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

[jas67]

First motorcycle, bought in 1980, 1972 Kawasaki H2, still riding it regularly.
Second motorcycle, bought last month, 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille, about 1000 miles on it so far.

I saw a few Kaw triples in this thread.  Not many, but more than I expected.

Wow!    You definitely win the motorcycle monogamy award!    Same and only bike for 33 years!    That's got to be some kind of record!

[cruzziguzzi]

I'd hate to even go there in list form. I'd either come off as a liar, braggart or a colossal fool for not still having more of them.

[Lazmo]

Started riding in 1965

Homemade mini bike Villiers engine.
Honda Cub 50
Co-owned / shared trail-bikes… mainly CT/RT Yamahas, one TC Suzuki, one Montessa
Triumph Tiger TR6R
Triumph Thunderbird
Honda K2 750
Honda K2 810
Honda K2 836
Honda K2 920
BMW 90/6
Yamaha RD400
Ducati ’74 450 Desmo
Ducati ’74 750 Sport
Ducati ’72 750 GT
Ducati 600 Pantah
Ducati 680 TT2
Ducati ’89 750 Sport
Ducati ’89 900SS
Ducati 2000 900 Monster
Suzuki GSXR750 Superbike
Honda 1967 SS50
Moto Guzzi 1971 V7Special 

[Falko]

Started in 2000

Bike #1 1995 Suzuki RF900R, fun bike and one I think was a little underrated. Yeah it was heavy and took a back seat to the ZX-11 at the time, but wasn't much slower and it handled decently
Bike #2 2003 Aprilia Falco SL1000R, wow, just wow. Miss it, a lot.
Bike #3 2009 Yamaha FJR1300, Meh, it was fast and comfy, about as soulless as a zombie lumberjack in the middle of an Alaskan February
Bike #4 2008 MG 1200 Sport, hopefully regain some of that Italian V-twin magic I lost when the Aprilia rolled away

Never owned the classic Hondas or Ducatis. One day I will own a racy Italian again, maybe Ducati, or MVA

[RinkRat II]

  1968 Bird Minibike Kit ordered out of Popular Mechanics Magazine
  1973 KX 125
  1982 ATC 70 Modified with SL70 Motor
  1981 CB 400
  1983 CB 900 F  (Freddy Spencer Wannabe)
  1987 K75 S
  1979 KLX 250  ( Brad Lackey Wannabe)
  2003 KLR 650
  2000 V11 Sport

[exc911ence]

1982 Suzuki Katana 1100
1982 Suzuki Katana 1100 (yeah, I've had two... still own one!)
1983 Yamaha Vision 550 (1st bike in 1994)
1994 Suzuki RF600R
1994 Suzuki RF900R
1998 Suzuki TL1000R
2001 Suzuki Hayabusa
2005 Suzuki Hayabusa
2005 Suzuki GSX-R750 (20th Anniversary Edition)
2008 Suzuki B-King (still own)
2012 Triumph Thruxton (still own)

 :bike

[Carl Allison]

1968 Honda CL350 (with bent frame) I'm still finding it easier to lean to the left...
1972 Honda CB350/4 - wish I still had it
1973 Yamaha RD350
19XX Italjet 50cc Vampire roadracer - wish I still had it
1974 Yamaha RD350
1972 Kawasaki Z2 (750cc Japan domestic version of the Z1. A gawdawful bike)
1982 Yamaha 650 Seca - wish I still had it
1982 BMW R65 - wish I still had it
1997 Moto Guzzi Sport 1100i - still got it, potential museum piece
1997 Moto Guzzi California 1100i
197X Moto Guzzi Ambassador (never finished restoration and never rode it)
1985 Moto Guzzi 650C
2001 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport
2007 Moto Guzzi Norge
2010 Moto Guzzi Café
2001 Moto Guzzi Quota (19 whole days for that one. Couldn't reach the ground)
2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer
2004 Moto Guzzi Stone sidecar rig - love it, probably will never ride it again due to deteriorating health

[steven c]

Lets see I bought my first bike in 1976 when I was 20.
75 Suzuki GT380
77 Yamaha XS650
75 Honda 550K
74 Moto Guzzi 850T
80 Yamaha XT250
77 Moto Guzzi 1000SP
80? Yamaha RZ350
81 Moto Guzzi LeMans lll
71 BMW R60/5 Toaster tank
80? Moto Guzzi 650SP
77 Moto Guzzi Converted Convert (5 speed)
97 BMW R1100RS
91 BMW K75S
75 Moto Guzzi 850T3
76 Moto Morini 31/2
76 Moto Morini Strada
77 Moto Guzzi 1000SP (like them SPs)
85 Moto Guzzi Lemans 1000
77 Yamaha SR500
97 Triumph Sprint
77 Moto Guzzi Lemans 850
71 Honda CB350
87? Ducati Paso 750
2001 Kawasaki KLR650
2006 Buell Ulysses XB12X

 Some I got to know, others came and went.

