How new can a classic be?

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Purchasing classics there

Of course a Suzuki GSX 1100 F from 1990 with a currently not so impressive 136 horsepower from 1127 cc is also a classic according to various rules and reasons. But that classic feeling is in your head. Most classic lovers have gained their bacillus in their youth. And someone who could have had such a Suzuki as a dream bike? Will it then have been between the 12 and the 16 years? Then he is now first half 40. And classic lovers of that age? I do not know them. The 43 birthdays I know are too busy with their career, their relationship and the children.

A modern classic

Moreover, such a Suzuki is already a machine that actually offers everything that a modern engine offers. Minus a few horsepower, a lot of electronics but all in all too much of high-quality Tupperware. The thing also runs a pointless 250 km / h. Nothing wrong with that and all fine. But such a machine doesn't hurt me.

In my own circle of acquaintances - and despite the fact that of course I still look like a young God and I am no longer an 43 - I see a growing interest in older classics. 'Pre-war and early post-war' is not yet booming, but there is more demand. The nice thing is that with those older machines you end up in a really different world. You will have to delve into the technology of the time. This technique is generally surprisingly understandable, but requires constant attention.

Friend Lex thinks things from after 1910 have become too modern in the meantime, but that is also pleasantly limited. He sees a pre-war 500 cc Indian Scout as modern enough to use as regular transport. And he does it without any problems. Of course he avoids highways. But highways aren't interesting.

What really stands out is that your state of mind changes on a really old classic

'Relaxing' is a stupid buzzword. But it is exactly what happens to an old motorcycle. You are not fast, your brakes are moderate. During a stopover on a long drive (Zeeland, Groningen, the Ardennes even) you always have to check your oil level. Sidecar drivers feel their spokes for a moment. A superficial look over bolts and nuts to see if they are not vibrated loose. Because you knew in advance that you were not going to be in a hurry, you are going to have a nice lunch. Everyone nods in a friendly way. If you are unlucky on the road, motorists will stop to tell you that they used to drive a motorcycle. A man with a tandem axle offered to charge the stranded engine and take it to his house. Tinkering along the road seemed dangerous to him. We are still in contact. Modern motorcyclists stop according to experience no longer for fellow sufferers with a breakdown.

Want to grab a piece of unexpected highway with a cruising speed of 85-90 km / h?

That is driving at top speed! But in practice you drive in a kind of silent island between the Hungarian and Romanian truckers. Very surealistic. But the best thing is that old-fashioned gliding saddles are so much more comfortable than modern motorcycle seats.

Because if after two long days of driving in Rügen you step in front of your hotel without a shred of saddle pain. Then you laugh at all BMW GS 1200 drivers. Although: it had done the 678 mileage in a day and as a result had been drinking beer earlier. Another though: a Suzuki GSX 1100 F pilot may still like a pot of lager. But what I have experienced from Real Modern Riders is that they only drink mineral waters.

classic

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6 comments

  1. Here is an 44 year-old who has nothing to do with the tupperware stuff but the Vtwins from the late 80 at the start of 90. Had I not obtained my motorcycle license 4 years ago there would have been a Chevrolet Caprice Classic from the early 80. On my 30e I already almost bought an 2e generation Audi 80 so that old stuff was always interested.

  2. At the time, I was 39, a young dog in the 'classic scene' with an old war veteran.
    And see the increase in young people with an interest in really old stuff increasing. Not hard, but steadily.

  3. I don't have (unfortunately still) a motorcycle license but….

    Ever since I was a kid I have loved everything that is, was, or will be classic.

    43 years young, but at the age of 22 I was already driving a '73 MB 350SE V8 on LPG and after that I had quite a few oldies ...
    They just did (and do) me a lot more than all that 'Tupperware stuff' and I've always liked older cars and motorcycles better than the more modern thing….

    Meanwhile due to circumstances (separation / debt restructuring etc.) already more than 5jr. I hadn't had a car anymore but it doesn't take much longer for me to get out of that misery and then there will be another 4 wheel.
    And if everything goes well, I will get a semi-detached wonginkje with a sea of ​​space where perhaps a classic can be placed in the (near) future ...

    And that pink motorcycle paper should also come out of it once! 👍🏽💪🏽

      • I think it is not too bad with that age for classic car enthusiasts. I am 44 and have never had anything by name from the 90s or younger. A superglide from '20 and a Ford Econoline from '82 for 63 years now. Last year I bought a 'modern softail from '87 for more luxurious rides. In my group of friends there are also some late thirties with cars from the 60s and motorcycles from 1960 to 1990. From HD to Ural and IZH.
        So you see, the old iron will be fine.

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