Remember Your First Bike?

I'll never forget mine!

It was late fall, and my impending 30th birthday loomed ominously. I'd borrowed and ridden my friends' motorcycles since I was in my teens, but had never quite taken the plunge-- until I realized that middle age was creeping up on me.

After countless hours of online searching, I found a red 1992 Yamaha Seca II, which several message boards had suggested was an ideal first bike, and bought it for $1,300. In spite of a surprise rainstorm on the way home, the feeling of riding my own bike for the first time was priceless; when I parked it next to my car, I knew motorcycling would become a huge part of my life.

Turned out I had a lot to learn about riding, not to mention my then-girlfriend, who not too pleased about my new, "dangerous" pastime. But all's well that end's well: As a testimony to the addictiveness of riding, I've racked up tens of thousands of miles since my first bike, and that cautious girlfriend is now my lovely and very supportive wife.

If you're considering buying your first bike, you'll want to check out our three basic points to ponder. And if you've got a tale to tell about your first bike, post a comment!

Photo © Yamaha