If you wanted a small bike, what would it be?

ST1100TX

ST1100TX

Joined
Aug 1, 2024
Messages
77
Age
69
Location
Kerrville, Texas
I love my Blackbird and my ST, but most of the time I could ride a much smaller slower bike and be just as happy here in Texas Hill Country. As I approach the age of 70, I find myself not riding as fast and just wanting to ride the little country roads and "smell the roses". That often equates to something around 45 mph. If I got a smaller bike, I'd still need it to go around 70mph top speed in order not to get run over on certain stretches of road that I can't avoid.

A buddy of mine in the same frame of mine sold his Indian Chieftain and bought an RE350. I've ridden it and wasn't impressed. Another buddy in SC has a Honda Trail 125 that he swears by, but I can't imagine it hauling me around or keeping up with traffic.

What do ya'll have or wish you had?
 
This is the very same question I answered for myself. I currently have a Kawasaki Vulcan S 650 ABS. Inline twin engine from the Ninja 650. Also used in the Versys 650. Significantly lower seat than those two. Light weight at just under 500 lbs. And if you need to get outta the way on the occasional Interstate highway this one has absolutely no issues doing that. It does rev higher than the bigger bikes that that's the nature of this engine size. And being from the Ninja heritage it can really take off if you want to make it a more exciting ride once in a while. Most of my riding around here is up and down from 45 mph and this bike loves it there. But it also loves 55-60 mph. I've tried bikes with forward controls before and couldn't stand to ride them for very long. But there is something very different about this one that allows me to sit in the saddle all day long. But as with all bikes YMMV with that.

I'm 71 yo and you'd be surprised at how that desire to slow down doesn't always stick around on every ride. And as said in the previous post I really don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything compared to my previous bikes like the ST1100 and the CTX1300. Even so, I am a much more conservative rider than most here but I still like to take off when the road allows on occasion. Just not as often as I used to. This bike doesn't hold me back when I want to and easily does what I want when I don't.

I decided I didn't want anything smaller than 550 cc until I'm done with doing rides very far out of my own county.

PXL_20250601_184320351.jpgPXL_20260611_202942571.jpg
 
Last edited:
I already have mine. A Gen II Suzuki V-Strom 650. Big enough for the freeway if necessary and light enough for the dirt roads. And nimble enough for the tight up and down twisties. Install the Suzuki Adventure metal Pannier and load up to go camping, riding at a leisurely pace. At nearly 77 years old this is the perfect bike to ride the mountains and foothill of Colorado. I also have my FJR1300 and my NT1100 for when the mood strikes. But given the choice of only keeping one bike for the rest of my riding career, the V-Strom 650 get the call.


SAM_5535 (2) - Copy.JPGSAM_6796.JPGSAM_6831.JPGSAM_6114.JPGSAM_7010.JPGSAM_7888.JPG
 
ST1100TX said:
What do ya'll have or wish you had?
Click to expand...

1Honda-1.jpg


1985 Nighthawk 650. A brilliant 'little' bike. Little bro to my '85 V65 Sabre (different engine type tho).

Gorgeous UJM looks.
Shaft drive.
6-speed transmission
GPI
hydraulic valves

Add FI but don't ruin the looks.

Since that won't happen I'm not sure what I'd get. There were a couple Maybes somewhere along the line but they escape the little gray cells at the moment.
 
Another thought is to look at a scooter. Scooter range from 50ccs which is barely faster than an electric bike. They go up to 650ccs which is fast and heavy. But in between are some simple twist and go scooters in the 400cc range that'll do just about anything you want.
 
Man, I love the suggestions and looking at these bikes. Seems that 650cc is the sweet spot, although I think that NX500 would fit the bill nicely, too. That 750 Nighthawk of Larry's is insanely retro.

Scooters...dunno. I delivered a Burgman 650 to a customer back in the day and the sit-up-and-beg riding position felt very funky. What a nice scooter, though. I would not turn down a 400 or even the 200 if the price was right, but they probably wouldn't be my first choice.

I'm 6'2" and 220 so not a big guy exactly, but that would affect how small a bike I'd get.
 
