50 years

[Seeker]

50 years ago this month I rode a motorcycle for the first time. My Mum said I'd grow out of it, I suppose there is still time...
I had to take the RAC/ACU riding course as a condition set by my parents and the license test was a couple of times around the block; We had it easy back then. I crashed the CB175 many times which was usually my fault, the CS5e I crashed once which was definitely my fault and that was my last accident, I was 17 - I've done more damage to my body falling on the ice - who said bikes are dangerous?

The bikes I've owned:
1) Honda C95 (154cc)
2) Honda CB175 K4
3) Yamaha CS5e (200cc)
4) Yamaha R5 (350cc)
5) Honda CB400/4
6) Kawasaki Z200
----USA---
7) Suzuki GS500 (took my US test on this)
8 ) Suzuki SV650S
9) Honda 919
---UK---
10) Suzuki SV650S
11) Triumph Street Triple (675cc)
12) Suzuki SV650 AL7 (still owned)
13) Kawasaki H1F
14) Yamaha MT09 SP
15) Kawasaki Z900RS (still owned)

Doesn't look much to show for 50 years.

These are the bikes I've ridden or at least the ones I remember. A lot of small bikes but there were a lot more sub 250cc bikes about back then.

Yamaha YL1 (100cc)
Yamaha AS1 (125cc) x2
Honda C90 and C50 (step through)
Suzuki Stinger (125cc)
Honda CD175 (sloper)
Honda SS125 (twin)
Honda CB125 (single)
Kawasaki H1A and H1D (500cc)
Lambretta Li150 Series 3
Yamaha YDS7 (250cc) x2
Honda CB250 G5
Honda CB550/4 F1
Kawasaki ZX6R (US model)
Kawasaki Z1
Suzuki SV650 K4 (? it was FI)
Honda VFR
Yamaha FZR600

[Kenzie]

Wow, nice list! I must be coming up for twenty years by now. First rode a Beamish Suzuki 250 in around 1999 and was hooked straightaway. First bike was a Suzuki TS125R, second was a Suzuki RGV250L after passing my test,and current is a Suzuki SV650S (see a pattern anyone?)

My test was a theory test, road riding, emergency stop, bike on and off the stand then congrats!



So far I have ridden the following:


Aprilia RS50 (brother)
Aprilia RS125 (brother)
Yamaha DT50 (brother)
Yamaha DT125R (wifes first bike)
Dragstar 650 (ex step dad)
Suzuki TL1000R (brothers mental bike)
Honda Transalp (loan bike)
Suzuki DL650 (test ride)
Honda VFR750 (ex step dad)
Yamaha XT660R (wifes)
Kawasaki ER6F (wifes current bike)
Suzuki Bandit 600 (brother)
Ducati Hypermotard (the little one) (test ride)
Kawazaki Z800 (test ride)


Would like to add a VFR to my SV.

[redtrummy]

My list somewhat shorter
Owned
67 Triumph Super Cub(new) - basically a Cub engine grafted into a Bantam D7/10 frame ( still going strong)
58 Triumph 3TA (inherited from my Dad) Back then I sacrificed a feeler gauge each year to tighten up the worn out swinging arm bushes come MOT time!
99 SV totally trouble free apart from the carbs can be pain unless ridden/started regularly and it is a pig to start in cold weather



Ridden A Royal Enfield with hand change gears
NSU Quickly (Mums) I think it was unbreakable!
Honda Caminio (Mums)
Lambretta 150

Honda CX500 shaft drive

BMW Boxer ex Police late 50s, it was awful, could corner one way ok but the other- nothanks

Velocette LE - Friend had the LE and BMW - he has a strange perception of motor cycles, but it keeps him happy



Hit a car on the Cub that turned across me. On the NSU tried not to slow down taking a left hand side rode and consequently slid several yards along the road. Fell several times on the 3TA trying to ride around a field grasstrack style.

[Swin]

hmm, not quite as long on two wheels as the OP, probably coming up 40 years for me

My List

Puch Maxi (wasn't mine, fell off)
Yamaha XT 125 (wasn't mine, fell off)
Kawasaki KH125
MZ TS 125
MZ TS 250
Suzuki GS 450
Kawasaki GPZ 600R (x2)
Kawasaki Z1100 (wasn't mine)
Honda ST1100
Honda CB250N
Honda C70
Yamaha TZR250
Honda XL500R
Suzuki GSF600 (x2)
Suzuki SV650S
Honda CBF125F (current)
Suzuki DL650 (current)

[Craig380]

In July it'll be 40 years since I first put L-plates on my bike on my 17th birthday (Suzuki B120 Student), I did my test soon after. The first bike I rode was my dad's Honda CB77 when I was 14, but that was just up & down our road (with his permission).

I've ridden loads of bikes, too many to remember, but not actually owned that many:

- Suzi B120
- Suzi GT200X5
- Triumph TR6
- Yam 350 YPVS

then a break of 10 years (living abroad)

- Suzi GT380
- SV650S K6
- SV650 AL7

[Red Herring]

Interesting thread, prompted me to try and remember the bikes I've had. I've been riding since the late 80's and been lucky enough to be able to hold on to a few of them....

RD125 LC, first bike which I took my test on.
CBR600 my first and only brand new bike, bought the day I passed my test.........
FZR1000 EXUP
Suzuki GT200 X5, still got it.
RGV250 which I really really wish I still had!
FZR750R (Grey import, not the OWO1 unfortunately!)
Kawasaki 250XL
KTM250 enduro bike
Yamaha TDR250, still got it.
Honda CB600 Hornet, still got it.
Yamaha XJ600 Diversion.
Matchless G3, still got it.
Honda Fireblade, destroyed at the Nurburgring. The one and only time I've binned my road bike.
Honda XR650R, still got it.
Kawasaki ZX7R, which later became a 7/9. Brilliant bike, should never have sold it...
GSXR1000 K5, still got it.....
SV650 K5, still got it.
Suzuki DRZ400 SM, still got it.
Gas Gas 300EXC.
Aprilia SXV550, still got it.
Honda VFR800 VTEC, still got it.

I've also got another 600 Hornet and VFR800 that I've mothballed for succession purposes...

So of the 23 bikes I've bought I've still got 12 of them which means I'm either a hopeless romantic who can't let go, or I bought well!

[GeorgeRYoung]

Started in '67 and still riding - the bikes are in my signature. Current ride is a Gen2 SV650S and sticking with it, previously had a Gen1. Mostly a mix of touring and sunny Sunday afternoon rides.

[Craig380]

I'd love to have a go on an X5 again, I'm only 2 stone heavier than I was back then so it should still go well

[Red Herring]

Posting that last night prompted me to get the X5 out and run her up this morning, the cackle of a two stroke is so unique, especially with a nice set of pipes. Mine has a pair of Higgspeed traditional expansion cans which are way overkill for such a bike, but they look and sound brilliant! If I could work out how to post a video I'd spoil you....