My last bike was an Aerial Square Four…… .

[daveclare]

Life is it too short for regrets. So do what feels right..... Go for it.

What you can do to help with getting back on the road again is seek out your local police force roads policing unit and ask them when they're doing Bikesafe courses. They're run by advanced Police motorcyclists and will help with protecting yourself from others on the road, obstacles and road surfaces.

Your never too old to learn and will enjoy it. You may also get an insurance discount.

 

[TinaLes]

Not knowing what a Guzzi V7 looked like or specs, I like many had to look it up, no mention of price(that I noticed) in the following, good summary video at the end.
I hung up my helmet & gloves many years ago, I think if I had kept on riding on fair weather days, I would not be as apprehensive to getting back in the saddle now. I certainly would need some training to cope on the roads these days.
Good luck to the OP whatever you decide.
LES

MCN Fleet: Summing up life with the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone

Read MCN's 2021 long-term test of the Moto Guzzi V7 here.

www.motorcyclenews.com

 

[RandallC]

Jim the delete draft no longer works!

 

[cyberyacht]

I remember getting used to the rear brake and gear change being on the "wrong" side when I got my first Japanese bike.

 

[Jim]

Jim the delete draft no longer works!

Works for me. Type a reply but before posting, click drafts, save drafts. Reload page, your text is still there. Delete and reload, its gone. Working perfectly as designed

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[jongood]

I remember getting used to the rear brake and gear change being on the "wrong" side when I got my first Japanese bike.

Apart from Hinkley Triumphs I've never owned an old school British bike. one of the things that worries me is that I'm going to go for the back brake and break the gearbox instead.

 

[Blackadder]

First things first, it was an Ariel. Televisions have aerials.
Second, if you want a bike then get one. Yes, if you have an accident then it will hurt. If you haven't ridden for a few years then there are lots of training schemes around - look at Bikesafe in particular. I did my advanced test on a Harley when I was 52 - invaluable skills learned but didn't get on with their "make progress" philosophy. I'm still riding steadily and safely at 72.
As for which bike, I tried a V7 Mk2 last year and it was a joy; low seat, handled well and sufficient power. However I couldn't afford a new one and I learned that the older ones (pre- V3) have clutch issues so eventually I bought a brand new Royal Enfield Interceptor for the same money instead. It's so good that, after 35 years, the Harley is for sale!

 

[robnchris]

I once made a new head gasket for my mate's Squarial out of solid copper. It didn't blow any more head gaskets but the rear pots still overheated!

Worst bike I've ever owned. Bought it as a total re build but it had been done badly, very badly.
First long trip, I managed to shear half of the rear spokes.
A couple of months later, one of the 2 rear pots seized.
After repairing it a few months later the main bearing shells fell apart.
But a nice bike when it DID go.
Eventually sold it as a box of bits.

I once made a new head gasket for my mate's Squarial out of solid copper. It didn't blow any more head gaskets but the rear pots still overheated!

Sounds to me that it was an early 2 port model my Dad & elder Brother had a few Square fours but the 4 port model which didn’t suffer from the rear pots over heating.

 

[Stealaway]

A mate is just in the middle of re-building his one after owning it for over twenty years.
He's just had the engine rebuilt by probably the last living factory engine builder - he's made a nice job

 

[Spriddler]

........buy the good lady lots of nice things,

And hope than when you pop your clogs she doesn't sell it for what you told her you paid for it.

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[fifthwheel]

I have a Yam Fazer 600 from 2003 and a new RE Classic 350 I am 75 next week. Go for it is my advice. PS I wouldnt have an Italian bike.

 

[Amandpa]

It’s a lovely idea, riding down a sweeping road on a beautiful bike…..but the roads are not what they were even a few years back, the conditions are downright dangerous to a bike of any description and the ‘modern‘ car drivers are abysmal!
I would have another motorbike in a heartbeat but my preference would be off-road that way I only have myself to blame if it goes pear shaped!

 

[Themselves]

I remember getting used to the rear brake and gear change being on the "wrong" side when I got my first Japanese bike.

Similar but in reverse for me. I used to have a Jota. Decided to go on a track day and they gave me a Yamaha 250. The gear change and rear brake were the opposite sides. Could I ride the thing. No I could not. Went into the gravel twice so called it a day. To my everlasting shame my mate, whose car we had gone to the track in, picked up the Star Rider of the Day award. He had the thing on the dashboard all the way home and for the next decade he used to prominently display it every time I visited. I knew he kept it in a cupboard usually.

 

[bobnick]

when I was in my early 20's.
Now, at the ripe old (but reasonably fit) age of 71, I'm concidering buying a Moto Guzzi V7.
Am I a bloody idiot with a death wish (as some family members think) or should I go for it?

