The Golden Years are now so make sure you make the most of them
It occurred to me the other day we are now in the true era of the Golden Years. Some will definitely disagree, but let me explain.
I’ve now ridden on the road for 34 years and in that time I’ve owned quite a fair number of motorcycles, I’ve toured extensively, I’ve track dayed massively and I’ve done all sorts of things on the road, some of which now make me cringe. But in those memories I can’t remember a time when you had such a vast choice of bikes that did just about everything – road bike wise that is – not off road.
The 80s – wobbly two strokes and the first super sport four strokes, but have you ever returned to riding one today? They’re dreadful but I remember them better than that! Big fat tourers that were very dull.
The 90s – time for the first breed of light and fast bikes, but still by today’s standards nowhere near. Tourers were still fat. Maybe the VFR was OK?
The 00s – super fast and fairly uncomfortable, tourers were still fat but getting a bit more fun for sure.
But what’s my point? Well, we now have a massive choice of hybrid bikes, light like a sports bike but comfy and able to tour AND they are bloody fast, the Yamaha Tracer, BMW XR, MV Agusta Veloce and of course Ducati
Hi there. I have just been up the A712-713 to Ayr from Dumfries. The 713 is a great ride and I wanted to share this with other readers of MCM.
From my home on Walney Island in Cumbria to Ardrossan and the return trip it is 500 miles, which I cover on my Honda NC750X with DCT. The bike’s a
Multistrada to name but a few. Bikes that can and do everything as a road bike and even a track bike if you desired – the Golden Years! Great paper. Regards Gary Lydford
dream to ride, returning a clear 80mpg while I travel along in sixth gear. I visit the Electric Brae, which is nine miles from Ayr and get the ferry across to Arran for a 60 mile-long trip around the island. Big MCM fan! Regards
Hi Gary, I couldn’t agree with you more. It seems that with every year that passes, motorcycles in every single sector get better and better at the entire range of disciplines we can throw at two wheels. It makes me very excited about what is going to appear in the next five or 10 years! TC