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My first Harley!
I first raced mine at Burnt Hickory in Dallas GA in 1978. Got lapped 3 times and didn't race again until 1980 when I got my 1980 YZ125. That YZ 100 sure would teach you how to stay on the pipe! That first race taught me what to expect and I practiced like crazy until 1980 when I came back and did much better. Raced almost every weekend until I hung it up in 1985. Got back into it again in 1995...
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I can relate to Burnside's story in many ways. I was very lucky to get a brand new 1980 YZ80 for Christmas in 1979. My parents gave it to me and I was one very lucky and very happy 10 year old! Although I had a 1977 XR75 that was nice, it obviously wasn't the choice machine for preparing me for my eventual multi-time National and World Championship MX career (or at least thats the way I was thinking at 10 years old). Of course that never happened, but the enjoyment I get from MX has endured since then.
Much like Burnside's description, I was speechless and the realization of the gift seemed to defy any possible reality. It goes without say that it was the Christmas I will remember the most. Now that Christmas for me is simply shelling out money for my own kids and their latest techno needs that will be outdated within a year, I think I apprecaite it even more.
My first real BMX bike was a GT. I think it was a "pro series". Much like the YZ80 that replaced my XR75, my GT replaced a series of banana seated bikes with paper plate number plates, followed by a couple goofy MX inspired bikes.
The chrome, freewheel spinning, hand braked, light as a feather GT was the equivalant of replacing a Pacer with a Porsche as far as i was concerned.
I still have the GT frame and forks and might put it back together to relive the past on at least one of my old bikes!
My favorite bmx bike : 1983 skyway ta
Most of you don't know (GuyB and RandyS do), but my prior life to making moto TV and videos was in the BMX and bicycle world. Myself and a Bob Morales (of ASV fame) started Auburn bicycles and sold it to GT where I worked for 10 years as Marketing Director.
Somewhat unknown story, the original Auburn was pitched to Honda as a licensed product complete the the "CR" monikers and square, moto-style rear-end. Honda didn't go for it so we continued on and created Auburn.
Somewhere I have the original artist rendering of the bike with Honda gfx on the side that Dale Davis (of Xtreme riding gear) did for us in about 1987...
Fun facts on a Thurs morning.
It's kind of bitter sweet talking about that bike considering the last one I bought and built up which was my best bike ever, got stolen once then recovered. And then stolen again yet never to be found. Knowing I got to chat with and hear the story of the bike from one of the founding members who started it gives me a sense of peace or should I say closure. I'm smiling ear to ear right now hearing your story and reminiscing of much simpler times in life when I was young.
Thx for sharing.
That bike was it for me back then. I had a black CR-20R and then sold it and got the Green CR-20RX. I still have my number plate signed by Todd Corbitt himself from a national race at Coal Canyon BMX. Sadly that is the only thing I have left from that bike. I moved to Florida when I was going to College and that was one of the few things I took with me. Long story short she got stolen by some punk ass kids and was never recovered.
I actually spent all of last night trying to find some old frame and fork combos to purchase. It's been way too long and I need to somehow find one again and bring it back to life.
Thanks for the inside info. Really Cool Story Bro
I just missed one for sell locally on craigs list wish I could have got it.
I was heavy into BMX as well.
Richard Hutchinson (Hutch Bikes) (They lived in Pasadena MD) was the father of very young Keith and Richi Hutchinson. Both were super fast on mini's. Keith had a national #1 plate on a YZ 50. I still Have a pic of him in cycling East news paper!
ANYWAY. The kids started getting hurt in MX so dad decided to get them into BMX and started Hutch Bikes. My 2 great friends Greg Bantum and Chris Ziska became factory Hutch riders (the first fact Hutch riders).
They gave me one of Hutches original prototype hand welded frames! Thing was so sweet. Had Decoster forks and all!
Anyway, funny story is I remember little Keith telling me that they got WAY more injuries in BMX then they ever did in MX.
Good memories.
Pit Row
Got the MR50 in 1974 as first bike, 86 CR250 best bike.
I rode that one for about 3 years and he got me a TT-R 125L. It had a clutch! I was hot stuff. We moved a year later, and instead of having woods behind our house, a guy from our church (my dad was a pastor) had a track about 10 miles away.
I quickly learned that the TT-R didn't have the suspension for a motocross track, so I started riding the 1991 (a year older than me!) RM250 that my dad bought to putt around on in the woods with me when I was on my 90. That thing was beat to hell when we got it, and I rode the wheels off of it!
My current bike is a 2005 RM250, which my dad got me when I was 15 and he realized I was getting good at riding. He bought it from the guy who owned the track, who sold it to us because he switched to a 4-stroke.
Thank you, OP for starting this thread. That little trip down memory lane did me good, lol.
First real bike was a Schwinn ENF
Was loaded to the gills- profile cranks/chris king + mavic wheelset/ carbon fiber frog pedals- etc. Raced it for two year up until 14x- got stolen at a gold cup qualifier in Dayton Ohio (indoor). Believe I won state 2x on it, district top 10, etc.
After it was stolen I got the Enigma frameset made by Woody Woodruff out in AZ (custom) before the Hiyashi's bought the company. I raced the world cup and broke it in my semi-qualifier (after getting 2nd the day before in the 13-14 open class)-no pics.
My last BMX bike was the first GT ultrabox. Had it painted chameleon. Carbon forks, XTR cranks/brakes, chris king cassette hubs- the works. Here is a pic of another person's same frameset (not my bike). I'll dig the pics up when I get to my dads.
Started riding MX at 16 on a 1996 YZ250 we bought from a friend in the fall of 2000
Learned to ride on Saturday, raced on Sunday. I was hooked. Broke my femur at a fair race in 2001 and gave up BMX.
Was out for the rest of 2001 and first half of 2002. Picked up this 2002 YZ250 and started racing it in the C class. Went to Lorettas in 03 in the 250C class and an alternate in the 125 C mod class (on a 2003 YZ134- will get pics of this bad bad machine too)
Went to college in fall 2003. Raced the following summer and dislocated my hip. Quit MX while I was in school. Graduated and picked up a 2008 YZ450. Cleaned it up and modded it since I was finally making money (and a dumb, dumb, kid).
Sold it in 2010 and picked up a leftover NEW 2009 CRF 450.
I'm almost done with it as my winter project and will post pics soon. I'm in medical school and work full time so it's hard to find a whole lot of time to race so I at least have to look good.
My first ride! I know I know
And Jasonv43, if you can find two of those Auburns let me know! I had the same bike and loved it!! Would love to have one just to have it!
second was a brand new 84 cr60 for x mas. raced that bike for a couple years and then moved to kx80's in 87.
My first bike was something like this. It had a Tecumseh motor that had a centrifugal clutch and no brakes. I rode that thing all the time and when I think back to it, it was a death trap!!. No brakes to speak of, you had to reach out to lower part of the handle bars for the kill switch, and there was no spring return on the throttle. I recently almost bought another one at tractor supply cause I miss it so much!
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