My First Bike Story
by Mark Jensen

1975 Honda CB360T

I had an interest in motorcycles from a very young age. When I was in middle school I would walk to the local motorcycle dealerships in my hometown of Beverly, Massachusetts (Honda) and the neighboring city of Salem (Yamaha). I knew that I would eventually have a bike but when that would happen I did not know. I continued to lurk at the bike shops through high school.

I went to work in a manufacturing job full time upon high school graduation for a large corporation and a coworker names Jude had a 1974 Honda 750-Four. Now that I had income I knew that it would not be long until I had ‘my first bike. Jude and I became good friends and he helped me work my way into a new 1975 Honda CB360T. The photo above is not my actual bike, but it was identical.

I was a 6’1” 235 lb guy at the time (and wish that I still was now!). I may seem a little large for that bike by today’s standards but not back in the mid ‘70s. I was told that you must get a ‘starter’ bike before getting something larger. So I did and made the most of it. I loved it as it was ‘my first bike’. I bought a tail rack and top case for it and would ride up to NH and Maine with my friends on moto-camping trips. I still can’t believe that I would ride that little twin 70 mph on interstate 95, but I did. The ‘little engine that did’ was awesome as it took me wherever I wanted to go and I enjoyed every mile of it. What great memories.

How does this story end? Well 4 months after I bought that little Honda I was a comfortable enough rider and ready for something a little bigger and with more HP. I traded that little gem in for a new 1975 Ducati 860GT. The funny thing is I went to buy the black with gold trim 1975 Norton 850 Commando, but the dealer knew Norton was going away and he was to be a Ducati-only dealership. The sticker on the 2 bikes was only $100 difference with the Norton being the higher price. He wanted me on a Ducati and made me a deal that I could not refuse. He took $250 off the price and gave me $1,000 for the Honda. I paid $975 for it so that was a great deal.