Something in common

1981 GS1100L. The smallest bike I ever owned. A few weeks after I bought it, and got my learner's permit (which stated that I wasn't allowed to ride on highways) I rode from Vancouver to Anchorage and back.

It wasn't until years later that I got my full licence - on a vmax. It started snowing during my test, so they cut it short and passed me.
 
You rebel!!!! Vmax in the snow eh. That’s cray cray dude. Great story.Thx for sharing.
 
I took my test in 1970. I'd been riding my 1969 650 BSA Firebird Scrambler for several months without a license or insurance (too young to know better). Finally borrowed my neighbors Honda Trail 90 and took the test. That bike made everything easy to pass. Just 1 week after getting legal, I plowed into a car coming toward me that made a sudden improper left hand turn. No turn signals, just turn and go. I plowed into their right rear quarter-panel ruining the front end on my Beezer. No injury to me though. Glad I'd gotten my license and insurance....

Here's a pic (not mine) of the bike I learned on. Wish I never sold it after it was fixed.

And here is a pic (not mine again) of the one I took my test on...
 
And ride’s a good ride as long as it stays vertical. Thx for the story n the pics. I’ve never seen either of them before
 
Back in mid-80's UK, learners couldn't get anything larger than a 125. I passed my test in '88 on a Honda MTX125 (before that, I had a Yamaha DT125LC which self-destructed after prolonged serious on and off road abuse!)

After that, it was a string of sports bikes (each one more powerful than the next) - typical for Brit bikers in the 80's/90's. Come the 2000's, I decided to diversify with a number of off the wall bikes with a view to slowing down.

Then I got the Rocket....
 
Original Rocket 3? (Dumb question right? lol). I know in early 2000’s that Triumph had further expanded on the size of 2 litres with their 3 cylinder R3. Before purchasing your R3, had you ever looked into Kawasaki’s V twin 2053 cc torque monster? A lighter, lower, belt driven 2 litre breakthrough, with virtually near similar torque & hp specs as the R3. I’m going on my 17th season with my 2005 VN2000. Best built, most reliable machine I’ve ever owned. It sits in my garage beside the 2020 R3r I bought this season. My ( this particular) R3r has some huge shoes to try n fill. Not doing so, very early off. Basically I guess just wondering how many R3 owners looked into the VN2000 before purchasing their R3?
 
It was an R3R Black.

I’ve always liked the look of cruiser/chopper/custom style bikes but always felt they were more looks over substance. I need a bike that can be hustled through the corners as well as deliver in the engine department. I did have a Bobber prior to the Rocket which handled really well for a chopper style bike although the pegs and exhausts decked out a bit too easily.

When I test rode a 2020 R3R, I could not believe how well it handled for the size and weight it is. The ground clearance was also much better than the Bobber. To be honest, I would class the Rocket R more as a naked sports bike on steroids than a cruiser. When the Black version came out, I just had to have it.

It looks like a two wheeled version of Mad Max’s Interceptor!
 
..Got my car licence in mum's car when i was 15. We lived on a dairy farm and i was driving the tractor from probably 8 or 10 yrs old so new the basics of clutch, brake and steering wheel....even tho i had to stand up to push the pedals down. With the car licence came a motorcycle licence and so when i left school at 15 i raided my school banking account and bought a 'Puch' Moped...with pedals like a push bike...you would pedal madly on a hill to encourage the bike to go up it! I used to ride it around the farm tracks and of course the mud would build up on the tyres under the mudguard and i would lay the bike on its side and clear the mud with a stick so i could continue. The rear mudflap was big and i painted 'Snoopy' on it...thought i was proper cool!...It had a top speed of 25 mph with me laying down behind the handlebars....
I used to ride it into town. about 10 miles, for my work as an apprentice carpenter and every morning this bloke would roar past me on his Beeza...650 or something...scare the living shyte out of me!...
 
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You’re 100% about the R3r. It handles, and corners much sharper than my VN2000. And the R3r is about 48kg lighter than the VN2000. They both are very good at rolling, no foot down, stops n starts. I will give the VN one advantage ( at least for me). It’s Center of gravity is much lower than my R3r. The seat sits a good 4 inches lower. I can basically stand over the seat of my VN, and still have enough room to slide a couch cushion, or something thick. Whereas I’m tippy toed while sitting on the seat of my R3r. Huge difference in height for me. Which is very surprising actually, because almost every review I watched about the R3r prior to buying it, was that it was comfortably low enough for riders of virtually any height. BTW I’m 5’9”.
 
Sure do like all the different stories riders have had. Specially cool to hear all the UK stories, since my fam was originally from UK. Don’t ask where. Couldn’t tell you lol. It’s easy to pick out the Brit’s cause of the way you spell “ tyres” lol. Funny story Tal. Thx
 
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