Opinions and comments, please

[Yoda]

I’ve had my Suzuki 650 V-Strom XT Adventure a couple of years now. Put about 5,000 miles on it. It’s great touring, especially the cruise control. One of the best bikes I’ve ever owned.

However, I dropped it for the first time on a trip to the North Rim Grand last fall. It took 3 adult males to pick it up. Ugh. 600 pounds loaded.

Living 12 miles off of pavement means avoiding mud, sand most of the time. So, I usually ride only on long trips like Spearfish for the NT gathering.

I’m considering downsizing (again). The bike previously was a Honda CRF300L rally. Easier to pick up but not very fast on the highway. Before that was a Honda CB500X. Better capabilities in the highway, but still pushing 500 pounds loaded.

Should I give up being able to tour in order to have a light weight bike? Or, just hang it up forever?

Like most here on the forum, I’m not getting any younger. This June I’ll celebrate 78 birthdays on this globe. I am healthy for my age, but don’t have near the strength I once had. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Rich

 

[Manfred]

It is good to consider such things - but each must make his own choice.

 

[NewTo700V]

It took 3 adult males to pick it up.

How was it picked up? A grown male of normal health should be able to pick up a 600lb bike solo. Bending forward and lifting ain't the way.

This is.

 

[Chucksklrst]

Just be extra carful. I will be 76 this year and of the three bikes I have, my 2013 V-Strom 650 adventure is the bike I will keep, as it is the lightest. When not on a overnight trip I remove the luggage and the racks to keep the bike light for running around local. Also my V-Strom is the bike I choose to ride dirt / gravel roads with.

 

[Yoda]

IF I give up touring (a BIG if), a smaller dual sport would suit me fine. I have even considered a Honda CT125 Trail. Or a Grom. Even a Monkey. LOL

But I still like going to Spearfish every summer! Good company and all that.

As to picking up the bike last year, it was off camber, and the three adults were tired from riding and old like me. YMMV

ChuckKLRST: didn’t you used to have a Versys 300? How light was it? Was it OK for highway travel?

 

[ARKNT]

I don't have a Versys 300 but I have a Versys 650. There are quite a few riders on the Versys forum who put dual sport tires on their 300s and ride fire roads and such. Of course, most of them are also younger so not an apple to apple comparison. They seem to be OK on the highway from what I read.

Arknt

 

[Manfred]

IF I give up touring (a BIG if), a smaller dual sport would suit me fine. I have even considered a Honda CT125 Trail. Or a Grom. Even a Monkey. LOL

But I still like going to Spearfish every summer! Good company and all that.

As to picking up the bike last year, it was off camber, and the three adults were tired from riding and old like me. YMMV

ChuckKLRST: didn’t you used to have a Versys 300? How light was it? Was it OK for highway travel?

A couple years ago, I was riding through Arkansas and when made a pit-stop, I did not get the kickstand down all the way on my Honda Sabre 700. It was mostly off the pavement. I was unable to pick it up. A friend trucker came by after a while and picked up as if it was a box of tissue paper.

 

[Chucksklrst]

IF I give up touring (a BIG if), a smaller dual sport would suit me fine. I have even considered a Honda CT125 Trail. Or a Grom. Even a Monkey. LOL

But I still like going to Spearfish every summer! Good company and all that.

As to picking up the bike last year, it was off camber, and the three adults were tired from riding and old like me. YMMV

ChuckKLRST: didn’t you used to have a Versys 300? How light was it? Was it OK for highway travel?

Yes, I sold it last year as I needed the room in the garage and I preferred to ride my V-Strom 650. It will do the highway, secondary roads are it's favorite. Go up a tooth on the front sprocket, keep the rpms up and it will run all day at 65 to 70. Lots of reports of long distance travels on the little x300 over on the x300 forums. Face book has a good x300 page. The x300 was and is a great little do it all machine. Put some Dunlop Trailmax Missions on it and it will go damn near anywhere.

​

 

[junglejim]

From the pictures you posted of your driveway I’d recommend this.

I don’t think you’ll find a bike light enough for an old fart to ride off road and have the long distance capability you’re looking for. For dirt riding tires make a world of difference.

There are two ways to ride off road. One is use a lot of caution and finesse. The other is to pick a good line and twist the throttle letting the bike’s capacity fix all the stuff you can’t miss. There’s just too much difference between a touring bike and an off bike. The ones in between are a compromise. I’ve tried riding my Versys 650 and my Tiger 800 off road by lowering the tire pressure. Nearly dropped them both. A 400-500 pound bike is just too big for me to ride off road. My 28# mountain bike is more appropriate.

Each of us has to choose one own course of action every day. You can review motorcycle spec every day but that changes nothing.

