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NancysToy
12-14-2009, 10:30 PM
For those of you who have ridden before, and those of you whose Spyder is your first motorcycle, what was the first motorcycle you owned (or rode) and when? My first ride was a step-trough Cushman around 1958. I was just custodian of it for the neighbor, however, so the first I owned was a $10 Whizzer I bought in 1962 when I was 14. Nancy's first ride was on a Honda CB160 about six or seven years ago. She has owned a 1968 Honda Trail 90 for about five years, but the Spyder was her first street ride...at the age of 54.

GA-SPYDER
12-14-2009, 10:42 PM
1968 Honda 350 Scrambler. Couple of riding buddies went out and bought Honda 750's. Couldn't keep up with them, sooo, my next bike was a '72 CB 750 K2.:thumbup:

RAL
12-14-2009, 10:46 PM
A 1975 root beer brown Kawasaki KZ 400. She had a disc brake and pushed about 35 HP. Great first bike. Rode it like I stole it right from the start. Would give the Yamaha 650 twins that were common then a run.
I paid right at $1200 for her. For another $600 I could have got the KZ900. Thought about it but glad I didn't, not a good first bike. Likey would not be here:yikes:


RAL

RodO
12-14-2009, 11:24 PM
Three years ago, I got a '76 Kawasaki KZ900, but it blowed up after something like 36 miles (it's still in parts), so I picked up an '07 Suzuki V-Strom 650, which I traded in June '09 towards my Spyder. :clap:

Ken C
12-15-2009, 12:04 AM
After my friends Bull Taco, my first ride was my fathers 1965 Honda 55. Shortly thereafter he traded it in for a Honda Trail 90. That thing would climb a wall if it could get traction. It had a small lever under the crankcase that you could flip to a real low gear ratio. I rode the heck out of that little bike, on the highway and in the dirt. Yes the highway..... I'd take it on the freeway and twist the throttle til it could twist no more in an attempt to keep up with traffic. It had no tach so I never knew how fast she was spinning but she never blew! Some years later he stepped up to a Honda 350. I laid it down one day racing a friend of mine. Boy, did I hear about that one! In my twenties my very own first purchase was a Maroon 1979 Honda CB650. Wish I still had that one. Good memories were had and I'm still alive. :2thumbs:

BillGargan
12-15-2009, 12:57 AM
1975 Suzuki GT380

turk
12-15-2009, 06:17 AM
1966 honda scrambler, wish i still had it!

NautiBrit
12-15-2009, 06:40 AM
I started off with a James 125, vintage unknown, that I found in a field and brought back to life. I then talked my father into sharing a BSA 250 then a Lambretta TV175. I quickly realized that I wanted to be a "mod" not a "rocker".

retread
12-15-2009, 07:09 AM
1948 Cushman Pacemaker in 1954, then a Whizzer Sportsman in 1956 (kick start model on a 20 inch bike with pegs, no pedals), then a Triumph 200 Tiger Cub in 1957.

john

WizardMaster
12-15-2009, 08:00 AM
'87 Kan a Tuna. (Katana)

NancysToy
12-15-2009, 08:09 AM
1948 Cushman Pacemaker in 1954, then a Whizzer Sportsman in 1956 (kick start model on a 20 inch bike with pegs, no pedals), then a Triumph 200 Tiger Cub in 1957.

john
I knew there was something I liked about you. Sounds like a mirror of my first rides. My Whizzer was a Sportsman, too, but I really wanted a Simplex. Traded up to a Mustang a year later. My first Triumph was a 1953 rigid frame 650 in 1964, but my dad made me sell it......and probably saved my life in the bargain.

MarkLawson
12-15-2009, 08:10 AM
I bought my first bike in the spring of 1989. It was a black 1980 GL1100 Goldwing. I replaced it a year later with a new wineberry 1989 GL1500 Goldwing. I replaced that one with a new black 2001 GL1800A Goldwing, which I still have. I expect to keep it even after my RT comes in, but I also figure that after the first riding season with the RT, I may be able to decide if I can live with just one or if I need to hang onto both.

chris56
12-15-2009, 09:48 AM
in europe its (still) not allowed to drive a bike with more than 50ccm max speed 30mls/h - if you are not 18 years old ( now 17)..
so I startet 1972 with a watercooled zündapp ( 7hp) - too fast for the police .. after that a Norton 650 and a lot of BMW´s
chris

sabunim5
12-15-2009, 11:17 AM
1963 Susuki 80 cc with knobby tires and "trail gears". At 14 it put me on the road by myself. :yes: In a car you had to have an "adult" with you in order to drive for the first two years. My parents bought it used in 1965, and I worked 3 after school and weekend jobs to pay them back, cover the insurance, gas, oil etc.

Donzo
12-15-2009, 11:53 AM
As a kid I had a 3&1/2 hp Sears mini bike, then the much faster Rupp Hustler 7hp then a Honda 250cc.
First Road bike was a Kawi 1000 LTD, used that to go cross country right after getting out of college. Wish I had kept the LTD - very fast and comfy....
Since then I've had 9 other bikes. Still have my Sabre 1100 and a Motoguzzi ElDorado 900.

GI Jane
12-15-2009, 01:42 PM
The first I rode on was a 1967 Triumph Bonneville or Daytona (can't remember.....it's an age thing). Was hooked from that day on. Bought an 1100 V-Star in 2005 but that was a bit too powerful for me.....then along came a:spyder2: in 2008.

ataDude
12-15-2009, 02:13 PM
First of about 30:
http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/archives/troyce/images/MopedCoralCream1961.jpg
http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/sears_allstate/images/Sears_Allstate_Moped.jpg

Magic Man
12-15-2009, 03:53 PM
The list is now long, but I still remember my first bike well. :agree:

It was a 1965 80cc Yamaha road bike I bought with the paper route money I saved for $100. It was already "beyond clapped out" when I got it, but I still loved it to death. :clap:

I rode it in the dirt for years and it gave it's life for God and country for sure. When It finally was "put down" it was because the compression was too low to be able to "pop start it" anymore. As at 4th over bore when I got it, there was no place left to go.

But at thre time, to me it was better than anything, and it shined like a bright star in my life. :2thumbs:

It had 15,000 miles on it when I got it, and like I said it was already bored 4th over and down on compression then. For at that time this was HUGE miles on these tiny 2 stroke engines. :yikes:

I think I spent more time fixing it to keep it running than riding it. :gaah:

But that is where and how I learned to "make it work" and owe that little bike more about what it taught me than I ever knew at the time. :bowdown:

Since than the list has gotten too long to say without trying sound like shameless bragging, so I won't. :opps:

But that little Yamaha and what it taught me still holds a special place in my heart. :thumbup:

MM

indian02
12-15-2009, 04:39 PM
For those of you who have ridden before, and those of you whose Spyder is your first motorcycle, what was the first motorcycle you owned (or rode) and when? My first ride was a step-trough Cushman around 1958. I was just custodian of it for the neighbor, however, so the first I owned was a $10 Whizzer I bought in 1962 when I was 14. Nancy's first ride was on a Honda CB160 about six or seven years ago. She has owned a 1968 Honda Trail 90 for about five years, but the Spyder was her first street ride...at the age of 54.
I don't mean to make you feel old but i was born in 1958. Now that i have made you feel old my first bike was a Honda trail 70. I was riding through a field of tall grass one day and hit a bob-wire fence head on and came to a quick stop and took a nice flight over the handle bars. I bought a Honda 360 after that and ran over a beagle that had ran across the road in front of me with just shorts on. I was the one wearing the shorts I got a real nice road rash off of that. That was in 1970. I thought i would never ride again. The bug bit me again after that and i went out and bought a 2002 Indian then 2008 Harley Road king Classic and a 2009 Spyder. I still have all 3 of those. I was just kidding you about being old. Here in Louisville they had a antique motorcycle show this past summer. They had a cushman and a whizzer in the show along with alot of other vintage bikes

indian02
12-15-2009, 04:46 PM
I bought my first bike in the spring of 1989. It was a black 1980 GL1100 Goldwing. I replaced it a year later with a new wineberry 1989 GL1500 Goldwing. I replaced that one with a new black 2001 GL1800A Goldwing, which I still have. I expect to keep it even after my RT comes in, but I also figure that after the first riding season with the RT, I may be able to decide if I can live with just one or if I need to hang onto both.
You might want to hang on to your Goldwing. It always nice to be able to ride a different bike every now and then. If one of them is in the shop and its a nice day outside then you will have a backup to ride on.

