether you can hop right on a modern liter sport bike right off the bat, but consider starting with a smaller/more road friendly bike. There will be an adjustment coming from a big twin cruiser.



I love the new FZ1, especially for someone with a few aches and pains. Of course, we don't know much about it yet. but I'm assuming it'll be a wonderful bike. Just bear in mind that it'll probably making 130-135 rwhp and a good bit more torque than the older model.



By all accounts, the RC-51 is excellent, but definitely not the most comfortable bike around. The Triumph Daytona 955i is one of the more road-friendly bikes with a great motor and excellent comfort, but it still has fairly agressive ergos and could be a problem for someone with some physical issues. It seems to bridge the gap between race-rep and GT nicely. but it's still a pretty serious bike in its own right. I own one and really enjoy it.



Of course, there are aftermarket solutions to alter the ergos.



The VFR is a great bike that most praise as plenty sporty and comfortable--plus it's part of the MO Holy Trinity. The big knock on the latest model has been the VTEC. If they've got that worked out, it's a contender.



The new Triumph Sprint ST (See Yossef's ride to work story) has been widely described as a sport bike in ST guise (just barely) and it'll get you from point A to K in comfort. And most think it looks killer.



I wouldn't recommend the latest 600 SS bikes; they seem to be getting too peaky for optimal road use. But the CBR 600 F4i and possibly the Kawasaki ZZR-600 have more relaxed ergos better road characteristics.



Oh, and 7000 miles per year isn't too shabby at all. It's a lot more than most people ride. Good luck.

 

[dleclerc]

Try catching a Demo on the street rod before the demo season is over in canada. I tried one yesterday in Barrie, On. and was thouroghly impresed (thinking of trading in my current ride and on a side note I convinced my anti harley friend to come out with his R6 and he is converted to it as well with the R6 up for sale already).



It's not a track bike by any means, and if you intented on track days or racing your friends to Canyons don't bother with this bike, however as a street bike, that you hsould be able to keep pace with the repli-racer boys on the weekend. It's a near perfect balance for me, Great Ergo's, comfy yet in a comanding/in control posistion. Smooth engine that pulls really hard. Feels extremely planted and solid, (on roads feels much better most sportbikes I followed it up by getting on an R6 right after and stability felt alot better on the street rod) However don't read this as heavy because the bike may not flick over like the R6 but the steering is still very light and I even like the feel better then the R6 for real world driving. And to top it all off what a beautifull looking bike. The price tag could be a little more difficult to swallow then some of the bikes that have been mentioned though.





In short great sport bike that is a perfect balance between sport and comfy (could even be a great sport tourer with a windshield and some luggage.) and also not too intimidating as if you want to ride it hard with the repli-racer you will certainly keep pace, but it doesn't screem at you to push it to your limits like say and R1 or RC51 which is so effortless to ride fast that it tempt you to ride above your limits, especially if you have little experience on repli-racers.

 

[Mephit_Blue]

I don't know if I'd go with an RC51 as my first sport bike. A small/medium size sportsbike is going to outperform a cruiser and a RC51 will be like getting on a rocket ship after driving cruisers. Plus, probably not the most comfortable bike to ride.



Honda has a great line of sportbikes and I'd look there first if you get a significant discount. If you want something that is fairly comfortable to ride, but is also really sporty, I'd look at the Honda VFR, the 919 and the Honda 599. All sporty bikes with ergos designed to not punish the body.

 

[33129]

If you've not ridden a modern big bore sport bike, you might want to try a large bore standard first or as was mentioned before, try a smaller sport bike. I'd go for the '06 FZ1. Some major changes coming and it should be a hell of a bike. I've ridden an '04 FZ1 and it was most impressive in every way. About all you can't do is take it off road. Now, with a Uylsses...

 

[dragcab]

I really have very little experience with bikes, having ridden only the past 3 years after a 37 year lay-off. I have a Valkyrie now. Love it. But, to the point, I talk to a lot of bikers about their rides, and after a recent charity ride I spoke to a guy with an FZ1 who was acting as an escort for our group and going very fast. He loved the bike, but commented that after about an hour the vibrations made his hands go numb. On the other hand, my brother-in-law has had a great many bikes over the past 35 years, including a modified Hyabusa, and says that his 95 VFR is by far the best bike he has ever owned. Just thought I'd pass this along.

 

[obandoj]

Whatever you do buy a Honda, the quality and reliability can not be beaten, if you can tolerate the "C" clamp riding position on a Harley you should be fine on a number of sport bikes, the RC51 that you are lusting after is a fine choice, like somebody suggested, put a nice Corbin or Sargent seat and HeliBars on it and you will be styling, that has to be one of the finest handling bikes around, with a great power band and great sounds, I have put some miles on my friend's RC and I love it!

