When did motorbikes 1st interest you?

[sv-robo]

Howdy Doody all

Just been talking to a mate (fellow biker)and got on to the subject of talking about how we 1st became involved/interested in bikes.

Turns out both of us got interested the same way ie our dads were into them hense we grew up with them as a big part of our lives.

Ican still remember my 1st ride on a bike,it was a little italjet 50cc when i was 7 before working my way up to bigger more powerful machines as well as riding my dads bikes on the road from the age of 12 katanas and gsx's(he used to be on the back and we did it on quiet country roads).

I've had plenty of thrills and a few spills but still here riding(it's in the blood).
So what 1st got all of you interested in 2 wheels?:D

[kwak zzr]

i had 2 weeks in Cyprus when i was 15 and had my own monkey bike :) i was then hooked, got home got a job at 16 and got a Suzuki Fr (c90 lookalike) thats where it all begun.

[mister c]

Parents didn't have them, but where I lived, my mum's neighbour was a big biker, then we had some Hells Angels move in a few doors down (great bunch of people). My uncle had bikes, so it stemmed from there.
I have got an old black & white photo of me sat astride an old BSA 250. I was about 4 years old I think, that's where my love comes from.
When I was 17 I bought a brand new X5 Suzuki 200 (Couldn't afford the repayments for the "New" X7). My boss threatened to sack me when I was 19 if I didn't pass my car test, which I still wouldn't have done if it wasn't for him.
The rest is history, I haven't really been without a bike since.

[WestleyTDPR]

My older brother got one and started giving me grief about how he was better than me, so while he wobbled about on L plates, i went and did my test and bought a gpz500, dumb reason, good result.

[DoubleD]

My brother got hooked and had fun with loads of mates and girls so thought I would get one so I could get the girls (didn't work by the way).

[John 675]

I broke up with my EX.. was walking through the shop where i worked and out of nowhere.. i thought "i want a bike" so i sold everything i owned and got a DT125 then passed my test and got the SV.. then woke up this morning after dreaming about a GSXR 750... and now im here... bikes have SERIOUSLY changed my life :D

[fizzwheel]

My dads always had bikes, I grew up in a household where there was two or three bikes in the garage.

Dads garage was a weird and wonderful place, full of bits of bike, oil cans, petrol, paint etc etc. I helped him rebuild the engine in one bike, OK I sort of hung around and got in the way.

When your a little kid theres something mysterious, magical and majestical about a bike, and I think if you get hooked at an early age it never leaves you.

[wheelnut]

My brother used to knock about with a lad on a Lambretta and I bought a Triumph tiger cub from a customer on my paper round.

My parents and my brother hated motorbikes so that is good enough reason to get one:p.

Since then my brother passed his test, bought a Hardly Driveable closely followed by 2 Triumphs, 3 Ducatis, 2 Aprilia Mille, a TZ350 and a BMW. The 999 Ducati was replaced by a MV Augusta F4.

Unfortunately Pete died last year from a heart attack. At least he enjoyed his biking.

[Lozzo]

When I was a little kid and just moved to England the young lad over the road had a new bright yellow Norton Commando, and now and then he'd let me help him clean it in exchange for a pillion ride up and down the road. I'd have been about 8 yrs old because the Commando was a 1970 H plate (I can still remember the reg number). I bought my first copy of Bike Magazine when I was 12, and a Yamaha FS1E when I was 15 ready for my 16th birthday in April 1978.

About a month ago at the local bike club I bumped into that same once young neighbour who owned the Commando (he has a distinctive Polish name), he's now 55ish and rides a BMW Boxer Cup. It's nearly 35 years since we last saw each other and he had no idea what an influence he had on me back then, or that I went on to own bikes as well. Both of us have always had bikes since we were 16 and ride all year round.

[shifter]

My Dad and Uncle used to restore british bikes. My first ride was at the age of 3 on a 1920s Panther, Sat on the tank between my dads arms! only very slowly the length of a carpark though! My first propper pillion ride was on a Vincent Rapide, around silverstone! (the grounds though not the track) at about five. I think the Rapide gave me my love for twins.

[Wayluya]

My old man was into Bikes - hence he would never buy me one!......I think I always wanted one........had to wait until I started work to afford my own.

