In this first part of the series “The memories of” Rolf Wassens shares his first adventures with mopeds, from his youthful start on a Berini M21 to the exciting moments on a Honda 50 cc. These are memories that still stay with him and form the basis for his love for motorcycles and adventure.
My buddy Luut and I started on my parents' Berini M21s. Before the Berinis, my father borrowed his father-in-law's Batavus belly slider - they probably didn't have much space back then. But when we were 16, my parents didn't need the mopeds anymore, because they could afford a car. Those things went pretty fast; we could drive almost 50 with them! We sometimes went sailing on the Veluwemeer, nice and cool on the water. But when we came back in shorts and nothing else, things went wrong for buddy Luut - there was gravel and he fell on it. I have never forgotten that bloody body with grit-ripped skin everywhere and a lot of screaming. I never ride without protection, and preferably in leather. Now Luut, who was actually an inventor (he became an engineer), sometimes had his mind elsewhere. Later we were riding our motorcycles through Denmark, and he systematically overlooked direction signs, and then I had to make sure I was overtaking him. That extra sense that a motorcyclist must have, always alert to danger in the vicinity, was missing in him.
For me, the Berini made way for a Honda 50 cc after some holiday work in the fields – which I hated – and with fruit growers – I didn’t like that either – and later in the catering industry – which I liked, also because of that waitress. I didn’t allow the Honda on the bumpy cycle path between Kampen and Dronten, so I rode on the road. That stopped again when I was pushed off the road by a bus driver. He pointed at his forehead. The Honda ran very nicely, but I didn’t enjoy it for long; a valve soon burned out. It’s still on my desk. The biggest problem was a car that hit me. I had to pee urgently, and the trees were on the other side of the road. The result was that the moped was broken, and I hit the curb with my head (and helmet). A lot of blood on my white clothes because of a torn eyebrow, and apparently a concussion, because when the ambulance staff asked for my address, I gave it as that of a good friend of mine who was a classmate. His father was a surgeon and had a nice old Oldsmobile, mind you.
Read in the next part how the Berini and Honda make way for a new acquisition, the German Zündapp, and what adventures that brings.
Beautiful story(d) and very recognizable for me (70), up to and including the M21's because we 'cross-bred' on them as minors.
I still have 50cc Hondas in addition to the big stuff, and I still enjoy every ride on them.
Never had a burnt valve in my moped days, but I did have broken piston rings.
Despite the engines, the little Hondas remain magical toys
Great to read about those old Berinis and the Honda 50 cc! Those were often simple times, but oh so special. And that accident with the bus driver who pointed at his forehead—you don't forget those kinds of things quickly. Thanks for sharing this piece of nostalgia, Rolf!
Great story, Rolf! My husband used to have a Honda 50 cc, and he still talks about his youthful adventures with the same passion. The combination of youthful enthusiasm and a touch of danger makes such memories even stronger.
What great memories! I recognize that feeling of adventure on the moped, especially those first rides without the right protection. Those were different times, but unforgettable. Luut's accident shows how dangerous it could be.