Motorbike Culture in the ‘80s Documentary

[@artboy5938]

56 years old and I still have my RD350LC from 1981 will never let her go !

[@alexwild4350]

You are a star ! How many eighties bikers wish they'd done just that. Well done you.

[@bapete5159]

@@alexwild4350 Me.....Rd 200.....Gt380.....Gs 750.....wish I had still got them......👍🇬🇧🤓

[@mikehurley5052]

@@alexwild4350 Me too, CB 750, Suzuki GT 750, Yam YR5, list goes on.

[@wisecampmotorcycles8258]

@@alexwild4350 me too, Z500, Z650, Z900, GT750 water bottle, XS650 plus many more.

[@davemonday5381]

Stuart I’ve still got my kx125a3 I raced when I was 14.in 1977 I tracked my bike down and rebuilt to show condition. I have a garage full of twinshock bike. First went to the TT in 1978. Epic year hailwood / Phil Read. I love 70s -80s bikes even the summer s where hotter and longer. The music the girls. My mates say I’m still in the. Because I like all old cars. I drive a 85 911. Life was just simpler

[@biker66ton]

The 80's are the best of my life. Never forget, awesome times. Many bike tours and rally's. Miss that decade so much.

[@dissyduster]

Me 2,Z 900 4 into 1 LUSH...😄

[@gazzertrn]

@@dissyduster Nice .

[@justgjt]

100% agree. Had a ZIR Mk 1 and a 900 Bol'dor. What an era to be alive.

[@Crosshatch1212]

Have to put best engine builder of xs 650 in tony halco of halco tuning got my xs flatracker motor and gave it oil cooled 840 motor .rip t halco .

[@allensutton6120]

Great video. I got so hooked on the memories of the 80"s that I quit the corporate life and opened up a small bike restoration business 8 yrs ago. Along the way I have been able to enjoy restoring customers classic bikes as well as building up a nice little collection of my own. Current fully restored bikes are MTX50S, AE80, RD125LC Mk1, RD250LC, RD350LC, RZ250, RZ350, Z1000A and Z1300 Livin the dream I guess.

[@AjarnSpencer]

I am 58 have seven bikes and I started in 1976. still at it. Never Grow Up!

[@kwakkers68]

Who else wishes they were back there, now?!

[@specialse]

havent left yet :-)

[@m12ttd]

Definitely, Born in 1970 so the 80's was my Teenage era! Would love my kids to experience the freedom we had! Care free and before the Internet, no speed cameras, just fun times! I had a 4 down Fizzy for my first bike at 11 years old! Had a 1 down 3 up Fizzy at 16, not as good though and an RG125 at 17! Did loads of off roading in the woods on C90's chased by the Bill! Looking back at those times, yes they were Fantastic compared to today!

[@specialse]

@@m12ttd yes , born 68 , had many of road bikes before 16 ( best was CB 200 with motocross rear tyre , amazing bike ) and DT 50 when 16 . Had hundreds of bikes since then , still have less than 20 but more than 10 :-) . HD etc . The freedom we knew will never be had again , all pre internet , mobile phones and pre media scare and paranoia stories about every thing . a brilliant time to be alive .

[@carlarkless826]

If I could go back for a visit and bring something back to now with me , I’d bring some of my old bikes back. Suzi X7, gs 550, cb750, and my Z1300 and my katana. I’d be a very very happy man.

[@therealslimshady4555]

I was born in 1964 got my first bike at 9 years old. I open my garage I'm still in the 70s and 80s new bikes suck they have no character soul less pieces of plastic.

[@robinwells8879]

Just come back after 40 years away from bikes and I am not interested in the speed anymore but the joy of sweeping through a series of bends is inexplicably wonderful. Mental well-being made incarnate. ❤

[@Neil_Samui]

Late 70's, early 80's were probably the best years of my life, GT250 Suzi until I passed my test in 77, then on to an RD350B...kept that until the RD350LC arrived, oh what a bike! Once it's in your blood you'll never leave them alone. I started riding when I was 9, I'm 60 now, and I still ride off-road (CRF250L) and road (Street Twin)...we lost a few on the way, RIP boys

[@1960ARC]

In 77 I was 17, when I had my first bike a Yamaha RS 100. Others I knew had either the FSIE, AP 50 or the SS50. A couple had a puch maxi. Modpeds are now scooters, I have nothing against scooter, I ride a Vespa now, but they are not mopeds.

[@garymarquett7989]

RD 250/350s were popular here in Australia

[@al4904]

The 70's and 80's were an awesome time to be a biker in the UK. When I look back at the shit we got away with I truly feel sorry for the youth of today, staring at their smartphones, blissfully unaware of just how much of their freedom has been eroded away.

[@twiceland4ever]

Same in the US brother. Liberty and freedom on two wheels or just hangin' with your mates. Girls were naturally beautiful and healthy. I'd take a time machine in a blink. 👊

[@bobfisheruk]

I do, Born in 47, started riding in 63, still ride now.

[@mark.e.p]

I started riding bikes in the 70's when we all had mopeds at 16 years old -FSIE, SS50's, AP50's and my Gilera 50. I progressed to a CB 175, CB350, XS 650, Guzzi 850T3 & XJ650. At 62 years old I'm still going but the 80's were fun no doubt.

[@kene6838]

Same here but my first bike was a hodaka, still have my 76 RD400 and 78 KZ1000Z1R.

[@mryorkshire3623]

KTM Comet Cross and then a Gt 250m Ram Air. Brilliant days !!

[@ronprince1478]

Definitely good days stared on a Honda mt125 then a Yamaha Rd350b and the madness began. Loved those days, only downside is there used to be 8 of us now only 2. I’m 63 still riding and sometimes being naughty.

