what bike that changed your life?
04-04-2009 | 06:10 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Remember stock is BAD!
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 760
From: Jacksonville FL
what bike that changed your life?
With all the discussion about age lately on the forum, 55 year olds and 18 year olds, I had a thought. I think it would be interesting to find out what bike changed you or changed your life.
For me there was one bike that turned me onto motorcycles and altered my sense of speed. That was my ’89 CBR 600 (I am only 30). I still remember the sensation of overwhelming speed the first time I took her to red line in first and second year. From that moment on I was hooked. She also showed me how to corner on a street bike.
So what motorcycle changed you? What bike changed your perspective? What bike got you hooked on this incredible sport?
For me there was one bike that turned me onto motorcycles and altered my sense of speed. That was my ’89 CBR 600 (I am only 30). I still remember the sensation of overwhelming speed the first time I took her to red line in first and second year. From that moment on I was hooked. She also showed me how to corner on a street bike.
So what motorcycle changed you? What bike changed your perspective? What bike got you hooked on this incredible sport?
04-04-2009 | 06:24 PM
#2
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,451
From: San Clemente, CA
I'd only ridden a Suzuki 60cc (I think) single, when my best friend's dad bought a new 1966 CB160. Compared to the little Suzuki, the 160cc twin hauled ***. That started me dreaming about owning a motorcycle. I never rode a 305 Superhawk, which was the 160's big brother.
I got married (to my first and only ex wife) in 1967, and that put the brakes on MC ownership until 1981. I haven't been without a motorcycle since.
I got married (to my first and only ex wife) in 1967, and that put the brakes on MC ownership until 1981. I haven't been without a motorcycle since.
Last edited by VTRsurfer; 04-04-2009 at 06:27 PM.
04-04-2009 | 06:38 PM
#5
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 61
From: nebraska
superhawk
This Superhawk has changed my life! The last bike i owned was in 1979, a kawasaki kz750. After 30 years of owning an assortment of muscle cars and a Miata, i find there is nothing to compare with carving turns and the instant throttle reponse this VTR gives. Plus it it cheap to run, insure and easy to store. Ear to ear grins i get when i ride! Makes me feel like 1979, only faster.
04-04-2009 | 06:50 PM
#6
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 205
From: Cincinnati Ohio
04-04-2009 | 07:10 PM
#8
I could ride in
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,729
From: Dayton, TN
'86 FZ600. torquey air cooled 2 valve 600 in a japan spec 400 frame meant railed turns scrapin' pegs everywhere - unflappable chassis, real world power. started on a '83 GPZ550.
Last edited by LineArrayNut; 04-04-2009 at 07:21 PM.
04-04-2009 | 07:25 PM
#9
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 229
From: Massachusetts
I'd have to say it was the Yamaha XT500. Back in 76' it was the first big bore single that was "practical" to ride on the streets for any length of time. It would wheelie effortlessly and was a blast to power slide on back roads. Being too young to get a car, bikes were cheap transportation. Coming from dirt bikes, it was a natural.
The suspensions, well...it had one and that's about all you could say. Gobs of torque. Brakes were drums if I remember so they kinda sucked. Starting it was easy once you got he hang of using the kick starter. If you didn't use the compression release before the first kick it would whack the f*^k out of your leg when it kicked back. Still, the bike had character. Oh, and did I mention it was a blast to wheelie? It was SuperMoto before there was Supermoto!
The suspensions, well...it had one and that's about all you could say. Gobs of torque. Brakes were drums if I remember so they kinda sucked. Starting it was easy once you got he hang of using the kick starter. If you didn't use the compression release before the first kick it would whack the f*^k out of your leg when it kicked back. Still, the bike had character. Oh, and did I mention it was a blast to wheelie? It was SuperMoto before there was Supermoto!
04-04-2009 | 07:59 PM
#10
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Well, the first bike, of course. It was a KZ400 borrowed from a friend so that I could learn how to ride. After that, and a few more bikes, the Interceptor 500 I bought in the 80s and rode cross-country was an impressive bike. It was one of the early modern sport bikes, with a high redline, quick steering, and impressive stability.
