How long have you been riding?

[Warren Isaacs]

The 'what would be your next bike?' poll got me thinking. Some of us bought the SV as just another bike which suited our purposes. Others bought it as a first bike, a stepping stone to something larger.

I suspect tthat our individual requirements depend largely upon how long we've been riding, which begs the question . . .

. . . how long have you been riding?

[duffman]

I have been riding for 1 week today!!! :D

I am sorry, but I do have to admit I did ride a scooter for a year before that (stop throwing things at me!)

I was one of those nice scooters that always gave way to bikes - honest :wink:

Duffman

[Amanda M]

Duffman - I think it's fantastic that you went out and bought an SV for your first bike - it almost makes up for you being an ex-scooter rider :wink: ! They are brilliant and I love mine!
I've had bikes for 9 years, my first one was a suzuki GSX250, next up came a 350 YPVS (bag of poo). I had a GPZ500S for years and then bought a bandit 600 which I only recently sold to get my SV. I've got another bike - an FZX750 (the original fazer) which is slightly modified so it goes round corners...

Enjoy your SV, I'm going to go home now and out for a play...
Amanda

[Warren Isaacs]

. . . next up came a 350 YPVS (bag of poo). . .

YPVS a bag of poo?!?

I trust you're referring to your particular bike, rather than Powervalves per se? If not, there'll be thousands of nutters the length and breadth of the country itching to don their jeans, trainers and paddock jackets and show you just how good they really are.


Cheers
Warren

[wacko]

been riding for 3 1/2 months now, sv650s is my first bike and i love it, a great toy, and is up for any thing i throw at it. once i get my years no claims i will be upgrading, most likely to the sv1000s (want a bigger size bike) but the 650 will be going to my lass. :D

[SNAKES]

IM ONLY 22 BUT HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR SIX YEARS.

STARTED ON THE HAIRDRIERS THEN HAD A FEW 125's. i HAD A BIG BAD CRASH IN 1998 AND SO AFTER LEARNING TO WALK AGAIN GOT AN RGV250, THEN ZXR400, THEN THE SV....... UNFORTUNATLEY FOR ME THE BUG IS BACK IN A BIG WAY AND IVE NOW BROUGHT AN ACCIDENT DAMAGED K1 GSXR 600 WHICH IM SORTING OUT. WILL STILL HAVE OLD FAITHFULL FOR A FEW MONTHS THOUGH :D

[BigAl]

I've been on the road for 8 months now and apart from a couple of scary moments :? ( over confident into corners, at 33 should know better :oops: ) I love it . As soon as I saw the little SVs on the web I knew it was my ideal first bike. :D

[Red ones]

Christ - been riding over 3 years - veritable old git here

[Damo]

Hi ,

I started riding motorcycles about a year and a half ago, did my cbt got a cg125 and farted around with that for 6 months while i took lessons for my direct access. Passed my test a year ago and went and bought a shiny new blue svs straight away, no test ride just great reports from this site. I dont think i could have made a better choice :D I've had a permanent smile tattoed on my face since then. I will upgrade to a bigger bike in a couple of years but I want more experience before I do and this Is a great machine to do it on.

Damo

[Amanda M]

Warren.
Yes, I was talking about my particular bike which had something very strange wrong with it. I bought it cos I'd heard how good they were and had some real moments of brilliance on it and loved it then it would slowly greind to a halt and drive me mad. I'm just a bit put off them now but am sure they are ace when working properly!
Amanda

[Warren Isaacs]

It amazes me number of people who feel the need to upgrade from the SV.

I freely admit that the most fun I have on a bike is when I'm riding at 9 or 10/10ths. IMHO any of the supersports 600s ridden at 10/10th on our abysmally maintained roads are a total liability. Okay, so not everyone likes to ride near the limits, but if you're only gonna use a 600 at SV-type speeds, why burden yourself with the extra costs (parts, tyres, insurance, fuel, etc.).