[@ianbedwell4871]

My first bike at 16 was a Honda CB175.. great little bike, it was freedom

[@jamesmacdonald3090]

Same bike history though I started on a Honda cub... best mate had a Gilera 50, it was the dogs wotsits compared to the rest in our group! It's a shame that the biking youth aren't around to day as parents rush to put their kids in lease cars. Current rides, HD Roadglide, Kawa 650, Kawa Zephyr and a daily Yam divvy! Bikes to the bone!

[@NZUK1979]

41 and riding a 350 Power Valve. I grew up seeing 2 strokes and the Valve was the holy grail for me. Now I have one and it's fookin' ace!

[@Gambo916]

Really enjoyed that, thanks for taking the time and trouble to make and post it. My biking life started in the 80's with a DT50, then RS100, RD250LC, RD350LC, 350YPVS, RD500LC, RG500......and so on and on it went, and it's still going today, but with four stroke power nowadays. I couldn't live without a bike in my life.

[@jeroenmeijer19]

From 1977 : honda cb250, cb400n, Suzuki gs550, yahama xt500, honda cb750k, honda hawk gt650, honda vfr750, Triumph 900 legend, bmw r1150r and the last one a honda hawk gt650 again ! Great time !! Greetings from the Netherlands !!

[@ianmangham4570]

I'm still in shock the 80s are now retro 😄

[@MrJulianbowden]

Me too mate 1986 DT50 ,it's still a top bike in my mind 😃

[@theblytonian3906]

I think everyone feels the same about their own two decades comprising their formative years of childhood through adolescence to the relatively carefree years of one's early twenties and adulthood.

[@nicksmith7552]

Started out with a Honda Stepthru as a field bike.......now riding Ducati’s and a Buell as a daily hack. ....if I want to go out and cause some trouble I take me BSA Bantam !

[@BLITZY261]

BRILLIANT VID..really appreciated that. Five years ago i got hold of a beaut of a barn find. A Honda CM125-c. Sadly it lay at the bottom of my garden ready to have a few things sorted. Years dragged on, other expenses popped up everytime i wanted to do something with it until this year... It's ready to ride in the next month of two. "Y" reg...running like a dream. 80's was a great era for young bikers..respect to many who passed away....and to finish off here, that Cheddar segment. I live near there. We were down there and on to Weston-Super-Mare....followed by a Weymouth run. Awesome times. Thanks for putting this vid on youtube. Made my day. Terrific.

[@amymoneyproductions544]

thank you so much! its great to hear you enjoyed it

[@Banditmanuk]

Great little film, started riding on an FS1E in 79 then an RD250LC. Crazy times in the 80s where we all rode too fast. Currently ride a an MT10 Yamaha, still enjoy fast bikes.

[@MarkN67]

So glad my teenage years were in the 80s. Passed my bike test in 1985 and been riding ever since.

[@j4cko180]

Had some fast bikes but the best bike I ever owned was an rd 350 LC every time I went out on it it put a smile on my face that crisp noise coming from the microns and when it hit power band hold on loved it

[@nicnak4475]

Never had a 350LC but always liked them. Great fun I should imagine.

[@rachelbrown6895]

My bestest ever was mi RD125LC, nothing I couldn't do on that little beauty. I'd have her back in a heartbeat............Agh big sigh! Happy days :)

[@uhtred7860]

By the time i could get my licence, the RD-LC had been replaced by the RZ-YPVS in 250/350/500cc's. My brother bought an RZ250 (learners were allowed to ride 250cc here), and i was going to by the same bike, but the Kawasaki shop had a new 84 KR250, and one look at that lime green and white paint and i ended up buying that, plus they were winning the 250 proddy races at the time so...😆 It was quicker, in stock form, although the RZ was far easier to tune, and had far more aftermarket goodies available for them. It was a lot more "trick" (to use the parlance of the times😆) as well, with an alloy frame and underslung shock. Wish i could find another to restore, but they have all disappeared.

[@kevinbird9194]

My rd 250C with coffin tank and Kenny Roberts colours. Superb bike both in looks and performance. Air cooled and crap single disc front brake. Loved it

[@razlimuhamadsidek381]

Nothing could replace the RD350lc.. really miss the bike.. & the 80s..

[@Crosshatch1212]

Try a tdr

[@pauljacobs4579]

Maybe a rd400 Daytona special Yamaha

[@cubgsan]

Good day to you. I am a senior rider on HONDA Cross Cub from Japan. Enjoying touring ,camping and video uploading. This is so nice video! Awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing!! Have a nice day my friend!!

[@caferacer_vdk]

Greetings from Vladivostok, VLCubClub✌️

[@rosendo3523]

This is all good, but the best thing about the 80's was that I was in my twenties! 🙂

[@ronaldomadrebien7045]

I applaud and echo your sentiment

[@tedthesailor172]

To me, the 80's will always be the big time of the dispatch rider. It was quite normal to street race complete strangers through central London. I've seen traffic light gatherings dominated by a dozen big bikes all with different courier-livery explode down the road on amber - Mercury, Apollo, Pony Express, Premier, Anderson Young, Mach 1, Quicksilver, West End, Fleet Street Flyers, all gone now. I once raced someone down Thames Street and bottled-out at 95mph (the limit's 30) while he - or she - must've cracked the ton. I'm surprised they didn't finish up on the roof of the Tower of London. There were reckoned to be some 25,000 couriers at the time, mostly bikers. In 18 months I went to the funerals of 3 friends and came within an ace of joining them. Wild times, all set against the backdrop of New Romantics music. Now, the tunes are nostalgia, the industry has all but vanished, Two wheelers in London are invariably foreigners on L-plates delivering nosh, traffic is at a crawl, and I wonder if I imagined everything....

[@reavsie1]

Agreed, 80's DR's - great guys, great times. Always a group of DR's at the lights ready to go...

[@nicksmith7552]

I remember those times....I’m originally from England, living in Canada now. Thanks for the memories.

