Do you remember when you got your first bike? For most of us, it’s one of the best days of our lives. Thanks to the support of our friends at Spy Optics, we’ve decided to start a new Saturday column called “My First Bike.” The subject of this week’s column is Ready Racing’s Tony Sanfilippo, who has fond memories of his first bike, which sparked his passion for racing motorcycles.

My first bike was a RM85 and I never raced this bike. I only rode it about five times per year.  I was a semi-pro surfer and I was in a band so I couldn't take any chances of getting hurt. But, when I did go riding, we rode at Palm Avenue in South San Diego. I had this bike about seven years before I upgraded to a brand new YZ125. After I was done surfing competitively and playing with the band full time I wasn't as concerned about getting injured – I went haywire and rode like crazy. I probably used to ride three or four times a week. I'm still hooked to this day, but with four kids and running Ready Racing I'm down to about once a week.

I used to ride the RM85 with Tommy Clowers, Andy Harrington, Dane Herron, Harry O, Cory Falter, Mo Donnelly, and other friends from the industry. I would watch these guys – especially Tommy, Dane, and Harrington – do the craziest stuff out at Palm Avenue. Big cliff jumps, ripping through lap after lap in the whoop tracks, stand-up wheelies, all decked out with the latest gear with guys video taping them. And then there was me buzzing around on my 85 in jeans barely able to ride the thing up and down the hills. I have no idea why they let me ride with them, but they did. It was super cool to be out there watching them. I definitely got teased a lot ...they still call me the “Super Fan.” I just want to say “thanks” to Harry O for giving me this bike.