Even at the Isle of Man, where speed is king and a lot of people are riding top-notch bikes as hard as they dare, my lil' ol' SV was rarely passed this year (one Mille, one Blade and one BMW K1200RS :shock: )

I'm not trying to be provocative. I'm just intrigued. Does anyone who's looking to upgrade after a year or two fancy explaining the appeal?


Cheers
Warren

[Viney]

Scooter 2 years, then the SV since December 2000.

This doesnt include the 50 i had when i was 16.

[Al]

passed my full test in november '93 bikes i've owned are kdx125, tdr250, fazer 600, and my current svsk2. bikes ridden on-track include fzr400rr, trx850, and 748s. did the ccm lake-district rideout a while back which was excellent.

next up - yamaha off-road experience in wales on the 26th and more track-days on the svs :D

[purple eyed pig]

It amazes me number of people who feel the need to upgrade from the SV.

<SNIP>

I'm not trying to be provocative. I'm just intrigued. Does anyone who's looking to upgrade after a year or two fancy explaining the appeal?


Cheers
Warren

My only reason (not that I'm going to change any time soon) would be for a physically bigger bike. SV feels cramped to me after a few hours 2-up (unless really trying !!!!!).

Agree with comments on 600 multis, but sometimes it is just for a change, plus some people (me included) might prefer to buy ready fitted better components (suspension, brakes) than upgrade current bike. Plus, I do dribble over R6's.......

Other reason might be 'grass is greener'. Just want to try all those other bikes.

Paul

[OF.uk]

Been riding 9 years . Started on a gp 100, then 3 cx500's then the sv for the last 4 years. Obviously with my history the sv is the best bike I've ridden :wink:

As long as it outperforms my ability I see no reason to change.

[clanger]

blimey...I actually feel old now for the first time in my life...Ive been riding 'on the road' since 15 (yes illegally...but noone cares in the countryside!!!)...that works out at almost 18 years - blimey!!!!!!!!!

[Amanda M]

I feel absolutely no need to upgrade from the SV - it's great. I'm not really into mega horsepower and am fairly short so a TL or SV thou is out even though I would love one if I was to upgrade. I love the lightness and the overall feel of the SV and I got it cos I wanted something a bit sportier than my bandit but not too **** in the air so i could ride it in relative comfort. I think if you're experienced you can get sooo much out of them and if you're a novice then it's such a lovely bike to get experience with. Top bike - can't complain!

red ones - think how much of an old timer I feel! I've been riding for nearly 9 years now!

[MWilliams]

I have had my SV for 2 years now and it is a fantastic bike. Before that i had a RGV250 for 3 years. I would like to upgrade my SV to something like a ZX6R or GSXR600 purely because they feel more stable and handle better. Although the SV handles really well the suspension is just too soft. Even with uprated front springs and the rear shock wound up fully it just doesn't feel as planted as the 600 supersports in the corners. Having said that I may try the new SV1000 and see how that handles.

Matt

[davyf]

That furry yellow butt looks black & white. Unless your refering to the one at the top of your legs.

[mattc]

Sv top bike, I've had a gsxr750, aprilia rs250 and a fair few dogs, i even had a go at racing 250LC's for three years. Some of my best riding moments have been on the sv.

It makes me laugh how the sv is always prtrayed asthe steping stone for young riders progressing to full on sports bikes. Truth of the matter is the sv is great bike for anyone. It's well balanced in the chassis department (suspension aside) and can humilate bikes costing twice as much.

Happy ducati hunting :lol:

cya

[skidlidkid]

Been riding now for 2 months. The SV is my first bike and I planned on it being a permanent fixture, when I first rode it I thought that it put out more power than i could ever handle but sadly I was wrong and i'm craving a bigger bike already. 98% of my riding is on flat, straight, poor quality asphault highway and the little v-twin doesn't kick out enough power for me at the higher speeds.

