Your First Yamaha

[Dr. Rich]

I was sitting at my desk the other night being rather nostalgic and thinking back to all the bikes I have owned over the past 40+ years. Two come to mind. My first real bike that I bought new was a 1968 Yamaha 250 Street Scrambler DS6-C and then a 1973 Kawasaki 750 H-2. Realizing that this is a Yamaha thread, I was wondering what other STN members first or favorite Yamaha was? I found a copy of a Yamaha Street Scrambler on the Internet.  What was your first Yamaha?

[Robert]

My Stepfather bought me A Cushman scooter for my 14th Birthday. I saved enough money to trade it in for a new Yamaha (1965 I think). :


Edit : 80cc

[FJRmgm]

my first Yamaha, after thirty years of riding, was/is an '05 FJR.

AWESOME machine!!

[Indy Raven YZF]

Mine was my YZF600R.  Awesome beginner sport bike.  Comfy enough and good looking for an eight year old design.

[lilwing]

My first Yamaha was my first street bike, an RD350 much like the one attached.

[squeezer]

No pics remain, but my first Yammie was an '83 Vision, bought in '87.  I really loved that bike.  Sold it to pay off my share of the lease when I broke up with my girlfriend.

[Leanintree]

Not mine, but mine was JUST like it. 1979 was a very good year for me.  



Leanintree

[Albie]

Didn't get into Yamaha's until recently. Mt 1st was a '99 R1. Only 3 months old when  drunk driver took us out!

[RexRider]

Not mine, but mine was JUST like it. 1979 was a very good year for me.  



Leanintree

My first Yamaha (also first bike) was the 1974 version.  

[chornbe]

No pictures, sorry.

My first Yamaha was a 400cc Special-II. Jeezuz, I hated EVERYTHING about that bike.

Later, I bought a Radian. I loved EVERYTHING about that bike.

Then the FJR. I ***LOVED*** nearly everything about that bike. Even the niggling points were ridiculously minor.

[jschmidt]

RD400

[Dr. Rich]

Anyone remember this brute.... When it would kick back.... It would almost take your leg off. I still remember one day when it kicked back and I thought I would end up in the emergency room...

[RexRider]

Here's a picture of a Yamaha GT80 exactly like the one I had.    Won it from a radio station back home (WNCI, 98FM) when I was 10.

[Frantik1]

I wish I had pics, but I don't.
First Yamaha: 1981 YZ80
First Yamaha street bike: VMax
I've had 6 Yamaha's over the years.

[hig4s]

first bike ever 1969 mini-enduro 60

then
 second bike 72 AT1 125 enduro
   
 fourth bike 76 XS650
   
 sixth bike 82 XJ750 Seca
   
 thirteenth and current bike 07 Royal Star Venture

[pcrdude]

Mine looked just like this before the encounter with the minivan.

[Zerosum]

1982 Seca 400R.  My first bike, ever.  Bought it in 2003 with 5K miles on it for $900.  Fun little bike, that was.  I put about 5K miles on it before getting my Hawk GT.

[inchworm426]

So many years ago...
First Yamaha was my first bike.  1982(?) 550 Maxim
Then, in the 80's
750 Seca
1200 Venture
1300 Venture Royale   then a long break for kids and career,
now
FJR1300

[2Pokey]

My 1st Yamaha?  It was a 1984 or was it 1985? XJ700X. The Maxim X. I bought it brand new. It was a beautiful dark red. I loved that color. I seem to have an obsession for red bikes . Unfortunately I sold her to a insurance company after a near death experience with a distracted cager.

[Clive]

1992 Seca II:

[Galo]

My first Yamaha was my first street bike, an RD350 much like the one attached.

One more thing we have in common, Patrick......my first Yamaha was a DS-7, the 250cc version of the RD-350......ezzzzzzzzactly like the pic below....

[garry]

Had a late 70s Yamaha DT400 very much like this one:



Mostly used it for commuting while in college circa 1980. Only Yamaha I've owned in 30+  years...

[fjrSKI]

Anyone remember this brute.... When it would kick back.... It would almost take your leg off. I still remember one day when it kicked back and I thought I would end up in the emergency room...

Only too well, '73 RT 360 was my 1st vehicle.  Brings back many memories

[Mr.Awesome]

First bike and yamaha was a 76 YZ250. Second bike and yamaha was an 82 YZ250.
First street bike was also a yamaha. 1980 XS850LG Midnight Special. Heavy son of a bitch but a nice ride.

[JoBu]

I came to the game a little later than most (didn't start riding until I was 35).  But here's my 1st Yamaha.  Still got it...still love it.





Cheers,

Joe

[GurgieTrueshot]

1982 Seca 400R.  My first bike, ever.  Bought it in 2003 with 5K miles on it for $900.  Fun little bike, that was.  I put about 5K miles on it before getting my Hawk GT.

