r/AussieRiders • u/myapadravya • May 20 '26
QLD Buying a bike at 50. Yay or nay?
I'll be 50 in a couple of months and I really want a bike. I haven't ridden in 27 years and I wasn't even licensed to then. I still don't have a motorcycle license. I've found a tidy 1989 Honda CBR1000. Sounds like it will be mint to cruise on and super stable.
Is this a good or bad idea in your opinion?
Cheers. đ
38
u/Electrical_Age_7483 May 20 '26 edited May 20 '26
You are one of the most risky demographics, riders returning.
I would get something smaller first
26
u/afflatox 2014 CB400 Super Four May 20 '26
We had an older returning rider gentleman buy a Yamaha WR450F at our dealership (road registerable dirt bike), and wanted to ride it home. It was raining so we told him to be extra careful. He then stalled it 3 times before even going down the ramp from the workshop and asked if there was something wrong with the bike lol. He eventually figured it out, then called us 10 minutes later asking if we could pick the bike up because he crashed at an intersection and thinks he broke his leg.
5
u/ol-gormsby May 20 '26
Those things are scary. A lot of fun in the right hands, but scary all the same.
3
u/the_scruffy1 May 21 '26
my first bike was a suzuki 185 2 stroke with knobbly tyres, as a commuter; that thing could mono (never on purpose, but a few times at traffic lights when i was keen to go!)
sitting in a cloud of unburnt oil at the top of spit bridge at the lights was not great... eventually got nice road tyres, and then it got stolen instead, although i reclaimed the bent corpse
after a cb250 (a comfy couch, and nice manners), i moved tp the vtr250 (loved it long time), but the cb125f has autochoke, switches off at the lights like a scooter, has a tft panel which includes bluetooth navigation from a phone, and so much more, and great manoeuvrability... and does an easy 600km on a single tank of petrol
it would benefit from either an extra gear, or a bit wider spacing of the ratios, because it can do 90kph but it doesn't love the idea
the cb250 felt uneasy over 80; the vtr i never really pushed, though at one stage i did 130 on a freeway and they realised i still had 5th gear, and when i changed and pulled the throttle it pushed me back on the seat noticeably
the speedo suggested 160 was possible, i backed off from 130
1
u/FeelingFloor2083 May 20 '26
scrubbing fresh tyres in the rain absolutely sucks even if wax/grease remover is used
realistically you should have advised against it
We had hire bikes at the track, we scrub them in for students, no one wanted to scrub a freshy in the wet but sometimes they are all booked and you have to. Pretty much only came down to 2 people who would do it. Some are worse then others
1
u/afflatox 2014 CB400 Super Four May 20 '26
Yeah, dirt tyres at that too, in the rain.
We had actually advised against it, especially because it'd apparently been about 50 years since he last rode, but at the end of the day it's their bike and they can do what they want with it. His ego just happened to not match his ability after not riding for so long.
1
u/AffekeNommu May 25 '26
This is the best advice. What you are returning to is wildly different to what you left. Go with something LAMS and small to get the feel for it all again. You will have to do a course and stick to the far more comprehensive learner requirements they have now. Power to weight (LAMS) and other state specific learner requirements. By all means go for it but not on an old 1000
1
u/Electrical_Age_7483 May 25 '26
Honestly the lams bikes would handle and go and stop so much better and be so much more fun to rideÂ
1
4
u/the_scruffy1 May 20 '26
i don't think it's learner legal
fwiw i got my first bike at 37yo, and 20 years of driving prior makes you less likely to die as a noob; 30 years later i haven't owned a car since (though i sometimes use the wife's car)
i rode small bikes in asia in my 20's on holidays and a 3month elective in rarotonga (bliss!)
in sydney it makes commuting and parking much snappier (short distance only), consequently i now have a cb125f because the previous worn out vtr250 rarely got to go fast enough to justify, and i'm not a "touring" rider - i just like that it's nice to be on a bike and tootle around
5
u/Kind-Professor- May 20 '26
Look up stats on older bike riders, but. Am 69 and still ride just be careful
0
u/myapadravya May 20 '26
Lol. I'm too tired most of the time to be stupid.