SpyderGirl
12-15-2009, 05:45 PM
My first bike was a 1984 Honda Nighthawk CB750S - red & black. I sold that relatively quickly cuz I couldn't ride it really (too tall) and got a 2006 Honda Rebel 250 and then a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 800B. I traded the Vulcan in when I got the Spyder and then later bought (then wrecked and totalled) a 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250. Now I just have the Spyder and a Kawi KLX140L dirt bike. The hubby has a 1998 Honda Nighthawk CB750 and soon a dirt bike... maybe a mid-90's KX250.

2spyders
12-15-2009, 06:16 PM
Almost 20 years ago I bought a 1987 Yamaha TW200. Great bike to learn on. The tires were so big it almost stood up by itself.:D

Yazz
12-15-2009, 06:48 PM
The first bike I rode was in the mid-60's. A little kid's mini-bike. First thing I did was look at a big ol' rose bush. Yup, it stopped the bike and me.

Second time I rode a bike was in the early '80's. Hubbies dirt bike that you can't touch the ground with your toes type. Tried to learn to ride it in our cul-de-sac. Hit a car... parked... in our neighbor's drive way...

Hubby wanted to get a HD. I'm a sucker for low compression engines and stated if he got one, I got one. Fair is fair. Took riding classes and the rest is history. Thats where the second love of my life came into the picture. '98 FXSTS Springer Soft Tail. Tricked her out myself. Its painful every time I see her waiting for me. Hubby rides her now and then to keep her juices going but... the only thing that can make her look better, is me riding on her. One of these days we are going to tear up the town together again.

Just glad I got Spydee so ma' kneeze are in the breeze again. Not looking at the back of Hubbies noggin.:D

Smylinacha
12-15-2009, 08:15 PM
Harley Sportster - hated it. Had a dirtbike also which was fun, then a couple of Hondas which I liked, then my Deluxe and then the Spyder.

Dudley
12-15-2009, 08:32 PM
1962 Honda 150 Dream, bought new in December of 1961. Even though I only had it for 3 months before I wrecked it, it ignited the love of motorcycling that has been with me since that first day I rode it home. I joined the Air Force in June of 1962 and it wasn't until after my four years that I was able to ride again and have ever since (July 1966 to now).

Rando
12-15-2009, 09:11 PM
A very used 1965 Sears Allstate Puch Scrambler purchased in 1974.

SpyderWolf
12-15-2009, 09:28 PM
My first bike was bought used about 1976 and was a beat up Suzuki 125 Enduro. I had a blast on that bike until I finally blew it up. Around 1981 I got a Yamaha 400 street bike, and used to ride it to high school. Trying to ride it in February, in Michigan, proved to be a serious mistake one morning as I ended up totaling it in 1982. I then stayed away from motorcycles until 1986 when I bought a brand new Suzuki GSX-R 750 as a young Marine. I sold that bike when I got married, and have missed riding until the Spyder came along.

BajaRon
12-15-2009, 10:53 PM
1968 Kawasaki 350 Avenger scrambler 2 Stroke. Blew the doors off all the Honda 350's which is what everyone thought was the cat's meow. I could have had a Honda but I'd have gotten something else even if it wasn't as good just to be different.

Then I bumped up to a 1970 Kawasaki Tripple 500 2 Stroke when all my buddies went to the Honda 750. I was back on top of the speed situation. But neither of them handled as well or rode as smooth as the Honda's.

Oh well, you can't have it all!

SethO
12-16-2009, 05:26 AM
I started riding when I was 12, in 1992, honda trail 70, rode the crap out of it, leaked oil out the main seal, the thottle stuck a few times, crashed it riding in the snow, just hurt some , picked it back up. My dad sold it, got on a few friends dirt bikes here and there, not really my thing,

A few buddies of mine had rockets and I rode my buddies 01 r6 to his house because it was too cool to ride for him, I didn't know about the kickstand cut out so he thought that was funny, I hit 178 on the speedo, no lid, no jacket, typical 22 year old and was instantly hooked, at that speed you can't hear the engine redlining in 5th, was an odd thing to learn at 150+.

I was deployed to bosnia in 03-04 and bought my first bike a month after I got back I was the proud owner of a 05 suzuki RF900 that I got for 2700, I friend of a friend in the twin cities had fixed it up after a crash, it was in green and was down one tooth in the front, would redline at 170ish in 5th. Was the best all around bikes I have had, put 10k on it the first year I had it in MN which isn't too bad if you are working 3 jobs and starting in June.

Got full time the next year and bought a 01 cbr929 maxed out, lost my license the 2nd day I had it for 4 speeds in 12 months. Got in mild crash in august 1st of 05, broken collar bone, 2 ribs,head injury, riding at night, guy with no boat trailer lights.

Went down to the twin cities again and bought a 02 yamaha r1, that had been in mild crash, test drove it with a broken collar bone, repainted it kawi orange, road the **** out of it, Sold that for 5500 and bought a 00 kawi zx12rr for 2500!! with 1800 miles on it, with 195hp to the rear tire, guy said his wife was scared when he road it.

I still have that and put over 12k on that in 07 when I had my accident on a 98 yzf 600 I bought for the girl I was engaged to before I got hurt, I also had an extra 98 gsxr600 i bought to sell.

I bought the spyder in 09 and I have 18.5k on it right now.

I MISS 2 WHEELS but the spyder is as close as I can get right now and I have yet to meet an owner I did not like.

BumbleBee
12-16-2009, 06:04 AM
Bought my first bike in June of 2009, 09 SE5 Spyder, never owned or rode a bike before :2thumbs: :spyder2: :ohyea: :yes:

Lamonster
12-16-2009, 09:02 AM
I think the first mini bike I rode was a Taco22, then a Montgomery Wards mini bike. Then I hung out with a gal that had a Honda QA50 before getting my first bike. I was into CB radios back then and I would build and repair radios to get extra money. My folks didn't have any extra so I had to make due with what I had to work with.

I paid $10 for a CB and sold it for $20. Bought one for $20 and I sold it for $40. Bought one for $40 and sold it for $80 and used that money to buy my first motorcycle a 1969 Kaw 90. I was 12 at the time. :doorag:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=21&pictureid=396
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=21&pictureid=397

Gimpy Girl
12-16-2009, 10:43 AM
Started with a dirt bike- a Yamaha RT 180, and then moved to street bikes. 1st bike was a 1980 Yamaha Maxim XJ 650. The guy who sold it to me beat the tar out of it, so I learned to do a lot of work on that bike myself. Great bike to learn to work on, but ended up needing lots of help to repair what I'd tried to fix on my own!

Neez
12-16-2009, 03:21 PM
In 1960, I met a guy who wanted to trade his old NSU Fox for my beat-up Hillman-Minx. I don't know what year or displacement the NSU was, but I recall the headlight was busted and the kick starter didn't work. You could legally ride a motorcycle in Alberta in those days if had a car drivers licence. Drill was to run with this thing, pop the clutch and leap aboard. Tore up my clothes and my hide pretty good learning how and then rode home in the dark, no headlight, through downtown Calgary, dodging cops. Loved that bike!

NancysToy
12-16-2009, 03:41 PM
In 1960, I met a guy who wanted to trade his old NSU Fox for my beat-up Hillman-Minx. I don't know what year or displacement the NSU was, but I recall the headlight was busted and the kick starter didn't work. You could legally ride a motorcycle in Alberta in those days if had a car drivers licence. Drill was to run with this thing, pop the clutch and leap aboard. Tore up my clothes and my hide pretty good learning how and then rode home in the dark, no headlight, through downtown Calgary, dodging cops. Loved that bike!
A Hillman-Minx...four-on-the-tree shifter. Bet there aren't many here besides you and me that can say they ever drove a car with four on the tree. :2thumbs:

Neez
12-16-2009, 04:01 PM
A Hillman-Minx...four-on-the-tree shifter. Bet there aren't many here besides you and me that can say they ever drove a car with four on the tree. :2thumbs:Yeah, Scotty, mine cost me $50, and it looked like it. Speaking of in-the -tree shifters, do you recall moving them over to the left side of the column so we would have our right arm free to squeeze our girlfriends?

jwfranklin
12-16-2009, 04:37 PM
A Hillman-Minx...four-on-the-tree shifter. Bet there aren't many here besides you and me that can say they ever drove a car with four on the tree. :2thumbs:


A friend of mines father had an older model Mercedes diesel in the late 60's with a four on the tree that I drove a few times. The engine actually rattled going down the road.

