That’s a nice looking ST13… We’ve done a few long-ish trips on ours, a superb touring bike, although your legs can get a bit over-warm in southern climes!
http://debbiesmaddash.blogspot.co.uk/
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Current biker, 2009 Suzuki Bandit 1250 SAZ in Metallic Pearl white. Sorry no pics.
Thats a great write up, looks like you had a great time
thats one very lovely GS
Yamaha FS1E at 16. Absolute dog so at 17 swapped for Honda CB125. Passed my car test just before 18th birthday and never felt the urge to get back on two wheels since.
Whatever floats your boat though, if it feels good, do it.
I have been riding a clean Honda XL250N Degree Honda(1992 import), owned since 2007 and fully restored by me(apart from engine) in the winter of 2007 - has worked out really well for the narrow lanes down here in Devon.
Regrettably the CCM R30(2004 black) bought in 2006 had to be sold a couple of years ago - it hated slow roads and slow drivers. A great shame as this bike was so much fun in Coventry.
I have owned at least one motorbike since age 14, from 49cc up to 750cc and long may it continue.
Hi one and all I myself was a biker for 34 years until selling my bikes as I felt it had become to dangerous on the road and the fear that that it was only a matter of time lbefore some one would knock me off but I found enjoyment in this four wheeled motorbikes .I still enjoy motorbike events BSB , Moto gp alike along with my son .So to anyone out there who is at a loss after packing in biking look no further than a mx5 I would say its a the next best thing drive and ride safety the footman Here is a list of some of the bike I remember owning Suzuki AP50 ,GSXR 600 ,BANDIT 1200 , YAMAHA DT175MX FAZER 600 ,BULLDOG 1100 KAWASAKI ZEPHUR 750,HONDA CBF600 CBR600RR VFR800 AND LAST BUT NOT LEST TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE 600 I loved owning each one rode all over Europe and Britain
Graduated from push bike to DT50MX at 16, then RS100, 350lLC (blue and white one with pro-am fairing, nice), FZ7550 then found my wife to be, so changed to boring cars, too many to list, and none provided any real thrill while driving.
Then a brief foray into commuter bikes 350 power-valve (nowhere near as good as the LC) finally a C70 (first house made me sell the power-valve). That one marked the end of my motorcycling as we got married, had two great kids, moved house, changed jobs etc.
Now my youngest is leaving for university - it should give us the time to enjoy open topped motoring in our pet Euphonic. While the 5 is no bike, it’s warmer, drier (most of the time) can carry luggage and we get to talk when travelling.
Occasionally hanker after a bike while stuck in jams and they just cruise by, or when you see a pack thrashing along the A272 - but I’m also wise enough to realise my skills are way behind the current breed of sports bikes (never wanted a cruiser or tourer) and my license would not survive an R1 or Fireblade…
So, onwards and upwards into the twisty roads with my trusty 5.
Ex-Biker here. Started on a FS1E in 1976 various bikes upto 2010. No regrets changing to a 5. Loving top down motoring.
i wouldnt call myself a biker, been a car guy my whole life (30) but stepped into peds for the commute. so my past ‘bikes’
piaggio 50
chinese cg125 clone (got this given, was a right mess)
honda zoomer 50
and the bike ive just sold to buy my latest mx5 (on number 3 now)
honda msx125 (grom)
On my 16th birthday a blue 1980 Suzuki FZ50 appeared in the back garden. Bought as a non runner for £30, it was too late for my parents to say much once it was through the gate.
After three months of trying to resurrect the dead moped I gave up and bought a white 1981 Honda Melody. 17 days into 1990 I was legal and hit the road with my provisional licence.
This was followed by a Suzuki TS50ER with a dodgy kickstart shaft, a couple of Yamaha RS100’s and a RXS100, a Suzuki FR70 and several others.
In 1993 I bought my first car and thought that was the end of my biking days.
Three years later I passed my bike test and bought my first big bike, a 1978 Kawasaki Z650B1. I went everywhere on that bike, partially as it was my only transport, but the following year I took it off the road for a tidy up. I got carried away and in 2002 it was finished 5 1/2 years after starting, the quick tart up had turned into a full restoration with loads of parts made in stainless!!
It was too good to use all the time so I bought my first modern bike, a 1989 Kawasaki GPX600R. Throughout 2003 I did 7000 miles all over the country.
It was a great bike but was showing it’s age and the urge to get something bigger was growing. Then I saw this in a local dealer showroom.
A 1991 Suzuki GSXR 750M. It was great in a straight line but didn’t like bends (would’ve been great at Santa Pod). I spent the winter of 2003 getting it sorted, fixed the dodgy carburration, fitted a full Micron exhaust system and generally tidied it up. But it had been set up with hard suspension and after a year I was on the look out for a 600cc again.
But I saw this at a local dealer.
A 1999 Kawasaki ZX9R C2. I’d always liked them when they came out and this one was almost spotless.
Within 2 months it had a titanium exhaust end can and a Dynojet kit.
That bike stayed for 7 years and was brilliant. God I miss it sometimes.
Just waiting on delivery on my new CB1000R 
Been riding bikes most of my adult life. Had just about every type from sports to tourers. Been to the Isle of Man TT races more times than I can remember, and had a somewhat modest attempt at the touring game.But guess what? Oh so wished I’d found out about this wonderful little sports car years ago. We are currently loving ownership of our MX5, and all the benefits it brings to us. Not wishing to knock our time on two wheels, it’s just that the little car has added something that we suddenly realised had gone missing on two wheels. Dont you just love it?
Yesterday in Portstewart, Co Londonderry there was a collection of immaculate bikes, Triumphs and BMWs etc parked at their usual spot on the promenade. Immediately beside them was a collection of immaculate motor scooters, Lambrettas, Vespas etc all bedecked with mirrors Mods fashion. Riders from both groups fraternising, chatting, laughing and joking together. Can you imagine what would have happened had it been Brighton 50 years ago?