I have played keyboards for well over 40 years. Started on piano but quickly moved into synths and a bit of organ, though the vast majority of my organ experience is really synth/workstation. I am pretty familiar w guitars and guitar styles of playing buthave only tried to pick up playing guitar a few times over the years. That was ok when I played in a few bands but now I try to incorporate guitar through vst and while I find it fun, I sometimes wonder if I should just really learn to play myself. So, my question is: can a motivated strictly amateur/hobbyist musician who is pretty good w keyboards realistically expect to be able to become a decent guitarist? Or should I just stick to vsts.

Motivated is the key word.
and if you are (which it sounds as if you are) you should have no problem at all.
You Tube may be the best the bet for learning beginner exercises. then build up your practice repertoire.
 
the hardest part in my opinion is eye hand co ordination. .  and technique.
Soloing will take a bit longer. but you have an advantage that other beginners do not. you know music theory.
you chord theory and such (from playing keys) this will help in your venture.
 
getting yourself a guitar will be difficult unless you know what you are looking for.
most beginners simply buy something cheap. that has its downfalls.
smaller necks are easier to play, but harder to hit notes clean with pin point accuracy.
 
wider necks are easier to fret notes precisely but are not as easy to grip. but that all goes with preference as well.
I would pick up a used squire (Fender squire) they are cheap but still hold some quality about them.
but that's of course your choice.
 
good luck on your journey.

Short answer: yes you can.
 
Of course, the kind of technique and skill required to really play keepable session takes is another story. But I've had great success with learning enough to rough-in parts and get the more complicated or prominent stuff overdubbed by someone who can play better than me.
 
It's a good exercise though, just get a guitar and start noodling on it. Learn a few chords to screw around with and then just practice separate picking casually. I often sit with a guitar just picking one string/one finger at a time up and down while I watch TV. I helped a LOT.

Why not? And if you need guidance, eMedia makes some good tutorial titles, and there's also the Rocksmith videogame, which I've heard is supposed to be pretty good, though I haven't tried it.
 
Scott

--
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One of my sons has an Gibson  SG and a Mexistrat. He leaves the Mexistrat home. I figure thats good enough for me to use.

I think Chuck nailed it with the "motivated" part. You have theory, and the next big hurdle is finger callouses, so an electric (i.e., the Mexistrat) is a good choice.
 
Folk chords are universal, as are barre chords. The nice "cheat" with barre chords is that the left hand has 3 positions only for all major/minor chords with the root on the low E or A string (the major fingering rooted on the low E string is identical to the minor rooted on the A string, standard tuning). With those three positions, and knowledge of the notes on those two strings, you can get off to a running start in a hurry.
 
Early on, stick with standard tuning, since most help is there, and learn "right handed" even if you are a lefty, for the same reason. Don't get too involved with effects early on, but work more on left hand dexterity (switching chords), and right hand precision (alternate/sweep picking and string location with your hand "anchored" as feels best for you).
 
Be realistic with expectations (know yourself), enjoy the journey, and all is good.
 
 

I teach guitar, bass and music theory part time and I have and or had a number of what I call bucket list students.  That is retirees how wanted to learn guitar.  Most all succeed with those that didn't have medical issues, mostly arthritis  or trigger finger.  Neither was caused by playing guitar.
 
You have the theory and the ability to read music.  All you need to do is to know where to put your fingers.  I would suggest a good instructor so you do not develop bad habits.  Bad habits are harder to cure then when starting out fresh.
 
If you just want to strum chords I have a couple of sheets of barre chords.  With barre chords if you start with one fingering you now have 12 different chords.  If you are interested just let me know and I will email them to you.

I agree with these responses! I had a 74 year old woman start lessons and a year later she called me from Florida saying she taught her jam friends how to play a half dozen of her favorite tunes. She also made me listen to her fingerpick Don't Think Twice (Dylan), which she was super proud of herself for learning!
    My advice as a guitar instructor for the past 53 years? Go for it. Figure out how it's like a piano. Figure out the fingerboard and how the strings are a 4th apart (except for the 3rd to the 2nd being a major third).
You'll be jamming in no time!
Michael

Of course you can....
Time and patience.

If you're focused and determined, the only obstacle might be your body. Tendinitis, arthritis, etc. You will have to be more patient than when you were younger (which will probably not be too hard), but more importantly, you cannot push your body through exhaustion and pain like you did back then. Learn when to back off. No twelve hour a day practice sessions. You'll need days of rest in between and ice must become your ally. Coming from keyboards your brain and fingers are already well trained. Go for it!