Prior to taking extended break from riding in my ’30s and ’40s, I owned and rode the eleven bikes listed below, starting in 1980 at the age of 17. Not listed are the nearly twenty other parts bikes, project bikes, and swap meet deals that I never got around about putting on the road (or track). These are the bikes that molded my tastes and instilled my prejudices.

1. 1973 Honda CL125S
2. 1979 Triumph T140E Bonneville 750
3. 1972 BSA B50SS
4. 1982 Honda MB5 (Red)
5. 1986 Honda XL600R
6. 1975 Bultaco M135 Pursang-based F3 roadracer
7. 1982 Honda FT500 Ascot
8. 1981 Kawasaki KZ750E
9. 1983 Honda MB5 (Black)
10. 1988 Honda GB500
11. 1973 Honda CB350F

What you can deduce from this list is that I was never very impressed with acceleration or top speed. If you want eye-popping speed, two wheels are actually a detriment. I enjoyed compact dimensions, light weight, low mass and narrowness much more than blistering performance. The largest, fastest bike, the KZ750E, was probably my least favorite, although I put a good number of miles on it. I found Honda’s tiny, 6.3 HP MB5 truly inspiring, and rode the wheels off both examples I owned.

Any kind of vehicle can go fast. What I liked about motorcycles has always been their minimalism. That’s the experience I will always look for in a bike.