[vtwin]

I've had my bike since last september and it's my first big bike. (I rode around on a chopped SR125 for a couple of years in the early nineties but never got further than taking my CBT.)
The SVS has been totally reliable throughout the 18,000 miles that I have covered, mostly commuting into London.
I have had 2 accidents, both with cars and both their fault. (No serious damage to the bike or me in either crash.)
Just completed Lands End to John O'Groats and enjoyed every minute, especially the Scottish twisties.

[elmerfud]

First road bike in '86 and owned 20+ bikes. (worked my way through most of Yamaha LC's and valves!)

sv is very addictive though. :twisted:

Dave

[ixlr8]

I've come away from 20 years of 4's, from 500s to 1000s, much prefer the feel (vibes instead of buzz) and sound of the sv, as well as the sv has more power than 600 4s until 9-9500 rpm, and who wants to keep your pride and joy thrashing at 10000 rpm to get an advantage out of it? One idea might be to upgrade by buying a race-only Supersport trackbike, quite cheap used, and keep the sv (and licence :roll: ) for road use.

[stevie69p]

Wow do I feel old! Have been riding 18 years now. Started on a 50 then went on to LC's and powervalves for a few years, then on to big 4's, but have decided to go back down the way and the SV looks just right. I don't need 160mph top end or 130bhp, most of my riding is spent on crap surfaced country roads at 80-90 and I want something that is light and chuckable.

[paperback]

:D Well I have had my SVS for about a month now and my last 2 bikes were ZX9R's.

I had 2 reasons for change one being wanting a lighter more flickable chasis as my Ninjas were earlier ones B1-B4, the second is max fun for value for money and I was impresses after helping my borther get a new one in January after passing his test.

I have no regrets, am enjoying using all the power available and have just got a High Level Renegade to fit so will soon get the sound!

Ride Safe

Trev :D

[DevilishDeb]

Took my CBT back in my university days (mum not looking!).

Could only afford a bike after leaving uni.
Had a bike now for 4 yrs.
No 1 : Aprilia RS125 Chesterfield
No 2 : Fazer 600
No 3 : SV 650.
Most happy with the last choice. Fab handling and just right for a lightweight like me.
Fazer was fab for speed but I didn't like the handling on twisties, also a bit heavy.

[DevilishDeb]

Took my CBT back in my university days (mum not looking!).

Could only afford a bike after leaving uni.
Had a bike now for 4 yrs.
No 1 : Aprilia RS125 Chesterfield
No 2 : Fazer 600
No 3 : SV 650.
Most happy with the last choice. Fab handling and just right for a lightweight like me.
Fazer was fab for speed but I didn't like the handling on twisties, also a bit heavy.

[clanger]

hurrah...now I dont feel so old.
Me, I started off on a Suzuki FZ50 a little orange and white moped - had no choice Mother bought it for my birthday - I was devastated since it was a moped and not a bike with gears.

Nevermind - I still gave it loads and actually got stopped for doing 44 mph on it by the local policeman...I was dead chuffed as it only had 32 on the clock!
After that I rode my mates AR50 and brothers DT50..and my other mates 100cc bike (might have been a Honda CX or something). Then the next bike I got was a Honda C90...chicken chaser - bloody horrible thing that wouldnt break (I had to have a moped cos I was a girl.... where's the logic in that!!!??? bitch mother!!!!)

Then I had my first road accident, mother confiscated my bike - then step bro had accident...had his taken off him too.
so then we only rode around on bikes that werent fit for road use (on the road) and only when my mother was outta sight!!!

After a couple of cars, I soon went back and bought a bike - got an RD125LC mk 3...bloody thing was off the road being repaired more times than on the road! Then eventually took my test (in 1997) bought myself a little Honda Bros 400...thought it was the perfect bike for me - had the accident - the bike got fixed before me!!!!

And once I got my nerve back, I sold the Bros and bought myself the sv!

Happy ever since...dunno if I would want another bike - quite happy with the power this bike has - although 125mph doesnt seem that fast anymore - I know I know speeding and all that... but it doesnt.

Thinking perhaps about having engine tinkered with in a couple years time...open her out a little perhaps... we'll see.

