Cars R OK, but what kind of motorcycle do you have

My first was a Honda mini-trail 50, then I moved on to a trail 70. I rode a lot of dirt bikes as a kid and they were mostly Honda 4 strokers.

As an adult, my first was a 1984 Yamaha RZ350-LC in Team America colors. It was cool hanging with the big 750 4 strokers on the little RZ350 two stroker. Also a fun bike to trick out as lots of aftermarket parts were/are available.

Moved on to a sweet 1990 Honda VFR-750 which I tricked out with a "left-side" Kerker exhaust, thus exposing the cool single sided swing arm and rear wheel. I promptly wad'd it while "following" a buddy on a very spirited canyon ride. He was coming into a fast blind right hander and his breake light failed. When I realized he was braking I grabbed too much brake and low sideded it. Luckily, I scrubbed off to about 80mph before hitting the pavement. Slide about 70 feet before leaving pavement and tumbling through a farmers front yard.

Here's some good advice: SAFETY EQUIPMENT WORKS!!! Full leathers, gloves, boot and helmets will save your A$$, literally. I slide a long way on pavement then left the road and tumbled end over end a couple of times. Walked away with NO ROAD RASH, just a broken arm.

Anyway, back to bikes, I moved on to a Honda CBR-900RR and loved it. At the time, it was so good, it felt like cheating!!! I know other bikes have surpassed it now, but man o man did that thing always felt like it was on rails.

I'm bikeless today. Next one will be something really cool and much slower. I might get something like a Honda GB-500 and trick it out in 60's racer replica trim. Or buy a real 50's-60's Brit bike.

Enjoy, and wear safety equipment!!!!!

TIC

Hey Jim S.,

I've been a fan of the Hayden's since they burst out on the National scene. Living here in Cincinnati and growing up in KY, of course I'm a Nicky fan. I love hearing his drawl when he does his post race interviews with the motoGP press!

Early this summer my sister was telling me that a new nurse at UK hospital had a brother that raced motorcycles. She thought he was "racing in Europe" or something like that. I asked her the new nurses name and it was Hayden! Turns out Nicky's sister works in the ward with my sister. It was nice that Nicky had his whole family at the last race where he secured his championship. Not bad for a good ol' boy from Owensboro!

BTW, I about jumped out of my shoes when Rossi crashed! I didn't have anything against Rossi, but it was a nice turn of events after that crap Pedrosa pulled on Nicky in the previous race.

Currently bikeless since I don't have a garage. Previously had dirt bikes, then a tricked out RZ350, tricked 1990 VFR750 and finally a CBR900RR. Once I get my new house built I'll probably get some type of cool bike that ain't so fast. I'd really like to have a tricked out GB500 or possibly a small bore 2-stroker. Of course, that yellow Duc 748 looks good too......

Enjoy,

TIC

Jim,

You are right about the RZ wobbling. I didn't really notice it until I went back to it after wadding my VFR down in the KY twisties. I had kept the RZ and started riding it again after totaling the VFR. I couldn't believe how bad it handled after riding a more modern machine. I promptly sold it and bought my buddy's 900RR.

I don't know about Nicky repeating. There are several other good contenders and it's very hard to stay on top.

Your right about the Duc. It's a bit expensive and a bit fast for my current taste. But it is absolutely beautiful. Honestly, I think the Honda GB500 is the ticket for me. Looks cool, can be tricked to look nearly identical to a 1965 racer, it's relatively slow, sounds cool, blah, blah.

I must be getting old!

Enjoy,

TIC

For Jim or anyone interested in seeing a Honda GB500, here's a link to an ad for one. It is a good photo of a stock bike. Click on the photo to enlarge.

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/3/1/87117331.htm

The bummer is that I could have bought a brand new one in the early '90s for about $2500-2800. They didn't sell worth crap at the time of their procuction run and dealers were nearly giving them away. Oh well, I guess I'll get to fuel the economy a bit by paying double when I'm ready for one.....

Enjoy,

TIC

Huntermusic,

As the ol' saying goes, "Nothing exceeds like excess!".

Enjoy,

TIC

Jim,

In about 1991 or 92, I paid $1100 for a pristine stock 1983 RZ350-TC in Team America colors. The owner had only replaced the pipes and even supplied the "like new" stock catalytic pipes with the bike. Of course I immediately modified the crap out of it. Anyway, sold it for $1800 4 years later. Heck, if I had left it stock and pristine, it would likely have been worth more, but it wouldn't have been as much fun.