Kawasaki Concours Forum

Riding => It's not a Concours - other Bikes => Topic started by: JetJock on July 01, 2011, 08:49:50 PM

Title: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: JetJock on July 01, 2011, 08:49:50 PM
So what was your first real motorcycle? No mopeds, no scooters. Gen-u-wine motorsickles, street or dirt. Photos if you got em. Bonus points if you're in the photo with the bike (double bonus points if it's not you but a good looking person of the female persuasion).

Mine: 1968 Honda 305 Scrambler. Never should've sold her, but I was young and stupid and really really wanted a Triumph Bonneville, which is what I got next.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: George R. Young on July 01, 2011, 09:01:25 PM
Honda CB160, my first 'touring' machine.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: booger on July 01, 2011, 09:13:55 PM
1958 Zundapp moped
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: MIST on July 01, 2011, 09:52:43 PM
'82 Honda Nighthawk 650
(photo compliments of Bing search)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: ZG on July 01, 2011, 10:48:42 PM
My first street bike was an 83 Honda Nighthawk 550, I don't have any pics of my actual bike but it looked liked this. I was 16 years old (in 1986) and had never even rode a streetbike before, bought it used from a private party $800 cash on site before even riding it, man I wrecked that bike at least 3 or 4 times...
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Conrad on July 02, 2011, 06:54:33 AM
1974 Yamaha DT 125. I bought it used from our neighbor in 1975, with my own money. It was the first set of wheels that I could call mine own. They called it an enduro at the time, a dirt bike with turn sigs and a head light. Man I really loved that bike and went everywhere on it!

(http://neatvsales.com/A55CC2/neatv.nsf/0/E94E9672A8250B33862574E10070624D/$FILE/th_.jpg)

I graduated from high school and left to join the Army and then my bro wrecked it for me. I've never forgiven him for that.  ;)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: ssmith on July 02, 2011, 07:02:25 AM
71 Suzuki Trailhopper
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: thundercloud on July 02, 2011, 07:34:14 AM
My first was a 1966 Honda CL-160. Got me around and was I proud of her at 16 years old. Bought it in boxes and baskets. Wish I had it back.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: anycleavers on July 02, 2011, 12:28:30 PM
'77 Jawa, hand me down from my older brother. twin cylinder, 2 stroke 350. Made in Czechoslovakia. Don't have any surviving pics, but it looked like this.

(http://i.imgur.com/uEXYZ.jpg) (http://imgur.com/uEXYZ)

Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: okxd45 on July 02, 2011, 12:58:25 PM
93' Yamaha Seca II.  (Not my pic)

Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Strawboss on July 03, 2011, 08:50:56 AM
1981 Kawasaki 305CSR, I rode that thing everywhere. I sold it to buy the KZ550 in 1983.

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff148/Strawboss50/305.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Snibbor on July 03, 2011, 09:53:16 AM
CB 750 followed by Shadow
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: yoman on July 03, 2011, 10:41:16 AM
Mine was a 1977 Kawasaki KE125. The bike was so awesome that I bought a project bike just like it. I feel like I am 16 again when I get on that thing.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Ron Dawg on July 03, 2011, 11:39:36 AM
'71 Honda CB350. It was fall of 1975. Rode it two years (5,000 miles) , put one tire, chain and sprockets on it, traded it in the fall 1977 on a Honda Hawk I CB400. Got $450 trade in for the 350, the new CB400 retailed at $995. Rode that two years (10,000 miles) and sold it for $500 when I ran out of money my senior year in college.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: just gone on July 03, 2011, 12:10:45 PM
My first was a '67 Kawasaki J1TL: a two stroke, rotary disc valve, 4 speed rotary shift, maroon colored (yeech!  :yikes:), moving speed bump.
I ordered it from Alden's catalog for $200 something and picked it up from their loading dock. Kawasaki still was trying to bank on their "Aircraft Company" name,
and the Chrome was covered in some blue anti-corrosion during shipping stuff.
If it were not for the short, skinny, gawky-lookin', pimply faced kid usually sitting on top, those white walls made it
a real chick magnet!  ::)

(http://www.cyclechaos.com/w/thumb.php?f=Kawasaki-j1t.jpg&width=250) (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/File%3AKawasaki-j1t.jpg)

It died, on a Friday evening on west Diversey Ave. in Chicago in a head on colision with a '61 Pontiac that crossed the centerline. I lived, with a scrape on my International Orange Bell helmet
and a sore wrist.  The centerline of the front axle ended up behind the centerline of the crank shaft. The Pontiac?..it had a clean spot on it's front chrome bumper where my front tire hit it.

