Older, classic is more fun

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Purchasing classics there

We are not motorcyclists, not 'older', but 'increasingly experienced'. And through that experience we learned to put things into perspective. We view many things with mild surprise and we draw our plan. Because if one half of the world is out to drive the other half crazy and vice versa? Unfortunately, the motorcycle world is also in that crazy dance. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

A classic is just more fun

We are confronted with the mild version of what used to be so common: the generation gap. Something from the time when our classics were still ZGAN. Then it was we who wanted to do everything differently. And our parents? They sneaked into our bedroom at night to cut our hair. Who used to not sleep with their helmet on?

Now the contradiction lies in the fact that the only segment in the motorcycle world that rejuvenates consists of the techies and the PR people within the Motor World.

The options are almost perverted

And so we now have motorcycles with all the digital capabilities of a smartphone, with mid-range engines that run flat 200+ and that faithfully maintain more than 100000 kilometers. Suspension systems have so subtle adjustment options on the in and out stroke that it matters whether you ride before or after a substantial meal. Everything is crystal clear, unlimited in its possibilities, and there is just as much passion left as in a plate of cold porridge. Because nothing is more boring than perfection.

But if you don't know anything about it?

A respected dealer in the higher segment said that most of his customers asked him to program only the day counter and the clock on the on-board computer. She could steal the rest of the digital rambam. Because how important is it to know what the temperature is or how high you are relative to the sea level?

And not so long ago, the bedroom-eyed PR young lady of a now disappeared importer reported that my bike was ready. She didn't know anything about it herself, but gave me a German motorcycle magazine in which the engine was already described.

To see what the engine was like. No, she did not have a motorcycle license, but she did have an HBO communication course. And getting a motorcycle license was something she hadn't considered yet. Something like the pastor who used to give sex education to an upcoming couple.

Not a bad word about the lady, the western world is rightly feminizing. After all, it is the only habitat where men work more than women *. While women are far superior. That hard work of ours may well be over.

But the motorcycle world is more of a boy's world. And I sadly remember the PR man of an importer who was once famous in the Netherlands. René van Tienhoven knew everything about his motorcycles and talked about it with passion and respect.

In modern terms, René has been replaced by an interchangeable marketer who talks about how 'the motorcycle product should be put on the market' or an ambitious young woman who usually does her job much better than the Linda with the bedroom eyes of yore.

An empty promise

Later I heard that her short-sightedness was the secret behind those promising eyes that were laughed at. The child was wearing such heavy contact lenses that her eyelids were hanging. But that aside speaking with passion about 'putting the motorcycle product on the market' is the same as what the girls do behind many central stations. They put 'the product paid love in the market'. What we lost is our dream. We are boys and we want freedom and adventure. It doesn't have to go crazy, but still ...

Back to then

A good example of that was friend Michael. During his studies he was a genetic motorcyclist. Oh yes: he had no money for transport other than the Harley that his father had ever bought for 110 guilder. He was young, topped with testosterone and had no money. Now he is a successful fifties. To honor his youth, he did not make the mistake that many men make. He did not run off with something young and blond.

Michael is a romantic. When he recently saw his Lief drive away, he spoke dreamily "She has a big ass and can cook well, I should never get rid of it." So Michael bought the heavy allroader that finished in the highest podium place in all recent tests. Not the classic from his childhood. That came later again ...

A top bike that was disappointing

But to his own surprise, he wasn't really happy with it. After a few thousand kilometers and some thinking, he decided to take his loss. He traded in his expensive all-rounder for a brand new Kawa from 500 cc or thereabouts and bought a classic Yamaha XS 1100 from the change. Because that used to really be the engine of his dreams. With that heathen classic he took a 'boys weekend' with two friends on a ferry to Scotland.

Old but brave

And Micha's moment of glory came when he had to drag the hugely impressive, ZGAN tourmodod of his comrade after a digital infarction the last 20 kilometer to the hotel. With his classic. Michael has recovered his dream and his adventure. Because sometimes less is clear more. And the new Kawa? His daughter rides that now. He is studying. And has no money for other transportation.

Old and new. Classic or retro? Is that allowed?

And what about Michael? He is now completely in love with the new Enfield 650. Of course not 'instead of' but for 'there'. Because that is just like his grandfather's engine. But better. Sometimes nostalgia and reason can go together. And whether that new Enfield is a classic or a fake?

'Less' can be considerably 'more'

In the meantime, I know four other riders who have gotten rid of their new - or at least recent - motorcycles. They are now driving soul-satisfied respectively Triumph (Meriden) Bonneville, a crazy BMW tricycle instead of his chic EML combination, An old fat boxertwin and Honda CB 650.

* Of course I mean purely in terms of invoiced hours! The household is also a full-time job. Respect.

Classic
Exchanged to full satisfaction for a one-year-old BMW K1600.
Classic
Also a substitute for a much younger bike

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6 comments

  1. As a late starter, I started motorcycling in 2006, I first looked for suzuki gs750 from the 70 years, but eventually ended up with a bmw k100rs from 1984. At the moment there is a bmw f800st from 2011 in the garage where I can only replace filters and liquids, since every farmer can do this with two right hands, I have decided to purchase a craft motor as a winter project. Tinkering this yourself is like a balm for the soul and gives a satisfied feeling when the whole works as it was intended by the producer. Although this engine also has petrol injection, modern frills such as canbus and infotainment are also absent

  2. After years of tufting around on a k 750 side-valve (Dnepr) from 1952.
    I wanted something faster and more modern.
    What has become a Guzzi t3 from 1982. Where you can still have fun instead of a plastic motorcycle with printed circuit boards.
    Ps de k 750 I still have, great bike to relax.

  3. Yet the story does not always hold true, since recently, as a 65 year old, I ride a Yamaha FJR 1300 to my full satisfaction and above all FUN. started on a CB 200 - CB350F - CB550K3 - SLR650 - TDM900 and now the FJR

    • So many motorcyclists (M / F) there are, so many tastes;

      one does not want to be seen dead a little older than this season's model, the other swears like a beating finger at everything pre-injection / driving modes / electronics-unin ..
      Live and let live.

  4. Rene van Tienhoven and Greenib or Hart Nibbrig and Greeve are inextricably linked. How many companies have seen import from themselves, whether or not voluntarily.

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