What got you started?

I had a number of friends and acquaintances that rode and had been on the back of a few. In 1995 a friend picked up a couple of running CB350 Four's. He made one pretty sweet green '72 and offered me the other '73. Picked up a used Arai Fred Merkel helmet and the rest was history.




She was a sweet little bike. Not much on looks but just a fun little bike to ride. Wish I still had her.

 

I don't even know where to begin. I have always loved anything with a motor attached to it!

It probably started with being taking to the local go kart track and being able to race go karts for a few bucks when I was at the magical 48" tall !!

When I was 8 or 9 or so, I was at a familyfriend's house, and they had a yellow moped. He asked if I wanted to ride it, I had never ridden anything like that in my life - and I remember vividly dreaming about it becoming mine after that. I tried my best, my mom said no - and there was no father in the picture to beg to. So no it was.

As I got older, I always loved motorcycles. I'd get bike magazines even though I wasn't even old enough to drive. I loved the sound, the speed, the design. Everything about them amazed me. The freedom of getting on and going - no questions asked. Maybe it was growing up in a run down steel town, on welfare with my mom working and being a loner in school made me want that freedom.

I turned 16, got my first car - and couldnt stop tinkering with it. A friend of mine - his dad was into Harley's and bikes and such. This buddy of mine got a bike, it was either a Honda Rebel 250 or a Buell Blast, I don't remember what he had first - but he learned on those. All the more inspiration for me find myself a bike and ride with him.

After much convincing to my mom, I got it. A 1981(or 83.. I forget) Kawasaki KZ305. It was super super clean, and I spent just as much time keeping it polished as I did riding it. It was a twin, and it was fun enough. It didn't run that great though - and I had no idea how to adjust carbs. It spat gas out the intake and back fired and didn't want to start a lot. But once I got it going, it ran just fine.

I've had a few bikes since then - bought and sold a handful. I didn't ride for a few years, and now at 27 - I got myself a Honda VF500F. Purchased for the nice price, and I love Hondas.

Glad to be back on 2 wheels. The feeling of freedom is amazing.

 

My brother was my inspiration. He is 11 years older than I am. Can you imagine the influence he wielded when he took me for a ride on his HD XLCH? And when I saw hime tear around on his Husky? I was hooked. Mom hated it, but I bought my first motorcycle (Honda S 90 in pretty white) when I was 14 years old. Mom finally came to terms with it. My wife too. Now she says, "Motorcycling is your thing, not mine. I don't care what you buy or what you do with it. Just don't talk to me about it!" She's fabulous . . . .

 

The cost of fuel commuting to and from work $45.00 every day. But what keeps my mojo going? the orgasmic sensations from riding this piece of precision machinery.

 

I was 5 y.o. (1959)...my father brought me at school with its Moto Guzzi 175 that was the "official" bike (they had not cars yet) of the italian Telecommunication Company...I can not forget my eyes full of tears because the wind.....Well, when I was 15 I had my first Moto Guzzi (50 cc.) and after...Gilera, Benelli...and VFR 750 (rc 24) 1987. 40 years always with a motorcycle. The best one ? Each bike you have, in the moment you have it, is the best bike in the world...
Ciao, and Lamps !
Carmine

 

Grandfather was a Newark PD m/c cop. I was hooked before I even walked.