Why do YOU ride a motorcycle?

**smokier** · 05-05-2019, 06:06 AM

What brought you to motorcycling? What made you an enthusiast? Is it in the blood?

In the blood for me.
My dad has been riding motorcycles *forever*. There are pictures of me at 9 months being posed on the seat of his Sportster. Was riding on the gas tank at 3. Had trail 90's and YZ's as a kid, when I turned 20 bought my first street bike (KZ440).

How did you get started? What drew you to two-wheels?

Ride safe,
Smokier

BrokeAss · 05-05-2019, 11:55 AM

Also grew up on the gas tank of my Dad's motorcycle, then had a quad until age 16 when cars took priority. My Dad actually sold his motorcycle just before my 16th birthday to discourage me from ever riding, so it was my divorce that got me on two wheels. Incidentally, I now ride with my ex's second ex-husband who also took to two wheels after she did the dirt on him. I think we should consider calling our group the Ex-Men...

duffy · 05-05-2019, 05:04 PM

My two older brothers and I started putting Briggs motors on bicycles when I was about 10............pop bought us a Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon when I was about 12. Didn't take us long to destroy that. I bought my first bike (a dirt bike) when I was 21. I've had a bike most of the time since then, although I did take about a 10 year break when I was chasing sprint cars. Probably got another year or two of long distance riding and then it will be just a bike to putt around with. Sucks getting old.

**Top Cat** · 05-06-2019, 10:26 AM

Because it is fun, I meet a bunch of nice people, I take a lot of trips and see a lot of country I would never have done in a car and it is my therapy.
My avatar is my Dad on his 1927 Indian.

NorthernRider · 05-06-2019, 07:45 PM

I was introduced to riding at ten, on my cousin's Honda Mini Trail. Against my mother's wishes, Dad bought me a shiny new '75 Honda Z50 the next summer and I drove the wheels of it. Two years later I'd outgrown it and graduated up to an XR75. All my friends had one too and we terrorized the trails for several years.

I became more into cars and girls in my later teens but I ended up with an XR500 in my twenties. A few years later the street bike bug bit me and I got a Yamaha FZ600. Had a lot of fun on that little crotch rocket until I got married and sold my toys.

I always told my wife that I'd have another bike one day, but life happens and it wasn't until about 5 years ago I started making some serious noises about getting one. I finally wore her down a couple of years ago and ended up with my VStar 1100 Classic. Love that bike and put almost 17,000 miles on it in two years (it's now for sale but I still have it). But we discovered my wife loves riding with me and while the Star had decent power solo, we needed a little more for two-up touring. So last week I picked up my new to me Nomad. Hope to get out and do some longer tours this summer!

Chuck A. · 05-06-2019, 09:18 PM

My dad bought my brother, which is 22 months older, a used Sears mini bike while I was spending the night with a cousin. When I got home I was told to stay off of it cause I was to young and would probably hurt myself,,,,, so says the man that had me plowing fields on a B John Deere at the same time. Granted I was only 4 months away from my 6th birthday. Was never to young for farm work. Anyway he worked second shift and when he was gone to work I learn how to start that Tecumseh 3hp engine, twist the throttle and jump on as it took off. After daddy figured out no matter how much he whipped me with the belt for not doing as he said he left me to it. I have been a 2 wheel fanatic sense that first day. 51 years later I still love the feel of the open ride and the rush of leaning on the throttle coming out of a corner. I can ride the bike and then drive a car on the same roads and the sights are just not the same.

4Steelers · 05-07-2019, 11:54 AM

Smokier, your mention of the KZ440 brought back memories. I bought a KZ440 LTD out of the crate in probably 1985, it was a 84 model. First new and only new bike I have ever owned. Started riding when I was 17 when a couple of friends and I decided it would be cool. First bike was a KZ125 in Kawasaki green. Bought it for $100. The guy wanted $150 for it but it kept stalling after you started it. I noticed the fuel selector was turned to reserve and told him that since it keeps stalling I would only give him $100. He took it, I turned the fuel selector switch and away I rode. The adventure began!

redjay · 05-07-2019, 12:17 PM

I ride because I have no choice. The bug bit me hard 50 years ago and I still carry the disease. I thought I was cured a couple of times but the symptoms came back after a few months and then another bike came along.

My family know the disease is terminal and have stopped trying to find a cure.

ponch · 05-08-2019, 12:35 AM

I haven't in a while. I've had a few surgeries in the last 8 months and I am second guessing if it's a good idea. I just don't know anyone that has had multiple fusions that rides. Doctors will just say no.