Mo Lee
12-16-2009, 06:21 PM
A Hillman-Minx...four-on-the-tree shifter. Bet there aren't many here besides you and me that can say they ever drove a car with four on the tree. :2thumbs:
Add me to that list had a 1964 Opel Record my first tour in Germany with 4 on the tree. Wound getting that car into the guard rail and ended up upside down on the Autobahn, what a ride.

Mo Lee
12-16-2009, 07:28 PM
Other than 50s and 90s as a kid My first streetable bike was an Honda 350SL while I was stationed in Az. found out you could climb a desert mountain easier than you could ride down needless to say the sand and dirt was slick and wound up with 36 stitches in my forearm. Sold it and bought a KZ650 then wanted something bigger and traded it for an 1100 Goldwing received orders back to Germany and no bike for four years. Returned stateside to Maryland and bought a CX500 and after 1 year I realized I had put 15,000 miles on it and decided I wanted another Wing. Bought another 1100 Wing and after a while traded it for a new 1500 Wing. Kept it for 5 years and returned to Missouri. Decided to retire from the Army and move out on a dirt road so I sold the wing. Did not ride for 4 years again before I got the urge and bought another CX500 kept it a couple of years and then bought my 3rd 1100 Wing. Two more years and started wanting more power and bought my 1st Valkyrie 6 months later the wife talked me into buying a second Valkyrie and a little over a year later the Spyder. I could not see myself giving up either Valk or the Spyder however I would not mind having a Rocket III or maybe a Boss Hoss.

retread
12-16-2009, 08:23 PM
A Hillman-Minx...four-on-the-tree shifter. Bet there aren't many here besides you and me that can say they ever drove a car with four on the tree. :2thumbs:
How about a Saab 93 or a DKW 1000? 3 cylinder 2 strokes, FWD; try THAT with the EPA!

john

glynnk
12-16-2009, 10:22 PM
Honda 750 Shadow...great bike, but moved on to a Kawaski Nomad, then a Harley Electra Glide Classic and now to a '09 Spyder (waiting for the delivery of my RT-S)

Glynnk

4leafpat
12-17-2009, 03:49 PM
First bike I rode was a "Monkey Wards" minibike. The first one I owned was a 1961 Tohatsu Runpet Sport 50cc. You had to mix your own oil and gas and it fouled a plug a day it seemed. Layed down a lot of smoke too! I have been riding some 2 wheeler (Several Hondas and Yamahas, a Pirelli, a Suzuki, and Kawasaki) since 1964 until the Spyder last year.

Roaddog2
12-17-2009, 05:08 PM
1968 Rupp Sprint 4th Grade

mrwidget
12-17-2009, 08:08 PM
First bike was a 1976 Suzuki 250 dirt bike

Recluze
12-18-2009, 01:35 AM
2008 Spyder Sm5. No point buying a bike until they got it right.

johnboyjohn.pretious
12-18-2009, 10:05 AM
1959 saw me pester a friend for his old bike that he used as a hack. Was an Ambassador of unknown age,engine was a 197cc Villiers two stroke that would not start unless you removed the spark plug and ran a pencil over it !
Happy days.

:f_spider:

Derwin
12-18-2009, 11:24 AM
Since I'm absolutely brand new to riding, I guess my very first "motorcycle" would be the Piaggio MP3 500 that I just got. But does that count as a motorcycle? :dontknow: I'm not sure, but I do know it's FUN!

My second motorcycle (or first, depending on definitions!) will be the CanAm Spyder.

Derwin

NancysToy
12-18-2009, 12:28 PM
Since I'm absolutely brand new to riding, I guess my very first "motorcycle" would be the Piaggio MP3 500 that I just got. But does that count as a motorcycle? :dontknow: I'm not sure, but I do know it's FUN!

My second motorcycle (or first, depending on definitions!) will be the CanAm Spyder.

Derwin
No reason not to count a scooter, as the Cushmans, Whizzers, Rupps, and minibikes here testify.

SpyderGirl
12-18-2009, 12:33 PM
The MP3 counts in my book :2thumbs:

I have always wondered what those are like to ride. Maybe one day I'll find out. :doorag:

Derwin
12-18-2009, 12:57 PM
No reason not to count a scooter, as the Cushmans, Whizzers, Rupps, and minibikes here testify.


Thanks, Scotty! I just learned to be careful in regards to this. Anyway, it's all about the ride, and yes, the ride is absolutely fantastic!

SpyderGirl... I really love my MP3 500. It has met and even exceeded my expectations....although I must admit that I didn't really know WHAT to expect! It's really fun to ride around town and I even had a great experience riding it out of state to my nephews birthday party. But I've yet to take it on an expressway, and don't think I ever will. I guess I'm too chicken!

The Spyder will definitely be my next purchase, but that purchase may be a bit far off into the future. Like many, I've started an SSA (Spyder Savings Account).

Derwin

SpyderGirl
12-18-2009, 01:00 PM
SpyderGirl... I really love my MP3 500. It has met and even exceeded my expectations....although I must admit that I didn't really know WHAT to expect! It's really fun to ride around town and I even had a great experience riding it out of state to my nephews birthday party. But I've yet to take it on an expressway, and don't think I ever will. I guess I'm too chicken!

I wanted an MP3 before I saw the Spyder in a CycleWorld magazine. I had always wanted a three-wheeler. I am curious on how different they feel comared to a standard street bike. I've thought many times about renting one for the day.

jlb
12-18-2009, 11:42 PM
Let's see, 3 1/2 years ago I learned to ride on a Honda Rebel (thanks MSF!). The first bike I bought was a used 2002 Suzuki Savage 650, then I bought a 2007 Qlink Sapero (250) & 18 months after that I bought a 2008 Spyder.

That was two months ago, in the month I got to ride before it got cold I put more miles on the spyder than i'd put on the sapero in the past year.

Trumpybob
12-19-2009, 04:03 AM
1958 started riding on a 197cc Villiers engined Frances Barnett. Then a 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub, then in 1964 A Triumph Tiger 110.
Many happy memories.

Sarge707
12-19-2009, 01:31 PM
Had a Suzuki 250 in 1968 at the age of 20 for about 3 Months.
Only thing good was the "M" was still on my license when I bought the Spyder at age 60!! LOL:spyder2::clap:

fred
12-21-2009, 04:08 PM
my 1st bike.. a 1964ish Honda CB160..then a 69 Triumph Tiger 500 which i kept for about 25 years.. a pair of Yamaha Star Customs (650 & 1100) and now the 2008 SM5 Spyder

NancysToy
12-21-2009, 05:28 PM
my 1st bike.. a 1964ish Honda CB160..then a 69 Triumph Tiger 500 which i kept for about 25 years.. a pair of Yamaha Star Customs (650 & 1100) and now the 2008 SM5 Spyder
I love my two Honda CB160s. One of the finest motorcycles Honda ever made, IMO. Never owned a Triumph 500 I didn't like, either. I even rode the Jack Pine Enduro twice on 500 Triumphs, finished once. I have a 650 Bonneville now, but I might search out a Tiger, Trophy, or T5 one of these days.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=939

fred
12-23-2009, 08:04 AM
thanks Scotty, .. i don't have any pictures of the one i had..to young i guess.. anyway it got me to school and home for many years.. as for the Triumph,it was a Trophy but at one point i couldn't get the front exhaust pipe and ended up installing dual downs...saved me from burning my leg too... i'll digitize a picture and post it for you.

dave01
12-23-2009, 11:31 AM
My first was a 1966 Cimatti 100, 2-stroke street bike I converted to dirt. Man, that was a long time ago, when I was 12. Lots of minibikes before that though.
http://www.vintagecycleprints.com/IMAGES/D66EA29.JPG

brutus450
12-23-2009, 07:31 PM
IT WAS A SYPDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

silly........................:D

Hyabusa is in the plans when I turn 50 :D

bjt
12-25-2009, 08:11 AM
I had an early 80's Honda Nighthawk. It was around 700 cc. I don't remember much about it because I only had it about a year before I sold it because cars scared me off the thing. It wasn't until the Spyder came out that I felt really safe and confident about any type of motorcycle touring again.

Remmos
12-25-2009, 09:02 AM
Rode a friends honda trail, helping him tear a trail in his yard. Got a 03 Yamaha FJR in 06. Traded that for 05 BMW GS in 07. SpyderJo got :spyder2: in 09.

