What made you want to ride a bike ?

[Char]

It all started here.....

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[SunEye]

As a kid I watched motorsports on the TV. My dad and his brother had had bikes when they were younger. I enjoyed watching bike and car racing.

When I was about 27 my friend rode a Honda CB750. I went pillion on it. Enjoyed it. Was still into cars. Bought a Caterham 7. Wrote it off 15 minutes after picking it up. Couldn't afford to buy another so decided to buy a bike. The next summer I took my bike test.

[Nonnie]

Her hair would never look like that after riding!

If mine sticks out of my helmet, it looks and feels like it's been subjected to a massive electrical charge.

[Kato]

My dad said I couldn't have one......so of course I wanted one even more, 30 odd years later I'm still not bored with them.

[Mrnutt]

a huge poster of a 916 on my bedroom wall when I was 6 and and model of a old M900

:) :)

[desmo]

Same as Kato.
Dad said no chance even though he had loads of bikes when he was younger.

Roz was pillion for years, until one day leaving Donington Park she saw 2 matching Ducati 916's, one being ridden by a lady, so she said sod being pillion, I want to do that.

[s4rmark]

I had an after school job when i was 14, the butcher there had a kawasaki 750 h2 , he used to wheelie it up and down the high street. I was hooked. As soon as i was 16 i got a moped, never been without a bike since. I am now 48.

[rac3r]

I saw someone else riding one

[BluprintZ]

I think mine was just a natural engineering bent, from an early age i was either making things, or pulling stuff (like me mums watch) to bits, to see what made them tick (sic)!

I can remember from around 11 years old, spending a lot of time at the garage over the road, helping the mechanic out, fetching and carrying for him, a go-fer if you like.
I learned quite a bit about engines and transmissions from that guy and within a year or so, i knew how to set points/timing and tappets and how carbs worked.

I also used to spend a lot of time with the older guys, watching them work on their bikes in their sheds, in those days it was Nortons, BSA's, Vellocettes and Triumphs, etc.
I can remember i was about 14 and one guy taking me on the back of his 500 BSA Gold Star and seeing the speedo needle hit 70mph...before he changed into second gear!
It was both frighteneing and exciting enough, for me to start showing an interest in getting a bike.
On my 15th birthday, matey with the Goldie gave me a 197cc Francis Barnett trials bike, that he used to ride years ago, a nice gesture.
That was pretty much me from then on, a progression of bikes over the next 40 odd years.

G ; )

[Capo]

I could not wait nor afford a car :biggrin:

[Blah blah]

My soooooper cool cousin and his purple Honda 400/4, first bike I ever went on (the back of) as a 13th birthday treat, and my late grandad and his 125 Cosack (bit like an MZ from memory) that I used to start in the alley way...

[animaluk]

This Man made me do it :)


http://www.barrysheene.nl/uploads/images/img_2.jpg

http://racebikepics.com/myPictures/Barry%20Sheene%20500%20suzuki%2077_WM.jpg

[banditloon]

This Man made me do it :)


http://www.barrysheene.nl/uploads/images/img_2.jpg

http://racebikepics.com/myPictures/Barry%20Sheene%20500%20suzuki%2077_WM.jpg

Scary, same here!!! :D

Passed my full test in '93 and wanted a Monster.... Bugger.... :D

[Liz]

My brother had a bike, I said "I want a bike", I got an FS1E, a proper bike (with pedals!).............hooked ever since!

[Char]

Thats where it started.....this is where I want it to finish ;)
http://www.shift-tech-carbon.com/onlineshop/product_info.php?info=p524_2010-Award-Winning-Shift-Tech-Streetfighter.html

[gary tompkins]

My uncles and dad/mum rode bikes which had a big influence on me. My parents have many pictures of me tinkering with my dad's 350 BSA as a toddler. Got my restricted moped at sixteen the rest as they say is history - over 30 years of it :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5310848950_4490b9701d.jpg

Oh and as a bike mad teenager in the 70's this chap played his part too..

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[Mr Cake]

Couldn't afford an Aston Martin.

C

[Mand]

It was the voices in my head... I'm just glad I listened to them! Met some super people through owning my monster, oh yeah not forgetting my lovely hubbie :heart:

[singletrack]

This Man made me do it :)


http://www.barrysheene.nl/uploads/images/img_2.jpg

http://racebikepics.com/myPictures/Barry%20Sheene%20500%20suzuki%2077_WM.jpg


Ooh, Barry Sheene, he could make me do things too, animal - but probably not for the same reasons as you ;)


I always fancied a bike when I was younger but Mum and Dad wouldn't let me have one and to be honest I was a bit scared after seeing my older brother fall off a number of times.
Then I hit a milestone age and thought I needed to do something new so I took my test, without ever really having been on a bike before.
I loved it and was hooked.