Follow “chuckklrst” and get multiple bikes. Everything is purpose built. Use something that fits the purpose.

 

[mikesim]

Last summer Mike Jr and I were on our annual long ride and my V-Strom decided to take a nap. A typical parking lot SAD . He and I managed to get it up easily while fully laden..... mainly him. I know that I cannot do it alone and I still love to take solo trips whenever possible. I've been looking at this gizmo

When your Motorcycle tips over on its side or is dropped, this portable tool will easily lift your motorcycle upright - MotoBikeJack

Portable tool to lift a fallen or dropped motorcycle. Collapsible and easily stored in Saddlebag or TopCase. Sets up in seconds, easy lift by One Person. Prevent Strain to Back, knees and legs while getting you back on the road or trail. Made in USA of high strength Steel.

www.motobikejack.com

and I am about ready to pull the trigger. Has anyone had experience with this jack?

Mike

 

[Mellow]

Move? Even if a bike only weight 200 lbs it would be no fun to pick up because they usually fall flat..

A 900 lb goldwing or Harley is easier to pick up due to the crash bars attached and engine configuration.

I've dropped my RT a couple time and it wasn't too bad to pick up even with all the gear... the Tracer was a bear but it was in mud.

 

[Yoda]

Move? Even if a bike only weight 200 lbs it would be no fun to pick up because they usually fall flat..

MOVE?! Actually, we ARE considering moving back to the Midwest, closer to a daughter in Dallas. Probably a “city” place, at least with paved roads. But, definitely not in a BIG city.

Living in the boondocks has its advantages: peaceful, quiet, plenty of room. But, the disadvantages are starting to outweigh the good stuff.

Jim’s idea to emulate ChucksKLRST is great! Multiple bikes for every possible trip. However, the Chief Financial Officer still says NO. One bike is it. Gotta be a compromise.

 

[suvcw04]

As mentioned on here, YouTube is your friend. Watch a few videos, then when there are people around if you need them, practice what the videos show.

 

[ST1100Y]

Move? Even if a bike only weight 200 lbs it would be no fun to pick up because they usually fall flat..
A 900 lb goldwing or Harley is easier to pick up due to the crash bars attached and engine configuration.

Ditto...
Exactly the issue with the GF's NT700VA: if that goes over, it's flat on the deck...
If manage to tip over my ST1100, it lounges on its elbow (tip-wing) and grumbles "watch it moron!"... rather easy to kick it back up from that ~45° angle...

 

[mikesim]

MOVE?! Actually, we ARE considering moving back to the Midwest, closer to a daughter in Dallas. Probably a “city” place, at least with paved roads. But, definitely not in a BIG city.

Living in the boondocks has its advantages: peaceful, quiet, plenty of room. But, the disadvantages are starting to outweigh the good stuff.

Jim’s idea to emulate ChucksKLRST is great! Multiple bikes for every possible trip. However, the Chief Financial Officer still says NO. One bike is it. Gotta be a compromise.

..tsk...tsk...tsk... Rich... haven't you learned by now that it's always easier to beg forgiveness than it is to ask permission?




Mike

 

[mikesim]

Ditto...
Exactly the issue with the GF's NT700VA: if that goes over, it's flat on the deck...
If manage to tip over my ST1100, it lounges on its elbow (tip-wing) and grumbles "watch it moron!"... rather easy to kick it back up from that ~45° angle...

My NT has never wound up flat. It has always been slightly above flat sitting on the tipover wing.

Mike

 

[Yoda]

IIRC, when my bike went down on the pea gravel, it was laying on the panniers with both wheels pointing skyward. And the crew couldn’t get traction on the pea gravel to lift it up.
THAT’S why it was such a b#%tch to get back on its feet. Needed a crane, but didn’t have one handy.

 

[junglejim]

………
Jim’s idea to emulate ChucksKLRST is great! Multiple bikes for every possible trip. However, the Chief Financial Officer still says NO. One bike is it. Gotta be a compromise.

Aw come on on Rich, how many pairs of shoes does she have? The husband never wins but you’ve got to keep up

I’m on my 5th “last” motorcycle and still married.

 

[Coyote Chris]

..tsk...tsk...tsk... Rich... haven't you learned by now that it's always easier to beg forgiveness than it is to ask permission?




Mike

I got a bike for my wife. Best trade I ever did!

 

[Coyote Chris]

I would only add that I have seen those vids and if you are 76 and make a wrong move due to balance or ? You are gonna have a bad day. Wait for someone else to help. I still feel like I can tour and ride. But I take things easier. 50 years ago I did gentile off roading. Trail riding. Now, any fall is gonna tweak something. That is why you don't see 60 year old figure skaters doing jumps.