I still remember the Z1300 (6 Cylinders!) that my Dentist had when I was a kid - he used to park it inside the Surgery!

[Lozzo]

I still remember the Z1300 (6 Cylinders!) that my Dentist had when I was a kid - he used to park it inside the Surgery!

There's one of those parked up at the back of my house right now, it's the Voyager model with GoldWing type fairing.

[Razor]

I've always worn leather, started riding bikes as an excuse.

[Demonz]

I grew up on a farm so riding was part of the daily life. Lots of cool time memories chasing my older bro and my dad around the forest trails and mudflats along the beach.

[Dicky Ticker]

1963 FrannyB

[Wayluya]

There's one of those parked up at the back of my house right now, it's the Voyager model with GoldWing type fairing.

This was naked, and red - Candy Red? - of course as a kid the sheer bl##dy size of the thing made an impression!

If they made them again, I'd be tempted..........

[neio79]

my best mate done his test and got a bike, sdo not to be out done i followed suit. So glad i did.

[northwind]

I had no interest in bikes, no family connection that I knew of, but I was fed up of getting the bus and CBT + 125 was quicker and cheaper (HAH!) than getting a car... But I never even knew that, until 2 of my mates at the place I worked did the same. So, I decided to get a 125 to tide me over til I got a car, in 2003. Now, I decided to spice things up by a) being rubbish at CBT and b) Buying a total nail, but it was all done for non-emotional reasons. Still don't have a car :smt028

[shifter]

1963 FrannyB

My dad and uncle had three Francis Barnets between them, and one of them was the first bike I actualy rode myself!

[metalmonkey]

I wanted a bike for long time, I nearly got one in 04 but lost my job so never got a bike......I had car anyway so didn't need a bike really! No one in the family has a bike, but I knew I wanted one.

But I decided to do something about it and get a bike so thats what I did last year:D Best choice I made. But its costing me a load of money the more I get into it!

[thumper21]

I grew up in the late 80's so there was big influence of rock videos that made me want a bike but as I discovered recently after not knowing my dads side of the family it turns out that my dad, grandad, unlce and my couson are all keen bikers so I guess it does run in the family!

[Razor]

Actually earlier on I was joking...

I blame my Dad, he was a driving instructor in the Army when I was a sprog and used to come home in all manner of vehicles. Most often a motorbike which was either a BSA or a Norton. One summers day he gave every kid in our close a pillion ride up the street. No helmets, fag hanging from his gob the whole time, eyes squinting against the ash blown into his eyes. My Dad was cooler than Lee Marvin or Clint Eastwood that day. My brother has a picture somewhere of him on his bike surrounded by all the local kids and us.

[Spike1105]

my dad always hated bikes and i got hooked when i was just 15, saved up all that time and got me 50 (yamaha tzr 50), now absolutly obsesed!!!, getting a bigger bike in agaust when im 17, as my 50 is just too slow now (60mph, 65mph at a push down a hill tucked into the fairing lol)

[Drew Carey]

My parents hated bikes but I'd always wanted to ride. Best mate got a bike at 17 and wanted one also, but, parents wouldn't let me, so ended up with a car. Finally managed to arrange funds not so long ago and have spent every day on it (other than 3 weeks cause of my off).

[Daimo]

Dad always rode bikes.

Then he got marshalling a lot, so used to go to Brands with him sometimes.

Then he got fedup and wanted to race, so started racing, hence going round to most of the tracks. Got a PY80 pitbike.

Grew up wanting to ride them, but swayed away from bikes and got into cars. Then realised a bike would be a good way to get to work.

And here I am 8 years later, getting more and more into them as i get older.

[Balky001]

I've been in to bikes about 5 years. My mate bought a bike out of the blue a year before I did and said I should give it a go. Did tests, got a blue SVS K3 and never looked back. Now on my third Suzuki, GSXR750K6.

[metalmonkey]

My parents hated bikes but I'd always wanted to ride. Best mate got a bike at 17 and wanted one also, but, parents wouldn't let me, so ended up with a car. Finally managed to arrange funds not so long ago and have spent every day on it (other than 3 weeks cause of my off).

Yeah my parents aren't fans of motorbikes, but you know I'm not sure what worries my family more my job, my road bike or me wanting to race, to be fair none of them are safest things to be doing are they? But hey there is 0% chance of me giving any of them up.