It's demise wasn't all bad as it made me get my first GTR......a Bridgestone 350 GTR (http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/uploadedImages/articles/issues/2009-11-01/UTR-Br_350GTR-Cobbed.jpg), now that was a chick magnet! (as long as my helmet and sungasses were on.)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: George R. Young on July 03, 2011, 06:35:54 PM
. . . first GTR a Bridgestone 350 GTR . . .
Ah, my second bike.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Kazairl on July 03, 2011, 10:47:57 PM
My first bike was my 2000 C10.  I'm thinking, I could have found an easier bike to learn on. Oh well.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: IRULE on July 03, 2011, 11:19:42 PM
I think it was 86 Suzuki GS700. What a POS!
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: jbailey on July 03, 2011, 11:58:26 PM
1981 Suzuki GS450.  Bought it new.  Traded in for 1982 GS650 (Shaft Drive).
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: tjpgi on July 04, 2011, 04:15:26 AM
1973 DT3 Yamaha 250 Enduro. Bought it for $959 with a painted matching helmet ( additional $29.99) from a Yamaha dealer in Tarpon Springs Fl in Nov. 1972. I was 22 and just married. When gas prices increased, I was able to convince my new wife that I needed to drive something more economical on gas since round trip  to my job as a journeyman electrician was about 50 miles . My car was a 307 Nova that only got 10MPG. I still have the bike and rebuilt it last year all except the seat, I'll finish that this summer. I used to hill climb a lot and can't count the number of times I wrecked going up or down the hills. I have also driven into fairly deep drainage ditches that I found abruptly sinking the bike several times. I would simply remove the jug, wash out everything, dry it, change the oil, dry the mag and points and it would fire right up. The bike is literally bullet proof. The bike in the picture next to the DT3 is a 1982 Yamaha 250 YZ..a great riding dirt bike.( water cooled)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Boomer on July 04, 2011, 04:38:01 AM
My first "big" bike was a KTM250GS similar to the one in the pic.
(http://www.mxbikes.com/bikes/ktm/81-ktm-250gs.jpg)

I replaced it (after writing it off hitting the back of a Jaguar) with the same but a year later model with monoshock rear.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Pokey on July 04, 2011, 07:24:16 AM
1977 GS 550.....wish I still had it too. :-\
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: manowarwi on July 04, 2011, 07:45:01 PM
I didn't start riding until I went to college, first bike was a 2001 Suzuki Bandit 600S.  Damn thing was so cold blooded it would take 5 minutes before you could drive it anywhere!  I got in a pretty decent accident the second week I owned it because I got impatient and rode off after only warming up for 2 minutes and it stalled at a busy intersection and while I was cranking on it to start again, I slipped off the clutch and rode an unintentional wheelie for about 50 feet and dropped it on its side.   :-[  After that I only bought fuel injected motorcycles. 
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Boxer on July 09, 2011, 08:18:48 AM
1967 Honda Superhawk
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: CrashKLRtoConnie on July 09, 2011, 10:53:07 AM
Honda 1966 CB160 (Cost used $225)
2 cylinder 4 Stroke 15.6 HP (Freeway legal)
4 speed
drum brakes
Once I got it over 80 MPH (Downhill)

Painted all the gray to black.

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/uploadedImages/Blogs/Landon/honda.jpg (http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/uploadedImages/Blogs/Landon/honda.jpg)



Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: banditrider on July 09, 2011, 02:30:07 PM
Suzuki TS185ER.  Bought for $120 with a seized motor which the old man sorted in a jiffy.  No kick starter so had to learn not to stall it pretty quick...
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Scaffolder on July 09, 2011, 02:36:35 PM
1983 Honda Sabre V-45----Loved it!!!
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: deadzed on July 09, 2011, 02:51:12 PM
1985 Honda Shadow VT500c

Bought it in 1988. Rode it for 3 years before I ever owned a car & for several years after.
Great little bike. I still get a little excited when I see one.
Took it all over California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado & Wyoming.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Zman on July 10, 2011, 09:07:09 AM
New 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim - Only bike I've ever had until I got the '11 Connie in March.

Sadly faceed the fact that there is a new love in my life and sold her yesterday to a family member that will take good care.

And of course I can get some more farkles!!
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: MrPepsi on July 10, 2011, 09:49:45 AM
You didn't specify street only, so my first bike was a Honda 50 at the age of 5.
My first street bike was a Kawi Ninja 600 of course.
Its been all downhill since then.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: JetJock on July 10, 2011, 07:54:23 PM
New 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim - Only bike I've ever had until I got the '11 Connie in March.

Sadly faceed the fact that there is a new love in my life and sold her yesterday to a family member that will take good care.

And of course I can get some more farkles!!

Wow! 30 years between new bikes! That may be a record.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: red44 on July 10, 2011, 10:26:46 PM
Honda SL70 (OK almost a moped)
Honda CB350 was the first street bike, with JC Whitney chrome megaphone mufflers!  :)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: koval68 on July 13, 2011, 09:16:00 PM
My first bike was a 1978 Romet Pony 50 at the age of 10.

(http://www.praktyka.rubikon.pl/galerie/gal_50m1/50m1.jpg)

Followed by 1980 Simson S51 Enduro.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Simson_S51E_Bj84.JPG/800px-Simson_S51E_Bj84.JPG)

And finally my first street bike 1982 MZ ETZ 250

(http://polskajazda.pl/foto/foto-zoom/jarecki250DSCF7239i.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: mjrfd99 on July 14, 2011, 02:16:28 PM
1972 H1-b  1st "big boys" bike
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Tom J. on July 14, 2011, 02:35:21 PM
After the minibikes and the little 125 street bike, First real bike was this Honda CX 500 Custom- rode the damn thing everywhere!
Geez I was a stupid dork back then... (maybe still am)   ;)

Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: yoman on July 14, 2011, 03:02:04 PM
After the minibikes and the little 125 street bike, First real bike was this Honda CX 500 Custom- rode the damn thing everywhere!
Geez I was a stupid dork back then... (maybe still am)   ;)

Socks by Cliff Clavin, J/K  ;D
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Tom J. on July 14, 2011, 03:05:47 PM
...jacket by Members Only
 :-\
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Tom J. on July 14, 2011, 03:07:49 PM
Yea, Uh,  I'm here for the Alman Brothers auditions ....?  (kidding) ;D



1972 H1-b  1st "big boys" bike
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: yoman on July 14, 2011, 03:19:48 PM
everybody is a dork 30 years later.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Squishman on July 14, 2011, 04:20:34 PM
My first bike was a new 1977 RD 400 bought new in '78.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: JetJock on July 15, 2011, 08:58:12 PM
Now there's one you should've kept! Had one and roadraced another. Got rid of both, damnit!  :banghead:
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: kawamark on July 18, 2011, 06:52:38 AM
My first motorcycle.  A red 1973 Honda CB350 Four. Had been stored in a barn for years. Paid $150 for it. Did not know much about motorcycles but was working as an automobile mechanic at the time. Drained the gas and put in a fresh battery and got it started. Learned to ride on this bike. Never laid it down or tipped it over. It was daily transportation for a while. Gas tank was so rusted it clogged up the fuel line a time or two. Wish I had know more about motorcycles at the time. Developed a bad oil leak and I parked it and sold it.

(http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/9812.jpg)

Dig the cool riding outfit in the ad!
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: accbiker on July 18, 2011, 07:08:09 PM
A 1987 Suzuki Savage - put 40,000 miles on it before selling it for a Suzuki Volusia.  After a few years of the v-twin, wised up and got the C-14. 
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Tim on July 19, 2011, 03:08:53 AM
I bought my first bike in 1973. It was a Kaw 350 triple. I was limited on how far I could go as it was like riding a pair of weed eaters. One in each hand. I owned it for a year before I got smart and bought a Z-1A. I still like the Z-1.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Conrad on July 19, 2011, 04:44:33 AM

(http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/9812.jpg)

Dig the cool riding outfit in the ad!

Looks like the dude is wearing a codpiece.    :rotflmao:
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: WillyP on July 19, 2011, 07:08:30 AM
'72 Honda CL100, paid fifty bucks for it, my mom freaked out but my dad said I could keep it if I could get it running. Damn right I got it running!
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Jim M. on July 19, 2011, 11:51:09 AM
Honda CT70. That was my first motorcycle after a Briggs and Stratton powered Sears mini bike.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: ZG on July 19, 2011, 12:03:47 PM
Looks like the dude is wearing a codpiece.    :rotflmao:


Uh, shadoobie, shattered shattered...  ;)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Conrad on July 19, 2011, 12:51:46 PM

Uh, shadoobie, shattered shattered...  ;)

 :rotflmao:  :hail:  :chugbeer:

Sing it Mick!
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: kawamark on July 19, 2011, 01:50:33 PM
Looks like the dude is wearing a codpiece.    :rotflmao:

ATGATT !!!  :o
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: JetJock on July 19, 2011, 07:51:34 PM
ATGATT !!!  :o

Gotta protect the boyz!
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: ZG on July 19, 2011, 09:17:40 PM
:rotflmao: :hail: :chugbeer:

Sing it Mick!


You know it brutha!  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Shadowofshoe on July 23, 2011, 11:57:51 AM
 First street legal was a Kawasaki F-7 175, great bike replaced the crap rear shocks w/bosh-mulloland (sp?)..long time ago ;D. i looked it up and it had 16 monster HP!!! Road the sheet out of it, spent as much time in air as on dirt.........I almost started to look to buy one last week ,but controlled myself......no garage left.

                        Mike
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Glenn on July 27, 2011, 10:07:57 AM
This 1968 Yamaha is the very first motorcycle I ever bought and learned to ride on. I paid a hundred bucks for it. Twin cylinder electric start 2 stroke, mine had no second gear, I had to wind it out in first then double shift into third. It left a stream of yamalube behind me like a jets contrails! Ah... my very first, (and last), 2 stroke... good memories! ::)

(http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac332/peatreek/1968Yamaha180.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: anycleavers on July 27, 2011, 04:48:22 PM
Quote
It left a stream of yamalube behind me like a jets contrails!
 

 :rotflmao:  That's awesome!
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: BrianM on July 27, 2011, 05:02:23 PM
Not exactly the Smartest bike for a total noob... but mine was an '83 Honda CB1100F

(http://www.classicsportbikesforsale.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/CB1100F_R3-550x412.jpg)

I remember pulling out of the owners driveway, popped a wheelie straight across the street (had a weak battery and I didn't want to struggle with starting it after a stall).