[Jotor]

Hade to wade in on this one. I've been thinking about this lately as I approach my 50th year of riding motorbikes. I started in 1954 when I was 12 years old with a Whizzer. Moved up to a scooter, then a Motobecane moped in highschool. In the US Army in Germany I ran a 250 Adler. After discharge I bought a new Bridgestone 90. Then a Honda 250 Scrambler which lasted until I bought a new Honda 650 Nighthawk in 1982. A lot of bikes came after that, ending up with my current set of SV650S and ZRX 1200. Still have the 250 Scrambler & Nighthawk. There seems to be a pattern of new bike every 20 years or so--wonder what I'll buy for my 80the birthday.

Great board--keep it up.

Joe

[Habitual]

I've been riding aprrox 12 years, started on a Yammy RXS100 moved up to a 250 Superdream, then a CBR400 and now my new SV650 with a gap of a couple of years while I sorted my house and stuff out. Cant stay off the thing at the moment!! :roll:

[pancake]

Been riding on the street for ~8 years. My '99 YZF600R was bought new (by myself of course) and it currently has ~26k miles. My other bikes (all used) include:

-KLR 250
-Ninja 250 (I know :))
-Katana 600

Also, various dirt bikes. I probably have ~50k miles of total experience on the street.

I bought the SV for fun. It's basically a toy and a joy to ride unless I'm on the freeway.

[Mogs]

Argh! Another one of the threads designed to make some of us feel old.

For me its 10 years, split 1981-89 and last year. I'm born again Hallelujah!

[Iansv]

7 years

4 on a Kawasaki Eliminator 125
1 on a gpz500
2 (nearly) on my sv

Next z1000 when I can afford one..

[diamond]

Only 6 months for me, i'm just gettin ready for spring to kick in and then the real fun begins. The last six months of riding day in day out in all weathers will have hopefully given me some great experience to make the long, warm, dry days of summer all the better. I'm so ready for my first summer. :lol: :lol:

[chazzyb]

32 years since I started, though there was a gap of 20 years until two years ago.

[MavUK]

Riding for almost 5 years

Rode a GPZ500S until August last year when it was chopped in for the SV.

[RenamedMonkey]

Interesting to see how many newbies there are, I suppose it's to be expected, generally the SV is a good starter bike.

Makes me look like an experienced biker though! And I'm certainly not! :lol:

[jonboy]

Been riding on the street for ~8 years. My '99 YZF600R was bought new (by myself of course) and it currently has ~26k miles. My other bikes (all used) include:

-KLR 250
-Ninja 250 (I know :))
-Katana 600

Also, various dirt bikes. I probably have ~50k miles of total experience on the street.

I bought the SV for fun. It's basically a toy and a joy to ride unless I'm on the freeway.

You do realise that this thread was started in July 2003? :!: :?: :lol:

Oh and it belongs to Biking Issues (I think, and which didn't exist when it was first posted by Warren who now hasn't posted for a good year).



.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

The SV is my first bike which I've been riding almost a year. Buying it was one of the best things I ever did 8)

The more I ride and the more experience I get the more I enjoy it too :)

[22]

Put 20+ years because thats when I had my first bike, but have been without for a long time.

[Tris]

Passed my test in May 2004 so the SV is my first bike

I don't have any urge to change its more than quick enough for me.

May have to though as wifey is pushing for a ride on the back. If she likes it I may need a larger machine - large wife and small bike!!

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

2 years nearly... looking forward to the 33bhp restriction being up in July

[Jabba]

Riding for almost exactly a year - picked up my Hornet on 20th March 2004.

First bike ever, so an "Old Newbie" rather than a "Born Again".

So far so good - no offs, drops, etc, although two closest have happened in last two days............ yesterday on a wet man-hole cover whilst exiting a junction (stupid - saw it and thought it would be OK, rear stepped out of line but easily saved). Just hope Mogs didn't see me nearly drop the bike on County Hall forecourt this morning :oops:

[fizzwheel]

Will be 2 years in May

First 10 months of which were on a 125, then upgraded to SV.. have put 7000 miles on SV since I've had it

Begining to feel the urge to upgrade, I'm after something with better suspension and brakes, I dont want anymore top end though

[K]

now at 18 years on the road I'm in the dangerous bracket of "15-20 yrs"... I say dangerous because the numbers seem to drop off there somewhat and them pick up again!

