What Bike For a Mid Life Ride

[barracuda]

Like many of you, I'm in the same category haha. Been riding regularly from my WR200 days till BMW GS. Did all the bucket list stuff including a round trip to Cambodia. Then I laid off riding and started driving for about 3 years. Just couldn't resist riding and thought I'll just get a small bike to keep for supper rides and hence came the Djebel 250. It was fun in the beginning until I found it underpowered when I pillion my wife occasionally for joy rides. So sold it and bought a Vstrom 650 for a round Malaysia touring trip with my wife. It was a keeper till my first kid. Simply no time ride and a good offer came along. Hence I sold it.

 

3 years later which is now, I got the Hyperstrada and it seems like the perfect bike for me at the moment. Its the most powerful and fun bike I've ever ridden. Yes fun. Its a joy to ride every day and its a great de-stressing toy. Sound, responsive throttle, crazy acceleration.... but very practical at the same time as it has panniers to keep stuff and has road presence. I like bikes with panniers for some reason. Every bike I've owned since my Monster has panniers except for the Djebel. I also prefer twins compared to inline 4s. The Hyperstrada is light and compact. Less stressful to manage compared to bigger bikes I've owned like the BMW GS & Vstrom. Big bikes are nice but it can be painful to maneuver in the carpark and slow traffic. I feel that I can handle the more compact Hyperstrada better than all my previous bikes.

 

Welcome to the club and just visit the showrooms. Reputable ones will have test rides for you so you can better decide the best one for you.

[Paikia44]

Will it be fair to say we belong to the group that's on Eldershield but not yet eligible for Pionner Generation perks?

 

I suppose if we were to put it strictly as a Mid Life Crisis type of relieve, then it must be something out of the norm, at least this is for my case. I don't really care about fuel economy, bhp numbers or amount of modern technology is boasts. While of course these are nice, but I prefer something unique in its own way. Some people hates my bmw while some question my choice for the triumph, but everytime I ride them it gives me the sensation that's better than sex (well.... not really... not that old yet. Hahaha).

[nfs_unlimited]

Really envy u guys got family & kids still got tat kinda spare cash (all my $ went to kids tuition T.T) im riding S4 in late 30s, hesitated and missed my chance to get a new SilverWing otr b4 COE hike so I guess tat's most prob wat i'll "retire" with. cos come 2017 not sure wanna renew my PB1 COE a not, see at tat time COE how la...

[kawarides]

Mid life crisis.. 30s to 40s..wife + kids..got money but cannot tour/race.. most likey a continental bike with many blinks.

 

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

 

You're very spot on except for the 'got money' lol !! Been looking at the MV dragster 800... But cannot ride a bike without box nowadays, unless have the extra cash to afford another spare bike then will consider this Italian beauty

[barracuda]

You're very spot on except for the 'got money' lol !! Been looking at the MV dragster 800... But cannot ride a bike without box nowadays, unless have the extra cash to afford another spare bike then will consider this Italian beauty

 

How about a MV Rivale 800? It has panniers for storage.

 

http://www.mvagusta.com/en/motorcycles/rivale-800/

[kzone]

wow... power guys! thanks so much!

 

I'm nowhere near as bike crazy as most of u bros here.. I’ve so far more inclined towards cruisers but now thinking of something a little more responsive on the throttle.

U guys making me wet with all ur bikes… ideally I wud want a Harley cruiser and something more nimble but unwilling to pay double the insurance/taxes. I used to have a classic vespa as a second bike and ended up only riding it for inspections and servicing!

 

The hyperstrada sounds like a really a fun bike… is the version in Singapore the lowered clearance or standard? I’m only 1.6m, is it too tall a bike for me?

[smallcar]

You're very spot on except for the 'got money' lol !! Been looking at the MV dragster 800... But cannot ride a bike without box nowadays, unless have the extra cash to afford another spare bike then will consider this Italian beauty

 

I went to see this Dragster 800 too. Find the tail abit short. hahahaa. But went to see Ducati Diavel and fell in love on first sight.

[wait4me]

wa here all big and nice bike wan ah

never hear those mid life but riding phatom, or kup kia

[rogngts]

me riding big phantom and big scooter...mid life lol

wa here all big and nice bike wan ah

never hear those mid life but riding phatom, or kup kia

[barracuda]

The hyperstrada sounds like a really a fun bike… is the version in Singapore the lowered clearance or standard? I’m only 1.6m, is it too tall a bike for me?

 

For the 2013-2014 Hyperstrada, it's 150mm travel front and rear standard. For the 2015 model, it comes in 130mm travel only. Which makes it lower than the 2013-2014 Hyperstrada. Local Ducati agent can bring in the lowered 2015 Hyperstrada if you want but most customers will go for the longer travel suspension. If still not low enough, there's the low seat which you can get as well.

 

The standard height of a 2013-14 Hyperstrada is 850mm (150mm suspension travel). You can order a low version for the 2013-14 Hyperstrada which is 830mm (130mm suspension travel). All 2015 Hyperstrada comes in this low version. No 850mm for 2015 Hyperstrada. A low seat can bring seat height down by 20mm. So a low seat on a 2015 low Hyperstrada is 810mm.

 

The Hypermotard 821 seat height is 870mm and the Hypermotard 821 SP is 890mm on the stock seat.

Edited September 17, 2015 by barracuda

[kawarides]

How about a MV Rivale 800? It has panniers for storage.

 

http://www.mvagusta.com/en/motorcycles/rivale-800/

 

Thank you for your suggestion... but too bad I'm a only 1.6m so motard, adventure bikes or tourer (wide seat) are out of reach lol...Roadster or sportbikes are more comfortable for me.....

