This world is full of people who, when they see that I ride a Motorbike, will tell me, "I had one of those and they are bloody dangerous. I fell off it." What they are really saying is that they never actually learned to ride safely. I have had a bike as my main transport for over 45 years. I've ridden hundreds of thousands of miles on the road, trained hundreds of learner riders, (and apprentice bike mechanics) and raced on the circuits at up to international level. It doesn't mean that I'm immortal, or immune to some blind, or drunk, or drug crazed idiot in a four-wheeler. But it does mean that I have learned a few skills in spotting and avoiding hazards, and acquired a respectable level of machine control. So here's my advice. Harleys are for looking at, not riding. Buy a picture of one. You'll save money and unhappiness. You could not pick a less enjoyable form of transport. A middle weight bike will still feel very heavy until you are used to it, but they do have more stability and inspire more confidence than, for example a small wheeled scooter or a 125cc bike. I would recommend a basic naked bike, one of the twin cylinder Japanese bikes around 500 to 600cc. Chopper style cruisers are hard to handle at low speed, on corners, over bumps, and pretty much everywhere else. Race replicas, and sportsbikes can be very uncomfortable for larger or more mature riders- probably why they do so few miles on them that they never actually learn how to ride! (Hence the high accident rate) Trail Bike / Adventure off roaders, as long as they have good road tyres, are excellent for both city riding and back roads, but not so good on Motorways and Highways (Why would you ride a bike on those roads anyway?) Lastly and most important. GET SOME PROPER TRAINING. GET SOME PROPER PROTECTIVE GEAR, AND USE IT. Cheers Dave (just working out my route for this years National Motorcycle Rally.)
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