So many bikes so little time.

Since I can add Breva 750 since sold and  a Yamaha XT350 needing a top end.
 I'm going to try to get through 2014 without buying something…..unless it is a good deal.

[Johncolleary]

1969 Honda super 90 w/ 103 kit
1974 Yamaha RD350
1975 Yamaha RD350
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1976 Yamaha XS750
1976 Yamaha MX 360
1984 Yamaha FJ600
1989 Honda VF800 Intercepter
2001 Aprilia SL1000 Falco
2004 Yamaha YZ250F
1974 Honda CB125S
2013 Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200

[Murray]

In rough order starting about 1994
1984 Honda XL250X
1991 Ducati 400SS
1994 Moto Guzzi 1100 sport Silver
1997 Cagiva W16
1998 Aprilia 650 Pegaso
1994 Moto Guzzi 1100 sport (black still have)
2002 Gilera 125 VX runner
2004 VOR530 ENE (still have)
2006 MGS-01 Corsa (still have)
2006 Aprilia RSVR Factory (for sale)

Why obscure Italian stuff I have no idea.

[Guzzistajohn]

Just got my 1st 49cc scooter, I call her FLAME, Hopefully I'll catch up with the local chapter of The Galloping Geese on a night when the clubhouse is full and see about signing up. 1%er baby! ;-T

[Hellgate]

I began riding in 1982ish. I took a long break from 1988 to 2008. It all started with a high side at 110 mph and several weeks in the hospital...marriage, grad school, military, and three wars.

Got back from Iraq in 2007 and though to myself, "After 18 months in Baghdad in 2006 and 2007, riding a motorcycle ain't crap." I went out and bought the FZ6, started riding again, and 6 months later was back on the track.

1) 1973 Yamaha TX500 - Total POS
2) 1981 Yamaha ZX550 Vision
3) 1981 Suzuki GS1100EX
4) 1976 Yamaha RD400 - Race Bike
5) 1984 Yamaha RZ350 - Race Bike
6) 2007 Yamaha FZ6
7) 2008 Buell 1125R - Total POS
8) 2006 Yamaha FZ1 - Outstanding Bike
9) 2005 Yamaha R6 Track Bike - Former AMA Racer*
10) 2013 Aprilia Tuono V4R APRC - God Like bike*
12) 1982 Yamaha XV920R - Project, restore bike, this is my baby*
13) 2009 Suzuki GZ250 - Wife's Bike*
14) 1988 Yamaha RZ350 - Canadian bike, full fairing, etal, this is my nightmare!*
15) 2013 Moto Guzzi Stelvio*

* = Still own

[John L.]

Well, I thought I'd be embarrassed  ::)  to admit how many I've had, but after seeing what others have had or still own...
 :bow
Honda  XL 70
68 Honda CL 160
74 Yamaha 360 Enduro
78 Suzuki GS750
81 Suzuki GS1100ex
78 BMW R100S
Moto Guzzi  V7 Sport
89 Moto Guzzi Mille
02 Moto Guzzi EV 1100
07 Moto Guzzi Norge
07 Honda ST1300
06 Ninja 650R
98 Moto Guzzi Bassa
07 TW200
13 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone

Guess I'm barely gettin started!
 ;-T

[ItsForrest]

