What Bikes have you owned in your time as a motorcyclist?

[SED]

"Still have the Ariels and Guzzis.  "

The Nortons look cool also.  ;-T

Rob

They are!  But alas, not mine.   1946 Model 18 and 1950 Model 7 Dominator. 

[creaky99]

Whizzer
Bridgestone
Honda
Suzuki
Kawasaki
Yamaha
KTM
BMW

& finally

Guzzi

[jumpmaster]

I never listed them all before, so let's see....in the order that I had them, starting at age 14 in 1959/60, as best I can remember:

46 Whizzer (was my uncle's at the time but now mine)
?? Harley Hummer 165 cc
6? Honda CB77
74 Honda CB450
75 Norton Interstate
7? BMW R60
7? BMW R65
77 Suzuki GS750
82 Harley FXR
84 Honda CB1200 (naked Goldwing)
77 BMW R100RS
90 Harley Softtail Custom
74 Harley Electraglide
03 Harley Electraglide
13 Harley Road Glide
90 Mille GT

I first thought about buying a Moto Guzzi in 1969 while I was in the Army, but it didn't seem to be the smart thing to do when I was about to go to Vietnam for a year.  Forgot about them for decades, but in the past couple of years my interest was reborn while I was searching for a more reliable backup classic bike to keep my Norton (still have the 75 Commando) company in the garage.  Finally pulled the trigger & bought the Mille  3 months ago, just in time to get a thousand miles or so on it before the nasty weather settled in for the winter.

Other than the bikes I have now, the ones REALLY wish I still had are the CB77 (collector value) & the R100RS (both collector & historical value).  The BMW R60 & the 74 Harley both drove like I was dragging an anchor, while the rest were fun at the time.

[smdl]

Here's mine:

70's Generic B&S minibike
1978 Kawasaki 650SR
1978 Yamaha DT400
1984 Honda CB750SC Nighthawk
1984 Honda CB750SC Nighthawk
1985 Honda GL1200SE
1998 Honda 750 Ace
1999 Kawasaki 1500 Nomad
1998 Triumph Thunderbird Sport
2002 Triumph Speed Triple
1996 Triumph Sprint Frankenbike
2003 Moto Guzzi V11 Le Mans*
1974 Moto Guzzi Eldo Police*
1975 Moto Guzzi 850T*

*  Still have

Shaun

[drlapo]

so far:
1956 Indian Hound’s Arrow
1967 BSA B25
1970 Honda SL350
1971 Bultaco Matador
197? Bultaco Sherpa T
1967 Bultaco Metralla
1976 Bultaco Sherpa T
1979 Bultaco Sherpa T
1973 Bultaco Alpina
1975 Hodaka Combat Wombat
1958 BSA C15
1966 BSA B44 victor
1967 BSA B44 Shooting Star
Another 1967 BSA B25
198? Honda TL125
Yamaha DT50
83 Moto Guzzi Lemans 850
Yamaha DT100
Yamaha MX 125
Yamaha TY250
Yamaha R5 350
Yamaha RD 400
Yamaha XS650
Suzuki TS100
1987 Honda XL250
66 Ducati Monza Jr
1965 BSA Thunderbolt
1979 Triumph T140
1985 BMW R80
2002 HD XL883R
2005 Triumph Thruxton
06 Triumph Speed Triple
11 Triumph Tiger 800
13 Moto Guzzi V7

[FASTFREDDY]

2.5HP Tecumseh minibike
1972 Kawasaki 175
1976 KZ750 twin
1982 GPZ550
1984 Yamaha FJ600
1986 Lario
1986 LeMans IV
1978 T3
1978 T3 w/sidecar
1972 Kawasaki Big Horn
1977 DT175
1980 IT175
1983 TT350
1998 KLX300
1999 YZ400F
2000 Jackal
2003 KTM 450SX
2004 KX250F
2006 KX450F
2005 Yamaha Vino
2006 Yamaha Vino
2002 LeMans
1982 650SP
2000 Honda CBR600
2006 Breva 1100
2010 650 Ninja
2008 GSX650F
2011 Norge
I have always had at least one Guzzi in the garage since the first one.
The others come and go.

[ScepticalScotty]

KV75 Kawasaki
KE100 Ag Bike
DT175 the really old one with metal everything.
GSX250 - total dog
TY175 - first competition trials bike - a great bike in all respects
TLR250 - Honda 4T trials bike that was not popular but now is desirable....
VT250 Honda - back on the roads....86000kms old but wonderful
SRX600 Yamaha - my first big bike and my first touring bike....
SZR660 - 660 trailbike engine in a TZR250 frame - fun!!
Guzzi Breva750  - bought new in 2004, I still have it and its my only bike. 10 years old in April.  ;D

I liked all of them apart from the GSX250......it was orrible.