[@ohcrikey9560]

Great post 👍

[@iancollings5047]

Delta Dispatch here.....

[@georgerix3224]

You didn't imagine it, I rode most of the 1980s in dispatch too!

[@philt5782]

I remember a Z1R rider regularly crossed Chelsea Bridge on the back wheel. He had a light that pointed down wards... unless he was on the back wheel. Coppers loved him. Who you parked beside on the bridge was your mates. Happy days the mid to late 80's.

[@kene6838]

Still have my78Z1R, AND RD400.

[@philt5782]

@@kene6838 My friend had an RD400. Totally not stock. It was almost unrideable on acceleration. An animal.

[@BionicRusty]

My first, and only bike, was a Kawasaki KE100. 💙 Bought it new in 1986 but being disabled, I realised that I’d never be able to ride properly. Since the age of 10, I was obsessed with bikes. I still lust after 2 wheels at 56 years young. Awesome video and actually brought a tear, of time lost, to my eye.

[@ChrisBrummitt]

Got my FS1-E [the purple one!] in 1975, my Honda CB200 in 1976 [passed my test on that] - just about to change it for a CB500 when I was taken out by an HGV in Leeds- thankfully just a cracked tibia and a few cuts... took nearly a year to get the insurance settled as the HGV driver drove off and the Police had to track him down. There were 5 of us, went all over on our bikes in 1977- Blackpool/ Scarborough/ the TransAtlantic Bike Races at Oulton Park, we even did a North 500 up round Scotland, before it was a 'thing'! We had, between us, Honda CB200 [three], Honda 400F [two], Suzuki GT250, Yamaha RD250 [the yellow one]Triumph [Bonneville?] 'Silver Jubilee', Triumph Trident, Kawasaki Z650. We weren't the fastest, but we had freedom and fun.

[@julianp4787]

What a fabulous production ! I absolutely loved this ! One of the best I've seen Thank you so so much !!

[@andicog]

Test passed just before the 125 law came in, borrowed a CB250rs, first bike 400/4 lasted a month before a Z1000 j arrived, then it was Gpz1100's and Gsxr11 .. Happy days. Bikes, 3.0 capri's and I had hair, miss them all 👍🏍️

[@TheWizardOfTheFens]

😂

[@b1keyp1key]

Suzuki TS185 as a 17 year old in 1979. Over to France in 1983 for Le Mans, and it has never stopped. 58 years old now but 25 in me 'ed. Keep it wide open!

[@gerardlacey9384]

God I remember it well, God be with the days, I still have my 1981 xs1100, 40 years old just. Lovely video, many thanks. Gérard lacey in Ireland.

[@jefferyobryan6351]

What a great video, I only watched half, I can tell this is a video to savor! I grew up in the 70s with rds and z1rs, and what these guys are talking about, same scene for us kids in Miami. Put it this way, you don't wrench, you don't ride!

[@amymoneyproductions544]

Thank you, appreciate it a lot!

[@richardamner7432]

I must admit I had more fun on 50cc-125cc bikes than anything bigger, bought loads of them (47 one year!) spent half of the time off road even if it was a road bike, best bike for road and off road on a budget was the CG125, thrash it all day at the quarry then ride home with still half a tank of petrol but a nice DT or TS was the choice thing to have handy for dual use, I even converted FSIE'S into enduro bikes, keeping the plug dry and the engine cool was hard. Have a shed full of 50cc up to 250cc bikes that "need doing up" at the mo, will get them done one day,,,,,,maybe.

[@ekspatriat]

started in 76 got a new CBX1000 in 80 ...mid 70s to mid 80s was the best

[@ronprince1478]

Thanks, loved this and the memories it brings back. Still riding at 63 and sometimes being naughty. My youngest son and I have similar triumph 600, when riding through a nearby town the police followed us until we stopped for coffee. You should have seen the look of disappointment on there faces when I took my helmet off and there I was an old fart. Keep Riding.

[@sachadee.6104]

same here. Started riding at 18, 60 now and still at it (with the bike I have had for 40 years now). Also, it was not quit as normal for a female back then when I started in 1981.

[@chrismoody1342]

American here 🇺🇸, I started riding at the age of 12 on a Honda 90. Off-road riding dominated my life well into the 80’s. At present I’m riding a Sportbike and considering buying another motocrosser at the age of 65.

[@longjonwhite]

Go for it ! I’m a Brit, living in London. I’ll be 70 soon, still biking, I don’t really go any distances now, but enjoy riding a zippy little lightweight bike through the traffic (Yammie WR250R).

[@davemonday5381]

I ride a lot of twin shock trail bikes my favourites at the moment are a couple of 1975 Honda Elsinore’s 250’s and a 1977 Kawasaki ke250B1. And Yamaha DT250mx 1977 and a 1975 DT400B. If you don’t have a hobby. To keep you out of trouble cheers

[@Lar308]

a common you gotta let us know what type of sports bike?

[@kevclark3662]

nice one fella

[@johnmccloskey8524]

I think the summary at the end nailed it perfectly. With a more risk adverse Soceity etc ……. The 80s are irreplaceable and I’m just glad I made it through. Few times there it could have went either way and yet we still rode like crazies. Brilliant stuff and thanks for sharing your thoughts guys. I rode and raced with the lads around Cork in Southern Ireland and share very similar memories with our English mates. Cheers 🍻

[@adulfdabo898]

Born in '64, I was lucky to be part of it (first on a KZ750B, later on a '82 GPZ1100). Some of these friendships still remain after all these years and I don't know if there will ever be a generaion again to experience this... I sometimes think we're the luckiest generation to ever walk the earth. We've had it all and didn't give a f...

