Look into leg up landing gear. It is designed for just such people and works on baggers. You can thank me later.

 

+1 you can make a lighter bike comfy with a good seat, handlebars and foot rests. A heavy bike will only get heaver as you age even if you are in good shape.

 

72, bad knees, bad back, bad attitude, ride the touring bike. Just be careful.....don't pull over on slanted roads and stop, stay away from loose gravel, and if you ride two up, tell her to not look or wiggle when slowing down or stopping. I dropped it in a parking lot last fall stopped because she leaned over to point out a parking space.

A 400 pound bike is for running errands around home. If you cruise for the day, tour for the weekend or more, 800 ain't bad.

But only you know, how the hell can we tell you what you need.

 

Age should not be the issue, If your a confident rider the bigger bike will give the best ride. I am over 70, 180lbs, and ride a tour bike.

 

Go to a dealer and take a few test rides , even if you buy used you will know what you want , only you know how much and far you will ride .

 

Another option is a Trike. I still have a couple of lighter bikes, Sportster & FJ-09; however, i was afraid with a bad knee that I would put my foot down and slip on gravel or my knee would give out on a low spot in the road and have a 900 lb bike go over on me somewhere in BFE. Went to a Tri Glide and could not be happier, a little different to ride but fun in a different sort of way. Still got the other 2 wheel bikes to lean on the corners. Oh and I can go just as fast around a corner with the Tri Glide as I could with my FLHTCU. What ever works for you as this is just my $.02 option.

 

Can't tell from post if you have a bagger or heavier bike now, if you do get the lighter, and Omaha's point ride what suites your needs day to day.

 

Bike A you aint going carry the SOB you gonna ride it.
Best/joe

 

an old friend of mine, since passed away rode a gold wing up into his last year of life at age 87.

 

Buy a trike and don't look back.