04-04-2009 | 10:46 PM
#11
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 807
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
A mid-60's Triumph Mountain Cub changed my perspective. A hard starting, rust prone, leaking, primitive, oil foaming, spoke breaking, under powered, junk braked steaming pile of excrement. It put me off four strokes for about 12 years. I still shudder when I see one at displays of vintage bikes. I have no longing for the old days.
04-04-2009 | 11:00 PM
#12
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
it would have to be a 1970 Z50 - first taste of motorized 2 wheels when my brother and I finally convinced my dad to let us get a minibike - great dad that he was he then convinced my mom to give the OK. and I have been hooked ever since.
04-04-2009 | 11:10 PM
#13
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,451
From: San Clemente, CA
04-05-2009 | 07:34 AM
#18
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,269
From: moncton nb canada
1996 gsxr750. got a 97 new, then a 98, 00, 01 1k, 05 1k. five brand new gixxers over 12 years.
then last summer the hawk came into my life. i sold my gix 1k and bought an rc51.
next up? 1098
then last summer the hawk came into my life. i sold my gix 1k and bought an rc51.
next up? 1098
04-05-2009 | 07:47 AM
#19
Fastest Color
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,091
From: Lithia, FL
I was 15 back in the day and it was a built 1975 Kawa Z 900:
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/kaw...z_900_1975.php
I can still remember holding on with only my fingertips as it tried to yank my arms off! It was a torque monster and once you've felt that kinda torque nothing else will do
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/kaw...z_900_1975.php
I can still remember holding on with only my fingertips as it tried to yank my arms off! It was a torque monster and once you've felt that kinda torque nothing else will do
04-05-2009 | 07:50 AM
#20
i support twins
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 395
From: Nashua, NH
i would have to say the superhawk. i am only 19 and owned 3 bikes. my first was a 1987 yamah fz700 with blown forks, terrible tires and heavy as a boulder. my dad let me ride his VTR and i couldnt get off it and put 10k miles on it in 8 months riding time and for 1 and a half of those months it was getting repaired. another bike that changed my view on bike was my buddies 03 crf450 motard. after ripping around for a few minutes i pulled back in and had the biggest grin i have ever had. so i got my self a 2006 drz400sm which i enjoy very much, just need a little more power, or i could build a crf450 of my own for the track and occasional street rip
04-05-2009 | 08:27 AM
#21
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 714
From: Fredericksburg, VA
1986 XR80R. Wish I had a pic of it. I got it for my twelth birthday and rode it about 360 days a year. That's what started my addiction.
An '02 F4i got me hooked on speed. Sold it to a friend so she's still close.
My Superhawk really transformed my riding though. I got it about the same time I moved out to the country with limitless back roads. It taught me the proper way to ride a sportbike and we've really bonded over the last 15k miles. After yesterdays ride in the mountains I'm thinking about putting a Huffy sticker on it...cause its a mountain bike hehe.
Another bike that broadened my horizons is a '05 VFR. She took me to California and back, with a trackday along the way, kneedraggin on the Dragon, and through snow in Colorado. I had hardly ridden outside of VA before we set out on this journey. Awesome bike.
Wait, was this supposed to be about one bike? XR80R, where it all began.
An '02 F4i got me hooked on speed. Sold it to a friend so she's still close.
My Superhawk really transformed my riding though. I got it about the same time I moved out to the country with limitless back roads. It taught me the proper way to ride a sportbike and we've really bonded over the last 15k miles. After yesterdays ride in the mountains I'm thinking about putting a Huffy sticker on it...cause its a mountain bike hehe.
Another bike that broadened my horizons is a '05 VFR. She took me to California and back, with a trackday along the way, kneedraggin on the Dragon, and through snow in Colorado. I had hardly ridden outside of VA before we set out on this journey. Awesome bike.
Wait, was this supposed to be about one bike? XR80R, where it all began.
04-05-2009 | 09:56 AM
#22
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 27
From: Palatine, IL
For me it was a Hawk GT in 1990. I was 16, had just received my DL, and had never ridden a motorcycle before. On a fluke I went to the local dealer just to look, when the salesman took me out for a ride on one off the showroom floor. Scared the crap out of me with how far he had it leaned over in the corners, but I knew right then and there I was going to buy a bike eventually.