'77 Yamaha DT250D - bought from my roommate with lights not working. Blew it up, rebuilt it, blew it up, sold it.
'80 Moto Guzzi V50 II - Low miles and looked like new when I bought it, worst built bike I've ever owned. Rode the hell out of it.
'74 Laverda 50 SF2 - Surprised how many Laverdas are on this list.
85 Cagiva 650SS - Sweet bike. Took it on road trips through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and California.
85 Cagiva Alazurra - bought wrecked, titled as a Ducati. Made a nice cafe racer out of it.
87 Cagiva Elefant - never got it running right
?? Aermacchi 250 - never got it running before I had to let it go to someone who would
74 Honda XL250 - typical Honda: worked just fine, boring...
96 Moto Guzzi 1100 Sport - Bought brand new, barely ran, jetting was so bad. After jetting and other mods, a great canyon bike miserable in the city. Not a good dual sport.
96 Suzuki GSF1200 Bandit - Did the standard exhaust, intake, and suspension mods. Rode it too fast, too often. Sold it before I got in too much trouble.
95 Yamaha XT600 - fine bike. Got bored with it and sold it.
02 Suzuki DR650 - Another fine bike. Got bored with it and sold it.
10 BMW F800GS - Very nice bike. Boring.
09 Aprilia Scarabeo 500ie - Is is a scooter or a motorcycle or neither?
08 Triumph Scrambler - Back to basics. Still got it and plan on keeping it.
12 Moto Guzzi Norge - Needed a bike for 2-up and highway. We shall see...

[65_dreamer]

I only started riding in December 2012, so my list is not very long - yet.  ;)

1965 Honda Dream 305
2010 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic

[Cadyfatcat]

95 Honda CH80 scooter
98 Kawasaki Ninja 250
92 Yamaha Seca II 600
94 BMW K75
71 Honda CL350
81 Honda CM400
2000 Guzzi Jackal (soon enough)

[jas67]

1982 Suzuki Katana 1100
1982 Suzuki Katana 1100 (yeah, I've had two... still own one!)
1983 Yamaha Vision 550 (1st bike in 1994)
1994 Suzuki RF600R
1994 Suzuki RF900R
1998 Suzuki TL1000R
2001 Suzuki Hayabusa
2005 Suzuki Hayabusa
2005 Suzuki GSX-R750 (20th Anniversary Edition)
2008 Suzuki B-King (still own)
2012 Triumph Thruxton (still own)

 :bike

No Guzzis, ever?   ???

[Rob Morton]

Passed test.

















 ;D

Rob

[SmithSwede]

For me it all started in 1978 with a Yamaha RD-350 that a buddy and I co-purchased.   Which quickly resulted in my first crash (through a plate glass sliding window of a man's apartment while he watched TV).  Had numerous interesting crashes and near fatalities on that RD.

Lots of miles on that RD.  remember carrying an alligator bag of spark plugs because one or the other would foul after about 100 miles.

Then a Honda CB550F.  Competent, smooth, but kinda dull.  Remember head cover bolts were made of silly-putty and would strip if you looked at them cross-eyed.  On the other hand, it showed me that maybe these 4-stoke gizmos had some role when it came to reliability and fuel economy.

Then a Yamaha Seca 550, with a bikini fairing.  White with red stripes.  Loved, loved, loved that bike!!!  Although it gave me the scare of a lifetime with a very high speed tank slapper when I was being unruly near Avery Island, La.

Put many a mile on a friend's Kawasaki KZ-200 at this time.   A lot of it off-road on street tires. 

Then Suzuki GS-550E.  Cold blooded mother.  Got thoroughly stuck on muddy road and cracked the head cover.  Hated it because traded the 550 Seca for it.  Some magazine said the Suzuki was 2/17 seconds faster in 1/4 mile than my beloved Seca, so to a dumb kid, obvious that Seca was junk.

1983 Suzuki GS1100E.   Now, that one left a mark on me.   I remember putting custom cast iron front brake rotors and custom pistons/master cylinder on that beast.  It had plenty of GO--I needed more STOP.  Another one I wished I still had.

Stopped riding a while.   Lived in Boston.  Had a kid. 

Then BMW R 80/7 airhead.   Loved that bike.   Balanced, smooth, easy to work on.  Heck, my 2013 V7 Stone reminds me of that old airhead in many ways.  Got rid of it as consequence of divorce. 

BMW 1200GS.  Put about 15K miles on it.   Interesting bike, but had many "issues."  And I needed a step ladder to mount it.  Traded it for a

2005 Yamaha FJR 1300.  Neat bike in some ways. But heavy as heck, and had heat issues.  Felt like I was riding a cast iron camp stove one day in August riding through Arkansas.  Got fed up and traded it for a

2007 BMW F800S.   Bought that one with current wife.  Neat bike.  Have had issues.  But still own it. 

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250.  A real surprise.   Bought it as a cheap commuter "boring" bike to keep the miles off my "good" F800S.  Stupid thing stole my heart.   Put Corbin seat on it with a ThrottleMeister--and went all over.   Think I have learned (or re-learned) a lot of things on that silly two-fiddy.   You just have to ignore the fact you are turning 8-10K rpm on the highway. Still have it.