[normzone]

Alright, I'll bite. Although compared to you lot I've never ridden at all...I was a late bloomer with regards to vehicles. I hitchhiked from 14 to my early twenties, and had a blast doing it.

First one was a 1972 Honda CB 350 when I was 21 - I still remember my first ride - put 35K miles on it.

Next was a '72 Kawasaki triple H2. We didn't get along as well as my first bike. I left Denver in December, rode at a 45 degree angle for hours through high winds to a truck stop in Cheyenne Wyoming and found a trucker who agreed to haul me and the bike to Salt Lake City, where I found another who took us to San Francisco. I spent on the two rides what it would have cost me for gas and oil, and we trucked through 3 foot deep snow.

A few months later I crashed it - that is another story for another time. 5K miles only...fixed it up and sold it to a guy who was crazy about it - the deal was cash, power tools and a bicycle.

Then I was talking to a customer at my service station about wanting a basket case to build - a Norton or something - I noticed another customer listening to our conversation. After the first customer left, the second one came over and explained that he'd been listening, and would I have any interest in a Moto Guzzi that needed a little work.

I told him I didn't know what that was but I could go look at it after work. He came back a few hours later and we went to a storage yard where the 1972 Eldo was sleeping under an aboveground pool liner. $350 later I took her home.

Since then there was another '72 Eldo from a yard sale my dad found, I used it for parts donor.

And a Honda 450 to commute on while my truck engine was in rebuild. Funny enough, I swapped the 45 - 70 that I'd got for my wornout Guzzi's back to the guy for the 450.

A brief flirt with a Goldwing my brother and I traded back and forth.

But now it's Bassa time...

[jim130]

Royal Enfield 350 Bullet
Royal Enfield 700 Super Meteor
Honda 90
Bultaco Pursang 250
Bulltaco Pursang 325
CZ 400 GP
Kawasaki KH 250
Aprillia Pegaso 650
Kawasaki 750
Ducati ST3
Yamaha FJR 1300
Aprillia Caponord 1000
Yamaha FJR 1200
BMW R 1200 GS
BMW F800 GS
Moto Guzzi Norge 1200

[faffi]

May I ask what kind of Kawa 750 you owned, jim?

[Graham4031]

Moto Morini 250 rebuild as my UK learner bike when 17 in 81 (with a 350 engine due to an a mistake in workshop which was not deliberate - honestly ::) )
Ducati MHR (brought it after university, had to use it to commute as I had to pretend to my parents that it was cheaper to run than a car, and nearly went bankrupt as a result)
Ducati F1 (first new bike)
Ducati 750 sport
Ducati 900ss
Ducati 916
Ducati 748r
Moto Guzzi V11 Leman Rosso Corsa
MV Agusta F4 1000
Aprilia RSV Factory (still own and moved from UK to Sweden last summer)
MV Agusta F4 1000RR new version (still Own)
Moto Guzzi 1100 Sport Corsa (Still own and awaiting good fettle)

[faffi]

I could be wrong, of course, but do you happen to have a slight preference for Italian motorcycles  :D

[mmcwhitehead]

Got my license in 1970, so coming up on 44 years riding.

1958 Zundapp Super Sabre
1959 BMW R60/2
1971 Moto Guzzi Ambassador
1964 BMW R50/2
1978 BMW R60/7
1998 Moto Guzzi V11/EV
2001 Moto Guzzi V11 California

(Also, Somewhere in the late 70's I had a Montgomery Wards Riverside 350cc that I think was a rebadged Benelli)

Whoops, forgot the '47 Whizzer Sportsman I bought in '66 at the age of 12... yeah I beat the tar out of it, trashed the engine, put a B&S on it and beat the tar out of that, too.

[Hellgate]

In order of ownership beginning in 1983
1)   1973 Yamaha TX500 - POS
2)   1982 Yamaha ZX550 – so-so
3)   1981 Suzuki GS1100EX – Loved it!
4)   1976 Yamaha RD400 – Race bike – so-so
5)   1984 Yamaha RZ350 – Race bike – Loved it!
6)   BIG highside resulting in a 19 year break - Ouch
7)   2007 Yamaha FZ6 – Pretty good once tuned
8)   2008 Buell 1125R - POS
9)   2006Yamaha FZ1 – Great appliance of a bike
10)   2005 Yamaha R6* - Track bike – Stunning! Reads my mind on the track
11)   2012 Aprilia Tuono V4R* - Beast!
12)   1982 Yamaha XV920 (1100)R* - Fun project bike
13)   2009 Suzuki GZ250* wife’s bike - Dog
14)   1988 Yamaha RZ350 F2* Canadian import – My nightmare….
15)   2013 Moto Guzzi Stelvio* - Love it!

