I started riding bikes when i was about 12. Had a few field bikes then a sports moped and then moved on from there. Now on a 2011 Repsol Blade...
Always had a little scrambler and quad from age 11, I lived on a farm, then joined the navy at 16 had a break from bikes for a few years then did direct access in 2002 and got my first road bike
dad taught me to ride at about 8 - had dirt bikes and field hacks till 16, plus riding his customers bikes , 50cc race rep at 16 (best day of my life lol) passed A1 at 18 on fzr400, lost license at 19, re took test at 21 had vfr400 for 2 years, couple years off - flat purchase stopped play - then 2008 bought a new r6 at 24 / 25, had bikes non stop since then, and wont ever be without a bike again!!
Started off with my dad's Bultaco Sherpa when I was about 14, then got my own, a Montesa Cota when I left school. Moved onto road bikes at 17 with a Yamaha DT125LC. many bikes in between and here today with a Blade.
2008. Had split with the previous wife and sold the house. Moved next door to this guy from Hull who had an R1. The house I was renting also had a Triumph Sprint in the garage. I used to go in there, sit on it like a kid and make engine noises. Oh yeh, I am full of fun me. Anyway, thought I really must take this up to put some enjoyment back into my life. Best thing I ever did. Did my CBT (first time ever on a bike), and the weekend after that bought a XL125 varadero brand new. Passed my test 2 months after that, second time after doing my DAS (bloody U turns). That afternoon I went and traded in the 125 for a brand new Hornet ABS. Had that just under a year and one TT, before trading in for a lovely 600RR that had 600 miles on it. Had that for just over ab year and one TT before seeing my current steed sitting in the showroom with all the Yoshi kit on it. Had to have it. My only regret was not keeping the 600RR as well though, as that was a cracking bike. So got the current missus one, although she had grown up best pals with Steve Hislop, so he taught her how to ride. Also gave her a shot of riding to Knockhill on the bike he won his first TT on. She is in a pic with him at the museum in Hawick. Edit to add: Last Saturday I had my first go at off road riding at Harthill (Fun In The Mud - google them). Was fantastic and loved every minute too. So will be looking to do more of that in the future too.
you are kidding..... i passed my test in 1984 when they watched you from afar and it was the car examiner who did the bike test... i had a 1976 Honda SS50 sports moped. This was before the restriction. It howled along and topped out at an earth shattering 60mph. Needed a medical after doing it mind.....
Passed mine in '84 too after having 2 or 3 prior to that. Short 3 yr break when I bought a house, but had one ever since. And why do I have one? BECAUSE I CAN, and its fun..
Fizzy in 1977, then onwards to a GT250, RDs etc etc ..................about 3 thousand bikes later, now on my 4th Blade in last 13 years....shortest length of ownership was a brand new RD125 in 78, picked it up at 5PM on way from work, and by 7PM a mate had driven it into a lamp post and shortened it considerably.....although I would not condone it now, it was a different world then, I could afford the bike thanks to Mums bank but she went through the roof when she realised I had no insurance and I was not even riding it and it was a false cover note.
My dad taught me to ride at the ripe old age of Five on an itialijet 50.was only after about a year I started to use the other gears lol.hated the fact He wouldn't let me have a automatic but thank him now. Then got a RM100, RM125 , RM 125 with a 400cc Single rotax engine dropped in then at 12 my dad Got me a 500cc Armstrong ex army bike to play with. Turned 17 and went an played on two strokes for The next three year's before finally pulling the finger Out and getting the test (mainly because the law Changed and I wasnt allowed my 250 on L plates).
Started riding at 16 my first bike in 78 was a CB50, what a speed monster. 30mph down hill if I was lucky!
Used to commute on its big brother a CB100N that would hit 65! With its horrendously difficult to fix cable operated front disc brake, springs exploding everywhere are my memories
Had a moped at 16 in 1986. Used it for 1 year to work and back... until i passed car test at 17. Rode a few bikes illegally now and again. Met missus in 1993, and everytime we used to go on holiday, i used to hire motorsickles for the 2 weeks. Em used to come on the back and loved it. Everytime i came home i used to say i was going to pass my test. never did. Had kids in 1998, so that was the end of that. 2008 i got the hankering again, so bought a Daytona 650 without seeing it, got a courier from chester to pick it up and deliver, never told Emma. Did my DAS in July 2008 and passed sept 2008. Bought the Blade in 2011. Happy days.
started riding at 9 racing at 11 , retired from racing at 40 still riding mx 1-2 times a week and on track on the superbike every 4-6 weeks , i could count the times iv ridden on the road on my fingers just cant see the point .