2013 V7 Stone from Mike Haven at MPH in Houston.  Just got last month.  Love this one to death.   It's like a modern airhead, with feel and size of a 1970s era bike.  This one's a keeper.

Also had a lot a 125 to 400cc dirt bikes back in the day.  Funny---unlike my street bikes, I don't recall them in minute detail.  But I learned a lot from those dirt bikes.  Still think if you want to be a confident street rider you should do a lot of slipping and sliding on dirt bike. 

[Rob Morton]

For me it all started in 1978 with a Yamaha RD-350 that a buddy and I co-purchased.   Which quickly resulted in my first crash (through a plate glass sliding window of a man's apartment while he watched TV).  Had numerous interesting crashes and near fatalities on that RD.

Lots of miles on that RD.  remember carrying an alligator bag of spark plugs because one or the other would foul after about 100 miles.

Then a Honda CB550F.  Competent, smooth, but kinda dull.  Remember head cover bolts were made of silly-putty and would strip if you looked at them cross-eyed.  On the other hand, it showed me that maybe these 4-stoke gizmos had some role when it came to reliability and fuel economy.

Then a Yamaha Seca 550, with a bikini fairing.  White with red stripes.  Loved, loved, loved that bike!!!  Although it gave me the scare of a lifetime with a very high speed tank slapper when I was being unruly near Avery Island, La.

Put many a mile on a friend's Kawasaki KZ-200 at this time.   A lot of it off-road on street tires. 

Then Suzuki GS-550E.  Cold blooded mother.  Got thoroughly stuck on muddy road and cracked the head cover.  Hated it because traded the 550 Seca for it.  Some magazine said the Suzuki was 2/17 seconds faster in 1/4 mile than my beloved Seca, so to a dumb kid, obvious that Seca was junk.

1983 Suzuki GS1100E.   Now, that one left a mark on me.   I remember putting custom cast iron front brake rotors and custom pistons/master cylinder on that beast.  It had plenty of GO--I needed more STOP.  Another one I wished I still had.

Stopped riding a while.   Lived in Boston.  Had a kid. 

Then BMW R 80/7 airhead.   Loved that bike.   Balanced, smooth, easy to work on.  Heck, my 2013 V7 Stone reminds me of that old airhead in many ways.  Got rid of it as consequence of divorce. 

BMW 1200GS.  Put about 15K miles on it.   Interesting bike, but had many "issues."  And I needed a step ladder to mount it.  Traded it for a

2005 Yamaha FJR 1300.  Neat bike in some ways. But heavy as heck, and had heat issues.  Felt like I was riding a cast iron camp stove one day in August riding through Arkansas.  Got fed up and traded it for a

2007 BMW F800S.   Bought that one with current wife.  Neat bike.  Have had issues.  But still own it. 

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250.  A real surprise.   Bought it as a cheap commuter "boring" bike to keep the miles off my "good" F800S.  Stupid thing stole my heart.   Put Corbin seat on it with a ThrottleMeister--and went all over.   Think I have learned (or re-learned) a lot of things on that silly two-fiddy.   You just have to ignore the fact you are turning 8-10K rpm on the highway. Still have it.

2013 V7 Stone from Mike Haven at MPH in Houston.  Just got last month.  Love this one to death.   It's like a modern airhead, with feel and size of a 1970s era bike.  This one's a keeper.

Also had a lot a 125 to 400cc dirt bikes back in the day.  Funny---unlike my street bikes, I don't recall them in minute detail.  But I learned a lot from those dirt bikes.  Still think if you want to be a confident street rider you should do a lot of slipping and sliding on dirt bike. 

Heya SmithSwede

Looks like you've put the words where I've laid the pics?
Yes the 350LC, remember having some interesting corner exits, where you are pulling a wheelie while the bike cork screws through the air.
Never a dull moment!

 ~;

Rob

[Damian671]

Started at about 13.

              Old Puch moped
               73 Yamaha RD250
               75 Yamaha RD350
               75 Honda CB500
               74 Honda CB750
               78 Kawasaki KZ1000

Took a break for ten years due to families etc

               75 Honda 750 super sport
               73 Norton 850 commando
               08 Moto Guzzi 1200 sport
The last three are still with me.
I wish I had kept them all. :-\
             

[LongRanger]

Swede, be sure to have the rear end on your '07 F800S checked out. BMW finally issued the long-awaited recall for the bearings and axle last month. My '07 ST will be going in for a look-see as soon as the road thaws.

