Motorcycles I've known
- Thread starter journey on
- Start date
Hey, and Joel, I was Air Force, but for some fool reason my son decide the Navy was for him (maybe SCUBA diving did it, dunno). He starts boot camp Feb 1st in Illinois, we'll be going to has graduation early April (I think that's what he said), before he starts RADAR tech school.
Over the years I had several motorcycles:
a. 1970 Kawasaki 99cc Trailboss. Had knobby tires and a lever which allowed me to change from road to trail . Was great around the hills of Portland, Oregon and on Mount Hood.
b. 1970 Kawasaki 350cc Bushwacker. Great for the road. Would fly!
c. 1971 Kawasaki 500cc Mach III. Fastest M/C at the time. Ran it wide-open one time and hung on for dear life. Kept it until when I was transferred to Japan '82.
d. 1996 Yamaha 535cc Virago. Sweet little machine. Got it in 2008 with only 1.4K miles on it. Put another 13K miles on it in 9 months. That included a trip from NC coast to the mountains to MS and back to NC via FL and SC coast.
e. 2008 Royal Enfield 500cc Classic with a sidecar. Can you say 65 MPG around town, 55 on the road. Of course, that's running at 55 MPH but The Captain enjoyed her first ride in it (2008 Oriental Christmas Parade tossing candy to the crowd). Tried to take it cross-country but gave up "the ghost" in Amarillo, TX due to sprocket and tire problems.
f. 2009 Hondo Shadow Aero. 750cc of pure trike fun. The Captain enjoys being second "up" on any ride from a 200 mile charity poker run, to a 400 mile weekend loop from home to the Outer Banks and back or just an after dinner run to Sonic to get an ice cream. This just might be my "last toy."
I rode the last three through the Dragon's Tail. Each handled differently but still fun.
Cal - The Deckhand
a. 1970 Kawasaki 99cc Trailboss. Had knobby tires and a lever which allowed me to change from road to trail . Was great around the hills of Portland, Oregon and on Mount Hood.
b. 1970 Kawasaki 350cc Bushwacker. Great for the road. Would fly!
c. 1971 Kawasaki 500cc Mach III. Fastest M/C at the time. Ran it wide-open one time and hung on for dear life. Kept it until when I was transferred to Japan '82.
d. 1996 Yamaha 535cc Virago. Sweet little machine. Got it in 2008 with only 1.4K miles on it. Put another 13K miles on it in 9 months. That included a trip from NC coast to the mountains to MS and back to NC via FL and SC coast.
e. 2008 Royal Enfield 500cc Classic with a sidecar. Can you say 65 MPG around town, 55 on the road. Of course, that's running at 55 MPH but The Captain enjoyed her first ride in it (2008 Oriental Christmas Parade tossing candy to the crowd). Tried to take it cross-country but gave up "the ghost" in Amarillo, TX due to sprocket and tire problems.
f. 2009 Hondo Shadow Aero. 750cc of pure trike fun. The Captain enjoys being second "up" on any ride from a 200 mile charity poker run, to a 400 mile weekend loop from home to the Outer Banks and back or just an after dinner run to Sonic to get an ice cream. This just might be my "last toy."
I rode the last three through the Dragon's Tail. Each handled differently but still fun.
Cal - The Deckhand
marvin4239
New member
Don't remember the year models on all but
#1 Allstate scooter similiar to the old Vespas
#2 Cushman Eagle
#3 Honda 305
#4 Suzuki 250 Savage (dirt bike)
#5 Suzuki 500 triple (very quick for the day)
#6 1969 Sportster (spent a lot of time picking up parts off the highway)
#7 1972 Honda 750 with 836 Power Roll kit pretty quick
#8 1973 900 Kawasaki
#9 and current 2003 Harley Night Train soon to be traded for Road Glide
#1 Allstate scooter similiar to the old Vespas
#2 Cushman Eagle
#3 Honda 305
#4 Suzuki 250 Savage (dirt bike)
#5 Suzuki 500 triple (very quick for the day)
#6 1969 Sportster (spent a lot of time picking up parts off the highway)
#7 1972 Honda 750 with 836 Power Roll kit pretty quick
#8 1973 900 Kawasaki
#9 and current 2003 Harley Night Train soon to be traded for Road Glide
Amazing how many bikes some have had in their stables! My list is short but, #1 would make you wonder why anyone would keep riding!
1. Hardware Store frame, no front suspension, car shocks on the back. Hodaka Ace 100 cc two stroke engine. 12" tires, rear sprocket about 11.5"! Top speed 45-50 mph in 4th gear. I was 6 years old and it met our budget of $250.00 or less in the classified adds.
2. 1971 Honda SL100, seemed boring compared to #1.
3. 1979 Suzuki DSL 185. Big improvement, could actually pop a wheelie.
4. 1981 Suzuki RM 125. Raced at PIR through high school, numerous modifications and upgrades. Wish I still had it. Paid $1,000.00 after rebate, current RM 125 close to $5k. Wow!
