Bikes are a lot more personal than cars: they tell a story about you.
What did you own? What did you borrow? What did you test ride? What did you spot in a dealer or on the street and think to yourself “THAT”?
While still at school the boom in jap sportsbikes would be the stuff of dreams.
I vaguely recall a magazine article on the GPZ900r, to this day I’ve never owned a Kawasaki. Looking at it now online, it does look very much a bike of it’s era.
Bring on the RC30 and Ducati 748/916 all look timeless to me and absolutely stunning.
Sadly none of which I have owned.
I had a Suzuki Bandit 400 as my first ‘big’ bike. Enjoyed it, very revvy, noisy, got pinched eventually.
Next was an Aprilia Falco. Not a very common bike, some shared components to the 1st gen RSV. Although I still have some parts from it, it came to an abrupt end on the bonnet of an Audi A3.
That with a stay in hospital and some metalwork in my wrist put me off riding on the road for a while, I built a track bike up and was my only riding for a couple of years. In essence an Aprilia RSV, but used the motor from a Tuono so different gear ratios.
I had a GSX600F for a few months, quite comfy and dependable, but never had an emotional connection to it, felt purely functional.
My 2006 R1 has stayed with me since 2012, gets ridden less and less, I don’t have a rational reason to keep it, but does take all your attention and focus and even the briefest of rides reminds me how good a bike it is. I am by no means a fast rider, but it does make things feel very easy. Just before all the electronics came in, the last of the 5 valve motors.
About the same time I picked up a MotoGuzzi Jackal at auction as a project. It’s been on a to do list at the bottom ever since. Bought as a barn find probably off the road for 8 or so years, that’s now nearer 20 and I’ve still not even tried turning it over.
Most often if I ride now is a Triumph Street Cup. Low powered and suspension feels akin to the era it harks back to. Don’t feel like going much over 60 when I’m on it and can get most of it’s miles in on the commute.
I can’t see everything on the tablet here, but have a few
2 Likes
had a few bikes
600 bandit
600 Fazer
Now got 600 honda CBR
Have vague memories of my uncle having a norton with side car taking us out when I was little.
Looking at getting a different bike maybe . Went CMC chesterfield today as was nice day and was off.
Keep looking at Ducati monster.
But sometimes think maybe these days go for triumph or something bit more slower and relaxing to ride.
Think my days of speed are coming to an end rather cruise along and chill out
Although went bike show at nec few years back and liked the look of the Kawasaki Vulcan which was just coming out at the time
If had the money I’d of probably bought it there n then
1 Like
Good thread 
I’ll put a list and pics of mine up when I’ve time.
2 Likes
Smart bikes there mate
My Dad had an Ariel Square 4 his mate had a Vincent HRD ‘if’ I had had any interest in motorbikes I would probably have preferred the latter.But by all accounts the square 4 was a great bike.
Both he and my Mum were relieved when I went by the mantra of 4 wheels and brakes are better than 2 and I want as much metal as I can afford between me and any potential impact.
Then think about what engine it needs to preferably go faster than the HRD or the Square 4 did.
I had a Yamaha FS1E when i was 16 
Does that count 
1 Like
My latest bike after 20 yrs away , I just wanted a toy & this fitted the bill , really enjoying it , I’m limited to about 30/40 miles as my wrists / forearms , shoulders etc are gone , no suprise at 63
Had all sorts kh250 , 400 , 500 , gs1000s , fireblade , r1 etc
Probably be my last sports bike ( gutted as love them ) , but hopefully be healthy enough to have another bike
1 Like
I would say so, a cult classic! I avoided mentioning a Vespa PX as thats pushing the envelope too far, perhaps.
That is looking sweet. Most days mine is wearing bug splatter and road grime. My devotion might be slipping when it comes to keeping it prestine.
My favourite bike , so comfortable with a decent turn of speed , think if Honda did the equivalent now it would be on the radar for next bike , think it will be zzr1400 subject to test ride
I looked at one of these the other week , zx10r , that’s the only thing I miss with 400 it hasn’t got the shove of a thousand , I was tempted , wife was having none of it , apparently I need to grow up , to be fair she’s been really good & she was right I’d only had 400 for 3 months , but I’m still very tempted , watch this space !!
There were some good offers on the ZZR1400 from Kawasaki last year, remember looking. Maybe the same this year after silly season. Worth a look.
I remember when the GPz900R came out (1984?) and itching to see one on the road. At the time I’d just bought a new Suzi GSX750EF (old photo here) which was plenty fast enough, but the 900R was a leap ahead. RC30/ RC45 are definitely up my alley, same with the Tamburini-design 916/ 996/ 998 - as you say, timeless. I remember the Aprilia Futura more than the Falco, I rode a Tuono once and I liked the grunt it had.
1 Like
Absolutely. When I was 16 my mate Andy bought one, purple metalflake paint and a speedo that went up to 60 
. Its rival was the Suzi AP50
I was a 4-stroke fan myself but the sound of 2-stroke triples (with spannies of course) always got my attention - Box Hill on a sunny Sunday in the 70s/ 80s. Do you remember the Suzi GS1000S? I thought it was very tasty.
'90s CBR1000F, from the era Honda really made the best bikes on the road (not the sexiest, but the best). Its successor (CBR1100■■ ‘Blackbird’) was a helluva thing too: the ZXR14 is in a similar vein.
KH100ex brilliant workhorse
250LC brilliant fun and reliable
NS400 Yea was quickish but big mistake buying that pile of crap and I was broke
350LC converted my 250 to 350 WAAAAAYYY more fun than the NS400
All sold & now I have a Slabby 750 & a mk1 RG250. I’m going to sell the slabby though as I want a boat & I’ve lost the love for it & pretty much bikes in general so the RG could go too
That is some nice bikes there, none I have ridden or been in a position to buy.
There is a saying I hear about boats - the two best days of boat ownership are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it. Hope your plans work out well.
Never been a boat owner, but I can imagine the truth of that, and it applying to other vehicles.
Being older than some others here I wasn’t limited to 50cc at 16 years old. I started on a 175cc BSA Bantam. Hardly a rocketship though.
350 AJS, 500 Triumph Tiger 100, Norton 650SS, Honda 750K2, then needing to get to work before 5am, with a suitcase, in the winter, a car was necessary.
Later on as a 2nd vehicle, Honda F750, Honda VFR750 (lovely bike) Honda, Pan European (great bit a sledgehammer to crack a nut for all I used it) and lastly a TDM 850.
Currently nowt.
Sold the Yam last year, and this nice weather is making me think again…but…not missing it enough to jump for a another bike…yet.
1 Like
That was another mid-80s game-changer, first saw them at the TT in 1985. You should get decent money for it.