Absolutely go for it. I'm 73 in Dec and stil have bikes. And there are guys on here older and have them.
It's not the bike it's the bloody car drivers that are an issue for bikers,

 

[Scotch mist]

my 82 year old mate just bought a bike , we Got him a ktm 390 duke , fast enough & small & light
, he’s loving it , he trailered it up to the Scottish highlands for a bit of fun
Go for it , we are here for a good time and not necessarily a long time

myself I have a Honda sh125 scoot & a ktm 390 duke because they both fit in my MoHo garage

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[bobnick]

The big one is not really a bike. I mean Air Bag, Reverse Gear, Automatic, Heated seats front and back, Heated Grips, Built in Nav, Radio, Adjustable Screen.................blah blah, i mean thats not a bike is it..........but i love it.
Had them all over the years, sports bikes, enduros, tourers, trials. Now i want comfort when i'm out there.
<Broken link removed>

<Broken link removed>

The scoot just bought for the MH.The Z900 RS i sold last year, it had a lot of extras fitted. The top box was done to match the tank.
Oh and a motor bike is the only thing on the road that makes you invisable. Ask a car driver.......oh i didn't see you.

Well i've mad a right john halls of this post eh.
I'm going to bed.

 

[Orion]

I would have another motorbike in a heartbeat but my preference would be off-road that way I only have myself to blame if it goes pear shaped!

Or get one of these and enjoy the open road and the off-road while keeping four wheels on the ground and having a bit more ‘presence’!

For a ‘Twist N Go’ it’s no slouch either - 1000cc VTwin @ 82bhp and 85mph indicated/78mph GPS actual. I’m having as much fun on it as I do on the bikes.

 

[Amandpa]

No thanks Orion, don’t like ‘em.
I enjoy riding a bike on trails and the challenge of Trials etc.

 

[jolly]

Hubby thinks he is getting back on but NO it can stay in the garage

 

[Rimswell Wanderer]

when I was in my early 20's.
Now, at the ripe old (but reasonably fit) age of 71, I'm concidering buying a Moto Guzzi V7.
Am I a bloody idiot with a death wish (as some family members think) or should I go for it?

I was still riding a Fire blade at 72 go for it.

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[DaveFromBarrow]

I remember getting used to the rear brake and gear change being on the "wrong" side when I got my first Japanese bike.

I have a few bikes including a 1990 GSXR750L, a 1975 GT 250 and a 1977 400/4. It's always fun riding one of them and then jumping onto my 1971 Commando. Apparently, no matter how hard you press the gear change lever you don't slow down As for the 1966 Matchless with a linkage making the gears the opposite way to the Norton....

d

 

[Spriddler]

Apparently, no matter how hard you press the gear change lever you don't slow down As for the 1966 Matchless with a linkage making the gears the opposite way to the Norton....

I've a 1954 AJS and no matter how hard I press the brake pedal I don't slow down.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

I've a 1954 AJS and no matter how hard I press the brake pedal I don't slow down.

View attachment 664095

I know that feeling

d

 

[bexleyjohn]

My last bike was a BMW 1200LT - oh how I miss it!!!! Have had a few scooters since but now (aged 74) I don't have either but I'd buy another in a heartbeat if SWMBO didn't worry so much!

 

[cyberyacht]

I have a few bikes including a 1990 GSXR750L, a 1975 GT 250 and a 1977 400/4. It's always fun riding one of them and then jumping onto my 1971 Commando. Apparently, no matter how hard you press the gear change lever you don't slow down As for the 1966 Matchless with a linkage making the gears the opposite way to the Norton....

d

Yep. Old Brit bikes - one up and three down. Jap bikes were down for down and up for up. Anyway, back to Ariels - I had an Arrow.

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[DaveFromBarrow]

Yep. Old Brit bikes - one up and three down. Jap bikes were down for down and up for up. Anyway, back to Ariels - I had an Arrow.

Yeah, three of mine are, the 650 Matchy is one down three up because of the rear-sets

d

 

[Mark Brenton]

when I was in my early 20's.
Now, at the ripe old (but reasonably fit) age of 71, I'm concidering buying a Moto Guzzi V7.
Am I a bloody idiot with a death wish (as some family members think) or should I go for it?

Go for it, I'm 11 years younger, however today I passed my Motorcycle Theory Test, the first step before my first bike in 35 years,....see you on the road

 

[John R. Edwards]

I'm 75 and ride a Royal Enfield Interceptor. Best bike I've ever had.
Have a few test rides on various bikes first then go for it but remember every other road user is an idiot.

 

[jess12]

I had a Nissan x trail under the motobility scheme in my wife’s name, I was the driver and as well as front and back sensors and all round cameras I hated parking it, beeping like mad and couldn’t judge it easily. After my wife passed away it had to go back and I bought a car for the first time in fifteen years, I got a dodge nitro 4x4 2.8 diesel, it only has rear sensors which don’t work. Using my exterior mirrors and internal rear view mirror I can park it anywhere with any racket from sensors.
I passed my PSV license on a double decker bus in the early seventies, I had to reverse that around a corner never having the rear wheel more than a foot from the curb. I don’t think reversing seems to be taught anymore.

Good morning
Before making a purchase I would strongly advise taking a few lessons on a bigger bike to see how you go to many come back to biking after many years of not riding bikes are quicker roads busier reflexes slower perfect recipe for a nasty experience but what ever you do take care and enjoy

 

[Tommy Tucker]

My last British bike was an Aerial Square Four which I sold for very little money in the 1960's. Wish I still owned it. If you're fit and do some cycling, you'll realise there are lots of lunatics on the road, but with care and common sense, you'll be fine. I still ride as a 73 years old, currently a Honda GL1800

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