All of the bikes were for the dirt. My folks had a rule that if you got any ticket on the road, we could not drive for six months. I had an older sister that proved they were serious. The end result, for me, was I could get crazy off road but, had to be sane on black top. I'am 45 yrs. old and have got one ticket for a moving violation in 1986 that I still believe was not very fair. I was doing 62 mph in a 55 mph going over the Grapevine and failed to notice the reduced speed limit.
Bottom line for me: I had great parents and will use the same rules on my boys. Get crazy in the dirt and stay sane on blacktop where the difference is broken bones vs. a pine box.
Hope I have not offended anybody. Safe riding.
My current ride is a John Deere XUV 621i Gator. I guess I'am the "oldest" 45 yr. old around!
Amazing to me how many responses this thread has received!!!
I was wondering if we are bikers or boaters, then realized we can be many things at the same time!
1. Hardware Store frame, no front suspension, car shocks on the back. Hodaka Ace 100 cc two stroke engine. 12" tires, rear sprocket about 11.5"! Top speed 45-50 mph in 4th gear. I was 6 years old and it met our budget of $250.00 or less in the classified adds.
2. 1971 Honda SL100, seemed boring compared to #1.
3. 1979 Suzuki DSL 185. Big improvement, could actually pop a wheelie.
4. 1981 Suzuki RM 125. Raced at PIR through high school, numerous modifications and upgrades. Wish I still had it. Paid $1,000.00 after rebate, current RM 125 close to $5k. Wow!
All of the bikes were for the dirt. My folks had a rule that if you got any ticket on the road, we could not drive for six months. I had an older sister that proved they were serious. The end result, for me, was I could get crazy off road but, had to be sane on black top. I'am 45 yrs. old and have got one ticket for a moving violation in 1986 that I still believe was not very fair. I was doing 62 mph in a 55 mph going over the Grapevine and failed to notice the reduced speed limit.
Bottom line for me: I had great parents and will use the same rules on my boys. Get crazy in the dirt and stay sane on blacktop where the difference is broken bones vs. a pine box.
Hope I have not offended anybody. Safe riding.
My current ride is a John Deere XUV 621i Gator. I guess I'am the "oldest" 45 yr. old around!
Amazing to me how many responses this thread has received!!!
I was wondering if we are bikers or boaters, then realized we can be many things at the same time!
1973 Kawasaki 175
1981 Honda 200 Twinstar
1984 Yamaha 400 Maxim
1993 Harley Sportster 883
1997 Harley Sportster 883
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1974 Ironhead Sportster (2)
1989 Yamaha XT 500
2005 Kawasaki KLR 650
2007 Kawasaki KLR 250S
2008 Kawasaki KLR 650
1996 Kawasaki KLX 300 (2)
1994 Suzuki RM 250
2001 Honda Rebel
2000 Harley Sportster 883 Custom
1986/1977 hybrid custom build GSXL-R (GSXR w/Sportster engine)
1981 Honda 200 Twinstar
1984 Yamaha 400 Maxim
1993 Harley Sportster 883
1997 Harley Sportster 883
1999 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom
2001 Harley Electraglide Classic
1974 Ironhead Sportster (2)
1989 Yamaha XT 500
2005 Kawasaki KLR 650
2007 Kawasaki KLR 250S
2008 Kawasaki KLR 650
1996 Kawasaki KLX 300 (2)
1994 Suzuki RM 250
2001 Honda Rebel
2000 Harley Sportster 883 Custom
1986/1977 hybrid custom build GSXL-R (GSXR w/Sportster engine)
journey on
New member
There is a great list of scooters. I really enjoy the pics.
By the way, boodalu, 20 Bavarian Murder Wonders, and now you own a Tomcat?. And Snal has a Harley in a Japanese frame? How does it go?
Boris
By the way, boodalu, 20 Bavarian Murder Wonders, and now you own a Tomcat?. And Snal has a Harley in a Japanese frame? How does it go?
Boris
Larry (snal), do you ever go to V-TwinForum.com? They have some members that are as serious about performance as you are. Good place.
BTW I have the same user name there as here.
Steve
BTW I have the same user name there as here.
Steve
Hodaka Wombat 125
Suzuki 250 can't remember the model, but it was a street bike
1983 Honda 750 Shadow
1985 Harley Softail my first REAL bike. Went to Daytona Bike Week.
1988 Harley Electra Glide Sport (what they now call the Road King) Sold it in 1995 when I moved to Alaska. What a great bike. Rode it from Pennsylvania to Sturgis when it had less than 600 miles on it. Had a blast!
I'd love to have a bike again, but I have too dang many hobbies as it is :roll:
Rick
Suzuki 250 can't remember the model, but it was a street bike
1983 Honda 750 Shadow
1985 Harley Softail my first REAL bike. Went to Daytona Bike Week.
1988 Harley Electra Glide Sport (what they now call the Road King) Sold it in 1995 when I moved to Alaska. What a great bike. Rode it from Pennsylvania to Sturgis when it had less than 600 miles on it. Had a blast!
