What got you into bikes?

[vifferman]

I was introduced to them by a close friend at school. He and his two brothers were all into bikes, and their dad used to race them back in the 50s. Other friends also had them. Once I was given a ride on the back of a bike, and then had a ride myself (in a paddock), I was hooked. Didn't help that my sister had a boyfriend with a CB350, which I used to borrow whenever he came to visit (which was frequently), even though I didn't have a license... oops. My bad.
So, after a short while, I just *had* to have a bike, and luckily my father had ridden a bit when he was younger, so my parents lent me part of the money I needed to buy a bike from a workmate of my father. She'd broken her leg in 6 places when some brain-dead old crone drove straight past a stop sign and crashed into her. The rebuilt CB175 was very tidy, and low miles.
When I'd finished with it, it was very sad.

[pete376403]

My dad rode speedway at Kilbirnie, and then he had an Indian Super Chief when he worked for the power board in pahiatua. My uncle jack also had bikes and although there were no bikes in the household while I was young, I just always wanted one. First bike was Royal Enfield 250 that I hid in the shed for about two weeks until mum discovered it, I had to take it back. She hated the idea of me getting a bike, dad "said" he agreed with her but I think he was ok with the idea of me having bikes. I know he was pretty pleased when I got my first JAP speedway bike after riding road and trail bikes for a few years.

[Coldkiwi]

got sick of busing and wasting two hours of my life everyday going to uni. only sensible solution was to get a bike and embrace an extra 1/2 hours sleep in the morning. Discovered it was lots of fun as well as convienient (anyone thinking that all the gear you need to wear to be protected should try a uni commute in the car/bus and see if you get over that little issue in a big hurry!).
here I am, 4 bikes and 350cc later loving it and plotting to buy a ZX-10 in a few years! "party on wayne..."

[Skunk]

My girlfriend at the time, now my wife, got me into them. Had always been into cars before that.

[Timber020]

First "rode" a TF125 mudbug farmbike solo when I was about 4 or 5 (dad just pushed me off and I rode around the front paddock until I fell or he finished lunch. I could only use the throttle as I couldnt reach the gears and it was a couple years before I could pull on either of the levers!
Hmmm addicted ever since. I was involved in my first motorbike accident when I was about 2 (dad was riding and went through a barbwire fence). I was unhurt but balling like hell, he was cut up pretty bad (he had wrapped me up in his arms and shielded me when we crashed.)

[NhuanH]

watching the Gardner/Lawson/Schwantz/Rainey stoushes in the late 80s, late at night on TV. Remember? Before there was SkyTV. Before those dickheads 'didn't manage' to secure the rights from Dorna.

Oh and Top Gun! I dream to ride alongside the landing strip at Akl Airport, brown fur lined leather jacket, no helmet and my Ray-Ban Aviators, racing the jet at take off! At least I have a Kawasaki now....

[spudchucka]

I simply couldn't afford any other form of transport so I bought a Suzuki T125 for about $300.00 and have ridden bikes on and off ever since.

[Joni]

My uncle, took me out on his Kawa 1200 when I was about 6 - my first and still the best pillion ride of my life... He is an amazing rider, did track racing for about 15 yrs, I grew up with the sound! Good memories.

[vifferman]

My uncle, took me out on his Kawa 1200 when I was about 6 - my first and still the best pillion ride of my life

Wow - given that Kawasaki 1200's haven't been around very long, you must be very young.

I have three sons, and despite having occasional rides on the last 4 bikes I've owned, I doubt whether any of them will follow me into m/cycles.
The oldest is a laugh - he 'vibrates' when he's on the bike; says he's cold, but I think it probably just scares him too much, even though I ride very carefully. The youngest is a dream on the back - he weighs very little, and sits very still, so it's like having no pillion at all. And the middle one - having spent more time on the back than anyone else, the bike goes in autopilot mode, and steers itself when it comes up to corners. This was very disconcerting until I realised what was happening...

[dangerous]

The oldest is a laugh - he 'vibrates' when he's on the bike; says he's cold, but I think it probably just scares him too much, even though I ride very carefully. The youngest is a dream on the back - he weighs very little, and sits very still, so it's like having no pillion at all. And the middle one - having spent more time on the back than anyone else, the bike goes in autopilot mode, and steers itself when it comes up to corners. This was very disconcerting until I realised what was happening...

'the middle one ' He's going to be a biker...... why cos he obvisly dosent agree with your riding lines and wants to ride of in the other direction on his own

[Joni]

Thats the wird thing, I am not that young, but I clearly remember the Kawa and its specs.... dont know where the 1200 came from!!! Wierd.

[James Deuce]

I got taken for a ride on GS550 when I was 8 by my Aunty's flatmate, and I started riding a DT100 at 10 at Boy's Brigade camps.

Forgot about bikes after I left school until I started working with a bloke with a GS1000S, and then another bloke who had had an RG250F. Bought the CSR250 and the rest is history.

[bungbung]

I rode a 50cc kids dirt bike when I was about 7 years old, then about 15 years old I went for a ride on a mates old XR200 on the road one night at a party. That was it until a flatmate borrowed a FZR250, and I re-borrowed it. I liked it enough to buy a Suzook GSX400X insult.

[riffer]

I got taken for a ride on GS550.

My dad had a GS550 when I was a kid - I guess I started going on the back of it when I was around 8 too... If you had have grown up in the Hutt Valley I could even have waved at you at one point!

It was DEFINITELY my dad got my into bikes ... and guitars and cameras too now I think of it.

[festus]

Used to work for my old man (bricklayer) during school holidays since I was big enough to carry bricks. When I turned 15, he bought be a Honda CG125, that my friends, was the start of a very long fasination with anything with 2 wheels and a motor!. Needless to say I owe a lot to my old man...........