| My motorcycles in reverse order of purchase: |
| 2001 Suzuki GSX-R1000
I restored my SV650 from race use to street use after about nine years of inactivity when my Goldwing started jumping out of fourth gear. Riding the SV reminded me how much I enjoy sport riding. After about a month of riding the SV, I decided to purchase something larger and more reliable. The GSXR is a great bike with loads of power both at the bottom end and at the top end. It can seem a bit violent if you are in the revs in the twisties, but it can also be very fast and fun in the mid rev range. Both will put a huge smile on your face.
This bike is currently my daily driver rain or shine.
|
| 1972 Suzuki 185
I traded my brother a utility trailer for this bike. It was just a fun project to see if I could get it running – not something I planned on riding regularly. Once I got it to run, I parked it until I gave it to a client to get it out of my garage.
|
| 1999 Suzuki SV650
I purchased the SV as a race bike. My prior race bike, a CBR900RR was getting old and was hard on tires – and my racing budget. This SV had been purchased by the prior owner new as a race bike and only had 300 street miles before being converted to a track bike. It had a lot of trick racing mods including a GSX-R750 inverted front end. Of the three bikes I raced, this was the most fun. I converted the bike back to street used once I quit racing and still ride it from time to time.
This is currently my extra bike. I ride it from time to time or loan it to friends.
|
| 1994 Honda GL1500 Goldwing
Considering how long I kept this bike I’m amazed how little thought I put into purchasing it. One day I decided I needed a more comfortable bike for my girlfriend to ride on. So, I went down to the Honda shop and sat on the back seat of each of the bikes and discovered the Goldwing had the most comfortable seat. So, I traded my CBR900RR for the Goldwing. I ended up riding the GL for over ten years; eventually selling it when it started jumping out of 4th gear.
The GL1500 was a great bike but it was also the most boring bike I ever owned. I would describe it as the minivan of motorcycles. It was super useful but not that much fun to ride. While owning the GL I rode it almost every day commuting to work but rarely would go for a fun ride.
|
| 1993 Honda CBR900RR
I purchased the CBR900RR as a race bike. I had been racing a GSX-R750 that was old and down on power when I came across this CBR900RR. It had been totaled when it hit a dear and was for sale at a local motorcycle race shop. The damage was to the bodywork which is replaced when converting a bike to track use so it made for a perfect race bike. I was riding a CBR900RR on the street at the time so I though racing one would make since. (I quickly learned that street and track riding are so different that riding the same bike both places does not help.)
I raced the CBR900RR for a few years until I got passed during a practice session by a new Yamaha R6 who had stayed in my draft down the straight and then out broke be into turn one. That and the fact that the 900 used a set of tires every other day of racing made me decide to look for a new race bike. After purchasing a new race bike, I converted the 900 into a street bike and rode it for another few years until I sold it to pay for aircraft repairs. Click on photo for more photos and racing information.
|
| 1994 Honda CBR900RR
The GSX-R750 convinced me that although I still loved my Harley, I also love sport bike riding. One day while visiting the Honda shop I came across a beautiful 1994 Honda CBR900RR that had been modified by Mike Velasco Raving (MVR) – one of the top tuners of CBR900RR’s at the time. The bike was totally tricked out with speed mods and custom paint. I loved the bike but eventually traded it in on a 1994 Goldwing so my girlfriend at the time (future wife) would have a comfortable seat.
|
| 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750
I remember seeing the GSX-R750 when it first arrived in a motorcycle showroom in 1986. I could not believe they had what looked like a full race bike for anyone to purchase. When I say one for sale at a motorcycle shop in the mid to late 1990s, I knew I wanted it. The bike had been raced but it had a new paint job and was street legal. I convinced the shop to take my CB900C and GS1000Z in trade for the GSX-R750. Probably not a great trade but I had paid less for the two bikes than they were asking for the GSXR. And besides, it was an original GSX-R750!
The GSXR was a fun bike to ride and possibly the smoothest revving motorcycle I have ever ridden – although a bit down on power. After a twisty ride back from the Oregon coast one day, I decided to look into racing before I hurt myself on the street. A month later I was signed up with OMRRA as a novice. I raced the GSXR for half a year until I graduated from being a novice at which point I sold it to purchase a new race bike. Click on photo for more pictures and info.
|
| 1982 Suzuki GS1000Z (Katana)
While driving down the road one day I saw this bike parked in front of a junk yard with a for sale sign on it. I thought it looked cool and liked the price so I decided to get it. I didn’t realize it until after I sold it but the bike is a real collector’s item. It was the predecessor to the GSXR. Problem was, it was built with early 1980s technology. The engine vibrated at highway speeds and the frame flexed. I did have a lot of fun on the bike though.
|
| 1982 Honda CB900C
My Harley was totaled when I was rear ended by a moving van. I purchased it back from the insurance company to rebuild it which took about a year. While rebuilding the Harley I needed an inexpensive bike to ride. I found this CB900C, which was always in my mind the perfect looking standard bike. It was a smooth running bike but was a bit heavy and was generic to be fun to ride.
|
| 1981 Harley-Davidson FLH 80 Clasic
While I was a teen, my dad had several Harleys that he would let me ride from time to time. I always loved riding his Harleys but could not afford one. One of my main motivators to finish collage was to be able to purchase a Harley after graduation. So, shortly after graduation I took out a bank loan and purchased a 1981 FLH80. Click on the picture to read more on the bike. I rode this bike all over for years rebuilding it many times. I eventually traded it for an airplane with my dad.
|
| 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing
I purchased this bike from an old biker around 1984. The 1975 Goldwing was the first Goldwing Honda made. It was unlike any other motorcycle as the engine was as smooth as an electric motor. At the same time, it had loads of power and was so quiet you could almost not hear the engine. The bike was so reliable and comfortable to ride that it instantly became my primary mode of transportation. I rode this bike through collage and for a number of years afterwards. I eventually sold it to a neighbor who continued to enjoy it for years.
|
| 1969 Honda SL350
I got this bike from my dad in trade for the Yamaha 100 when I was 16. I rode this bike during my high school years (1981-1983). Dad had restored it before the trade so it looked like a new bike. At that time British bikes were considered cool and the SL sounded and looked like an old Triumph. Unfortunately, it also ran like an old Triumph as it was always breaking down. I always loved riding it though and miss it to this day.
|
| Yamaha DT100
I purchased the Yamaha from my dad when I was 15 and never rode it on the street - legally. It was a little down on power but was fun to ride off road. I don’t remember the year but it was probably early to mid 1970s.
|