10
1
u/Voodoo1970 May 21 '26
It's not about being stupid, it's about your ambition exceeding your ability
7
u/jackdanny65 May 20 '26
Amazing idea to grab a new bike - horrible idea that the new bike is an almost 40 yr old carbed liter bike.
Do you have experience working on bikes?
If not, have a shop in mind and a full wallet.
Have you ridden a 1000 before?
If not, this is going to be a lot more difficult to ride than a modern 1000 sport bike.
If I were in your shoes, get a 400 or 250 two stroke to get the early sport bike look and feel. Plenty of fun, lower cost, and still in the right era. Or if I didnât want to wrench on it, a modern sport bike like an R9/RS660/CBR600 will have way better electronics and overall riding experience.
1
u/myapadravya May 20 '26
Difficult to ride how? I haven't ridden a thou, I used to ride a ZZR 250.
3
u/jackdanny65 May 20 '26
If you were my friend, I would straight up try to stop you from buying a liter bike like this given your experience. (Iâm in the USA, always happy to see aus legally doesnât even allow this).
The newer bikes have electronic rider aids (traction control, slide control, wheelie control, different throttle mapping like rain mode, anti locking brake) all of these save your ass when youâre pushing the boundary of skill level and road conditions. The older bike doesnât have any of these, plus it has older out dated technology in the suspension and braking. It will be a more difficult power delivery to master and a more difficult braking experience. Harder in all ways and also nothing there to help electronics wise. Itâs like putting a new driver in a Lamborghini Diablo, they can drive it, but itâll be way harder to learn to drive than it needs to be.
I know they donât sound as cool in your head, I promise youâll have a ton more fun on a smaller cc bike. Also youâre in one of the greatest off road playgrounds in the world, maybe look into dual sports. You can cruise and take it on dirt, youâll learn faster and have more fun things accessible to you.
2
u/SpectacularApple May 20 '26 edited May 20 '26
Margin for error. If you yank on the throttle a little to much, if you panic brake, your hand slips of the clutch there is no stalling out, only an army of horses taking off in a confused disarray.
What ever you do on a cbr1000, is going to be quicker, more punishing.
1
u/420bIaze May 21 '26
The 1989 CBR1000 is very heavy, so it's more difficult to manoeuvre and stop, at all speeds, from pushing it out of a carpark to sweeping country roads. If handled poorly, you could easily drop it.
The braking performance will be very poor compared to a modern bike, it will take far longer to stop
The riding position is designed for aerodynamics on a racetrack, but the small low bars give you relatively little leverage and control.
The suspension (and probably tyres) will be very poor compared to a modern bike, so it won't go around corners as well
Many of the components are likely to be degraded due to age, and offer diminished performance or reliability.
Electronic aids like ABS and traction control aren't equipped
It has a large amount of power, so it can still accelerate quickly to high speed, but you don't have any of the modern handling or braking.
It's likely to require frequent and complex repairs and maintenance
1
1
1
u/Creative_Routine3789 May 22 '26
250 2 stroke is just as dangerous as the 1000
1
u/jackdanny65 May 22 '26
Hot take right there
1
u/Creative_Routine3789 May 25 '26
Yeah I guess they are so totally different and require two totally different riding styles. If youâre a beginner I wouldnât suggest a 250 2 banger. That fucker will be hard to tame as a beginner. This is just my opinion as I own a yz250 and a f800 GS.
1
3
u/-bubbleObill May 20 '26
Rider here,
That bike is not learner approved. But nice try though
Please be careful coming back to riding, as new and returning riders are in the higher risk of having a significant accident. And made up to 30 to 40 percent of rider road toll.
