Funny listening to you, I started out in 1981, passed my test on a RD250 and I’ve always had bikes since. I’ve also got a photo of each and every bike I’ve owned with the exception of my NS400R in Rothmans colours! I’ve had three 750 slabbys, a new VF1000R in 86, to many to list to be honest. Now I’ve got an H2SXSE at 58 years of age👌🏽👍🏽
Ooh, VF1000R 😍. Lusted after this bike. In 1985 used to stop at Abingdon Honda on the Drayton Road on the way home from college most days, just to stare at the RWB one they had in the window. Gorgeous looking bit of kit.
@@NotNowCato1254 Hello Mike, yeah she was a beauty, if I knew then what I know now, I’d never of sold it, along with the NS400R and the CX650Turbo, all worth an arm and a leg…
Talking about about former bikes that you've owned being involved in something dodgy ... I sold a 400 Burgman in Oct 2020 and I've had about six speeding tickets relating to it. Some nut is riding around Hampshire (I live in S Wales) and going past speed cameras clocking speeds like double the speed limit! I've told the bobbies who bought the bike (a dealer) and they've left me alone now thank F. Moral of the story - always get and keep the buyers details. Ask for ID. Honest buyers won't object and it could save you a ton of grief! Thanks for the vid, it's a great watch!
I eventually became a Honda dude when I was younger, built many bikes though with my Dad before then, but that was after a long horrible journey up through the Puch's, small Yamaha's and the like of this world, basically anything I could afford that didn't have a puncture! I lusted over various Kwaks, but just couldn't afford any of them at the time. One particular pin up girl that I just missed out on, was a blue 75 or 76 Kwak KZ900, it was a goddess in my eyes, but alas it wasn't to be. I loved the 250 Super Dream I had for a spell, it just felt like it was part of me, the sound it made still gives me a lump in my throat. After giving it all up around 1990, for similar reasons to you, I got back into biking again around 8 years ago with a Suzi GS500, lovely commuter, but short lived and ended up as a ground up rebuild project, which I never finished. Life once again got in the way and I jumped ship to Canada. A few years passed, until one day it was a like a switch was flipped and I just had to get back on 2 wheels, so along came a wee CBR250R, which I got my sea legs back with. It's a great wee bike, a real hoot to satisfy the inner hooligan. Which brings me to now, when on Wednesday, I finally get to collect my Kwak, a brand new blue Z900RS, I can't wait...
My old man here in Aus, has a RZV500 (JDM version of the RD), tuned by Ex Factory Marlboro Yamaha GP mechanic. Im a young mid 20yo with a 1000cc Cross-plane 2018 yamaha and I must say I think the RZ makes me smile more, it certainly turns more heads around town. Its old, finicky and could certainly do with a modern day brake setup, but boy does is it still fun to ride. That small window between 8-10k RPM where it just comes on song. Nothing better on a sunday morning, turning the key, hearing the power valves run, one kick of the kick starter and it bellows its blue smoke out of its quad chambers and Smell of Castrol TTS/A747... Delightful. Something my other similarly aged bike mates, with a different upbringings simply don't understand. I'm glad I do.
It's great to hear someone talk about the strokers of the 80s and 90s. People now don't understand what it was to ride a small light bike with a powerband. Glad I'm still here to tell the tale. Have to say though the breaking down on the side of the road on a Sunday run or on way to work I don't miss.
I bought my first road bike in '86 (1981 Yamaha Maxim 650) and have had 35+ sportbikes ever since. I'll be 54 this year living with my '16 R1 and a cherry Nicky Hayden SP-2. I'm like an American version of you only without the wife. keep up the great work!!
Had many of the same bikes.. I managed 136mph flat out on my KR-1 on the private driveway between Denham and Chalfont St Peter 😇 Also had a few ZXRs, in fact I have just added a 1990 ZXR750 H2 to my garage.. love it, riding it is like turning the clock back 30 years! 💚😁
Great recap on your bike history, I remember them all having started in 1983. I also lusted after the RD500 but couldn't afford one then and am even less able to afford one now 😂
If you look at my thumbnail I’m on my first bike, a ‘72 Suzuki T250 which I purchased as a basket case in ‘75 and rebuilt it into a “cafe racer”. My wife of 38 years has always enjoyed riding her own bike instead of being a pillion, and over those years we’ve together had 52 motorcycles, (often as many as 6 at a time), covering 15 different brands. We don’t really have any other vices, but we do have a motorcycle addiction 🤪👍.
For the ZXR hoover tubes, the tubes actually dont go nowhere, but end up on top of the valve cover. Some rumors are they were actually there for additional cooling or air supply to the engine, as why else would they put in the effort to actually route them through the tank if they dont do anything? Kinda miss those old videos of wrenching on beasty!
Started in '76 with an FS1E DX. Now have a '97 'Blade (also single sided and single seat, underseat exhaust, R1 forks, Duke fairing), '98 Bandit 12, ST 1050 and a Beta Alp 4.
Loved the old two stroke 125s back in the 80s. No CBT, just send off for the paper provisional and off you went. Like a little hooligan with all your mates 😁 happy days.
My first bike was also a Honda MBX50, but it had some power modifications like skimmed head, racing reed valves, racing carb internals, k&n air filter and skimmed flywheel. Would get 87mph top speed (140kmph) and beat lots of 125CC's. The power band in the red line in 1st gear was amazing. Was like a mini nitro boost. Also rode a Suzuki RG250 that was loads of fun. Miss the good old 2 stroke days.
Great stuff Chops, looks like we had a very similar start. I started at 16 with a new A reg Yamaha DT 50 MX in white with the red seat, then I moved to an A reg Yamaha RD 125 LC in the blue (loved that bike) and passed my test on that and then to a new G reg Yamaha RD 350 LC YPVS F2 in the grey/black. Then on to a Kawasaki GPZ 600 R in blue and white and so the story continues to today.....