BLACK WIDOW
12-25-2009, 10:05 AM
First motorcycle was a ALLSTATE step through, 3hp, friction clutch scooter. I was 12 years old. There has been a long list of bikes since, but still have fond memories of that little Allstate.:D

Michael:doorag:

truck 85
01-04-2010, 06:35 PM
tote-gote when i was about 10 rode it intell it died than mom and dad said no more. So like the good kid i was i rode my buddys bikes becuse i could fix it small stuff fenders cables oil leeks. then in my 20's i bought a 350 Kawasaki tripple 2 stroke had it for about 4 years then kids came along then did a traird and got a 750 tripple 2 stroke way fast. had it 2 years kids and sold intell i got spyder in sep this year (no more kids at home so i wont have to sell)

RoadHammer
01-04-2010, 07:15 PM
1978 yamaha 750 triple

AMTJIM
01-04-2010, 10:35 PM
rollin'....rollin' on a Rebel...rollin' on a Rebel, ridin' 'til the break of day.....or until I get tired of using the '
:D

the nicko
01-05-2010, 06:48 AM
KTM 625 SUPERCOMP 03 :ohyea::ohyea:

Hamie
01-05-2010, 07:26 AM
A new 1971 Suzuki TS125 -- had lots of fun trail riding with that bike....

chascarpenter1
01-05-2010, 07:47 AM
In 1999 as a graduation gift dad bought me a 95 Honda Rebel. He said is was a good starter bike. I still decided it was prudent to remove the pink windshield.

My next bike was USMC issued in the the form of a Kawasaki KLR 650. I thought it would be the death of me. Motorcycles = fun. Motorcycles + flying bullets = not so much.

2009 Can Am Spyder SM5 gift from my wife.

mike3069
01-07-2010, 09:32 AM
'68 Yamaha 100 Road/Trail. Bought it brand new with my earnings from my first job.

biglou
01-11-2010, 04:43 PM
81 Kaw Gpz 550, bought in 89 for 500 bucks.


Wish I still had that little bike.

M2Wild
01-11-2010, 04:50 PM
'87 Kawasaki Ninja 250R .... red lined at 14.5K. Had it up to 117mph with a little more room left. But I chickened out. LOL

irish2themax
01-12-2010, 11:14 AM
2009 Spyder SE5

Bill Soderlin
01-16-2010, 04:29 AM
My first was a 1946 Knucklehead HD in August of 1954. Have ridden ever since. 50 years in Florida and have been on trikes by choice since 1996. Have had as many as three at a time. Now I am in Maryland but I did get a ride in yesterday.:2thumbs:

NancysToy
01-16-2010, 07:15 AM
My first was a 1946 Knucklehead HD in August of 1954. Have ridden ever since. 50 years in Florida and have been on trikes by choice since 1996. Have had as many as three at a time. Now I am in Maryland but I did get a ride in yesterday.:2thumbs:
:thumbup: Why you make me feel like a kid again. Got me beat by four years and at least 45 cubic inches. :roflblack:

Questions
01-16-2010, 09:05 AM
1976 Kawasaki KZ650.....Vance and Hines header of course....blue and chrome....wish I still had that bike. I bought it new, sold it 2 years later when I started working a real job

Questions
01-16-2010, 09:18 AM
As a kid I had a 3&1/2 hp Sears mini bike, then the much faster Rupp Hustler 7hp then a Honda 250cc.
First Road bike was a Kawi 1000 LTD, used that to go cross country right after getting out of college. Wish I had kept the LTD - very fast and comfy....
Since then I've had 9 other bikes. Still have my Sabre 1100 and a Motoguzzi ElDorado 900.
WOW! now thats a memory...the Rupp Hustler....my dad bought one for the family to use(4 boys)....we had it for about 4 years or more....I used to drive it in the snow up north when the roads were closed....great fun:2thumbs:

retired1
01-17-2010, 12:46 PM
My first bike was a brand new RED S90 Honda, I used to carry it on a carrier that fit on the trailer hitch of my new Red 64 Malibu SS. A lot of good memories!

COOLMACHINE
01-29-2010, 02:07 PM
My first bike I bought in 1983. It was a new 1981 Suzuki GN400, 1 cylinder. put 27,XXX on it in 3 years. It was a great first bike. Cost? $1100 with the mag alloy wheels. I rode the sh:cus: out of it. :thumbup:

pop49
02-09-2010, 09:14 AM
1965 James Cadet with a 197cc AMC engine. cost me the princely sum of 29 pounds 10 bob.

rnet
02-09-2010, 01:03 PM
Not sure of the year (late sixties)I took my brothers 180 Yamaha street bike out for a spin in the hills of california. I was 12 or 13. I was a bad boy that day.

Firefly
02-09-2010, 04:04 PM
First time I ever rode was on a friends Sears Minibike around 1975. I had a 'borrowed' Honda 70 Trail bike for 1 summer and then saved up enough and bought my first motorcycle - a Late 70's Honda CR-125.

I rode plenty of other dirt bikes after that - but the CR-125 always held a special place in my heart.

3tracs
02-14-2010, 03:31 PM
I had purchased a 1982 Yamaha Virago XV750 in 1995, and it sat in my parents driveway until I could complete the MSF course. 7 years later, I upgraded to a 2002 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom which was new out of the crate. This past September of '09 I sold it and bought my Spyder. :thumbup:

docdoru
02-15-2010, 07:04 AM
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm136/docdoru/ducati-500-desmo.jpg?t=1266235414

3wheeldemon
02-16-2010, 03:15 PM
5463

Gordy
02-21-2010, 12:06 PM
my first bike was a 98cc james next a 250 panther followed by a 1947 knuckelhead .since then there have been very many, loved them all .:2thumbs:

bikeguy
02-24-2010, 11:31 AM
In the early 1950's I helped a cousin build several motorbikes using old bicycle frames and whatever engines we could dig up. One actually had a Maytag washing machine engine that was pretty neat because it had a kick starter. We pushed them way more miles than we ever rode them. We compared the power of each other's bikes by how far we could get up a hill called Jail Hill without having to peddle. Several here have mentioned James as their first bike. A fellow in town had a James and he could not only get all the way to the top of the hill but do it while dragging one of us behind him. Very powerful, those James's.

The first thing I actually owned was a Salsbury scooter. Unfortunately, I pushed it just about as much as the motorbikes. At 13 or 14 I didn't realize the significance of a worn out keyway in the flywheel of a magneto ignition.

The first "real" motorcycle I ever rode was a friend's military surplus 45 c.i. WLA Harley-Davidson. It had a foot clutch and a contrary hand shifter. It took me a dozen tries before I managed to get it into second gear before slowing down enough that I needed to be back in first. But it also had enough power to climb up and down the hills in a local gravel pit and hook me on dirt riding, an addiction that has never gone away.

Cotton

SpyderByter
03-14-2010, 07:00 AM
Yamaha 650 Special Twin Can't remeber the year, but it still had a kickstart, as well as an electric starter. I missed that on newer bikes.

NancysToy
03-14-2010, 07:55 AM
Yamaha 650 Special Twin Can't remeber the year, but it still had a kickstart, as well as an electric starter. I missed that on newer bikes.
Amen to that!

Bersquack
03-14-2010, 08:41 AM
My first bike was a 2009 spyder SE5, then I got a 2010 HD Iron 883.

I love both of them.

ARtraveler
03-14-2010, 01:18 PM
1964 Yamaha 80, 1 lunger. 1965 Suzuki X6-Hustler, 1965 Honda 305 Dream, 1971or so Yamaha 90, 1972 or so Honda 305 Scrambler, 1976 750 Hondamatic--wish I still had that one, 1978 Kawasaki 650/4, 1980ish Kawasaki 400, 1980 Suzuki 850, 1984 Yamaha Venture, 2001 Yamaha V-Star 650, 2003 or so Kawasaki Voyager ( whatever was the last year of that model version), 2004 Kawasaki Nomad 1500, 2007 Vulcan 2000 LT, 2008 Spyder SM, 2009 Spyder SE, 2010 Spyder RTS. Sorry, I got going and couldnt stop till I went all the way down the list. I have not owned a bike that I did not like.

