Talk about your pivotal moments.

Growing up, I was never all that interested in motorcycles. It rained year round and being out in the elements just seemed like a nightmare. And the rain would sneak up on us. The weather man would say 0% chance of rain... 2 hours later, it would be a total downpour. Just never a consideration.

While I was in the Marines, stationed in Southern California, my buddy had a Suzuki Intruder. He sparked my interest and I started looking around. I LOVE the look of the Fat Boys but they were so expensive for a 21 year old enlisted guy. I never even considered other makes...

He needed to take his bike in for service and asked if I could drive his truck to pick him up; figured I could look at the different bikes while I was waiting for him to drop off his bike.

While wondering around the showroom, I saw my baby. Shiny chrome, fat tires, dripping with sex appeal (in my opinion), and INCREDIBLY close to the look of the Fat Boy. I noticed a price tag of $6k... A sales rep walked up and asked, "Can I help you?". My response: "I should say no... but yes." I drove my first bike home that night. I've now spent over 50% of my life on two wheels and can't imagine my life without it!


(not my exact bike but the exact same make, model, and color at time of purchase)

Since I could ride a bike I was obsessed with anything on two wheels. It was probably when I was 7 or so a neighborhood family got dirt bikes. I already had a go kart my grandfather bought me, home built with a 5 hp B&S. Did about 50 km but felt like 100 at that age.

Once I saw the 1984ish z50 monkey bike my neighbor friend got I was hooked. I had no idea how to change gears or how it worked, but anytime I got a chance to get a glimpse of it or to go sit on it I would stay as long as I could. Absolutely obsessed. Now that Honda has re-released the monkey bikes I find myself pining for one to satiate that childhood “want”. They are very expensive for what they are, but that urge for that bike is strong.

I used to put a pop can in my bike tire and even used to tie pieces of wood on my bike to make it look more like a motorcycle. I had the bug bad.
When I was about 13 I worked for my parents business and saved a few hundred bucks and purchased a little 50 cc bike. Can’t even remember what it was called, I want to say a beaver. It was riddled with problems and my dad took it to our local Honda shop to have it checked out and they told me was basically too old and basically a write off for parts. I think my dad even told them to keep it. I wish I had still had that bike, or at least a photo.

In grade 11 (16) I bought a 2000 XR200. Put a ton of miles on that. Had some good riding close to my door and rode daily. After that I got into a CR250. That’s where my skills really improved. Never got into racing, but could master the 1 km wheelie had rode hard with some experienced friends on trail rides. A ton of fun, and new this was not a phase.

At about 18 or 19 I bought my first road bike. A used Ducati 620 monster. That was my baby. I loved it so much more than dirt. I could hop on and ride all day without worrying about being chased by the authority and didn’t have to wash it for 30 mins after each ride. Sold that to a friend and got into a Ducati monster S4. Now that’s a bike. Had about 110 HP on A light weight naked bike. Talk about hooligan! Managed to keep my license through out that purchase, somehow. Sold it to be an adult and got engaged, started family, bought and sold bikes, and houses.

now in my late 30’s I am still obsessed. Now in the final stages of divorce I can focus on my kids and riding. Ex hated bikes. So much to the point that when I bought one it would be a major upset in the household. Not financially, she just didn’t agree with them. Didn’t even want me on one. But I either had to live in dispute or find myself waiving at every biker enthusiastically from my cage. My son is now 7 and daughter 4, and they help me turn some wrenches and clean it. I am anal, but bit my tongue as hard as I can when they muck it up with fingerprints to keep their perspective of motorcycles as a super positive one.

The cruiser world is new to me, but enjoying it. My days of wheelies are over and looking forward to two up riding with the girlfriend and heading to sturgis with a friend.

Of all this, nothing has held a flame to how I felt when I saw that z50 in the 80’s. one day I will track down a new monkey in the used market. I can’t justify it, but I can’t not fulfill that dream

In the late 60's my uncle had a Royal Enfeild and took us for rides. I knew that early I didn't want to be on the back. A few years later my Mom bought my older brother a new RD200 and told him that he had to take me along. We know how that worked out. A year later she bought me a used RD350 and I had the CC bragging rights. I've been riding since and have only owned cars for about six years of my life and I am 62.

The '69 Harley Electra Glide may be what is being remembered by the OP.




I too had my own moment of falling in lust with a Harley, about the same year, only I had walked up on two motorcycle cops parked for smoking break, and I was wowed by the same year Harley police bike, in all it's glory. I was so impressed with the bike, I later bought a plastic model kit of it (back when they sold those and the glue for them kids later sniffed). I had that model in my room for a few years, always admiring it until it broke.

I was never traumatized about Harley, but they always were out of my price range until recently (see my Harley below). I also love white-wall tires, and currently own a Honda VTX 1300 with white walls (below).

My Honda VTX 1300 (all customization's by me)



Here's my Harley:

Here is a similar bike with a clever sidecar Click

This is the only picture I have of my 76,my daughter driving.