Wow, we had sucha close match in bikes. Can't believe it took you 2 tests to pass. 1988 was so easy to pass your test. I just had to ride around a block. Emergency stop, few questions and that was it. Ripped L plates of and got a GPZ600r. As all my mates had. Rd 500 and RG 500 and and other 2 strokes. Wish I got a RD500 now. But I brought with my head and not heart lol. Then it went zxr400r, CBR600r, zx9r, GSXR750, then r1 99. R1,07, R12018, s1000rr 2020.. 👍🏼 life goes to quick..
I have more than 30 years of riding experience and have owned many bikes. I really enjoyed your history of bikes! I started by learning on a Honda 500 that a German Motorcycle Riding school provided me while I lived In Giessen, Germany. I. have owned all types of bikes and enjoyed all of them. Currently own a Royal Enfield and yes, I bought it because it reminded of earlier bikes. Enjoy your videos.
Great ride down memory lane. My first bike was a Kawasaki F6 125 2-stroke rotary valve around 1973. Took me months to get the courage and skills to get past 2nd gear. 50 or so years later and 5 bikes in the garage and always looking how to refine my inventory🙂
Chops you talking about ur Yamaha days made me remember my days with my Yamaha RD 350 , that motorcycle had a ridiculous power to weight ratio , I must say I had a truck load of fun
Many thanks for another great video Chopsy, missed this one when you first posted it. Got me a little nostalgic about my previous bikes, the standout ones for me were the first bike I bought in 1970, a Royal Enfield Crusader 250cc which I paid £40 for, and which I passed my test on (a very different test to today's 😂, basically a bloke standing at the end of the road watching you, then after a few questions on the spot, you either passed or you didn't). The next for me was a BSA Gold Star 500cc - goodness knows what these are worth now. I went through the gears (excuse the pun), and my next favourite was a 1998 Triumph Speed Triple 955i, the only bike I've ever bought new. Up until a few years ago I'd only ever owned British bikes, but I decided to break the habit of a lifetime, and now have a Honda Fireblade RR 954 2003. It's comfortable enough for a sports bike, but nonetheless at my advanced years I keep thinking of getting something where I'm a little less hunched over, but just can't bear to part with it!!
Chops this Vlog was close to my heart mate we have been riding bikes on pretty much the same timeline and for me I have owned many a bike, I probably could have bought a house with the money I’ve spent on bikes but I’ll tell you that I wouldn’t have done it any differently , I have the photos and the riding memories that just make me smile as did your vlog. One thing that never changes is when get a new bike my mum god bless her always says “ what you have another bike, I’m going to clip your ear if you buy another” lol 😂 I’m 57 now 😆best wishes Paul
You Followed my route , after starting life on a fizzy I progressed to an new AR 125 which I bought for about £800 as all my mates had RD 125 then passed my test and bought my first proper bike RD350 ypvs B reg brand new paid £1800 and still got the receipt somewhere, tuned to the eyeballs and loved it then bought a Gpz 600R which was a great bike but never lived up to the LC but then after a few bangers came the Jewell in the crown Suzuki RG500
Chops .... what a great look back vid mate, I think we can all relate to much of the same stuff albeit with different machines we should all get together for a pint and chat history 🙂 how good would that be. Never gets old. Massive thumbs up pal keep em coming.
Nice trip down memory lane, nice to know your back ground. Had a mix of bikes but always end up on a Kawasaki again . Currently riding a modified Z1000SX which l so enjoy. Great video Chops 👍
Nice trip down memory lane Chopsie. My biking timeline was similar to yours. My first bike was a Suzuki TS50ER in 1984 that was pretty rough when i got it. After the usual sprocket, jets, KN filter & full fresco changes it was no better just louder. It had an issue where it wouldn't rev when you started it, to get it to run properly after it started you had to pull the clutch in and bump start it and it would run fine..ish. I flogged it to get a Suzuki TS125X. I saw the bloke I sold the ER to at the dealers just off Albert Rd in Pompey some time later having the same problem when he started it. He hadn't come across the knack yet, and like the git I was at the time I didn't tell him.😊
Love it Chops ❤ I always wanted one of those Honda MTX's back in the day but ended up getting a Kawasaki KMX 125 similar to yours but in a purple and blue colour. Fun fact....I remember Dave Thorpe (multiple British and world motocross champion) taking his bike test on a MTX in Reading. 😁👍
Enjoyed that, especially the KR-1 story. Funnily enough, the same thing happened to me in about 1990! I sold it pretty smartly and bought an old Guzzi V50 -- much more my speed.
Great reminiscing ... pretty similar biking history myself. The DT 125 was a peach in the day. Agree about the build quality of Kawasaki back in the 80’s, it was a cut above ... I ended up with a GPX 750R (pre runner of the ZXR... but was only made for about a year... an immaculate one was selling for £37,000 .. I saw a couple of years ago!!)... Brilliant video mucker!... looking forward to the 44 teeth malarkey!
when i think of all the bikes i should have kept i think i would be in a constant state of depression, hind sight is such a great thing, good to hear your history Chops, nice one mate
yep. same but with cars. Pretty much everything I've ever owned pre-2000's has gone up x100 in value 😂 I guess it proves we have good taste in vehicles, if nothing else lol
Thanks for sharing your bike history/stories. Love your 98 CBR makeover. I had a 94 and 96 CBR900RR, then 2001 CBR929RR. All great bikes but the 929 was my fav/more touring worthy. I've since moved onto BMW GS's (since they are comfortable and still handle well) and I'm on my 4th one.
