Getting old....

[Bustaspoke]

Even the 'little' Guzzis are >200kg, which surprised me but probably shouldn't have. The V85TT is 220.

If they were alot lighter I would have said one of those, but that's basically your Rockster with more of a fold in the engine and worse suspension

I quite like the looks of the V7 Classic,but I can't see any Guzzi weighing less than 180KG that will do 100-110 mph with a pillion

[ZRX61]

What bikes are out there that weigh 180 kg or less & are shaft or belt drive?

Lambrettas....

[ZRX61]

How about some old shitbox 750 Virago? Altho the thought of 110mph on one of those is somewhat optimistic/terrifying..

[Noggin]

What mangocrazy says - I'd sort the gravel/access issue first and then worry about the bike in a few years But, I'm a bit of a dick and refuse to acknowledge age (although I do appreciate that I need a ground floor apartment - but that's due to access if I break a leg again more than anything to do with actual age )

[Skub]

How about some old shitbox 750 Virago? Altho the thought of 110mph on one of those is somewhat optimistic/terrifying..

Weighs 225kgs apparently.

[ZRX61]

sheesh

[Taipan]

Get a F800, but only the later black engined one. My F800R was chain drive but the other models are belt drive. I had mine remapped and it was absolutely epic. As a bonus they do over 60mpg too!

[Bustaspoke]

Get a F800, but only the later black engined one. My F800R was chain drive but the other models are belt drive. I had mine remapped and it was absolutely epic. As a bonus they do over 60mpg too!

I have to ask,why did you sell it?

[Taipan]

Get a F800, but only the later black engined one. My F800R was chain drive but the other models are belt drive. I had mine remapped and it was absolutely epic. As a bonus they do over 60mpg too!

I have to ask,why did you sell it?

It was before I had my knee replaced and the riding position was too harsh on my knee. Also I'd had it over 2 weeks...

[Horse]

. Since then I've been recovering, with dr's orders to avoid "strenuous activity" (wtf is that?), for a few weeks; but am still "weak" and "tired" almost all the time.

I appreciate that I'm still in "recovery" and should regain strength etc over time, but it's wiped out the summer of riding I was hoping for.

It's also got me thinking about the Rockster. It's a heavy beast and I currently need to manhandle it up and down a ramp when getting it in and out of the shed, and the gravel parking area is deep and makes pushing a heavy bike around extremely difficult. At the moment there are no plans to change that situation, we're extremely happy in the house we're in.

From memory, you're younger and taller than me

As someone has said, could you improve the gravel? If not replace, get it whacked down firmer or thinned out. Or set a row of slabs in for a solid wheel run.

Ramp. Ride in, sit on and wheel backwards out down the slabs.

Out and about. Plan ahead, think about slopes and cambers before parking.

Worst case, if you have to replace the Rockster, consider how the weight feels rather than absolute dead weight as a number. My oilhead R-RT was much easier to wimphandle (similar outcome to manhandling but more struggling involved) than the K-RTs.

Recovery. The medicos never tell you the full story - it would be too depressing. Enforced idleness aka 'less strenuous' means you will lose strength and stamina, which takes time and effort to return. For me, after 6 months in a neck collar, I had physio exercises with light weights, then gym time. Build your strength and that will help your confidence. Do it. I had already joined a gym (*shudder* words I never thought I'd say) and go 3 times a week.

Worst case. For me, I'd made the decision long before I was told by a Dr. ["No bicycles." What about motorcycles? I asked, knowing what would come. Horrified look on her face "No motorcycles!"] Do I get jealous when I see bikes out? Yup, it hurts. But shit happens. I knew that one day I would have to make the decision, but it was taken out of my control. I can't walk straight, let alone manage a bike.

Semi-comedy thought:
- lower CoG
- belt drive
- two up comfort
- reasonable speed
Has Sir considered a superscoot?

[Rockburner]

Get a F800, but only the later black engined one. My F800R was chain drive but the other models are belt drive. I had mine remapped and it was absolutely epic. As a bonus they do over 60mpg too!