[johnboy44]

all of the above, a part from it was my mum who said no, thirty years on and i'm still sick, with a wife and daughters bike mad and a garage full of bikes.......... "life don't get any better than this"

[Grumpy]

several thinga, one of my earilest memories is standing at the side of the raod watching the Ulster GP with my father( yes I come from Ireland!!, explains everything really!!!) which left a major impression on me, than, as others have mentioed, my mum said 'you not having a motorbike' even though my mum and dad did their courting on a bike! so of course I got one.
As to why Italian, picture this, a spotty 17yr old standing outside his mate's house repairing a puncture in the bake wheel of a DT175, down the road comes a black bevel drive 900SS, ridden by a chap with a pudding basin, goggles and a full beard on show. He stops switches the bike of(which sounded gourgous!) and asked if we needed any help? No nthanks we said, so he started the bike up and briskly went up the road! I turned to my mate and said ' i've got to own 1 of those!'
here we are yrs later, it my not be a bevel, but its a Ducati:thumbsup:

[Pomp1]

Mum said no, dad said yes.

[steeevvvooo]

Thats where it started.....this is where I want it to finish ;)
http://www.shift-tech-carbon.com/onlineshop/product_info.php?info=p524_2010-Award-Winning-Shift-Tech-Streetfighter.html

how about this Char... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201108380558009/sort/pricedesc/usedbikes/model/streetfighter/make/ducati/postcode/br13hp/radius/1500/quicksearch/true/page/1?logcode=p

Back on topic...

For me, I think it was simply a case of wanting a bit of excitement. A bike was a cheap way of getting some blood pumping through my veins (Cars don't get my blood pumping as at legal speeds they don't have a sensation of speed). When I realised I could actually afford to own and run a Ducati, that was it.

I was out with a friend on Saturday, who has a 2007 Fireblade. (Lovely bike by the way) He jokingly said midway though a bike related chat in the pub "are you going to buy anything other than Ducati?". I had to think for a minute, then replied "dunno, but I'll always make sure I have at least one Duc"

Bikes and Ducs are one and the same for me

[southfrance]

Evil Kinevel
CHiPS
family freind
Great Escape
err..........

[Char]

OOhhh eerrrr -forgotten about CHIPS -

And Steve you can stop that right now

[S4Rs-Tone]

My wife said she didnt want me to get one , so i did only getting my full licence in 2005 , had a few bikes in my yoof .
Wife then put huge restrictions on my riding time ( would you believe i had to ask permission to have a blat).
Eventually told me i would have to get rid of the s4rs , so................................................ ..................
I GOT RID OF HER !!!!!!! :)
The ducati is a far better ride , i love the sound of it's voice and it's never talked back to me ;)
Give me a bike over a sports car anyday.

[Dukedesmo]

Always wanted a bike, always rode bicycles as a kid, my Dad was a biker, his Dad was too, got my first bike at 15 and 30 (something) years later I'm still at it...

[Thirdway]

I really don't know.

Maybe in the blood, a natural progression from pushbikes, a car was a dream and needed a test passed to ride, all my mates were into bikes.

Most of all I think it was my first glimpse of a brand new Z1 in green parked outside a house about a mile from my house. It was the most beautiful thing, the sun was shining off the metalflake paint, polished alloy and four glittering chrome pipes and on the sidepanel the immortal words 900cc double overhead camshaft. I couldn't take my eyes off it. It represented power, freedom and beauty in one package and was irresistible.

My encounter with the Kawasaki was in 1974, shortly after I was given a ride on the back of a bright red Suzuki GT750 through the centre of Oxford on a hot sunny afternoon. The rush of wind, the throaty burble from the two stroke, the feeling of acceleration and the evocative smell of two stroke sealed it for me.

I wandered around my local town peering into bike shop windows and buying up every motorcycle magazine ever published. It was just total motorcycle pornography for me and it fanned the flames of desire ever higher.

Guys at school started getting FS1E's, Garelli's, Fantic's, SS50 even Puch JPS specials and weeks passed at a crawl as I sacrificed my weekends away from school to work 8 till 8 in a petrol station kiosk to get the money to buy my first motorcycle.

In 1977 I finally had enough to buy a tatty Suzuki GT185 complete with rattling silencers and enormous top box. I sold my racing cycle, which was my pride and joy to get the insurance paid for and finally I attained the dream of owning my own piece of freedom that had started 3 years earlier.