Ditto on the 82 Seca 400. I bought 2 of em as parts bikes from my brother for $150 total. After a lot of body work and lots of solder on the gas tank I got it up and running. The engine is still in great condition. I sold it a year later to one of my friends for $400. Ebayed the left over parts for even more profit . I loved that bike. Really forgiving and enough power for me. Since a friend owns it I still see it every once in a while and get to drive it.

I have loved both my Yamaha's so much that I will always take a good long look at Yamaha's when I look for new bikes.

[JimWilliamson]

No pictures, sorry.

My first Yamaha was a 400cc Special-II. Jeezuz, I hated EVERYTHING about that bike.

Here's a "Special-II" for ya. My first Yamaha. 'twas given to me, non-running.

[sammyseaman]

Mine looked just like this before the encounter with the minivan.

My first streetbike was an '86 Fazer. Bought it in '87, absolutely loved it. My first Yamaha was also an '86, YZ 125.

[shil]

My first Yamaha was my first bike, a 1979 XS650.  I still have the bike.  

[schoon]

My first was a 76 dt-175 enduro, it would get hot and seize. That was always when trying to impress the hottie at the kegger. I was only 16 and thought I was the shit!

[Tri2Fly]

Anyone remember this brute.... When it would kick back.... It would almost take your leg off. I still remember one day when it kicked back and I thought I would end up in the emergency room...

My first bike, too.  The back of my leg hurts right now thinking about learning to kick it.  You really had to commit to coming down hard and staying on top of it.  I'd like to find another one to ride once or twice a year.  I see a lot of 250s and 175s on eBay, but not many of the 360s.

[Scottyfizz]

My first Yammy was an 85 Virago 1000. And that was my first and last flirtation with cruisers. That style of riding is not for me.

[scubadoguk]

First bike I owned in 1976 was a FS1E or fizzer back in the UK, it was a 50cc moped, In the UK we could ride a moped(50 cc + it had to be able to be rode down the road  using the pedals)@ 16
2nd at 17 was a brand new RD250  

[fjrider1]

Still got it;

[alphabet man]

Wish I still had it

[jerome_oneil]

'87 Radian.

I loved that bike.

[Ralf]

1985 RZ350 with my goofy dad on the back That bike was so much fun that I bought another one (mint '84 model in Kenny Roberts livery) in 2001 while living in Atlanta. Still have a Yamaha 2-stroke today, but the TDR250.

[samuidave]

A 1972 Yamaha JT-2 60cc mini enduro exactly like this one my dad got for me when i was 11.  Thanks Dad!!!

[Recoil]

My first Yamaha was a 1988 YSR 50. This bike has been many colors over the 10 years I raced it and I still have it, just don't race it anymore. I bought it in 1992.

[Eric S]

An SR500 was my first Yamaha in 1979.  Wish I had a picture of it.  Picture a Special II with a 500cc thumper.  I liked the disc brakes and cast wheels, but compared to my previous bike (Kaw H1), it was a real slug.

[Outrace]

Mid 70s DT-100.  Fun little bike.

[greench440]

Second bike - 1971 mini enduro 60.  First bike was a 1969 honda mini trail.

[MIKE_H]

No pics, but my first yamaha/vehicle was a 82 Seca 550. Picked it up in 91. Killed it and almost my self in true squid fashion in 94.

[olderigetfasteriam]

No pics either...mine was an 1972 AT125. I still have it although it is in my brothers barn in Illinois. I plan to ride it on my 50th birthday in two years. Wish me luck.

[Albie]

First Yammy was a 99 R1:



And this is what it looked like 3 months later after getting run over by a drunk in a truck:

[steve.ski]

1978 YZ80. Loved that bike...

 

[Court Jester]

My first Yamaha


My current Yamaha

[JGreb]

Didn't get into Yamaha's until recently. Mt 1st was a '99 R1. Only 3 months old when  drunk driver took us out!

Had one just like it and I loved that tank slappin beast, it was my first liter bike.

[atadaskew]

Me gettin' the old elbow down on my R7



Ok, that's not me nor my bike, but I wish I had an R7!  That is so sweeeeeeeeet.

Hey, I've got a TTr 125!  Does that count?

[thatguy]

My first Yamaha was a 1978 XS750E.Put tons of miles on that bike.Don't have any digital pics of it.

[Spiffious]

My first Yamaha was my second bike.  Got it when I was 18 years old, lol.

1989 V-max

[Uncle Leo]

Rode it between home in New Jersey and college in Boston.
It was awful, and I loved it!

[greench440]

Nice choice, the DT-1 was one of those bikes that changed the world.

