Getting old and decrepit question

[Bill Stevenson]

I have a condition called familial tremons. My hands shake. Medicine works better some days than others and over the years my doctor has changed both dosage and medicine to try and control it. It is now affecting my ability to ride motorcycles. Basically there are days when my left hand shakes so much that I flutter the clutch wildly and have to just not ride. Most days now I have trouble with the throttle on the R12R because the tip in is somewhat abrupt right off idle. Normal dexterity makes this a non-issue, but for me it is a problem almost every day at this point. I have a Vespa that is much easier for me to control, but it ain't worth spit on the Florida Turnpike. Mind you it'll go 70 mph down hill with the wind behind it, but that doesn't cut it in 80+mph traffic. So, with all that crap as background, have any of you ridden one of the new BMW scooters? If so, what think ye? Thanks,

Bill

[AncientMariner]

Sorry to hear about your condition, Bill. Getting old and decrepit does have a way of interfering with our riding.

At the risk of being labeled as blasphemous, I recommend you consider one of the new Honda mid weights. They are available with automatic transmissions ( which can be shifted manually) and from the people I have talked to are a real joy to ride. There are both 700's and 500's available. In fact there is a new 250 but I don't know about the automatic transmission on that one. All are lighter than our beloved R12R's.

Bruce

[Bill Stevenson]

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for your response. In fact last month's issue of Rider compared the NS700 to the BMW GT scooter and the Honda was preferred overall. So I am aware of the Hondas, as well as the Suzuki Burgman and other scooters as well. In fact, I did go visit my friendly local Honkawzuki shop (rated F by the Better Business Bureau) last week end. You are right the Japanese products look terrific. Hopefully someone here who I trust has ridden the Beemer.

Regards,

Bill

[Woland]

Can't be a very nice condition to have, hope I never get it. However, in addition to the BMW scooters and the Honda NS, why not try a VFR1200? Best of several worlds, V4, auto transmission and Honda reliability

Just a thought. Figure you won't feel as old and decrepit on one of those

[Bill Stevenson]

Bruce,

After composing my response to your kind note, I got curious about you for two reasons: First, your nom de plume: Ancient Mariner. Are you? I ask because I am myself and my son is shipping now. Secondly, I am from your neck of the woods, originally Framingham, and my wife and I are coming up there for two weeks. Small world. Take care,

Bill

[Bill Stevenson]

Woland,

I will take a look at the VFR1200, thanks for the suggestion.

Bill

[roadfool]

The Honda NC700x has the same dual clutch transmission in a smaller, lighter, more economical, package with very comfy ergonomics. The damn thing get about 65-70 mpg as opposed to low to mid thirties of the 1200.

Aprilia has the 850cc Mana, it's a motorcycle with a scooter motor and CVT transmission. I had a loner for 3 days while my Guzzi was getting repaired, damn it was fun in the corners. No need to pick shift points, no need to match RPM with down shift, no need to down shift... just brake, hit the apex and crank it on. It always seemed to be in the heart of the torque range, I was faster in the corners then others on bigger bikes, not because of my skills but because of the technology.

Regards, Paul

[roadfool]

The Honda NC700x has the same dual clutch transmission in a smaller, lighter, more economical, package with very comfy ergonomics. The damn thing get about 65-70 mpg as opposed to low to mid thirties of the 1200.

Aprilia has the 850cc Mana, it's a motorcycle with a scooter motor and CVT transmission. I had a loner for 3 days while my Guzzi was getting repaired, damn it was fun in the corners. No need to pick shift points, no need to match RPM with down shift, no need to down shift... just brake, hit the apex and crank it on. It always seemed to be in the heart of the torque range, I was faster in the corners then others on bigger bikes, not because of my skills but because of the technology.

Regards, Paul

[roadfool]

The Honda NC700x has the same dual clutch transmission in a smaller, lighter, more economical, package with very comfy ergonomics. The damn thing get about 65-70 mpg as opposed to low to mid thirties of the 1200.

