My first motorized two-wheel experience was back in 1970. Had a mini-bike with a 5 hp Briggs and Stratton. Had a blast on it! My father was 40 at the time and was just beginning his mid-life crisis. Him & his friend, a Reverend at a local church, each bought 1971 Yamaha 350 R5Bs. My fathers was orange/white. Two-strokers. Wing wing wing wing... Lots of blue smoke in their rear views... A year or so later I went to the local credit union and discovered all the money I had earned delivering newspapers had been withdrawn... By my Dad!
Apparently he/we needed the money. He thought quickly- "How bout you take the Yamaha and we're even?" Sounded like a good deal to me! That was 1972. It was a nice bike. Handled well. And, very quick in that time. Later I bought a Yamaha 650 XS2. Four stroke. Triumph/BSA like bike. I owned three of those over the years. Then came the kids. Three boys. No bike for 20 something years... I re-entered with a Kawasaki Ninja 500R. Reminded me a little of the R5B. Sold that and bought a Boulevard M50. Nice bike. Spent the farm on bells 'n whistles, but it never quenched my thirst. I needed a Harley-- I just bought a 2005 Dyna Super Glide! Now I'm a two-bike guy. Most of my buddies ride Sportsters, and I was close to buying the same. Once I saw the Super Glide my heart was stolen! I know it's early, but I can hardley wait for Spring in Massachusetts!
Apparently he/we needed the money. He thought quickly- "How bout you take the Yamaha and we're even?" Sounded like a good deal to me! That was 1972. It was a nice bike. Handled well. And, very quick in that time. Later I bought a Yamaha 650 XS2. Four stroke. Triumph/BSA like bike. I owned three of those over the years. Then came the kids. Three boys. No bike for 20 something years... I re-entered with a Kawasaki Ninja 500R. Reminded me a little of the R5B. Sold that and bought a Boulevard M50. Nice bike. Spent the farm on bells 'n whistles, but it never quenched my thirst. I needed a Harley-- I just bought a 2005 Dyna Super Glide! Now I'm a two-bike guy. Most of my buddies ride Sportsters, and I was close to buying the same. Once I saw the Super Glide my heart was stolen! I know it's early, but I can hardley wait for Spring in Massachusetts!
