While most guys were sticking their heads under hoods, I was a motorcycle type of guy. Loved the knobby tires and sound of expansion chambers on two strokes.
If I could have had my way, I would have had the motocross version of the 250 cc Suzuki, but since they weren’t street legal…I settled for the lime green of the “enduro” model.
Anyone else have a two wheeled first love?
Mine was an ’88 Honda CR 125R . There was nothing better than a day at the track. I enjoyed racing and loved riding but then I got old and realized if I crashed it won’t be good and that’s when my next favorite hobby became my # 1 hobby, fishing. 
1965 suzuki 80cc. The bike was a street/off road model. It look a little different than the one year have. Red in color and today it is still running I believe. Sold it to a farmer down here for his kids many years ago. Last time I seen it,it was in rough shape. 
Mine was a kind of gold colored Honda CB350 which was strictly a street bike but somehow got used occassionally off road. 
Of course I’m much smarter now 
and have a H-D Ultra Classic and do strictly use it ON Road – my passenger (the FW) is pretty strict about that. 
But if on occassion she does get nervous…… I have a 32″ waist again for a few monents. 
I still have mine, a 1967 250 cc Suzuki X6 Husler.
Mine was a 71 90cc Harley made by amf. Wanted the Hodaka Wombat though. Always the bridesmaid.
Here was mine,1967 Triumph Bonneville.
The picture is of a fully restored TT Special.
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Mine was a 71 90cc Harley made by amf. Wanted the Hodaka Wombat though. Always the bridesmaid.
Waldo, was that the Baja? I drooled over those tough looking HD on the inside back cover of the bike mags!
The first bike I ever rode was a Hodaka! One down, four up if I recall!
Wheeled the owner right off the back end.
Nice Denny!
If the two stroke road bike fad wouldn’t have happened, I think they would still be around.
Mine was a 90 Kawasaki, just lucky to live through those days I think. I keep mentioning to my wife how I would like to have a dirt bike to just putz around on again. She keeps mentioning I have a hard time getting out of the recliner and that a bike may not be the best idea. But, then I have had guys say getting married isn’t the best idea either. Time will tell.
Good post Brian, brings back some memories.
75 Hodaka Combat Wombat. Then a DT360 Yamaha, and a DT400 after that, and a GT380 Triple Suzuki after that. Then I graduated into Jeeps. 
i had a kawasaki 350 big horn on road/off road that was a blast. rode it everywhere, including a lot of places i shouldnt have. that bike had way too much power for an off-road amateur.
bought a new car so the bike had to go, but a few months later couldnt pass up a great deal on a hodaka super rat – $350. what a hoot that bike was. amazing power for 100 cc.
a buddy had a wombat and he loved it.
bought both of my bikes new as ’74 models.
pix are not mine but identical to what i had.
67 Honda CL 160 with the high pipe… silver…
Loved that bike….at that time I was small enough(132 lbs) to give the girls a ride on the back. Up graded to 75 CL360 a couple years later….
“Follow the Leader….He’s on a Honda….Follow the Leader….catch Him if you Can.” 
My first was a Honda Trail 70, my uncle gave it to me for my 10th birthday, I lived out in the country so I rode that baby every day. Three gears, no clutch, tons of fun!
My second bike I bought after high school, a 1993 Honda XR600R. I torquey big single that tried to kill me 3 times. It was a riot to watch my friends try and start\ride it since most of them including Bowman couldn’t touch the ground when they were sitting on it.
My last bike was a 2003 Suzuki SV650, mine was red. Loved that bike, naked with no fairings and a growl from the torquey V-Twin that would get off the line like an animal.
Not sure what my next bike will be but I have a feeling something in the 1800CC cruiser family is in my future.
The bike I am currently working on for my Dad. 1967 Honda CL305 Scrambler. Complete tear down and rebuild. I don’t have any pictures of it in it’s 90% state, but will try to get some in my spare time!
