When I was a kid, I was looking forward to turn 14 and be able to own and ride my own 50cc two wheel vehicle. Where I'm from, 14 is the legal age for these kind of mopeds and scooters. I longed for the freedom to go wherever and whenever I pleased. Of course, I was also very much after the speed associated with it. Even though I knew I wouldn't break world records, it would at least be much faster than my bicycle.
The model you can see above was my favorite and the one I really desired. It came out that same year I turned 14. Alas, it wasn't meant for me. To my utter deception, my parents (mom mostly) made it clear that I was never to own nor to ride one of those. The main reason was that it was too dangerous and the costs associated with it, be it purchasing the moped, insuring it, the gasoline to run it, maintenance fees, parts, etc... were too much. As a teenager I couldn't accept those reason and needless to say I was mad at my parents.
This is the bicycle that I was using at that time. While 5 of my friends would be riding their mopeds, another friend and I would be stuck with our bicycles and would always end up trying to catch up with the rest. Sometimes when both of us would just make it to the place we had all agreed to go to and our friends would already be bored and decide to go somewhere else.
Two of my friends owned the model in the first picture and once in a while they would allow me to ride it for a few minutes around the block. It was great but it was nothing like owning one and riding it whenever I felt like it.
Seeing how my parents were not giving in despite my numerous pleas, I finally accepted that it would not happen and swore to myself that I soon as I turn 18, I would go for my motorcycle license without them knowing about it.
Unfortunately for me, I had to wait a few more years so I could earn some money and be able to pay for my license. Not long after my 21st birthday, I went to my local driving school and registered myself. I made it clear with them that they should never call me at home because my parents were not to know about it. They eventually got to know about it and were definitely not impressed nor happy about it. A few weeks after my first driving lesson, I obtained my motorcycle license on my first try. I was chuffed!
Now I had to work some more before I could buy my first motorbike. I knew exactly what model I wanted since I was 15 years old and the day I saw it while visiting a motorbike shop with friends. I even got a poster of it from the sales person and had it hanging in my bedroom.
It didn't take me long, about 8 months later I was able to acquire my dream bike. A 1995 yellow Suzuki RF600R. By then I had relocated to the United Kingdom and found a prefect 2nd hand. I couldn't help staring at it and just wanted to ride it all the time.
I quickly made plans to ride it all the way back home in France to surprise my family during my summer break. That was quite an adventure and I just loved the journey.
Sadly, after owning it for about 4 months only, I ended up crashing it in the front of a car. It was a write off. I was really gutted but happy that I only suffered a few non serious injuries.
This accident didn't put me off motorbikes and I was looking forward to get a new one. I just had to wait until I could afford it.
Several months later, I did it again and purchased a blue 1999 Suzuki GSF600 Bandit. Very different bike but lots of fun nonetheless. Just like the RF600R before, it was my daily drive and I loved it. Same story though, I crashed it a few months later when I lost control of the front wheel on some gravel. Luckily it was just a few broken parts. I got it all fixed and continued driving it until I lost my job and decided to go back to France. I couldn't find a buyer for it and so I decided to take it with me. Registering it in France was a bit difficult but my brother and I got it done. At the same time we dismantled it completely and had it all repainted as well as changed a lot of the worn-out parts. I ended up driving it a couple of years before letting go of it. It was time for me to go abroad again and I couldn't take it with me.
I had to wait 3 years before my next motorbike. This time, It was a 2005 Black Yamaha R6. I loved this bike but it ended up costing me a lot. When purchasing it, I didn't do a proper due diligence and only got to figure out several weeks later that it had previously been involved in an accident and that the front forks, the mud guard, the wheel and the brake calipers were not original and actually not meant for an R6. They came from a Kawasaki ZXR400. I had it all fixed and drove it every day for 3 years. I had a lot of fun with it, especially on the 8-lane highways of Dubai.
Even though the R6 was a lot a fun, I had to let it go because it just wasn't comfortable for my wife to ride pillion. So we made the decision to buy a brand new 2008 Grey Suzuki GSR600. I couldn't have been happier with this bike. Fun to ride, enough power to go around, comfortable and I did love the look 🙂 I drove it daily for 5 years until we decided to leave the middle east.
I never had a bike over 600cc and I'm ok with that. It was always plenty enough on the handle for me. But now, because of the condition of the roads where I live and seeing how bad people drive around here, not having a care in the world for 2 wheel riders, I have to do with 110cc only. My current daily drive and for the last 3 years is a Black and Red Suzuki Address scooter. It gets me around, But I really do miss my motorbikes.
I just felt nostalgia as I stumbled across pictures of my previous rides and felt like I had to write about them and share it with you all.
What's your motorbike story and what are/were your rides?
Thanks for your time.