Lots of "I should have kept that bike" in these posts. I sold a few bikes that I don't miss, but yeah, quite a few others that I wish I never sold. Lesson learned.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[Radarcarve]

OK... can't resist...
1970 BSA 441 Victor
1980 Yamaha 250 Exciter
1971 BSA 441 Victor
1949 Velocette 350
1948 Ariel 500 Red Hunter
1950 AJS 500
1951 Ariel 350 Red Hunter
2001 Harley Softail
2004 BMW R1150RT
2006 883 Sportster
2007 Vstar 1100 Silverado
2004 BMW R1150RT again
1972 Moto Guzzi Ambassador
1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado (Cop)
1970 Moto Guzzi V700
    Most satisfying to ride?  the Sportster

[Lannis]

OK... can't resist...
1970 BSA 441 Victor
1980 Yamaha 250 Exciter
1971 BSA 441 Victor
1949 Velocette 350
1948 Ariel 500 Red Hunter
1950 AJS 500
1951 Ariel 350 Red Hunter
2001 Harley Softail
2004 BMW R1150RT
2006 883 Sportster
2007 Vstar 1100 Silverado
2004 BMW R1150RT again
1972 Moto Guzzi Ambassador
1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado (Cop)
1970 Moto Guzzi V700
    Most satisfying to ride?  the Sportster

So, how do you define "Satisfying"?   I've had quite a few of the bikes you mention, and there's some pretty satisfying ones in there.   Never owned a Sportster though ...

Lannis

[Radarcarve]

I don't know how to define it, but if I had a bike that just felt good all around, it was the Sportster. The handlebars were just right, the thumping of the motor about perfect, the ride was comfortable, and it just felt right. The Yamaha 250 was a close second. I haven't ridden the '72 Ambassador yet, while I get the bike registered and wait for the weather to warm, but it sure looks like it will be a great ride. The Moto Guzzi was owned and ridden by a fellow for 30 years until he died. You can tell it was his pride and joy, for it was well used, rusty in places, but a perfect gem, and immaculate through all the patina.

[Rob Morton]

Is that the rose-colored glasses speaking or was it really that good a bike?  ....  ???   ;)

Lannis

Lannis you've got to say Commando with a Welsh accent slowly and express lodsa awe ...

 ;D

Rob

[Kev m]

OK... can't resist...
1970 BSA 441 Victor
1980 Yamaha 250 Exciter
1971 BSA 441 Victor
1949 Velocette 350
1948 Ariel 500 Red Hunter
1950 AJS 500
1951 Ariel 350 Red Hunter
2001 Harley Softail
2004 BMW R1150RT
2006 883 Sportster
2007 Vstar 1100 Silverado
2004 BMW R1150RT again
1972 Moto Guzzi Ambassador
1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado (Cop)
1970 Moto Guzzi V700
    Most satisfying to ride?  the Sportster

I totally get that...

[SED]

Cant resist either.  and I like the pictures! 

1967 BSA Victor 441   :P


The Victor was awful - so a Loooong period of time passes....

2001 Enfield Bullet (still the only internal combustion engine I've bought new)


1947 Ariel Red Hunter 500


1983 LeMans III.  I first saw a LeMans in the early '80s.  It was the only bike I'd seen since offing the Victor that made me think I wanted another bike.  Took me a couple decades to get one.


1981 Monza.  I'd been looking for a Monza when I found the LM.  A few years later I found the Monza.


1939 Ariel Red Hunter 500.  Had the parts sitting around for years after building the '47 and finally got it running 2 years ago.


Still have the Ariels and Guzzis. 

[meccanicab]

Honda SS50 Sports moped.
Yamaha DT175
Suzuki GT380
Yamaha XJ550
Kawasaki Z750 Turbo
Honda CBR1000FH
Ducati Paso 906
Guzzi Le Man Mk5 1000
Guzzi Centauro GT sport *
Ducati 851
Ducati888
Ducati Monster S4 *
Aprilla Caponord
Guzzi Griso *
Monster 900 carb *
Cagiva Elefant 750 *

* these bike I still own.
The one that got away....the 888, no matter how hard you rode it, there was always more! Not the most comfortable, but was it fun!

[Rob Morton]

"Still have the Ariels and Guzzis.  "

The Nortons look cool also.  ;-T

Rob