Hi all. This is a riding question rather than mechanical, and is also a bit subjective.

I've had my S40 for almost two years now (bought it new), with about 14 months of riding. I just finished my MSF BRC and got my endorsement, so I'm finished with that part. I've devised a "three-year plan": two years getting as much saddle time on my S40 as possible, riding in traffic, practicing slow-speed maneuvers, etc. Then, upgrade to a larger bike, spend a year training on that and then plan a group trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA (I'm in Raleigh, NC).

So what do you all think? Is three years a reasonable amount of training time before taking a long bike trip? For background, I'm 57 and the S40 is my first bike. No riding experience beforehand.

Thanks much.

David

Upgrade? Different, bigger, an Upgrade is , as you say, subjective.
The Plan is a very responsible, smart approach. Maybe Too much so.
If you are planning a long trip, id suggest you take a trip to the nearest campground and spend the night. Learn to pack, and what you need before you head out. Shakedown cruise.
What are you calling a
Long trip?
Solo?

I am not sure that a bigger bike is an advantage on a trip to the Dragon.  Small and nimble is a key feature of the Savage, and the big single reduces the need to shift often.

I would suggest you keep the Savage long enough to do a group ride.....then decide if you really want a bigger bike.  Bigger and smaller bikes to show up on the trips to the mountains.....I just got back from a ride and I went 911 miles riding my 250 Ninja.  A relatively new rider will have more fun if they are not wrestling around an 800 pound motorcycle!  We tend to go to the tight twisty roads whenever possible....and the Savage is a great bike to have on those roads.

I you are riding a lot, I would consider this more of a 3 month plan, not a 3 year plan. You can get familiar and comfortable with a specific bike pretty quickly. The only thing left is how to handle a real traffic emergency. However, those are hard to plan for. You could ride for 3 years and never encounter such a situation. In that case, you would not be getting 3 year's experience, you would be getting 3 month's experience 12 times over.

Hello younde811. I figured I would chime in as I am still a relative newbie starting my fifth year of riding and at 58 basically the same age as you.

First point - at the Dragon or any such roads you will be very happy on S40

Second point - on the highway you will probably prefer a more powerful bike if you like to ride fast. But the S40 will do 70 mph all day long

Last point - feeling comfortable with your own riding skills is a very subjective. However, if you can be objective in evaluating your skills and overall riding comfort then you will know if you are ready to go on the long trip. I have done a few road trips and I love it.

Good luck to you.

Verslagen makes a good point.....it really depends on how quickly you catch on and become a competent rider.  Some folks can buy a bike and within a year they are racing.....others are still riding around in their subdivision trying to build their skills and confidence.  It has a lot to do with how quickly you can become coordinated....so that riding becomes just as natural to you as walking or driving a car.  Using the clutch, shifter, front and rear brakes, steering, etc. has to become automatic for you........and you have to learn how to handle changing conditions instantly.  On any ride you are likely to encounter stuff in the road, traffic, animals, slippery pavement, rain, wind, etc.  

Ive done trip from NJ to Sky Line drive on the savage just fine no need for bigger bike, but if that's what you want its what you want.

A buddy actually asked to ride my bike because he was not having fun on his 1800 in the mountains, so we switched for a bit but I promptly asked for my bike back and he was reluctant to give it back lol.

I once thought I wanted a bigger bike than the S40. Glad I was talked out of it by the gang here because I knowing what I know now, I would have regretted it.

Don't make decisions on getting a bigger bike because your buddies with bigger bikes tell you you should. If they have never ridden an S40 for a while, then they aren't qualified to make that statement.

Ride the S40 wherever you want and you'll be surprised how happy you'll be. Plus, you can work on your bike if needed.  Most of the guys with the big bike's have to pay big bucks and wait several days for things we can do in 15 minutes for free.