Your biking History

[nampus]

What's your biking history? What bikes did you own before you bought your Husky?


I started out on a Honda CB400 Super Four (NC31)

Had a ton of fun, but after 3 years I really wanted something wit more power and better handling. Looking back I should have bought a pair of decent shocks and some heavier fork springs and fresh oil instead of spending a couple 100 euros on the obnoxiously loud Bos exhaust The flames that came out were nice though
After looking at Yamaha FZ-01's and Triumph Speed Triple 1050's I came across an add for a 2007 KTM Superduke.
Went to see it, and fell in love instantly. Took it for a test ride, it was end of November, cold and wet, cobblestone street and the bike was wearing worn Pirelli dragon supercorsa tyres. I tickled the throttle in 2nd gear and was met with a bunch of wheelspin and a tail wagging like an overexcited puppy. I was sold immediately
I owned that bike for nine years and made quite a few modifications but then I wanted something different and fell in love with the Husky.

 

[MoeZambeek]

Lots

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I'll play.
I sold my Vespa that I used as a city bike and replaced it with the Svart 401.
But I have a long bike history, since 1981... I've been riding continuously for 40 years. Woot!

Previously owned rides:
1966 Ducati Mach 1 Single (fully restored; sold to a friend)
1976 Kawasaki KH250 (my first bike! taught my Dad to ride it and then sold it to him.)
1977 Kawasaki KH400 (totaled in 1982)
1981 Suzuki GS450EX (sold to buy RZ)
1984 Yamaha RZ350 (went road racing!)
1985 Yamaha RZ350 (parts for the race bike)
1987 Honda CBR600F Hurricane (first "big bike")
2001 Ducati 996S (the superbike)
2001 Yamaha FZ1 (the tourer)
2001 Aprilia Scarabeo 50 (too cheap to pass up, taught 2 people to ride with it.)
2005 Honda CRF150F (first dirt bike!)
2005 Vespa ET4 150 (beach scooter)
2010 Husqvarna TE250 (first real dirt bike)
2012 Vespa LX150 (great in the city, but sold when I bought the Svartpilen)

Current Rides:
1955 Moto Rumi 125 Bicarburatore (restored and raced in the motogiro d'italia & giro di california)
1955 Mondial 175 Turismo Veloce (restored and raced in the motogiro d'italia & giro di california)
1973 Yamaha CT3 175 Enduro (slow restoration project... will I ever finish it?)
1981 Kawasaki GPz550 (in storage)
1992 Ducati 750 Super Sport (in storage)
2000 Ducati Monster 900S (might sell soon)
2013 KTM 350 EXC-F (desert explorer)
2020 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (city ride that I seem to be riding out in the country too)

I'm really enjoying the Svart, it reminds me some of the early standard bikes I had when I was younger. It is a good, light, and fun standard. Comfortable, and I can use the whole engine regularly.

 

[MonkeyXLuffy]

My first ride was a 2015 Honda CB300F I bought used in September 2020 and I used it as a learner bike. Took it out in the canyons and learned the fundamentals until I was comfortable with upgrading, 3000 mi later.

And I got my 19' Vitpilen 701 last month, thoroughly enjoying it. Can't wait to have such a rich bike history like others!

 

[joeprez]

Agree with MonkeyXLuffy, I'm jealous of the bike history some of you have!

I was more of a car guy, but did have a Honda Elite 50 when I was around 14 years old. I also rode dirt bikes owned by friends, but that's it.

Then last year, at 40 years old, bought the 401 as my first real bike... and I'm upset with myself because I should have done it earlier

Really hope to be able to ride for a lot of years to come, this is so much fun!

 

[ichbinbier]

In my signature. Still have them all but looking to get rid of the Ninja, the Vit has replaced it.

 

[Ben Oldschool]

Ok.
I grew up in a “not under my roof“ home, so got to learn to ride all my friend‘s bikes. Finally got my first bike when I moved out to college (1985) & have been riding/owning ever since.

