Motorcycles From My Past.
BSA Bantam D14/4
When I reached 16 years old I got my provisional licence and and a BSA Bantam D14/4. This single cylinder two stroke was not an exciting bike but it was my joy and freedom. It took me to work and out again in the evenings. I had begun to escape the village. This simple but not always reliable motorbike taught me basic road craft and basic maintenance skills.
Triumph Tiger Cub
As I honed my skills, I bought a 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub. The rumble of its little four stroke engine was music to my ears. I thrashed it round and round a local farmer's field faster and faster until the engine broke. I tried to rebuild it, but despite many attempts it required tools and skills I didn't have
Bown (80cc Villiers engine).
My Motorcycle Journey
Throughout my life, motorcycles have been a significant part of my identity, being both freedom and everyday transport. My journey on motorised two wheelers began with an 80cc Bown ridden on a field, before I was old enough to be let loose on the road. Its smallness and power without pedalling captured my attention, and the thrill I experienced during my first ride was unforgettable. That borrowed motorcycle was more than just a toy; it was the introduction to my passion for riding.
Honda CJ250T
For my 21st birthday I got into debt to buy my first new motorbike, a Honda CJ250T. A twin cylinder 250cc Japanese motorcycle that was from a different planet compared to the BSA Bantam. This bike was exciting, reliable and comfortable, three things the Bantam lacked. The cost and the debt caused me to take a job change. I jacked in my poorly paid van driving job and went to London seeking money. With my relatively new Honda I became a motorcycle courier. I did manage to earn more money than my last job but it came at a price, danger. I survived four years of being a motorcycle courier with one major incident.
It was mid afternoon, mid winter, middle of Regent Street, two lanes each way divided by a white line. In lane one was a red double decker bus with car following closely. I'm in lane two next to a car, we're all doing about 30 MPH. The bus brakes for the next bus stop, car driver swerves to the right to overtake the bus. Within a split second I have a car at 45 degrees within a few feet of me. Time slows way down. I react instinctively, whilst braking I stand up to get my left leg up out of the way of the rapidly approaching car driver's door. The bike hits the door with with bang, I see the driver has noticed me for the first time and his face is horrified, he hits the brakes, I am launched high across the street in front of the on coming traffic. As I fly Superman style, arms outstretched, I have time to notice car driver in lane 2 emergency braking, eyes wide, the big red double decker bus driver in lane one looks bored, no sign of braking, he's got 50 passengers on board, he's not braking for anything. I land hands first, forward roll until I'm on my feet and with one small hop I land on the edge of the pavement as the bus shaves past me with millimetres of clearance. I breathe again. I am completely uninjured. The bike and the car however are far from well. I managed to ride a very twisted bike home. I had been lucky, I've always been lucky.
Honda CG125
Whilst the Honda CJ250T was being repaired I was loaned a Honda 125. I quickly realised that the little lightweight 125 was the perfect tool for central London courier work. Economical, quicker 0 to 30 MPH than any car off the lights. I had three secondhand Honda 125's over the next three years.
Norton Commando MkIIa
By more good luck, and good friends, I landed a job as a motorcycle mechanic in Pratt's of Greenwich, an old school motorcycle dealer. They had a secondhand Norton Commando MkIIa Interstate in the showroom that caught my eye. I finally got around to getting my full motorcycle licence. So good sense and practicality were entirely ignored and I traded in the CJ250 for the Commando beast.
Triumph T900 Sprint
After a period struggling finances in the late 1980's and 1990's in 2001 I bought this beautiful Triumph Triple. It was secondhand but looked and rode like new. It was a little tall and top heavy when slow speed manouevering with my short legs, but this was forgotten on the open road.
Triumph Sprint ST 1050
By 2005 after a decent sized tax rebate I treated myself to this brand new rocket ship. Another Triumph triple. By now I was a bit of a Triumph fan boy!
Triumph Tiger 800
The next new bike I bought about 2008, another triple cylinder Triumph. I got this with a view to touring with my wife, Gill. Our first trip took us as far as Dubrovnic, Croatia. Many, many happy days over several years roaming over Europe on this very comfortable bike.
Honda CB250N (1981)
Got this 35 year old Honda as a winter project. It was still pretty much standard, if a little rough, when I bought it. After several winter's of tinkering it ended up as you see above. I kept it until 2024.
Ducati Monster 696 20th Anniversary Edition
Another tax rebate, in 2017 lead me to buy this piece of Italian exotica. Light weight, superb handing and road holding, and a so much torque made this aptly named Monster a joy on the back roads of Devon. Not a bike to tour on but I'd get up early on a Sunday morning, when most people are still in bed, and this little beast always put a silly grin on my face. Sold in 2026.
Triumph Tiger 800 XRx
Bought to replace the beloved black Tiger 800 (see above) as the touring bike. As good an all rounder bike as I've ever owned. Traded in for the Speed Twin in 2022 when Gill retired from pillion riding.
Suzuki Burgman 400AN
A scooter was not something that I ever thought of buying before my 70th birthday but to my surprise I really like it. Good weather protection, comfortable, loads of on board storage, and quick enough to keep up with motorway traffic. What's not to like? This particular scooter had persistent issues with the brakes so sold it after 1 year, to help fund the purchase of the Honda ADV350.