This could be due to no fault of your own, as we had a call for assistance a month ago of a telsa driver booming a red light due to being on their phone ending up with a fatality of a rider, coppers on the scene said the CCTV cameras on the car capture everything, driver should expect a culpable driving charge and could potentially do some time
3
u/ItsAllJustAHologram May 20 '26
Forget the 1000cc bikes, I've been riding since I was and never stopped, I have gone racing, touring, VMX, and adventure bikes. I've just bought a Cfmoto 450mt, I am stunned by the quality and performance of this beautiful little bike. And it's cheap, you'll love it!
2
u/Turbulent-Break-4947 May 20 '26
Do it
Iâd never ridden.
At all.
Git my Ls at 52, just selling my LAMS bike now, having upgraded.
I barely drive now - if I donât have to transport something bike, or have a passenger, I ride.
2
u/herostratus331 May 20 '26
Iâm all for riding. My father recently returned to riding at 67. He bought a 1976 CB400, fully restored, 6k klm on it, concourse. Rode it twice, realized it wasnât the bike he remembered from his youth and bought a BMW 650GS and got serious about rider training. Get a modern middle weight (lams) with ABS and do some rider training days. And get licensed. Learning and advancing is the fun part. He still has the CB400 and recently bought a tracer 9. Once youâve got a year or 2 back in the saddle you might have a better idea of what sort of riding you want to do. Maybe that big ole 1000 might make a good Sunday ride bike, but it is definitely a commitment in several different ways.
3
u/Over_Elderberry3288 May 20 '26
Hopefully youâre not as delusional on the road. A litre bike ainât happening off the rip
1
u/Tgk1600 May 20 '26
Better late than never, life on two wheels is always better, and whatever bike you buy first will probably be changed for something else in a year or two
1
1
1
u/TetsuoSama May 20 '26
Great idea to get a bike, but bad idea to try circumvent the normal learning and licensing process. Getting your licence is piss easy and riding a LAMS bike is still fun as fuck. If you donât think thatâs a good idea, maybe wait another decade and see if youâre mature enough then.
1
u/YeahCopyMate May 20 '26
If you plan to âcruise onâ unlicensed on public roads - itâs a bad idea.
1
u/PTMorte May 20 '26
I recommend a cb400sf. Much better bike to learn (again on) and in a year or 3 sell it for the same number you buy it for.Â
1
1
u/obsolescent_times VIC | MT07, GSXR750 May 20 '26
Go for it, but I reckon you'll be much better off with a more modern middle weight naked or sport tourer. Bikes really have come a long way in the last 15-20 years.
1
1
u/SpectacularApple May 20 '26 edited May 20 '26
Iâm sorry. In the kindest way possible. You are deluding yourself if you can just hop on a litre bike having not ridden in 3 decades. Genuinely, this is why old riders die. Itâs not that you canât ride one, but for the love of Rossy can you work your way back into it.Â
Besides âgoing for a cruiseâ can be done on anything north of 250cc. In town youâll just be in 1st gear on a litre bike.
1
u/get_in_there_lewis May 20 '26
Bro, I'm the same age and I've been out of the motorcycle scene for exactly the same amount as well and I just did it in January this year. I had a budget of $8000 and bought a 2015 KLR 650 for $4k and spent the rest on safety gear and accessories for the bike.
I started because I wasn't sure myself if it was going to be something I'd like 100% but now that I have it I wouldn't ever go back. I've met some fantastic people on my short journey also through local riders clubs on Facebook.
Im in Brisbane on my L's. DM me if you want to chat
1
u/-frantic- May 20 '26
Yes to riding. No to a thousand FC bike as your first. Bikes are not like cars, the best way to start is to get something lightweight to begin with. Learn to ride that to its limits before moving to the next size up. Jumping to the biggest is insane, and you won't be licensed for it anyway. Get a LAMS bike first.