[VAbikeguy]

1992 XV750 Virago.  I really liked this bike.

[scubadoguk]

Way back in the day my first brand new bike(RD 250 E), edit just spoke to sis she's the one who is not a twin that photo was 1977/8 OMG  I am now 47 get the walking frame out.

[Pondrat]

My first and only bike, 2005 Yamaha FZ6, bought in March this year.  Love at first sight?

The other bike is my uncle's KTM (or Katie M., as he calls her)

[JoBu]

Way back in the day my first brand new bike

That is such a cute pic.  

Cheers,

Joe

[bajajoaquin]

'93 GTS1000  

[crispiegee1]

Mine was almost an '83 Maxim 750 in 1991 (5k miles for $1000!!), but instead I waited ten years and bought a new YZF600R, which is still my bike today.  What a terrific bike.



And my favorite Yamaha of all is the 1978 XS11. The quickest and fastest bike of its time, yet stable handling and reliable, as well as versatile enough for touring.

[bonnieboomer]

1978 XS750 Special. Heavy shafty that scraped parts in the twisties but was just too cool for words.

Then IT's: 175, 250, 465. WOT through every logging road around.

A 1986 FJ1200 with Vance&Hines pipe that sounded like a Formula 1 BMW. Like the XS, heavy but good looking. 150+ in comfort.

Now, after years away from bikes to raise a family, it's a 2001 FZ1. Great all-arounder, limited by seat fatigue.

Maybe an FJR abs next...

[protondecay123]

No pictures of my first Yamaha.

1979 XS650 Special. I got rid of it in '86 to a friend for chump change as I hitched up with Uncle Sam's Navy. It was a good quality bike with no problems.
 

[Big Bill]

My Stepfather bought me A Cushman scooter for my 14th Birthday. I saved enough money to trade it in for a new Yamaha (1965 I think). :


Edit : 80cc

That is the same as my first Yamaha, color the same also.

[apsco17]

My 1st bike - a Yamaha TY80 (sister in the foreground). Maybe 1976?? It was a trials bike Not that I did any trials riding....


I liked motocross much more, so my second Yamaha, a 1978 YZ80:

[Jeff]

My first Yamaha was purchased today!


Jeff

[Breadman]

Same color as this, bought used in 1985 (1978 DT175E).  I loved it!  Would get to 70 mph downhill in a tuck.

[Bikenut]

DT250 just like this one. Buried in the side of a left turning Ford LTD.

[Jeff N]

My first ever bike, a '78 RD 400E that I bought on my 17th Birthday in '79.



The only difference was that mine had clubman bars and I had a copy of Gordon Jennings 2-stroke tuning book. I can't count the number of ashtrays I made out of seized pistons. My bikes have been kept stock ever since.

[Rammer]

My first Yamaha, a 1985 Venture, and first trip to South Dakota.... in my pre ATGATT days.





My current Yamaha

[spitfiremk21]

It was a black 1978 XS 750 Special.Shaft driven triple.I had a lot of problems keeping second gear in that bike. It was fixed twice under warranty and again just before I sold it. I went to Honda's from there until my '06 FZ1 which I haven't had any problems at all with over 30k on the clock.

[burnergold2B]

1st moto ride ever; DT 80 in KR classic yellow/black. Golden memories.

1st big bore dirt bike; XT 500;the motor ate that bike's suspension alive!

1st street bike; '79 650 Special my dad dumped out of the truck for me on my 15th B-Day. With straight bars and straight pipes that baby picked up some chicks!  

1st dependable ST; FJR, wow wish I had all the pics of these!

Thanks Yamaha!  

[SnapRoll]

My first Yamaha was a 1967 Yamaha 180cc, similar to this pic. I bought it after crashing my first ever bike, a 160 Ducati. After the 180 I got into British bikes until I got an '84 FJ1100.

[Tony T]

85 XJ700. I loved that bike, bought it from my brother and sold it to my brother-in-law. I rode it for 3 years, year round including the Chicago winters. It didn't handle snow to good though.   And you shouldn't wear steel tipped boots when it's cold out.   I'd buy another if I could find one as clean like mine and had the garage space.

[Snapping Twig]

Here's mine. My first bike and my first Yamaha. 1985 XV 700.

It was bought new in 85 by my FIL and after he passed, it made its way through the family, ultimately to me.

Beat and rusted, I've been restoring it and added Race Tech springs and cartridge emulator to the fork. I have a set of Works shocks being built up for it as we speak.



The Mustang seat makes all the difference in the world.

[Goose]

1st bike was a 1989 Virago 535

2nd bike but 1st sportbike was a 1998 RWB YZF600R great bike  

[M.Brane]

'93 GTS1000  

 Cool.

 Me too:

[Grainbelt]

I'm a little late to the party. Bought a 1977 XS 400 yesterday - it is 4 years older than I am!

[olderigetfasteriam]

That has always been a nice looking bike IMO.