[@jimshotrod2519]

Those born in 64 are truly blessed .......fizzies,ap 50s ,rd 250,350,400, kh 250 350 500 750 etc then te chopper decde .I'm still livin it at 59

[@paddingtonbear5172]

Yeah mate , im a 64 model . Ive owned Honda 4's , kwaka 9's , Gs 750 , xs , gl , gsx gpz , T150 , a smattering of triumph n harleys . Now ride a Vt honda n a Roadking with a sidecar .

[@iancharlton678]

Still in touch with a fair few.... and it is the glue that binds us 😎 Fizzy at school.... G5, GP125, CB550f1, KH250, GT750 kettle, Rickman CR1000..... then, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, Cagiva, Buell, Harley, Guzzi..... and many more between....🙂🇬🇧 What doesn’t kill you......🏁

[@The9meister]

I live in Australia, and we had the same culture in the 70's and 80's, lots of fun, bikes, mates, great video.

[@amymoneyproductions544]

Thank you so much! Funny to hear that no matter how far away people seemed to share the same stories!

[@michaelcoulter714]

Yes my first New vehicle was a 79 KZ 750. Loved that little bike ! Fast..handled well and got me to work and back for 3 yrs. Sol it when my first Daughter was born..still miss it..lol

[@michaelcoulter714]

I remember the first wheelie I did..and it was unintentional on my Yamaha XS1100 going from 1st to 2nd getting on a Freeway. Scared me to death..lol

[@TC-yx2ss]

The old Pacific from Gosford,Putty rd and Bathurst at Easter.

[@martybartfast]

@@amymoneyproductions544 I'm also in Australia and had a Z750 just like Mr Money's. Our big event of the year was the Bathurst motorcycle GP at Easter. I went (from Brisbane) every year from '79 to '85. The organisers banned bringing grog the following year and attendance just dribbled away until the races were scrapped. 😥 Nice docco. Thanks. 👍 🏍

[@stevebeutelspacher1157]

Brilliant documentary! Loved hearing about the experiences of those riders in the video!

[@j.b.8767]

The 70s and 80s were a thrill, and part of that thrill was the bikes we rode, for sure! I still ride, and agree with Hazel: a) I'll probably die on my R1150RS, and b), most importantly: everything is as right as rain if I am able to just ride, no matter what's going in the world, or my world, for that matter....after a a good ride soaking up the twisties, life no longer feels twisted, at least for a short while, anyway... Keep the rubber side down, and the shiny side up: ride safe, brothers and sisters! I look forward to seeing you on the road! God bless!! Thanks for the great video, Amy, and taking those of who were there, down memory lane!! Cool, very cool.... ; )

[@midnightcowboy3611]

Me on my little AR50 in 1983.....these guys were my heroes. Never forget a guy pulling up next me on a GPZ1100....,, he roared off..I stalled....

[@rachelbrown6895]

Oh that's just made me laugh........thanks for that. :) (i started off on a RD50LC & had similar experience but my clutch was fxxed to be fair......ha ha.) :)

[@HockeyVictory66]

My friend rode the Kawasaki AR50. I couldn’t afford that one. So, I bought a Honda MB5. Here in the US our bikes weren’t restricted. I could get my MB5 up to 55 mph and that AR50 would go 65 mph. Looking back I am glad I didn’t have more power because I would have rode to fast and probably got hurt or worse.

[@rickg.b.n.f.2735]

Dear english friends,same life in Germany in the 80'ties. Everyone had a Bike and the music was fantastic. NWOBHM , real friends,no handy's and every Weekend Party. My first bike was a Suzuki GS 400"Black Suzie".I love her sooo much.People feel free and you done crazy things. Best time of my life, proud to be a Part of it👍we were many Times in England (Status Quo gigs,Football Matches BvB or Sightseeing and Pubs) always a good and crazy time, Thx👊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿&🇩🇪 Born to loose, live to win, Lemmy & Rick my heroes🤘

[@fibonnacisq]

Good man!

[@smith5385]

I was a young soldier in Germany in the 80's. Loved it and still do. Road up to Hamburg whenever I had enough money for petrol and a couple of beers. 😭😭😭 oh the memories

[@rickg.b.n.f.2735]

In my hometown were many english soldiers with their Families. When Militär Police was coming into the pubs "Heads Down and be quiet"😂 we bought cigarrets,light drugs and alcohol from our british friends😂 cheer's from Dortmund ♠️💛♠️a wonderful time ,today Germany is a big shithole 😪 not to compare with the old Times 😪16 year's of Merkel destroyed our Land and culture❗If you don't agree with her they call you Nazi. It's unbelievable. That's the truth ❗

[@smith5385]

@@rickg.b.n.f.2735 hi Thomas. I was in Fallingbostel near Walsrode. You are right Germany has changed for the worse but so has England. We have our memories. My eldest daughter lives near Flensburg and I can't wait to go back and visit. 🍺🍺🍺🤞🏻👍🇩🇪🇬🇧🍺

[@nicksmith7552]

Greetings from a Englishman in Canada Thomas. My wife has family in Germany. We both Ride Buell’s.

[@swburger1306]

1980, I got a new Yamaha XS11Special, while waiting for the Yamaha 1100 Midnight Special I imported from California, arrived in Jan 1981 in South Africa. 1987, I got a used MotoGuzzi Le Mans II, well looked after, and what a bike to enjoy in the mountain passes.

[@dustymiller7758]

I started legally on the road at 16 in 1980, and I'm still riding now, Great vid.

[@wisecampmotorcycles8258]

Me too!

[@A.Pheno-Menon]

Lovely documentary from the '80s. Thank you for sharing. I am a new motorcycle owner. So this was kind of relatable. Loved and really laughed at the story that Hazel Grove shared about sleeping on a full throttle bike and finally landing in a meadow and then waking up in front of a butterfly catcher in full gear.

[@westlake9096]

Started in1969 magical times, still riding can't give it up

[@wisecampmotorcycles8258]

80's Motorcycle culture was the best, especially in Australia. I wish I had a time machine to go back.