**smokier** · 05-11-2019, 06:14 AM

Great stories gang!

mbarr10 · 05-12-2019, 09:06 AM

As A kid my neighbors had a Honda Mini trail and a Honda 90 Cub. Many hours of fun and learning. Bought my first bike at 16 Suzuki RM125. Learned the dirt, and actually took it to a race once. Luck to be alive after not finishing ( fouled Plug). I was walking funny for a week afterwards.
First street bike was A Kawasaki KH triple 2 stroke 400. Damn fast, screaming fast.
All these years later, none of the kids I grew up with owns a bike, Just me.

ldhthept · 05-12-2019, 10:46 AM

Started out as fun, adrenaline rush, has ended up as therapy for me.

The Black Knight · 05-12-2019, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

I ride because I have no choice. The bug bit me hard 50 years ago and I still carry the disease. I thought I was cured a couple of times but the symptoms came back after a few months and then another bike came along.

My family know the disease is terminal and have stopped trying to find a cure.

Me too, mates. 44 years ago.

Chuck A. · 05-12-2019, 09:30 PM

50 years, still loving motorcycles. People ask me all the time, Are you not scared of dying on that thing with all this distracted driving now days? I tell them that I have a bigger risk of dying from my job with a heat stroke or a heart attack(construction sites). I can see most people that are distracted and react to it...…….. I had lot rather die doing something I love.

DaPreacha · 05-23-2019, 02:42 PM

Keeps me sane. Riding lets the stress and worries of the day fall away. My wife loves to ride so it is something that we do together that keeps us close. Been riding for 40 years now and been through many bikes and many miles. Here in NC i ride year round every dqy unless the weather is horrible.

