My 1st Bike

My First Bike

Our new series kicks off with a Honda 90 with dodgy forks and shocks Words & Pics: Pete Laidlaw

Pete (left) still has his Honda 90, (below) now awaiting a refurb

Even though I have been riding since I legally could (and a bit before that off-road), I haven’t owned many bikes and tend to keep them and enjoy riding them. Only long-term familiarity with a bike brings out the best in it, with all its quirks.

My brother was several years older than me so my first experiences were riding pillion, mostly on camping or mountaineering trips. Only two bikes featured – a BSA 250 Starfire and then a Norton 750 Commando – from which I learnt a lot about how bikes were ridden well in all weathers, even in freezing conditions. At this time, and because we were usually going climbing, the gear I had was just that, textile cagoule and overtrousers with climbing helmet. Different times!

My first bike was a hand down from my brother and was his first, which he bought from a contact at the garage where he worked as a mechanic. He stripped it completely, got it to a good running state and used it for a while before passing it onto me. I remember my first short ride on it in 1972, just up the cobbled back street and around the block but, despite all my experience as a pillion, soon realised I had a lot to learn. Confidence grew on this 1965 Honda 90, but the suspension was never too good on these bikes. Over the moorland road, it would bounce all over making some horrid shapes, me on a steep learning curve. In fact the only time I dropped it was being silly going around a street corner near home and I have to say that the engine was a belter.

During college years I graduated to a new Honda XL250 which was a revelation. I began developing riding into a serious hobby, not to mention a good point of interest in our early courting years. We rode many places with friends and fully enjoyed those times.

By then the bug had hit and I progressed onto bigger bikes – all Hondas at first – with a 400/4 and then a CB900 moving through a VF1000 Bol d’Or, CBF1000 and ST1100 Pan European (two of those), before changing to an Aprilia Tuono 1000 and now a KTM 1290GT.

I suppose it adds up to quite a number but when spread over 50 years and countless thousands of miles, only a few of these bikes were well used and fully experienced. One thing I do recommend to anyone starting out is to begin with smaller machines – getting the best out of small engines is a learning experience in itself as experience builds.

The Honda 90 is still in my garage and awaiting a second total refurbishment so it can be ridden again. Fond memories are recalled when I look at it – I’ve even bought new suspension parts!

What’s your First Bike?

Do you remember your first bike? Of course you do – tell us the story (in about 500 words, preferably with a picture) and we’ll print it in Motorcycle Rider. Send your My First Bike story to editor@bmf.co.uk