[utopia]

Probably owe my beginnings to my mate, Nigel.
He had a suzuki invader (200cc 2-stroke), and put up with me on the pillion for the best part of a year.
It had a racing triangular rear tyre, which helped some when chasing bigger bikes. We were pretty unbeatable on a twisty road. I actually got my knee down once, as a pillion (though in fairness, it was on a raised verge).
That would have been 1970, I think.
I bought a 350 yam (having previously passed my test on a scooter), and I've had bikes ever since, though there was a decade or so when I was busy with family stuff and I wasn't riding.
Later on, Nigel owned an ex Kork Ballington 750 Seeley Kawasaki triple. I still find myself checking ebay for a kawasaki triple engine, as the basis of a special/project.
The Ducati bug first bit in '73, when a bevel 750 rumbled past as we were walking down to the pub at the '73 Dragon Rally. Then I bought a 750 Laverda SFC from a guy who had replaced it with a 750ss bevel Ducati...the silver and green, Paul Smart thing. Just the sight of it in his workshop was enough to change everything.
Never owned one though, 'til I bought my M750, about 5years ago. Its a keeper.
Other factors......
I too, have always tinkered with things, and trained/worked as an engineer.
Sheene....also Smart, Haslam, Cooper, and later, Whitham, Haydon etc.
Early copies of Bike magazine.
The smell of Castrol R.
And particularly, the biker cameraderie...the nods, the roadside assistance, the 'not quite normal'ness.
Cars are just transport.

[analogue_rogue]

This Program!

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[pegboy]

I too was tinkering at a young age although on farm machinery and use to help my Neighbour work on his 18 wheeler truck My dad alway did his own serving etc and build a pit in the shed nice 30x20ft it was Australia afterall, so being around all that had a big interest in cars loved them since I cam remember. Growing up we use to share the land of a farm, we use to grow and farm lots of things so naturally trail bikes were always used. I to took a liking to the 916 poster on the bedroom wall, dad saying you will never
have one etc etc but to be honest it was mainly cars until about 6 years ago I brought a scooter to commute into central London then the monster came along, at first that was to get back into riding and on the road then the plan was a 916 but just can not move on from my beloved monsters!! Kylie (my Bike)

[bex]

yes I come from Ireland!!, explains everything really!!

Objection!!! :chuckle:

Spent my first few years of life with the NW200 hooning past my back garden.

Dad said no, Mum said no way... Bex said oh yes.

[uksurfer]

my dad had a bike, and my mum had a bike - and when i was young, i had a bike too :)

[Gordon H]

Getting places faster than my contemporaries who nearly all plumbed for cars rather than bikes......

However, I don't do fast very often these days (as any of the Hants / Wilts crowd will tell you...) ;)

[MrsC_772]

A friend at university (who had herself bought a bike over the Christmas holidays, having dreamed that riding a motorbike might be fun), combined with an utterly rubbish year at college (I really didn't enjoy the course, and needed some sort of escape activity) and a financial windfall when the Halifax building society de-mutualised (which gave me the money to do my CBT, buy a 125 and basic kit).

[animaluk]

This Program!

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300mph not bad for a honda xl500 !!!!

[analogue_rogue]

There were three streethawks apparently..... I did a web search a whileago.... sad I know.....

[Funkatronic]

honda africa twin, neighbour had one when i was a kid and i loved it
steve mcqueen, barry sheen, easy rider and rebel without a cause would ahve to be up there too

[Rally]

What made you want to ride a bike?

My Dad had fast bikes in his time, Aerial square four, HRD Vincent etc, and that sowed the seed. My eldest Brother mucked about with old Franny Barnetts and Bantams, so I dabbled with a Honda P50 at first!
My first ride on a real bike was at a schoolboy scrambling event in 1975 when a bloke shouted over, 'Can you ride lad??', to which I of course said yes. Two minutes later he showed me around his Suzuki RM370 and said, 'Go on then, your today's riding marshall'. That day sticks in my mind very well, wheelies without even trying and falling off like a natural on every lap! I think I had even changed gear a couple of times by the end of the day. Did it dampen my enthusiasm, not a bit. That day changed my life for ever...........................
I'm now on my 65th bike. :D

[J.P]

My Dad owned a Honda 750 back in the late 70's/early 80's which was my first experience and the thrill of being on a bike. Then in the late 80's I took pocession of my sister's scooter so I could get to my new job. Spent most of that 6 months drunk most nights and fell off 7 times. Wised up.

Then 20 years later, between jobs, I thought, I know I'll get my bike license because I'll probably need to commute through London again. Did a 5 day DAS course and by day 3 had decided that I was going to buy a bike, coincidentally the launch of the M695 had also just happened.

For me it was about the acceleration, the adrenalin rush, and then meeting all these friendly people in the UKMOC.

[the_adam]

Just thinking and I'm not actually sure how it happened...always been a bit of a fan of making things/taking them apart but I don't know exactly where bikes came into it...none in the family or anything, I just somehow came out of my MEng wanting to ride a night rod special :eek:

I did my CBT and quickly realised that small cruisers don't really work, got a broken sports bike instead and made something of a mini streetfighter out of it. Just to be a bit different! Rode that for 2 years and got the money together to train for my full test with a month or so to spare, I was just going to go for the restricted licence until I failed my module 1...then my instructor let me try one of the bigger bikes when we got back!