Plenty fun to watch your story, and realize you had bikes and hair back in the days... ;) I got my driving license back in 1982 - for both car and motorcycle - but I never could get around to buying a motorcycle. Had all the money in my pocket - literally - and was at the dealer to get what I wanted, but something threw a spanner into the works. Now, some 30 odd years afterwards, I might be able to get what I want and have longed for all these years - two wheels and a silly grin on my face.
Excellent video Chops it kind of mirrors my life with bikes and cars! Always loved 2sttokes Blades, gixxers and RS Ford's being the same age we have been on the same journey! 😂 Keep up the good work, looking forward to the 44teeth colab 👍
Hahaha brilliant! I had a DT50 in 1986, and I re sat O levels in the 6th form in 87 😀. I then fell in love with a particular young lady who didn't like bikes, so a mk2 escort came next, !
Hi Lamb Chop :) I had also MB 50 Honda as first bike, made it as 65 cc fast, 7 hp, then Susuki RG 250 with 50 HP, loved it, then Yamaha RD 350, so fun ooh man!! Now i got KTM 1290 super duke 2021 Orange, with some mods, so fun, i just love it :) Thanks again for a good video from you :)
I had to take a second look at your old 640 Supermoto, I wasn't really listening and thought is was my old 660SMC (The 660 was the better one 😉😝). They look identical but mine had black rims and a full Akra system. It was the most fun bike I've ever owned. I blew it up and it cost a fortune to fix, but I still loved it. What a back road weapon.
Nice video. Is always nice to revisit our machines from the past. Yamaha Dt 50 was my first, the same bike you had. After, came the DT 125. The first big one came in 1991, Yamaha FJ1200. Than the Suzuki GSX 1400; The Yamaha MT-01 (had this bike for thirteen years from 2005 till 2017); The Yamaha XSR 900 ABARTH; BMW GS 1200R; BMW GS 1250R; BMW1250RT; KTM SDGT; TRIUMPH T120 Gold line Edition . Still keep this last three bikes 😎✌️✌️Ride safe. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for letting us know about your bike history for me the older the better and no gismoes 1970s to the late 90s was the best years for bikes in my opinion love my 1995 fzr600r 1991 zephyr 750 1999 sv650
Enjoyed your chat Chopsie, i started pn DT175MX new in 1978 i was 17 passed my test 12 months later and traded it in and rode out on a Kawasaki Z1000 kept it a few years and had a Z1300. Sold that had and as you i had a 12 years without but started again in 2006 with a 1992 1200 V max still have in my garage but for my 60th Birthday last year bought myself a new GSA ( as i now live in the picos mountain region of Spain and the V max needs filling up every 90 miles worries of running put of fuel )
I also stared riding 1965 passed my test one week after my 16 th birthday 27 seven bikes later only 4 where brand new, as I am a mechanic still riding and touring 71 years old bmw 1250 gs, probably my last bike .It’s like medicine, especially on empty roads in Sweden 🇸🇪🏍👍great channel chopsy👍🏍🏍
Super interesting Chops. Very enjoyable indeed & you had lovely hair back in the day incidentally! My bike history if you're interested: 1991 Yamaha TZR125, 1989 Honda VT250 Spada, 1994 Suzuki RGV250, 1996 Suzuki GSXR600, 2003 Suzuki SV1000S, 2006 Suzuki GSXR750 K6, 2008 Aprilia RSV1000R. I'm between bikes at the mo too for a while due to kids but hopefully in the near future I should be back on two wheels. In the meantime your vids are keeping me going. : )
I started riding when I was 7 with a Kawasaki my friend had. I asked my mum to have a go and she said no. I ignored her and did it anyway. I think it was a 100cc but I don't remember. Unsurprisingly I crashed it, but knew cars would never been the same. I'm 38 now with an SDR 2020 model. I remember riding a 600 on the track but wasn't allowed to ride more than a 125 on the street and that annoyed me! I haven't had as many bikes as you, I've tended to keep them for some time before moving on. The SDR is easily my favourite road bike thus far.
LOL reminded me of my history - MTX125 from ‘87 - though one thing was very common was the tacho’s were never right!!; I remember my mate following me on their RD showing over 70 with my Honda showing just 60!!!!👍🤣👌
Going on the years when your went to a 125 from a 50 puts you around the same age as me, 17 in 88, the early years bikes does bring back memory's though for my first bike was the Yamaha V50M which was soon replaced for the good old Suzuki AP50......now that was quick for a 50.....well after I had finished with it anyway lol I'm not far away from you too (Romsey)
I started in 1979 with a Honda Cub C70. My next motorcycle was a 2017 BMW R Nine T, 2018 S1000R, 2020 R1250RS and finally 2021 S1000R. I still have the last two motorcycles.
Great little journey down memory lane - many thanks for taking us along for the ride (and I remember being wowed by your Blade when it was in the magazine)! 👍
I did a similar video a few weeks back. Always listed after an RGV250 but never got one. I did have a Honda NC30 and a 2000 model Yamaha R1 that I wish I’d kept.
Great Video Chopsy. I started out on a DT50mx and it's still one of the best bikes (for the memories) that I have had. Put the obligatory big bore kit on it and enjoyed every mile (except for the occasional heat seize, lol). Even turned up to one of my school exams on it, we were late of course! Had a big break after the 50's/125's until about 12 years ago when I got fully back into bikes and love every minute of them again!
I think I might be your alter ego from the states. We have the exact same taste in bikes and mods.. I’ve watched all of your build series bikes and they’re all the exact bikes with the exact mods I would do
Ha! Didn’t know you were an islander, that’s 2 of us then. Probably crossed paths over the years and didn’t know it. Brilliant. Hopefully catch you over the summer somewhere. Great history run-down. Really enjoyed that. 👍👍
i love 44 teeth as well, saw you guys on the single-r press event, congrats! also thanks for the background, obvo you know your stuff and your technical commentary is quite spot-on so cheers!