[kzone]

wa here all big and nice bike wan ah

never hear those mid life but riding phatom, or kup kia

 

I am! .

[hashimotosan]

hi Kzone,

No worries bro, the bike - whether big or small - doesn't make the community but the Riders. kup kia is a decent bike. It will bring you to places - stimulate our brain & senses, occasional weekend escapades, hv good hot coffee at jb or prata with the tarik - away from that mid life crisis. Ride & live up the spirit.

Just sharing :

[krp]

No such thing as a mid life/early life/late life ride.. Stop being a typical Singaporean and be monkey see monkey do.. It's so much more interesting to see old people ride dirtbikes and young people ride Harleys if you know what I mean

 

- Rider of almost 10 years on sg roads

[Paikia44]

No such thing as a mid life/early life/late life ride.. Stop being a typical Singaporean and be monkey see monkey do.. It's so much more interesting to see old people ride dirtbikes and young people ride Harleys if you know what I mean

 

- Rider of almost 10 years on sg roads

 

It's not about riding at different stage of life... It's about mid life crisis and riding to suppress it. Same same in a way but different in many ways.

 

- Rider of more than 20 years on sg roads :sweat:

[kzone]

It's not about riding at different stage of life... It's about mid life crisis and riding to suppress it. Same same in a way but different in many ways.

 

- Rider of more than 20 years on sg roads :sweat:

 

haha... mid life crisis meh? our partners must be glad that we are riding bikes rather than babes! hhaha

[teambhp]

It's not about riding at different stage of life... It's about mid life crisis and riding to suppress it. Same same in a way but different in many ways.

 

- Rider of more than 20 years on sg roads :sweat:

It's also about income level at midlife

[Paikia44]

haha... mid life crisis meh? our partners must be glad that we are riding bikes rather than babes! hhaha

 

That's what I always tell my wife!!

 

I don't play golf, I no longer chiong pubs, I don't even drink alcohol these days, I don't watch football and damn I don't even stay up to watch Moto GP or F1 races although I enjoy them.

[Paikia44]

It's also about income level at midlife

 

Of course...!! For once (hopefully more to come), I agree with you.

[MR BIKER]

That's what I always tell my wife!!

 

I don't play golf, I no longer chiong pubs, I don't even drink alcohol these days, I don't watch football and damn I don't even stay up to watch Moto GP or F1 races although I enjoy them.

 

heyyyyyy. thats me exactly

[Paikia44]

heyyyyyy. thats me exactly

 

Hi Five!! Hahaha....

[barracuda]

Looks like everyone has their own reasons for riding what they choose to ride. At different stages of life, criteria changes. Maybe we can share your priorities in making your decision? In no particular order, here's mine:

 

1) Budget. I set out with a 10k budget to buy a class 2 adventure tourer. So I was looking at COE bikes. Was eyeing piakia44's BMW & Domi among many other bikes but ended up with Ducati haha. Don't ask why, it happens.

2) Character. Like what paikia44 said, the bike must have character. Sadly not many Japanese bikes make the cut. So it's mainly European brands.

3) X factor. You must like the bike and it must sing to you. Hard to put in words but you guys will understand.

4) Family/spouse support. Must make everyone happy right? Brought my wife & kid out to the showroom. Try the bikes, pillion, apparel, drink coffee etc. Yes, my wife endorses the model & chose the colour.

5) Safety. To reassure family, bike needs to have ABS at the minimum. Traction control is a plus point. Good brakes is also a criteria. Plus protective gear when riding.

[Paikia44]

Looks like everyone has their own reasons for riding what they choose to ride. At different stages of life, criteria changes. Maybe we can share your priorities in making your decision? In no particular order, here's mine:

 

1) Budget. I set out with a 10k budget to buy a class 2 adventure tourer. So I was looking at COE bikes. Was eyeing piakia44's BMW & Domi among many other bikes but ended up with Ducati haha. Don't ask why, it happens.

2) Character. Like what paikia44 said, the bike must have character. Sadly not many Japanese bikes make the cut. So it's mainly European brands.

3) X factor. You must like the bike and it must sing to you. Hard to put in words but you guys will understand.

4) Family/spouse support. Must make everyone happy right? Brought my wife & kid out to the showroom. Try the bikes, pillion, apparel, drink coffee etc. Yes, my wife endorses the model & chose the colour.

5) Safety. To reassure family, bike needs to have ABS at the minimum. Traction control is a plus point. Good brakes is also a criteria. Plus protective gear when riding.

 

Wahhh....... How did the $10k budget become a Ducati? I also wan leh. Hehehe.

[karedi]

Looks like everyone has their own reasons for riding what they choose to ride. At different stages of life, criteria changes. Maybe we can share your priorities in making your decision? In no particular order, here's mine:

 

1) Budget. I set out with a 10k budget to buy a class 2 adventure tourer. So I was looking at COE bikes. Was eyeing piakia44's BMW & Domi among many other bikes but ended up with Ducati haha. Don't ask why, it happens.

2) Character. Like what paikia44 said, the bike must have character. Sadly not many Japanese bikes make the cut. So it's mainly European brands.

3) X factor. You must like the bike and it must sing to you. Hard to put in words but you guys will understand.

4) Family/spouse support. Must make everyone happy right? Brought my wife & kid out to the showroom. Try the bikes, pillion, apparel, drink coffee etc. Yes, my wife endorses the model & chose the colour.

5) Safety. To reassure family, bike needs to have ABS at the minimum. Traction control is a plus point. Good brakes is also a criteria. Plus protective gear when riding.

 

10k Ducati from showroom? Got lobang to share?

 

 

Ride on

[GuiNNeSS]

i tink 10k is deposit only bro.

 

lol!!