Dumb move #2?  After 30 minutes chasing my roommate around an empty Walmart parking lot, we went to the bar. 

d'oh...  I was the ultimate squid, college kid, no gear (shorts and tank tops in the summer), frequented bars, hit 100mph+ the first night I had the bike, had female passengers within the first week (doing a ton).....  gads, I worked HARD to dump all the luck out of my luck bucket as fast as possible.  Glad maturity kicked in before death caught me.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: valkmc on August 04, 2011, 08:59:22 PM
Honda 400 super sport, 4 cylinder, 1975. Followed by a CB 750 F 1981, both great bikes. Grew up on the 750 it was last bike I laid down until my C14 last week.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: mjrfd99 on August 05, 2011, 06:54:54 AM
...jacket by Members Only
 :-\
Yea, Uh,  I'm here for the Alman Brothers auditions ....?  (kidding) ;D



No old ski jacket.  $$ were tight.
No audition but did ride it to a couple of their concerts.
Wild times and ways back then.
That bike and this hottie made me king in da hood
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: JetJock on August 05, 2011, 08:04:21 AM
Not exactly the Smartest bike for a total noob... but mine was an '83 Honda CB1100F

(http://www.classicsportbikesforsale.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/CB1100F_R3-550x412.jpg)

I remember pulling out of the owners driveway, popped a wheelie straight across the street (had a weak battery and I didn't want to struggle with starting it after a stall).

Dumb move #2?  After 30 minutes chasing my roommate around an empty Walmart parking lot, we went to the bar. 

d'oh...  I was the ultimate squid, college kid, no gear (shorts and tank tops in the summer), frequented bars, hit 100mph+ the first night I had the bike, had female passengers within the first week (doing a ton).....  gads, I worked HARD to dump all the luck out of my luck bucket as fast as possible.  Glad maturity kicked in before death caught me.

I always wanted one of those, but went with the VFRs instead. That the actual bike you had or just similar?
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: okxd45 on August 05, 2011, 11:06:36 AM
No old ski jacket.  $$ were tight.
No audition but did ride it to a couple of their concerts.
Wild times and ways back then.
That bike and this hottie made me king in da hood

I was like 6 or something.  You and the beautiful young lady were quite groovy. 8)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Rhino on August 05, 2011, 11:26:16 AM
I started riding late in life. My first bike was a brand new 2004 Honda VTX1300S. I had to trailer it home since I didn't have an endorsement or more importantly didn't know how to ride it. From my house I could ride it to a church parking lot about 1/2 mile away. I learned to ride it in that parking lot. Was able to get into a class a month later and get my endorsement. Within 8 months I replaced it with a Honda Valkyrie. I now have about 90,000 miles on 4 different bikes.


The actual bike on a road trip in the summer of 04. I just realized that without intention it is almost the same color as my C14.
(http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac177/sreinschmidt/VTX.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: joelberg on August 06, 2011, 09:45:53 AM
A 72 Kawasaki F7 175 2-stroke enduro.  Man I miss that thing.

(http://www.marblesmotors.com/images/bikes/72F717502/1972_Kawasaki_F7_175_Red_Small.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: anycleavers on August 06, 2011, 09:51:57 AM
Quote
A 72 Kawasaki F7 175 2-stroke enduro.  Man I miss that thing.

I had the 125 version. I agree, I miss that little bike, some very good times were had.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Nosmo on August 25, 2011, 09:11:04 PM
My 2003 Concours was my first.  Got it used in spring 2005 with 7600 miles on it.  Now has 58,000.

pic below:

Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: VirginiaJim on August 26, 2011, 04:27:53 AM
81 Honda GL500.  Didn't run so well.  Had to rebuild the carbs (which was easy on this bike).  Got it for $500.  I wish I had a digital pic of it, but I don't.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Dwes on August 26, 2011, 10:07:22 AM
83 KZ550LTD
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Tom J. on August 26, 2011, 02:12:12 PM
81 Honda GL500.  Didn't run so well.  Had to rebuild the carbs (which was easy on this bike).  Got it for $500.  I wish I had a digital pic of it, but I don't.
Jim, as noted earlier in this thread, I had the 82 CX500-  got it brand new in '84.  Great running bike- I put well over 50K miles on that bike... and that's in MN !!  BRRrrrrrrrr
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: pzak95 on September 04, 2011, 03:07:55 PM
73 CB 350 Honda.  Had about 5k mi. on it. I added another 5k plus then sold it and bought a brand new CB 550 F. This had a 4 into 1 pipe from the factory. Followed this up with a 79 GS 850 Suzuki, great bike, put over 113k mi. on this over a 16 period. Then the Concours came along and I got a brand new one in 95. Been on this ever since.

Pat
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: rcannon409 on September 04, 2011, 03:27:09 PM
A 72 Kawasaki F7 175 2-stroke enduro.  Man I miss that thing.

(http://www.marblesmotors.com/images/bikes/72F717502/1972_Kawasaki_F7_175_Red_Small.jpg)

Oh man, I remember that bike. My dad bought one of those for himself, I got the yamaha 80..with turn signals and fully street legal.   That f7 was a cool machine. Japans first cdi ignition, on anything, and a cool front fork that let you change offset by moving the axle forward or backward.  The Yamaha ran like crap once the airfilter was clogged...who woudl have guessed?
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: IBF2 on September 05, 2011, 02:33:24 AM
Honda CT 70 followed by a trashed out 71 Honda CL 350 "Scrambler"  8) 8)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Dan on September 13, 2011, 07:07:35 PM
Kawasaki 440 ltd, belt drive 1981....