Is there some serial-white-van-man out there with a fetish for bikers in this bracket? :shock:

Will I ever make it through the next two years?

And when will I, will I, be famous? :P

[BURNER]

I started when I was 15 with a GT185, just messing around, no helmet, on the tar and dirt roads around where I lived.
Started riding seriously when I turned 20. So this year it's about 16 years.

[Stig]

I've been riding for 23 years.

Bikes I've had

Honda C50
Honda C90
Kawazaki KE175
Honda 250 Superdream
Suzuki GSXR750 (all be it very briefly)
Honda CBR600
Yamaha YZF750
Suzuki Bandit 600N
Suzuki Bandit 600S (another very brief ownership)
Suzuki SV650N

The best bike I ever owned was the YZF. Although the CBR gave me a lot of second chances in some rather tight spots. I have no longer got the nerve to ride balls out so a sports bike does not interest me any longer. The SV is the best, most fun, cheap bike I have ever ridden. Masses of fun at lower speeds but can still handle the twisties of Spanish mountain sides. Brilliant.

[Stig]

Damn, I guess that puts me in the same bracket as all the other old b'ards then. :roll: :roll: Well at least I still got all my hair and teeth :lol: :lol: :lol:

[manxsv]

Been riding for 2 years now, SV my first bike also test riden a R1, GSXR 600, and just recently a R6 but none of the above bikes gave me the same fun factor as my SV so think will be keeping it for a while, Girlfriend rides a VFR 400 which is a great little bike not that she lets me on it that much.

[MrMessy]

I have been riding on the road since the early 70's. Started with a Triumph Tiger Cub but got caught with the 16er law on the midnight of the day before my 16th birthday so had to dig out the Raleigh moped I had been useing off road until I was 17. Had a break from 87 to 98? Have had all sorts of bikes, until you have ridden modern bikes you cannot believe how bad old bikes where! I have had my SV for 5 years now. I would have had a new one but do not really like them. Fancy something else, Z750 or possible an SP2 now that I am old enough to insure one. (Old age does have its benefits!)

[SPeeeeDY]

I will have been on the road 3 years this august when i turn 19.
I have had a few off road bikes, then when i turned 16 i got a Speedfight 2 50cc, then a CG125 which i blew a gasket on! doing a very wobbly 80mph down a hill, then loss of power and a big oil leak, next i had the TTR250 which was ace and now the SV


SPeeeeDY 100% biker (apart from when i was 16)

[Richie]

:D That make me feel old as well Bigape....
been riding now 20 years...(Full ticket)
bike's go
BSA 650 goldflash (dad "LOL" tought me to ride on)
Mobecsm Moblett (pedal moped... :oops:
Honda C70
Suzuki TS100ER
Suzuki TS125ER
Suzuki GT185
Suzuki GS550E
Kawazaki ZZR600D
Suzuki SV650S K3

lots of happy memorys..
Hopefully alot more to come. :D

[Grinch]

been riding 9 years...

CB125RS - 1 year
Some suzuki 50 cc thing - 1 week. :shock:
CG125 - 1.5 years
CB400SF - 2.5 years
SV650S - 4 years and counting.
Duke M600.. my wifes.. on and off.
GT750 - 3 weeks and now the gear box has died and the sorn is due :?

[Anonymous]

I passed my test in '62, and owned/rode loads of bikes, not least because I had a dealership in the late 70s/early 80s. Then I hung up my helmet for twenty years, until last year when my 26 yr old daughter suddenly told me she'd passed her CBT, was going for Direct Access, and would I help her buy a suitable bike?

