Well I just had the best ride of my motorcycling career this past weekend. I drove to New Hampshire International Speedway to watch a friend race in the super sport amateur class. I left on Saturday morning and the temperature was perfect, sunny skies and no problems with the bike. I went solo and keep it under 100. While on the ride I began to recall all the bikes I have had and some of their stories so I thought I would write them down.

1st bike was a 1972 Honda SL125, I guess you would call it an enduro of sorts, I look back and would say it was more of a street bike that you could ride in the dirt. I got it used and proceeded to beat it up. A bunch of my friends had late 70's and early 80's motorcross bikes and I tried to keep up. I think I once read in a bike mag that it was described as a handling like a shopping cart at 50 mph. It had little to no travel on the suspension but I road it on the dirt most of the time. the one thing I remember was at two different time I went over jump and broke off both foot pegs. A fun bike that started me off, from that moment on I had a bike and have loved every minute of it.

2nd bike was a 1977 Yamaha RD350. My first real road bike and a two stroke machine. It was fast and fun to ride. I really got into the mechanics of the bike and working on it. It was a two stroke and hence needed to have oil added as well as gas. I loved this bike and did get to ride a friends Daytona 400 Special with a full fairing and feel in love with the two stroke riding experience. I went on to try to find and RZ350 after I had sold it, but have yet to get one. The only crazy memory of this bike was pulling a wheelie in a parking lot and going over backwards. Two stoke powerbands are not to be takin' lightly.

3rd bike was a 1979 Honda CB750F Super sport. This bike again I bought and rode for a few years. It was the first big bike I had and found it to be sporty and fun to ride. I did get the joy of putting on a Kerker header and the sound was sweet. However it quickly cam to an end when one wiunter I decided to pull it apart completely! I got to the frame painting and then my new wife said to get the bike out of our spare bedroom because the smell of oil was making her sick. Being newly married and sensitive I boxed it up and moved it out. I then took it to my local Honda shop and traded it in (parts) for my next bike.

4th bike was a 1982 Honda CB900F Super sport. This was my first new bike (1985), I got it as a hold over. I had this bike until last year. That is along stretch! I ended up only putting on 30K in 22 years but there were a lot of kids in between. I loved this bike and only parted with it when I realized that it was in need of a major overhaul and I was looking to update. So I sold it to a 19 year old kid who was going to restore it with his Dad who had a 1982 CB750F.

5th and current bike is a 2001 Honda VFR800 Interceptor. I have to date been a single bike owner. This is pretty much a financial statement but would love to have a track bike. The move to the VFR was a defining moment for me in motorcycling. In one year I have put on close to 10K and have loved every minute. The difference between riding the VFR and the CB900F is staggering. the major improvement has been handling. The VFR is fantastic and I love it's feel in twisties and long rides.

I will say however that after riding a friends 929RR that was again a massive improvement in handling. Granted a much stiffer ride but the suspension is fantastic. It has prompted me to go after some mods on the VFR's suspension.

So I can only say that I have thouroughly enjoyed each and every bike I have had and look forward to more enjoyment on the roads of this great land.