Aprilia has the 850cc Mana, it's a motorcycle with a scooter motor and CVT transmission. I had a loner for 3 days while my Guzzi was getting repaired, damn it was fun in the corners. No need to pick shift points, no need to match RPM with down shift, no need to down shift... just brake, hit the apex and crank it on. It always seemed to be in the heart of the torque range, I was faster in the corners then others on bigger bikes, not because of my skills but because of the technology.

Regards, Paul

[roadfool]

The Honda NC700x has the same dual clutch transmission in a smaller, lighter, more economical, package with very comfy ergonomics. The damn thing get about 65-70 mpg as opposed to low to mid thirties of the 1200. Honda has put the same 700cc motor and dual clutch transmission in a hybred motorcycle/scooter.

Aprilia has the 850cc Mana, it's a motorcycle with a scooter motor and CVT transmission. I had a loner for 3 days while my Guzzi was getting repaired, damn it was fun in the corners. No need to pick shift points, no need to match RPM with down shift, no need to down shift... just brake, hit the apex and crank it on. It always seemed to be in the heart of the torque range, I was faster in the corners then others on bigger bikes, not because of my skills but because of the technology.

I hope you can find the right bike that will allow you to remain behind bars for many years to come.

Regards, Paul

[Steve H.]

Hi Bill!
I am sorry to hear abouth your condition.Personally I would try couple of a few bucks worth thinks to help eliminate hand wibrations.Throttle side I am using a rubber "O"ring od.1.5"id.1.25" 1/8"thick-eliminates the fine trottle shaking and serves like some kind of crusecontroll.It isen't my invention,find the idea on this forum earlier I think from D.E. I am using it and like it.Put the "O"ring betveen the trottle end and handlebar weight. I would look for different clutch arm.Hundreds of clutch arms available in a well equipped bike bike stores.If I am right, there are clutch arms equipped with differential.Easy to pull in with one finger.

Steve H.

[roadfool]

Ooops, sorry about the multiple posts,don't know what happened but there seems to be an echo in here!

Regards, Paul

[2wheels]

I rode BMW scooter while my R was being serviced. Overall very impressed!

At first strange sensation of sitting on top of machine rather than in it. Soon got used to that and it handled well. Performance very impressive. Was amazed how quickly it accelerated from 60 to 80 whilst overtaking. As far as I recall I was surprised brakes are not linked and it took a while to realise I needed to use both hand levers to get decent smooth, controlled braking. Seat comfortable but a bit wide at front and putting feet down pushed my legs uncomfortably wide apart. Machine is heavy, 20 or 30kg more than an R, though it is low down and generally not obvious.

I enjoyed the experience but in the end the price is a real downer.

[AncientMariner]

Bill,

I was in the Navy and Navy Reserve from age 22 until age 60. Mostly destroyers. I also sailed a small cruising sail boat around Narragansett Bay for about 20 years until I got back into two wheelers in 1994.

As for the Nom, I used to go by BruceFerg on the Yankee Beemers website. It got moved to a new provider and the machine would not let me continue with my same name. I happened to have the "Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" open on my desk while I was trying to come up with a clever new name. What the heck, I thought, let's try that one. And it worked.

Bruce

[yim4]

I test rode a C600S and agree with the assessment above. It felt similar to riding a motorbike, in the form of a scooter. Power was good, clearly not on the same level as the R1200R but I wouldn't hesitate to take it on the freeway. It is heavy but the weight is not really that noticeable. It is, however, surprisingly tall...taller than the R1200R. Might be related to the width of the seat (which are heated btw).

[Bill Stevenson]

Thanks for all of your responses so far. I had a heck of a hard time just finding a VFR 1200 to look at. They are not popular, and the bike is more sport than tour. With that said it does look impressive. I wish I could ride one. I also looked at the Suzuki Burgman and the BMW scooters. They are big as is reported in this thread. Again no rides. As far as modifying my bike goes, it is not about the bike, it is about my physiology. My hands shake not from outside stimulus, but from within my body. This is a nervous system disorder, nothing so bad as Parkinson's Disease, but it is getting to be a big PITA. A bike like the Hondas with an automatic would help more than a little methinks. Anyway, I will keep you all posted. Thanks so very much for your responses.

Bill