Good video you have owned some fantastic machines. I also had an RD125LC which was fast, cheap to run and it handled. I traded it in for an RD500LC which was awesome, fast, expensive to run and not so good handling! I loved the 500 but it had to go when I got a car… I wish I still had it… I check out the adverts for both of these machines number plates when ever they come up for sale hoping for an opportunity to own one of them again!
I think you’re right about the no restrictions chopsy. I was a few years behind you, but I had the 50cc scooter then the 125cc for 2 years, and then I’m 99% sure it was full license after that back then. I could be misremembering as I did keep my 125 for a little bit after I got my big boy bike, but yeah, in my memory it was 16 - 50cc, 17 - 125cc, 19 - full license. Possibly you had to have had your license 2 years? There was something about 2 years… I think. Possibly it was that if you passed your test at 17 it didn’t mature for 2 years? Something like that. My 50cc and 125cc era were much more boring though! I had 1 Peugeot scooter at 16 which was pretty nice as my dad helped me buy it (paid half I think), and then I had my 125 which was just a 13 year old GS125 for 2 years lol. I really wanted a 2 stroke, but I’d set all ky hopes on getting a sport bike once I was allowed. I really wanted a GSX-R750, but ended up with a 1st gen ZX6R, still it was quite the step up from the little gs!
Really fun to know your history, we are almost of the same age and that makes it extra fun, I started roadriding in 1986 on a CB125 😊 Great video and great to see you collab with 44teeth 👍
Really interesting to hear your bike history as you must be a similar age to me. I started out on an AR50, followed by an RD125 an RG125, 2 TZR125s and to date 5 TZR250s(I recently bought my 5th) also an FZR600, a Thundercat, 3 xGSXR600s a CRM250, An R1 a Fireblade, A KTM390Duke, z1000sx and a Versys 1000. Also owned 80s RS fords and still have an modern focus RS now. 🙂 Never had either a KR1 or RGV though sadly as couldn't get past my love of TZRs and still can't. BTW the supeduke GT looks great love the dash can't wait to see your review on it🙂
My early history is similar to yours! a 1976 Fizzy -> a Blue and pink (!) KMX125, -> K plate KR1-S which got stolen and I got it back!, -> GSXR 600 SRAD, -> KTM 640 LC4 Supermoto, -> 1999 R1, -> 2005 Z1000, -> RR6 Fireblade (currently for sale if anyone's interested), ->2017 MT09 (current bike) along with a 2008 Guzzi V7 which ive cafe racer'd. I also have a 1966 Triumph T120R Thruxton replica which is a real keeper.
I had a mtx 80 on the farm, remember we used to bomb across the fields flat out in shorts , t shirt and no helmet. Kmx125 I loved and rode everywhere on, vfr400 after that, it I thought it was the quickest bike on the road.
Great story ' grew up the son of a Harley Rider so I started on a Kawasaki 454 84' maybe and then the wife locked me out fer 35 years, bought a GL1800 in 20' and now the H2SESX baby !!
Hi LCR. A very interesting video . Those Honda's looked really classy. i believe most riders take a sabbatical from riding because of family commitments. I did for 9 years, been riding for the last 40 years.
Funny listening to you, I started out in 1981, passed my test on a RD250 and I’ve always had bikes since. I’ve also got a photo of each and every bike I’ve owned with the exception of my NS400R in Rothmans colours! I’ve had three 750 slabbys, a new VF1000R in 86, to many to list to be honest. Now I’ve got an H2SXSE at 58 years of age👌🏽👍🏽
Ooh, VF1000R 😍. Lusted after this bike. In 1985 used to stop at Abingdon Honda on the Drayton Road on the way home from college most days, just to stare at the RWB one they had in the window. Gorgeous looking bit of kit.
@@NotNowCato1254 Hello Mike, yeah she was a beauty, if I knew then what I know now, I’d never of sold it, along with the NS400R and the CX650Turbo, all worth an arm and a leg…
Talking about about former bikes that you've owned being involved in something dodgy ...
I sold a 400 Burgman in Oct 2020 and I've had about six speeding tickets relating to it. Some nut is riding around Hampshire (I live in S Wales) and going past speed cameras clocking speeds like double the speed limit! I've told the bobbies who bought the bike (a dealer) and they've left me alone now thank F. Moral of the story - always get and keep the buyers details. Ask for ID. Honest buyers won't object and it could save you a ton of grief! Thanks for the vid, it's a great watch!
Wow I wasn’t sure if that was you or Tony Hadley in the thumbnail. Cool video chopster. 👍🏻
Enjoyed that. Back in 1980 when I started you could get a 250 on L plates, take the test and ride anything.
I eventually became a Honda dude when I was younger, built many bikes though with my Dad before then, but that was after a long horrible journey up through the Puch's, small Yamaha's and the like of this world, basically anything I could afford that didn't have a puncture! I lusted over various Kwaks, but just couldn't afford any of them at the time. One particular pin up girl that I just missed out on, was a blue 75 or 76 Kwak KZ900, it was a goddess in my eyes, but alas it wasn't to be. I loved the 250 Super Dream I had for a spell, it just felt like it was part of me, the sound it made still gives me a lump in my throat. After giving it all up around 1990, for similar reasons to you, I got back into biking again around 8 years ago with a Suzi GS500, lovely commuter, but short lived and ended up as a ground up rebuild project, which I never finished. Life once again got in the way and I jumped ship to Canada. A few years passed, until one day it was a like a switch was flipped and I just had to get back on 2 wheels, so along came a wee CBR250R, which I got my sea legs back with. It's a great wee bike, a real hoot to satisfy the inner hooligan. Which brings me to now, when on Wednesday, I finally get to collect my Kwak, a brand new blue Z900RS, I can't wait...
