Featured Your Motorbike History?

Way back in 1977, I bought my first bike. It was a 1974 Suzuki A100. It looked like a AP50, but was quicker. Oh the fun I had as a 17 year old!
Honda CB250G5. Spent 3 weeks in hospital after an off on July 4th 1979.
Next was an Yam RS125, closely followed by a CG125.
RD200, coffin tank.
Suzuki GT500
1975 RD250, peardrop tank.
CB400/4 F1
CB250 K4
Suzuki X5
CB250N
Honda C70
RD125 LC
XS250
CB550/4
GPZ900R (owned for 22 years)
Suzuki X7
ZZR600
Kawasaki ER6
Honda NC750X
and finally, a 04 plateTriumph Thunderbird 900 with just over 14k on the clock.

 

The gas flowing of the head and larger valve work on mine was all done by Mistral who shipped the bits back to me and I built the engine up in the garage. Those early air cooled Z1/Z1000 engines were really well built with the heavy, roller bearing cranks. After checking the crank specs I had it welded up by SEP at kegworth.

I did exactly the same thing in March '86 when I traded the bike in at Cusworths for a new 1000RX which was some 20mph faster and comfortable although heavier and not as nimble. I think I got around £2k for it against the £4400 price of the RX. The trade in value was subject to a test ride and thorough inspection by one of their mechanics who came back and said how impressed he was with the build quaity! . The top salesman at the time was Phil Roberts who went on to open his own dealership, Team Roberts at Conisborough. The trade in was only brought on by a friend of mine buyng a GPZ900R which was more than a match for the Magnum and significantly cheaper to boot.

 

Bikes I have owned are 82 and still buying them

 

My motorcycles in order of appearance:

1966 Sears Sabre 50
1970 Honda CB 250
1975 Honda CB 350
1983 Honda V45 Magna
1993 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200
1995 Harley Davidson Electra Glide
2001 Victory V92C
2006 Victory Vegas
2004 Victory Touring Cruiser
2010 Victory Cross Roads
2004 Victory Touring Cruiser (Same one listed before - I bought it back)
2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster

My Wife's Motorcycles in order of appearance:

1970 Honda 300 Dream
1983 Kawasaki 750 LTD
2004 Kawasaki 800 Vulcan Classic

 

Yamaha FS1-E
Honda CB175
Triumph 5TA Speed Twin
Triumph Thunderbird 6T 650
Norton 850 Mk3 Commando
Yamaha DT175 MX
MZ TS125
Laverda 120 Jota
Honda CB750 F2
Kawasaki Z650 B2
Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer
Triumph Tiger Cub
Honda SL230 (grey import)
Aprilia Pegaso 600 Trail
Triumph 955i Daytona
Triumph sprint ST 1050
MV Agusta F4 1000
Ducati Multistrada 950S
Triumph Street Cup

Some of these I owned at the same time - e.g. one for a commuting, one for pure enjoyment! The last 2 are my current steeds.

 

1955 DOT197
1949 Royal Enfield Model G
1964 Triumph Thunderbird
1969 Triumph Bonneville
!979 Ducati 900 GTS
1972 AJS Stormer 250
1980 Yamaha YZ465
1980 Suzuki GS1000
1982 BMW R100
1975 Suzuki RL250
1975 Montesa Cota 172
1976 Laverda SF3 750
2016 Triumph Thruxton R
2018 KTM Duke 390

Still got the last 4

 

I started back in 2003 and the. Had a break from 2013 to 2019.

2003 - 2007 Yamaha Dragstar 125 (03 reg)
2007 - 2010 Honda Shadow 750 (07 reg)
2010 - 2013 Triumph Street Triple R (10 reg)
2019 - 2021 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle (16 reg)
2021 - ??? Triumph Speed Triple R (16 reg)
2023 - ??? Triumph Thruxton RS (19 reg and waiting to be delivered)

 

1955 DOT197
1949 Royal Enfield Model G
1964 Triumph Thunderbird
1969 Triumph Bonneville
!979 Ducati 900 GTS
1972 AJS Stormer 250
1980 Yamaha YZ465
1980 Suzuki GS1000
1982 BMW R100
1975 Suzuki RL250
1975 Montesa Cota 172
1976 Laverda SF3 750
2016 Triumph Thruxton R
2018 KTM Duke 390

Still got the last 4

 

2003 Aprilia RS50 (Telefonica colours) - as a 16yo was so cool
2005 Suzuki GS500 - boring first "big bike"
96 Suzuki RF600 - first "fast" bike, written off promptly (calmed me down a bit)
98 Yamaha Thundercat - bought as a write off. Loved it, can do anything; commuting, touring, trackdays, Sunday blast.
2003 Aprilia RSV Mille - sexy temperamental Italian. Wouldn't start too often.
1959 James Commodore 250 -
2002 Suzuki GSXR 600 - a reliable sport bike to replace the Aprilia
2015 Triumph Street Triple - first triumph; love it.

 

Pic

 

A selection of photos new and old from my list

 

My pick from these would be your RD 350 absolutely loved mine, I had the white/red/blue combo red frame YPVS I’d love another one day, loved my memories of 2 strokes and watching Kevin Schwantz at the British GP way back

 

Wow, @Iceman! I suspect that is the forum "record" for sheer numbers!

 

We'll look forward to photos of that new Thruxton RS, @Jage!

 

Love the photos, @Wfc-james!