The lead up to your Big bike ........

[CeeJay07]

I could rattle off heaps of dirt bikes, but I think they're all irrelevant when it comes to road riding (YZ490, IT250, CR500, TT600), but as far as road bikes go.....XT250, VFR750, 2003 GSX1300R Hayabusa.

[Leviathan]

I've only owned 3 bikes: GPX 250, ZZR 1100 and my Busa. I looked after & had the use of a mates RGV 250 for a few months when I owned the GPX.

13 years riding now and have only had 2 accidents, the first was a static drop on my ZZR. Whilst sitting on the bike I leant over to try and pick my glove up off the ground - mental note to self: next time get your lazy arse off the bike!
The 2nd was on my Busa when a young lass "didn't see me" at a stop sign leaving a shopping centre car park and gave me a little smack in the bum.

I've always tried to be a smooth rider, to think about what to do next if XYZ was to happen etc. The old saying "ride with your head and not your right hand" is a good starting point IMO.

[Ward P]

Good thread.
There have been some classic bikes in the "years gone by"

my list seems pretty tame compared to some.

DT175 - twin shock, steel blue tank, I was 15 years old - It was old then in 1979 -and a "big bike" (shared with little brother)
RM250B
GT185 - 1st road bike at 17 - rode it to school on my L's
CBX1000B - at 18 when I got my P's - f*** the 250 law, I just ignored it.
Turboed to CBX1000.
Z1R1000 - coffin tank.
GS850G - had a spell for a couple of years.
Yet another CBX1000B - bought it Alice Springs and rode back to Sydney
CBR1000 - black and red 1987 model
GSX1300R - and a copper go faster one at That!!

looking at another CBX1000B - some people never learn.

(During this time little brother had XR250, XL500B XL500RC, XL600, RGV250 - which we often swapped depending on mood of the day)

Had heaps of offs early on, last time I laid a bike down was 24 years ago. (I was 21) - "it hurt"(hospital traction hurt!) so decided not to do it again.

[m8ee]

"it hurt"(hospital traction hurt!) so decided not to do it again

And people say those who ride bikes are dumb. That is one of the most sensible things I have ever heard.

[Avante]

lol had a 250cc bandit for 1 year with no previous riding experience , had it delivered to my house and went up and down the driveway a few times and then headed out .

Then went directly to my busa lol thought why bugger around with bikes in between , i knew what i wanted and just took it easy till i was comfortable.

[Vellaterra]

I have been riding for the last several years, I think coming upto eight years. Got my Lic on a Honda 250RR.
I always knew if i was to ride it would be sport, not cruise. The RR is one of the hardest to get your lic on, but I passed 1st go. Went onto my Black P's and upgraded to a Suzuki GSX-R 750, 97 mod, last of the carby version. Great bike and was really happy with it for about 5 years till I bought the Busa GenII brand spanka.

Hell, Where do I go from here..............