It was so small.. and it was so slow.  I loved it took me where i wanted to go....  traded for a yamaha seca 750...  greta college bike, to a ninja 1000r, grand daddy of our concourse....  1986....  Well later boys..
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Sofa King on September 13, 2011, 07:51:22 PM
Started riding in 1984 on a 1980 Honda Twinstar 200

(http://motorcycle-specs.com/general/Honda_CM200T_Twinstar_1980.jpg)

Man, I loved that machine like a person.  Like a good dog it was.  Always there, and showed me the world!
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: azul10 on September 14, 2011, 07:20:00 PM
Benelli   125 cc  2 stroke. Spent more time working on it than riding. Montgromery Ward service manual helped  as they sold these bikes under the Riverside name through the catalog store.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: BackInTheSaddle on September 14, 2011, 07:48:00 PM
Mine was a 1981 Honda CB650 in black.  I was already in my 30's with three kids because while I was in school my parents wouldn't go along with it and then in early marriage couldn't afford it.  Road it for over 10 years and took it to Europe with me, where I sold it to a colleague.  It was a great first bike and I thought it was powerful & fast - then I got a C10 and learned better, and now I have a C14 and learned more better  ;D.
(http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab353/DonaldHollinger/HondaCB650-1981.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Snibbor on September 15, 2011, 08:14:20 PM
Ahhh....   Memory Lane.  There sure have been some great bikes.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Gsun on September 15, 2011, 08:43:29 PM
The first one I actually paid for was my 98 Connie. I rode borrowed bikes way back because I couldn't afford one. A couple of dirt bikes, a 350 Kawi circa 1973. But the first bike I owned when I was about 11 (it was a gift) was this. Sorry, but it looks like a motorcycle! Mine was red.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: GhettoBird on September 28, 2011, 07:20:47 PM
82 GPz1100. Mine was painted black.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Keith B on September 28, 2011, 08:01:20 PM
Here's a pic just like my first one, only mine was not nearly in this good of shape. Early 1960s Honda CL72 Scrambler, 250cc of holy terror (not so much)

(http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/honda_cl72.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: fc1reed on September 28, 2011, 09:42:33 PM
I had an '82 450 Nighthawk. The picture is not mine but it was the same color.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: 2fast on September 28, 2011, 09:47:34 PM
My first bike with my GF at the time........both collectible now......... ;D  Not sure exactly what year the bike is, but pre 70.  It was a 125 or 150.......not sure right now. Dang, I might have to find one of these again just for grins.

Photo, circa 1970. I was a junior in high school.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Conrad on September 29, 2011, 04:54:25 AM
Here's a pic just like my first one, only mine was not nearly in this good of shape. Early 1960s Honda CL72 Scrambler, 250cc of holy terror (not so much)

(http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/honda_cl72.jpg)

I just saw one of these yesterday. It was seriously trashed though but the guy was still riding it.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Gearhead82 on September 29, 2011, 08:06:31 AM
I just started riding a little over 2 years ago.  First bike was this '92 (or maybe '93) EX-500.  I paid $500 for it and had to replace the flywheel (charging magnets were shattered. Common problem on 1st Gen EX 500).  Also went through the carbs and bought a windshield for it.  Put a couple hundred miles on it and sold it to buy my next project ('99 VFR800).

(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/gearhead82_bucket/IMG_1182.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Furbo on September 29, 2011, 08:29:49 AM
I learned to ride on a 1970 Honda 50 Mini Trail!

My first real motorcycle was a 74 Kawasaki KD 125.

First street bike was a 76 Kawasaki 400 Twin.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Shadowofshoe on September 30, 2011, 02:38:24 PM
A 72 Kawasaki F7 175 2-stroke enduro.  Man I miss that thing.

(http://www.marblesmotors.com/images/bikes/72F717502/1972_Kawasaki_F7_175_Red_Small.jpg)
  Wow thats my 1st street legal, a pic..amazing, it had some sort of rotary valve thingy that was high tech then, he he, I loved that thing!
  mike
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: AlexG on October 04, 2011, 10:28:40 AM
I found my first bike in rural PA - it was sitting idle for few years. It started after first push of the starter button and I rode it for a year just to make sure motorcycling was for me. The Nighthawk is a great bike to start on. It’s indestructible, functional and unpretentious... BTW, I found my current bike – the RT - in rural PA also. Hmmm, should be something about rural PA...  ::)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: ddavid on October 06, 2011, 09:29:20 PM
1976 Yamaha xs 500. No pics but there is a 1978 for sale 3 blocks away from me. Hmmmmm maybe I should get it for old times sake.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: snarf on October 08, 2011, 03:25:06 AM
82 Kawasaki 440 Ltd

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/snarf1971/1982KawasakiZ440LTD.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: xjs36uk on October 08, 2011, 09:11:58 AM
That would be a 1976 Kawasaki KH250 which i picked up for a measly £20 GBP in 1984, still had it up til 6 years ago when I got my Mother to move my stuff from my old house, She sent it to the scrap yard!!!! and then said what did I want with that old bike!!! Also had a Suzuki GS125ES at the same time, small but looks like a big bike and being a four stroke single sounds (at tickover at least) like a big thumper. I'm now on my 27th to 34th bikes.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Crashcup on October 08, 2011, 07:08:06 PM
Depending one what you mean by "real" motorcycle...