My old man here in Aus, has a RZV500 (JDM version of the RD), tuned by Ex Factory Marlboro Yamaha GP mechanic. Im a young mid 20yo with a 1000cc Cross-plane 2018 yamaha and I must say I think the RZ makes me smile more, it certainly turns more heads around town. Its old, finicky and could certainly do with a modern day brake setup, but boy does is it still fun to ride. That small window between 8-10k RPM where it just comes on song. Nothing better on a sunday morning, turning the key, hearing the power valves run, one kick of the kick starter and it bellows its blue smoke out of its quad chambers and Smell of Castrol TTS/A747... Delightful. Something my other similarly aged bike mates, with a different upbringings simply don't understand. I'm glad I do.
It's great to hear someone talk about the strokers of the 80s and 90s. People now don't understand what it was to ride a small light bike with a powerband. Glad I'm still here to tell the tale. Have to say though the breaking down on the side of the road on a Sunday run or on way to work I don't miss.
I past my test in 68 coming up for the big 70 and still can get my leg over no desire to stop riding, I’m on an Africa Twin 1100 🏍
I bought my first road bike in '86 (1981 Yamaha Maxim 650) and have had 35+ sportbikes ever since. I'll be 54 this year living with my '16 R1 and a cherry Nicky Hayden SP-2. I'm like an American version of you only without the wife. keep up the great work!!
Had many of the same bikes.. I managed 136mph flat out on my KR-1 on the private driveway between Denham and Chalfont St Peter 😇 Also had a few ZXRs, in fact I have just added a 1990 ZXR750 H2 to my garage.. love it, riding it is like turning the clock back 30 years! 💚😁
Great recap on your bike history, I remember them all having started in 1983. I also lusted after the RD500 but couldn't afford one then and am even less able to afford one now 😂
Hey nice video can you do a video on how you wash your bike and what products you use thank you!!!
If you look at my thumbnail I’m on my first bike, a ‘72 Suzuki T250 which I purchased as a basket case in ‘75 and rebuilt it into a “cafe racer”. My wife of 38 years has always enjoyed riding her own bike instead of being a pillion, and over those years we’ve together had 52 motorcycles, (often as many as 6 at a time), covering 15 different brands. We don’t really have any other vices, but we do have a motorcycle addiction 🤪👍.
For the ZXR hoover tubes, the tubes actually dont go nowhere, but end up on top of the valve cover. Some rumors are they were actually there for additional cooling or air supply to the engine, as why else would they put in the effort to actually route them through the tank if they dont do anything?
Kinda miss those old videos of wrenching on beasty!
Started in '76 with an FS1E DX. Now have a '97 'Blade (also single sided and single seat, underseat exhaust, R1 forks, Duke fairing), '98 Bandit 12, ST 1050 and a Beta Alp 4.
We all started the same way back then. I too have been riding on the road since 81. Loads of bikes, good ones and bad ones. Never been without a bike
You do the absolute best reviews on RUclips! Someone that gets excited and shares that joy with the viewer is to notch stuff. Thanks mate
Loved the old two stroke 125s back in the 80s. No CBT, just send off for the paper provisional and off you went. Like a little hooligan with all your mates 😁 happy days.
Stan Stephens, Boyesen Reeds, Castrol R, AP 50, FS1E, AR80, DT125LC, RD125LC, GPZ900, Micron expansion pipes, YPVS, KIPS, my 80's biking memories
My first bike was also a Honda MBX50, but it had some power modifications like skimmed head, racing reed valves, racing carb internals, k&n air filter and skimmed flywheel. Would get 87mph top speed (140kmph) and beat lots of 125CC's. The power band in the red line in 1st gear was amazing. Was like a mini nitro boost.
Also rode a Suzuki RG250 that was loads of fun. Miss the good old 2 stroke days.
Enjoyed that.That stirs a few memories.
Of bikes I’ve owned,and bikes I didn’t own .But it was nice to see what I missed out on .😊
Great stuff Chops, looks like we had a very similar start. I started at 16 with a new A reg Yamaha DT 50 MX in white with the red seat, then I moved to an A reg Yamaha RD 125 LC in the blue (loved that bike) and passed my test on that and then to a new G reg Yamaha RD 350 LC YPVS F2 in the grey/black. Then on to a Kawasaki GPZ 600 R in blue and white and so the story continues to today.....
Sweet list of bikes there Jeff 👌
Wow, we had sucha close match in bikes. Can't believe it took you 2 tests to pass. 1988 was so easy to pass your test. I just had to ride around a block. Emergency stop, few questions and that was it. Ripped L plates of and got a GPZ600r. As all my mates had. Rd 500 and RG 500 and and other 2 strokes. Wish I got a RD500 now. But I brought with my head and not heart lol. Then it went zxr400r, CBR600r, zx9r, GSXR750, then r1 99. R1,07, R12018, s1000rr 2020.. 👍🏼 life goes to quick..
I have more than 30 years of riding experience and have owned many bikes. I really enjoyed your history of bikes! I started by learning on a Honda 500 that a German Motorcycle Riding school provided me while I lived In Giessen, Germany. I. have owned all types of bikes and enjoyed all of them. Currently own a Royal Enfield and yes, I bought it because it reminded of earlier bikes. Enjoy your videos.
Great ride down memory lane. My first bike was a Kawasaki F6 125 2-stroke rotary valve around 1973. Took me months to get the courage and skills to get past 2nd gear. 50 or so years later and 5 bikes in the garage and always looking how to refine my inventory🙂
Thanks Paul 👍
Fantastic video chops,I remember hitting the power band on my RD 125LC in 1985 been hooked on bikes ever since 😁
nice one again Chops was an absolute treat to listen to that made my day a better one. Cheers mate.
