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| 1999 SUZUKI SV650S |
I finally got the cash together to replace my GSX750. The SV is a practical replacement, good for going to work on whilst still being fun for the weekend. The technical changes from the GSX are vast. This bike is just as fast but goes also stops and goes around corners. I've fitted a scotoiler for the first time, should be interesting to see how long the chain lasts. For more info on the SV650 visit www.sv650.org web site
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| 1989 SUZUKI GSX750ESG |
This was my second GSX750ES. This version the ESG, came to me in 1991. The differences are mainly cosmetic, although this version doesn't have the dreadful anti dive on the front forks, instead it had adjustable damping.
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| 1987 Yamaha RD350 YPVS |
The Honda got the bullet because it wouldn't drive in straight line. Time to get something that handled, was quick and didn't cost a packet to run. Only one bike fitted the bill and that was the Yamaha 350. I was worried about going down so much in capacity, but it wasn't a problem, the handling, lightness and compact size made it ideal for London traffic. I had this bike until 1991 and it never gave me any real trouble. I loved it, a real mad bike.
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| 1987 Honda CX650 Eurosport |
In 1986 I decided that I needed something more practical for commuting into London. A shaftdrive was the answer. I liked the look of the Honda and took the plunge. Big mistake... The engine was great so much torque at such low revs, but it handled like a pig on roller skates. It didn't last long before it got the heave ho. And as for Honda build quality....
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| 1984 Suzuki GSX750ESD |
I bought this bike nearly new in 1984. First mono shock bike I owned. In 1985 I took it too Le Mans to see the 24 car race, and to the TT. I only sold it because the cost of ownership was high (big mortgage and a baby on the way).
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| 1978 Suzuki GS550E |
After leaving home finances reduced me to running a Yamaha RS100. I soon got enough cash together to buy my first four stroke. A great bike that actually handled after the monster kettle.
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| 1976 Yamaha RS100 |
I had to sell the GT750 to raise cash for leaving home. My father gave me his RS100 to help out. It was fun for the first 5 minutes. Quick, nimble and good on petrol. It was a stopgap until I could sort out something better.
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| 1976 Suzuki GT750a |
My first superbike. The only bike bigger than this at the time was a Kawasaki Z900. This bike was seriously fast (at that time), I blew off a friends GT380 whilst I was running it in! This is the bike that led to a couple of driving bans through speeding. It didn't like corners and those twin discs didn't work in the rain. I took this machine to the IOM TT in 1979. The picture below is me minus a beard and plus a few friends on the way to the camp washroom. Here's the original brochure page1 page2 page3 page4
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| Suzuki GT750a |
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| £976 in 1976 |
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| 1974 Suzuki GT185k |
At 17 I was old enough to buy a real bike. The Puch and the NSU nearly put me off for good with their unreliability. The GT185 was an absolute gem. Never let me down once. It was also my first bike with electric start. My version was one of the early models and had a twin leading shoe front brake. A great little bike
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| 1973 PUCH VS 50 |
Here's one of my earliest biking experiences. Is was just 16 and the year was 1973. This bike nearly put me off biking for life. This bike was so unreliable. It was fairly new when I got it and cost £109 plus £5 for fully comp insurance. It was nowhere in the same league a Yamaha FS1E. Technically the bike was a moped hence the pedals.
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| 1963 NSU Quickly |
Here's the first thing I ever owned. It wasn't a nice new one like this though. Great fun though. Cost me £18 at the time in 1973. Totally unreliable. would always get you there, but never bring you back.
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| Royal Enfield ? |
Here's me sitting on one of me Dad's bikes. This is probably when I got infected by the bug.
