What got you started?

What was your inspiration to take up motorcycles?

Since I’m amongst the oldest on the forum my inspiriation came from the opening few minutes of the 1962 film, Lawrence of Arabia, when Peter O’Toole, playing T.E., blasts off on his Brough Superior. Things soon went badly on this ride for T.E. but the hook was set and two years later at the age of 16 I paid $479 Canadian $ for a brand new Suzuki 50.

The rest, as they say, is history.

 

Sorry, long winded story here...

I would frequently see motorcycles for sale while perusing the used vehicles section (during the slow times behind the parts counter), but never really had the dough to buy something.

one weekend, I almost squidded out and bought a BRAND NEW 1999 Honda CBR600 F4 (in the rare orange/black color) with no bike experience at all. The salesman almost had me there (60 small monthly payments...).

When I discussed the weekend's happenings with the other guys at the dealership, one of them chimed in that he had a motorcycle that would be PERFECT for me. It needed a little tinkering, but it was solid.

Turned out it needed a LOT of help. 1982 Yamaha XS400R Seca. Originally black with a crappy black rattle can paint job. Needed a seat cover, but the guy who was selling it had one he hadn't installed. Came with a Yamaha Service Manual (which smelled of mold, looked even worse). Hey, you don't get a lot for $300. But that's a hell of a lot less than a new CBR. I got my learner's permit the next day, even though I didn't have a bike that ran.

So I spent the summer fixing it, and learning how to ride it. I got to teach myself how to clean carbs the RIGHT way about a dozen times before it finally ran right. The following winter, it was totally stripped down and I restored it with eBay used parts and new stuff when it was available. Over the next few years, I slowly brought it back to original spec. When I sold it right after I got the VFR, I had pretty much done everything to it, except crack the engine and repair anything internal. New tires, new chain/sprockets, rebuilt forks, and everything cosmetic looking as nice as it could for a 25 year old bike. I sold it for $1200, which is a premium for that machine. It was that nice.

That little XS taught me SO MUCH about motorcycles and mechanics, that I am ever grateful for having slung a leg over it. I cursed and swore at it a lot in the beginning (especially when raw gas was dumping out the airbox), but I'll never forget it. Pictures of it (and some of my other past toys) at the FB link below (I think they're the last photos in that album):

Matt Kuerth's Photos - Past big boys' toys | Facebook

And the ironies of ironies? When I was still at that dealership, someone traded in a 4G VFR before I ever considered motorcycling. I remember seeing that beautiful red bike in the service bay and really liking it. I didn't even know how to start it, but maybe that's where it all began. Talk about your "full circle".

 

Pumpin' friggin' pedals was my inspiriation

 

Like father, like son

 

Dude, I was born with wheels. but once I actually felt the wind in my face the joy of what seems to be a freedom feeling with a bit of challenge I was hooked, Got my first real taste of it back on a nice spring day after a little league game 1965, I needed a ride home, after the game, a good friend older brother spoke up, said hop on, I'll take you home. didn't have to ask me twice, Life has never been the same. Man those where the good ole days huh?

 

Grew up on watching Brad Lakey racing moto cross but my fav was King Kenny ripping it up and draging his knee.
Mother was 120% against motorcycles so when my Father made a deal w/ me to get my grades up he got me a MX 100 yamaha - while he slept on the couch for 6 months .

the rest is history.

 

Now THIS is a great Thread! Thanks! (Sorry for the long post, kids!)

For this boy, it was a situation that took a long time to set up. Being #4 child out of 5, I was always keeping up with my brothers and sister. We all rode bikes. First, I fell in love with my tricycle (Big Red) and then I moved to the bike. I still remember every detail of my father helping me learn to ride without the training wheels (in Thailand). Then it was riding around all the dirt roads there in pursuit of fun in the various streams and dumps (nothing like a kid in a dump, eh? EVERYTHING is treasure!). The bicycle represented freedom and movement. Two wheels just represent JOY to me! My older brother became interested in motorcycles from an early age so like so many things, his interests became my interests. He finally got a BSA when he was in his first year of college. What an amazing machine it appeared to my eyes! The short version is that he didn't have it long so he always felt he never really scratched that itch enough. He longed for another bike the rest of his life. I went on to college in 1977 and had a real awareness of motorcycles and even bought the occasional MC magazine. My college roomie had a Kawasaki 400 and I had many fun experiences sitting on the back. But then decades went by. I continued to be an avid road bicyclist and then a mountain biker. Two wheels still represented freedom (especially since I didn't get my first car until I was 28...I HAD to commute on my bicycle). When I started working at my current job in 2002 I was slowly being influenced by my boss who got back into riding by getting some KTM's. He eventually convinced me to try it out by helping me get a Kaw KLR. I took to it very quickly and added a Kaw Z750S when the road called louder than the dirt. Despite low-siding the Z750S, I stuck with the sport. Eventually, I found the VFR and good old Mom helped me afford it so here I am! I spent a life wanting to ride and then finally fulfilled that wish. My brother died in 1977 when he was 40 (ruptured diverticulum) and because he always encouraged me in all my interests I cannot help but wish he had lived to proudly see his little bro go on to live out his own dream. So even though I never ride with a pillion, I do have a brother who always goes out with me. To me, the possibility of dying on the bike is nothing when compared to how Bill died...alone in his house, in so much pain that he could not drag his body into the kitchen to phone for help. It is very clear to me: live your life in the way that makes you happy and fulfilled because you never know how much time you have left in this motorcycle racetrack called LIFE.