My first was a 1973 Honda SL70. (Some of my neighborhood friends gave me crap that the "SL" stood for "SLOW"... but did they have their own motorcycle?  Noooooooooo!)

This was in 1973. I had wanted a mini-bike BADLY for a few years, but living in the suburbs, no good place to ride. Then, in the summer of '73, we moved out to "the country" (mom re-married). Part of the strategy of winning me over to the idea was getting a bike. "...and guess what Keith, you can get a MINI-BIKE out there!"

But my step-dad said No, you really don't want a mini-bike with those small wheels. He didn't ride, but was asking guys at work for suggestions. They all told him the smaller wheels would really limit the handling off-road. It didn't take much to convince me of that wisdom, and one June Saturday morning we went into Moon Motors in Monticello MN to buy my FIRST MOTORCYCLE! Brand-spankin'-new! We wheeled it out into the parking lot and the sales guy went over the controls with me. After I clumsily putted around the parking lot a little, we loaded it into the trailer and took it home.

So that's how I spent my time that summer, on that little blue Honda. Part of making the whole motorcycle thing okay with my mom was telling her... "Don't worry, I'm just going to ride it around the yard." Of course,  after riding around the yard a couple of weeks, and wearing trails into the grass everywhere, I had to have more space, and started riding along the ditches and along the mississippi river banks. There were a couple of small gravel pits along my usual route, and that was a blast banging around the pits and climbing hills and using the small piles of dirt as jumps.

Funny, as nostalgic as it makes me feel thinking about that first bike, I really have no desire to get one now. If I wanted to get a bike for nostalgia's sake, I think it might be one of those dorky-looking Trail 90's. My uncle had one and let me ride it on the gravel roads by my grandpa's (this was prior to the SL70). That was like the funnest thing I'd done in my life, and I knew I had to have one!

BTW, the pic attached is not my bike, a pic from Marbles Motors of a 1971, mine was 1973.  I think the only difference is the decals.

Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Conrad on October 12, 2011, 07:58:43 AM
Depending one what you mean by "real" motorcycle...

My first was a 1973 Honda SL70. (Some of my neighborhood friends gave me crap that the "SL" stood for "SLOW"... but did they have their own motorcycle?  Noooooooooo!)

This was in 1973. I had wanted a mini-bike BADLY for a few years, but living in the suburbs, no good place to ride. Then, in the summer of '73, we moved out to "the country" (mom re-married). Part of the strategy of winning me over to the idea was getting a bike. "...and guess what Keith, you can get a MINI-BIKE out there!"

But my step-dad said No, you really don't want a mini-bike with those small wheels. He didn't ride, but was asking guys at work for suggestions. They all told him the smaller wheels would really limit the handling off-road. It didn't take much to convince me of that wisdom, and one June Saturday morning we went into Moon Motors in Monticello MN to buy my FIRST MOTORCYCLE! Brand-spankin'-new! We wheeled it out into the parking lot and the sales guy went over the controls with me. After I clumsily putted around the parking lot a little, we loaded it into the trailer and took it home.

So that's how I spent my time that summer, on that little blue Honda. Part of making the whole motorcycle thing okay with my mom was telling her... "Don't worry, I'm just going to ride it around the yard." Of course,  after riding around the yard a couple of weeks, and wearing trails into the grass everywhere, I had to have more space, and started riding along the ditches and along the mississippi river banks. There were a couple of small gravel pits along my usual route, and that was a blast banging around the pits and climbing hills and using the small piles of dirt as jumps.

Funny, as nostalgic as it makes me feel thinking about that first bike, I really have no desire to get one now. If I wanted to get a bike for nostalgia's sake, I think it might be one of those dorky-looking Trail 90's. My uncle had one and let me ride it on the gravel roads by my grandpa's (this was prior to the SL70). That was like the funnest thing I'd done in my life, and I knew I had to have one!

BTW, the pic attached is not my bike, a pic from Marbles Motors of a 1971, mine was 1973.  I think the only difference is the decals.

Sounds like the plan/plot to 'win you over' worked eh Keith?
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: CADMAN97 on October 15, 2011, 03:25:14 PM
My friend let me practice on his KLR 650, but the first bike i actually bought was a 1998 Honda Magna. My mom about flipped when I told her the bike in the garage was mine. I live 2hrs away from my home town, and when my parents came to visit one day, I knew the secret was gonna be over. But hey I was 26, and able to make my own decisions. Now 10yrs later everyone pretty much accepts the fact I ride. I eventually traded the Magna for my VFR800, which i just recently sold  :-\
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: justbob on October 16, 2011, 05:31:09 PM
My first street bike was a new blue Yamaha, that one was a 1973 RD250.
 Now I feel like a kid again, I just bought another new blue Yamaha , this one is a 2012 Super Tenere.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: potshotpanda on October 21, 2011, 07:58:29 PM
Learned to ride on a AMD 125 in a gravel pit about 10 miles away from my parents house (it was my older brother's bike)

First bike I owned was a 79 Suzuki GS425L, bought brand new.   Rode that bad boy for 36000 miles without a lick of trouble.  Made a trip from DC out to Columbus OH to visit a girlfriend via US 50.  Also rode it from RI to LA over a couple of days.   In January, missed any snow, fortunately.