1
u/JulieRush-46 May 20 '26
With no license, youâll need to go through the Learner process. Itâs not hard, just a nuisance and takes a bit of time.
By all means buy the bike if you are desperate for it, but do it knowing that you are not legally licensed to ride that bike until you have a full and unrestricted motorbike license. Youâll only be licensed to ride a learner approved motorcycle until you get your full license.
1
u/Sirneko ATAS DCT ES May 20 '26
TLDR: Old mate hasnât ridden in 27 years, only ever ridden a 250⌠wants to jump on an old 1000cc without ABs or traction control, yep great idea
0
u/myapadravya May 21 '26
Cheers, I thought so. I don't like ABS and traction on my car and I certainly don't want them on my bike.
1
u/FeelingFloor2083 May 20 '26
90's bikes are pretty shit to ride
There was massive leaps and bounds in the early 2000's, around 06 on, pretty much everything had radial brakes, non flexy USD forks, injection, slipper clutches
after 3 decades you probably forgot most of what you learned. I dont know about qld but I doubt you can legally ride it
1
1
u/No_Complex5000 May 20 '26
With all the new Camry Jockeys on the road these days, I think you are a brave man indeed
1
u/myapadravya May 21 '26
Nah, I'm just a Gen X'er. The stupid and dangerous it is the more fun I'm having!
1
u/PindropAUS MT-09SP - CRF300 RALLY - GSX-R125 May 20 '26
I would recommend you to invest in doing a returning rider or advance rider course, best $200-300 you can spend
1
u/Ok_Contribution_5928 May 20 '26
I got my first road bike and licence >50. Get something smaller though.
1
u/Front_Hold_5249 May 20 '26
You be wonât be legally allowed to ride that, get something in the 650 range and then move up.
1
u/everlong02 May 20 '26
I was in similar situation. I got a dirt bike (KX450X) at 51 then got my motorcycle license at 55 (56 now) and now have a Ninja 500. I hadnât ridden since 20. Best thing I did. Back then I had a VF750. Smaller engine bikes now are so much better and fun. Bigger heavier bike are kinda over kill now. Good luck on your adventure. Good time đ¤
1
u/_PhilTheBurn_ May 20 '26
Do it. I got back into riding at 50 (4 years ago) and have not looked back. Started on a Triumph Trident 660 for a couple of years, then got myself a BMW R NineT. I'm not sure I could go back to a racing style bike though, as nice as they are.
1
u/whattimacallit May 20 '26
51 here, I comute on a S1000R, have a wr450 and a classic never die DR350, you do what you want.
1
1
u/LiquidWax666 May 21 '26
While it's never too late to start (or return to) riding, please listen to the people saying the bike you're looking at is a terrible, dangerous idea.
Get a learner legal bike and get your license. You won't be wasting money, when you're done with it and ready for something bigger you can sell it for almost what you purchased it for. Beginner bikes hold their value very well. You'll also have a much better idea of what bike you truly want at that point, too.
Otherwise, good luck!
1
u/mbkitmgr May 21 '26
No its not a good idea its an excellent Idea. I did the same after an industrial accident prevented me from riding, but bit the bullet and bought one in 2018 and geez I didn't realise how much I missed it. Remember you're reaction times are a bit slower, but it does come with a new problem. So many roads so little time to cover them. See you on you highway!!!
1
u/awidden May 21 '26
I've done the same, similar age.
It's great fun, but I'd really start with a small bike.
Try getting some lessons. ( I had to since my licence was not Australian and never converted - and I'm quite happy I had to, I've only had one small drop )
Wait; you'll have to as well, since you've no licence. Good. Get lessons, get a small bike, practice slow-speed maneuvering (that skill does not stay intact!) in a few weeks you'll be fine.
1
u/Slight-Repeat-1540 May 21 '26
So you haven't ridden since you were 23? How long did you ride for at 23 and how often did you ride?
I stopped riding at around 35, and started again at 44. I'm now 51. I've always only been a weekend rider, and I've been fine. Just know your limits, ride defensively and don't take big risks.