[@hodaka1000]

Bathurst and Big Chief 🤤

[@danb7211]

I started with a ‘68 Honda CB450 in 1979. Brought it home in a wheel barrow. Rebuilt the engine and the entire bike at age 16. Didn’t take long to get onto a 73 RD 350 where my love of speed was born. The 82 RD350LC was a highlight of my 80’s bikes I owned. Not the fastest, but probably the most fun.

[@pauljacobs4579]

Now that brings back Great memories my first bike was a 1974 cb450 I believe I was 14 and after that 54 bikes later and 22 surgeries keep riding!!

[@markpearce5793]

Interesting trip down memory lane. The main differences between now and then were the camaraderie, better road surfaces and less traffic. Riders average age was also a lot lower than today, and it was a significant part of youth culture. I don't miss wooden feeling brakes and tyres that were scarily bad, particularly in the wet. Chains that stretched like rubber bands and chain oil plastering the rear wheel. Very basic, too soft suspension. Waxed clothing that didn't do much to prevent wet and cold. I do miss having a good choice of shaft driven models to choose from and bikes that could be used for a variety of riding, although they did none perfectly. I think if anyone went back and rode an 80's machine after owning one from say 2000 onwards, they'd realise how lucky we are now. I have fond memories of the late 70's and early 80's, but I'm happy to leave them there thanks.

[@johncopetti1253]

Wellll., one of my fav. bikes I have now is an xt660 yammie. Single cyl. No abs, no nothing but raw torque and raw sound. Of mt two bikes, it s the one that thrrrriiils me. Though I loved my two strokes, I always had a thing fir the low down grunt of the single 4stroke. Reminds me sooo much of the tt500. Cheers and enjoy till it aint no more. Amen.

[@sv_cheats1970]

Yeah imagine the difference 35+ years ago and now. ABS, cruise control, fuel injection, heated grips, heated jackets, airbag vests/jackets, anti fog visors, motorcycles with selectable riding modes, quickshifters, launch control... We are now in the golden age of these 2 wheeled engineering works of art. Old bikes do have their charm and looks but the new ones... Are crazy

[@uhtred7860]

@@johncopetti1253 I have an old 77 TT500, 😄had it since 95, its currently waiting for a light restoration, doesn't need much as its still in great shape, it was my commuter hack for years (they are road legal here) great bikes.

[@uhtred7860]

I have a small collection of 80s 90s bikes, and a couple of bikes from the 2000s. Most of the bikes made in the 90s are modern enough to make rider skill the deciding factor in a spirited ride (on the road). 80s bikes, you start to notice the age of the brakes and chassis a lot more, but modern pads, brake lines with some small suspension tweaks, make all the difference in the world, but the biggest rewards are reaped from modern rubber, even sport-touring tyres are far better than the full sports tyres of the 80s. The tyres always were a step behind the big sports bikes development during the 80s. I love my 90s 2 strokes, and 80s FZRs and GSX-Rs plus they are easy to work on😄 (apart the 3XV TZR250-SPR its over complicated for a 2 stroke, and a bit of a pain to work on)😆

[@RockyDave]

We had our own motorcycle Meccas in the North... notably Matlock in Derbyshire. Honda CB550.

[@stevegibb8780]

FSIE, TS100ER, GSX250, GS425, Z650C, RD350LC, XR350, Z900, Z650C, Honda Dominator 650, SR500, CB750K, SV650, kawasaki Versys, TRIUMPH TIGER 1050, the road map of my life and link to many many special people and mental memories, what a life so far, still fun but not so crazy...it will stay till the very end..no doubt !!

[@markholroyde9412]

I too are a biker from the '77 and on era, FS1E, brand new, RD250D, Steve Bamfords avon roadrunner championship winning RD400E, GS1000E, CBX-6 in '82, did the ultimate streetbike series on it doing wheelies, sold, bought my '68 Roadrunner in '84...still own it today, bought another CBX-6 in '89, gave up bikes till '06, bought an RZ Busa from Paggetts, put a fat bar conversion on it for wheelies, 59 now and still do 100mph wheelies, its been my life, and always will be. Awesome vid.

[@davefield488]

Wow, memories - Le Mans 2, laverda jota and Montjuïc, gpz1100 and 750, rd500 and so many more So many good mates, some sadly no longer with us Still ride every day, weather far better here in Aus than growing up in Essex Great times, love it

[@nicksmith7552]

Greetings from Canada Dave, originally from Somerset, living in Canada now with 5 Ducati’s !.......always wanted a Jota.

[@roastchicken9143]

Good memories. I had bikes then and still do. You're right in saying bikes occupy a very different place in culture. In my 50s I turned up at my work on a new Husqvarna supermoto and a bemused young colleague asked "did you get bikes from your youth?"- the implication being that they were definitely something from another time. Still love riding though. Good vid.

[@johnharris7353]

I'm somewhat envious of your great mates and fantastic good times! I did have a Honda 450 Scrambler in '76, and bought a new '79 Yamaha Xs650 in '79, wish I still had them! I'm 68 now and have a '97 Cbr1100xx 'bird, I'll die with it!. I'm in Missouri and have always admired my mates over there!

[@mark.e.p]

Loved my XS 650, too. Most have been cannibalised these days.

[@DmacDomage]

I was about a decade behind these blokes, but was lucky enough to have both parents as riders. I remember a Kwaka Z750 taking up much of the lounge room in parts, entertaining myself as a kid in the sidecar on the way to rallies. Being squished between mum and dad on a CX500 going three up. Wearing an adult helmet with a Woolen beanie to fill it out. In 1991 I got my pride and joy; A Yamaha XS250 and joined the club my parents were in. The mid to late 80's through the early 90's was a golden time for motorcycling in Australia. The rallies have thinned out a bit now, but if you listen carefully you can still hear the scream of an engine on a burn out block or the thud and woosh of a Stones Ginger wine bomb through the bush.

