SSD: Simple aeroplanes don't need check lists any more than cars and motorbikes do. Most of those multi-page things for the likes of C150s and PA28s are folk who like to play at airline pilots (1970s airline pilots at that!).
Plus 1. The first checklist I used was during my IR.
Sure there was a list of DVA's that I had to learn but there was no written checklist in any of the aircraft I flew VFR before started my IR. Those aircraft included heavy singles, retractable and CSU aircraft.