I've ridden an F800GS and I think the D1 Bantam had more grunt per mass...

[Taipan]

Get a F800, but only the later black engined one. My F800R was chain drive but the other models are belt drive. I had mine remapped and it was absolutely epic. As a bonus they do over 60mpg too!

I've ridden an F800GS and I think the D1 Bantam had more grunt per mass...

Well, you're choice for sure, but the F800 is a good one, and could well suit you. I think you'd be almost foolish to pass it over when its certainly nudging at your brief?

[Rockburner]

Get a F800, but only the later black engined one. My F800R was chain drive but the other models are belt drive. I had mine remapped and it was absolutely epic. As a bonus they do over 60mpg too!

I've ridden an F800GS and I think the D1 Bantam had more grunt per mass...

Well, you're choice for sure, but the F800 is a good one, and could well suit you. I think you'd be almost foolish to pass it over when its certainly nudging at your brief?

I've ridden a couple actually, thinking about it, and i don't let the engine much, it always feels overly straining and throttled.

[Count Steer]

I've ridden an F800GS and I think the D1 Bantam had more grunt per mass...

Well, you're choice for sure, but the F800 is a good one, and could well suit you. I think you'd be almost foolish to pass it over when its certainly nudging at your brief?

I've ridden a couple actually, thinking about it, and i don't let the engine much, it always feels overly straining and throttled.

Mine was just boring - open throttle = induction noise + vaguely increased forward motion in a sort of linear fashion. It all felt a bit like an industrial sewing machine (apart from the forward motion, obvs).

[Couchy]

Thanks for the reminder we’re getting old , now hope you’re getting along well. Look for the positives you can finally get another bike that isn’t a rockster
I’d go with making the location work better with the gravel and ramp etc. after that the weight you want is a proper issue with modern bikes, 200kg is the norm and many are way more than that. As mentioned a superscoot has to be worth a look and they are still fun to ride they just aren’t motorbikes. Has one considered a zephyr ? joking aside an older good condition one with some mods would fit most of your brief. 204kg wet, you’ll be able to save 10-15 with some mods so it won’t be far off.

[Rockburner]

Thanks for the reminder we’re getting old , now hope you’re getting along well. Look for the positives you can finally get another bike that isn’t a rockster
I’d go with making the location work better with the gravel and ramp etc. after that the weight you want is a proper issue with modern bikes, 200kg is the norm and many are way more than that. As mentioned a superscoot has to be worth a look and they are still fun to ride they just aren’t motorbikes. Has one considered a zephyr ? joking aside an older good condition one with some mods would fit most of your brief. 204kg wet, you’ll be able to save 10-15 with some mods so it won’t be far off.

Funnily enough, that's not a bad thought.... Il4 smoothness, relatively light (as you say, under 200kg is a challenge), and they can be ridden hard, and are comfy..... I even still have that Shoei fairing!

[Taipan]

Well, you're choice for sure, but the F800 is a good one, and could well suit you. I think you'd be almost foolish to pass it over when its certainly nudging at your brief?

I've ridden a couple actually, thinking about it, and i don't let the engine much, it always feels overly straining and throttled.

Mine was just boring - open throttle = induction noise + vaguely increased forward motion in a sort of linear fashion. It all felt a bit like an industrial sewing machine (apart from the forward motion, obvs).

I liked that liner power right across the range, it made it really tractable, but its not the first time I've herd people say they didn't like the engines characteristics...

[rodbargee]

Gym's working here

[demographic]

I would have thought that the ramp and gravel would be the first things to have a serious look at, what can you change on them?
Block paving?, a low lift?
Then, as you get older do you think you'll have the reactions/eyesight for that 110 with pillion speed? Which might open up a greater choice of bikes anyway.

[wheelnut]

How about getting some stabilising matting for the gravel - it will be just under the surface so you won’t see it but will stop the bike sinking in to it?