[@lordchickenhawk]

Yep... South Aussie here. I'm in my 60s now What I miss about the rally scene back then was the sheer variety of people who used to go, from 8 to 80 and every walk of life. The motorcycle gymkhana was a highlight, and the social nights around the fire with a guitar were great.

[@DmacDomage]

@@lordchickenhawkWell Springs on it's way. Maybe it's time to dust off the dome tent and occy straps Mate! I've just joined the Ulysses Club so I'm looking forward to some Rallies in the coming months. There's still a couple of good events on.

[@lordchickenhawk]

@@DmacDomage Well yeah, I aught do something like that. What would you recommend these days D.D.?

[@chrisodriscoll3077]

Great vid , very authentic stories. My first Bike was a Cub 70 . Bought it for £90(punts) when I was 16. Actually my Dad & Uncle bought it for me because I was getting into to trouble with fights on the street and they reckoned that would be a good distraction. They were right. I remember driving from Cork to Kerry (Ireland) on the thing and coming over the Mountains at about 9 in the morning freezing my bollix off doing a flat out 40mph. Pure freedom .

[@mikek9315]

Good video much appreciated . Brought back some great memories of mad times in the 80s.

[@robjones8733]

Robbie logging in from Alabama. First scoot KH100. Second KH400. 😻 I sure miss that green triple. 😿

[@deadandburied7626]

Still got my Honda CB250NA Superdream, bought new in 1980. I passed my test on it.

[@braikka]

I just caught the tail end of the 80's. Got my first bike at 17 in 87. Went to the Kent custom bike show with a few friends when I was 19. Still riding bikes now at 50. But, I miss those days.

[@isickofit]

Heston Services via Chelsea Bridge on a Friday night after a long day despatch riding for the picture desk.

[@philt5782]

It had to be done!! Man I loved that run.

[@TheWizardOfTheFens]

Loved Chelsea bridge on a Friday! A greasy old burger and a cup of tea whilst watching the spectacle.......good times.

[@kevb1249]

Chelsea bridge wheelies on a friday night, imagine that now. We rode like nutters.

[@jednmorf]

West 1 West days The glory years

[@kevinstreet5709]

Been there bro ,8 years despatch Riding in the smoke, getting the CX sorted down at chas bikes Lewisham, on the GPZ for the weekend, earned good money under Thatcher

[@low-costgearbudgettour714]

So true! I started road riding in 1980 and still prefer bikes to cars. I haven’t actually owned a car since 2007 but own one bike now. However, I was never in a club and rarely rode with others. I’m definitely a lone wolf type rider, although my wife is usually my pillion companion on rides.

[@joebradbury4960]

Really enjoyed this, thank you

[@AsphaltMan11]

I call my bike my two wheeled valium. It started for me at Cub Scout Day Camp, Kawasaki 50 mini bike ( I was about 8 yrs old, I'm 56 now) , been hooked ever since, and yes , I too really miss the 80's.

[@GB-vn1tf]

If you've never riden a 2 stroke you weren't in the 70's and 80's. Fs1es to gammas, lcs and kettles and khs 2 strokes were king! Then came GPz 900.....

[@philt5782]

I had An RD125DX and the 200. Got a Suzuki GT185 just because.

[@flipflop8604]

Still got gpz900 and a couple of ts250 s, you know how it goes the older I get the faster I was ........

[@therealslimshady4555]

I still have my 2strokes and my 1984 gpz900r I love the 70s and 80s bikes

[@therealslimshady4555]

@@flipflop8604 still got my kawasaki gpz900r love it

[@TomBartram-b1c]

And last survivor of the big strokers ... drumroll ... the Jawa 350. That's the one that everyone took the piss out of.

[@martynjames5963]

This is the new Me2 movement. I started late 70s's. What a time!

[@TheWizardOfTheFens]

Me too!

[@hottotty13]

My 81 GPz550 D1/z550GP parked in front of my work right now. First bike bought in 1989 and I still love it.

[@joebloggs1317]

80's race meetings were some of the best memories of motorcycling, thousands turned up every time, camped, drank, laughed and zero trouble. Was the most fun you could have with your clothes on. Anyone remember the Performance bike frenzy at Cadwell Park? Utter madness!

[@KiltedGreen]

I was a student at Norwich tech and rode around with my mates in Norwich at the end of the ‘70s - so wonderful to see the clothes and bikes and hear some stories(!). What a real treat to see Zaks burger bar and the bikes outside. A regular haunt and the most brilliant burgers (though I’m veggie now!)

[@pikebobstar2033]

Brilliant. From that era myself. Few extensions of the truth in the stories told me thinks but halcyon days. Cracking time to ride. No covid, no Brexit, no mobile phones or social media. Just proper social meeting 👍

[@lriper4702]

I just bought my dream bike. Honda bol’dor900

[@martinkeet8373]

Touché never got to own one.... Yet!!!

[@philt5782]

Wow. I remember when that came out. "The Honda Bol'Dor" We were all pointing at the pic in MCN....lol

[@fukutube7916]

I love Honda motorcycles

[@bikefreak5787]

And it is still a beautiful bike 👍 Got a model of it standing on my shelf ❤️🇩🇰

[@layseebalsam]

That was my first big bike after learning to ride on a GS400. It was just an adventure. In -85, at the ripe age of 18 I rode it on a summer holiday from Norway to Paris. That feeling of freedom in the 80's... glory days 😁

[@straightpipestudio6026]

Great short doc! loved it

[@amymoneyproductions544]

Thank you!!

