bjornagain
Guest
Be it middle age crisis, a desire to re-find youth or whatever I have decided to return to biking after an absence of thirty years. Should I go for it - or give up now?
Not wishing to terminate things just yet I have done some re-training on a Suzuki 500 and a Harley (just for the experience). My last bike was a 650SS Norton and prior to that Venom Thruxton and BSA Gold Star. I am looking around for a bike for Sundays, weekends away and a week or two in the summer. I want a big sit-up bike and like the GS, V-strom, Varadero and TDM900 and wonder whether you guys would consider any of these a suitable vehicle or should I have a year on something smaller such as the Transalp first.
Is there any rule of thumb for second hand prices? I have looked at several GS ads and they seem to depreciate about £1,000 in first year and £500 in subsequent years. Is this about right? How does mileage and extras (ABS, panniers etc) effect prices?
What is the best kit? Leather is nicer but textile probably more practical and suited to the GS. Any advice appreciated. Trouble is I have to buy the kit so that I can test ride the bikes.
Finally I have always used an open face helmet simply because full face did not exist when I last had a bike. I don't feel comfortable in a full face so is there a major disadvantage in continuing to do so for my relaxed type of riding?
Not wishing to terminate things just yet I have done some re-training on a Suzuki 500 and a Harley (just for the experience). My last bike was a 650SS Norton and prior to that Venom Thruxton and BSA Gold Star. I am looking around for a bike for Sundays, weekends away and a week or two in the summer. I want a big sit-up bike and like the GS, V-strom, Varadero and TDM900 and wonder whether you guys would consider any of these a suitable vehicle or should I have a year on something smaller such as the Transalp first.
Is there any rule of thumb for second hand prices? I have looked at several GS ads and they seem to depreciate about £1,000 in first year and £500 in subsequent years. Is this about right? How does mileage and extras (ABS, panniers etc) effect prices?
What is the best kit? Leather is nicer but textile probably more practical and suited to the GS. Any advice appreciated. Trouble is I have to buy the kit so that I can test ride the bikes.
Finally I have always used an open face helmet simply because full face did not exist when I last had a bike. I don't feel comfortable in a full face so is there a major disadvantage in continuing to do so for my relaxed type of riding?