My First Three (3) Motorcycles - Wish I Still Had Them

[RevRider]

My favorite firsts:

1981 Honda CB750F Super Sport, silver, blue stripes. I would motor right past those Z1s when they started their high speed tank slappers

1982 Yamaha Seca 650 (XJ650), silver, blue & white stripes. Dinner plate sized headlight.

1992 Honda CBR900RR, original red, white and blue. Holey fairings. Super light weight.

These were the bikes that shaped my riding love and moved me into road racing. Ah, the good ole days. *sigh*

I remember those, all beautiful bikes.

 

[FZ1]

I am editing my response, I initially thought your Z1 would stomp my 750F, but after further review it would be close. The Z1 quarter times was 12.2 to 12.6; my 750F was 12.5 in the quarter. I will assume you are the better rider, so victory to the Z1 & GMAN.

On the other hand, my Suzuki GS1100E would destroy the Z1 with a quarter mile time of 11.10 to 11.20. The Zuke’s were Kawi killers.

RevRider

There ain't no replacement for displacement.

 

[RevRider]

1970 Honda 450 Scrambler (High School graduation present from my mom).

1978 Kawasaki KZ 1000 (Fastest bike you could buy that year).

1984 Honda V65 Magna

1985 Kawasaki Voyager 1300 inline 6 cylinder.

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The V65 was a monster in straight line acceleration, I remember all those bikes. If the Japanese bike manufacturer wants to build their sales, build back those bikes. Forget about the VTwins, go back to your roots.

 

[RevRider]

Three late 1980 Yamaha Maxims - 550, 750, then a 700. Haven't had a motorcycle since 1992.

I will never ride a motorcycle again. Was on my bicycle in 2013 and saw a brutal motorcycle accident. The guy was doing something stupid and doing it very fast, then lost control. I was the first one to get to him, got traffic stopped, and talked to him. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. He was missing a massive amount of skin and muscle and even his helmet had holes rubbed in it. I talked to him until he lost consciousness and I watched the life leak out of him. There was nothing I could do but watch. When the police and EMS got there I gave a statement and rode my bike 13 miles home. That was a long ride.

See something like that can be a life changing event; a tragic loss.

 

[RevRider]

My first three starting at the age of 6, were a Honda Trail 50, Yamaha YZ80, and Honda CR125. All before the age of 16. The first streetbikes were a Honda 750F Super Sport, Honda V65 Sabre, Yamaha FJ1200.

My favorite bike of all time is this old big-bore stroker hot rod, which I try to keep looking close to stock for sleeper purposes.

A couple days ago on a two-up ride with the wife (who also started riding at the age of 6), at a high mountain lake which is just emerging from it's layer of winter ice.

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Hayabusa?

 

[alarmguy]

I’m wondering if the bike I spoke about was a late 1970s 450 and not 400?

 

[FZ1]

The V65 was a monster in straight line acceleration, I remember all those bikes. If the Japanese bike manufacturer wants to build their sales, build back those bikes. Forget about the VTwins, go back to your roots.

Had an '85 V65 Sabre. Brute force but so heavy.

 

[tcp71]

First 3 bikes:
1982 KZ750L

1990 ZX10

1994 ZX6

 

[jadmt]

I have owned over 20 motorcycles and really only a couple I wish I kept.
this was my favorite. bought new in 1977 at 18 years old and took it from Montana to Mexico the day I graduated high school.
I will find some photos of the other one I wish I had kept a 1999 R1100S. I put 40,000 miles on that in 2 years.
I had a 2004 Harley FLHT I put 80,000 miles on in 4 years and never had a single issue with that bike. Had a 2009 FLHR I put a ton of miles on without issues but that was my last harley. I built it and it would surprise kids on sportbikes it was putting out about 125hp/125tq. I came across motorcycles naturally as this was my dad back in the day.....

 

[NibbanaBanana]

My first bike was a 1970's Honda trail bike. 70 or 90cc IIRC. My friend came riding up with it and needed some money. I traded him the princely sum of $12 for it. The only thing that was wrong with it was that he had broke the kick starter off and you had to bump start it. I rode it for years without a single problem. Made the huge mistake of lending it to some friends in the early 80's and they trashed it by doing jumps.

Next one was a 1970's Honda CB 450. Again, bought used from a friend. Just puttering around and sent a valve through a piston head. Repaired everything and eventually sold back to the original owner.

Third one was a 1972 Yamaha 650 twin. Modeled after the Triumphs. Loved the bike. Bought used for $625 which I considered a good deal. I think $1 per cc was a very good price for used in good condition back then. Had to change the timing chain on that one because it stretched out and jumped a tooth and I couldn't time it. Common problem on those old Japanese motorbikes. Eventually gave it to a friend.

Do I wish I had kept them? Not a bit. My new 2023 Moto Guzzi is so smooth and comfortable compared to those old motorbikes. Starts every time. Handles beautifully. I don't have to worry about points and timing and carburetors.

 

[Snagglefoot]

My first bike was an early seventies used 350 Suzuki two cycle. Later I purchased a brand new 1982 Yamaha 650 Seca. It was a neat bike set up with a European style CAFE riding position and had a 4 cylinder DOHC air cooled four with an oil cooler and a shaft drive. I recall the brochure said “Beat the Europeans to the next cafe”.

I survived riding for about 7 years but moved on. I still appreciate all bikes as an art form but don’t ride any more.

 

[Pete in PA]

650, then right to the biggest, fastest.
Now dropping back down in displacement.

 

[UncleDave]

Good Evening Board,

For fun I thought I would list my first three (3) bike I owned:

1. 1980 Honda 400 Hawk
2. 1980 Honda 750F
3. 1982 Suzuki GS1100e

When I bought my 750F, I desperately wanted to buy the CBX, but just didn’t have the income to do it. I loved my 750F, and then a friend of mine came over on his GS1100e, he let me ride it, and 3 days later I bought one.

I am hopelessly addicted to motorcycles!

RevRider

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Dude.

This is beyond close to my first three.

1. 1980 Honda Hawk - wasn't technically mine but was mine to use for a full calendar year.
2. 79- CB 750F Super Sport.
3. 82 GS 1100E.

The Suzuki was probably the best all around bike Ive ever owned.

Cue the semi mullet (best I could do with an Afro) and porn stash picture.

People ask all the time how come I dont have more pictures of stuff but its hard to explain to kids today that we didnt carry cameras around with us all the time - and thank god we didnt.

 

[jadmt]

650, then right to the biggest, fastest.
Now dropping back down in displacement.

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I had a Double X showing 170mph on the speedometer..not sure what the true speed was but I am guessing ~160 and change...it felt stable and smooth. I also had a sabre for bit of time. thought it was fast until I rode a Vmax.

 

[UncleDave]

650, then right to the biggest, fastest.
Now dropping back down in displacement.

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I had that nighthawk and V65 as well.

 

[Pete in PA]

I had a Double X showing 170mph on the speedometer..not sure what the true speed was but I am guessing ~160 and change...it felt stable and smooth. I also had a sabre for bit of time. thought it was fast until I rode a Vmax.

XX was other worldly. Mine was a 98, did an ignition advancer, jetted, etc. Took it from 134 RWHP to just short of 150 RWHP. Took it to 180 MPH WAY too many times, amazing I'm still here.
Slowing down now in my old age.