Actually, cancel that. If it was to be a Ducati then I could ask for it out of my trust fund. It is my money for fecks sake! I would say I want a cruiser for the good reason that my injuries that got me the money, prevent my from riding something conventionaL. So, apart from the Ducati, anyone got any cruiser recommendations? I want as light as possible, but realise that cruisers seen to be heavy. Not particular worried about speed but a reasonable range would be nice. The electric Royal Enfield is interesting but the range is useless.
I don't know if it would help but you can lower your 390 Duke 2019 or earlier 5cm or 2020 onwards 2.5cm Kit costs £75
All that hassle for one inch! No way would I bother and he still couldn't reach the ground except on tiptoes! My problem is getting on and off and not so much once on the bike reaching the ground. What that video shows me, is that my obsession with low kerb weight didn't recognise my poor mobility. My left hip was replaced and my left leg is full of metal so my flexibility is not good. Although my right leg was undamaged in the accident, it hurts most of the time. I think that this is because I put much more of my weight onto my right leg without really noticing. I think (and hope) that the issue could be solved bt some sort of cruiser. Looking at that video, the KTM is very light but quite a tall bike, so making it not really suitable for me. I hoped things would get better for me, but after seven years, its not going to get any better now. I think that I need to go to Frasers or Fowlers to try out getting on and off cruisers. I can always offer to take my mate to Riders as he gets really pissed off with Ducatis. Maybe a Harley from Riders would have the additional bonus of pisssing everyone off! No, There are limits!
It must be a bit of a drag having the pain and the mobility/ flexibility issues. The weight of the bikes is also crucial to me. Being able to reach the ground flat footed on a heavy bike is essential. I don't really mind having to stretch when riding a lighter machine.
I think that my obsession with kerb weight was wrong - well, not as important as I thought. What is more important is not just seat height but ease of swinging one's leg over a bike to get on. So, even a low seat height on its own isn't the only thing, because if the rear seat or hump is taller (like on the KTM) then that causes me problems. On top of which, previous experience does not help from before my injuries as it was never a consideration before. All that I looked at was performance and range between fill ups. For example, yesterday I eliminated the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 and Guerilla 450 but that's not correct. I need to see these bikes in the flesh and try getting on and off them. I found a useful article on low bikes and the Enfield 359 came third but I eliminated it as the seat height broke the 30 inches barrier by a smidge. On reflection, that was stupid. What matters far above everything, is ease of getting on and off. Seat height and weight are important as I don't want something heavy or awkward to put down a foot at a junction, but just as important is ability to swing a leg over, especially when I don't swing very competently! Yesterday, with all that farting around to get the MoT, I must of hit my right shin on the metal frame for side panniers. Hard enough to draw blood and it fecking hurts this morning. That's the sort of thing that I need to stop having to deal with,
You could do a lot worse than buy Chris’s Monster, as advertised on a thread on here. Ok so it’s not a cruiser but you can cruise around on it easily. It’s light, easy to get on and off and you could definitely flat foot it at the lights because of the low saddle height. Those bikes are low and small considering what they are. A bike that looks every bit as good as brand new and it’s an absolute bargain. Plus it’s a Ducati aaaand it’s got a Termi system. I’d buy it myself (I’m not kidding) but I’ve already got one.
Have you tried the stand on the footpeg method -from either side- and get on that way? It makes the problem go away for some.
Only a few months ago, I would of dismissed that option as stupid. Now, I would actively consider it. I did have a brief look the other day and you can get quite large capacity stuff. A scooter allows me not to have to try and swing a leg over and that is the problem. We will go to Fowlers next week and possibly Frasers, but this time I know that kerb weight isn't the crucial factor, it is ease of getting on and off. Fing is: with the KTM, I always expected things to get easier with time. They haven't. I could exercise more and stretch more to try to improve my flexibility, but I don't really think that will solve my problems. I don't know enough about what is technically involved with hip replacement, but because it is my left hip, that you put all of your weight on to mount a motorcycle and my left hip is th4e one replaced, I assume that I have lost some part of my hip flexibility, so my right leg cannot stretch out and go up high enough to clear a bike. Plus, the KTM is very tall. I should have a better idea after next week. I am just going to have to reset all of my bias and start again.Try out stuff to see what suits. I have to physically try getting on and off, rather that just look and worry about kerb weight
I want something from a dealer to part-exchange my KTM with. In fact, getting shot of the KTM is the No 1 priority! My leg still hurts after yesterday and still randomly bleeds!
Im sure you'll dismiss this. But, there is a saying "needs must" Have you looked at Honda's 750cc scooters Honda Integra being one
I'm getting there - slowly. I will return on the Santander - Plymouth ferry and the shit'ole train from Plymouth to Bristol Temple Meads only because it's all booked and paid for, but that will be it. Next time I will fly to Madrid. At the moment, I can easyJet from Bristol, at quite civililised times. I doubt if I will come here but stay in Madrid probably - at least for the first time. Using Brittany Ferries as a foot passenger doesn't make sense. I'm a little surprised by my stupidity in doing it this year twice, but there you go! Although this hotel is really nice, there must be hotels as good in Madrid, surely? And as I am not one for playing on the beach or swimming in the sea, I think that I would be happier in the city. Live and learn is what it's about. I can fly here from Madrid, if I want to or railway, but I doubt that I would. Next year is a plan for Bologna and Berlin. That will be flying certainly. I think that I will drop the plan to definitely use London City airport but might, if I do Exeter - London City -Berlin, but getting to Exeter - scrub that! I was going to say getting to Exeter by train is shitty, but I can GWR it from Bristol using the Cardiff service. That service is very quiet after Bristol with no bucket and spade Northerners piss taking themselves with the flat caps and "ee by gum, it's reet warm ere!" going on.
I am in my favourite cafe in Santander. In fact, the only one I use because it’s near the hotel and does good coffee and snacks. I’m inside today as it’s not that warm- well, to me. I accept that I am strange A scooter just went past (a BIG scooter) with a rider wearing his helmet but in shorts. Looks strange to me.
