Author Topic: What was your very first bike? (Read 4347 times)

Slufoot · « **on:** November 25, 2008, 03:03:28 PM »

All of us had to start somewhere, so lets hear about your first bike.

When I was 12 years old I got my first bike, it was a well used Hodaka 125 Wombat. I think it was a 1971 model. I had alot of fun on that old bike when it would run. I learned how to mechanic at a very early age because of that bike. All of my grass cutting money went for gas, 2-cycle oil and parts.

Slufoot

AtlLaw · « **Reply #1 on:** November 25, 2008, 03:19:17 PM »

Not counting a motorbike I had before I got my driver's license, my first bike was a Harley "Hummer." Wish I had that thing now! Talk about money!

Cheesehead · « **Reply #2 on:** November 25, 2008, 03:21:32 PM »

I was also 12, when I bought a Rupp mini-bike, with my lawn mowing money.

Cheese

Old Syko · « **Reply #3 on:** November 25, 2008, 03:47:23 PM »

Quote from: Cheesehead on November 25, 2008, 03:21:32 PM

I was also 12, when I bought a Rupp mini-bike, with my lawn mowing money.

Cheese

That brings back bad memories. Rupp mini-bike wide open on a rutted out gravel road, lost control and made a human tunnel through quite a length of roadside multifloral rose. Most dangerous set of wheels I ever owned.

hogrdr · « **Reply #4 on:** November 25, 2008, 04:46:27 PM »

Does Tote Gote count spent childhood riding the tires off that old goat around our summer cabin. At the time I felt like Evil Kenivel boy I was in my own world at that time!

Hog

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2008, 07:36:36 PM »

First scooter was a Cushman.First bike was a Triumph Tiger set up for flat track.When I got back from VN in 68 I picked up a 1955 BMW which I bobbed and tore up Cali till I got out of the Corps.

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** November 26, 2008, 03:29:28 AM »

Back about '59 or so my friend's dad died. His mom used the insurance money to buy her a new '59 Ford Galaxie and him a Harley Davidson of about 165cc in size the model designation I do not recall. We rode all over the county on that one.

My personal first came much later in life after I was married and was also a Harley but a 125cc dirt bike I think was called a Rapido but am not sure of that. I went all over the national forest on that one and a few more like it all 125s and they seemed ideal for the task.

I tried a Honda 175 or 185 street bike but didn't care much for it. I had a couple of HD 350s one a street bike and one a dirt bike. Didn't care much for them for woods riding as they were too heavy and had way more HP than needed for my style of dirt riding. I used the bike to get me to places I'd not otherwise be able to get to not to see how fast it would go or how high a hill I could climb.

I've never had a larger street only type bike and riding highways really just never has appealed to me. These days the old body won't take the pounding and all the roads are now closed off to motorized bikes anyway. Unless it's open to trucks and cars it's not open to bikes either here in Bama.

I now have a Yamaha 350 Bruin 4x2 with winch I use around here on my small piece of land but it never goes anywhere else as I said around here they are for private land use only other than one ORV trail up in the NF which is used by the speed demons whose only interest is to see how fast they can ride. I care not to be on the same trail with such folks.

Matt rides a crotch rocket at least in nice weather but as I said the street bikes never appealed to me.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #7 on:** November 26, 2008, 10:04:48 AM »

My first bike was a heathkit mini-bike with a 10 horse briggs and stratton engine. It had a big fat rear tire and a ski you could put on the front tire and ride it in the snow.

My first street bike was a '70 Norton commando 750. I got it off some guy that raped it. King and queen seat, sportster tank, coffin turn signals, sissy bar complete with bayonet, 13" extension on the forks and no rake and lets not forget the ape hangers.

I literrally had that bike 15 minutes and wrecked. I could barely get the tips of my toes to touch the ground and took off into a turn from a dead stop and laid it down. I slid into the curb and the only thing I hurt was my pride. the bike took a little damage but just footpeg and levers. I sold it soon after but wish I still had it. I would restore it of course.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2008, 02:16:48 PM »

sears alstate when i was 14 POS

400 suzuki ts? trail bike with tag....doesn't run but can't throw it out after 35 years

jlwilliams · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2008, 02:23:44 PM »

'72 Honda CB 175. Damn near the smallest twin you can get. Looked like an Ariel, had a real Euro look to it.

deernhog · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2008, 02:26:55 AM »

I bought a Suzuki 400 cruiser that was the last model made kick start only around 1980. Rode the wheels off of it me and the OL until something came between us. Nine months later I parked it and only started it twice afterwards. Finally sold it

bubba · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2008, 07:28:10 AM »

I never was into the off road. My first bike was a triumph 650 back in 77. Rode it from arizona back to ny in 78. I was told I was nuts back then and I guess I still am. Planning a ride from ny to sturgis next year for the rally for my 50th birthday next month.

Dirt Bag · « **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2008, 12:44:58 PM »

Chopped CB750K -- for one summer (got it used and beat) - would fall over by itself -- No matter, 'cause it looked and sounded cool.

