This trend for massive bikes

[mangocrazy]

Bit ironic to regard big traillies as fashion and using a 'Chelsea Tractor' - to go shopping.

If we applied some of the logic in this thread to cars, we'd all be driving VW Ups.

It'd be nice if people rode/drove what they like and accept that others can do the same.

The big difference though is that you don't need to push a car of any size around to park it, you just stop where you want to leave it and walk away. With a bike the problem starts when you stop riding it and have to park it, especially if camber or road/driveway surface is not helpful.

Most people's justification of heavy bikes runs along the lines of 'the weight disappears when you're on the move' - of course it f'n does... If one of these ADV behemoths automatically parked itself where I wanted it, I'd probably consider one. Until that time though...

[MrLongbeard]

Get a gym membership

[Count Steer]

Bit ironic to regard big traillies as fashion and using a 'Chelsea Tractor' - to go shopping.

If we applied some of the logic in this thread to cars, we'd all be driving VW Ups.

It'd be nice if people rode/drove what they like and accept that others can do the same.

Most people's justification of heavy bikes runs along the lines of 'the weight disappears when you're on the move' - of course it f'n does...

That's not a justification, that's just a fact. Justification is that they carry 2 people, in comfort, with luggage, long distances, without stopping for fuel every 5 minutes, at acceptable speeds and will happily cope with less than ideal road conditions should you prefer to avoid autoroutes and N roads.

Not everyone wants or needs all that. If they do, the size and the weight aren't the main criteria for choosing one, just comes with the territory.

Some people don't want to go much off the flat black stuff and like tourers. One of the smallest riders I've ridden behind was in his 70s, riding a Gold Wing Aspencade, filtering like an eel and in total control. I imagined he just chose his parking spots carefully but I wouldn't have been surprised if he could wheel it about like a bicycle. I used to watch them wheeling the bikes out at the local dealers, big uns, little uns....didn't make any difference. It's a skill like any other.

[cheb]

My bikes have gone from a nominal 1000cc to a nominal 250cc, top speed hasn't changed much. And I downsized the van from Transit sized to Berlingo sized. The latter as I didn't need the space anymore but still need a van.

Mr Logic lives.

[mangocrazy]

Bit ironic to regard big traillies as fashion and using a 'Chelsea Tractor' - to go shopping.

If we applied some of the logic in this thread to cars, we'd all be driving VW Ups.

It'd be nice if people rode/drove what they like and accept that others can do the same.

Most people's justification of heavy bikes runs along the lines of 'the weight disappears when you're on the move' - of course it f'n does...

That's not a justification, that's just a fact. Justification is that they carry 2 people, in comfort, with luggage, long distances, without stopping for fuel every 5 minutes, at acceptable speeds and will happily cope with less than ideal road conditions should you prefer to avoid autoroutes and N roads.

Not everyone wants or needs all that. If they do, the size and the weight aren't the main criteria for choosing one, just comes with the territory.

Some people don't want to go much off the flat black stuff and like tourers. One of the smallest riders I've ridden behind was in his 70s, riding a Gold Wing Aspencade, filtering like an eel and in total control. I imagined he just chose his parking spots carefully but I wouldn't have been surprised if he could wheel it about like a bicycle. I used to watch them wheeling the bikes out at the local dealers, big uns, little uns....didn't make any difference. It's a skill like any other.

As you said in an earlier post - It'd be nice if people rode/drove what they like and accept that others can do the same. I'm deliriously happy for anyone and everyone that is able and wants to ride large, heavy bikes of any description. Even Harleys... I am not trying to stop them, or even try and convince them to do otherwise. I am merely expressing my view on big, heavy motorcycles and why I find them a no-no, especially as I age and muscle mass diminishes.

So my personal views on bikes I don't fancy owning should not be implied as any kind of criticism of your choices. It's not - it's simply my personal opinion based on my preferences and dislikes.

[Mr. Dazzle]

It'll be far less of a problem when your leccy bike has "crawl mode" both backwards and forwards

Just as well really.

[Count Steer]

I think I've mellowed over the years. When my knee was uggbered and I took one of the bikes in for service the boss man suggested I might like to try a cruiser style bike. I must have looked at him like I'd put my finger through the toilet paper.

[Wossname]

I must have looked at him like I'd put my finger through the toilet paper.

This year's best sentence. I did laugh! So did Mrs W when I read it to her. Well done!

[The Spin Doctor]

I've got a Skoda Roomster - does that count?

Does it do what you need it to do?
Are you happy with it?
If so, I'd say it's excellent.

Seats four easily, five at a push, manages almost 40 mpg round town and can top 50 mpg on a run, cruises at 70 mph comfortably and is reasonably nimble in the twisties. Has a big boot, and rear seats come out when SHMBO is doing one of her catering jobs and needs the load lugging space. Oh and has a big moon roof which is marvellous for a quick night-time tour of Xmas lights

If I could get a bike in the back, like I could with my old Nissan Serena, it would be perfect

Oh and it's now got a dent in each corner so it's not likely to be a London thief magnet!

[Count Steer]

I've got a Skoda Roomster - does that count?

Does it do what you need it to do?
Are you happy with it?
If so, I'd say it's excellent.

Seats four easily, five at a push, manages almost 40 mpg round town and can top 50 mpg on a run, cruises at 70 mph comfortably and is reasonably nimble in the twisties. Has a big boot, and rear seats come out when SHMBO is doing one of her catering jobs and needs the load lugging space. Oh and has a big moon roof which is marvellous for a quick night-time tour of Xmas lights

If I could get a bike in the back, like I could with my old Nissan Serena, it would be perfect

Oh and it's now got a dent in each corner so it's not likely to be a London thief magnet!

Sounds perfect.

My 'that London' car was a basic Renault 5 (with moon roof). Bought it new. Lived in NW3, worked at a place on the Old Kent Road. When I sold it* it looked like it had been hired out to a war correspondent.

*Advertised it in the Ham and High, first viewer bought it.

[Dickyboy]

Most people's justification of heavy bikes runs along the lines of 'the weight disappears when you're on the move' - of course it f'n does... If one of these ADV behemoths automatically parked itself where I wanted it, I'd probably consider one. Until that time though...

Some twat got the right hump with me for parking my huge monstrosity a bit too close to their huge monstrosity at the Manx GP, even after I'd offered to hold mine upright whilst they got on & away, he clearly wasn't used to parking up at busy bike events