05-05-2019, 06:06 AM	#1
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Why do YOU ride a motorcycle? What brought you to motorcycling? What made you an enthusiast? Is it in the blood? In the blood for me. My dad has been riding motorcycles forever. There are pictures of me at 9 months being posed on the seat of his Sportster. Was riding on the gas tank at 3. Had trail 90's and YZ's as a kid, when I turned 20 bought my first street bike (KZ440). How did you get started? What drew you to two-wheels? Ride safe, Smokier __________________ You only get one, so "Make it the best day ever!" 2014 Victory Cross County Tour Blue Fire Gloss (BFG) "Cruella" Brides Ride: 2012 Victory Crossroads in Sunset Red "Ruby" Previous Vulcans: '15 Vaquero, '12 Vaquero, '10 1700 Nomad, '04 1500 Classic, '01 1500 Classic, '88 Vulcan 750 VROC # 10967 \| VBA # 3115 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-05-2019, 11:55 AM	#2
BrokeAss Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Ohio Posts: 296	Also grew up on the gas tank of my Dad's motorcycle, then had a quad until age 16 when cars took priority. My Dad actually sold his motorcycle just before my 16th birthday to discourage me from ever riding, so it was my divorce that got me on two wheels. Incidentally, I now ride with my ex's second ex-husband who also took to two wheels after she did the dirt on him. I think we should consider calling our group the Ex-Men... __________________ '09 Nomad 1700 - Ivan's flash - Kuryakyn Alley Cat - V&H slip-ons - Triple hi/low beam H4 headlights - Desert Dawgs - Half the F&S Catalog
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05-06-2019, 10:26 AM	#4
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Because it is fun, I meet a bunch of nice people, I take a lot of trips and see a lot of country I would never have done in a car and it is my therapy. My avatar is my Dad on his 1927 Indian. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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05-06-2019, 07:45 PM	#5
NorthernRider Jr. Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 11	I was introduced to riding at ten, on my cousin's Honda Mini Trail. Against my mother's wishes, Dad bought me a shiny new '75 Honda Z50 the next summer and I drove the wheels of it. Two years later I'd outgrown it and graduated up to an XR75. All my friends had one too and we terrorized the trails for several years. I became more into cars and girls in my later teens but I ended up with an XR500 in my twenties. A few years later the street bike bug bit me and I got a Yamaha FZ600. Had a lot of fun on that little crotch rocket until I got married and sold my toys. I always told my wife that I'd have another bike one day, but life happens and it wasn't until about 5 years ago I started making some serious noises about getting one. I finally wore her down a couple of years ago and ended up with my VStar 1100 Classic. Love that bike and put almost 17,000 miles on it in two years (it's now for sale but I still have it). But we discovered my wife loves riding with me and while the Star had decent power solo, we needed a little more for two-up touring. So last week I picked up my new to me Nomad. Hope to get out and do some longer tours this summer! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-06-2019, 09:18 PM	#6
Chuck A. Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Hartselle Alabama Posts: 990	My dad bought my brother, which is 22 months older, a used Sears mini bike while I was spending the night with a cousin. When I got home I was told to stay off of it cause I was to young and would probably hurt myself,,,,, so says the man that had me plowing fields on a B John Deere at the same time. Granted I was only 4 months away from my 6th birthday. Was never to young for farm work. Anyway he worked second shift and when he was gone to work I learn how to start that Tecumseh 3hp engine, twist the throttle and jump on as it took off. After daddy figured out no matter how much he whipped me with the belt for not doing as he said he left me to it. I have been a 2 wheel fanatic sense that first day. 51 years later I still love the feel of the open ride and the rush of leaning on the throttle coming out of a corner. I can ride the bike and then drive a car on the same roads and the sights are just not the same. __________________ Have A Good One, Chuck Patriot Guard Riders Sons Of Liberty Riders Alabama Road Captain 2015 Voyager 2003 1500 NOMAD FI sold 6/19 VBA #2993 RUSSELL DAYLONG SEATS ROCK!! DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling "DAMMIT" at the top of your lungs There is no substitute for laminar flow in which a helmet is the primary disturbance. SO MANY ROADS, SO LITTLE TIME.
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05-05-2019, 05:04 PM	#3
duffy Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hot Springs, SD and other warm and dry places Posts: 1,043	My two older brothers and I started putting Briggs motors on bicycles when I was about 10............pop bought us a Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon when I was about 12. Didn't take us long to destroy that. I bought my first bike (a dirt bike) when I was 21. I've had a bike most of the time since then, although I did take about a 10 year break when I was chasing sprint cars. Probably got another year or two of long distance riding and then it will be just a bike to putt around with. Sucks getting old.
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05-07-2019, 11:54 AM	#7
4Steelers Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Rickman, TN Posts: 59	Smokier, your mention of the KZ440 brought back memories. I bought a KZ440 LTD out of the crate in probably 1985, it was a 84 model. First new and only new bike I have ever owned. Started riding when I was 17 when a couple of friends and I decided it would be cool. First bike was a KZ125 in Kawasaki green. Bought it for $100. The guy wanted $150 for it but it kept stalling after you started it. I noticed the fuel selector was turned to reserve and told him that since it keeps stalling I would only give him $100. He took it, I turned the fuel selector switch and away I rode. The adventure began! __________________ 2015 Vaquero "Ivanized" V&H Dual Slash Cut Slip Ons Auxillary Lights Kuryakyn Longhorn Highway Pegs Mustang Seat VBA #: 3681
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05-07-2019, 12:17 PM	#8
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	I ride because I have no choice. The bug bit me hard 50 years ago and I still carry the disease. I thought I was cured a couple of times but the symptoms came back after a few months and then another bike came along. My family know the disease is terminal and have stopped trying to find a cure.
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05-08-2019, 12:35 AM	#9
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,015	I haven't in a while. I've had a few surgeries in the last 8 months and I am second guessing if it's a good idea. I just don't know anyone that has had multiple fusions that rides. Doctors will just say no. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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05-11-2019, 06:14 AM	#10
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Great stories gang!
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05-12-2019, 09:06 AM	#11
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	As A kid my neighbors had a Honda Mini trail and a Honda 90 Cub. Many hours of fun and learning. Bought my first bike at 16 Suzuki RM125. Learned the dirt, and actually took it to a race once. Luck to be alive after not finishing ( fouled Plug). I was walking funny for a week afterwards. First street bike was A Kawasaki KH triple 2 stroke 400. Damn fast, screaming fast. All these years later, none of the kids I grew up with owns a bike, Just me. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
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05-12-2019, 10:46 AM	#12
ldhthept Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 1,035	Started out as fun, adrenaline rush, has ended up as therapy for me.
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05-12-2019, 09:30 PM	#14
Chuck A. Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Hartselle Alabama Posts: 990	50 years, still loving motorcycles. People ask me all the time, Are you not scared of dying on that thing with all this distracted driving now days? I tell them that I have a bigger risk of dying from my job with a heat stroke or a heart attack(construction sites). I can see most people that are distracted and react to it...…….. I had lot rather die doing something I love. __________________ Have A Good One, Chuck Patriot Guard Riders Sons Of Liberty Riders Alabama Road Captain 2015 Voyager 2003 1500 NOMAD FI sold 6/19 VBA #2993 RUSSELL DAYLONG SEATS ROCK!! DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling "DAMMIT" at the top of your lungs There is no substitute for laminar flow in which a helmet is the primary disturbance. SO MANY ROADS, SO LITTLE TIME.
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05-23-2019, 02:42 PM	#15
DaPreacha Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Rockingham, NC Posts: 76	Keeps me sane. Riding lets the stress and worries of the day fall away. My wife loves to ride so it is something that we do together that keeps us close. Been riding for 40 years now and been through many bikes and many miles. Here in NC i ride year round every dqy unless the weather is horrible. __________________ Da Preacha 2012 Nomad Went to the darkside Ivan's flash and lots of other stuff "God is good even when we aren't!!"
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