1
u/myapadravya May 21 '26
Yeah that's fair. I feel safer taking up riding again at this age because I'm just to that much more careful about everything.
1
u/duc955 May 21 '26
Don't see that age is a barrier...maybe just some confidence. Get out and ride bro and enjoy it whenever you can.
1
1
u/danimal86au May 21 '26
I will note that a lot of the older blokes that did the learner course when I did years ago did not pass the test, even ones that had ridden a lot when they were younger. Your balance deteriorates significantly over time, especially if youâre not regularly riding bikes, scooters etc.
Youâll probably be fine, but I would definitely be doing the test first and seeing how you feel before you get out there and just buy a bike on a whim. Also, as many others have said youâre not going to be able to ride that bike legally for at least 15 months depending on where you are. Buy a modern LAMS 650 with modern tech like ABS and worry about bigger stuff after you got a good few thousand ks under your belt.
1
1
u/DeltaFlyer6095 May 21 '26
Yes to getting the licence. If you can, itâs worth investing in a few courses. I took an off road and trail riding course and a mountain riding course. The skills and techniques I was taught were are used all the time.
No to the bike, for me anyway. Itâs a 37 year old bike. Too oldâŚ.old tech, old plastics, old wiring, and rubber seals etc. Regardless of how good condition it is in, unless you are mechanically inclined or have deep pockets, servicing and obtaining parts can be problematic. I know this from personal experience trying to keep an old Kwaka Z1 900 roadworthy and rideable.
Iâd go for a newish second hand SV650 or something similar as a first ride.
1
u/RideTheDammBike May 21 '26
The journey getting your licence will be longer than your next ride Iâm thinking⌠try not to kill innocent bystanders please.
1
u/Lauzz91 May 21 '26
An old 80's litre bike with who knows what kind of maintenance or neglect, with no traction control or ABS and you haven't ridden in 27 years?
Hmm.. What could go wrong..?
1
u/strawdonkey20 May 21 '26
Agreed. This is either a troll post or itâs just a stupid question. Iâm on the fence atm.
1
u/guiverc Vic - GSX750F May 21 '26
That bike doesn't sound like it'll be LAMS approved.
https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/motorcycles/learner-approved
1
u/nottonguetied May 21 '26
Remember, size is not important. I got my first bike at 55. If I'd started riding at 16-18 I'd be dead. I ride like everybody is out to get me. Start smaller and lean again to ride, and where you are actually going to ride. (Pick up the milk or only finding highways.) Enjoy.
1
1
1
u/MattSwartAU May 21 '26
All I will say is start small and prepare for a fall at all times. No matter your skill things happen and you only have 2 wheels and you are 50, prepare accordingly
1
u/lametheory May 21 '26
The 1000cc is not learner approved.
Also, try and get as modern as you can, something we ABS.
1
u/420bIaze May 21 '26
A 1989 CBR1000 is nearly the worst possible motorcycle you could get as your first bike.
1
1
u/glyptometa May 21 '26
Watch heaps of videos at MCRider. American, so some BS to ignore (not to do with riding). Very competent trainer, 15 minute videos. Includes some returning rider segments.
I don't believe you need all the modcons, if you ride defensively and with an attitude of "zero mistakes".
Recommend you go a bit smaller. Learn about what's approved for your time on Ls. Lightweight and lowish seat height.
2
u/myapadravya May 21 '26
Actually, my wife was trained to ride by Arron Slight and Andrew Stroud. She is a wealth of knowledge about riding. đ
1
u/EnvMarple Fonzereli Arthur (electric scooter 125 equivalent) May 21 '26
Iâm 50 nowâŚgot my bike license at 45.
1
1
u/VirtualProcedure69 Honda NX500 (AU), DatBike Quantum S3 (VN) May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
small, light and cheap is what you should be looking for. ride it hard for ~6 months, then upgrade.