[rdbandkab]

Off road:
Yamaha Enduro 60
Yamaha MX80
Yamaha YZ80
Yamaha MX100
Yamaha MX125
Yamaha YZ250
Suzuki RM250
Suzuki RMX250
KTM EXC300
KTM EXC300
KTM EXC300
Husaberg FE350
Husaberg MX501
Gas Gas ec300
Husqvarna 360
Husqvarna 360
Husqvarna te450
Husqvarna te450  current.

On road:
aprilia Futura
Moto Guzzi Breva 1100

[kballowe]

Harley XLH (6) - FXD (5)  - FXDWG  - FLT  - FLHR (2)
Yamaha
DT-175, DT-250, XT500, XS 650, XJ1100, Seca 550, Roadstar Warrior, FZ-6 (2), FJR1300 (2), Super Tenere 1200, VStar1300 (2)
Kawasaki - S2 (350 triple), CSR 305, KZ750, LTD 1000, Vulcan 900 (2), Z750
Honda  SL100, XL125, XL250, CB160, CB350, VTX1300 (5), VTX1800, GL1800 (2), ST1300, CB1100
Bultaco - 370 Frontera
Maico - 250 something (dirt)
Triumph Bonneville (3), Speedmaster (2)
Morini 3 1/2
Guzzi 850T, Breva 750, 1100 - CalVin
PUCH moped
Victory Vegas 8-Ball

and some that I can't remember.

[Grammabud]

4 Harlys
2 Indians
4 BSAs
3 Hondas
3 Yamahas
1 Norton
4 BMWs
2 Zundapps
1 Suzuki
AND 1 Guzzi
since 1956

The BMW R100RS Motorsport, Honda ST1100 & BMW K75 were the best.

[esmurrell]

My list begins in 1976 then a huge gap but here they are in order;

1976 Honda 125 - trashed
1999 BMW R1100RT - sold
2004 Honda Goldwing - sold
2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager - sold
2009 BMW K1200LT - sold (unfortunately)
2012 BMW K1600GTL - in the garage
2012 Moto Guzzi Norge - in the garage

Future bike
2014 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring

[Graham4031]

"Posted by: faffi

I could be wrong, of course, but do you happen to have a slight preference for Italian motorcycles  Cheesy"


Sometime in the late 70's I bought my first bike Magazine (Which Bike in the UK) and it had a review of the then state of the art Laverda Jota at that point I knew my life would not be complete with out an Italian motorbike.

I guess the Brit Bikes were all but dead by then and the GPz 900R had not arrived which made Italian Bikes hard to justify (which I often did) until Ducati hit back with the likes of the 888 and then blew the world apart with the 916, and who wanted a Fireblade then.

[faffi]

Being more practical than emotional oriented, I'd much rather have a Blade than a 916. In fact, I've never even fancied the look of the 916 (nor the Blade, for that matter) and it is a far too uncompromising thing. But a Jota? Sure! With the 120 degree crank and rubber mounts. The 180 degree crank engine sounds like a sick four. Just as a 180 degree inline twin doesn't sound very nice, while a 360 degree parallel twin sound right. I still love the look of the Laverda 500 Alpino. The Guzzi LM I and II are also very appealing to me, as are the Imola/Monza. The Ducati 350/500 Desmo, 900 Darmah and early 750 Sport are also machines I fancy to look at, but other than the 750 with it's non-Desmo head I wouldn't want to own any of them. I also like the Morini 3.5 Sport and 500 Sport, and they are even reasonably practical.

