My 50th anniversary this year

[ribbert]

.....I rode it until 1972 when I bought a brand new Hodaka 100cc B+ enduro with chrome gas tank and fire-engine red frame....

....After 30 years, I finally found another bike that was worth purchasing "brand new."  The 2016 BMW S1000XR is an absolute hoot to ride.
 

Aaahh, the memories. I too had a Hodaka, a trade-in no one wanted. That bike was more fun per CC than anything else I ever owned.

Like you David, the XR was the first bike in decades that actually had me thinking "new" bike. My jaw must have hit the floor when I first read of their existence. That rocket ship engine in a GS frame, a marriage made in Heaven. I rode one as soon as possible and it was everything you say it is to ride but I realised it was perhaps not the best choice for my sort of riding. Still a hell of a machine though and perfectly befitting someone called "Hooligan"

Noel

[ribbert]

Many of you 50 year veterans might remember when new bikes were still being delivered with ribbed front tyres and how weird it looked when treaded front tyres were first introduced, it just didn't look right having a "back" tyre on the front.



Noel

[Motofun]

Funny how common some things are.  Also had a Hodaka Wombat.  Bought it out of some guy's chicken coup...all covered in chicken shit.  He wanted $300 but got it for $100.  The toaster tank cleaned up beautifully but that transmission was a constant problem.

[FJ_Hooligan]

My brother and I were always the oddballs.  Me and the Hodaka and him with an OSSA 175 Pioneer while everyone else had something from the Big 4

I remember when the Hodaka ThunderDog 250 was the rage of the motocross scene.  It only lasted about 2 years until the rest of the industry caught up.  By that time the company was on the decline.  There was also the 50cc RoadToad.

You're right Noel, the XR is not a touring bike.  I'm on the 4th set of tires at just under 12 Kmiles.  And I remember the front tire on our CB 350 was a ribbed Avon.