Greetings from SE Pennsylvania, USA

[Craigtbone]

Greetings. New old guy introducing myself.

I recently achieved 60% of my goal of becoming a centenarian. I rode dirt bikes a bit as a teenager but never bought a bike. I do have my license. Over the years I have come very close several times, but never felt that riding in my congested suburban environment was a risk I wanted to take on.

To be sure, I am not risk averse...after college I got my pilot's license and bought an airplane. Flew that for a number of years without injury or bending any airplanes. To a large degree, one's safety while flying small planes is highly dependent on yourself. Driving in congested traffic means that my safety is to a great extent dependent on other drivers. I do not have much faith in other drivers.

Maybe it is a slightly late mid-life crisis but I REALLY want a motorcycle. My best friend and I had talked of doing some trips when we were young but we just never did it. Last fall I visited him in Arizona and he was showing me his stable of cycles (13ish?). My children are grown up and (mostly) independent now so I think it is time to get a motorcycle. Before I get too old and worn out.

I have always appreciated smaller motorcycles that I could handle more easily. Fine for commuting, local riding. Not a ideal for longer travels. However in my recent lurking I see that many of you Inmates do appreciate smaller lighter bikes for extended trips. My buddy got me interested in a V-Strom 650 but it is a bit heavier than I would prefer. Especially for a first bike.

I am very intrigued with the Versys X300. That is about as close to an ideal bike for me as I have yet seen.

I need to take some motorcycle classes but the local PA safety classes do not show any scheduled.

Sorry for the long intro. Maybe more than needed. That is my motorcycle journey so far. Looking forward to the next chapters in that journey.

Craig T

[Stewie]

Hello and welcome from over the pond (thumbs)

[Flintlock]

Welcome from Northern Ireland - my mum was born in Philadelphia (thumbs)

Hope you enjoy the site & enjoy your next chapter of travelling on your motorbike

[Redmurty]

welcome to the forum (thumbs)

cheers Spud

[Malc6552]

Welcome ....... You may like to look at the new BMW G310GS depending on your budget

[ollydog]

welcome from sunny manchester]]steve

[Craigtbone]

Thank you all for the welcomes.

I have been intrigued with the adventure style of motorcycling since I was a kid and now I am really looking forward to giving it a try.

Certainly I am learning a lot by reading this forum.

Craig T.

[Nigel]

Welcome Craig hope you find a bike you like, I have a Yamaha Super Tenere and although heavy to push around is easy to ride, I had a heart attack last year at the age of 57 and was riding again 1 month later, get a bike and get out there, life is precious and way too short!

[boatman]

Welcome aboard ,, have you checked out Sgt Bilcos thread on here about us Brits transporting our bikes to your side of the pond to ride in your brilliant country.
As regards the risk of bikes/ traffic etc it's not as bad as you might think , IF you have the correct attitude and skill ,and as your safety concerns you then ,,,,, you are a good part of the way there (thumbs)
I would go for a machine in and about the 600 /650 cc as a starter bike ,as it's much safer not to be dawdling in traffic on a machine that does not keep up easily (thumbs)

[boatman]

Welcome Craig hope you find a bike you like, I have a Yamaha Super Tenere and although heavy to push around is easy to ride, I had a heart attack last year at the age of 57 and was riding again 1 month later, get a bike and get out there, life is precious and way too short!

I also have one of these and am also 57 years young (thumbs) and could NOT agree more with this sentiment