I searched for this bike for my Dad for about 2 years before I found one I could afford, and that was in decent shape. It was my Dad’s first bike, and he traded it off for a corn picker when they started a family. I heard the story once or twice when I was a kid
I have all the tins painted, the frame looking good, and am working on the wiring now. After that she will be on the road, it just might be spring before it happens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZZv42PuD-4&feature=player_detailpage
It was just like this one BK. Same color and all!
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75 Hodaka Combat Wombat. Then a DT360 Yamaha, and a DT400 after that, and a GT380 Triple Suzuki after that. Then I graduated into Jeeps.
That bike was so awesome. And loved the name! Look at all that rear travel suspension. (at least that’s what I thought in the 70’s)
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While most guys were sticking their heads under hoods, I was a motorcycle type of guy. Loved the knobby tires and sound of expansion chambers on two strokes.
If I could have had my way, I would have had the motocross version of the 250 cc Suzuki, but since they weren’t street legal…I settled for the lime green of the “enduro” model.
Anyone else have a two wheeled first love?
This the one you launched into the crow river!?!?
Ha… My first was a 1963 Harley 250 sprint. That was just a fling. My first love was the 1972 Norton Commando Roadster that I bought new when I graduated from H.S. I would go down to the dealer on W 7th St every payday and give him $100. Then I’d sit on “my” bike until April 1973 when she was mine.
I’ve had many since. Loved that leaky Brit though. Current ride is BMW R1200GS.
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This the one you launched into the crow river!?!?
Dude! There is some things we don’t talk about on-line!
Besides, it was a lesson on river ice and outside bends. 
There’s some great photos here! Forgot about the Honda’s Trail bikes…and the 305 Scrambler…what a hoot!
My first bike bigger than a putt-putt was a
Triumph 650cc TR6.
Got it within a few months after my first ‘Nam tour in Oklamhoma.
I’ve always been in love the Triumph’s, and always got the new catolog every year.
Have had LOTS of big bikes, and enjoyed every one, currently riding a 2008 Harley Ultra Classic- metalic red.
The TT Special pictured above sure brought back some great memories- Thanks DennyO
Jack
My first bike was a Hodaka Wombat 125. After I blew that up, I got a YZ 250
My most memorable bike was my Kawasaki H2 IV fastest production bike of it`s time 1972. It WAS FAST and handled very well it would stick a corner, let the sparks fly from the pegs. 45 MPH third gear hit the throttle a little and the front wheel was off the ground….IT WAS A FUN SCOOTER.
The one and only time I ever out run a cop was on that bike. 
I have never and will never do that again, when I think back I`m amazed I am alive to this day. That bike would flat as- git and handle.
Brian and Jack, I loved the Thumpers! Hated the Lucas wiring systems! What a pain in my arse.
My old Bonnie was punched out for 11 1/2 to 1 compression and dropped 2 teeth on the counter sprocket. Hellish on the dirt climbing hills in 72 and nothing could catch the ole girl on the moonlight straight till the 750 Kaw’s came to my home town. 900 Kaw’s well I was impressed with their ability to pull a 3rd gear wheelie! These were the first Jap bikes that I had to take notice of. Till then, “Good night Irean”.
My first bike on the street was a step thru trail 90 from Honda. The pic is simular to what I had in the late 60’s. 4 speed with a high/low tranny. In low I could rap out in third gear and I think I could walk faster and not break a sweat doing so!
My first bike was a 1979 Honda XL 125, I did not have that very long and I got a 1980 Honda CM400T.
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my Kawasaki H2 IV fastest production bike of it`s time 1972
Wasn’t that one called “the widow maker”?
I was talking with the local police one day after they had a high speed chase the day before. He said that was the first time he’s ever been able to see a bike pull away from him in a corner at 100 mph. 
Almost forgot the best part.
He was apprehended when he ran 
out of gas.
Least it didn’t have peddles Denny!
Steve, I just have a hard time placing you on a Honda 125.
I know, I know, we were all a bit lighter then.
55 to 60 top end Brian, road it 30 miles with a group of others to hill climb at now what is called The Saylorville Reservoir.
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