All,
I was lucky enough to buy a Laverda Jota brand new in 1980 what was then a princely sum - I think around £1,500?. I wanted one because it was supposed to be the fastest production motorcycle in the world. At the time it was, and remained, a fearsome beast but I was immediately attached to it. Admittedly all I had to compare it with was a very second hand BSA Starfire (250cc).
As the years passed and I moved through a various catalogue of machines such as Honda, Suzuki and BMW but the Laverda was always a constant in the garage.
For me even with the old technology that it had after riding it for a few hours you gelled with it and yet it would struggle to beat a modern 600cc sports machine it was still a very fast machine and made a sublime noise. I might not use it for months and then decide to use it for a week up to London. I remember thinking on a Monday - "What am I doing riding this up to the smoke " with its legendary heavy clutch but by Tuesday morning I had become at one with it
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
. I recall being told to "give it some beans" by a couple of traffic officers when riding through the Blackwall Tunnel who had noted what it was.... So I did and I think deafened a few people - Childish I know but it made them laugh so much so that they caught me up and gave me a huge thumbs up - Those were the days
I sold it in 2012 for the sum of £12,500! -It had only covered a mere 17.5k miles. Don't laugh but I shed a tear when it went as I was genuinely attached to it. I have never felt the same about any other machine I have owned although my R1200S is my "modern" Jota I suppose.
If you are fortunate enough to have a daily motorcycle (For me a Honda Crosstourer DCT) and, shall we say a "future classic" (The R1200S) then that is the way to go!
Please excuse the ramblings of an old man looking through his rose tinted spectacles - Would I have another Laverda Jota now? Well apart from the prices yes I would but then there are so many iconic motorcycles out there perhaps more myth than machine to choose from.... For some bizarre reason I really want a BSA Rocket3 750cc! Am I beyond help?
Best regards,
David
The Hokey Cokey. What if that is what life is all about?
BMW R1200S-2006 with much carbon,PCIII & Schnitzer,
Subaru Outback 3.0 R N 2006 and an Abarth 595 MTA 180 Competizione Convertible