Previous Rides:
‘38 Indian Four
‘47 Indian Chief
’81 Honda CB750 Supersport - first bike
’87 Kawasaki Ninja 1000R - gpz1000
’86 Honda VFR 700 - US Market tariff beater
’87 Honda XR250
’85 Honda XR350
’87 Kawasaki KX250
’91 Honda XR650 w/ HRC 628 Kit
‘82 Honda CB900F Supersport
’91 Honda VFR 750
’98 Triumph Tiger 900
2003 Suzuki GSXR 750 track bike
2004 Suzuki V-Strom 650 (2)

Current Rides:
’96 Triumph Speed Triple
’96 Triumph Super III
2002 Honda RC51 SP2 - VTR/RVT
2003 Honda RC51 SP2 - VTR/RVT
2004 Suzuki DR650
2007 Aprilia Tuono
2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000
2019 Honda 125c Supercub
2020 Husqvarna Vit 701

I have reached a point where I am really enjoying riding singles again.

 

[MoeZambeek]

How do you like the super cub? I really fancy one for some reason!

 

[monkeynuts]

Struggle to remember what bikes I've had !
yamaha rs100
3 x CBR600
Thunderstorm 1000
CB600f Hornet
VFR800
CCM R30
KTM SMC690
WR250R. Still got this one
Aprilia dorsoduro 750
Yamaha Fazer 600
Aprilia Tuono 1000
Husqvarn Nuda 900R
Ducati hypermotard 939 sp
BMW S1000R sport
BMW R9T. 2014 Still got this one
BMW R1200 RS
BMW r1200 GS
KTM 790 Duke
Husqvarna Vitpilen 701

Thats what I can remember so far

 

[Ben Oldschool]

How do you like the super cub? I really fancy one for some reason!

I absolutely love riding around town & running errands on it. Over 1800 miles on it so far. The key fob makes it so convenient along with a boatload of disposable zip-tyes and a plastic milk crate. Run around all day on less than a gallon of gas. & It’s all about corner speed and putting down stripes from the rubber foot peg feelers, haha. It got me back to really enjoying riding singles again.

 

[NickC]

Ok mine since 1971
Honda C100 50cc 1964 very beat up!
Honda C90 1968
Royal Enfield Continental GT 250. Nasty cheap rebuild by previous owner. Sold quickly.
BSA B44 Shooting Star. First big single; vibrated my fillings at over 50mph and constantly broke down.
MZ ETS 250. Two stroke that eight stroked on overrun.
Yamaha XT 500. Reliable at last!
Honda TL125. Just to prove I'm not a trials rider...
Aermacchi-Harley Davidson SS350. Great honest bike that handled! Shame it was not the pure Aermacchi version.
Ducati 250. Narrow case motor in a 24 Horas frame. Used for Classic Racing and proved that I'm not a road racer either. Handled and scratched though.
Honda XBR 500. Nice motor, poor handling.
Moto Morini 350 K2. Another honest good handling Italian; in fact, I had 2 as the first T boned a car coming from a minor road.
And after an 18 year gap:
Ducati Monster 696. Uncomfortable.
Triumph Speed Cup 900. Great looks and motor; handling iffy and too heavy, especially after I fractured a vertebra in a cycling accident, leading to
Husqvarna Vitpilen 701, 40 kgs lighter than the Triumph. Still enjoying it.

That's it so far....

 

[NORTY FLATZ]

I haven't had a long list of bikes, like some of you.
Been riding since 1971. (Taught by S. McQueen!) I was on a Hodaka 90 or 100.
Been riding regularly since.
Only have 2 in the garage now. (That are mine.)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800XC, and
2018 Husky 701E

 

[FredFrenzy]

OK...
1966 Yamaha 125 single

A Vespa 125cc with flour decals (hey, it was 60's and attracted girls)
1973 Honda Elsinore 250
1974 Husqvarna 250 CR
1972 Ducati 750GT - first year of the bevel twins
1973 BMW R75/5 toaster tank - started touring
1971 American Eagle 750 (Laverda 750)
1978 Ducati 900GTS
1976 BMW R90S
<break to raise kids!>
1985 BMW K75S
1993 Monster M900 (first year of the monster to the states - with the chrome molly frame)
1973 Ducati 750GT - started off my vintage restorations...
1972 Moto Guzzi V65 cafe racer
1975 Moto Morin 3 1/2 Sport
1975 Benelli 650S Tornado
1972 BMW R75/5
2008 Moto Guzzi Griso
2015 Ducati Multistrada 1200S
2019 Husqvarna Vitpilen 701

 

