Once upon a time, my brother and I got bored, and enrolled in MSF. At the beginning of his undergraduate junior year, he bought his first two motorcycles. This inspired me. I got a job, saved up some money, and bought my first bike, a 1989 Honda Hawk GT 650, during that spring break.
The Hawk
1989 Honda Hawk GT NT650
Such a fun bike. Very glad I chose this as my first (sophomore year spring break). It is forgiving yet not too limiting, making it a nice bike to help develop my skills as a new rider. I've learned plenty on it, and have come to love it as a versatile around-town bike, which also doesn't just leave me stranded in Santa Barbara. The bike is a little rough around the edges, but it runs well besides some burning oil...
The Rebel
1986 Honda Rebel CMX250
My brother's first bike. My door to basic motorcycle maintenence and modifications. With some guidance from my brother, and some help from my friend James, I am looking to make this thing a ridiculous project. So far, I swapped the OEM handlebar for a drag bar, relocated the ignition off of the dash (to behind/below the seat), machined my own dash part, and had my brother cut off the mufflers with a dremmel tool...I was young then.
The V Star
2005 Yamaha V Star XVS650
Bought this on the first day of my 12 week stay in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Quite a fun ride, as I don't think I would ride this sort of bike had it not been the best option on craigslist at the time. It was fatter and has a louder personality than what I was used to...letting me fit right in with all the cruisers in the desert. I ended up losing $300 on it, not bad for a summer of riding! At the time, I thought down on how it felt more like an underpowered couch than a badass cruiser, but I actually miss the cozy and forgiving character of the bike now.
The Superchicken
2001 Honda Superhawk VTR1000
Admittedly, my brother owned one before me, so I knew more or less what I was getting myself into. The impetus: he let me ride it (before I owned any bike of my own) - it was awesome, mean, overloaded with power, and left a great impression. Until I dropped it while making a u-turn at the end of the street. That is when I decided I needed my own bikes to really learn how to ride. From the Hawk to the Superhawk, I have felt large improvements in my riding, and look forward to keep growing my skills as a rider and hobbyist.