[@ChrisHogan-x3j]

I began riding in the mid 70s on two strokes then Norton & Honda 4 strokes. I took a year's leave from my Justice Dept job in New Zealand in 1981. I spent the next 6 years riding a Honda CB750K4 then a Suzuki GS850G through the Americas, the UK, Europe & Africa, over 498,000kms in total. I then lived in the Great Smoky Mountain foothills in East Tennessee for a year where I owned a Suzuki GS1150ESF. I rode the Dragons Tail every 3rd Sunday, way before it became so crowded. I bought a Kawasaki GPZ1000RX in early 1987 back here in NZ. 300,000kms later I am still riding it; I also have a 1986 GPZ900R in my garage. I give thanks I lived through the 70s, 80s & 90s when we had freedoms the riders today don't have. Nearly every day I was riding one of those big bikes was an adventure, whether I was going for bread and milk at the supermarket, to work (75kms every day) or travelling the length of our beautiful country at the fastest speed conditions allowed. Some nights & weekends a group of us (RG500, VFR750, Katana 1100 (with aftermarket turbo), GSXR1100 & 750 riders) would go out to areas with great country roads, through farmland & forests. If we saw traffic cops we used to tease them for ages before racing away. Too risky now, you lose both bike & license for at least 28 days if you are nabbed! I am now 71, still riding the Ninjas; great fun but I feel I am tiptoeing everywhere with the lower speed limits. Thanks Misters Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha & Kawasaki for making my life so much fun!

[@GaryAppledale]

This is dubious history - The Ace Cafe closed in 1969 and didn’t re-open til 1997.

[@stevenbrant2311]

Great video AMP. 70's was a unique time - the moped rules created a chance for teenagers to taste independence from post Victorian parental attitudes. I was chasing it from 13y/o - for pocket money each time I got a BSA Dandy, NSU Quickly and a Lambretta 125, all of which I and my mates thrashed around the fields and woods (incl Piggys Hollow) of Evington in Leicestershire. From 16y/o, road legal at last, FS1E, RD250 (coffin box tank), H1 500 Triple, then end of apprenticeship and immediate redundancy (thanks Thatcher) so sold the bike and car and migrated to Australia @ 21y/o. Total lack of road discipline here meant I didn't ride again for 38 years. Missed my friends back home who all stuck with bikes. Just got back to it starting with an XSR700 (toured from Sydney to Tasmania pre Covid) and now MT-09 Tracer GT.

[@michaeljohnson-li5nn]

My biking history: 1974 Yamaha FS1E 1975 Yamaha RD250a 1979 Kawasaki Z650 B1 1982 Honda GL1100 Goldwing .....house, mortgage etc.... 1998 - 1976 Suzuki Gt750a. (Kettle) 2002 - 1974 Suzuki RE5m (rotary) 2007 - 1998 Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 2012 Honda Goldwing GL1800 2018 Honda Goldwing GL1800 DCT All the above bikes sold... My current line up is: 1983 Honda GL1100 Golding (low mileage, 4,000 unrestored) 1978 Kawasaki Z1000. (low mileage 3,500 unrestored) 2003 Honda C90m (great little bike, Honda built its motorcycle empire from these bikes)

[@dalelee6019]

57 yrs old still have my 1985rz350 and will never give it up

[@havocmwf]

Great vid. Brought back so many memories. Started out on the TS125 trail bike at 17, then a KH250 on which I crashed. Bought a Z900 with the insurance money (compensation money as not my fault :)). I was a God for a while as it was the biggest bike in town until the GS1000 came out. had VFR750's, CBX1000, XT500, Ducati 916, Ducati 998 and an XJ1200 to mention a few. Driving from Edinburgh (Home town) to London on a whim was common. Did Europe many times and the Isle of Man. Great times.

[@amymoneyproductions544]

Sounds absolutely amazing!

[@timhicks2154]

I passed my motorcycle test in 1977, on a Honda CD175. Still biking now. The late 1970’s saw me join a bike club in my local area. Great times, great people. I’m still in touch with many of them now.

[@rokcetscience]

gosh....xl500 in 79, Goldwing 1000 a year later, then the CBX six and so on.....Kamikaze was the name of the bloke that rode our hill up and down at insane speed....he never crashed and died in a porsche turbo crash many years later.....should have stayed on bikes, he had halo protection on bikes.....what great time....imagine, 19 years old, the only one having a honda cbx six and all the girls.......whoahhhh....tanya wanted some of that excitement.....she was a 10 at 15 and my backseat rider in more than one sense......man....this brings back memories....

[@davidmacgregor5193]

I was born in 1956, in the mid 1980's I bought a Laverda 1200 to get me to work as soon as possible, with it's 180 degree motor it was a beast of a bike with heavy clutch and throttle operation. The sound from those "Jota" pipes was music to my ears, it used to make my mates window panes rattle in their frames. I used to do a once a week commute to work on it, 125 miles in 90 minutes, fuel consumption was heavy at 27 mpg to 30 mpg, those were the days.

[@zaphodbeeblebrox4574]

I am from the same period and bought the 180 Jota. Fantastic bikes.

[@michaeledwards8058]

me too on my Ducati 900 SD

[@bertbog5088]

FS1E age 16 - XL185- GT750 Kettle - CB250N- GS1000 - and a load of other all of these were age 17 - My boys cant believe that I was able to ride a 1000cc bike at age 17. the only time that my mind was settled was riding a bike. great little film

[@amymoneyproductions544]

I’m sure they’re very jealous! Hopefully they carry on the biking legacy 🏍

[@morrisminor56]

Got my 1st bike in 81, a two year old Suzuki A100 for £285. Still riding at age 58 on a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.

[@ianmangham4570]

I remember the a100 well, wasn't that a stressed member engine? I recall the chrome cylindrical air filter 🙏 had a gp100 and kc100

[@morrisminor56]

@@ianmangham4570 yes to the stressed member, a T shaped frame.