[Dr.Shifty]

I started on a late 1950s BSA Bantam in 1966, still in high school and the only kid in school with his own wheels. (Still didn't get the girl)
University years sharing a Honda CB72 (250cc) with my brother. He was in the Navy and when he was on a ship I had the bike, when he was on land he had it.
Honda 250 trail bike, really their CB250 with upswept pipes and useless in the dirt. Kept seizing camshafts.
1969/70 Yamaha DS6, 250 two stroke - no camshafts.
Several Hodakas. I would buy one and do it up for high performance racing and sell it. They were great motors to work on.
Honda 175 trail bike for commuting. Sold it to buy a clothes dryer when our son was born. The dryer is still going, Sam's now 41 years old.
Suzuki 70 step through I was given when somebody found out I'd sold the Honda.
More trail and dirt bikes in there when living in a little country town.
1981 Suzuki GS1000G. Great touring bike, sold it at 26 years old.
2008 Kawasaki Versys 650.
2016 Indian Scout
2018 Indian Springfield Dark Horse
2021 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro - current touring bike.
2021 Svartpilen 401 - city hooligan bike.

 

[MoeZambeek]

41 years on a dryer - they don’t make them like that anymore!

 

[Dr.Shifty]

41 years on a dryer - they don’t make them like that anymore!

Every few years I buy a new lint filter. The part shop guy looks at it and his eyes widen, 'how are you still using that model dryer?' Simpson Minimax, Aussie made thing from before they figured out planned obsolescence.

 

[NORTY FLATZ]

Current Rides:
1955 Moto Rumi 125 Bicarburatore (restored and raced in the motogiro d'italia & giro di california)
1955 Mondial 175 Turismo Veloce (restored and raced in the motogiro d'italia & giro di california)

I inadvertently bumped into that event, in Rainbow Ca. Middle of the week, and I'm having lunch at Rainbow Oaks. A whole gaggle of small engined motorcycles/scooters show up in unison. Must have been 30-40 of 'em. They even had a chase truck that had set-up the chalk course for the riders to compete. (It was a "timed" event. Not, the fastest time, but a "target" time. Going too fast is worse than going too slow.)
As they're pulling in, I see full fairing'd bikes that look to be lake/Bonneville competitors. I grabbed Duke (the owner) I told him to "get your camera".
It was an absolute moto show. These bikes were mostly in concours shape.
I hung around to watch them depart. More important, was to listen to them depart.
They weren't fast, but I bet they had a great time!
I think they alternate North & South parts of the State each year.
Just awesome!

EDIT~ Just searched for a 2021 event. Couldn't find anything on the "Giro Di California."

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I inadvertently bumped into that event, in Rainbow Ca. Middle of the week, and I'm having lunch at Rainbow Oaks. A whole gaggle of small engined motorcycles/scooters show up in unison. Must have been 30-40 of 'em. They even had a chase truck that had set-up the chalk course for the riders to compete. (It was a "timed" event. Not, the fastest time, but a "target" time. Going too fast is worse than going too slow.)
As they're pulling in, I see full fairing'd bikes that look to be lake/Bonneville competitors. I grabbed Duke (the owner) I told him to "get your camera".
It was an absolute moto show. These bikes were mostly in concours shape.
I hung around to watch them depart. More important, was to listen to them depart.
They weren't fast, but I bet they had a great time!
I think they alternate North & South parts of the State each year.
Just awesome!

EDIT~ Just searched for a 2021 event. Couldn't find anything on the "Giro Di California."

That was us, I'm sure I was there. ;-)
Late or early to the checkpoints is equally bad.
Sounds like you saw one of the "special tests" that are set up a couple times a day during the route.
Glad you enjoyed the show!

 

[Ben Oldschool]

I remember seeing a collection up in Ojai years ago when I lived in Santa Barbara. Mostly pedigree Italian race bikes with a few Spanish bikes included. Beautiful bikes/collection. Forgetting the owner’s name... Guy???

 

[Vintage Veloce]

I remember seeing a collection up in Ojai years ago when I lived in Santa Barbara. Mostly pedigree Italian race bikes with a few Spanish bikes included. Beautiful bikes/collection. Forgetting the owner’s name... Guy???

Guy Webster. Sadly he passed away and his collection has been disbursed.