Chops you talking about ur Yamaha days made me remember my days with my Yamaha RD 350 , that motorcycle had a ridiculous power to weight ratio , I must say I had a truck load of fun
Many thanks for another great video Chopsy, missed this one when you first posted it. Got me a little nostalgic about my previous bikes, the standout ones for me were the first bike I bought in 1970, a Royal Enfield Crusader 250cc which I paid £40 for, and which I passed my test on (a very different test to today's 😂, basically a bloke standing at the end of the road watching you, then after a few questions on the spot, you either passed or you didn't). The next for me was a BSA Gold Star 500cc - goodness knows what these are worth now. I went through the gears (excuse the pun), and my next favourite was a 1998 Triumph Speed Triple 955i, the only bike I've ever bought new.
Up until a few years ago I'd only ever owned British bikes, but I decided to break the habit of a lifetime, and now have a Honda Fireblade RR 954 2003. It's comfortable enough for a sports bike, but nonetheless at my advanced years I keep thinking of getting something where I'm a little less hunched over, but just can't bear to part with it!!
Your photos from recent history are perfect. Dated and nostalgic and happy.
Loved that Chops! Looking back at your old bikes and cars is what being a petrolhead is all about 😎
Chops this Vlog was close to my heart mate we have been riding bikes on pretty much the same timeline and for me I have owned many a bike, I probably could have bought a house with the money I’ve spent on bikes but I’ll tell you that I wouldn’t have done it any differently , I have the photos and the riding memories that just make me smile as did your vlog. One thing that never changes is when get a new bike my mum god bless her always says “ what you have another bike, I’m going to clip your ear if you buy another” lol 😂 I’m 57 now 😆best wishes Paul
You Followed my route , after starting life on a fizzy I progressed to an new AR 125 which I bought for about £800 as all my mates had RD 125 then passed my test and bought my first proper bike RD350 ypvs B reg brand new paid £1800 and still got the receipt somewhere, tuned to the eyeballs and loved it then bought a Gpz 600R which was a great bike but never lived up to the LC but then after a few bangers came the Jewell in the crown Suzuki RG500
Chops .... what a great look back vid mate, I think we can all relate to much of the same stuff albeit with different machines we should all get together for a pint and chat history 🙂 how good would that be. Never gets old. Massive thumbs up pal keep em coming.
Nice trip down memory lane, nice to know your back ground. Had a mix of bikes but always end up on a Kawasaki again . Currently riding a modified Z1000SX which l so enjoy. Great video Chops 👍
Nice trip down memory lane Chopsie. My biking timeline was similar to yours. My first bike was a Suzuki TS50ER in 1984 that was pretty rough when i got it. After the usual sprocket, jets, KN filter & full fresco changes it was no better just louder. It had an issue where it wouldn't rev when you started it, to get it to run properly after it started you had to pull the clutch in and bump start it and it would run fine..ish. I flogged it to get a Suzuki TS125X. I saw the bloke I sold the ER to at the dealers just off Albert Rd in Pompey some time later having the same problem when he started it. He hadn't come across the knack yet, and like the git I was at the time I didn't tell him.😊
Love it Chops ❤
I always wanted one of those Honda MTX's back in the day but ended up getting a Kawasaki KMX 125 similar to yours but in a purple and blue colour.
Fun fact....I remember Dave Thorpe (multiple British and world motocross champion) taking his bike test on a MTX in Reading. 😁👍
Awesome history, whish I'd started much earlier, always in the back of my mind since I was a kid. So glad I did in the end though.
Enjoyed that, especially the KR-1 story. Funnily enough, the same thing happened to me in about 1990! I sold it pretty smartly and bought an old Guzzi V50 -- much more my speed.
Nice bike history, i had a dt50lc too. DT 50 here in Portugal are between 1000 and 2000€, lot of demand for them.
Great reminiscing ... pretty similar biking history myself. The DT 125 was a peach in the day. Agree about the build quality of Kawasaki back in the 80’s, it was a cut above ... I ended up with a GPX 750R (pre runner of the ZXR... but was only made for about a year... an immaculate one was selling for £37,000 .. I saw a couple of years ago!!)... Brilliant video mucker!... looking forward to the 44 teeth malarkey!
when i think of all the bikes i should have kept i think i would be in a constant state of depression, hind sight is such a great thing, good to hear your history Chops, nice one mate
yep. same but with cars. Pretty much everything I've ever owned pre-2000's has gone up x100 in value 😂 I guess it proves we have good taste in vehicles, if nothing else lol
Thanks for sharing your bike history/stories. Love your 98 CBR makeover. I had a 94 and 96 CBR900RR, then 2001 CBR929RR. All great bikes but the 929 was my fav/more touring worthy. I've since moved onto BMW GS's (since they are comfortable and still handle well) and I'm on my 4th one.
Plenty fun to watch your story, and realize you had bikes and hair back in the days... ;)
I got my driving license back in 1982 - for both car and motorcycle - but I never could get around to buying a motorcycle. Had all the money in my pocket - literally - and was at the dealer to get what I wanted, but something threw a spanner into the works. Now, some 30 odd years afterwards, I might be able to get what I want and have longed for all these years - two wheels and a silly grin on my face.
16 stones at 16! My first bike was in December 1971: Honda CD175 K3.
I had the exact same KR1, same colours, bought it brand new, one of the first in the country (worked at a Kawasaki dealer) in 94👍
Thanks for the tour down Chopsy memory lane. Keep working hard, riding bikes, and living it up.👍
❤❤
Excellent video Chops it kind of mirrors my life with bikes and cars! Always loved 2sttokes Blades, gixxers and RS Ford's being the same age we have been on the same journey! 😂 Keep up the good work, looking forward to the 44teeth colab 👍
Hahaha brilliant! I had a DT50 in 1986, and I re sat O levels in the 6th form in 87 😀.