Being well out of touch, I had to do a LOT of research. Oh, how I HATED it....all those dealers to visit, bikes to sit on, road tests to read. It was like being offered a full strength Marlboro after not smoking for 20 years - and about as addictive!

I reckoned a 2000-ish SV650S would be ideal for her - but felt I should prove it by first buying one for myself! Good choice ! What great machines they are - and, since I'd forgotten, what a great bunch bikers are. I love riding out with my daughter but, if she's on her own, I know she will always find friends or help if she needs it.

My highspot of the last ten years was last September, when we rode down to London (from N. Yorks) for the Ace Cafe annual Brighton Burn Up and Reunion. I remember the Ace from the 60s, and a few of the choicer times in Brighton too; so, unrestrained nostalgia for me and an unrivalled "biker" experience for her!

[Natasha]

I’d held my licence for 4 years this August but I’ve probably only had 2 complete years of riding. My first bike was a Hornet 600 which I thoroughly enjoyed owning and riding. The motivations for looking at a SV was because my fiancée and I agreed to buy a bike to share and we went for a GSXR1000. But due to my break from biking I felt it was too much of a step up so I wanted something to bridge the gap.

I think the SV will suit my needs very well!

[twotime]

aged 15 - Yamaha YB 100 rode for 27 minutes until arrested lying flat on my face trying to mount a curb to escape from local plod in sierra 4x4. This was after thrashing through country lanes in excess of ooooh 50mph!! no headlights, bald tyres, no insurance, no license, defective brakes, no tax, causing danger to other road users, not stopping when requested by a uniformed officer etc etc

aged 16 - Yamaha Passola 50cc moped with shopping basket on front...nuff sed

aged 31 - bought vespa for london commuting, rode for 6 weeks, couldn't take the embarrassment of pulling up at the lights next to real bikes so did DAS last November and have been on my SVS everyday since :twisted:

[Cos]

Been on a CBT for the last year riding an Aprilia Tuono 125. Just booked DAS for middle of next month and also put deposit down on an '04 SV650s.

Hopefully if i pass there will be many happy years ahead for me and the SV

[Scoobs]

I've been riding 2.5 years. Bikes go:

Aprilia RS125 GP1
SV650SX

I thank you!

[Biker Biggles]

My first bike was a BSA Bantam,bought for a tenner complete with top gear only.Rode it home somehow and repaired the box for about 3 quid.Ive had some time off for good behavior,but I find it hard not to feed my two wheel addiction.

[jamieclayton9]

i have been on the road for 6years. i started on a yamie passola, then a yamie stepthrough, then a honda h100s2, then a 250n superdream, then a gpz 500s, then a 600 bandit, then a 1200 bandit, then a zx6r, then a yamie thunderace, then a dr350, and now i am on my sv. i really like the sv and would never get rid of it unless someone came alone with a tl 1000 offering a deal. havent had a crash yet. just jinxed myself. cheers all. jamie

[$i]

Been riding for 3 years, 1 year on a derbi senda sm 50 (A moped, NOT a scooter. its got gears! :lol: ). then did my full licence and jumped straight to the sv. Took me 2 days to get used to it and have loved every moment of it since then. Passed my advanced motorcycle test a year ago and have done a few trackdays whereby i find the SV brilliant. I will want a bike soon with a bit more power (probably and svthou or an sp2) :twisted: but at the moment my sv meets all my expectations! :D

[Big Bad Al]

7 years

4 on a Kawasaki Eliminator 125
1 on a gpz500
2 (nearly) on my sv

Next z1000 when I can afford one..
and I thought I was patient doing 3 years on the Kwak Eliminator 125! I do like the forward controls though.....

[chog]

:oops: I feel really old now,been riding 26yrs, 24 of these on road and legal. First bike was an MZ 50 :oops:
Rode lots of big jap fours from all the jap manufacturers. I like th SV but miss the big torque of a 1 litre plus bike. :cry:
if i could afford it would have GSXR 1000 tomorrow.
I know that 90% of the time you can only use 50% of the power, but when you can use that other 50% there is nothing comes near to it this side of a Formula 1 car.
Chog

[tigersaw]

26 years riding here. All sorts of bikes, hoping to get an SV soon...
Favourite bikes out of my past selection must be FS1E (yes really! ), DR350 and X7 (with micron bean can expansion chambers!)

