The Africa Twin thread

[BIERSKI]

I am with you Roughshod . I would like to know why Honda dose not sale there Dual Sports in the in the states (and up in your neck of the woods). I have had 3 Hondas and have every happy with all 3. And I would like to be happy with a Africa Twin, Varadero, or Transalp 700.

Honda did sale the Transalp for a short time in the states then they stopped. WHY?

[Dirtdigger]

Originally Posted by Stand Up

Now thats a nice looking AT!

[Ladder106]

There were lots of "Dakar Replicas" made in europe in the early 90s.

The Transalp did come here in 89 and 90 (87 I think in Canada) but didn't sell.

Wanna know why?

Say Paris-to-Dakar or Rally racing to most people in the US and see what reaction you get.

Having lost sales Honda hasn't imported a big trailie since (and the other builders followed suit by not even trying...Yamahas Tenere is still a euro-only bike) despite BMW RT and V-Strom sales sucess.

Easiest way to come close to an AT in the USA is to buy a Transalp and add AT parts. Personally, I'd rather build something than deal with the government workers involved with imports, customs, legalizing etc. If you get really lucky, you might find one brought over by a military transfer. (that's how I got my DR750 Suzuki)

[alainmax]

true
Yet I think Canada has the 15 year rule that could make it easier. Check it out but If I am not mistaken, An AT > 15 years might be easier to title tec...

my 0.2 c

[G-Funk]

Originally Posted by alainmax

true
Yet I think Canada has the 15 year rule that could make it easier. Check it out but If I am not mistaken, An AT > 15 years might be easier to title tec...

my 0.2 c

It is ......

North's AT was from an English Gentleman, that rode it through Mexico, and dropped it off in San Diego. North bought it - trucked it into Canada with no issues, and then got it registered with no problems.

I wish the US had that law on the books .....

G.

[Andy G]

... from the Sahara.

The good news: it was so great I don't have any words to describe
The bad news: Hardheaders RD03 is more or less toast
Would we do it again? Certenly!!!

Concerning the 2010 NAATS: looks like I'll be exploring deserts and mountains for ~4 weeks in the USA on my AT next year. If the timeslots fit (mine is not set yet) I'd like to join you.

That's what happens when you hit Fesch-Fesch:




Cheers, Andy

[locorider]

Now, I wonder why the RD03 did a nose dive!!!

Originally Posted by Andy G

... from the Sahara.

The good news: it was so great I don't have any words to describe
The bad news: Hardheaders RD03 is more or less toast
Would we do it again? Certenly!!!

Concerning the 2010 NAATS: looks like I'll be exploring deserts and mountains for ~4 weeks in the USA on my AT next year. If the timeslots fit (mine is not set yet) I'd like to join you.

That's what happens when you hit Fesch-Fesch:




Cheers, Andy

[alainmax]

welcome back Andy glad you made it ok.
What's up with the RD03, toast...cause you lost the front end in the sand??


hey wait! Is it still there in the Sahara? then,.somehow,.... it will find its way to the US




PS: we're all jealous

[G-Funk]

Originally Posted by Ladder106

G-F,

I'm IN !

The particular dates area not important.

Best for me if the dates are fixed before Jan 2010. We pick our vacation by seniority (I have a lot of that) bid in Jan. Family sez "sally forth".

Can I ship tires up to you?

I'm thinking roadie stuff for the trip up and then T-63s (my new favorite) for The Ride.

Looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by Papa Pete

MOA rally in Redmond Oregon July 15th -18th. I will more than likely be there.
So how about a bunch of @ riders show up there to say howdy?

In my best Mr. Burns voice ...................


Excellent ..............

Heya Papa Pete ......
One thing that will truly matter is whether Oregon has a warmer / wetter winter, or colder / snowy-er winter. So right before or after the MOA might be cutting it close weather wise ... and of course it's way too soon to tell.

I've been thinking the very end of July ...... but we'll see .....

Ladder ..... of course you can ship tires to me .....

Andy G - I just read your post, and I will put you on the "FENCE" crowd. If it works out schedule wise, I'd love to put you in the "IN" crowd.

G.

[Ladder106]

Ladder ..... of course you can ship tires to me .....

Yeah, but NOT for you to use

[A-Wind]

Hi Andy!

Welcome back!
Main thing you guys had fun and made it back in one piece. Everything else can be repaired.

In advance to your 2010 US trip. Don't forget to stop by in if you are in town.

More pictures please...

Andreas

[GSPD750]

Originally Posted by alainmax

true
Yet I think Canada has the 15 year rule that could make it easier. Check it out but If I am not mistaken, An AT > 15 years might be easier to title tec...

my 0.2 c

Still no PM from the original poster (roughshod) enquiring..but yes, you are correct. More than 15 years old and importation is not a problem. We never made the law and now I hear Transport Canada have some regrets due to all the right hand drive vehicles running around our country...all via Japan. I like it.

If I was in the market for an AT that was 15 years old then I would be looking into Japan. Europe is getting picked over and they are demanding top $ over there, or so it seems. Japan has some fine specimans still.

To roughshod who is interested...If you want an AT really bad then possibly look into Japan Yahoo Auctions. Hire a middleman for the translation and have it shipped on Air Canada's Boeing 777 to Vancouver. It's all doable.

[Jim Davis]

Hey you guys ever see an AT that looks like this:



One on auction right now. To me it looks like an RD04 painted but someone said they've seen more than one like this.

First one I've seen, not my favorite colour scheme but nice. This one looks really mint too.

[diskow]

Originally Posted by Andy G

... from the Sahara.

The good news: it was so great I don't have any words to describe
The bad news: Hardheaders RD03 is more or less toast
Would we do it again? Certenly!!!

Cheers, Andy

Damn Andy!
Finally some pict.... I was waiting for your report. I am so sad i couldnt go this time. But i am so happy to know that i will go next time :)

waiting for full report

p

[Jim Davis]

I brought a Japanese 1985 BMW K100RS that was over 15 years old into Canada. I shipped it, but it cost me $2000 to ship it.

I should have flown it, not sure if it would have been cheaper though. Getting the bike to Canada from Japan is the problem. They ship lots to LA etc but not much to BC so you pay more.

There was certainly lots of paperwork to complete but it is doable.

buying a container and packing it with ATs would be the ticket. Hmm, I see another business here.

There is a guy in BC who imports smaller Jap bikes like that, he might be able to get one into his container. I found him with Google when I was looking to bring my Beemer back.

If you bought a nice AT in Japan for $2000 and it costs $2000 to bring it back, that would still be a bargain I think.