Taking up Geoff's challenge to find embarrassing motorcycle pictures I dug into my piles of old photos and memorabilia of my past... and came up with... nothing. Since childhood days there are not too many pictures of me. In fact I fiercely hated having my picture taken. Hence I can only contribute a picture of little me.
For photos with motorcycle related content it is pretty much the same. There is almost no visible evidence that I or my two-wheelers ever existed. I hold a motorcycle driver's license for almost twenty years, but alas, I didn't do a good job documenting this during the pre-digital era.
Other than Geoff, I had the good fortune of being born too late, and therefore the fashion of the 70's left me unscathed. My school uniform consisted of jeans, parka and sneakers. The attire hasn't changed much since, so instead of pictures taken in different decades, just imagine several younger me's dressed in exactly these.
I apologize to Geoff that I won't be able to return a few good chuckles on my account.
However, here is a complete list of my two-wheeled companions. You might notice, that at no time I have settled on a specific brand, model or style. See for yourself:
The first bunch: 1992 - 1998
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| 1992-1993 '92 YAMAHA Virago 250 The beginning of my riding career |
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| 1993-1993 '89 SUZUKI DR600 No pic available, only briefly owned |
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| 1993-1994 '91 YAMAHA SR500 My beloved thumper |
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| 1994-1996 '88 HONDA XBR500 Where the heck is my ATGATT? |
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| 1995-1998 '95 VESPA ET4 125 My commuter vehicle, alas no picture of it |
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| 1996-1998 '85 BMW R80 My "Rubbercow" |
***
Two-wheelers revisited: 2009 to current
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| 2009-2010 '89 HONDA NT650 Hawk GT My Ladyhawk |
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| 2009-2010 '05 HONDA FJS 600 Silver winging |
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| 2010-2011 '04 BMW F650GS My (Citro)Nella, photo courtesy bobskoot |
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| 2011-2012 '06 VESPA GT200 Paolo, the little one |
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| 2011-current '08 HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster 883 Roving on Rover |
2013-2017 '13 VESPA GTS300 Supersport
Allons-y Alonzo
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 Bella, Roland's beauty. |
Well done Sonja - that's fantastic!!! I LOVE the black and white photo of you on the (Virago?). Lace-up leather pants - you were the real original badass biker chick... any tattoos?
ReplyDeleteThe XBR looks great - really nice machine.
Tell me about the Ladyhawk - was it a 650cc shaft drive? If so, I think it was sold as the Honda Bros down this way.
Wonderful to see all the photos Sonja - thanks for entering into the spirit of it all!
@Geoff: You are very welcome. It is nice to wallow in memories from time to time. My first bike was indeed a Yamaha Virago 250, as for the tattoos... no comment ;-) My Ladyhawk had the common chaindrive. I would have loved to get my hands on one of the Bros. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteNice photos, love the DR600, did you ride the DR600 off-road?
ReplyDeleteThe first photo is a classic :-)
Nice collection of photos Sonja! I really like the first one of you! You've had some nice rides!
ReplyDelete@George: I didn't ride the DR600 a lot. I totally underestimated my riding skills while handling the seat hight of 92cm (36in.)
ReplyDelete@Mike: Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked it.
Nice series of photos. How fun to see all your past bikes. What a little cutie in the first one, and looking hot in the leather pants with the lacing. :)
ReplyDelete@bluekat: Kari, thanks. I wasn't particularly fond of the laced leather pants, because the didn't have any padding, but it was the only guy cut pants that would fit, and was reasonably priced. Besides, falling on your laced side would leave funny bruise pattern on your leg.
ReplyDeleteBeginning of the 90's the retail market had just discovered female riders as customers. Most ladies served as back warmers, so what do they need gear for, they only have to look good. So no gear outfitter actually carried equipment for women. We had to make due with size S or M of the stuff available for guys.
Nette Mopedparade. Du bist auch nicht grad die langweiligen Teile gefahren, was?
ReplyDeleteSonnige Grüße,
Biki
@Biki: Hallo nach Deutschland. Ich kann mich nur nicht entscheiden... habe aber derzeit leider keinen Platz für mehr als ein Zweirrad, sonst hätte ich wohl für jede Gelegenheit (oder jeden Wochentag) ein Bike.
ReplyDeleteSonja that was a nice R80 you once had.....as to Rubber Cow though.....that was the earlier /5s!
ReplyDelete: )
dom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
@Charlie: The R80 certainly felt like a riding a rubber cow. It swayed awkwardly in the twisties and during gear shifting. That's why I named her cow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! Thanks for digging these pics out to share with us. They're fantastic :)
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot in my heart for the Hawk. Nifty double lamps you had there. Was it hard to let that one go?
@Fuzzygalore: Rachael, thanks for stopping by. If I could have kept my Ladyhawk, I would have. It broke my heart to let her go. And if I where to find another one (maybe the shaft drive version) I would be tempted to let it follow me home.
ReplyDeleteNice collection of pictures and quite a variety of bikes. What usually initiated a change? Changing interests?
ReplyDeleteRichard
@Richard: Good question. Usually it was curiosity. I wanted to make as much experience on different models as I could.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of you on the Virago is AWESOME!! Like Geoff said: :Badass Biker Chick!
ReplyDeleteIn some ways it is a good thing I only started riding a couple years ago: not many blackmail photos. Then again...years ago, when I was cuter I would have like to have the pictures. :)
Thanks for sharing!
Sonja, really enjoyed these and the progression of rides. I'd enjoy owning any/all of them.
ReplyDelete