[Sid Squid]

X7 :!:

I had one of those, I think Mark, (Rictus), had one too, bloody excellent bike.

[embee]

Started riding bikes off road around 1970. By "off-road" I mean a D1 BSA Bantam which I was given and the engine was full of water, took a couple of days with paraffin and a toothbrush to get those main bearings to turn, OK they rumbled a bit but couldn't afford new bearings! Rode it round friendly farmers' fields.

I was caught in the new 16year old moped law, and spent a year on a Raleigh Supermatic, which wasn't a bad pedalo in those days.

Shared a Triumph Tiger Cub with a couple of mates.
Took test on a borrowed D7 Bantam, got a BSA A7SS. As several other veterans have already said, you youngsters don't realise just how bad those old bikes really were!

Ex police Triumph TR6P (single carb Bonneville if you like), which I still remember fondly.

T150V Trident bought in 1977, which I still have.
BMW R90S bought in 1979, which I still have.
Rickman Micro Metisse with 125 Zundapp, rode it for a couple of years then put a Tiger Cub engine in it, and still have that too.
Bought another Micro Metisse which still awaits rebuilding some 10years on. :roll:
Picked up an original condition New Hudson Autocycle (98cc Villiers single speed), probably the worst thing ever put on God's roads, but made a couple of hundred quid on it!
Ran an original Yam FZR1000 for a couple of years. Good in its time.
Bought SK1 SVS new in 2001, still have it. Smile when I look at it.
Bought Honda Deauville new in 2002, still have that too. Under-rated.

Memorable times? Test ride on a Ducati 900SS in about 1980, similarly on a Laverda Jota.

Best road? Probably Route Napoleon from Grenoble down to Cannes first time in 1979.

[Stig]

Oh I forgot I used to own a Lambretta LI 125 as well. It had no brakes and the only way to slow down was to use the clutch. The clutch plate rivet was worn and if I used to go over any bumps the clutch plate used to come off and I was left with no stopping power. Came a cropper once when went round a corner and the clutch plate had come off again. Severe case of gravel rash. Oh those were the days :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Biker Biggles]

Embees got two Rickman Metisse bikes in shed :lol: and started out on a Bantam.Sounds familiar to me.I had three or four Bantams then a CB 175,followed by a Ducati 250 Desmo and various odds and sods,TZR 125 CB 400 four,GT550,still got it,Laverda 750,ZX6r ZX9r,still got it sv650stillgot it,and,yes Ive still got a Rickman.Mines a Kawasaki Z1000 engined cr from 1977 and was the Superbike of its day but would be seen off by any modern middleweight.It looks the business though :!:

[Anonymous]

sorry everyone...embee has got me nostalgicating!

The bike that most sticks in my memory is an H1 Kawasaki. It was plain evil and terrified me (I never rode an H2 but I can't believe it was better).

The bike that did most for my ego was a Harley Cafe Racer - riding it past a USAAF base in East Anglia, all these Yanks heard it and rushed over to the fence to see it. So I rode it past three times! Actually, it was 'orrible.

I had a Duke Drama on which I felt like an Italian Stallion....but needed muscles like an English Shire.

I also rode Guzzis and Morinis (pretty awful) and must have gotten to like V Twins, but couldn't believe how good the SV felt when I bought one....so I bought another one!