NancysToy
03-14-2010, 05:24 PM
1964 Yamaha 80, 1 lunger. 1965 Suzuki X6-Hustler, 1965 Honda 305 Dream, 1971or so Yamaha 90, 1972 or so Honda 305 Scrambler, 1976 750 Hondamatic--wish I still had that one, 1978 Kawasaki 650/4, 1980ish Kawasaki 400, 1980 Suzuki 850, 1984 Yamaha Venture, 2001 Yamaha V-Star 650, 2003 or so Kawasaki Voyager ( whatever was the last year of that model version), 2004 Kawasaki Nomad 1500, 2007 Vulcan 2000 LT, 2008 Spyder SM, 2009 Spyder SE, 2010 Spyder RTS. Sorry, I got going and couldnt stop till I went all the way down the list. I have not owned a bike that I did not like.
I have owned a few that I wasn't thrilled with. 1976 Honda CB550 was the worst of the lot. I hated my BSA 441 Victor, too. No compression release and a b***h to kick start. My BSA Goldstar was easier, but I was not in love with the old thumper then...wish I had it now. On the take-it-or-leave-it list was my 1963 Harley Sportster. No fun starting and hard on the backside. The Whizzer didn't thrill me either. The list of what I did love is much longer, of course. That is why I still have the 1961 Honda CB92R (one of 148 made) that I raced at 18. I loved that old girl from the first moment I saw her.

rnet
03-14-2010, 07:33 PM
Scotty, my son just bought a 87 honda super magna for $350. Has a few things missing but in fairly good shape. The previous owner was going to fix it up, but I don't think he had a clue. It appeared to have a new battery in it, but it wouldn't turn over. (no acid in the battery) Battery on the charger, hopefully ok. This is all just happened today. Started with a jump, missing battery cover, got one coming from ebay. Missing drive shaft, ordered one from honda. So in all, about $500 Think we got a good deal and do you have any experience with this model.

NancysToy
03-14-2010, 09:31 PM
Scotty, my son just bought a 87 honda super magna for $350. Has a few things missing but in fairly good shape. The previous owner was going to fix it up, but I don't think he had a clue. It appeared to have a new battery in it, but it wouldn't turn over. (no acid in the battery) Battery on the charger, hopefully ok. This is all just happened today. Started with a jump, missing battery cover, got one coming from ebay. Missing drive shaft, ordered one from honda. So in all, about $500 Think we got a good deal and do you have any experience with this model.
Too new for me to understand. :roflblack: I am a fossil, you know.

rnet
03-14-2010, 10:00 PM
Ya my buddies say I'm as old as dirt.:roflblack::roflblack:

Tom in NM
03-21-2010, 05:24 PM
Honda Sportster 90cc

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xOUoDEA0I5c/R1F2O_gct6I/AAAAAAAAAa8/_uFWNjQ39qI/s320/s90.jpg

Tom

scudrunner
03-22-2010, 11:25 AM
1968 Honda 175

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:jyyJe56_4fl4EM:http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Honda%20SL175%2070.jpg

Bought it used, fought with it every day I owned it. There was a broken wire somewhere which wouldn't let the stator charge the battery or run the electrics. So I had to charge the battery every night when I got home by hooking it up to the wife's car. I finally found the wire in the bundle behind the headlight a week before I sold it.

igor
03-23-2010, 01:24 AM
my first : MOTO GUZZI CALIFORNIA TOURING 2004

jake72000
03-23-2010, 03:29 PM
was a gs1100es suzuki

Monique
03-23-2010, 06:55 PM
got a late start riding a motorycle: first bike 1989 Honda Pacific Coast in White Pearl. What can I say, I always liked a bike with storage and lots of "Tupperware" :2thumbs:

Becky Ann
03-25-2010, 08:53 PM
1979 Honda CM400A. I had always wanted a motorcycle, so without telling my parents or boyfriend, I purchased this motorcycle from the nearest Honda dealership. I did not even have a motorcycle endorsement on my license. After my parents found out I had purchased a motorcycle, they banned my boyfriend and motorcycle from coming near their house. After many months, they finally warmed up to my motorcycle and boyfriend. We were married and have happily been riding many different motorcycles ever since.

VaughnCat
03-25-2010, 09:50 PM
1968 Kawasaki 350 Avenger scrambler 2 Stroke. Blew the doors off all the Honda 350's which is what everyone thought was the cat's meow. I could have had a Honda but I'd have gotten something else even if it wasn't as good just to be different.

Then I bumped up to a 1970 Kawasaki Tripple 500 2 Stroke when all my buddies went to the Honda 750. I was back on top of the speed situation. But neither of them handled as well or rode as smooth as the Honda's.

Oh well, you can't have it all!

Now that is some major flash back material for me . . . I went to work as a 'gunk' at the local Honda/Triumph/Kawasaki dealer just after I got my drivers license. There was no better job on earth for me. . . cleaning toilets, washing bikes and doing pre-sale services on the bikes. The measure of the Avenger was the ability to light up the rear tire by nailing the throttle once you were rolling. The H-1 was the ability to loft the front wheel with just the throttle in 3rd gear . . . and the famous head shake at 100+mph that required sliding back on the seat and giving it more throttle! Then came the H-2 . . . and in a puff of 2 stoke smoke, they were gone, and here we are on techno tripods with 4 stroke V's putting out more horse power. My first two bikes were CL-77 Honda Scramblers. Ride on!

VaughnCat
03-25-2010, 09:58 PM
1964 Yamaha 80, 1 lunger. 1965 Suzuki X6-Hustler, 1965 Honda 305 Dream, 1971or so Yamaha 90, 1972 or so Honda 305 Scrambler, 1976 750 Hondamatic--wish I still had that one, 1978 Kawasaki 650/4, 1980ish Kawasaki 400, 1980 Suzuki 850, 1984 Yamaha Venture, 2001 Yamaha V-Star 650, 2003 or so Kawasaki Voyager ( whatever was the last year of that model version), 2004 Kawasaki Nomad 1500, 2007 Vulcan 2000 LT, 2008 Spyder SM, 2009 Spyder SE, 2010 Spyder RTS. Sorry, I got going and couldnt stop till I went all the way down the list. I have not owned a bike that I did not like.

Ah, the X-6 Hustler. . . made Sportster riders cringe and left them in a cloud of smoke . . . and all those gears to stay on the power band . . . good stuff. Now that was the days of fouled spark plugs.

NancysToy
03-26-2010, 06:56 AM
Ah, the X-6 Hustler. . . made Sportster riders cringe and left them in a cloud of smoke . . . and all those gears to stay on the power band . . . good stuff. Now that was the days of fouled spark plugs.
Amen, brother, amen! BTW, it always irritated me that an X-6 could dust off my Sportster. :roflblack:

strats
03-28-2010, 02:40 AM
Wow..... 40 years ago, this is where I started
Deltek Rockhopper

VaughnCat
03-28-2010, 12:07 PM
Wow..... 40 years ago, this is where I started
Deltek Rockhopper

Hey, ape hanger handlebars are all the rage with the "wana be bad boys/girls of the Harley persuasion" . . . . I asked one of my fellow bikers about control issues with the handlebars up so high (ever notice that they look like little kids trying to reach for a cookie jar that is just out of reach?) His response was that they were safer because if you hit something, your arms will lock and you will 'fly over' the obstacle . . . I suppose it would be difficult to use the front brake . . . . the nice thing about us motorheads/motorcyclist/Spyder riders . . . you don't have to make sense. . .

VaughnCat
03-28-2010, 12:10 PM
was a gs1100es suzuki

Man, that was one of the finest looking motorcycles ever made . . . I loved it in red.

VaughnCat
03-28-2010, 12:12 PM
Too new for me to understand. :roflblack: I am a fossil, you know.

Is this the Magna that had the four exhaust pipes and the kind of retro side covers that made you think of Flash Gordon? I think it only lasted a year or so? What a collector that would be.

woodchuck
07-20-2010, 06:57 PM
For those of you who have ridden before, and those of you whose Spyder is your first motorcycle, what was the first motorcycle you owned (or rode) and when? My first ride was a step-trough Cushman around 1958. I was just custodian of it for the neighbor, however, so the first I owned was a $10 Whizzer I bought in 1962 when I was 14. Nancy's first ride was on a Honda CB160 about six or seven years ago. She has owned a 1968 Honda Trail 90 for about five years, but the Spyder was her first street ride...at the age of 54.


The first bike I ever rode was a 1950 Harley with a side shift and a suicide clutch. Then i got my drivers license and bought a brand new 1958 Sportster XLH. Wish I had that today.We tore down the motor in 1960 and put some goodies in it. Ran 125 in a quarter mile. Miss it today.

pjp623
07-20-2010, 07:06 PM
A used Honda 450 60's or 70's vintage which I had to ditch shortly there after on a dirt road. :gaah: That put an end to motorcycles for me--but of course it didn't last--until I got a good deal on another one.

VaughnCat
07-20-2010, 07:36 PM
Vaughn already posted his first motorcycle, but here's mine....

1976 500 Suzuki . . . ya can't imagine the miles I put on that bike!
It was a 2 stroke and the vibration was incredible....
but who cared? i had the wind in my face! (even if i could sit down!)

Cat


http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2001%5C12%5C06%5Cbikepics-14819-200.jpg (http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/014819/)

Littlebadwolf
07-20-2010, 08:02 PM
1966 Honda 305 Dream...I'd love to still own this bike.

rnet
07-20-2010, 08:36 PM
Is this the Magna that had the four exhaust pipes and the kind of retro side covers that made you think of Flash Gordon? I think it only lasted a year or so? What a collector that would be.Yep, that's the one, sitting in my garage. In 87 they had a 700 Vquad and in 88 I believe it went to a 750 and then no more. Still looking for a side cover. Ended up getting the drive shaft on ebay after looking for 4 months. At the time the trend was going vtwin. Don't understand why, maybe because it has 4 carbs and 4 pipes. Twins were cheaper to build.

8LEGS
07-27-2010, 01:07 AM
My first street bike was a Honda Rebel 250. Loved that bike, it was small and a blast to ride. My first dirt bike was a little honda 50, I think I was 9 or 10 years old. Ahhh ... the memories.

jeremy taflinger
07-27-2010, 02:30 AM
2007 suzuki sv 650 which I wrecked 1 week short of a year and bought the spyder a month later:2thumbs:

Blue Star
07-27-2010, 10:48 PM
what was the first motorcycle you owned (or rode) and when?

First bike I rode was a mini bike when around 10 years-old. Then Brother bought a (I think 1976) Honda 400. Loved that bike as it was just the right size for me, but too tall for him, so he sold it. I drove a friends triumph a couple times. In 2006 I finally bought a Suzuki Boulevard 50, but after laying it down (broke 4 ribs, punctured my lung, and 4 days in hospital) my wife made me sell it. Next bike will be my Spyder (wife says it is okay with her) when I save up some more money.

ISCI Billy
08-05-2010, 03:53 PM
Around 1976 at 7 or 8 my parents purchased me a Honda SL 70. Rode it in to the ground. Great memories.

biker1
08-05-2010, 04:05 PM
Mine was a Honda CB250 which had some work done to it before I purchased it. Spent two days looking at bikes and this WAS THE ONE. The guys used to call it The Beast, exhaust was a bit loud. That was maybe 1987

jrbloise
08-05-2010, 04:36 PM
Honda 305 Dream, around the 70's.

John

JPV
08-05-2010, 05:30 PM
Honda 450 was my first bike. I bought it used in 1970 when I was in the service,that's a 1970 Gremlin in the back ground. After that I got a new 450 Scrambler then a 350 Honda,400 Honda,750 Honda, 550 Yamaha and the last two wheeler was 1600 Kawasaki Meanstreak. Also two 250cc dirt bikes.

GypsyBill
08-06-2010, 11:02 AM
My first was a Sears Allstate motor scooter bought in 1958 (I was 14).. a whopping 5 brake horsepower monster :shocked:

Big Bird
08-06-2010, 11:32 AM
was a cb150, about a '68, and then the 160 came out. I used to trade my car with them to 'Go Ride'
My first purchased bike was a '70 cb350... and the next one just as soon as I could buy it was a cb750k, 1971.

RubyRed
08-06-2010, 12:07 PM
Learned on an eliminator 250.
Hopefully first bike will be a Spyder though!

Cliff-Co.
08-06-2010, 12:10 PM
My 1st. ride was in hi-school a 1953 f-head harley-davidson, we lived out on a ranch, 14 mi. in the gravel, SO that ole harley, rode me :shocked: about as much as i rode it :gaah: , any-how dad un-hooked the front brake, so i wouldn't panic, & kill myself use'n it in the gravel :yikes: any-how here i be 55+ yrs later & still a ride'n

qasamm
08-06-2010, 12:56 PM
1979 Bultaco Dirt 100cc, no helmet, no pads or gloves and a 15 year old's belief system that assured me I was invincible. Luckily in the 2 years it lasted the only thing that was ever shattered or broken was the front fork.

I have much better senses these days and had since realized my mortality.

Sonrisa
08-10-2010, 11:40 AM
My first ride was a Honda 450 in the early 60's. I later purchased a Honda 125 that I drove to work every day, rain or shine, from Baltimore suburbs to downtown Baltimore. Didn't go fast but got me into 2 wheelers:2thumbs: Love my :spyder2:

gpthree
08-10-2010, 01:27 PM
The Spyder is my first bike. I've always wanted a bike since my dad took me to get one when I was younger. We had to go back home in the middle of shopping. He told my mom where we were and that was the end of that!

Fastforward 25yrs...Saw a billboard of one last summer and thought, I have to get that. Took the Motorcycle Safety course the beginning of Sept and bought the Spyder this June. Really enjoying it.

boborgera
08-10-2010, 02:14 PM
My first bike was a Honda bought new in 69/70? 400cc?
From there i went up and down the cc ladder, over the years 400 to 1800cc and now down to 998, and a few weeks ago i added a ER-6n Kaw. [650]
To keep me company when the Spyder isn't running right. :ohyea:

Crazy Rabbit
08-11-2010, 08:00 PM
My first ride was an Arctic Cat mini bike at the ripe old age of 6. Didn't take me long to figure out how to reach down and pull the governor wide open. Needless to say my first stitches occured shortly after that! From that I graduated to a 1971 Yamaha 60cc Mini Enduro, 1971 Yamaha 125 Enduro, 1978 Suzuki PE 175. Once I was old enough to legally drive I moved into the street bike world starting with a 1980 Yamaha 650 Special ll. Couldn't afford to put gas in my old Pontiac so I rode that bike anywhere and everywhere. Next was a 1982 Yamaha Maxim 750. Then came my need for speed, in 1986 I bought a Yamaha V-Max. How I didn't die on that thing I'll never know. A true muscle bike, 0 to 150 mph in a heart beat. WAY FUN!!!, Unless there was a corner involved. Pretty sure a freight train corners better! Finally sold her in 2004, that was a very sad day. In 1999 I ordered a Harley Heritage Springer and on March 17, 2001 it arrived! Remember the days when you had to wait years to buy a Harley? When I signed up to buy it, there were 121 people on the list in front of me. Then in 2009... along came a Spyder!!! Not mine.... my girlfriends, but she let me ride it and I was hooked! So two weeks later when she brought it back to the dealer for the 600 mile service, I rode over with her and rode home on my own!!! ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY SPYDER!!! Since July 09, Spyder 10,000 miles, Harley 1000 miles. Who would have thought!

go2lkg
08-11-2010, 08:05 PM
My first 'ride' was a mini-bike at 12, but my first REAL ride was a 1982 Yamaha 550 Maxim in upstate NY...GREAT FIRST BIKE! :2thumbs:

bonehead
08-11-2010, 09:24 PM
Me and 2 buddies walked into the local Yamaha dealer and all 3 of us bought xs400's and helmets. :doorag: WE were bad! we were all 18 at the time. and i just bought two Spyders off the owners son 32 years later.

PCBeachBum
09-01-2010, 02:22 PM
I love my two Honda CB160s. One of the finest motorcycles Honda ever made, IMO. Never owned a Triumph 500 I didn't like, either. I even rode the Jack Pine Enduro twice on 500 Triumphs, finished once. I have a 650 Bonneville now, but I might search out a Tiger, Trophy, or T5 one of these days.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=939

Looks like the one my division officer had. We were having a division party over on the otherside of Honolulu Airport. My buddy had my car to pickup some girls we met in Wakiki. He was supposed to come back to Pearl to pick me up, but never did.

My division officer came out and after telling him what happened, he loaned me his Honda CB160, Getting his helmet and keys, I decided to take the back Rd out that runs along the channel, than onto Hickam AFB. I didn't have a problen til I began to slow at the back gate and the guard seeing the Gold officers sticker on the front fender threw me a salute. I waved back and getting closer to him, I got on the throttle.

Only than did he see I was wearing enlistedman's clothes and started yelling for me to halt, I was outside the gate and looking back he was jumping up and down. I had another 1/2 mile to go and got to the party.

I get to the party and got on the guy that had my car. He said you got Mr K's bike. I told him he loaned it to me to get here. He said let me take it I need to go back to Pearl. I told him I couldn't he loaned it to me and after 5 to 10 minutes of hearing his whinning and beggin, I tossed him the keys. Go get out of here, get away from me.

I watched him start it and take off and than remembered that I blew through the back gate at Hickam. I tried to get his attention but I never did and wondered if he would get through the main gate at Pearl Harbor.

Mr K saw his Honda at the main gate and going into the gatehouse, the Marines had my friend in shackles, handcuffs with a chain attached. He bailed out my friend and thats all I heard about for about a week, that he was minutes away from spending time in the brig.

I heard later from Mr. K that they nailed him at the main gate. Mr K, laughed saying here's another one, I got to make a note of in my log of the funniest stories, from 1st division.

My first bike I found in a barn in Canton CT. The farmer said, he got it from a friend to give to his son. He said it was a 1948 BSA. His son rode it til he went in the service in 1957 and it had been sitting where he left it ever since. I asked how much? He said $50 bucks. I told him I only had $35. and said sold. I was 15 at the time and couldn't take it home knowing I'd get murdered, so took it to my buddy's house. His dad was my metal shop teacher and when he saw it, his eyes popped out.

By the time I got my license in 1966 a year and a half later, we had restored it. I rode it for couple of years, than a motorcycle shop wanted it to make a drag bike out of it. After some wheeling and dealing, I traded even for a 65 BSA Lightening Rocket.

My buddy found a 1946 Indian, that had been chopped but, the owner had kept all the original parts. He restored it back to what it looked like new and later sold it, for more than he payed for it.

Eraser
09-08-2010, 08:54 PM
First Bike I ever owned-----Suzuki X6 250:2thumbs:
Fastest Bike I ever owned---Hayabusa:2thumbs:
Scariest Bike I ever owned---Hayabusa:2thumbs:
I packed it in last year and have hung on to a couple of GSX for old times sake.It was getting too heavy....:roflblack:

NancysToy
09-08-2010, 09:48 PM
First Bike I ever owned-----Suzuki X6 250:2thumbs:
Fastest Bike I ever owned---Hayabusa:2thumbs:
Scariest Bike I ever owned---Hayabusa:2thumbs:
I packed it in last year and have hung on to a couple of GSX for old times sake.It was getting too heavy....:roflblack:
Now we're starting some new categories, eh? :D My fastest was undoubtedly my top fuel Harley, ca. 1970-72. I think a stock Busa would beat those now. :roflblack: The record was only 157 back then....but Top Fuel cars only ran a bit over 200, and Jr. Fuel dragsters were only good for 170-180 or so. Not too bad for the times...until Sonny Routt switched his twin Triumph to nitro and ran 170+ right out of the box. Not sure I ever had a scariest one, although I laid down the fuel bike at the long end of the drag strip...twice in 1972.

This could open up a whole new can of worms...

Worst Bike I Ever Owned
Slowest Bike I ever Owned
Shortest Bike I Ever Owned
Tallest Bike I Ever Owned
Most Expensive I Ever Owned
Cheapest I ever Owned
Ones I wish I Still Owned

...and the list goes on. :joke:

dave01
09-08-2010, 10:51 PM
Yep, lots of new catagories:
Scariest bike I ever owned..... My turbo Busa at 24lbs of boost
Fastest....Same bike at 217 mph on gps
I used to do really stupid things, now I just do an occasional dumb one..LOL

mtdoragary
09-11-2010, 06:39 PM
For those of you who have ridden before, and those of you whose Spyder is your first motorcycle, what was the first motorcycle you owned (or rode) and when? My first ride was a step-trough Cushman around 1958. I was just custodian of it for the neighbor, however, so the first I owned was a $10 Whizzer I bought in 1962 when I was 14. Nancy's first ride was on a Honda CB160 about six or seven years ago. She has owned a 1968 Honda Trail 90 for about five years, but the Spyder was her first street ride...at the age of 54.

Mine was a Whizzer Pacemaker that I bought for $25 and my bicycle (that I paid ten dollars for) in 1956. My parents were not amused...
I had a Trail 70, Trail 90, Matchless 750, BMW R60US, Whizzer Sportsman, Triumph Cub, Whizzer/Triumph chopper, Harley FLHS, two Sporties, Heritage Softtail, two Yammy V-Star 650's, a V-Star 1100, BMW R1100RT, Royal Star Palomino (beautiful pig), 11 second Excelsior Henderson Super X, URAL Patrol, two Ri180's, a Yamaha Vino 125, and I still have my 105th Road King, 2oo1 Kaw W650, 1998 URAL Ironbutt awardee, aand the Spyder.... oh, and my old Yamaha Jog. I sure have wasted a LOT of money on motorcycles, but that's chump change compared to what I blown on boats! We all have our weaknesses...

rpeiffer
11-02-2010, 03:54 PM
First ride was a mini-bike (Montgomery Wards, I think). Then a 69 Yamaha 60 Enduro, a 75 Yamaha 175 Enduro (first brand new bike). Then I quit riding for 25 years and got back into it in 03 buying a new Kawi Vulcan 800. Now, I have an 07 Vulcan 2000 LT to ride while my wife rides the Spyder.
Russ

New Sharon Spyder
11-02-2010, 04:31 PM
1974 Susuki 250 two stroker!!! Man that was ride to have. I was in high school and you were cool if you had a bike. Rode that dam thing everywhere for about 10 years and then sold it once the kids came along.

OldDog
11-02-2010, 07:19 PM
My first bike was 52 Panhead chopper. look at my album picture.

FANG
11-03-2010, 02:36 PM
08 SM5 Can-Am Spyder -- have ridden several that belonged to others and I worked at Sears in the early 70's used to assemble the mini-bikes anb then Test :D ride them around the parking lots.

Ain't nothing more fun than being on my spyder.

bruiser
11-03-2010, 04:01 PM
750 Kawasaki. Nearly got me killed, not to mention the speeding tickets. 130mph through the desertat night, almost every night. Until the NM state trooper caught me. That was a l o n g time ago.

mofa52
11-04-2010, 09:46 AM
First bike was a 66 Honda 90. Put over 20,000 miles on it before it died. Fastest was Kawasaki 500 scary fast, no brakes, always slapped the handle bars but it was "the" bike to have. Favourite bike was my Honda 305 scrambler. Also had 125 Sears Puch and 250 Sears Puch, both strange but loveable. Hated my english bikes. Currently have the Spyder and a Moto Guzzi.

SteveMac
05-27-2011, 11:37 PM
First bike was a burnt orange Honda XL 100 then I graduated to a silver and blue XL 350 single cylinder THUMPER. Saw this thread and it prompted me to search for some images of bikes just like my old ones. The internet is an amazing thing and these pics really brought back some vivid memories. That 350 would flat out run. Just about ripped my right leg off! nojoke

I really enjoyed looking up the pics below...

tobor9
05-28-2011, 12:12 AM
Our 2011 RT-s is my wife & I first and only cycle, We bought it off the delevery trailer at our Can-Am dealer without ever riding one first!, We both love it and I wish i could afford to get me one also.

spydrluvr
05-28-2011, 01:50 AM
honda 50cc step through.....i loved that thing :2thumbs:

napper39
05-28-2011, 12:40 PM
MY FRIST BIKE 1951 3HP CHUSHMAN AND THEN A CHUSH.EAGLE,THEN A MUSTANG ,IVE HAD 50 TOO MANY TO UP LOAD BUT THERE ARE MY FRIST 3.

Gordy
05-28-2011, 01:14 PM
[98]james dont remember the year but i had it about 1954

lascar
05-28-2011, 02:01 PM
my first bike was a Honda 125 XLS ,I enjoy it

Mexican
05-28-2011, 02:06 PM
Puch 50cc moped:sour:

freebob
05-28-2011, 02:41 PM
First was 66 Honda Scrambler, Later I got into dirt bikes MT and MR Honda 250 Elsinors, Katana 600, CBR600, Yamaha 750, a couple of Honda Shadows 750/1000...:coffee:


Freebob...:doorag:

coz
05-28-2011, 04:22 PM
bought first bike at 20 , 74 sportster, bought second bike at 30 ish 1980 f l t,bought third bike brand new dyna low rider 2000,at 42 ,bought forth bike last year2000 h d police model,at 53, sold it 6 weeks ago to buy a SPYDER, hopefully very soon i'll find one for a good price.

