It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
All of our past posts have been placed HERE if you want to go back and read one.
This is a special Bike Tribute that goes along with my current post, “Why I Ride”
I wanted to share with you my “Bike History”
#1) First bike was one my dad bought for $100, a Honda Trail 90. I was too young to drive it, but I spent a lot of time on the back or in the front. I even put my foot through the rear spokes with my uncle when we went over a jump, requiring many stitches! I kept riding though!
#2) At 13, I talked my parents into letting me buy my own Honda in Ecuador. This was a CB Honda 125. I rode that bike all over Ecuador. Danny even helped me tear the engine down to increase the power. That bike was an adventure! I rode that all through High School.
#3) In college, again, I talked my parents into letting me buy another Honda. The argument was that I would save money on gas and it would be easier to park! I bought a 1982 XL 250R. I bought it new, and kept it until 2010. This bike just ran and ran, and started every time. Many adventures during college, and then I took it to Ecuador. It’s still being ridden today!
#4) I had a short stint with a motorcross bike after college, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as a dual-sport. This was a Honda CR 500 2-stroke, that had lot’s of power and was really loud.
#5) While in Ecuador, I purchased a couple Kawasaki KLR 650’s. These were incredible bikes to have in Ecuador to explore the mountains and the dirt roads. There was also a short-lived dream of a “motorcycle tourism business” that just turned into another excuse to ride. Lot’s of adventures in Ecuador!
#6) In 2010, I sold my bikes and Ecuador as we moved to Los Angeles. It was the first time I hadn’t owned a bike since I was 13 year old. My wife promised me that I could get another one someday. We spent the money from the bike sale on living and on our move, so I borrowed a bike from a friend for a few year, and then my wife helped me get my dream bike, and I entered the world of BMW. On our first ride in South Africa, we were supposed to ride Harley Davidson’s, but something happened with the reservation, and we ended up riding BMW’s. That was the most incredible experience of my life, and I began dreaming about owning a BMW Dual Sport someday. I was also inspired by the Ewan McGregor series, “Long Way Down” and “Long Way Around”, and he did both of these rides on the BMW GS.
Today, I ride a 2006 BMW GS 1200. It has just under 30k miles on it, and it’s a comfortable bike to ride.
There were some other bikes in the midst of these…. the Honda CB 400 I purchased the day Gina went into labor with Rheanna. That wasn’t a great decision. Jim and I purchased a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 that was repossessed. We fixed it up and sold it, but it was fun to ride a little bit. I had a great Yamaha Trail 80 that all of my kids learned how to ride. I also had a vintage Yamaha Trail 90 that I purchased for $50 out of someones garage. Bikes are fun.
To all the guys I’ve ridden with over the years, it’s an adventure! When are we going again!!!
Jim - I began riding with Jim in High School, and today he’s still my riding partner. We’ve been all over the world together.
Howard - We rode for years together in California and in Ecuador and continue to ride.
Jerry - We rode every Saturday for years in Ecuador, and have had adventures here in the US and in South Africa.
Riley - A joy to share my love of motorcycles with you and get to ride together over the years, culminating in an epic graduation trip in South Africa. One of my greatest memories!
Pierre - The best person to have on a ride, but I have so many memories of our adventures, both on bikes and off of bikes. My favorite was when your bike caught on fire!
Mark - Our epic ride with Jim in Ecuador was hopefully the first of many!
So many other people who I’ve shared the road with over the years…..