I then fell in love with a particular young lady who didn't like bikes, so a mk2 escort came next, !
Hi Lamb Chop :) I had also MB 50 Honda as first bike, made it as 65 cc fast, 7 hp, then Susuki RG 250 with 50 HP, loved it, then Yamaha RD 350, so fun ooh man!! Now i got KTM 1290 super duke 2021 Orange, with some mods, so fun, i just love it :) Thanks again for a good video from you :)
This H2 though… what a cracking bike! I had to rewind and pause…
Wow, this was great Mr Chops - thoroughly enjoyed and thanks for sharing!
Some really nice bikes in your history of bikes you have owned Lamb Chop. My first bike was the Triumph Tiger Cub 200 back in 1969.
Really enjoyable Chops.
You should do a few videos on older bikes, if you can find guys who'll let you ride theirs, like LCs, KR1S, RD & RG500s etc 😀
Yes hopefully riding an RGV250 on Thursday 😎😎
@@LambChopRides - good lad 😎
Passed my test on my kmx full power version mind.great listening to your bike history.
Great video. Didn't realise you're a proper local lad not someone who's moved down here. Crazy seeing Fort Brockehurst back in 1901 with the KMX 😉
Yes proper Islander me 😁😁
Blimey Chops, just when I thought you must be older than me. I had an FS1E then an RD250LC when you have still have them on Ls in 81
I had to take a second look at your old 640 Supermoto, I wasn't really listening and thought is was my old 660SMC (The 660 was the better one 😉😝). They look identical but mine had black rims and a full Akra system. It was the most fun bike I've ever owned. I blew it up and it cost a fortune to fix, but I still loved it. What a back road weapon.
Even my Kawi 636 had a lot of issues with tank slappers. I always thought something was wrong with it but was never able to nail it down.
Nice video. Is always nice to revisit our machines from the past. Yamaha Dt 50 was my first, the same bike you had. After, came the DT 125.
The first big one came in 1991, Yamaha FJ1200.
Than the Suzuki GSX 1400; The Yamaha MT-01 (had this bike for thirteen years from 2005 till 2017); The Yamaha XSR 900 ABARTH; BMW GS 1200R; BMW GS 1250R;
BMW1250RT; KTM SDGT; TRIUMPH T120
Gold line Edition . Still keep this last three bikes 😎✌️✌️Ride safe. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for letting us know about your bike history for me the older the better and no gismoes 1970s to the late 90s was the best years for bikes in my opinion love my 1995 fzr600r 1991 zephyr 750 1999 sv650
Enjoyed your chat Chopsie, i started pn DT175MX new in 1978 i was 17 passed my test 12 months later and traded it in and rode out on a Kawasaki Z1000 kept it a few years and had a Z1300. Sold that had and as you i had a 12 years without but started again in 2006 with a 1992 1200 V max still have in my garage but for my 60th Birthday last year bought myself a new GSA ( as i now live in the picos mountain region of Spain and the V max needs filling up every 90 miles worries of running put of fuel )
I also stared riding 1965 passed my test one week after my 16 th birthday 27 seven bikes later only 4 where brand new, as I am a mechanic still riding and touring 71 years old bmw 1250 gs, probably my last bike .It’s like medicine, especially on empty roads in Sweden 🇸🇪🏍👍great channel chopsy👍🏍🏍
Glad you are doing a 44th collaboration Chops.
Thanks James 👍
Super interesting Chops. Very enjoyable indeed & you had lovely hair back in the day incidentally! My bike history if you're interested: 1991 Yamaha TZR125, 1989 Honda VT250 Spada, 1994 Suzuki RGV250, 1996 Suzuki GSXR600, 2003 Suzuki SV1000S, 2006 Suzuki GSXR750 K6, 2008 Aprilia RSV1000R. I'm between bikes at the mo too for a while due to kids but hopefully in the near future I should be back on two wheels. In the meantime your vids are keeping me going. : )
Great history too RR 👍
@@LambChopRides Cheers, but not long enough by far Chops. Needs some additions quick while the combustion engine is still alive & kicking!
I started riding when I was 7 with a Kawasaki my friend had. I asked my mum to have a go and she said no. I ignored her and did it anyway. I think it was a 100cc but I don't remember.
Unsurprisingly I crashed it, but knew cars would never been the same.
I'm 38 now with an SDR 2020 model.
I remember riding a 600 on the track but wasn't allowed to ride more than a 125 on the street and that annoyed me!
I haven't had as many bikes as you, I've tended to keep them for some time before moving on. The SDR is easily my favourite road bike thus far.
Very interesting Chopsy 👍 I gave up biking for about 3 months once, found I had to have a bike or two to feel happy 🙂
I started riding in 1978, then road bikes in 1983, and I have never stopped.
LOL reminded me of my history - MTX125 from ‘87 - though one thing was very common was the tacho’s were never right!!; I remember my mate following me on their RD showing over 70 with my Honda showing just 60!!!!👍🤣👌
Had a 350ypvs from brand new in 1987. Even chose the Reg E35YTO. 35 for 350.cc.
Going on the years when your went to a 125 from a 50 puts you around the same age as me, 17 in 88, the early years bikes does bring back memory's though for my first bike was the Yamaha V50M which was soon replaced for the good old Suzuki AP50......now that was quick for a 50.....well after I had finished with it anyway lol
I'm not far away from you too (Romsey)
I started in 1979 with a Honda Cub C70. My next motorcycle was a 2017 BMW R Nine T, 2018 S1000R, 2020 R1250RS and finally 2021 S1000R. I still have the last two motorcycles.
Great little journey down memory lane - many thanks for taking us along for the ride (and I remember being wowed by your Blade when it was in the magazine)! 👍
I did a similar video a few weeks back. Always listed after an RGV250 but never got one. I did have a Honda NC30 and a 2000 model Yamaha R1 that I wish I’d kept.