Next bike was an 82 GS850 which caused me to fall in love with a shaft drive bike.   That one had issues, but still loved the bike. 

Last bike, before my 15 year hiatus was a Honda Rebel 250.   Not that I'd give up my Connie, but that was a nearly bulletproof bike that got near 70 mpg when I added a windscreen to make the airflow better around my rather square body.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: SteveJ. on October 24, 2011, 06:33:26 PM
First bike, 1970 CL450, brand new from Twin City Honda.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Uglydog56 on October 30, 2011, 08:51:43 PM
1978 Honda CM400 was my first bike that I owned.  The engine had flipped the speedo and finally broke the cam chain.  The guy swapped in a Hawk 450 motor and put another 30K on her before he sold it to me.  I rode it for a year down in FL and gave it away when I transferred to New York.

First bike ridden was a neighbor kid's Honda CR50.  When I was 8, me, him and my brother (5 yrs old) would rip up and down the county roads, all three of us sitting on the bike, no helmets, no nothing.  My brother had to sit in the middle so he wouldn't fall off (safety first!) We used to race the neighbor (high school age, with his girlfriend on the back) and he would let us win.  30 years later I looked at a 50 while I was at the stealer, and I can't believe I was ever that small.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: txfatboy on October 30, 2011, 09:10:21 PM
Honda 650 Night Hawk, 83 or 84...... Painted midnight metallic blue, all the emblems removed and most of the engine blacked out. I even filled in the "Honda" that was machined into the engine side covers. It was a great first bike and looked great too.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: gtr1000inFL on October 30, 2011, 09:54:23 PM
1978 Hondamatic 400 Hawk, in 1985.  Not recommended.  Sold it for $200.  See the missing mirror?  Front caliper hanging by the line?  Spent a year recovering from injuries. No cycle endorsements back then.  Could have avoided it.  (http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f357/rrosypal/hawk400.jpg)   
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: dvitous on October 30, 2011, 10:04:25 PM
A '73 Yamaha AT 125...  looked exactly like this one.  Bought from a guy I worked with... if I'm not mistaken, for $1/cc.

(http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/8446.jpg)

I suspect my brother was somehow involved... but one day it just "disappeared" from the garage, never to be seen again.

Replaced shortly thereafter by an '83 Kaw 550 LTD... then my '99 Concours!


Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Son of Pappy on October 30, 2011, 11:09:30 PM
Tote Goat, best damn mule ever devised ;D
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: danl on October 31, 2011, 07:04:21 AM
I'm a relative newb as far as riding goes. My wife and I bought our 1st bike in 2006 when our daughter graduated HS. It was a brand new 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. We learned to ride on it and put about 8000 miles on the clock in a year, doing nothing much but local riding. She'd go out for a  couple hours, I'd go out for a couple hours later on. Lots of weekend morning country road cruises. After 6 months or so, I bought my own bike, a used 05 Suzuki C50. 6 months later, we traded in the 750 for a new '07 1500 for my wife which she still has. It's got almost 30k on it. I traded the C50 in with about 20k on it for my '08 Vulcan 1600 which I bought in '09 as a leftover new stock bike. I rode that for 16k and while I liked it, it never really made me want to just go out and ride. I bought my Connie a month ago and finally have the bike that I can't wait to ride.

Here's the 750:
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/dan88z/Bikes/bikes2.jpg)
And the C50
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj60/dan88z/Bikes/DSCN0467.jpg)   
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: DonB on October 31, 2011, 07:41:10 AM
first bike dang near killed half the family
(http://)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Cavediver on October 31, 2011, 02:03:23 PM
1975 Kawasaki F11 I beat that thing to death.

Jack
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: speed545 on October 31, 2011, 05:53:28 PM
First off road at the age of 16.....Yamaha YZ 125 1980
First street bike at the age of 20........Honda CBF400 1975. Should ve kept it. They re seeling for a few thousands
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: So Cal Joe on November 01, 2011, 06:31:44 AM
First motorcycle was a 1969 Honda CB 350, It was stock when I bought it but I made a few changes to it  :)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cc03b3127ccec2b90e1342cc00000010O01CcNWzly0Yg9vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: GeeBeav on November 01, 2011, 04:46:13 PM
First motorcycle was a 1969 Honda CB 350, It was stock when I bought it but I made a few changes to it  :)

Groovy  8)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: yoman on November 03, 2011, 09:44:56 AM
First motorcycle was a 1969 Honda CB 350, It was stock when I bought it but I made a few changes to it  :)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cc03b3127ccec2b90e1342cc00000010O01CcNWzly0Yg9vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)

That is FRIGGIN AWESOME! 8)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Bobby on November 04, 2011, 11:00:38 AM
1973 I learned how to work a clutch on a Suzuki 50 then went out and bought 1974 Kawasaki 500 triple.

Before that it was always trying to kill myself on mini-bikes and go karts. One would be surprised what a 5 hp sideshaft can do after a rebuild.