By the way, I am 56 and have 2 artificial hips.

 

[48659]

If you're getting a discount from Honda, by all means go with the RC51. I've personally never been on one, but hey, it's a Honda. (ie; bullet proof)



Just like your HD, you're gonna love the torque that it's twin puts out.



If you decide not to go with Honda, be sure to check out the Duc's and Buell's. Ton's of fun and not everyone and their brother is riding one. Aprillia would be another good choice.

 

[pushrod]

Although I'm a Triumph guy through and through, since you've got a line on a deal with Honda, I'd say you've got a choice of two: VFR or ST1300.



My Sprint ST (the British version of the VFR) is worlds more comfortable than my Harley FXR. The HD riding position puts a lot of pressure on the lower back, and holding your arms out in front of you is torture on the upper traps.



Good luck!

 

[sarnali]

If you're stuck on Honda, I'd get an ST1300 for a faired bike, or a 919 for a standard, if you want to get away from Honda then an FZ1 or Suzuki Bandit will give you excellent performance and comfort and still keep up with 9/10ths of the sportbikes on the road.



I'd stay away from race reps. like the RC51 but if you have to have a V twin, then the Honda Superhawk would give great performance and be a little more relaxed riding position than the RC. Probably cheaper too.

 

[38485]

At age 50 and having ridden most everything, I have to say my '04 VFR is pretty hard to beat. Sargent seat and totally rational, ABS, and just the ticket for older/less limber/damaged joints. I made the switch from cruisers about 15 years ago, and that was the most thrilling revelation since puberty. And wait until you get on a track! Welcome to the disease...you're gonna' love it!

 

[34449]

My experience with the RC51 is confined to trying out my friend's bike for about 10 miles in holiday traffic. I found it is an amazing ride, but not particularly practical. It's geared very tall. So tall, when I tried to downshift coming into a small town with a strict limit, I was surprised to find I was alreay in first. The ergonomics are not as extreme as some sport bikes, but they are pretty extreme. 3 hour rides are doable for a middle-aged rider, but won't be fun without lots of breaks.



All in all, if you do a lot of track days or ride on the street at extreme speeds and angles, it's a great choice. Otherwise, go for the FZ-1, it looks to be wonderful in 2006.

 

[49111]

Geez, look at these posts, its like a friggin' geriatric ward in here. OK, ok, I'll confess-- I'm 59 and my left wrist has a piece of titanium in it...



The suggestions posted so far are great; VFR, FZR, Street Rod, Triumph... just go for a bike with relaxed neutral ergos and you'll be fine. (RC51 is therefore out).



Do the Buell demo rides if you can-- the '06 bikes have nice smooth trannies now and the big Uly is very comfy and will stretch your idea of what a sportbike can do. Caveat: only the long of inseam will like the Ulysses. (But I've got an XB12S "low" that is really friendly to short folks like me.) I've become an unhinged Buell evangelist over the past year... seems like I tell everybody to buy one even if it isn't anything near what they want. Oh well...

 

[19411]

Sorta the same

I have a Road King and this year bought a couple of sport bikes.

First a 955i which is a great machine but came with sore wrists and butt after an hour or so (I'm in good shape and ride a lot). My kid bought this bike from me, and I ended up with a Buell 12S. Not nearly the power, but plenty quick, comfy to ride, and low operating costs (so far).

I have used the buell for commuting, hi-way, and track days. Lots of fun, fairly comfy (I'm 6'3), no sore wrists or fingers going numb.

If you want to ride more than 220 kph then the Buell isn't for you. If you want something with reasonable ergos, reasonable power and great handling give it a try. It ain't no harley!

 

[39869]

After lusting for an RC51 for a couple of years, I borrowed one for 10 days and about 1000km. I happen to fit the RC very well, so it was very comfortable for me, after adjusting levers etc. The only thing that surprised me was the width of the tank. After riding 4cyl sport bikes, which allow one to grab on with the knees when braking, I found that most of my weight was transferred to my arms when braking. Suspension & transmission though were perfect.

At 145km/h the bike is super comfortable. In town was a bit of a chore, but tolerable given how nice it is on the open road. When I get my own, I'll be off to the track immediately.

Don't rule out the RC51 for comfort. I for one, find the VFR and CBR1100XX very uncomfortable, just the wrong size/shape. After 1000km, I can say it was the best bike I've ever ridden.