Ah great minds and all that buddy 👍
Great Video Chopsy.
I started out on a DT50mx and it's still one of the best bikes (for the memories) that I have had. Put the obligatory big bore kit on it and enjoyed every mile (except for the occasional heat seize, lol). Even turned up to one of my school exams on it, we were late of course!
Had a big break after the 50's/125's until about 12 years ago when I got fully back into bikes and love every minute of them again!
I think I might be your alter ego from the states. We have the exact same taste in bikes and mods.. I’ve watched all of your build series bikes and they’re all the exact bikes with the exact mods I would do
Ha! Didn’t know you were an islander, that’s 2 of us then. Probably crossed paths over the years and didn’t know it. Brilliant. Hopefully catch you over the summer somewhere. Great history run-down. Really enjoyed that. 👍👍
Yes we must have! 🙌 👍
Great video. Really enjoyed this Chops. Cheered me up as I'm sat here with a broken foot dreaming of when I can get back on my bike. 👍
Handsome chap seating on the bike looking like Fonzie 😂 great stuff Chops, thanks for sharing 👍🏽
This was great, love the Blade! Always wanted an R6 2009 myself, one day maybe.
Great Vlog chops, thanks for sharing your story. Very similar to my own, even loved my KMX125 back in ‘92 also 😄
Thank you for sharing a bit of your bike history with us👍 Really wish I had some of my old bikes as well.
i love 44 teeth as well, saw you guys on the single-r press event, congrats! also thanks for the background, obvo you know your stuff and your technical commentary is quite spot-on so cheers!
Brilliant video I’m of a similar age 😊 and all those bike bring back some memories they do a bike meet up at Hayling I keep meaning to do
Good video you have owned some fantastic machines.
I also had an RD125LC which was fast, cheap to run and it handled.
I traded it in for an RD500LC which was awesome, fast, expensive to run and not so good handling!
I loved the 500 but it had to go when I got a car… I wish I still had it…
I check out the adverts for both of these machines number plates when ever they come up for sale hoping for an opportunity to own one of them again!
I think you’re right about the no restrictions chopsy. I was a few years behind you, but I had the 50cc scooter then the 125cc for 2 years, and then I’m 99% sure it was full license after that back then. I could be misremembering as I did keep my 125 for a little bit after I got my big boy bike, but yeah, in my memory it was 16 - 50cc, 17 - 125cc, 19 - full license. Possibly you had to have had your license 2 years? There was something about 2 years… I think. Possibly it was that if you passed your test at 17 it didn’t mature for 2 years? Something like that.
My 50cc and 125cc era were much more boring though! I had 1 Peugeot scooter at 16 which was pretty nice as my dad helped me buy it (paid half I think), and then I had my 125 which was just a 13 year old GS125 for 2 years lol. I really wanted a 2 stroke, but I’d set all ky hopes on getting a sport bike once I was allowed. I really wanted a GSX-R750, but ended up with a 1st gen ZX6R, still it was quite the step up from the little gs!
The Kawasaki ZZR 1100 that came out at the same time had real ram air ,I'm pretty sure the ZXR 750 hoover pipe's where for super bike homoligation.
Really fun to know your history, we are almost of the same age and that makes it extra fun, I started roadriding in 1986 on a CB125 😊
Great video and great to see you collab with 44teeth 👍
Really interesting to hear your bike history as you must be a similar age to me. I started out on an AR50, followed by an RD125 an RG125, 2 TZR125s and to date 5 TZR250s(I recently bought my 5th) also an FZR600, a Thundercat, 3 xGSXR600s a CRM250, An R1 a Fireblade, A KTM390Duke, z1000sx and a Versys 1000. Also owned 80s RS fords and still have an modern focus RS now. 🙂 Never had either a KR1 or RGV though sadly as couldn't get past my love of TZRs and still can't. BTW the supeduke GT looks great love the dash can't wait to see your review on it🙂
Great history there Paul 👏
My early history is similar to yours! a 1976 Fizzy -> a Blue and pink (!) KMX125, -> K plate KR1-S which got stolen and I got it back!, -> GSXR 600 SRAD, -> KTM 640 LC4 Supermoto, -> 1999 R1, -> 2005 Z1000, -> RR6 Fireblade (currently for sale if anyone's interested), ->2017 MT09 (current bike) along with a 2008 Guzzi V7 which ive cafe racer'd.
I also have a 1966 Triumph T120R Thruxton replica which is a real keeper.
Really enjoyed watching and listening to this, i've followed from the early days like many and your channel is the best 👍
I had a mtx 80 on the farm, remember we used to bomb across the fields flat out in shorts , t shirt and no helmet.
Kmx125 I loved and rode everywhere on, vfr400 after that, it I thought it was the quickest bike on the road.
Great story ' grew up the son of a Harley Rider so I started on a Kawasaki 454 84' maybe and then the wife locked me out fer 35 years, bought a GL1800 in 20' and now the H2SESX baby !!
Very interesting Chops, my first bike was a Cagiva Mito it was a piece of junk looking back, but at the time I loved the damn thing.👍👍👍👍👍👍🇬🇧
Blimy you’ve had some good classics. Love them all. Nice video chops. The dango mount did a good job. Can you show us that set up soon? 👍🏻
Chops I was born in 1956 and my first bike was a Bridgestone 175 Scrambler
Loved my RD125! Mine was fettled too and felt very quick back then. 3 engine rebuilds later 🙈
Blinking he'll chops, very similar to my biking youth!!
Hi LCR. A very interesting video . Those Honda's looked really classy. i believe most riders take a
sabbatical from riding because of family commitments. I did for 9 years, been riding for the last 40 years.
I really enjoyed the ride down memory lane with you.