 

Like father, like daughter

He rode for years, but it took me until I was 30-ish to get over my insecurities and try. I was an avid cyclist since I could walk, but always a bit afraid of the motorcycle on the street.

Been riding ever since.

 

I started riding when I was 18 I had been working for just over a year and I remember one of the biggest thrills was the day a friend took me to work on the back of his Triumph Bonneville.The sound and the vibration through the footpegs and the rush of the wind across my face was sheer excitement.I got Mum to go guarantor on a finance deal the shop and soon I was the proud owner of a Suzuki T125 Stinger with a long narrow seat and high rise pipes.It was mine and it was brand new.Two more bike followed and then marriage and domestics put an end to biking for 33 years.Five years ago I decided I had been 'horseless' for far too long and now own a fifth gen Viffer and a lovely yellow Super Hawk, and this time Im never giving up again.

 

was into bmx then rode a dirtbike up a hill couldn't make up on a bicycle.. then that was it:thumbsup:

 

1st go-cart at 10, 1st mini-bike (z50 Honda) at 12...and so on.

I think the current is about #14.

 

I'm a fossil also, been riding for 40 years. Strange thing about us prehistorics but many of us are cheap bastards and, back in the day, the going rate was $1/cc for a pretty good bike! Brad Lackey was awesome and so was his dove!

 

Yea me too. Even hopped it up with baseball cards. What a sound. Moved on to riding neighbors mini-bikes, then some misc friends dirt bikes. Never really cared for them. Got to ride a 65 Honda 305 Dream with a buddy for half a day. My first real non-legal ride on a street bike. Tried to buy a 650 Bonneville Triumph in 71, the deal fell thru. It wasn't until I was around 24 yr old that I bought my first street bike. In Jan of 75 I bought a clean used 1974 CB750K4 and rode it to my parents house in the snow 2 miles away. June 21st of that year I was in my first 24hr race on a Kaw H1 triple. Got bit bad by the MC bug and never looked back from there.

After that the biggest thing I learned was "dirt is for potatoes and asphalt is for racing" plain and simple.

 

wifey, who was my girlfriend in 1983, taught me to ride a scooter. the rest is history. stopped ridding in '92 when we had a child THEN resumed only last year-a 16 year hiatus!

 

Like Father, like Son:

I always had a great relationship with my father growing up, but he wasn't around much with his career. I found myself after college, wanting to have a closer bond with him. I was always fascinated about his road and camping adventures down on the motorcycle with his buddies. That's when I decided there was no better way to bond then to learn and buy a motorcycle, and join them on their journeys. One of the most significant decisions of my life to date. The rest is history.

 

I don't have a clue what caused my addiction, but I've wanted a bike every since I can remember. My folks told me I would outgrow it when I was a teenager but didn't happen. Then my dad bought a Honda 65 for me when I was 14(1963) and the rest is history. I've never been without at least one bike since, except for the 2 1/2 years when I was in the service.

RVFR: my second bike was a Honda S(uper)90 but it was red.

 

Started with bicycles....Still an avid bicyclist....

I used to work at a now defunct plastics factory that was literally a stone's throw away from H-D's Capitol drive assembly plant here in Brewtown. I was on the freeway on my way to work one morning,cruising along in the right lane with the window rolled down when a guy riding a black KZ 1000 I believe passed me at speed. Thought it was the coolest thing,and it looked like big fun. I said to myself,"Yeah man,that's for me". Bought my first bike,a 1980 CB750F that weekend. That was 25 years ago,and I'm still having some goofy fun with my bikes.

 

I was in military training down in San Diego, saw lots of bikes being ridden, thought I'd give it a try. Bought something like a Kawasaki 125 with sheet metal frame (can't even really remember), got the old thrill of wind through the hair. That lasted a couple of weeks till I got tired of riding at 35mph.:smile: Went to a dealer they called "The Guru" and bought myself about the fasted bike available back in 1969, a Norton N15, just like the one in this thread. Same as a Matchless G15, and had the most beautiful gas tank in motorcycledom. Never did get tired of that. :biggrin:

 

Once apon a time 39 bikes ago, my Mother took me shopping to Montgomery Wards, I was about 10 years old (1966). First thing I noticed was a Riverside 125 ( that's a MC for those that don't know )...best thing in the department store. I stopped to check it out and when mother backtracked to find me I told her I'm getting one as soon as I get a license. She replied your never getting a Motorcycle! A year later I traded my Schwinn for a Lambretta 125 Scooter, I got the frozen engine freed up. Cleaned the carb, filed points, cleaned the plug and added fresh fuel/oil mix. A good push and I was off, it was state of the art compared to the POS B&S mini bike I had that fell apart. After riding the big heavy Italian Scoot everywhere for a week and my mother asking who it belongs to, I kept saying it's mine I traded my Schwinn for it. Since it's not a Motorcycle it was ok. After riding it a year and a half or so I had to go with the flow, 8 friends got new Trail 70s, I had to have one too. It's not really a motorcycle I explained, next the gang moved up to 175 Honda twins, next was Honda 350 twins (we put serious miles on our 350s). From age 12 to 19 (in a small town down south) Ten school friends were killed in cars and trucks in those 7 wild years....my parents gave up lecturing me on how dangerous Motorcycles are. Most of the old gang still ride.