What motorcycles have you owned?

Question

What impressions did they make on you? Ill go first.

Old Honda 50cc Mini Bike- The biggest thing I took away from this was the importance of buying children motorcycles. One of the best things my parents ever did for me.

Old Honda XR185- made me feel like I was speed king of the world

Newer Honda CR125R- showed me just how slow I was, taught me that the fastest, sexiest thing out there is not the best choice generally, which is a problem confronted by 90% of new riders and makes them want a R6 when they would be much better served with something more suitable for their intended usage.

1979 Yamaha 125cc dualsport- my first street bike, I urge people to start on an old dual sport when possible, ideally something a little better than a neolithic 125.

1986(?) Honda VFR700F Interceptor- made me speed king of my highscool, by beating all the cars and the only other bike, a Buell Blast. I cant belived how impressed I was with it in retrospect. It kinda sucked. Hard.

2005 Kawasaki ZX-12R Ninja- Too much of a step, taught me its better to ride a slow bike masterfully than a fast bike like a dunce. I still want to get a light twin to refine my technique.

1999 Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird- Ridiculously fast, super naturally refined and composed, economical and stylish. My favorite so far. Still have it.

1997 Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace- A good bike, very nimble compared to the XX or Ninja, but lacking the bottom end. Not nearly as comfortable either, too much R1, not enough FJR for me. It got stolen, the guy made it a few hundred yards then crashed and died, destroying it.

1995 Honda CBR1000F Hurricane- Thought it would be more blackbirdish. Bought cheap, was disappointed, my brother dumped it, and I sold it at a profit. 

1982 Kawasaki KZ1100-D Spectre- Bought primarily so my dad could ride with me, I fell in love with its power delivery, comfort and mechanical honesty.

1982 Honda XL500R- Bought for $500. Its been beat to hell. No insturments or kickstand or battery system. More fun than a barrel of monkeys on acid. I need to get a newer electric start thumper (KLR?) and go on some epic trips.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

-1966 Yamaha YJ-2 "Riverside":  Bought in 1975 for $65.  I was approximately owner #7, and it was already beaten to death.  I made it street-legal again, but it taught me a lot more about rebuilding than riding.  The combination of a two-stroke motor and 6 volt electrics made it a nightmare to keep it running, but I managed to put about 10K miles on it before it seized for the last time on the biggest oversize piston.
-1975 Honda CB360T:  A real motorcycle with two cylinders, 6 speeds and electric start! Wow!  I went everywhere on this one,  Two-up riding, intercity travel.  It even kept running in the rain!  I bent it in a 85mph crash, and it was reborn when I swapped its motor into a 1974 frame with a seized motor.
-1981 CB750F:  My first new bike! I figured that a 750 had more power than i would ever want.  Wrong! But I still own it, after 30 years, and will never part with it.  I've thoroughly upgraded it over the years.  Not much "Honda" left in it now.
-1987 BMW K75S w/Turbo:  The two-up bike.  Endless comfort for two for hours on end.  Bullet-proof, which is good, considering the cost of parts.
-2003 Buell XB9S Lightning:  My first new bike in 22 years.  Crashed my first one in 2008 at the track, converted it to track use only, and bought a second one for the street.  My favorite bike, by far! Not huge on power, but just the right amount for the street.
-2005 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster Roadster:  I was so impressed with my Buell, I though I would try a "real" Harley.  I ground down the muffler, foot-pegs, and side-stand foot in corners, all while yawning.  Boring, modest performance, bass-ackward riding position.  Forced myself to put 3,000 miles on it, and sold it the following Spring.  Goodbye!
-2008 Buell 1125R:  The solution to getting passed on the straightaways at the race-track.  WAY too much power to be fun on the street.
-2001 Buell Blast:  Bought it used (mint) for sue as a "loaner" bike for friends.  Have only ridden it a few hundred miles my self, but the name says it all:  It's a total hoot to ride a bike that you can nail the throttle on anytime, anywhere, without launching yourself into the roadside scenery.  A great reminder of when bikes were simple, basic and just plain fun.
Here are some photos:
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_766ECMP6PUB6DYVSWTDTMKRV7U/album/photos/267129
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_766ECMP6PUB6DYVSWTDTMKRV7U/album/photos/267105
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_766ECMP6PUB6DYVSWTDTMKRV7U/album/photos/57013
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_766ECMP6PUB6DYVSWTDTMKRV7U/album/photos/267130
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_766ECMP6PUB6DYVSWTDTMKRV7U/album/photos/57015&#92;
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_766ECMP6PUB6DYVSWTDTMKRV7U/album/photos/267103

landersonjr1958 · Answer

Started on a 1972 Honda 360, wow I have a motorcycle. ...Kawie 440 LTD first new bike nice bike but had to sell it cause 3 kids and crappy winter (it went to England).... Suzukie 550 just happy to be in the saddle .....2002 Vulcan 800, wanted a Harley but settled for this (big mistake, tried to trade it in after a week they offered me 1/2 what I payed for it)....current bike 2005 Harley Road King Police Edition ( I love this bike) put 35000 miles on this in the last 4 years. This bike will be in my garage till I cant ride anymore. Told my grandson he can have this bad boy someday. He's 3. Plan on being on it a loooong time.

mn · Answer

will write a list... of the ones I remember..& if I remember them they were either good or death traps..LOL

so many bikes....  sometimes wonder if there all still on the road somewhere

Honda CB175,CB250 about 6 of these,CB360 only 2 of these,CB450 3 of these.. some I sold, others were in accidents some I blew the engines..

Kawasaki..   2 stroke triples..  250 & 500..  the 500 was scary..

Suzuki  2 stroke twin.. 250 X7  & 550 ram air..Savage LS650

Yamaha.2 stroke twin . RD200..RD250. RD350  air cooled..  RDLC250 & 350.  RZ 350. had a heap of 70cc step throughs as well

XS 360.. XS750 triple..FJ1100..

Benelli 2 stroke..250 2C..

& a few others Ive forgotten all about...

Oh yeah..Current ride..  Ducati 800 Sport..

Robin · Answer

Suzuki 250 X7 OK
Yamaha RD 200, 250, 350, 400...the 400 is wicked would like to try a 500 one day.
Kawasaki Z650 and Z750
Honda CBT 1000F Hurricane... swine nearly killed me on the way home. 
Numerous scooters and mopeds and a quad
Yamaha XT500

quasar_uk_98 · Answer

honda CB200 ( passed my test on it)

Triumph Bonneville 750

honda CX500

suzuki GSX750

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What motorcycles have you owned?

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