I'd love to have a bike again, but I have too dang many hobbies as it is :roll:
Rick
When I was in the second or third grade my dad had a small motorcycle that I could ride in the weeds behind our house.
Then when I was in Jr High we got a Honda 50 step-through with auto clutch that I rode on trails by our apartment.
We moved to Oklahoma and the law let kids 14yrs old get a license for bikes up to 90cc. My dad found a Suzuki 80 with the motor in a box. We fixed it and I rode it until I got my first car. I knew several kids that where injured during that time.
We had several dirt bikes when I was in High school but don't remember what they were.
In 1978 I bought a used Suzuki 750 Water Buffalo - 3 cylinder, water cooled, two stroke. Used it for commuting and pleasure rides.
In the early 1980's I had a Honda Ascot 500 single and then a Honda Magna 750.
In 1986 a friend had a bad bike accident. He did not show up for work and it took us three or four days to find him in a hospital. I sold the Magna and have not owned a bike since. I have considered getting one recently but have not convinced myself that I want to take the risk.
Steve
Then when I was in Jr High we got a Honda 50 step-through with auto clutch that I rode on trails by our apartment.
We moved to Oklahoma and the law let kids 14yrs old get a license for bikes up to 90cc. My dad found a Suzuki 80 with the motor in a box. We fixed it and I rode it until I got my first car. I knew several kids that where injured during that time.
We had several dirt bikes when I was in High school but don't remember what they were.
In 1978 I bought a used Suzuki 750 Water Buffalo - 3 cylinder, water cooled, two stroke. Used it for commuting and pleasure rides.
In the early 1980's I had a Honda Ascot 500 single and then a Honda Magna 750.
In 1986 a friend had a bad bike accident. He did not show up for work and it took us three or four days to find him in a hospital. I sold the Magna and have not owned a bike since. I have considered getting one recently but have not convinced myself that I want to take the risk.
Steve
SeaSpray said..."In 1986 a friend had a bad bike accident. He did not show up for work and it took us three or four days to find him in a hospital. I sold the Magna and have not owned a bike since. I have considered getting one recently but have not convinced myself that I want to take the risk."
I had a bad accident in 1984, had been riding on the street for 6 years at that time, and had 2 close calls besides the accident. Both close calls involved animals, but met a car in my lane going the wrong way which put me into a fence.
I didn't ride on the street again till 1999...BUT...it's a LOT more dangerous out there now.
I had a bad accident in 1984, had been riding on the street for 6 years at that time, and had 2 close calls besides the accident. Both close calls involved animals, but met a car in my lane going the wrong way which put me into a fence.
I didn't ride on the street again till 1999...BUT...it's a LOT more dangerous out there now.
matt_unique
New member
Well they say there are two kind of riders...those who have had accidents and those who will.
I had a bad accident in 1993. The guy I ran into visited me while I was at the hospital. He was saying how he had been riding for years and proceeded to list all the metal inserts in his body from accidents and how it was still worth it. I decided at that time I would never again own one for regular transportation (i.e. work commute, etc.) Between flying airplanes, scuba diving, and riding motorcycles it seemed like I was tempting fate a bit (he he).
These days I try to go on a long cruise every two years. In 08 it was 1000 miles through the French Alps. In the fall of 2010 I'm planning a similar trip through part of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. (A reward to self for hopefully finishing my master's degree). Anyone planning any trips over the next few years?
I had a bad accident in 1993. The guy I ran into visited me while I was at the hospital. He was saying how he had been riding for years and proceeded to list all the metal inserts in his body from accidents and how it was still worth it. I decided at that time I would never again own one for regular transportation (i.e. work commute, etc.) Between flying airplanes, scuba diving, and riding motorcycles it seemed like I was tempting fate a bit (he he).
These days I try to go on a long cruise every two years. In 08 it was 1000 miles through the French Alps. In the fall of 2010 I'm planning a similar trip through part of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. (A reward to self for hopefully finishing my master's degree). Anyone planning any trips over the next few years?
matt_unique":32wupf8g said:
I've been riding for 43 years. That sounds like a lot when I write it down. During that time, I've "gotten off hard" three times. The last time in '93 when a young idiot in a pickup truck left turned in front of me. I didn't walk away from that one, I kind of hobbled. We still did plenty of long distance riding after that.
These days, I still like to ride, but locally, not long distance. Our traveling is now via boat or RV. But, the bike gets to go along with the RV. I've seen a few big boats with motorcycles or scooters onboard... haven't figured out how to do that with the C-Dory. Heck, I was tickled that we were able to take bikes (bicycles) on the Erie Canal cruise.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Father time changes 2-wheelers too. Not many here would remember some of my favorites -- Vincent HRD, Vincent Black Shadow, Vincent Lightning... and a half-dozen+/- 500 cc Italian and Brit mini-bombs of the day. Cars too -- my '37 Cord was considered hot.. grandson's 4 wheel drive rocket has 650 hp wheel/dyno with room to grow another 350 hp... jealous!!
Dusty
Dusty