Did a go kart with a 30 hp 2 stroker motor and it would never go where you pointed it. 
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: feelergaugephil on December 27, 2011, 01:17:27 AM
1st dirtbike was a 70 something Garelli Tigercross 50, 1st road bike was a 78 Yamaha RD 50M
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: John Mc on December 27, 2011, 08:17:17 AM
A 50's triumph that would shake itself to peices within 50 miles...
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on December 27, 2011, 09:18:47 AM
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m245/flygirl5485/DSCF2579.jpg)

(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m245/flygirl5485/DSCF2589.jpg)

(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m245/flygirl5485/IMG_0656.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: connie_rider on December 27, 2011, 09:59:34 AM
My first was a 1969 Honda Super 90.
Worked 2 summers to save up and pay for it. $425 including helmet.
After scanning thru most of the other notes, it appears I was the only person to admit to a Honda 90?

Ride safe, Ted
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: JP on January 20, 2012, 09:14:26 AM
78 RD400 like this but orange
(http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/uploadedImages/Blogs/Landon/rd400-2.jpg)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Squishman on January 20, 2012, 07:34:47 PM
78 RD400 like this but orange
(http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/uploadedImages/Blogs/Landon/rd400-2.jpg)

I had several RD350's and RD400's.
That looks like a '76 to me.
I thought that orange was a '75 RD350 (I had one. VERY fast!), '76 400 was blue. '77 400 was Red (had 2 of them). '78 was gray or silverish, if I remember correctly. '79 was the Daytona Special (had one!!! shoulda kept that bad boy).
I am pretty sure I have the above correct. Unless Yamaha had multiple colors in given years.

edit: now I am remembering the tank graphics were larger in '76. This one has graphics like my 2 red 77's. So, maybe '78 had blue and silver.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: George R. Young on January 20, 2012, 08:10:09 PM
Ah, my 4th motorcycle, '73 RD350
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: mjrfd99 on January 24, 2012, 05:51:40 AM
The start of the slide into trouble on the dark side.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: XHarleyRider on February 02, 2012, 01:10:00 PM
My first bike was a 1971 Honda CD 125.  I have some pictures I can post.  I purchased this bike when I was 13.  I'm going to be 43 soon.  I still have the bike and plan on doing a light restoration as soon as I finish restoring my 1963 Cushman Iron Eagle.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: GeeBeav on February 02, 2012, 09:36:43 PM
My first bike was a 1971 Honda CD 125.

CD?
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: XHarleyRider on February 03, 2012, 12:14:38 AM
It was only sold in Europe.  It is a two cylinder 125.  I think there might be a link for it on Google.
 http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-of-the-Honda-CD125-Motorcycle&id=6545701 (http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-of-the-Honda-CD125-Motorcycle&id=6545701)

 http://vf750fd.com/blurbs/brochures/60-70s/cd125-3.jpg (http://vf750fd.com/blurbs/brochures/60-70s/cd125-3.jpg)

 http://vf750fd.com/vf750f/vin_2.html (http://vf750fd.com/vf750f/vin_2.html)

The second link is exactly what I have.  I have some photos at the bottom af a drawer somewhere...
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: connie_rider on February 03, 2012, 07:54:12 AM
My first was a 20" bicycle with a 2 1/2 HP Brigs and Stratton Motor strapped to the side of it.
Built it when I was in the 6th grade.
Dad was pretty upset because the danged thing would run 35 MPH. He was more upset when an Officer of the Law caught me on it.... (oops)

Ride safe, Ted

Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Gypsyboy on February 03, 2012, 08:19:32 PM
57 Triumph 500cc twin. I rode that bike for two solid years because I didn't have a car. That was in Youngstown, Ohio and the winters were horrible. I had to pull the dents out of the gas tank every spring from constantly dropping it in the snow. The motor  was junk and I remember rebuilding the clutch every year. Who said those were the good old days.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Jim M. on February 09, 2012, 06:26:52 AM
This- only in blue in 1972, followed quickly by a Honda CT70 and a succession of 24 bikes afterward.

(http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh357/JRM59/OldminiBike.gif)

Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: JP on February 18, 2012, 09:16:59 AM
I had several RD350's and RD400's.
That looks like a '76 to me.
I thought that orange was a '75 RD350 (I had one. VERY fast!), '76 400 was blue. '77 400 was Red (had 2 of them). '78 was gray or silverish, if I remember correctly. '79 was the Daytona Special (had one!!! shoulda kept that bad boy).
I am pretty sure I have the above correct. Unless Yamaha had multiple colors in given years.

edit: now I am remembering the tank graphics were larger in '76. This one has graphics like my 2 red 77's. So, maybe '78 had blue and silver.

It was a RD400D the D designated the year it was made. I'm pretty sure it was '78 but.................
First street legal bike anyway. Too fast and quirky for someones FIRST bike. Power band was from about 7000 to 7100rpm hehe.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Squishman on February 18, 2012, 09:31:37 AM
D was 77. I had 2 of 'em. The Daytona Special was only in '79 that was an F. (gimme an F... !)
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: JP on February 18, 2012, 09:39:26 AM
I drooled over the Daytona. Saw an absolutely MINT one on Ebay a few years back.
Title: Re: Your first motorcycle?
Post by: Squishman on February 18, 2012, 02:58:01 PM
Here is a Daytona Special that is beyond mint. Never been uncrated!
http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/blog-different-strokes-found-Yamaha-RD400.aspx (http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/blog-different-strokes-found-Yamaha-RD400.aspx)