dano
04-25-2005, 10:17 PM
I'm 50 yrs. old, and have been riding bikes for 42 yrs. In that span of 42 yrs., I've had ample opportunity to own my fair share of motorcycles....and then some.
I think I could hazard an accurate estimate, that in that 42 yrs., I've owned over 60 motorcycles. Those 60 or so, being both dirt and street bikes.
We've all had bikes that was the fastest, best handling, best looking, most dependable, longest owned, etc. But.....speaking in regards of best overall, what was your favorite?
Mine was a 1982 Honda CBX SuperSport. Man.....what a bike that was. Everything considered.....it was my favorite. I bought it used, from it's original owner in 1989 for $1800.00 It had 3618 miles on it, and the owner had bought it brand-new in 1987. It had been stored in a dealer's warehouse since 1982. The owner had accumulated some bills, and had to sell it, or risk losing his job.
The CBX was literally, in perfect condition. No dents, dings, marks, scratches, or anything that detracted from it's original pristine condition. Six-cylinder, six carbs, six header pipes, 24 valves......what's not to like?
I rode it home and into my garage (actually shop) and began a two-day, front to rear, top to bottom, side to side.....full bore detail. When all was said and done.....it was all that, and a bag of chips. It was friggin beautiful.
I rode it for approx. 6-7 yrs., and it always got comments wherever I went with it. If I stopped for gas, it was never just "in and out". There would always be someone who took notice of it, and then the questions began. Is that really a six-cylinder? How old it it? Is it brand-new? Is that the factory paint? It was Mother-of- Pearl White w/blue and turq. striping.
That CBX was so smooth and stately. It was uncanny. It was a real pleasure to ride down the road. It wasn't a rocket, but it would do any easy 90 mph all day long. It wasn't a "canyon carver" by any means, but it would do you fine in the mountains. The fairing / wind screen did a very good job of keeping the bugs / wind off of you. The stock seat was very good. No need for an after-market seat. It had a 19" rim on the front, and an 18" rim on the back. Just like ALL street bikes should have. I'm so sick and tired of 15", 16", and 17" rims, I could spit.
If I rode it somewhere, I'd park it in a safe place, out of harm's way, and more likely than not, when I returned, I'd find a note on it, asking if I wanted to sell or trade it.
I had riders from all brands, take time out to check it out. More questions, by the dozens. Usually, I'd have to say, I have to get going, as I'm running late. Otherwise, I'd be stuck answering questions.
Two Honda dealers offered to buy it from me outright. One dealer told me that he'd give me twice the blue book trade-in value (high book), if I traded it in on one of his new bikes.
My CBX did everything pretty well. It didn't have any handling quirks as far as I could tell. It went fast enough for me. It had the "look"....a couple of times over. It was easy to work on for a bike of such a stature. No hi-tech wizardary or gimmickry. It was what it was. A big, long, tall motorcycle. An in-line, air-cooled, six cylinder, six carb, six exhaust pipes, twin cam, 24 valve.....rolling work of art.
That was my most favorite motorcycle.......EVER! :thumb
I think I could hazard an accurate estimate, that in that 42 yrs., I've owned over 60 motorcycles. Those 60 or so, being both dirt and street bikes.
We've all had bikes that was the fastest, best handling, best looking, most dependable, longest owned, etc. But.....speaking in regards of best overall, what was your favorite?
Mine was a 1982 Honda CBX SuperSport. Man.....what a bike that was. Everything considered.....it was my favorite. I bought it used, from it's original owner in 1989 for $1800.00 It had 3618 miles on it, and the owner had bought it brand-new in 1987. It had been stored in a dealer's warehouse since 1982. The owner had accumulated some bills, and had to sell it, or risk losing his job.
The CBX was literally, in perfect condition. No dents, dings, marks, scratches, or anything that detracted from it's original pristine condition. Six-cylinder, six carbs, six header pipes, 24 valves......what's not to like?
I rode it home and into my garage (actually shop) and began a two-day, front to rear, top to bottom, side to side.....full bore detail. When all was said and done.....it was all that, and a bag of chips. It was friggin beautiful.
I rode it for approx. 6-7 yrs., and it always got comments wherever I went with it. If I stopped for gas, it was never just "in and out". There would always be someone who took notice of it, and then the questions began. Is that really a six-cylinder? How old it it? Is it brand-new? Is that the factory paint? It was Mother-of- Pearl White w/blue and turq. striping.
That CBX was so smooth and stately. It was uncanny. It was a real pleasure to ride down the road. It wasn't a rocket, but it would do any easy 90 mph all day long. It wasn't a "canyon carver" by any means, but it would do you fine in the mountains. The fairing / wind screen did a very good job of keeping the bugs / wind off of you. The stock seat was very good. No need for an after-market seat. It had a 19" rim on the front, and an 18" rim on the back. Just like ALL street bikes should have. I'm so sick and tired of 15", 16", and 17" rims, I could spit.
If I rode it somewhere, I'd park it in a safe place, out of harm's way, and more likely than not, when I returned, I'd find a note on it, asking if I wanted to sell or trade it.
I had riders from all brands, take time out to check it out. More questions, by the dozens. Usually, I'd have to say, I have to get going, as I'm running late. Otherwise, I'd be stuck answering questions.
Two Honda dealers offered to buy it from me outright. One dealer told me that he'd give me twice the blue book trade-in value (high book), if I traded it in on one of his new bikes.
My CBX did everything pretty well. It didn't have any handling quirks as far as I could tell. It went fast enough for me. It had the "look"....a couple of times over. It was easy to work on for a bike of such a stature. No hi-tech wizardary or gimmickry. It was what it was. A big, long, tall motorcycle. An in-line, air-cooled, six cylinder, six carb, six exhaust pipes, twin cam, 24 valve.....rolling work of art.
That was my most favorite motorcycle.......EVER! :thumb