[@stevenlangdon-griffiths293]

A lesson in friendship for society to learn . Great video thanks for posting

[@tomwagner6334]

Brought back so many memories of growing up in Paris in the 70s. All my buddies had 50cc bikes when we were 14 years old riding legally on the streets. No license required, just proof of insurance. Of course we’d put bigger carburetors, expansion chambers and anything we could to squeeze a little more out of those Kreidlers, Gitane Testi’s, Beta’s, Derbi’s and on and on. Going to Place de la Bastille on Friday nights for huge gatherings and swap meets. We were in heaven. The French were really into Bol d’Or endurance bikes back then and there were some incredible builds. Then came the 80s and my buddies are all older and there we were back in the states on gsxr,s and still riding to this day. Very cool video and thanks for sharing! We could talk story for days😂

[@iaindouglas4829]

Yup started my love of bikes around '82, Honda "wet dream", then Kawasaki's, 650sr, Z1100A2 Shaft, Z1300

[@flipflop8604]

Yeah I had a 750 turbo, did the bol d or in 85 n 86 . Bit lively that one ! Did it again in 94 on a gpz 9 , still got that one . Loved those days but they'll never come back ....

[@timhicks2154]

Our Club in Dorset (the Dorset Soldier MCC) often rode to Cheddar Gorge. At ‘interesting velocities’ in the main. Club life was fantastic.

[@dwallace6250]

Great video, brings back the good times of the early 80's for me. 1st bike Yamaha RD250E, there after Yamaha RD350LC, Kawasaki SR650, Suzuki GS,1000E and my current bike is a Suzuki GSX 1400 K4 which I bought brand new in 2005 (18 years ago) and still own it!

[@1000sofusernames]

90s for me. 60hp 250 race reps,grey import 400s and the era of the best looking sports bikes.

[@robertmaitland09]

One bike epitomised the hedonism of the scene in the 80's, the LC, those 2 letters. Anarchy on 2 wheels, feared and loved, I don't think any bike since has encapsulated the primal rawness of riding a bike.

[@chrisgreenwood271]

were those the days you could pass your test on a 50cc then jump onto GS1000

[@mySelf-yx4hw]

yes LCs caused havoc amongst the mere mortels and police as the power and handling were great, you could have fun and take off when plod arrived happy days

[@justwhenyouthought6119]

Even on my Stan Stephens tuned 125lc I could have them XR3i's eating my blue smoke! Loved them !

[@philt5782]

@@justwhenyouthought6119 Stan Stephens was god when I was 18. He still is now I'm 51.

[@philt5782]

You can't beat the smell of two stroke in the morning!

[@barongreenbackthe2nd418]

1984 had a Gilera enduro 50cc which I bought for 7 quid, then had loads of bikes after that,loads of mates and brilliant times,I so miss those days,Drum inn cockington which was a bikers pub then,not a boring eatery like it is now,, bikes,birds,beer,Bon jovi,dirty jeans,red seal black and great party’s.what else did you need.

[@kevinkingsley9353]

Great video, same experience in the 80s but on scooters. Moved on to motorcycles and still riding.

[@fiveowaf454]

I keep finding myself back at this video as I get notification of new posts, but considering the nostalgia many feel here one take I have on it is that nearly everyone my age seems to have grown into boring old farts, with hobbies and interests that make me feel like I'm hanging out with an environmentally aware version of my Grandparent's friends. I have the motorcycles and the opportunity to still have the fun I did in the 70's and 80's, but with the exception of one friend who lives thousands of miles away, so we don't get together often, I have no one to share the experience with. I think my nostalgic feelings stem a lot from missing the comradery you have when you are young with a group of friends with common interests. There were many things I feel were better about the world back then, but if my group from those days were still together, all alive and riding bikes, I bet we could still have a lot of fun and where they used to have to lock up their daughters, now they might have to lock up their grannies ;) :)

[@jakmak1199]

If your quick you can still catch them grannies on your mobility scooter 😁

[@fiveowaf454]

@@jakmak1199 Not quite there yet, just back from a 1,100 mile ride on my BMW, but if a mobility scooter is what it's will take to catch those grannies, I'm all over it, at my age they look pretty hot, even some of the great grandmothers aren't too shabby these days ;)

[@Alpine_Joe]

I passed my test in '80 and have been motorcycling ever since and still love it as much now as I did then. Back in the day though it was a cheap way to get around and to have fun. Not now ... even a cheap bike is dear to buy and to run. Which is a shame as that's probably a lot to do with why fewer young people are getting involved.

[@lynnetempleton1073]

Yep, Fun, frends , ride around the bike shops on a saturday ride all day sunday. Ride Freedom Fun. cheaper than happy pills .

[@fibonnacisq]

Blasting down to Cornwall was an annual event for my group from Kent. The green Kawasaki in the bike photoshoot near Polperro might even be mine!

[@TommyTucker0]

I'm so glad to have been part of that, I had a Z1000H brilliant care free days

[@nicksmith7552]

Z1000H.....I liked those a lot. I rode the test bike all the magazines in England tested, it was a bit rough by then, but I still remember it !. I have a Z1B and a Z1000J in the shed.

[@MichaelZZRrider]

Me too Sir, although by the 80's I had already been riding on the road for 5 years. Gt 750x2 and a Honda CBX 1000 by 1981. Great days indeed. One thing this video does skip over was how dangerous it was in the 70's, 80's and early 90's. Rubbish tyres, at last in the 70's and early 80's. Engines getting ever faster but the handling was "interesting" to say the least. We did not care one iota. Great times.

[@nicksmith7552]

@@MichaelZZRrider I would love a GT750 with a set of Higgsspeed Pipes just for the sound. I rode one in the ‘80, was very nice, but a bit of a handful in the corners, skinny tires and the weight I suppose. Couldn’t afford one in the late ‘70’s and can’t afford one now ! I’ll have to keep the ‘96 Ducati 900 SS !