25 of 40. Or never – Column

Somewhere in our memory we still have that motorcycles (and yes: cars) of 25 years and more experienced were 'ownership-free'. Then you don't pay attention for a moment and it turns out that the limit has gone to forty years (Romanticus: "my new girlfriend is almost owner-free") and that the exemption thing is completely over for vehicles from after 1988.

Well, almost. But you've already noticed how quickly time flies... It will be 'The mrb exemption for classic cars will only apply to vehicles built before 1 from 2028 January 1988. Currently, all vehicles 40 years or older are still exempt from mrb.'

I still remember the first time I saw and heard a BMW R75/5 in real life. That probably wasn't much earlier than 1971 in Maarssendorp, but still... I saw heaven and heard the angels.

My passion for motorcycles has been there since the mid-sixties. That is my frame of reference. Back then, the world on two wheels was still new and sparkling to me. But in 1988? I was already seasoned. But that was weeks ago. What was all the spectacular news back then? Well: the BMW K1, the Ducati SS, the Honda VFR800, for the enthusiasts the Kawasaki ZXR400. The Norton Commander. The Suzuki RGV250. Some Yamahas. Looking back, 1988 seems to have produced only a few emotional highlights (and one more than emotional flop, the Norton Commander).

Later I remember that those weird BMW K1s were almost impossible to give away. And here in the village there is an ex-police Commander who almost caused a war between the UK and the Netherlands. Dealer in ex-military motorcycles Gerrit Kranenberg had bought a lot of Norton Wankels at the British version of 'De Domeinen'. When he wanted to load the machines, a British officer came up to him on high legs. “The (beautiful ER) British police stickers HAD to be removed IMMEDIATELY!!! They were the property of Queen Elizabeth herself!!” Gerrit's approach was that the British should have done that themselves. Now the motorcycles, and therefore the stickers, were his. Long story short: the stickers are still on the Norton that Gerrit kept. Hence of course the Brexit…

But what were the 1988-year-olds in 25? Did they have more delicious candy? What was fun in 1963? That year is very far away in our collective memory. In 1963, the British motorcycle industry was still in full swing. A Maaskant Harley could be had for 300 guilders. The Japanese had just made the transition from 'very light stuff' to adult work. The 250 and 305 cc Hondas C72 and C77 were revolutionary. They were 12 V, started electrically, had overhead camshafts... Oh yes: they did not leak oil and stayed (better) intact than most Britons. (MEMO to myself: mention friend Jan Eggink who crossed Europe on Norton Commandos without any problems. (The British reputation was also partly due to the riders). Fortunately, the conservatives knew better: That Japanese stuff? That will never work! A British sticker read: “I'd rather eat worms than ride a Japanese motorcycle.” Mild thinkers compared the Dreams to Ivanhoe's (1958) rocking horse. Their children later extended that comparison to the BMW K1. There is nothing new under the sun.

Let's just say that the classic frame for us lies between 1970 and that somewhat boring year 1988. In 1969-1970 the world changed with the arrival of the BMW R75/5 and the Honda CB750F. What was before that was very interesting, but still from a different era. After that, motorcycling became more of a one-two between managers/marketers and people who were lifestyle-sensitive. Oh yes, at the end of the eighties electronics started to stir. That was also the time when Italians, who had just about mastered conventional electricity... Never mind. My Ducati 860.

But what if your dream bike is from after 1988? A Magni LeMans 1000 from 1990? Oh well: then you just pay that ownership tax? If you've already quit smoking, you'll have loads of money left.

Or else you'll just become a happy penny-pincher on your Moto Guzzi V65, which now costs less than 2.500 euros and will be owner-occupied.

There are no problems.
There are only options.