Tips for Riders Returning to Motorcycling

I sold my last motorcycle, a Honda VFR800, three years ago when my battered body made riding more of a burden than a pleasure. But the passion for riding never left me.

So, recently, when the opportunity came to buy a friend’s motorcycle – a 15-year-old Kawasaki Ninja 650R with 35,000 miles – for an unbelievably low price, I welcomed it. In doing so, I joined the ranks of what the motorcycling industry calls “returning riders.”

After some preventive maintenance, I took my new-to-me bike for its first ride, and despite some shaky starts and muscle pains, everything came back to me quite quickly. But I haven’t been away as long as some returnees – people who went to college, got married, had kids, lived the American dream, and now, decades later, find themselves nostalgically watching every motorcycle zoom by.

If you’re one of these dreamers, there are some things you need to know. The sport you left behind isn’t necessarily the one you’re returning to. Many things have changed in the last 20 or 30 years, and you need to update your skills, gear, and attitude to avoid your comeback fizzling out. Here are my tips for getting back on the bike after a long break.

Don’t Go Big

If you rode an old Japanese liter bike from the ’80s back in college, you’ll be in for a surprise if you hop on a modern liter bike and twist the throttle. Those old air-cooled four-cylinder engines put out about 90 horsepower, and today you can buy a bike that doubles that power. Even the average middleweight bike puts out enough power to outpace the “fast” bikes of our youth, and hitting 150 mph is easily achievable for anyone with a decent credit score. Buying bikes that are too big, too fast, or too heavy is one of the fastest ways to add “ex-” to the motorcyclist you want to be again.

Aside from the potential unintentional self-destruction, buying too many bikes can also cause financial damage. You might not stick with the sport in reality. Some riders realize that memories are better than reality and end up making payments on an unused bike taking up space in the garage. Ease back into riding on something small and light, and you’ll be less likely to drop it once or twice before regaining your chops. If you buy a cheaper used bike, you’ll still suffer less financial damage when you drop it.

Don’t Succumb to Peer Pressure

If all your riding friends have Harleys, or BMW GSs, or Hayabusas, resist the temptation to fall in line. Get the bike that’s right for you, not them. If your friends hassle you for riding a different brand, they’re probably not really your friends.

While manufacturers have started offering more do-it-all bikes in recent years, the market is still segmented. A sportbike, an adventure bike, a cruiser, or a heavy tourer focused narrowly can prevent you from discovering new types of riding you might enjoy. Resist the call of advertising, think realistically about the type of riding you’ll actually do, and buy the right bike for the job. And realize that you might still change your mind about the type of riding you prefer.

Depending on how long you’ve been away from riding, the type of bike you rode back in the day might not be so kind to your current body. There’s a reason you often see old, portly folks like me on Honda Gold Wings and Harley-Davidson touring bikes. The spacious seating position is kind on old bones and creaky joints. I’m not as nimble as in my misspent youth, and my knees especially ache these days from being bent too much, too often. My Ninja 650R has a moderately sporty riding position, but I’ve modified it with lower footpegs and handlebar risers to make it more comfortable. Still, I don’t rule out swapping it one day for a standard with a more moderate seating position.

Bad News: You’re Older; Good News: Gear Is Better

As you age, it takes longer to heal, which puts the spotlight on your riding gear. Maybe you thought a helmet, a jean jacket, jeans, and sneakers made you look cool back in the day, but they won’t do much more in a crash today.

Upgrade your protective gear, starting with a full-face or modular helmet with good ventilation. In most street-speed crashes, impact with the curb or other obstacles does more damage than sliding, so choose a jacket with good armor on shoulders and elbows and pants with knee armor. Don’t forget gloves with strap closures. Wear all your gear every time you ride. “I was just going to the store, so I didn’t think I needed to wear all that stuff” is an excuse heard too often in the emergency room.

When I was younger, I could hop on a bike and ride a hundred miles before breakfast and sit at Denny’s feeling great. I’ve only recently learned that all my riding muscles have atrophied during my layoff, and doing some stretches before suiting up is a good idea. Pain is distracting and can slow your response to hazards on the road. Tune up your body as you tune up your bike.

An Update Course Makes Sense

Time has a way of dulling what were once finely honed skills. My first ride on the Ninja was slow and cautious compared to how I used to launch my old VFR800 on the same roads, and it still sometimes felt too fast. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has a specific Returning Rider course for riders coming back after a layoff, and I’m considering taking it.

The road environment has probably changed too. Maybe the last time you rode, highways weren’t populated by lifted trucks with hooligans and drivers staring at their phones. There are good on-road training courses that teach not just riding techniques but also how to be more aware of risks and anticipate them so they don’t catch you off guard.

The returning rider is better than the ex-rider

For now, I’m just happy to be back on two wheels. I had no idea how much I missed it. I expect to be the slowest on any ride I take with friends for a while, but I’m not in a rush.

Starting with my next birthday, my age starts with a seven, but if I play it smart, wear the right gear, and respect my new limits, I don’t see why I can’t keep riding into my eighties, and maybe even beyond that.

 

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