Daboo said:
Another thought is to look at a scooter. Scooter range from 50ccs which is barely faster than an electric bike. They go up to 650ccs which is fast and heavy. But in between are some simple twist and go scooters in the 400cc range that'll do just about anything you want.
Click to expand...
+1 on the scooters. After my left ankle issues, I bought a Vespa 300. It was honestly some of the most fun on 2 wheels that I've ever had. Little guy was seriously quick off the line, could go anywhere, automatic, insane gas mileage, and got the most compliments of any 2 wheeler I've owned.....big conversation starter almost every time I parked it somewhere.
 
I like my VStrom 800 over my previously owned VStrom 650 ….. mainly, because you can add the Veridian electronic cruise control. The 800 is a very nimble, light feeling motorcycle that fits me at 6’4” with a 35” inseam.IMG_1470.png
 
Mykllee said:
+1 on the scooters. After my left ankle issues, I bought a Vespa 300. It was honestly some of the most fun on 2 wheels that I've ever had. Little guy was seriously quick off the line, could go anywhere, automatic, insane gas mileage, and got the most compliments of any 2 wheeler I've owned.....big conversation starter almost every time I parked it somewhere.
Click to expand...
My ADV150 is too small to replace one of my motorcycles but it’s seriously fun on the right roads. It runs out to 65 mph and it’s very peppy up to 55 mph. In the curves I place my feet on the passenger foot rests. I think will be looking at 300 or 400cc scooters to downsize to when motorcycles get too tall and heavy for me. I ride on occasion with a local well-run and attended scooter club. At 70 years old I am the youngest sometimes by 15 years. The club rides three days a week on day rides up to 100 miles and one RTE also 2-3 rides annually with one or two overnight stays. Scooters carry their weight so low a 300-400 lb one feels much lighter.
 
Definitely the NC700X, as noted above. I have really enjoyed mine, it's quick, nimble, easy to service, and insanely high gas mileage. Just riding it to some work meetings, and really trying to take it easy, it got 73MPG.
 
I've come to really appreciate my NC 750X DCT's. So easy to ride and so fun on the back roads. Plenty of power for solo touring. Bought my first one at 71 yo in 2021. Traded in my FJR on it. I have put about 72,000 miles on that one. Still have it and ride it about 5 days a week. Going to put 100,000 mi on it if I can. Averages 74 mpg. weight around 500 pounds and the weight is down low making it feel even lighter. And it has a FRUNK!

U68pUBp.jpg

7gbdYYN.jpg


Touring outfits ...I like using soft luggage for trips keeping the bike light weight and unencumbered by hard bags when I don't need them
R414PH1.jpg

GQQV3QB.jpg


Then, last fall at 75 yo I bought a low mileage heavily farkled 2023 with 1290 miles on it from a guy that was giving up riding, which should carry me to the end of my riding career. It's got Veridian cruise, heated grips, Wilbers suspension F&R, extra lights, etc. It's coming up on 5,000 miles on it now. I ride it on average 2 days a week.

ikVTUij.jpg

6VdrJ2q.jpg

uFs7k1c.jpg


The DCT transmission is brilliant, and very versatile. No clutch and you can still shift whenever you want, it's just that once you get used to it, you don't want to shift, you just want to ride without the hassle.

Of the 33 motorcycles I've owned in the last 61 years and (approx 850,000 miles of riding) the NC 750X DCT is quickly working its way to the top of my list of favorites. I love mine.

my 2 NC 750x DCTs

QVU6mAL.jpg
 
Mykllee said:
+1 on the scooters. After my left ankle issues, I bought a Vespa 300. It was honestly some of the most fun on 2 wheels that I've ever had. Little guy was seriously quick off the line, could go anywhere, automatic, insane gas mileage, and got the most compliments of any 2 wheeler I've owned.....big conversation starter almost every time I parked it somewhere.
Click to expand...
Well, Vespa's have always had a "cool" factor and the 300 would have enough oomph. I'm not sure how it would fare on the goat trails here, though. Some of them can really tax your suspension. But, yes, interesting option.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom