Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Your first bike (pict)

While looking through the "bike porn" thread (thanks WnRn for starting that) I thought it might be cool for everyone to post a picture of their FIRST motorcycle...because you know you will always remember your first. Doesn't have to be your actual bike just search a good picture of the year and model.

Edit: Changed to exact bike advertisement. My dad bought me this bike new in 1976 and it was a first month production 1977 model. The '77s were upgraded with new 5-speed transmission, new frame painted all red, rear shock upper mounts moved forward behind number plate. I remember my very early '77 had the previous style chrome handlebars and white front number plate like in this ad picture from '76 all bikes build after the first few weeks of production had black bars and red plates. note: The seat height on a Triumph America is 1.5-inches lower than this little XR75.

This brought back some memories. Around here everyone (my age) rode either a Honda XR75 or a 2-stroke Yamaha YZ80 back then. The Yamahas were a little faster the Hondas more reliable, bulletproof actually. ...and then there were trail rides with my girlfriend...great times.

I think I was 'started out right' by my folks

I come from a biking family (growing up we didn't have a car until my second brother came along, and we couldn't all fit in our Gold Star/sidecar combo), so my first bike was a $75, non-runner, Gilera Enduro moped (not sure if it even counts as a bike), and was told I had to learn to fix it before I could ride it.



Even when I did get it running, I was packed off to a RAC/ACU training course to learn how to ride before my folks would let me have any fun.

Looking back the poor thing would simply collapse if I was to sit on it now, and even then I seemed to spend so much time pedaling I may as well have bought a pedal cycle.

1956 Harley Hummer 165. It was old and dog butt slow but man, it was a real motorcycle. Fond memories. On Saturday morning my dad said "come go with me". I asked where (always questioning everything). He just told me I would like it. We went across town and pulled into a yard and there sat a yellow bike. The owner and dad talked a bit then the guys says,
"here, ride it around the yard". I had never ridden a mc but after a short lesson in stopping and starting I took off around the yard. I guess I passed the test since I didn't crash into the dozens of large trees in the yard. Dad paid the man and I rode it home. And, thus began the long lessons on riding especially working on motorcycles. Spent as much time working on the thing as riding.

Moto Morini Super America but could never find a pic that looks like the one I had.

My first bike for the street. Sears 106 (made by Gilera). I was 14. The year? 1970. This bike took me on many a weekend trip.

1977 Suzuki GS750


I bought it in 1986. Still have it, actually, it though it hasn't ran in years (decades).

Great idea for a thread, OB.

The bike that started it all for me was a used '64 Honda 90 just like this one in their advertisement here, which I bought at age 15 in 1967.



I'll never forget the line my Pop used while talking my Mom who was very apprehensive about the whole thing into letting me purchase it:

"Ya know Hattie, the first time I met you just before the war, I rolled up on my Indian Four and you thought that was very cool. And, I know this kid has a good head on his shoulders and'll know how to be safe on it."

Thanks Pop, wherever you are(he died two years after Mom in 2003) for winnin' her over!

My 2005 Triumph Speedmaster, purchased in November, 2005. Phoo taken in spring of 2006.

I started late in life but have ridden over 125,000 mostly joyful miles since November 2005.


The Speedy was traded in September 2007 with 15,000 miles on it. I bumped into it a couple of times, with the next owner, and later for sale in a MC shop a few years ago. It was still clean as a whistle and had 30,000 miles on it.

My Parents bought it for me to get my license on. New in 1980.

1981 Honda 250 xls

I had 5 CC's more. Honda XR 80. Not sure what year it was but purchased Used by the parents on my 13th birthday, October 1983.

1979 Me on my Yamaha RX125.

NSU Prima V scooter 175cc two-stroke. Very peppy and fun to ride. Carried me thru two montreal winters.

I was reminiscing with an old friend about a snowy day when the two of us set out to see his then girlfriend 20-30 miles on the highway. I said I was pretty sure we weren't wearing helmets. "Helmets" Henry said, "I don't think we had hats!"

For those who need more nsu scooter goodness: http://www.nsuprima.com/PrimaV-Brochure.pdf

I don't know what year the motorcycle was, I was about 10 years old. Here is one that looks kinda like the one I had. Next time I visit home I'll have to see if I can find some pictures.

I had one of those. I think it was a 125. I bought it for $50 when I was 12 or 13.

Mine looked like this, only my Dad had received all in pieces and he had to paint it. It was a 50cc.

When I was 16, he gave me this...

I don't think it was even as fast as my mini bike, but it could be ridden anywhere, and you jump it off stuff (ex. picnic tables) like crazy and it would still run.

This is actually my second bike if you count a Cushman scooter.

One of these beasts ....


NOT MY BIKE - LIBRARY PIC COURTESY OF GOOGLE

1988 Kawasaki KH-100 EX
An 11bhp throbbing monster!!
I bought it brand new aged 21.
I got 75 out of it. Once



.

Don't have any usable pics of the actual ones but searched the web for these pictures. Started on one of these. Think my older brother brought it home.


Then I got one of these as "my" first motorcycle. Rode it to school & all over Escambia county in the mid 70's.

No picture but I had a BSA Bantam when I was 12 .It was a 125cc bored to 150cc and stripped doen for "bush bashing"
No lights, homemade seat,etc.

I can't find my pics so I'll just resurrect This thread "your first".

Mine also. I don't know what year it was but I got it for Christmas in 1969. I ask my dad and he said the beat he could remember it was used.

1954 Velocette. Got a great deal on it because the original owner couldn't start it.

Wow, I would love to have that!

1982 Kawasaki Specter

1980 Honda C650c

like the one in the pic, but not as nice

Honda CD175 mid seventies bike 1979 me

Traded it for a '68 Chevelle

Mine was a 1972 Honda CB350. Bought it new in 1973. Just like the one in the picture except for the exhaust. I had it for 18 months or so until my brother wrecked it. I learned a lot about bikes and riding, including "Don't ArmorAll the seat."

That Honda still looks good to me. A new orange CB350 was my second bike in 1973. HS graduation present from Mom & Dad. I think that was the first year for a front disc brake. I added a batwing fairing and throw-over saddlebags and that thing took this 17 y/o kid far beyond the state lines until about 1980.

Suzuki X6 Hustler Smokin bike for the times.

1971 Yamaha RD350.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=monP6FlXP6o