what is your experience
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Northern, MI
My Dad bought a 1970 Electra Glide in 1973 when I was 7. He let me ride it once when I was about 14 and it scared me to death and I had no interest after that, what a tank!!!
In 1990 my girlfriend's drunken brother needed cash and offered me his 400 Yamaha Maxim for $800. By the end of the week I rode it away for $400 and it was all down hill (or up hill) from there. The next year I sold the 400 and bought an '85 700 Virago with 715 miles on it and parked it for the winter with 6000.
In 1992 I bought my 1100 Virago with 3100 miles on it and I still have it today. I wrecked it and myself in July of '93 right after I sold the 700. So I bought another 700 Virago that September (after most of the healing) and put another 2k on.
I re-built the 1100 that winter using the 700 (most parts are interchangeable) in my spare bedroom, and scrapped the rest. I've put 35,000 miles on the 1100 since.
I didn't get Dad's bike when he passed away but I still thank that drunken almost brother-in-law for selling me that bike because it lead to a lot of miles with Dad next to me cruising someplace for a piece of pie and a coffee. Now, the only regret I have with the Springer is, I bought it 2 years to the day after I lost him, but I have a lot of miles already pretending he's next to me, with many more to come.
In 1990 my girlfriend's drunken brother needed cash and offered me his 400 Yamaha Maxim for $800. By the end of the week I rode it away for $400 and it was all down hill (or up hill) from there. The next year I sold the 400 and bought an '85 700 Virago with 715 miles on it and parked it for the winter with 6000.
In 1992 I bought my 1100 Virago with 3100 miles on it and I still have it today. I wrecked it and myself in July of '93 right after I sold the 700. So I bought another 700 Virago that September (after most of the healing) and put another 2k on.
I re-built the 1100 that winter using the 700 (most parts are interchangeable) in my spare bedroom, and scrapped the rest. I've put 35,000 miles on the 1100 since.
I didn't get Dad's bike when he passed away but I still thank that drunken almost brother-in-law for selling me that bike because it lead to a lot of miles with Dad next to me cruising someplace for a piece of pie and a coffee. Now, the only regret I have with the Springer is, I bought it 2 years to the day after I lost him, but I have a lot of miles already pretending he's next to me, with many more to come.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester County, Southern NJ
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112,202
Likes: 1,316
From: On a hill among the hills, PA
The original question was level of experience, so it shows the just how much it differs here I don't think anyone will pick on you because you are a new rider! We all were at one time!
Moderator "Queens Of The Road" Forum
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 1
From: Cornwall UK
Been road riding for 35 years on pretty much every type of bike i could get my hands on. Loved em, all some in their own special way.
Before that i road for 7 years off road which taught me a lot,especially how to fall off in style. LOL
It don,t matter when you started or for how long, as long as you do.Believe me there ain,t nothing better.
Stay out there people
Before that i road for 7 years off road which taught me a lot,especially how to fall off in style. LOL
It don,t matter when you started or for how long, as long as you do.Believe me there ain,t nothing better.
Stay out there people
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 52,957
Likes: 44,480
From: SW OH.
My Dad bought a 1970 Electra Glide in 1973 when I was 7. He let me ride it once when I was about 14 and it scared me to death and I had no interest after that, what a tank!!!
In 1990 my girlfriend's drunken brother needed cash and offered me his 400 Yamaha Maxim for $800. By the end of the week I rode it away for $400 and it was all down hill (or up hill) from there. The next year I sold the 400 and bought an '85 700 Virago with 715 miles on it and parked it for the winter with 6000.
In 1992 I bought my 1100 Virago with 3100 miles on it and I still have it today. I wrecked it and myself in July of '93 right after I sold the 700. So I bought another 700 Virago that September (after most of the healing) and put another 2k on.
I re-built the 1100 that winter using the 700 (most parts are interchangeable) in my spare bedroom, and scrapped the rest. I've put 35,000 miles on the 1100 since.
I didn't get Dad's bike when he passed away but I still thank that drunken almost brother-in-law for selling me that bike because it lead to a lot of miles with Dad next to me cruising someplace for a piece of pie and a coffee. Now, the only regret I have with the Springer is, I bought it 2 years to the day after I lost him, but I have a lot of miles already pretending he's next to me, with many more to come.
In 1990 my girlfriend's drunken brother needed cash and offered me his 400 Yamaha Maxim for $800. By the end of the week I rode it away for $400 and it was all down hill (or up hill) from there. The next year I sold the 400 and bought an '85 700 Virago with 715 miles on it and parked it for the winter with 6000.
In 1992 I bought my 1100 Virago with 3100 miles on it and I still have it today. I wrecked it and myself in July of '93 right after I sold the 700. So I bought another 700 Virago that September (after most of the healing) and put another 2k on.
I re-built the 1100 that winter using the 700 (most parts are interchangeable) in my spare bedroom, and scrapped the rest. I've put 35,000 miles on the 1100 since.
I didn't get Dad's bike when he passed away but I still thank that drunken almost brother-in-law for selling me that bike because it lead to a lot of miles with Dad next to me cruising someplace for a piece of pie and a coffee. Now, the only regret I have with the Springer is, I bought it 2 years to the day after I lost him, but I have a lot of miles already pretending he's next to me, with many more to come.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Alabama
First bike was a Kawasaki 90 back in 72. I got my motorcycle license with it in March of that year and run over by a car while riding it in April. Say what you want about Jap bikes, but alot if not most of us learned and grew up on them back then. Not in order but after the 90 (and I could ride again) I went thru a kawasaki 100, 125, 250, 350, 900 and 1200. A Honda 600, 700, 929 and 1000. A Yamaha 600 and 650. A Suzuki 250 and two 1300 Hayabusas. A Ducati 996. A fake Harley 250, 900 Sportster and my current Super Glide.
Riding for 36 years and counting.
Jim
Riding for 36 years and counting.
Jim
Last edited by laytonj1; Sep 13, 2008 at 02:26 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 4
From: GA
My first street bike was a 1972 Honda CB750 I bought 30 years ago this summer. I t-boned a left-turning drunk driver with it and lived to tell the tale. From there I got a 1973 CB750 chopper - hardtail frame, 12" springer, narrow pullbacks, king-queen - a true 70's era chopper. Sold that after a couple of summers and got a 1974 Sportster XLCH in 1981 and have been on Harleys ever since.