Wheels wheels wheels
I've owned motorbikes since I passed my driving test at 19. If my memory serves me right I have owned 15 bikes in the last 20
years. Here's some of them. But the damage was done earlier in moped-times. I've collected loads of bikepics on a
Web-Album page. It is a try-out, let me know if the result is worth
the effort. If you like it I may add similar pages to future holiday-reports.
The latest acquisition is a Yamaha TRX 850 from 2000 with 6.500 kms on the clock and in pristine condition, british racing green in color.
It has the same engine as the Yamaha TDM 850 but really is a very different bike. As I'm chuffed to bits with this bike it will
be no surprise that I've dedicated a special page to the TRX.
In 2002 I bought a Honda Hawk NT650. I owned one before in 1996 and wanted it back. It is not really a collectors bike,
but one for enthousiasts and there are quite a few of those. Hence the Hawk-page.
When I bought the TRX I actually meant to sell the Hawk again. Now I am not so sure anymore, I'd like to keep it but I do have
a bit of a storage problem now.
I also own a 2002 Triumph Sprint RS, so now you understand the storage problem. The Triumph has a 955cc three cilinder engine. It is quite a sharp sporty bike, but not racy. The engine has a
very strong midrange so you can be quick without pushing it. If you have a few seconds, there is a larger picture.
March 2001 I bought a 1998 Yamaha TDM850. It is smooth, quickish and never seems rushed. Probably because of that I got a little bored with it. However because of the size and the soft suspension it was arguably the most comfortable bike I've owned.
The 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600, was easily the fastest bike I had owned until then. Only 600 cc but
a 140 mph bike that lifted the front if you don't watch out. I can still see the bike as I sold it to my next door neighbour.
Here is the Honda Hawk that I owned in 1996. After that I bought a
Kawasaki GPZ500s. Not as naked but the rough and peaky engine got on my nerves. The bike felt cheap, not very well made.
The 'flying brick' has seen all of the UK and most of France and Germany in about 5 years time, great touring bike. This is in the Lake District, 1993.
The 1977 Honda CB750 was a classic when I bought it. I'm still sorry I sold it. But it didn't fit
in the shed too well with the BMW K75 in it.
The watercooled 2-stroke Yamaha RD250 LC got nicked within a year.
Before that I rode an old (1976) Honda CB550f, even though it was getting on a bit it was quite reliable
and took me to the south of France without trouble.
One of the rare 'hobby cars' I've owned was this big lump of Ford Thunderbird. Easily weighed more than all
the bikes added together and probably used more fuel than all the bikes added together as well!!!
It may be common as muck in the USA, but it was a rare bird in Holland.