Congrats.

[jvegas]

1978 DT400 a long time ago. Followed up by an RD400.  

[Tony T]

Bought a 1977 XS 400 yesterday - it is 4 years older than I am!

1977 + 4 = 1981 DOB

Thanks! Now I'm beginning to feel old.  

Sweet ride BTW.  

[Medic09]

Only one I've owned, '78 SR500.  Bought when I got back on a bike after a nearly 30 year hiatus.  The most fun motorbike I've had.  Sorry I had to give it up, but it wasn't getting ridden much when I got a bigger, multicylinder for my interstate commute.

[2RR2NV]

mine and is my current ride...  2007 FJR...

[Marcster]

Just bought this on Saturday!  2000 Yamaha Diversion (US models are called the "Seca II").

Details and more pics: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,42665.msg975525

[nanbil]

Mine was, and still is, my trusty TDM 850.

[Metal Cutter]

No pictures but it was a 1978 YZ125. Pretty clapped out but it was mine and led to a 8 year binge of MX racing using up another 5 Yammies.

[ibppjr]

Only one I've owned, '78 SR500.  Bought when I got back on a bike after a nearly 30 year hiatus.  The most fun motorbike I've had.  Sorry I had to give it up, but it wasn't getting ridden much when I got a bigger, multicylinder for my interstate commute.

My only Yamaha was the twin to yours.  Had a Supertrapp, 38mm Mikuni, and the high volume oil line.  Only got about 35mpg, but man did it sound good!

Bought it when I was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas and in September of 1980 rode it home to Wasilla, Alaska.  8 days and 4700 miles.  Loved that bike!

[alskozx]

So many years ago...
First Yamaha was my first bike.  1982(?) 550 Maxim
Then, in the 80's
750 Seca
1200 Venture
1300 Venture Royale   then a long break for kids and career,
now
FJR1300

 My first yamaha was a 1982 550 maxim also!

[backat55]

Got one of the first DT 1 enduras in country in 1968. It was too big for me at the time [ funny]. Just got my second yamaha this summer 09 FJR. Love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bad Dad]

Here's my first and so far only Yamaha

[jfslater98]

Just got my first one about a week ago. What an introduction!

[jesse0192]

It'll be a couple of decades before this one is a "classic," but it's my first yamaha  




She can be vicious when the revs begin to climb; the name of that old Duke Nukem level "Rabid Transit" sometimes comes to mind on my commute to work all the poor suckers in their minivans.

[vulcanbill]

Still got it;

My first was an 86 as well.  I called it the learning curve.    Not as pretty as yours but it taught us about torque.    It also forced me to learn how to dismantle and perform surgery on a gas cap, taught me about moving the wires out of the way before replacing the oil filter housing, and instilled in me the value of short-shifting second gear.  That's not a good bike for a mechanically challenged person unless it's in REALLY good condition.  But it sure was cause for a lot of giggles.  

[Zen Rider]

1971 Yamaha,  175 Enduro

... and, at age 15, doing my very best "Then Came Bronson" impression (complete with beanie cap and sleeping bag)  

[Paintman]

1978 XT500 , then my 79 XS1100 Special still have em both lol i never sell  

[skippy929]

82 seca 550.  Never thought to take a picture.  First bike ever and I was instantly hooked.

[skippy69]

Here is my first Yamaha. It's a 2002 Vmax,God I miss that bike....  

[aviationfred]

My first Yamaha was actually my 3rd bike. A 1986 Radian 600 that I bought brand new in 1986 after my Interceptor 500 was stolen.

[bungie4]

Okay, I'll play.

My first Yamaha and my first new bike. My god, look at the hair on that squid.


Since then I've had a few, but they all pale in comparison to my current Yamaha.



A 100,000 miles and a lifetime of memories on that bike with more to come.

[mxvet57]

Hey Carrot top.

[black hills]

my first, and only yamaha (other than snowmobiles):  

[Mr.Black]

82? MAXIM 650.

No gear. Silly hair.

[RangerG]

My first Yamaha was a 1980 YZ 125.  Raced it one year then bought a 1981 Seca XJ 550 the next summer.  Here is a photo of Yamaha's # 2 and # 3.  I'm still riding both of them.  #3 is a 2008 FZ1 Retro.

[Papa Lazarou]

my first Yamaha was a 1978 XS 250. What a POS it was.

[mxvet57]

82? MAXIM 650.

No gear. Silly hair.

You actually look normal.

[black hills]

You actually look normal.

   too many normal people here..

[FJRider]

1963 Yamaha YG-1. Just like this. Traded a two Schwinn Stingrays for it in 1969.



I think the Schwinns might be worth more today.  

[Silverbird]

Seca II and my first bike or 20-ish. What memories, and kind of cool my FJR may be the last bike I ever buy.