In 1993, I visited my friend, Kevin. He had a 1983 Honda CM450 automatic
that he was selling. At the great price he was selling it for, I couldn't
turn it down, even though I was still in college and my father said if I
bought a motorcycle, all monetary assistance would stop. I bought
it, told my dad, and surprisingly enough, he though it was pretty cool. I
also bought two more later that summer, a 1973 Honda CB500 and a 1976 Honda
CB550. The 500
was traded to a mechanic for partial payment on repairs of the 550. The 450
was sold to a friend and then totaled. I finally sold the 550 in the summer
of 2000.
A good shot of the 1976 Honda CB550. You can barley see the
1983 Suzuki behind it.
I also had a 1983 Suzuki GS1100GL that I purchased in the summer of 1997.
This was my trip bike for a few 1,200 mile rides
from Central Ohio into WVA, NC and PA. The trips took me along two very
beautiful stretch of road, Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway. If you
are ever in the area of Skyline Drive, its a wonderful 150 mile road!
My new cruising bike is a 1999 Honda Valkyrie Interstate with CB, AM / FM
radio, cruise control, plenty of saddle bag and trunk space, and a few
other options I've found along the way. It really a nice ride - especially
with six carbs to give me all the power I want out of the 1520cc engine.
I bought another automatic motorcycle (a 1983 CM400A) with the intention
of my wife riding it. After I bought it in 2000, we used it for about 2 years
and it sat fro a while - awaiting a good carb cleaning and possible new rings
and valve guides. I finally got frustrated with the project (I never
worked on it) and sold it in 2006.
I'm very persistent that everyone should do what they can to reduce the risks associated
with anything they do in life. This goes to riding motorcycles as
well, and I don't just talk the talk - I walk the walk. I always wear full
gear (helmet, gloves, over the ankle boots, and motorcycle pants and jacket
with armor). I also take occasional training courses and have been through
Ohio's Basic and Advanced rider safety courses a few times. I even went so
far as to become certified by
Motorcycle Ohio and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation as an instructor.
The classes they offer are great and can benefit everyone - from the
new rider to the grizzly veteran with 40 years of riding experience.
I highly recommend these training courses offered in all states.
