Off to the 'bike show tomorrow....

[nickjtc]

... woo hoo! It's always very timely here, since we're halfway through the non-riding season, and getting ready to salivate over what's new and exciting. The fact that it is a four hour + drive each way over mountain passes is irrelevant!

This is the first year in several where I'm actually looking forward to seeing what is new. Specifically the new updated Bonneville/Thruxtons and the Africa Twin. I'm not thinking of getting anything new (the novelty of Rhoda the Roadie has not worn off yet) but it never hurts to look.

[nickjtc]

The $64k question is why Honda had to give the Africa Twin a 270 degree phased crankshaft to "give a distinctly desirable sound and feel - almost like the rumbling of a v-twin motor"?

[Nick Calne]

I'm looking forward to seeing the africa twin in the flesh too. Could be the next bike when the steamer gives up the ghost in about 10 years time!

[nickjtc]

No, my head is not being turned, even though it's nice looking bike. You will not get much change out of $20,000 otr, here.




The red is nicer...


And if you think a 'normal' gearbox is complicated...


No, my head is not being turned, part 2. This thing is the same price as a Spyder, here.


Hmmmm, it takes all types to ride!!


Here's an interesting Roadie-into-ADV-bike modification and story




Not sure why this little gem was on display.... they were never imported here officially.


Imho the jury is out on the new Thruxton. I'm not keen on the upside down clip-ons; much preferred the 'w' tubular bar on my '10.

[nickjtc]

Late '60s Trident engined steamliner



Touratech catalogue, anyone? 



The new Norton Dominator. Price tba

[motoOzarks]

Linky poo to the roadie story?

cause my eyes suck and your picture ain't much better

                       never mind I figured out how to zoom in on it

[Sparky]

You look good on that Africa Twin Nick.

I was at the show on Friday and met up with Ken (fishnbiker) and had a good chat about Steamers.

[nickjtc]

I was at the show on Friday and met up with Ken (fishnbiker) and had a good chat about Steamers.

D'oh!! :icon_wink: It did not even occur to me to touch base with other Tiger-philes. Sorry!

[Bixxer Bob]

Saw a new Africa Twin at Spalding on Sunday.  I loved the retro red white and blue metallic paint scheme and the look of the bike in general. The pics don't do it justice; I just hope it rides as well as it looks.

[nickjtc]

Saw a new Africa Twin at Spalding on Sunday.  I loved the retro red white and blue metallic paint scheme and the look of the bike in general. The pics don't do it justice; I just hope it rides as well as it looks.

I'm curious... how much will they cost over there? At the current exchange rate, using the price they are here, it would be about 9,800 pounds.

[Nick Calne]

10.5k for the basic model.

Can't believe I want a Honda...

[nickjtc]

Can't believe I want a Honda...

Nothing wrong with that...... you do, after all, meet the nicest people on a Honda.  I admit to having a soft spot for the marque, since they were what started my riding career.

[ZuluSafari]

Funny how that works- my nostalgia trigger is '80's-early '90's Yamaha dirt bikes. They are what I learned on years ago.

[Sparky]

If I was in the market to replace my Steamer the Africa Twin would be at the top of my short list. 

The bigger question would be DCT or not ?  Do I want to pay for technology that I don't really need as I don't mind shifting gears and consider it part of the riding experience.  I wonder if the DCT is technology for the sake of technology ?  It's not like ABS or traction control which do not take away from the riding experience as these systems do their thing in the background with little intrusion until needed.  It will be interesting to see the sales numbers on DCT vs non DCT.   

[John Stenhouse]

I would complain to the organisers, they could have had a nice Orange Girly that has done the Dempster and the Dalton on the stand, all they had to do was ask and I could have got Lawrence to dig it out of the shed.