Neighbor had a brand spankin new 1959 Cushman Eagle and let me ride it from time to time. Was hooked right from then on.
I think that's how most of us "older generation" learned. On our own. When I went for my motorcycle certification the examiner gave me directions that covered off about 1 square mile that circled back to the examiner's office. He said" come back in one piece and you are licensed". Hows that for DMV efficiency?
Of course it's a much busier/nastier world out there on the streets and I would only recommend proper safety instruction leading up to a licence today.
Very first bike was a 500 BSA with sidecar I bought from a friends dad in 1965, but then I got this one pictured about 1966, A James 250CC Superswift. I loved it until I crashed it in a snowstorm in Scotland and bent the front forks and never could find new forks for it. A Royal Enfield followed for a short time and then I got married and gave up riding. Until about 9 years ago. I have the B now and I love it.
Man u guys bringing back good memories.A good friends dad was into those kaw triples always tinkering in the barn with em.So cool to ride them of course on one wheel.Actually we rode dirt bikes an had blast on em.The honda 90 was popular as another friend rode that thing everywhere.Also intrigued with 2 uncles on mom's side that rode the harleys.It is neat seeing how u all started some a little later in life than others yet a common trait here we all couldn't get it out of our blood if we stopped ridin.Really cool the older riders as I plan to keep ridin as long I can..great stories safe ridin
A great thread! I was consumed by bikes as a young teenager but they stayed within the pages of magazines (parental pressure and Anglican guilt -- similar to 53driver!). Around that same time I met a young family friend in his early 20s (I was 16) who had suffered brain damage in a crash and walked with a cane. That kind of put things to rest for me for years (probably a parental setup) but the idea and the desire never completely went away. Then came marriage and kids; the usual stuff. Tick tock goes the clock. It wasn't until I was working with quite a few guys who rode (police service) that I finally put it into action. I told those guys I was too old now to start (early 40s then) and they said no way -- go do it. So I did and I haven't looked back. On my third and best bike now and loving every minute of it.
My uncle got me a Honda MR50 when I turned 5. I learned how to balance on it. That is what did it for me. Been riding RED my whole life!!
Street riding in the early 1980's. Honda 4 bangers then.
Dirt bikes in the late 1960's to early 1970's. Yamahas & Hodakas.
'97 Valkyrie Tourer, SOLD!
'98 Valkyrie Tourer, traded for wife's F6B
'99 Valkyrie Tourer, traded in on MY NEW F6B!!!!
'05 Shadow Spirit 750 traded for wife's F6B
'05 Triumph Rocket 3, gone but not forgotten
2013 F6B, black standard.
2013 F6B, red Deluxe for the wife.