People had always commented that the Sachs looked a bit like a monster with it having the trellis frame etc (the exhaust I put on it was probably louder than my termis too :D) so when I could afford something bigger a Monster seemed like a good way to go...and I found a good one :)

...and you'll be pleased to know I grew out of the harley idea a long time ago :thumbsup:

[JerryT]

I used to read MCN all through my time at boarding school, lusting after Nortons, Cafe Racers and RGV250s; I was in awe of Barry Sheene and still have a soft spot for Steve McQueen and so on, but Motorbikes were ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN by my father so it wasn't until I was about 25 that I took my test. Passed straight away and got a Honda NS125F before moving up to a GPZ500s. Now back into biking after a little hiccup and loving it. With a PROPERLY nice bike too. Ahh, sigh...

[steeevvvooo]

Adam, I came to the monster via a Sachs XTC! Great learner bike with a hint of 916 :thumbsup:

[the_adam]

Think mine had a bit less of a hint of 916 than most! :chuckle:

http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af266/the_adam_m695/DSCF4490.jpg

I've actually still got it, just needs a replacement ignition switch so I can prove it runs and it'll be sold as a project bike. Ran fine before I got the monster anyway but a cold winter and then standing for another year hasn't been very kind to it... :(

[analogue_rogue]

I used to read MCN all through my time at boarding school, lusting after Nortons, Cafe Racers and RGV250s; I was in awe of Barry Sheene and still have a soft spot for Steve McQueen and so on, but Motorbikes were ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN by my father so it wasn't until I was about 25 that I took my test. Passed straight away and got a Honda NS125F before moving up to a GPZ500s. Now back into biking after a little hiccup and loving it. With a PROPERLY nice bike too. Ahh, sigh...

Rgv250r..... my first bike after passing my test.... fast as bell but you didn't miss much..... constantly blew up although it did handle.well....

[Drake]

This Guy, my dad. always been around bikes from a very young age. I remember nagging him for a dirt bike and he finally said yes. Theres me thinking about a brightly coloured YZ or CR smoker. Instead he came home with a triumph T100 scrambler:eek:. I think i was only 13 at the time and a pretty small kid :biggrin:
he still rides bikes, but unfortunately he has custom style bikes these days.
P.S sorry i don't know how to re,size the pic






http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/chamber66/JohnsDadonBike001.jpg?t=1291836253

[Drake]

And here's me during a comlete rebuild, hence the lack of exhausts

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/chamber66/JohnonBike.jpg?t=1291838111

[gremlin]

I'd always had horses then was told I couldn't ride anymore then had ex who had manky custom thing I pillioned on a few times then Clive came along so pillioned with him but decided he was probably going to kill me and he got me one of those MCN trial things so had a go on the front end and loved it, got my 125 and did two year apprenticeship on that then got the monnie.
I'd always been a car person and did my own maintenance on my TF but liked bikes too. The first time Clive came to mine to take me out I was in overalls head under the bonnet of the TF and covered in oil and now I'm the one who watches all the racing etc when I get the chance.
Bit of a jump from horses to bikes but it's the closest I'm going to get to a horse, the riding position is pretty similar, wing mirrors can be substituted for ears shame the bike doesn't do cross country really!

[DaffyDuc]

Can't remember a time I didn't want one. Neither parent rode nor grandparents or any relatives. When I was sixteen I rode a mates Francis Barnett 197 that made my mind up for sure but still at home so a big 'no'. Left home, started work and got a BSA Bantam the rest is history. My mother, 35 years after I passed my test, remains horrified! She has no idea what I ride, she thinks it's a 125 :chuckle:

[Capo]

What made you want to ride a bike? Two minutes later he showed me around his Suzuki RM370 and said, 'Go on then, your today's riding marshall'.

I had a RM370 in Saudi Arabia, cost $500 in the crate, a good desert sledge and I used to go to work on it, it followed a Honda 250 Elsinor which I wish I had never sold

[Liz]

Updating slightly - TUNNELS (London traffic tiring but worth it!!)

[w108rna]

I was rebuilding an MG Migdet which was turning into a money pit. My Dad suggested that I sell up and cut my losses, followed by 'you seem interested in bikes, why not sell the car and take bike lessons'. The seed was sewn and within a month i had passed my CBT and 125cc test (I was only just 20). As soon as i was 21 i did my big bike test and then bought my 1st bike, my old M750 in Yellow (P520HJC). Foggy was kicking arse at the time on a Ducati, and suddenly i had a Ducati. I couldn't have felt any cooler at 21, having a lovely Ducati motorbike. Been on a Ducati ever since........