[-Ralph-]

My Dad had bikes, various Uncle's too. First ride was a childhood friends 80cc kiddies dirt bike, not sure what age, maybe 9 or 10, but that was just a friends cool toy, the bug hadn't bitten at that point.

The big bite came about 12 years old because I got bored at a family barbeque one day and decided to make it my mission to get an old C90 in my Dad's friends shed running. Got it running and rode it up and down the garden 'til I came off at speed and it got locked back in the shed at the insistance of my wicked Stepmother :smt096.

But too late I was hooked. This same friend of my Dad's had a bike shop so I loved hanging about there (even if it was an MZ dealership :D) and he took me on trials competitions at weekends.

I lusted after everything on two wheels until at sixteen I got an Honda MT5 (50cc trailie) which was my first road bike.

[dizzyblonde]

believe it or not it started when I was about 12. I kept telling my parents I wanted a big purple Harley. Oh how my tastes have changed. My parents hate bikes...well my mum does point blank, my dad got scared as a pillion once...but he thinks his daughters really cooool.....secretly.

[Richie]

My dads always had bikes, I grew up in a household where there was two or three bikes in the garage.

Dads garage was a weird and wonderful place, full of bits of bike, oil cans, petrol, paint etc etc. I helped him rebuild the engine in one bike, OK I sort of hung around and got in the way.

When your a little kid theres something mysterious, magical and majestical about a bike, and I think if you get hooked at an early age it never leaves you.

EXACTLY the same. my dad tought me to ride a bike BSA650 Goldflash when he said "I'll teach you to ride a bike when you can sit on and touch the ground. he tought me when I was 14... been on them nearly ever since.

[dizzyblonde]

EXACTLY the same. my dad tought me to ride a bike BSA650 Goldflash when he said "I'll teach you to ride a bike when you can sit on and touch the ground. he tought me when I was 14... been on them nearly ever since.


funny that, my first riding experience was on my mates Harley. A 1340cc lowrider. He said if you can get it off the sidestand, I'll teach yu to ride it......he didn't expect me to lift it, it were flippin heavy.


He spent all afternoon teaching me clutch control and riding in a straight line...lol. I'd never ever been on a bike before then, I got the bug after that. but I didn't want a purple harley anymore!!!

[Alpinestarhero]

Ah, a great question.

I've always had something for bikes; at first, mostly fear - my dads CB750 was LOUD. stupid loud.

Then, the ducati 916 came out.

Ever since the day in 1994 when I saw it in MCN, i have imersed myself in all things bikey and bike racing. I dreamed of owning a bike, at first that 916, but then (after learning ducati's arnt always the most reliable thing) I lusted for GSXR750's, RC45's....and TL1000s's, they sounded awesome.

I don't care what it is i ride, be it my little old scooter (i had alot fo fun on that) or my restricted SV, or the tatty XL125 I learnt to ride on around my local fields (actualy, thats dead now...engine seized. apparently engines need oil?), i have fun on anything. Hell, I bet i can find something to do on a big ol harley (probably see how much footboard I can grind out)

Bikes are great, even in winter

Matt

[Girth]

My uncle has a bike but that never influenced me. Me dad hates bike, my mum doesnt mined them. Started doing my driving lessons at 18 then lost interest.

Went to MCN weekend in skeggy with a chap my mum was seeing at the time, was told it was a good weekend. Went there, saw the bikes and said "i want one". Decided to sell one of my 3 mountain bike to get a bike and mum said ok!
Bought all the gear i needed when i was at MCN weekend as everything was Uber cheap.

Got back and started looking for a bike, ended up doing CBT and then a proud owner of a 1988 Honda NS125F.

Then it went downhill from there to where i am today on the might thou! :D

[dirtydog]

I think i was about 13 when my brother let me take his RD125 round the block. Scared the carp out of me but absolutely loved it as well. Got myself a Honda MBX125 when i was 17 and am now onto my 8th bike in 11 years. Both my brothers had bikes when they were 16/17 but neither of them stuck with it so that was probably a bit of an influence.

[Viney]

Never. Cant stand the things really.

[gettin2dizzy]

I just quite fancied one when I was travelling. I decided to see if I could craftily rent one; so told the rental company I had 'mislaid' my licence :lol: They gave me a 125 on the basis that it would be fine as long as I returned within the week with said license in hand.