Didn't get my first bike until I was 26, but that Hawk GT was the bike that started it all for me. I think that's one reason why I ended up getting the Superhawk, it being the spiritual successor to the Hawk GT.
Didn't get my first bike until I was 26, but that Hawk GT was the bike that started it all for me. I think that's one reason why I ended up getting the Superhawk, it being the spiritual successor to the Hawk GT.
04-05-2009 | 02:59 PM
#24
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,572
From: Buffalo, NY
My first bike was a $50 1973 CB500F (in '90) with a longer unknown front end, sort of a chopper look from the previous owner but it served me well and it also got a friend of mine hooked on bikes. Had a few others after that, '84 VT500FT Ascot, '90 FZR600 basket case I rebuilt and sold, '92 Nighthawk 750 (had it 13 years) and then the SH. Also had a few dirt/dual sport bikes over the years.
04-05-2009 | 06:16 PM
#25
Rooster Wolf
Back Marker
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 103
From: Knightdale, NC
The bike that changed my perspective on riding is my '05 CRF150. I have been riding street for the last 12 years and started riding dirt just last year. I've had some great bikes over the years (Superhawk being my favorite) but none come close to my 150. It's a different kind of ride and a much better thrill!
04-05-2009 | 06:45 PM
#26
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 834
From: Nooksack WA
My first street bike was a 1953 Triumph Thunderbird. It had a ridged frame with a sprung inner rear hub. The fun part was that it was a kick start with a magneto ignition. Man, it could kick back! That gave way to a new '68 CB350. It became my only transport for 2 years. It was as reliable as the '53 was needy. The Superhawk is my 14th.
04-05-2009 | 07:11 PM
#27
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 818
From: Thornwood, NY
1980 Honda XL80S.... my parents bought it for me after years of begging for a bike (I was 12)... it had 100 miles on it, mint condition... took a total of 2 hours before I dropped it, tearing the turn signals off and twisting the headlight to the right... I think I dumped that bike 250 more times doing stupid things... learned alot and live to tell... so I guess it was a good experience!!!
J.
J.
04-05-2009 | 08:26 PM
#28
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 205
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Wasn't that a 2-stroke?
The bike that changed my perspective on riding is my '05 CRF150. I have been riding street for the last 12 years and started riding dirt just last year. I've had some great bikes over the years (Superhawk being my favorite) but none come close to my 150. It's a different kind of ride and a much better thrill!
The bike that changed my perspective on riding is my '05 CRF150. I have been riding street for the last 12 years and started riding dirt just last year. I've had some great bikes over the years (Superhawk being my favorite) but none come close to my 150. It's a different kind of ride and a much better thrill!
04-05-2009 | 10:42 PM
#29
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,451
From: San Clemente, CA
I was 15 back in the day and it was a built 1975 Kawa Z 900:
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/kaw...z_900_1975.php
I can still remember holding on with only my fingertips as it tried to yank my arms off! It was a torque monster and once you've felt that kinda torque nothing else will do
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/kaw...z_900_1975.php
I can still remember holding on with only my fingertips as it tried to yank my arms off! It was a torque monster and once you've felt that kinda torque nothing else will do
04-06-2009 | 01:02 AM
#30
Duc Hawk
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 691
From: Malibu's canyons
The 1st bike that really got me hooked was my 2nd dirt bike. A race tuned XR75. I loved that thing and the sense of independence that it gave me was incredible.
But my 4th street bike, a race tuned '87 VFR 700, really allowed me to get into serious corner carving. I had already owned a '83 VF750 Interceptor before it, that had seen lots of girls on the back seat
, but the 700 was light years ahead with the suspension set up it had. I still miss that bike. It's gear driven cam whines still haunt my sleep. But I don't miss working on the engine.
But my 4th street bike, a race tuned '87 VFR 700, really allowed me to get into serious corner carving. I had already owned a '83 VF750 Interceptor before it, that had seen lots of girls on the back seat
, but the 700 was light years ahead with the suspension set up it had. I still miss that bike. It's gear driven cam whines still haunt my sleep. But I don't miss working on the engine.
Last edited by Moto Man; 04-06-2009 at 11:10 AM.