PLZDVM
05-28-2011, 05:19 PM
SM5 2010 Spyder

Bob Denman
05-28-2011, 06:58 PM
I started off in the dirt... I had a Bridgestone that we wore out.. It had the darndest ransmisson I ever saw! You could shift into 4th (top gear), click it again and you were right back to first! I'd descruibe it as a rotary setup??
First street bike... Kawasaki 250 triple Once you got it up on the pipes it could make things interesitng!
Then an Aermacchi Harley 250 (enough said about that!:gaah:)
I finally got serious with an '82 Suzuki GS 450 TX
Then my 1983 'Wing (What a bike!)
an '89 Honda GB 500 (think British racing single...) :thumbup:
an '89 Honda TransAlp 600
a '79 Honda CM 400 (I guess I kind of backslid a bit!)
2000 V-Rtar
2002 V-Star Both of these were the "classics" nice easy rides too!
A six-year hiatus while I threw mud in the air with a 660 Grizzly
Then my 2010 RT A&C :2thumbs:

MouthPiece
05-28-2011, 07:51 PM
Yamahammer 250 in 1970. I think Dick Mann edged out Gene Romero and Gary Nixon at the Daytona 200 that year.

oneway
05-29-2011, 06:44 AM
CL350 honda. I was 16 thought I was big stuff. My mother rode bikes, an Indian when she was young. She rode my bike around the block and I can still see her shaking her head as she came around the corner. As she pulled up to me she said all you got here is a toy boy.:gaah:

Y Rider
05-29-2011, 07:29 AM
My first 2 wheel ride was a 1968 Honda Scrambler CL-350 purchased in 1972. Only kept it for a few months. It was top heavy and didn't do well on wet pavement with its knobby tires.

Pandy
05-29-2011, 08:00 AM
A 1967ish Yamaha 80. great first bike for a student. This was in the days of the graduated M/C licensing system in Texas. In that time, you started out on a bike of 100cc or less and or 8 hp at 14. Car learner permit follow the next year and you could move up to something bigger, sooo onward to a Honda Trail 90 (still see them on Ebay) then a Hodaka 100 then ....

Patrick

SpyderWolf
05-29-2011, 08:57 AM
Our 2011 RT-s is my wife & I first and only cycle, We bought it off the delevery trailer at our Can-Am dealer without ever riding one first!, We both love it and I wish i could afford to get me one also.

:welcome: to another new SC member. :thumbup:

Raptor
05-31-2011, 11:33 AM
First bike ever ridden on dirt was a 125 Elsinore, which was just dirt colored! :roflblack: First bike ever ridden on the street was a 1976 Honda 550 Super Sport, Orange of all colors!

RLS
05-31-2011, 12:38 PM
Scotty,
Who could have guessed. My first motorcycle was a 1946 or 47 step thru Cushman box style scooter. I got it for my 9th birthday in 1955. What a fun ride. It was passed down to my two younger brothers. After they stopped riding it, my parents sold it to a neighbor for $50.00. I wish I still had it or at least be able to buy it back for the $50.00. Yea, like that would happen. Hey Scotty, is there one of these lurking around in your collection?

AnthonyG
05-31-2011, 02:05 PM
Wizzer on a Schwinn frame, Harley 45 (suicide clutch, side car box, a 2- wheeler with a reverse!), AJS-500, the usual Hondas, Bultacos, Hodaka, and I wish now I had kept all of them. The memories. A.

M109Dreamer
05-31-2011, 02:10 PM
Had a dirt bike growing up, Honda Elisinore MR50R. Loved it, broke 3 front fenders on it. First street bike is a 2007 M109R. Wouldn't trade that thing away for nothing. Now we have the 9 and the wifes 2011 RTS. I do like the RTS, its just a little cramped for me being 6'2". My hip starts hurting after 50 miles. Wife loves it though. I guess thats a good way for me to stay off of her :spyder2:. :roflblack:

rcantrell52
05-31-2011, 03:58 PM
Previously loved 2010 Can Am Spyder RS-S SE5 purchased in 11/2010.
Reese

ThreeFeet
05-31-2011, 04:21 PM
100 CC kawasaki in1973 in Cal.when they were rationing gas!!! Sold it couple years later. Made too much of a target for the cagers!!!:yikes: So got the RSE5 in 2009 then the RT-S se5 in 2010. Feel A LOT SAFER ON THE SPYDERS!!!!!:roflblack:

NancysToy
05-31-2011, 07:43 PM
Scotty,
Who could have guessed. My first motorcycle was a 1946 or 47 step thru Cushman box style scooter. I got it for my 9th birthday in 1955. What a fun ride. It was passed down to my two younger brothers. After they stopped riding it, my parents sold it to a neighbor for $50.00. I wish I still had it or at least be able to buy it back for the $50.00. Yea, like that would happen. Hey Scotty, is there one of these lurking around in your collection?
I never got hooked on those small-wheeled machines. Not skilled enough, I guess. Sorry, no Cushman...although I have considered it once or twice, for old times sake.

Are you sure we aren't long lost brothers? Both started on Cushmans and both have hotrod Effies. That can't be just coincidence. :roflblack:

redfox
06-05-2011, 07:16 AM
A 100cc Yamaha Twin Jet somewhere in the 60's, think I was 16:doorag:. Great little bike to run with the honda S90's buddies had. Didn't take long for us to move up to bridgestone 175's (another great bike) then honda 350 (another great bike) then of coarse the Harley. History now, the Spyder has put me back on the road and lovin it.:thumbup:

Questions
06-05-2011, 09:12 AM
My 1st was a 2008 V-Star custom, bought right after passing my BSC riders course..2nd was a 2009 Honda Rebel...Yup, learned the hard way big isn't always better,especially on gravel (ouch!)...Sold both and feel much more confident as a rider on my "Pearl" :O) Though love being a passenger on a MC....

NancysToy
06-05-2011, 09:15 AM
A 100cc Yamaha Twin Jet somewhere in the 60's, think I was 16:doorag:. Great little bike to run with the honda S90's buddies had. Didn't take long for us to move up to bridgestone 175's (another great bike) then honda 350 (another great bike) then of coarse the Harley. History now, the Spyder has put me back on the road and lovin it.:thumbup:
:thumbup: I built a drag bike once out of a Twin-Jet 100. Rail frame loosely based on an article in Cycle Guide where Bob Braverman built a twin-engined version. My goal was to run 100 mph with 100 cc, which I did, but I had to add some nitro to get there. Thanks for the memory.

redfox
06-05-2011, 09:48 AM
:thumbup: I built a drag bike once out of a Twin-Jet 100. Rail frame loosely based on an article in Cycle Guide where Bob Braverman built a twin-engined version. My goal was to run 100 mph with 100 cc, which I did, but I had to add some nitro to get there. Thanks for the memory.

The little twin Jet was some nice machine. Half the town took their road test on it because it was so easy to ride and you could stall it and use the electric start without the road test warden knowing ya screwed up.

Yeochief
06-07-2011, 07:02 PM
My first ahd only two wheel motorcycle was a Simplex. Looked like full size motor cycle. It had a one cylinder tow stroke engine with a centrifigal (sp) clutch that powered a "v" belt to the rear wheel. Top speed maybe thirty. Owned it in 1958, do not remember exactly how I came to own it.

Got nabbed by the State Police Memorial Day weekend impeding traffic on the main highway, no permit. Was never allowed to ride it again. Turned 16 a couple of months later, but was grounded forever.

That was a sweet ride, big leather saddle seat and loads of fun on country roads.

NancysToy
06-07-2011, 08:22 PM
My first ahd only two wheel motorcycle was a Simplex. Looked like full size motor cycle. It had a one cylinder tow stroke engine with a centrifigal (sp) clutch that powered a "v" belt to the rear wheel. Top speed maybe thirty. Owned it in 1958, do not remember exactly how I came to own it.

Got nabbed by the State Police Memorial Day weekend impeding traffic on the main highway, no permit. Was never allowed to ride it again. Turned 16 a couple of months later, but was grounded forever.

That was a sweet ride, big leather saddle seat and loads of fun on country roads.
Here's my Simplex.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=129&pictureid=929

Vegaspearlbaby
06-08-2011, 12:35 PM
My first motorcycle was a Triumph Daytona 955i - Sarah

Phil
06-08-2011, 05:28 PM
Honda 50cc:roflblack:. When you see me, you'll get the idea WHY that is so funny. I used it from 1972-1974 in college.

Then (....+ a bunch of years.....) Spyder RT :)

SteveMac
06-08-2011, 10:36 PM
Wowzer. Now THAT is a first bike...:shocked:


My first motorcycle was a Triumph Daytona 955i - Sarah