Was filling up the toyota on the way to work this morning, and had a moment of nostalgia, I really do miss the Africa twin, the way it looked, the paint, the fact that you can fill that giant gas tank with regular gas and have fun for so little money...it really was an amazing machine...might be time to head over to a honda dealer again
The thing about nostalgia is that we only remember the good stuff. You might want to also try recalling all of the reasons you sold it before you end up buying and selling another one.
Was filling up the toyota on the way to work this morning, and had a moment of nostalgia, I really do miss the Africa twin, the way it looked, the paint, the fact that you can fill that giant gas tank with regular gas and have fun for so little money...it really was an amazing machine...might be time to head over to a honda dealer again
A word of advise from a vintage bike guy.
They are never as good as you remember!
The best motorcycle you ever owned is the one in your memories and not in your garage.
Was filling up the toyota on the way to work this morning, and had a moment of nostalgia, I really do miss the Africa twin, the way it looked, the paint, the fact that you can fill that giant gas tank with regular gas and have fun for so little money...it really was an amazing machine...might be time to head over to a honda dealer again
A word of advise from a vintage bike guy.
They are never as good as you remember!
The best motorcycle you ever owned is the one in your memories and not in your garage.
I have a few vintage bikes, they may have been the best I owned when I got them, but they certainly don't hold that distinction for long. None of them are among the best I've owned -- my current late model bikes are the best I've ever owned (I'm not including pedigree or prevenance in my assessments).
Other than the basic 2 wheels and a motor, every decade has brought technical innovations that make bikes easier to ride, safer, and better handling. I have had bikes from ever decade since the 60's (still have 7 that are between 35 and 60 years old), when I take one for a spin they are exactly as I remember them!
My riding buddy has an AT. He likes it and says it does everything just fine but it doesn't excite him in any way and he lusts after my 1290SAR as well as others.
I like the AT and having ridden it I find it capable but agree it's a good looking capable bike but exciting it's not. I had it on my shopping list but chose the SAR for the reasons above.
I've seen plenty of people buy the exciting bike and then go back to the Super Tenere or Africa Twin just because they feel it'll do whatever they need with (near) perfect reliability even if they've never had an issue with the "exciting" bike it's just something on their mind so they make the switch to "ordinary".
A word of advise from a vintage bike guy.
They are never as good as you remember!
The best motorcycle you ever owned is the one in your memories and not in your garage.
Vintage Motorcycles are not an expensive hobby if you keep things in perspective. My bikes are survivors, meaning no concours restorations, just mechanically fit and cleaned up to make them presentable.
I can add an interesting (to me) vintage bike to my collection for about the same amount of wallet a boater spends in a couple of weekends. Or what an avid golfer spends in a month.
I don’t golf anymore, and I sold my $1000 of fuel/weekend boat… now i enjoy my old bikes.
I often wonder what if I bought that old 999 again what it would feel like 20 years later with my old man wrists and old man back. Also, would I be better off getting a newer Panigale instead from a performance standpoint.
My riding buddy has an AT. He likes it and says it does everything just fine but it doesn't excite him in any way and he lusts after my 1290SAR as well as others.
Same with the DesertX. Ducati stuck a modified sportbike engine in an adventure bike and at the top of the rev range, the thing is peaky AF and wants to spin the rear wheel sideways in the dirt all the fookin' time. My GS has 30 more hp, but it's a linear power delivery (and also 50 lbs heavier), so you have to try really really hard to get the same kind of drama.
I kinda like having a motorcycle that threatens to kill you every time you swing a leg over...
I'm with Lightcycle, I tell everyone I like my KTM 300 because it tries to kill me every time I try to ride it (and have said that about my 1290 as well).
Maybe on the track I'd want something to make me better than I am and saves me.
Was filling up the toyota on the way to work this morning, and had a moment of nostalgia, I really do miss the Africa twin, the way it looked, the paint, the fact that you can fill that giant gas tank with regular gas and have fun for so little money...it really was an amazing machine...might be time to head over to a honda dealer again
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