I got on the bike - knowing the basics; but having never ridden a bike- and did the worlds worst pull off (calm down...;)) Thinking that I had 7 days to learn how to ride, find out where to take my test and pass to avoid prosecution (no pressure then...).

Sadly on day 6 I took a trip over the handle bars by locking the front wheel coming down a downhill gravel road; and learnt that a t-shirt and shorts, no helmet and glass sunglasses don't mix well.

I found myself riding through the village with gravel embedded in to all by limbs (my hands looked like meat) and glass sticking in to my head; asking locals in my best 'Sergeant Wilson' accent- "hello I'm British - would you mind awfully if you could tell me where the nearest hospital is?". Then having found the hospital; had gravel brushed out my hands and knees with a wire brush - I booked my test for the next day.

Needless to say I passed my test covered in bandages, had a cracking photo taken for my licence with cuts all over, and handed the bike back no problemo.

After getting home I then booked my CBT, bought a 125 on the opposite side of the country (damn ebay) and spent my first 'real' ride travelling for 8 hours in the rain and dark in jeans and a leather jacket.

Goddamn passion p*ssing all over common sense ;)

[missrubberduckofdeath]

My Dad learnt to ride when he was 17 and I remember him telling about his bike when I was younger. So many stories of places he used to go and trips him and his mates went on together all on bikes. Always sounded so much fun, and more of a lifestyle than a mode of transport.

He had a serious accident when I was 6 months old. A car indicated to turn left at a crossroads, so my Dad make the stupid mistake (that i hope to learn from) of passing the car on the right. The car decided to turn right at the last minute, while still indicating left, and my Dad ploughed into its side. It happened at 20mph but was still bad. After that my Mum told him it was the bike or his family, so he gave it up and hasn't ridden since.

I've always wanted to ride but knew my decision would probably not be supported by my Mum, and we're very close so always thought I shouldn't do it.

The I met Mr RDoD and with him being so into bikes and now taking me out as pillion I decided it really is something i want to do. I broke the news to my parents, and also convinced my Mum to let my Dad ride again as he's keen. He's going to do some refresher lessons but it'll be great to see him get back into his passion!

I can't wait for my CBT now and be able to ride myself! :D
Bikes rock! :riding:

[gettin2dizzy]

Bikes rock! :riding:
only if you're doing it wrong!

[-Ralph-]

I just quite fancied one when I was travelling. I decided to see if I could craftily rent one; so told the rental company I had 'mislaid' my licence :lol:

Had plenty of holiday rentals on a car license, most places abroad either don't know the difference or don't care. It's only as more countries separated out their car and bike licenses that it got more difficult. Even then if one renter said no, you went down the street until you found one that gave you a bike.

Got the SV two years ago for my 30th birthday and it wasn't until then that I actually got a full license ([-X hangs head in shame). Now being older and wiser I decided if I got a bike again I kind of needed the license so I went and did DAS.

At 19 I wrote my bike off and was firstly severly bollocked by my father when he found out I'd been riding big bikes (got away with it for at least 18 months and 20-30000 miles by keeping them at a mates house), then bribed out of it when he offered to pay all the running costs on a car while I went to University, so I bought a car. Ever since a car has been a necessity for one reason or another and despite desperately wanting another bike, until recently I could never afford the associated cost of buying all the gear, buying and running a bike, and getting lessons and passing my test.

[maff]

my dads been into bikes since the year dot. i remember he took me out for a ride when i was a wee lad on the bike he had at time. i wore helmt,jacket,jeans and wellies. about 20 mins into the ride i tap my dads shoulder and ask him to stop as my right foot wouldnt move at all.

after getting off the bike the pair of us are staring at the exhaust with a right wellie boot welded to it, i laughed, he didnt because it took him yonks to remove the melted rubber from the zorst hehe :p

since then i was into bikes. did have a long gap between riding tho, went a bit car mad for a long while

[Ed]

My parents hated bikes. So all I could do was ride friend Andy's GT250 up and down his driveway. Then life got in the way until wifey got friendly with Barbara in the infant school playground as they were fetching respective kids, we went round to Karl & Barbara's for a coffee, I opened the garage door and there were Karl's 748 and a Honda trailie. And I booked a CBT the next day.