The difference between Japanese bikes and Italian bikes were well described by Cycle World magazine when they tested the Laverda 1000 RGS. They wrote something along the lines of "when the Interceptor corner with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel, the Laverda carve up the road like the world's biggest chain saw"  ;D

[Shorty]

Rode Dad's Cz 175 and Benelli  65cc
then:

60s Suzuki 120 Dual sport
175 Dt Yamaha
68 Tr6r
63 Tr6r
78 Bonnie
74 Tr5t
bonnie chopper (x 2)
71 Tr6r OIF
76 Bonnie
305 scrambler
2001 Bonnie
250 DTmx
250DT dual sport (2x)
Suzuki Dr350
Yamaha 600Xt
yamaha xt225
yamaha dt400
yamaha xt350 (x2)
yamaha xs650
yamaha radian
78 SR500
honda cb750 2 valve
honda cb750 4 valve
honda xl125
honda xl75
Honda cb 350
honda helix 250
honda elite80 (mama)
Ural tourist
Sportster883 hugger
BMW 90/6
BMW 75/6
Bmw K75
ducati GT750
Suzuki GT185
Norton/matchless scrambler hybrid project (2x)
Cotton scrambler w/Villiars engine
71 Ambo
68 V700
74 Eldo (2x)
80 something 1000SP
V7 Sport
83 Lm III
93 Cal III
73 Eldo (2x)
850T   (3x?)
76 Convert

No doubt forgot a few  I got CRS

Bikes in my future?   Another K75 beemer, hopefully.  Probably another Guzzi tug for the sidecar.   

OPPS!   Just bought another:     BMW K75

Above list was as of 2008   Since then: 

1974 Eldo (sold)
2005 Triumph Bonneville now with Dnepr sidecar
2005 HD Sportster 1200R 

next?  ???

[jerstump]

 I've had
 1969 Harley 350 Sprint
 1944 BSA M20
 1968 BSA Starfire 250
 1971 Yamaha R5 with Vetter Phantom fairing (went far and wide on this one)
 Wife had a Kawasaki F6 and later a Suzuki X6 250
 Currently have
 1982 BMW R65 (still going far and wide on this one)
 1978 Yamaha SR500
 1976 Yamaha RD250 (project bike bought on line auction)
 1971 Norton Commando basket case present from son
 2008 Moto Guzzi Breva 750 (recent purchase -- disappointing surging problem being sorted out)

 Have been riding since 1969

[Brozza]

I started riding in '75, been riding all year 'round ever since.

Bikes owned: (new unless stated)
1975 Suzuki TS 185 (learnt to ride on)
2 x Kawasaki KT 250's
1977 Suzuki GS 400
1978 Moto Guzzi 850 Mk2 Le Mans
1985(?) BMW K100
1984 Moto Guzzi 850 Mk3 Le Mans s/h
1978 MZ ETZ250 s/h
Suzuki PE 250
Suzuki RM 250 (first of the water cooled models)
1978 Yamaha XS 250 s/h
1984 Suzuki GSX 750 SE Katana (pop-up headlight with Australian/South African 92h.p. engine) s/h and current everyday ride.

[Bluecab]

Just so all the people reading this that have not had one of each feel ok...

1957 Zundapp KS601  1970-1975

1973 Eldorado       1989-Present

1993 Daytona        1996-Present

Yeah, I know it's an odd selection. Sometimes bikes find you instead of the other way around..

David

[jwitt]

I started on mini bikes in the mid 60s and bought my first street bike in 1969, the 150, for $75.00

Home made mini bike
1963 Honda 150 Dream
1965 CB160
1974 Norton 850 Commando
1967 Triumph 650 Chopper
1965 Triumph 650 Chopper
Harley WLA 45
1968 Triumph TR6
Triumph Dirt Dragster (pick a year, built from left overs)
1970 Triumph 650 Chopper (hot rod, 750 kit, Megacycle cams, Hunt mag, etc. etc. etc.)
1970 Triumph 500 Daytona
BSA B50
(2) 450 Ducati
Royal Enfield 750
1975 T160 Trident
1974 Moto Guzzi 850T
1980 GS750 Suzuki
2006 Yamaha Roadstar
Several CB750 SOHC Hondas
1969 Kawasaki 100
4 Early 4 cyl. Goldwings
1963 Honda 50 cub
1970 Honda Trail 90
1969 SL90 Honda (still have)
2013 Harley Roadglide
2011 Harley XR1200X
2002 Harley XL 883 (1200 cyl. & Scream'in Eagle Heads)( still have)
1980 R65 BMW (still have)
1982 R65LS BMW (still have)
2007 Moto Guzzi Norge (still have)
Still others, projects, basket cases, mini bikes and stuff that was horse traded, bought and sold.
 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Started riding at age 9, got my license at 16.

