Sounds like we went to different schools together 
After almost 60 years of riding all shapes and sizes of motorcycles both on and off road (with some top shelf training throughout), I'm loving the pure fun of the R18 Classic, but each of the variants are beautiful and offer their own unique twist on the platform.
I'm only a couple inches taller with a stumpy legs inseam of 30""and I'm a few birthdays behind you. I haven't endured the same surgeries and while we all recover/age differently I empathize as just a few years ago an oil truck used me and my GS to stop at a red light rather it's brakes. I now much more appreciate the old axiom of "do not fold, spindle or mutilate"... The loss of strength and range of motion is common with higher birthday counts, but as I told my very supportive wife, "I didn't need this kind of help speeding up the process". Bottom line, I was able to ride after a year and went through a GS, a KTM Adventure and a RT on a quest for the best ergonomic compromise "Goldilocks" bike. I attended BMW Rider's Training and was able to ride models back to back. My very short list was to get another GS, R9T or the outlier R18 that I was totally smitten with. Fast forward, I practice my low speed, tight quarter drills routinely on the R18 and find it very easy to handle even on the slowest, full lock U-turns, etc., and it is very easy to lift up off the side stand if you turn the bars all the way to the right/ throttle closest to the gas tank and simply push up against the tank and seat area while straightening your left leg (seriously easy/minimal effort). I've never used my reverse other than to see that it worked, but I do take care where and how I park. If it were to take a dirt nap, I'm sure a helping hand would be very welcome even if using the right lifting technique. They're easy to get on and off of, very comfortable even for extended touring with an upgraded seat and easy to maintain and just beautiful to look at. Just an excellent mix of old school feel, modern tech, good handling and excellent fit and finish, what's not to love?
A couple things to keep in mind when shopping is the very early FE models did not offer cruise control if that is something you like to have and it is very cost prohibitive to add it (search posts on the forum if more details are desired) and the Classic, FE/R18/100 YEARS traditional spoke rims are tube required. The various newer models have cast rims available at little or no costs and as with cruise control are very costly to change out after the fact if tubes are not high on your list of "benefits". The rear shock on the various models is different with the "B"/Bagger and "TC"/Transcontinental having electronic rear shock control and all other models using a manual adjustment shock. It takes about 30 seconds to access the adjuster on the non electric shock models and there are posts on the forum offering good explanations with photos on how easy it is to set things to your weight and the benefit is a much better ride in both comfort and handling.
Best of luck, it's test ride time!!
After almost 60 years of riding all shapes and sizes of motorcycles both on and off road (with some top shelf training throughout), I'm loving the pure fun of the R18 Classic, but each of the variants are beautiful and offer their own unique twist on the platform.I'm only a couple inches taller with a stumpy legs inseam of 30""and I'm a few birthdays behind you. I haven't endured the same surgeries and while we all recover/age differently I empathize as just a few years ago an oil truck used me and my GS to stop at a red light rather it's brakes. I now much more appreciate the old axiom of "do not fold, spindle or mutilate"... The loss of strength and range of motion is common with higher birthday counts, but as I told my very supportive wife, "I didn't need this kind of help speeding up the process"
. Bottom line, I was able to ride after a year and went through a GS, a KTM Adventure and a RT on a quest for the best ergonomic compromise "Goldilocks" bike. I attended BMW Rider's Training and was able to ride models back to back. My very short list was to get another GS, R9T or the outlier R18 that I was totally smitten with. Fast forward, I practice my low speed, tight quarter drills routinely on the R18 and find it very easy to handle even on the slowest, full lock U-turns, etc., and it is very easy to lift up off the side stand if you turn the bars all the way to the right/ throttle closest to the gas tank and simply push up against the tank and seat area while straightening your left leg (seriously easy/minimal effort). I've never used my reverse other than to see that it worked, but I do take care where and how I park. If it were to take a dirt nap, I'm sure a helping hand would be very welcome even if using the right lifting technique. They're easy to get on and off of, very comfortable even for extended touring with an upgraded seat and easy to maintain and just beautiful to look at. Just an excellent mix of old school feel, modern tech, good handling and excellent fit and finish, what's not to love?A couple things to keep in mind when shopping is the very early FE models did not offer cruise control if that is something you like to have and it is very cost prohibitive to add it (search posts on the forum if more details are desired) and the Classic, FE/R18/100 YEARS traditional spoke rims are tube required. The various newer models have cast rims available at little or no costs and as with cruise control are very costly to change out after the fact if tubes are not high on your list of "benefits". The rear shock on the various models is different with the "B"/Bagger and "TC"/Transcontinental having electronic rear shock control and all other models using a manual adjustment shock. It takes about 30 seconds to access the adjuster on the non electric shock models and there are posts on the forum offering good explanations with photos on how easy it is to set things to your weight and the benefit is a much better ride in both comfort and handling.
Best of luck, it's test ride time!!
at mid 50’s, you are still 17 Scott!! When I turned 70 I watch this kid ride a OneWheel on the parking lot while I was enjoying dinner with my retired friends. He looked like he was surfing on pavement going about 17mph. I had a big smile on my face when my friends said no I didn’t one!! After a year of riding the OneWheel on a single go kart racing tire, I gave it to my 34 year old son. I got a 2022 R18 because it’s safer
