Time To Let Go

[milkmaster_imp]

I'm not too far behind some of you in this. A couple of years ago I got rid of my 2015 Goldwing. I got tired of wrestling the weight around with my strength dwindling with age. However, after another year without a bike, the CB1100 is my fix at about 450 lbs less than my Goldwing. So far I handle the CB1100 just fine and am reliving my 1970's and 1980's years again. The wife doesn't ride anymore, and I am happy with the power etc. I am 64 now. Just a few more years and I will probably be reaching the point where riding 2 wheels is no longer safe. Until then, ride with care my friends.

[Cormanus]

Milk master, Rocky and Nachodaddy won’t see 80 again; the Ferret won’t see 70, and they’re all still riding. You’ve a long way to go.

[WhatYes_imp]

I shared this on another thread, but this is a GREAT short video by an older rider FOR us seasoned, older riders, about recognizing when it's time to downsize, and some recommendations. I shared it with a friend of mine in his 70s who - despite constantly dropping his half-ton V-twin bikes, and despite having SERIOUSLY injured himself - STILL insists he MUST ride a big bike. Even though now, due to not being able to handle it, he CAN'T ride. Sigh. Anyway, good watch here:

https://youtu.be/WusDmPl2suo
BTW, I'm 68 and plan on riding for MANY more years. We're getting my wife (62) back onto her own bike next spring - either a Rebel 500 or Vulcan 650s. Previously she rode a Rebel 250 and then a GSX650F. (awesome bike)

[The Gecko_imp]

You are right, M, don't need the weight, don't need the power. 550 lbs is plenty, more is nothing but a pain to us more mortals. But the CB1100 offers something else: a certain level, lure and appeal of sophisticated, timeless technology, craftsmanship, and complexity which I love and do not see in a modern 2cyl average water-cooled engine. And while my old CB550 Four is almost as good.... I love the 11.
Will scale down with age, of course, and only ride the 11 according to the following formula:
5 days a week at 50, 5 days a week at 60, 4 days a week at 70 .... until she or me cannot do it no more
(or I run out of money)

[2017EX_imp]

Well, as my hero Clint Eastwood said in one of his movies "Ya know, a mans just gotta know his limitations." I had a Harley CVO Softail Springer for 10 years starting in 2007. That thing weighed over 750 lbs. and was like wrestling a tank in around town traffic. I was younger and stronger back then, but it got to the point where I knew I needed to downsize. So, in 2017 I started looking at the options and was thrilled to find that Honda was making a machine called a CB1100EX, and huzzah, it was four cylinders just like my CB750 Four back in the day. By going getting rid of the Harley I cut over 250 lbs. of weight, and increased maneuverability dramatically.

Now I am going from the CB1100 to the Monkey. Oddly enough, the Monkey has the almost exactly the same wheelbase and seat height as my very first motorcycle, a 1968 Suzuki K11 Sport 80. Brand spankin new, the K11 was $350. I worked all summer at a 24-hr. restaurant washing dishes and bussing tables to make the money to buy it. It wasn't long before I started wanting a bigger bike with more HP.

The Monkey is a lot of fun, and it allows me to still ride when I want to. Despite age catching up with me, and various related ailments, it is easy to maneuver in and out of the garage, as well as the actual riding.

[GoldOxide_imp]

... ride well and safely 2017EX. The Honda Monkey must put on a smile during every mount.