[Peter Henry]

And Policeman all look younger too... Well fast approaching old farty stage I guess compared with some of the peeps on here! I have now been riding bikes on the road 18 and a bit years! Strewth! There have ben one or two gaps along the way but the biking thing has always been with me.
KH250 triple.
Honda F1 400-4
Yamaha 400 trials
Honda CBR600
Kawasaki GPZ1000RX
Yamaha V-Max
Kawasaki ZX6R Ninja
SV650
I have to say that I tend nowadays to ride within sensible limits,(maybe due to old back not being able to pick bike up off floor anymore!) this does not however always mean slow. I just do not hare around like the looney I was on my 250 triple!
I was going to buy a 1000 V twin when looking to get a bike again last year but thought it perhaps too big a step after the break. I am not at all dissapointed with the SV, in truth I think it is a great bike and possibly hard to beat for VFM.
I am though very close to actually now going for a piece of Italian Exotica and this is more for the kudos,exclusivity and phallic symbol value more than anything sensible! Believe me anyone riding an SV hard will wipe me away on my new Italian Stallion! Respect! 8) :lol:

[elmerfud]

Just re read this thread as it's an oldie - brought a lump to my throat as it contains a post from one of the "fallen friends". Here's a thought to Vtwin (Wayne) - will raise a glass for ya tonight.

Here's my list so far:

yam fs1e
yam rd50mx
honda cb100n
honda mbx125lc
suzuki X5
suzuki X7
suzuki gs550
yam dt125lc
yam rd250lc (x2) 1 road bike, 1 track bike
rd125lc
yam rd350lc
honda plakky 50
yam 350 ypvs (x2) 1 early naked, 1 later faired
cb250n
kwak z250
yam tdr250 new

9yr break

y2k bandit 600s
sv650 k1 new
vtr1000
sv650sk3 new
bandit 1200k3 new (current bike)

The sv's were brilliant bikes, out of both I would say the k3 was the better overall bike - better handling, brakes and stronger engine.

Dave :twisted:

[Peter Henry]

Oh my goodness the mention of so many bikes that I thought I would never hear of again! Excellent thread! I did forget that a pal and I got hold of a Beeza 175 D7 :? Bantam but never got it going!
I missed the Fizzie stage due to an older pal having a brand new TS100 Suzuki trail bike and discovering girls at the same time. I therefore used to run around on that when he was out canoodling! (Naughty 16 year old u know!)

However taking the bikeless spells I got it wrong I have been riding,(legally!) for 28 years not 18! Even greater sign of fartiness approaching when you can't even add up anymore! :cry:

Now where's me pipe and slippers young un? :shock:

[rictus01]

I know I've posted it before, but not for some time now, so not including bikes i've borrowed for protracted times or my off road & track bikes, here's my list.

Mobylette 50cc
FS1-E Yam
GT185 Suzi
X7 Suzi
RD 400 Yam
H1 Kawa (500 triple)
3TA Triumph (old school)
A65 BSA
CB250 Honda
CD175 Honda
XS 650 Yam
MBX 125 Honda (commuting tool)
Ducati 907
CB 250 Super dream Honda (fitted 400 barrels)
XL 250 Honda
CX 500 Honda
GSXR 750 Suzi
GSXR 1100 Suzi
Commando (fastback) Norton
GSX600F Suzi
MT500 Armstrong
Pegaso Aprilia
Tl1000s Suzi
ZX9R Kawa
2 x T509’s Triumph (new school)
1 x Speed triple Triumph (new school)
T595 Triumph (new school)
Daytona 955i Triumph (new school) converted to speed triple front.
Bros Product one (650) Honda
CB 750 Honda Current
SV 650S Suzi Current
Yet another T509 (with Daytona engine).Current

thinking about it, I've owned at least two bikes (if not more) concurrently every day for the pasted 38 years never been without or taken a brake, and ridden on the roads for 31 of them, also since 1986, haven't done less than 40,000 miles a year (sometimes double that :shock: )., just guessing but I reckon I've covered about 1,000,000 mile on a bike so far in life :shock:

Funnily enough just about everything I've ever done has some link to bikes in one way or another,
First date with Mrs (picked her up on a bike, she wore a short skirt as she thought I had a car :shock: .
Rushing to the Hospital on the bike for the birth of my first son.
Going to my old mans funeral and changing out of leathers at the crem.

I'm at a loss to think of any other single thing that ties my adult life together so completely.

Cheers Mark.