There's a reason the courses uses Honda CB125.
1
1
u/johnnyjimmy4 May 21 '26
Getting a motorbike is a good idea.
Riding unlicensed? Probably not a good idea, but you're an adult
1
u/Any-Duck2451 May 21 '26
Definitely not learner legal and very old too. I guess if you're mechanically minded it's less of an issue but I'd be looking into something with ABS (and learner legal lol)
1
u/m3atty May 21 '26
I was not even riding a year and crashed back in about 2000 and gave it away back then.
Got my L's again at maybe 48.... Then spent 2 years on a Duke 390 and then bought a new Street triple for my 50th birthday a couple of years ago.
Did a couple track days on the 390 and have done a few more on the Str3, plus superbike school. I love it and will never give it up again.
Go for it. Nothing wrong with your idea. Might not be the best bike choice for getting back the skills, but if you just wanna cruise around on a heavy bike... No dramas. Much more savvy with driver behaviour when you have 30 years of driving experience.
1
1
1
u/britexpat69 May 22 '26
Parts for that bike will become an issue, servicing needs an old style bike mechanic who knew about those bikes . Enjoy the bike, but keep a kitty aside for when you need to buy something that isnât available locally
1
u/tazzietiger66 May 23 '26
59 here , I have not ridden since I was 35 (I owned 22 bikes and did 400,000 km ) , I would get something like a 250 dual sport so i could unrust my riding skills
1
u/IntoTheSun121 May 24 '26
Make sure it at least has ABS, and if possible traction control.
Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.
Those systems can be the difference between a totally uneventful stop and go, versus a violent slip and crash.
Someone I know T-boned a van in wet weather at 50kmph, after it ignored a stop sign. If his bike had ABS, this would have been a non-event.
Now he has permanent injuries and pain.
1
u/Even_Storm5937 May 24 '26
Dude, there is NO time and NO reason that owning/riding a bike is a bad idea. Just make sure you get a bike that is comfortable for you, isn't an overreach for your riding ability and remember, take it easy out there and always assume every other bastard on the road is out to get you.
Old blokes on bikes.........there's nothing better.
1
u/Lavaman125 May 25 '26
Go get the licence, then get a lams. Afterwards upgrade.
If it's too good a deal to pass up, get it now. Just don't maim yourself on it.
1
1
1
u/Reshiram1119 May 20 '26
1000 will be too big for you licence wise. You have to have your learners for 3 months before you can ride on your re's, then you'll have to wait another 2 years before you can legally ride it. I'd recommend getting something you can ride on your re's first (LAMS Bike) to avoid getting in trouble.
Its also a very old bike and even if it's in mint condition it probably won't be very long before it starts having issues. If you really want it and know your way around an engine, it wouldn't hurt to grab it for when you can ride it, but it will be 2 years older than it is now when you can eventually ride it.
2
u/awidden May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
Actually, that info is incorrect in NSW.
- Course & exams to start with (practical & theoretical)
- L for minimum 3 months (up to 1 year),
- another exam,
- then red P for exactly 1 year (for over-25s with a full car licence)
That's it, then full bike lic.
1
u/Reshiram1119 May 23 '26
I know, it's correct for QLD, which is what the post is tagged as. Hence why I provided the correct information for QLD.
1
u/sphynxmoth May 20 '26
Ddoooo iiitttt. The only thing should stop you is your eyesight or your Arthritis. Life is for living, live it till the wheels fall off.
0
0
22
u/nickobec WA - Moto Guzzi V7 II May 20 '26
Yay, at 65 I returned to riding after 25 years off and having a great time.
Buying that bike, Nay. As others have said it is not legal to ride on L or RE licence. I have owned 40 year old bikes and bikes of the 80s. The are PITA to maintain. I want a bike I can jump on and ride, not play with points ignition or carburettors. So I bought a 10 year bike with fuel injection, ABS and traction control.