In order mostly, all that I can remember, complete bikes only, updated May 24th, 2011:
'73 Honda Z50 (shared with my bro')
'6? Benelli Fireball 50
'72 Yamaha JT-2 60
'71 Honda CL100
'73 Jawa 90 Trail
'?? Rockford (ended up with the Jawa engine in it)
'?? Lambretta 150
'68? Montgomery-Wards (Benelli) 350
'72 Yamaha YDS7 250
'76 Yamaha RD400
'72 Yamaha XS2 650
'72 Yamaha XS2 650 (modified)
'?? Gina 175 (Gilera built in Argentina)
'76 Moto Guzzi Convert
'79 Moto Guzzi 1000SP
'80 Moto Morini 500 Strada
'76 Triumph Bonneville
'86 Moto Guzzi LeMans 1000
'86 Moto Morini 350K2
'80 Moto Guzzi 1000 G5
'75 Moto Guzzi 850T
'62 Capriolo 100
'57? Zundapp Suber Sabre 250
'72 CZ 175 Trail
'72 Benelli 650 Tornado
'72 Benelli ? 50 (minibike)
'89 Moto Guzzi Mille GT
'78 BMW R100RT
'69 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassador (still have)
'87 Cagiva 350 Ala Rossa
'71 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassador
'72 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassador ("Sophia")
'71 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassador ("Barney")
'74 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
'75 Moto Guzzi 850 Eldorado
'95 MZ Saxon Country 500
'73 Yamaha TX650
(2) '70 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassadors (one parted out, one sold to Scott Breese).
'91 Yamaha XT350
'77 Yamaha XT500 (still have)
'78 Honda XL125
'75 Honda Z50 Mini-Trail
'91 ATK 604 DS (current project)
'75 Moto Guzzi Convert
  

Added a few:
'71 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassador (parted out)
'72 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassador (rolling basketcase)
'88 Ducati Paso 750
'94 MZ Silver Star Classic 500
'95 CCM C25 350

[Normsthename]

Started riidng at 16 with a Moped in 1978, heres my small list........

1   Raleigh Runabout
2   NVT Easyrider 50
3   MZ150
4   Honda CD175
5   Laverda Chott 250
6   Yamaha RD250
7   Honda C50
8   Honda C90
9   Puch Maxi 50
10   Yamaha XS250
11   Yamaha XS500
12   MZ TS250
13   Jawa 350
14   Yamaha RD350LC
15   Suzuki GSX550
16   Peugeot Vivacity 100
17   Suzuki SV650
18   Suzuki AN400
19   Suzuki SV1000
20   Suzuki GSX-R1000
21   Suzuki Burgman 650
22   Peugeot Elyseo 125
23   Suzuki DRZ400 SM
24   Suzuki GSX1400
25   Harley Davidson Streetrod
26   Yamaha FJR1300
27   Suzuki M1800R
28   BMW F800ST
29   Suzuki AN400
30   Suzuki AN650
31   Suzuki DL1000
32   Triumph Bonneville 750
33   BMW K1000RS
34   BMW R1100RT
35   Honda Silverwing 600
36   Honda SH300
37   Suzuki AN650
38   BMW K1200GT
39   BMW R1200RT
40   Triumph Bonneville T100
41   Triumph Rocket III
42   Honda Deauville 700
43   Honda CRF250L
44   BMW K1200RS
45   Honda NC700X
46   Suzuki Burgman 400
47   BMW C600 Sports
48   Moto Guzzi Norge 1200

:)

Andy

[Scud]

First Guzzi acquired on Saturday, here's what led up to it...

1972 Honda CB350F
1996 Yamaha Radian
1995 Yamaha FJ1100
1981 BMW R100CS
2001 Honda Superhawk 996 (only bike I regret buying)
1996 BMW R1100RT
2006 Ducati Sport 1000
2004 Husqvarna TE510 (current)
2004 KTM 950 Adventure
1973 Honda CB350F (current)
2002 Moto Guzzi V11 Scura (current)

[Johncolleary]

Been riding since 1973

Honda super 90 with a 103 kit don't remember the year
1974 Yamaha RD350
1974 Kawasaki Kx 125
1976 Yamaha XS750D
1974 Yamaha MX360
1984 Yamaha FJ600
1974 Yamaha MX360 another one
1998 Honda VFR800
2001 Aprilia Falco
2004 Yamaha YZ250F
1975 Honda CB125S gift now For Sale
2013 Moto Guzzi Stelvio

[Shadyapex]

Suzuki 500 Titan, terrible bike but I didn't know better, it was about 1979
1980 Honda 750K, good serviceable motorcycle.
1978 BMW R80/7, tried to turn it into a fast bike with some Del Ortos. It kind of worked.
1980 Ducati 900SS. Sold it for about a tenth of what they get now. Still kicking myself.
25 year break.
1977 Moto Guzzi 850 T3 dressed up as a Le Mans. Just brought it home the other day. Still sorting it out but so far I'm impressed. But the oil filter is where?!?!