Mike Britton · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2008, 04:01:54 PM »

When we were kids my cousin and I raced serious go karts. My mom had no problem with me flinging a go kart with twin mac 20's around but she put her foot down on bikes.
So I snuck around and rode my cousin's Allstate 125 until we got old enough to drive cars.
When I came home from the army in '69 my wife bought me a '56 Triumph thunderbird 650 set up for flat track.
Took a RAY-O-Vac 6 volt lantern battery and made a total loss lighting system so I could get a plate. Rode that old dog EVERYWHERE!
I've gone through a LOT of bikes but I still have that old flat tracker. However, now I'n 60, and sliding sideways isn't as easy as it used to be.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2008, 04:11:00 PM »

Quote from: deernhog on November 27, 2008, 02:26:55 AM

I bought a Suzuki 400 cruiser that was the last model made kick start only around 1980. Rode the wheels off of it me and the OL until something came between us. Nine months later I parked it and only started it twice afterwards. Finally sold it

was that the savage?? i have a dr370 baja racing version of that bike..with lights and tag

Spanky · « **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2008, 07:30:08 PM »

My parents bought me a used green Honda Trail 70...
It had small fat tires and folding handlebars.
I was 6 or 7 at the time.

Spanky

GregP42 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 27, 2008, 11:28:45 PM »

My first bike was a 68 Suzuki T500, I rode that thing forever and ever until it shattered a piston one night, but by then I had finished putting together a 69 T120R Bonneville that I had bought as a basket case. My dad rode an Ariel square 4 and my grandfather rode Indians. It has been 13 years since I was on a bike but I still keep my licenses current just because. Over the years I have had Triumphs, Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas, and even a Matchless, but I will always have a soft spot for that T500 even if it was the most ill tempered thing when it wanted to be.

Greg

Matt · « **Reply #17 on:** November 28, 2008, 08:03:44 AM »

First bike was a Honda CR80.... wicked fun little thing put me on my butt many of times....

mikedb · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2008, 01:50:58 AM »

First one that was mine was an off brand minibike with a 3.5 Tecumseh. First "real bike" that I rode was a Honda 50. I later bought a 1974 Honda 360 that I took everywhere.

Czech_too · « **Reply #19 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:20:43 PM »

A Bridgestone 90cc which I bought used when I was stationed overseas. Had a rotary shift, no 1 down 4 up. Put what I 'thought' were a lot of miles on it and then bought a Suzuki TS250. Great bike, wish I still had it. Bought a '72 H2 Kaw when I got back stateside. What a death machine! Crashed it, bought a '75 Norton which I still have but I ride a '98 Buell S3T now.

95Road King · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2008, 03:11:29 PM »

Mine was a 1949 Harley, tank shift, foot clutch. Traded my 1940 Ford Sedan for it in 1962!!

jgalar · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2008, 03:33:48 AM »

My first motorized 2 wheeler was a Rupp Mini Enduro. My first bike with manual gears was a Aermacchis HD. A 3 speed shift from the left grip by turning the whole grip assembly (like a 3 speed bicycle). It was a 65cc 2 stroke. It was free.

Swampman · « **Reply #22 on:** December 02, 2008, 12:19:26 PM »

Mine was a Honda CL90.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #23 on:** December 04, 2008, 02:45:15 PM »

I bought a Honda CB 125 with paper route money I was 12. Dad never liked that thing. I got a HD 1200 EVO sportster motor and a new ridged frame and a few other peices parts that hopefully will be a motorcycle one of thease days.

Mike Britton · « **Reply #24 on:** December 05, 2008, 06:38:35 AM »

Quote from: Badnews Bob on December 04, 2008, 02:45:15 PM

I bought a Honda CB 125 with paper route money I was 12. Dad never liked that thing. I got a HD 1200 EVO sportster motor and a new ridged frame and a few other peices parts that hopefully will be a motorcycle one of thease days.

I think Sportsters are some of the best HD has to offer. Fast as stink, good handleing, get off road, if you have to.

Swampman · « **Reply #25 on:** December 05, 2008, 07:14:48 AM »

I've owned 4 Sportsters and they are my favorite.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #26 on:** December 05, 2008, 09:15:47 AM »

This will be my first one and I'm gonna build her myself........I hope.

funshooter2 · « **Reply #27 on:** December 11, 2008, 05:22:51 PM »

First scooter, I was 16 and talked Dad into a 50cc Monkey-Wards "Silver Pidgeon". Very mis-nammed as it was the brightest international orange you can imagine. Looked like a Vespa. Would go forever on a half gallon of gas at about 40mph. First motorcycle was a rental Yamaha Twin 100 every week end between my 17 & 18th birthdays, then took my hay-field money and bought a Honda 305cc Super Hawk my senior year. Put almost 20k miles on it in KS and S.Cal. Had it shipped out there when I got stationed at Norton. Great bike. Sold it when I got shipped to SE Asia.

TexSabre · « **Reply #28 on:** December 17, 2008, 04:10:57 AM »

Quote from: jlwilliams on November 26, 2008, 02:23:44 PM

'72 Honda CB 175. Damn near the smallest twin you can get. Looked like an Ariel, had a real Euro look to it.

Same here. Sales guy said it was a fair dirt bike and handled well on the road. Truth was it was way too heavy for the dirt and way too underpowered for the hi way. Got the wife pregnant, bike had to go!

Bill AKA TexSabre

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #29 on:** December 17, 2008, 04:59:48 AM »

had a 125 benneli (spelling) as my first. It had a handy tube on the underside of the gas cap to measure out the correct amount of the 2 cycle oil to be added to the fuel.
The guys that I really envied were just a few blocks away and they had three 250cc Hodaka Super Rat's going on a daily basis...sounded like chainsaws on steroids!